Ysabel was glad to see Ambrose was able to mount up well enough. She brought Vivace to the opposite side of the block and mounted herself, settling easily into the saddle and arranging her skirts about her as she hooked her right knee over the top horn and found her stirrup with her left foot.
"Well, perhaps you won't need it, but hang onto it all the same," she said amiably in response to Ambrose's confusion over the matter of the crop.
Ysabel wasn't about to try and force any issue with Ambrose; not on the subject of riding. If things turned out as she suspected, he would figure out the crop's purpose for himself. She expected he wouldn't be happy about it, but that's what this was all about, wasn't it? He couldn't ride the way he used to. There were some adjustments he would have to make, concessions to the fact that his prosthetic wasn't a replacement for a leg lost, but a supplement. So was the crop a supplement. Ysabel hoped he'd see that without her having to point it out.
Vivace danced and tossed his head again and Ysabel gently brought him under her, asked for obedience, rewarded it with lenience. The younger of the two horses finally settled a bit and she brought him up next to Elegy, who still stood waiting for the cue to walk.
"He should walk out if you just ask him to," she said. It wouldn't take a leg signal to ask either of the horses to walk; a simple click of the tongue would do. Reins in one hand, crop in the other, held tightly against her hip, Ysabel demonstrated and rewarded Vivace for performing with a pat on the neck, as Ambrose had done with Elegy.
Walking out let her hide her amusement some; certainly, she was concerned and anxious, hopeful that this pleased Ambrose and turned out to be enjoyable... but she had to laugh inwardly, just a little, at the way self-assured cockiness seemed to have taken a passenger seat to what appeared to be a very un-Ambrose-like case of nerves. It was as endearing as his prickliness, but Ysabel didn't have to let him know that.
Hi Honey... (Private)
It had taken some time but Ambrose was starting to think that Belle wasn't going to come looking for him. Ambrose didn't quite know what to make of that. He really had expected her to. To what he didn't know, apologize, make sure he was OK at the very least to tell him she wasn't speaking to him any more. It was an odd feeling too. Ambrose wasn't certain if he was pissed she hadn't come looking for him or if he was... concerned he'd screwed up.
Since when had he been concerned about anything, she knew he could be a touch on the abrasive side and it hadn't been a problem yet. He didn't think so. Why should it be a problem now?
Still he'd finally decided that maybe looking for her would be a good thing but, apparently, she'd gone to ground. A skill Ambrose hadn't been aware Ysabel possessed. He'd not seen her around the manor, he'd gone to the condo she shared with her sister (god damned stairs) the historical society (even suffering through a tour), and to the barn looking for her. She hadn't been any of those places, which left one more place to look, her suite.
Stairs, more stairs, always stairs; grumbling, he slowly made his way up them thankful she only live on the second floor. He stared at the door for a long time trying to decide if he should knock, just walk in or just forget the whole thing. She couldn't possibly still be mad about a little spat. Uncharacteristically hesitant Ambrose finally knocked on the door. Maybe she wouldn't be home and he could just leave a note, after all he'd put in a good effort to find her. Not his fault if he was thwarted.
Ysabel
18 years ago
Ambrose
18 years ago
He really was edgy about using his leg, half of his connection to the horse was gone, just not there and it was unnerving. That was something he needed to get under control right quick. While his horse seemed sane enough he didn’t want to get into the habit of being less than confidant while riding.
All that said though he couldn’t get past the idea of a leg signal to start out. Fortunately Belle supplied that answer by example, not that he used or even thought about the crop but clucking to Elegy and a gentle squeeze with his legs (he did get some response from his prosthetic) and they were moving.
The feel of walking freely again, the first time in a century without cane, prosthetic or crutches was enormously satisfying, liberating even. For a moment it felt just like breathing, perfectly natural something done without thought. Why had he waited so long to try again? He didn’t even care that he’d been wrong twice now, once about the fight and now about putting off his promise to go riding with Belle. Hell at the rate this was going she could be right all she wanted.
A sudden surge of confidence made him want to push a little further, he asked for a trot certain his mount would respond. However, he hadn’t taken into account the limited pressure he could apply with his left leg; the signal wasn’t for a trot but Elegy answered to a very proper leg yield; Ambrose, who had been thinking ahead and not to the side, was left behind hitting the soft footing with a solid ‘thud’. The only consolation was it had been a clean fall leaving both his leg and the saddle intact, but that didn’t mean he was taking it any better.
