not_his_pa | (no subject)

William's saddling up his horse as he waits for Michael. For later, there's a picnic lunch from Bar but for now, they have the entire day to ride.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

luvs_yogurt

The stables are, admittedly, still a bit of a mystery to him - but easy enough to find. He'd taken care to wear a pair of comfortable jeans and a polo that could take a bit of a dusting if he ended up on the ground again... which was always a possibility.

"Hey, found you..." he smiles from behind his dark sunglasses, watching the young man for a long moment.

From:

not_his_pa

"Hey, its a good day for ridin'. I've got your horse, Duncan set here but you have to saddle him,"

He smiles at Michael and waves him over.

From:

luvs_yogurt

"I can handle that." He's pretty sure it's some kind of test, but thankfully Michael's memory is good enough he hasn't forgotten the art of bribing a horse.

"Hey Duncan..." he murmurs, producing half an apple wrapped in paper. "You take care of me, I'll take care of you. Got that?"

It's not too different wooing a horse and your average person. Give them something they want, smile a lot, and give them the impression you're their best friend.

From:

not_his_pa

"That's it, make certain he knows where you are,"

Duncan leans down and tries to nibble at Michael's hair

From:

luvs_yogurt

"Oh yeah, he's a good horse..." Michael ducks away from the gentle nibble, not really bothering to contain his simple smile. It's easy to offer up the treat - ducking another pleased nuzzle to go for the heavy saddle.

From:

not_his_pa

"He is and he'll be patient with you too,"

Since Michael has learned a lot but its still best for him to be on a horse that doesn't mind a beginner.

From:

luvs_yogurt

"You know you don't have to baby me..." Michael replies, teasing more than anything. "I'll be the only man in Miami that can rope and ride."

From:

not_his_pa

"Never know when it might come in useful for you."

From:

luvs_yogurt

"It's my job to know things that might some day be useful."

It's easy enough remembering the lines of the straps and buckles - and he makes sure it's secure before stroking a friendly hand over the large animal's haunches.

"Who else do you know that's fluent in a dialect spoken in the most remote reaches of Siberia?"

From:

not_his_pa

"No one, when did you use that one?"

He watches what Michael's doing but mainly he's doing it without a problem.

From:

luvs_yogurt

"First time I was nearly killed... dragged myself miles through the ice and snow." He chuckles dryly, the memory still fresh despite how old it was.

"An indigenous tribe followed my blood trail and they're not exactly friendly with the English-speaking world or most other Russians for that matter. They were pretty nice, actually. Patched me up and tried to marry me off to one of the leader's daughters."

From:

not_his_pa

"Sounds like you were pretty lucky. I think you're all set to go. Need any help mounting?"

From:

luvs_yogurt

"Life's a combination of luck and preparation, my friend."

Michael flashes a much too broad grin as he lifts one foot into the stirrup and pushes himself up into the saddle. "Not my first mount. I got the hang of it back on the drive." He has to remind himself sometimes that was so long ago.

From:

not_his_pa

"I know but still, that was a while ago,"

He grins and mounts up himself.

From:

luvs_yogurt

"Like riding a bicycle." He'll not mention that he would probably actually have an even worse time with a bicycle.

"Are we staying in the corral or heading out, boss?"

From:

not_his_pa

"Somethin' like that. We're headin' out, come on,"

It doesn't take much to open up the gate and William heads them out. They'll start by going around the lake first.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Getting his bearings at a slow trot - Michael's more than happy to follow William's lead - letting the speed come steadily with his balance.

"Good job, Duncan... atta boy..."

Okay, so he's a little more used to dogs.

From:

not_his_pa

Well, it will work and they start around the lakeside path, moving first in a trot and then into a canter.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Lowering himself a little closer to his center of gravity, Michael almost wishes he'd worn his jacket but it's a bit of a thrill no less - catching the breeze off the lake as he follows close behind.

From:

not_his_pa

"You're doin' good, we'll go around and then head back to the do some ropin'."

From:

luvs_yogurt

The breeze catching his shirt and hair is exhilarating in a way that pushing the Charger against the red line couldn't compare to. It feels... great. Free.

"Maybe go twice?"

From:

not_his_pa

"Course, however long you'd like, want you to be comfortable,"

As they come around a corner, there's a particularly muddy and slippery bit and the horses get nervous as they try to find their footing.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Comfort is hard to obtain, but the nice emptiness of feeling his mind slow to the pace of his body as the pulse of the large animal underneath him shifted and ran was close enough.

"Shhh..." He murmurs, stroking along the powerful animal's neck in an attempt to calm him from spooking.

From:

not_his_pa

Slowly the horse relaxes and William leads them both towards a more stable part of the path.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Michael's heart is pounded as they push on, but it feels great. He can't help saying loud enough to be heard over the din of hooves; "Nobody would believe you if you told them about this... but I kind of like it."

From:

not_his_pa

"Good, do you want to go faster? It should be safe enough here."

From:

luvs_yogurt

"Sure!" His smile spread slightly, uncharacteristic for him but no less nice. "I'll follow!"

From:

not_his_pa

William grins as he moves into a trot, looking back to Michael to see how he keeps up.

From:

luvs_yogurt

It's not easy but Michael's not exactly a stranger to working outside of his depth. He's more than happy to lean into the faster trot - gently stroking the hand that isn't holding on tight up and over the horse's strong shoulder.

"Good boy... you've got this..."

From:

not_his_pa

Once he sees that Michael's doing alright, William calls out, "That's right, work with him."

From:

luvs_yogurt

"Just like any partnership." Michael answers under his breath, angling his knees to adjust to the speed and gait of the horse underneath him. He didn't have the body for riding, honestly, and could feel it running up his spine from the saddle but he wasn't going to let it dissuade him.

From:

not_his_pa

"Yeah, like that. Want to try a canter?"

They're coming around to the end of the lake path.

From:

luvs_yogurt

"Lead on, brother!" He calls back, unable to hide his small smile. It's nice to do something different... to be completely out of his element.

From:

not_his_pa

(OOC: Early night for me, long day, love these two.)

He smiles and with a word and a squeeze to his horse is cantering.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Mirroring the gentle squeeze with a muttered command he may or may not have seen on a Russian TV show two ages ago, Michael is admittedly a little surprised that his horse picks up to match speed - bringing him quickly up alongside his riding partner with a flush of cool breeze raking through his hair.

"Not bad!"

(ooc: No worries love, sleep well!)

From:

not_his_pa

"Good, now we'll go this way," There's a bit of a path around the stables and up to the gardens which is decently flat so William takes them there.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Changing paths is a bit harder than simply following, but Michael is comfortable enough behind the reigns - and Duncan is docile enough to know when to follow - that he makes it short behind his friend to the easy path.

"Still behind you."