Five Days on the Ranch (Private)

by **Kuronami** » Wed Nov 27, 2019 3:22 pm

This is a thread between myself and The Selkie but you're welcome to read along if you wish.

Who am I? I'm Raimu! Or Lime, really however you want to say it, it's fine by me, my mother was an odd one when she picked my name To make a real long story short I was born in Yonago in the East and moved out to well kind of nowhere in Clarines at the young ripe age of 16. Well again let me cut things down, my husband a native of the region unfortunately died a year ago and now it's just the three of us, my son, Ash and my daughter, Yuzu. (Well one citrus fruit name in the family deserves another to compliment so said my late husband). They're twins, boy and girl eight years old and cute as buttons if not a little mischievous at times. Today is a special day, I'm expecting a visitor, one I met online. Folks said not a good idea, could be a crazed axe murder, because that makes sense right? I'm a grown woman, skilled with firearms and knives you'd have to be pretty fucking nuts to mess with me or my children. My ranch that I run with my two kids is close to the town of Apphia. A town of about 80 in total and about an hour and a half away.

It's hot, humid most days in summer, not terrible in the winter usually, kind of wet in the spring. Well weather is weather but it's something you gotta live...wait I'm rambling and getting off track, what was I on? Right, a visitor. A fellow horse rider, equestrian from The Freelands. I don't know much, I'm sure he'll tell me plenty about where's from, I can tell him what it's like here. Shoulder to cry on if needed, all good but I'm actually for now, happy as a clam. Well mostly, it's a hot afternoon, I'm working hard enough for two, when my little Yuzu hurt her arm. I'm glad it wasn't more serious and needing long a term cast but she does have to keep it slung for a while. Pitching hay for the dozen horses I need to care for, in the afternoon heat, sweat rolling down my back, my dungarees sticking to my skin it's one helluva day indeed.

Yuzu with one arm full of fresh hay walked on in. "Hey you!" I said to her.

"Momma." She responded "Sorry I couldn't carry much more. Ash is suppose to carry in the rest."

"Thanks bae."

"We've been watching the dirt road, no one yet."

"Well I'm sure he'll be here soon." I told them both, I didn't go into a lot of details, just someone nice who wanted to come visit. We don't usually get a lot of visitors, much less ones that stay for days. Maybe the odd family member from my side or my husband's side of the family.

"Think the rain slowed him down any?"

Yuzu made a point, it did rain quite a bit last night but that's hard to say if it really slowed him down. He is traveling from a good ways away. "Well maybe it did but, it's only about 1'oclock now so still plenty of time for him to get here. Honestly maybe I oughta get ready." Then again would it be that embarrassing to be seen as I am, a working woman in the countryside? Sure I'm a bit bare bones looking in nothing but a pair of denim dungarees but I'm not stark naked either! Sheesh nobody cares if men do it, who should care when women do it?!

"Ashy and me can always feed the horses! Maybe hop on Sugar and see if he's come. What if he got lost, it is a lot of nothin' out and around here!"

"Ah best I stay put, easier for him to find us then me find him. So don't worry you're little blonde head." I gave her messy golden locks a rubbing which made her giggle. "Go find your brother bring whatever hay that isn't damp. We'll have enough to get everyone fed."

"Yessy!" She responded and quickly darted out "Be careful with your arm, silly girl!" I had to call after her. The horses all neighed as if to tell me, shake a leg, lady, we're starving here!

"Hey I said you'll all get fed now be a little patient." With my fork I pitched up what I had gathered to put in each stall. Remember I mentioned it rained last night, well that meant a few bails got wet in the process and best to dry them out in the afternoon sun instead of risking mold.

Our little ranch/farm here was pretty picture esque. Little house, a stable, a barn, a picket fence to dot it. A box with our family name on it, Ayers. My husband's name, I started using my maiden name in hyphenated form for PiffleNet and official stuff. I loved my dear Ty but I can't dwell on it forever, there's so much to do and I got my little ones to be strong for. It's good to be sad and miss him but it's not good to lose focus and see what matters. He left this to us and I will keep it going! I looked at my pocket watch, another little trinket of his left behind, it's now half-passed one. Well late or not, it's a good day! A day to be excited for.

