The familiar activity had Ysabel relaxed in no time. Her worries melted away as she worked the big Friesan on the line, and within a half an hour he seemed to have worked out his friskiness as well.
The night was lovely and the arena well-lit; the benefits of having a stable on Anantya property. Ysabel led Elegy to the mounting block in one corner and swung gracefully into the saddle, arranging her feet in the stirrups and stretching her heels down. The gelding stood quietly while she arranged the folds of her split skirt, his training evident in the square-footed stance, the arch of his neck as he idly mouthed his bit.
When she was ready Ysabel adjusted the reins, gave Elegy a good deal of slack, and murmured softly to him. He moved off in a swinging gait, relaxing his neck so it hung parallel to the ground, stretching his head out every now and then. Now Ysabel was entirely focused, happily so, as her hips moved gently with the horse's gait.
Gathering him back up, putting him back into the frame she'd trained him to move in, Ysabel began to put him through his paces, taking her time, enjoying the feel of the muscular horse beneath her, they concerted efforts of both of them as they moved in time.
It was the perfect way to release any tension, Ysabel reflected as she circled the arena. She still didn't know how long it might take or what sort of resolution she and Ambrose might find, but she was certain that everything would turn out fine in tha regard.
Finding her own place in her Clan might come a bit more slowly, but Ysabel would manage. She liked being here, and she liked what she did. She would find her way.
((ooc: Ysabel out))
Revisitation (Open)
Several nights had passed since her argument with Ambrose, and Ysabel hadn't seen him since. Instead of letting that fact bother her, or even admitting how much it bothered her, she took the opportunity to spend more time at the stable on the Anantya grounds. It kept her mind quite comfortably off of the subject, and she felt guilty for spending so little time with her horses since her move to Nachton.
Interestingly enough, she found she'd been holing up in her own suite at Heolfor. In the past she'd always found shelter with Dayle, but a curious mix of emotions had led her to remain with her Clan instead. It was this she reflected upon as she led Elegy to the well-padded arena, tacked and on a longe line for some excersize.
Letting the line out while the big gelding obediently circled, Ysabel absently gave a flick of the whip in her right hand. Muffled hoofbeats, like music, filled the air in a steady rhythm as she carefully watched her favorite horse, but her mind wandered.
It was pride, she was sure, that had her unable to admit to Dayle that she and Ambrose had fought. Ysabel was no longer as worried about that outcome of that as she had been right after it had happened, but she found it curious that she hadn't gone straight to Dayle, to their shared condo.
Another deft flick of her wrist had the long whip making a soft snap behind Elegy's heels. The gelding tossed his head as if in acknowledgement and began to trot. Ysabel let out the line some more so he could move in a wider circle around her, pausing in her reflections to admire the play of the sleek black coat over well-conditioned muscle.
Every movement the horse made was in perfect concert with the rest of his body, from the large head with its wide-set eyes down to the deceptively delicate cannonbones, resting above even slimmer fetlocks. Not a single motion was wasted.
Perhaps that was the key, she thought absently. She had arrived here in Nachton and immediately sought out her Clan because that was the appropriate move. Even more, though, she was teaching herself how to do her job within her Clan, how to be a more valuable member of her own Order, how to work in concert with the rest of her Clanmates.
Watching her horse float by, every step perfect, Ysabel smiled softly to herself. Dayle was busy with Tacharan. She had begun a new job, had to learn new things herself. Ysabel wouldn't burden her sister by moping about their condo.
And, she realized with a little surprise as she reined Elegy back in and switched the longe line to the other side of his bridle, she didn't really feel like moping anymore. She had faith in her ability to resolve her own issues. That didn't mean Dayle wouldn't be there for her, it just meant that maybe even after six hundred years of life she still had some growing up to do.
She'd thought she had just come along to Nachton to keep Dayle company, but it was turning out to be quite the experience for them both.
Ysabel
18 years ago