Glaring at the horse, although he was more upset with himself, he struggled to his feet. The ground, his position and not having his cane all conspired to make it difficult and extremely awkward, but he made it. Elegy was well trained and well mannered and hadn’t moved but a step or two from where Ambrose had fallen and he easily collected the reigns but didn’t move to remount. His jaw flexed as he debated giving up right on the spot versus trying again, most of this thought process involved a great deal of profanity.
All that said though he couldn’t get past the idea of a leg signal to start out. Fortunately Belle supplied that answer by example, not that he used or even thought about the crop but clucking to Elegy and a gentle squeeze with his legs (he did get some response from his prosthetic) and they were moving.
The feel of walking freely again, the first time in a century without cane, prosthetic or crutches was enormously satisfying, liberating even. For a moment it felt just like breathing, perfectly natural something done without thought. Why had he waited so long to try again? He didn’t even care that he’d been wrong twice now, once about the fight and now about putting off his promise to go riding with Belle. Hell at the rate this was going she could be right all she wanted.
A sudden surge of confidence made him want to push a little further, he asked for a trot certain his mount would respond. However, he hadn’t taken into account the limited pressure he could apply with his left leg; the signal wasn’t for a trot but Elegy answered to a very proper leg yield; Ambrose, who had been thinking ahead and not to the side, was left behind hitting the soft footing with a solid ‘thud’. The only consolation was it had been a clean fall leaving both his leg and the saddle intact, but that didn’t mean he was taking it any better.
Glaring at the horse, although he was more upset with himself, he struggled to his feet. The ground, his position and not having his cane all conspired to make it difficult and extremely awkward, but he made it. Elegy was well trained and well mannered and hadn’t moved but a step or two from where Ambrose had fallen and he easily collected the reigns but didn’t move to remount. His jaw flexed as he debated giving up right on the spot versus trying again, most of this thought process involved a great deal of profanity.
Ysabel
18 years ago
Ysabel, unfortunately, was in perfect position to witness Ambrose's fall. Vivace decided to take exception to the idea of having someone hit the ground in front of him, and by the time she managed to get him back onto all four feet Ambrose was standing again and swearing profusely. He hadn't left though, which was, ironically, encouraging, and he appeared to be just fine.
Patting her shying horse on the neck, Ysabel circled him back around to the mounting block and held him there patiently, obviously waiting for Ambrose to get back on and try again. She didn't think at this point that saying anything would help. Ambrose was stubborn and proud, and all she could do for the moment was hope that stubbornness won out over pride and he'd get back up. He'd looked to be enjoying himself right up until it had happened, and maybe that would be enough to get him back up.
That said, she was prepared to block the door leading back out if she had to. Resettling herself in her saddle she waited, calming her fidgeting mount, silently wqilling Ambrose to come over to the mounting block and give it another try.
Patting her shying horse on the neck, Ysabel circled him back around to the mounting block and held him there patiently, obviously waiting for Ambrose to get back on and try again. She didn't think at this point that saying anything would help. Ambrose was stubborn and proud, and all she could do for the moment was hope that stubbornness won out over pride and he'd get back up. He'd looked to be enjoying himself right up until it had happened, and maybe that would be enough to get him back up.
That said, she was prepared to block the door leading back out if she had to. Resettling herself in her saddle she waited, calming her fidgeting mount, silently wqilling Ambrose to come over to the mounting block and give it another try.
Ambrose
18 years ago
That had hurt, both physically and his pride. The physical he wasn’t worried about, he’d fallen before and currently had a very hard time getting himself seriously injured. However, this is exactly why he’d given up riding, he couldn’t do it. His body just wasn’t meant for it any longer.
Damned it.
She had to see he’d lost this particular aspect of his life, he couldn’t keep it up. But she’d gone to a great deal of trouble to get the saddle made. It was a fierce, but short internal battle that ended with a very foul oath, spoken softly so as not to alarm the horse.
“Alright, one more try hold boy.”
Giving Elegy a firm pat to reassure them both he lead the horse back to the mounting block and tried again. Mounting was easier, he knew what to expect this time but Ambrose currently felt he’d be forever confined to ‘nose to tail’ trail rides, the kind where you didn’t ride so much as sit in the saddle and that would be worse than not riding at all.
Damned it.
She had to see he’d lost this particular aspect of his life, he couldn’t keep it up. But she’d gone to a great deal of trouble to get the saddle made. It was a fierce, but short internal battle that ended with a very foul oath, spoken softly so as not to alarm the horse.
“Alright, one more try hold boy.”
Giving Elegy a firm pat to reassure them both he lead the horse back to the mounting block and tried again. Mounting was easier, he knew what to expect this time but Ambrose currently felt he’d be forever confined to ‘nose to tail’ trail rides, the kind where you didn’t ride so much as sit in the saddle and that would be worse than not riding at all.