by **The Selkie** » Wed Nov 27, 2019 3:52 pm

11th of December 2019, shortly after midday.
I had arrived in Amaterasu on the 9th, three days after my Winter Break started. My Father had been quite surprised to hear of my spontanous travelling plans, making a horseback trip through Kuronami for around two weeks (transit time included) before meeting them again in the Archipelago, where Dad got us into the Tearmann Island Resort.
Anyway, here I was.
What struck Dad as even more odd, was, that this trip was to meet a woman I met over social media in a country so far away, that I had to take a plane to stay with her and her two children for five days.
And organizing an airplane with horse transport was quite an achievement, Dad having simply asked an old friend of his, if she could do him a paid favour. Said friend had dropped me off in Amaterasu on the 9th and I rode towards the Ayers Ranch.
Anyway, here I was.
And it was just like she had described it!
It was a quaint place, the next village over an hour away, I had made a short stop there for lunch for both me and Asalcloig, my horse, the large plains and rolling hills reminding me of the Mainland - I was from the swamps and bogs of Conall Curach on the Criostal Islands.
And it was, for the lack of a better term, hot. Hot and humid, which was not much of a surprise after the rain from last night. In true Selkie-Fashion, I of course camped outside, in the designated areas.
Maybe I should introduce myself, too.
I am Aonas. Aonas Folracht of the Tribe of Wicklow, a Selkie born in the Conall Curach, descendant of a long line of horsemen and mercenaries and merchants and of 17 Springs.
I was also a Marcach, one of the traditional horse and sportsmen of my people, a swordrider and swordfighter, to be precise, as the blade on my saddle attested to.
I was 1.81 meters tall, pretty tall for a Selkie, very muscular, my red eyes shining like rubies and my red hair flaming. It was an unruly mop bound into a short braid, which swung over my back.
I wore my typical traveling attire for summer, my tournament armour being in one of the bags I had with me. Long riding pants in black, of leather, and a light shirt, which was by now soaked with sweat, clinging to my body and following the contours of my muscles, plus a baseball cap. I had thought about maybe just shedding the shirt...
Anyway, I'd be there, soon.
Just so that we are all along the same lines: The five days I would spent with Raimu and her kids were not merely for fun and games, not only. I would carry my weight, maybe a bit more, and so would Asalcloig, my trusty, black, stubborn mare of the Móinteán-Breed.
Though, if I got the chance, I wanted to see a wild herd of horses...
...and, if possible, I wanted to help Raimu in an emotional sense, too. Her husband died a year ago and while I knew, that I would not be able to heal her, I hoped, that I could ease her pain.
But that was to be done carefully.
As it was, I smiled, as the picturesque farm came into view: My eyes immediately recognized fence, house, stable, barn... if I would have been asked to describe a ranch in Calores, this would be it!
As I came to the box with the name Ayers on it, I stopped my horse, swung myself down and petted her side. "Good girl. You did well... a lot of rest will be waiting on you!", I whispered to her.
She carried my bags, too, so she had really deserved the break.
My hand then found the horn, which I also had dangling from my saddle. It would be appropriate for a Selkie-Horseman to announce his presence at the border of such a ranch by horn, but was it here, too? I decided against it, waiting by the box and enjoying sun and day.
A quick look on my wristwatch told me, that it was just half past one.
A beautiful day...

by **Kuronami** » Wed Nov 27, 2019 7:06 pm

I continued my work in the stables getting hay to horses and waiting on my kids to bring me some more to finish out. Sugar seemed especially restless right now, eagerly awaiting her share. "Easy girl, it's coming." I consoled as I fed her. Note for later, stock up on more oats for such an event.

Outside my two little ones in the pasture were examining all the hay, stacked or baled up, either way making sure it was dry enough it could be stored or fed and not not make us worry about molding. Ash gathered up one more, enough to finish, "This one is good!" He proclaimed in his usually boisterous and proud voice. So much like his father! "I'll take this one over. Keep an eye out."

"Sure!" Yuzu said with a nod. Ash brought me what I needed and he helped me out with the rest. "Feed them, I'll get water."

"Yess'um!" I went to the other end of the stable to get the hose out and fill up the troughs with fresh cold water. A day like this, they'd surely need it.

Meanwhile outside, Yuzu leaned against the fence post, being mindful of her arm as I told her to be she lit up like the sun seeing a stranger had now come up to the fence. Given we so rarely did get visitors save for the odd relative, it left little doubt in her mind this was HIM, he was our special guest who would stay with us a few days. A quick dash over to the fence she was there to greet him. "Hello!" She said with her smile "Are you Mister uuuh well..." She pondered a bit, not seemingly able to recall his name "Well, you're the man Momma talked about right? The one who's staying a few days with us! Hehehehe" She giggled, she giggles a lot, honestly that's her cutest trait if you ask me!

"I'm Yuzu, my momma is tending to all the horses in the stables. Come on in." She lifted up the latch of the gate allowing him and his trusty steed to enter. Yuzu, my little helper, she lead him to the stables where I was still at work, now filling up the troughs with water.

"Oooh momma! Guess what, he's finally here."

In a surprise I turned about, unfortunately giving him a little spray of the hose. "Oh, my! Sorry." I quickly returned the hose to the troughs, now overflowing a bit but no matter given my son just as quickly jumped onto shutting the water off. "Aonas!" I said with a smile, he was pretty recognizable just like his picture he was. "Well needless to say, you made it! Welcome to our home! You know me already, Raimu is good. I guess the little gal was the one who greeted you here and let you in, this is my daughter Yuzu. And this is my son, Ash."

I placed my hands firmly on their shoulders, honestly I was a bit nervous or maybe more excited, some combo of both. Guess my shy side was coming out a bit plus who was I kidding he was a handsome man! Both my children said hello back after i introduced them. "And this is your ---" Took me a moment to summon the name of his horse, "

"His horse, momma" Yuzu corrected me and I laughed a little

"I know it's his horse, sweetie, I was trying to remember the name."

by **The Selkie** » Thu Nov 28, 2019 2:39 am

Kuronami wrote:I continued my work in the stables getting hay to horses and waiting on my kids to bring me some more to finish out. Sugar seemed especially restless right now, eagerly awaiting her share. "Easy girl, it's coming." I consoled as I fed her. Note for later, stock up on more oats for such an event.

Outside my two little ones in the pasture were examining all the hay, stacked or baled up, either way making sure it was dry enough it could be stored or fed and not not make us worry about molding. Ash gathered up one more, enough to finish, "This one is good!" He proclaimed in his usually boisterous and proud voice. So much like his father! "I'll take this one over. Keep an eye out."

"Sure!" Yuzu said with a nod. Ash brought me what I needed and he helped me out with the rest. "Feed them, I'll get water."

"Yess'um!" I went to the other end of the stable to get the hose out and fill up the troughs with fresh cold water. A day like this, they'd surely need it.

Meanwhile outside, Yuzu leaned against the fence post, being mindful of her arm as I told her to be she lit up like the sun seeing a stranger had now come up to the fence. Given we so rarely did get visitors save for the odd relative, it left little doubt in her mind this was HIM, he was our special guest who would stay with us a few days. A quick dash over to the fence she was there to greet him. "Hello!" She said with her smile "Are you Mister uuuh well..." She pondered a bit, not seemingly able to recall his name "Well, you're the man Momma talked about right? The one who's staying a few days with us! Hehehehe" She giggled, she giggles a lot, honestly that's her cutest trait if you ask me!

"I'm Yuzu, my momma is tending to all the horses in the stables. Come on in." She lifted up the latch of the gate allowing him and his trusty steed to enter. Yuzu, my little helper, she lead him to the stables where I was still at work, now filling up the troughs with water.

"Oooh momma! Guess what, he's finally here."

In a surprise I turned about, unfortunately giving him a little spray of the hose. "Oh, my! Sorry." I quickly returned the hose to the troughs, now overflowing a bit but no matter given my son just as quickly jumped onto shutting the water off. "Aonas!" I said with a smile, he was pretty recognizable just like his picture he was. "Well needless to say, you made it! Welcome to our home! You know me already, Raimu is good. I guess the little gal was the one who greeted you here and let you in, this is my daughter Yuzu. And this is my son, Ash."

I placed my hands firmly on their shoulders, honestly I was a bit nervous or maybe more excited, some combo of both. Guess my shy side was coming out a bit plus who was I kidding he was a handsome man! Both my children said hello back after i introduced them. "And this is your ---" Took me a moment to summon the name of his horse, "

"His horse, momma" Yuzu corrected me and I laughed a little

"I know it's his horse, sweetie, I was trying to remember the name."