Ysabel
18 years ago
Highly pleased that she hadn't had to resort to physically blocking Ambrose to prevent him from leaving, Ysabel let Vivace walk up alongside Elegy as Ambrose remounted.
She wasn't exactly sure how to phrase this particular lesson in a way that wouldn't grate; while she wanted Ambrose to swallow his pride and admit he had to do things differently, she didn't want him to give up altogether. Instead she made certain that the side of her saddle without a leg was next to him. Perfectly capable of riding astride, Ysabel had chosen a sidesaddle today for a reason.
"It can take a long time to learn how to use one of these," she said, indicating the crop she held in her right hand. "Some people just want the incentive to keep their horse moving, but as you can see it's not necessary with these gentlemen. And anyway, I don't believe in hitting them to make them move."
She shifted slightly, letting Vivace walk up ahead for a moment, turning to talk over her shoulder to Ambrose. The movement was difficult in a sidesaddle; having one's entire weight thrown over to the side made certain motions almost impossible.
"The trick is, to realize it's an aide," she continued. "You cannot use the crop on its own, but there are some things you cannot do without one."
With a very subtle movement she let the crop fall against Vivace's off-side, pressing lightly, and nodded with approval as he danced to one side, legs crossing in front of each other, as Elegy had just done with Ambrose. Just as smoothly she lifted the pressure then applied it again with her left leg, the one that lay against the horse's side. The signal now was different, balanaced on both of the horse's sides. Vivace gave a toss of his head and transitioned smoothly into a flowing, ground-eating trot.
Once again, Ysabel applied the crop to the horse's right side and he began to cross-step, maintaining the rhythm as he moved diagonally across the ring. Lifting the crop, pressuring with her left leg, he switched and moved off, crossing once more over to the right.
In a series of soft, subtle signals using only her seat, her left leg, and the crop on her off-side, Ysabel coaxed from Vivace a series of cross-steps, circles, stops and starts before returning to Ambrose.
"It took a while for me to learn how to do it both ways," she admitted, "but the result was worthwhile."
Granted, Ysabel had first learned sidesaddle and then astride, but it was all the same. Different times, different styles... she had every confidence that Ambrose could learn again if he really had the drive.
She wasn't exactly sure how to phrase this particular lesson in a way that wouldn't grate; while she wanted Ambrose to swallow his pride and admit he had to do things differently, she didn't want him to give up altogether. Instead she made certain that the side of her saddle without a leg was next to him. Perfectly capable of riding astride, Ysabel had chosen a sidesaddle today for a reason.
"It can take a long time to learn how to use one of these," she said, indicating the crop she held in her right hand. "Some people just want the incentive to keep their horse moving, but as you can see it's not necessary with these gentlemen. And anyway, I don't believe in hitting them to make them move."
She shifted slightly, letting Vivace walk up ahead for a moment, turning to talk over her shoulder to Ambrose. The movement was difficult in a sidesaddle; having one's entire weight thrown over to the side made certain motions almost impossible.
"The trick is, to realize it's an aide," she continued. "You cannot use the crop on its own, but there are some things you cannot do without one."
With a very subtle movement she let the crop fall against Vivace's off-side, pressing lightly, and nodded with approval as he danced to one side, legs crossing in front of each other, as Elegy had just done with Ambrose. Just as smoothly she lifted the pressure then applied it again with her left leg, the one that lay against the horse's side. The signal now was different, balanaced on both of the horse's sides. Vivace gave a toss of his head and transitioned smoothly into a flowing, ground-eating trot.
Once again, Ysabel applied the crop to the horse's right side and he began to cross-step, maintaining the rhythm as he moved diagonally across the ring. Lifting the crop, pressuring with her left leg, he switched and moved off, crossing once more over to the right.
In a series of soft, subtle signals using only her seat, her left leg, and the crop on her off-side, Ysabel coaxed from Vivace a series of cross-steps, circles, stops and starts before returning to Ambrose.
"It took a while for me to learn how to do it both ways," she admitted, "but the result was worthwhile."
Granted, Ysabel had first learned sidesaddle and then astride, but it was all the same. Different times, different styles... she had every confidence that Ambrose could learn again if he really had the drive.
Ambrose
18 years ago
He was about ready to try and move again, the walk had felt right and now it was just a matter of getting this damned piece of plastic and metal to cooperate with him. Not that it ever did, at least not to Ambrose’s satisfaction.