I smiled as a little girl with her arm in a sling came up and greeted me, introducing herself as Yuzu - despite her arm, she was cute as a button (said arm in a sling told me, that she might have had an accident a bit ago, but nothing too serious, it seemed). Her giggling sounded especially cute.
When she couldn't remember my name, I was about to help her out (and reply in the first place) before she reconsidered and let me in to bring me and my mare in, towards the stables, where Raimu was tending to her horses and... it was beautiful here.
I followed her, Asalcloig by her reins.
I was waiting for a chance to introduce myself, say hello, anything, but as we came to the stables and I laid eyes on Raimu, I stopped. She was beautiful, more beautiful then her profile picture... and before my inner bard and poet could get off the ground and soar on a Capall Sciathán up into the sky, she had turned.
And so did her hose.
And I was shaken out of my observations, cooled off and had to grin - good start for the day, really!
I listened to introductions and smiled, nodding to both the lad, Ash, and Yuzu, the girl already known to me.
I had to smile, when Raimu didn't remember my horse's name and Yuzu 'helped' her out.
"Her name is Asalcloig.", I said with a smile, petting her side and earning a soft, pleased neigh. My voice was not as deep as my father's booming voice, but it was getting there, which, combined with the melodic cadence native to the Selkie was quite a combination. "It means Mulehead, mainly because she is stubborn as a mule and has the endurance to match." I turned to the little family and bowed my head. "I am Aonas Folracht of the Tribe of Wicklow, but please, just call me Aonas.", I introduced myself and raised my head again, smiling. "I am honoured to be here, Yuzu, Raimu, Ash."
I let a beat pass.
"I hope, that you won't find offense in me saying, that you are even more beautiful then on your profile picture, Raimu.", I said and blushed lightly.

by **Kuronami** » Thu Nov 28, 2019 10:19 am

The three of us got a little laugh at the name of his horse meaning Mulehead. "Stubborn horses," I said, "Something I've learned and know all to well." He complimented me further, saying I was more pretty than the profile picture I used. Not bad, really, flattering, most said I looked really young,I guess I did. The pic I used with my hair flowing freely and resting on my shoulder I thought gave me a maturity. Well being told I look youthful is not the worst in the world. "Thanks! You're pretty handsome yourself, Aonas. And quite the horse, Asalcloig is! She's a beauty this one. We're glad you could make it."

"Yessy" Yuzu responded in agreement, "We're really glad, Mister Aonas and you too, Ascaloig."

I moved over to my own Mustang mare, Sugar. Patting down on her, I introduced her. "This is Sugar, my own. Also a real scamp."

by **The Selkie** » Thu Nov 28, 2019 2:23 pm

As Raimu returned my compliment, my light blush got slightly more noticeable.
Asalcloig neighed at the compliment, too. She was, at heart, not a war horse and not a recreational horse, but a worker, and a hard one at that.
Sugar, introduced to us as a scamp, was a nice mare, too.
Asalcloig neighed, as if in greeting, I bowed my head slightly. "It is an honour, Sugar. I would love to see you out on the field over the next few days.", I said and raised my head, then looked to Raimu: "Which brings me to another point... Raimu, during my stay here, do not hesitate to give me work. I'm not here to sit around and twiddle my thumbs. Much like her..." I smiled at Asalcloig. "...I am a stubborn worker and am more then willing to earn my keep!"
Asalcloig neighed in the affirmative.
While there were some nice stallions around, I knew, that she would rather not come home with an additional passenger.

by **Kuronami** » Fri Nov 29, 2019 1:33 pm

I was a bit surprised but at the same time, not as much. He seemed like the kind of guy who would insist upon this. Far be it from me to impose a guest in my house on my land to work instead of being hospitable but he also caught me in a bit of a situation, given Yuzu's arm was on the mend and I only had Ash to help out. Yuzu could do a lot even with one arm but I also didn't want her to hurt herself further. How could I refuse. I smiled and said, "All right then, you got a deal. Consider yourself my short term ranch hand for a bit! You'll get a room, meals in further exchange for your work with me. In the meantime, why don't I show you to where you'll be staying. If you'll come on with us. Then we can talk further. Ash, Yuzu, come along and help our guest."

"Yessy!" Yuzu agreed

"Yes ma'am!" Ash also agreed.

by **The Selkie** » Fri Nov 29, 2019 3:19 pm

I grinned.
"I will gladly come along, but first..." I glanced to my mare, smiled. "...I would like to see her resting and with water. She carried me all the way here, after all." I let a beat pass, stroked the side of her throat. "My father taught me, that a Marcach's first responsibility is with his horse, before he has a family. Then, the horse is part of the family!"
My trusty steed neighed in approval.
Besides that, my little mare carried my saddle bags and the stuff I had in them...

by **Kuronami** » Fri Nov 29, 2019 3:23 pm

I chuckled a little, "Of course! Where are my manners now, gotta make sure your steed is taken care of as well. I have a stall set aside but you're also welcome to let him roam the pastures freely if you want. I'll leave it to you. Sugar I like to keep penned overnight but I let her roam during the day. In the meantime here let her gab some water and food." I gestured to the watering trough, plenty of cold water that I just filled and plenty of hay and oats to go around to feast upon.

by **The Selkie** » Fri Nov 29, 2019 4:12 pm

I nodded.
"Sounds like a plan.", I said and led her off. A few minutes later, the reins were off, the saddle stored away, the sword on my hip, the saddle bag on my shoulder. I asked Raimu for another moment, taking out an apple, a big red one. "That one is from an orchard we know of, near Crarae. Some of the best apples in that region!"
Asalcloig bit into it with gusto.
I smiled as she licked my hand, then kissed her cheek. "Play nice, lassie."
And with that, I adjusted my grab on the saddle bags and grinned at Raimu.
"Please, lead the way, Ma'am!", I said and balled my right to a fist, tapping it on my chest, above my heart, twice, a traditional salute among Selkie-Mercenaries and, nowadays, Marcach and soldiers.

by **Kuronami** » Sat Nov 30, 2019 12:02 pm

"Hehe" I giggled just a bit, he had a good bond all right with his horse and what a beauty she was! Maybe I'd get a chance to ride her, assuming she allowed strangers to ride her. Sugar was a bit more temperamental but enough soothing could calm her down just fine. "Right, come on this way." I lead him along back the house with my two children riding our heels. Opening the door it was a pretty simple humble sight of a nice family home. Pictures of all of us through the years adorned the wall and mantle. My wedding photo, pictures of me and my late husband as we bought our little piece of land we have here, me pregnant, and now me today with my two kids as they are. An antique grandfather clock that still ticked away stood in the corner. Our coats hung by the door, low enough for the children to grab and tall enough for me. I kicked off my boots at the door encouraging him and my children to do the same. "It's just this way." I continued to lead him around the house down the hallway three bedroom doors marked the end of the hall, one of which I had to force open given it stuck quite a bit. "Here we go! This is where you can stay. It's a guest room, I think you'll find it to your liking."

I went over and opened the window to let the breeze in. "Hang anything you like in the closet. We haven't had anyone in here in a while but I still changed out the sheets and bedding just to be safe. Bathroom is first door we passed in the hall and of course meals in the kitchen."

by **The Selkie** » Sat Nov 30, 2019 3:09 pm

I followed the three, took off my heavy boots at the entrance, gave a sheepish smile, as a rather... heavy smell came out of them. I had worn them for the last few days, dipped a few times in nearby streams, but that was about it when it came to washing for me... I had camped out, after all.
The pictures were nice, of Raimu and her late husband, of their wedding, of her pregnant, of their children - my father had a number of similar photos on his desk, including the latest family picture.
I followed Raimu.
The door to the guest room was a bit stuck, but that would soon change. Raimu explained, that they didn't get to use it often, but that was fine. I saw, that the sheets were fresh and the breeze was nice.
I nodded.
"I like it already.", I said, smiling, "No offense to Asalcloig, but spending the night on the ground snuggled up to her and under the stars sounds romantic, but its bad for the back!"
I nodded again, sat down my bag on the bed.
"Yep.", I said, "It's awesome."

by **Kuronami** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 11:33 am

Again I chuckled at the comparison. He made a strong point, camping out on just the hard ground with little camping gear can be a little tough on the back for sure. But nights like that were memorable. "I hear ya, loud and clear on that. I'm glad it's good here for you, should be a pleasant few days for you. Feel free to get settled in, I'm gonna clean up and start on something good for us to all eat tonight." I turned to my kids standing at my side "You two keep an eye on him, help him if he needs." They both gave a hardy yes as I gave each a pat to their head and I went to wash up a bit so I could start dinner for everyone. Feels like forever since I cooked for four instead of three but I'd do fine. It will be a great time with each other and it was nice to have an extra pair of hands even for just a few days.