What in the hell was she talking about, one of these? Oh yeah he was still holding the crop, somehow he’d held on to it through the fall and hadn’t left it in the dirt. It was a completely foreign element to him, he’d never used one when he was alive.
While Ambrose was impressed with how she’d managed her horse and the response Belle had gotten it just wasn’t right, not at all. He found himself scowling accusingly at the new tool, already disliking it and biting off the sharp retort that he’d been riding since he could remember why did he need to change now?
“Damned it Belle…”
He trailed off again reminding himself he was trying to learn and not pick another fight. Damned this not fighting stuff was hard, it hurt.
Taking a deep breath, he coaxed his borrowed mount into a walk, settling deeper into the saddle and preparing to be left behind again with leg and crop he asked for a trot. It was still a bit lopsided as Elegy responded to the stronger leg signal more than the slightly awkward use of the crop but between Ambrose being ready and the signal being more even there was no sudden impact.
It wasn’t the best riding he’d ever done, there was still a leaning to be done how missing one leg effected his balance and his seat and drastically reduced sensitivity on one side but he got a good solid trot around the ring and neither rider nor horse looked like a fool. He stopped next to Ysabel and Vivace.
“OK maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.”
It was admitted grudgingly but there was a hint of a smile under the gruff expression, riding again even like this meant more to Ambrose than even he had realized.
What in the hell was she talking about, one of these? Oh yeah he was still holding the crop, somehow he’d held on to it through the fall and hadn’t left it in the dirt. It was a completely foreign element to him, he’d never used one when he was alive.
While Ambrose was impressed with how she’d managed her horse and the response Belle had gotten it just wasn’t right, not at all. He found himself scowling accusingly at the new tool, already disliking it and biting off the sharp retort that he’d been riding since he could remember why did he need to change now?
“Damned it Belle…”
He trailed off again reminding himself he was trying to learn and not pick another fight. Damned this not fighting stuff was hard, it hurt.
Taking a deep breath, he coaxed his borrowed mount into a walk, settling deeper into the saddle and preparing to be left behind again with leg and crop he asked for a trot. It was still a bit lopsided as Elegy responded to the stronger leg signal more than the slightly awkward use of the crop but between Ambrose being ready and the signal being more even there was no sudden impact.
It wasn’t the best riding he’d ever done, there was still a leaning to be done how missing one leg effected his balance and his seat and drastically reduced sensitivity on one side but he got a good solid trot around the ring and neither rider nor horse looked like a fool. He stopped next to Ysabel and Vivace.
“OK maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.”
It was admitted grudgingly but there was a hint of a smile under the gruff expression, riding again even like this meant more to Ambrose than even he had realized.
Ysabel
18 years ago
Ysabel tried not to bounce in the saddle and abuse Vivace's back as she watched Ambrose and Elegy settle into an awkward, but not terrible, trot. It was obvious he was an experienced rider; rusty maybe, and out of place in learning to deal with his off-centered balance, but there was no question that Ambrose certainly could ride.
When he pulled up alongside her with that little smile buried under an avalanche of grumpy, Ysabel grinned at him unrestrainedly.
"You're not that old a dog," she reminded him. "And a lady never likes to be reminded of her age."
With that, and a saucy toss of her head, she invited Ambrose to chase after her as she lit out across the ring at an easy, laidback gait.
When he pulled up alongside her with that little smile buried under an avalanche of grumpy, Ysabel grinned at him unrestrainedly.
"You're not that old a dog," she reminded him. "And a lady never likes to be reminded of her age."
With that, and a saucy toss of her head, she invited Ambrose to chase after her as she lit out across the ring at an easy, laidback gait.
Ambrose
18 years ago
Wench was trying to start something… … and she was succeeding. Ambrose had no intention of turning down that invitation and using his new tool took off after her. The game went on for some time and was probably the best incentive to learn Ambrose could have. He still wasn’t back to his old form but it was better, less awkward and her ‘encouragement’ ensured he’d be riding again.
Of course, there was one other thing left to making up. It very soon became apparent they need to work on that. The horses with brought back to the stables, cooled, groomed and put away comfortably. It all took too long for Ambrose and the manor was too far for his taste but apparently patience was the order of the day and he wound up half following half chasing Belle back to his rooms. They had making up to do.
((OOC… both out. Lock please))
Of course, there was one other thing left to making up. It very soon became apparent they need to work on that. The horses with brought back to the stables, cooled, groomed and put away comfortably. It all took too long for Ambrose and the manor was too far for his taste but apparently patience was the order of the day and he wound up half following half chasing Belle back to his rooms. They had making up to do.
((OOC… both out. Lock please))