by **The Selkie** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 4:28 am

I nodded.
"Awesome!", I said at the news food being prepared - finally, a home-cooked meal!
Buan and Arálong were filling and doing their job, but for longer periods of time, I would not be able to survive on it!
That, and my Dad was not exactly a good cook and neither was I, so the maid we had was kind-of important in that regard...
When Raimu had left me to unpack and with her two children, I smiled at them.
"Please, sit on the bed, kids!", I told them with a grin and went to work, "Though I might ask you to leave later, I'd like to get changed before lunch." I took out a stack of shirts. "So... what happened, Yuzu?", I asked the little girl.

by **Kuronami** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:30 pm

My two young ones complied with his request, happy to keep our new guest company for a while.

"Sure." Ash responded

"Mhm, we get it." Yuzu agreed to that sentiment as well. Of course the question came up about her arm. "I fell out of a tree." she responded simply.

"Well it was kind of my fault too." Ash added "We were both climbing the oak just outside the fence there. I guess I put my hands in the wrong spot because it made Yuzu stumble and fall out. But Doc West said it was just a mild sprang and should be good in a couple of weeks."

"Yeah. Just harder on mama given I can't do much work."

by **The Selkie** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:51 pm

I smiled and nodded.
"I see.", I said as I got out a bunch of trousers, "Where I'm from, there aren't many trees - the Criostal Islands are mostly a swampland close to the Arctic Circle. We have wonky days and nights, either extremely short or extremely long, but that's about it..." I smiled and shrugged. "Though, we do have dykes. Large and mighty ones and it happens, that we play on them... a few years ago, I slipped and fell off. Banged my head really well, but that was about it... Sis still jokes, that it knocked a few more screws loose!"
I grinned at the punchline and got out a pile of socks. I put a pair aside for later.

by **Kuronami** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:59 pm

They both giggled at the "few more screws loose" remark, Yuzu asked, "So you live near the ice? Does that mean it's really cold where you're at?"

"Yeah like are you covered in ice up there? Wouldn't that make it hard to raise horses?"

"Yeah sounds like it'd be tough to take care of horses if the days are really short and nights are long. Oh a dyke, that's like a big flood levee right? To keep back the water?"

by **The Selkie** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 1:55 pm

I grinned and nodded.
"Yep, to all of that!", I said, "The Dykes are a bit like them, keeping back water from the swamps and the sea. And we're only covered in ice during the Winter, not during the Summer. We have a surprisingly green landscape in the summer!" I let shrugged. "Mostly deep green, swampy green, but green nonetheless! It doesn't make raising horses easy, though."
I had put away the socks and was standing by my bag again.
"The Móinteán, that's Asalcloig's race, was bred to live in swamps and to work there. We keep them in stables during the winter, though.", I added, then reached into my bag and got out the leather armour, which I wore during tournaments. I smiled as I wiped my hand over the chestplate, then put it into the cupboard. "It's a hard life, but we make do up there."

by **Kuronami** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 2:03 pm

Both of them listened intently to him as they learned more about what he was like and what his land was like. They also took interest in his armor he just pulled from his bag but before that what he said caught their ears and made them nod in agreement, something they could relate to because it's something I stressed a lot. "Mhm hm!" Yuzu agreed to his sentiment "That's like us here. Well mama says, it's a hard life but we make do as well. And we like it. We like the horseys."

"Yeah when I get good 'nuff," Ashton said "I'll be a great rider too! Like you I bet. Bet you were like Yuzu and me when you was little and now you're super pro!"

by **The Selkie** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 2:22 pm

I laughed lightly.
"I would not call myself a super-pro yet.", I admitted, petted the handle of my sword on my hip. "After all, I'm not yet a swordmaster." I grinned at both children. "But I would say, that I am a good horseman. Tell ya both what..." I grinned at them both. "After eating, we make a little ride, Yuzu, you ride either with me or your brother, whichever you prefer, and Ash, you show me around the area. Then we'll see, who's a good horseman!"
By then, my own horse would be quite recuperated, too... and, with some luck, we might even manage to invite Raimu, too!

by **Kuronami** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 2:29 pm

They both smiled at that "Yessy!" Yuzu said nearly leaping onto her feet "We could take you out and about the countryside and into town on horseback. Mama and Sugar would love that too I bet! And it's supposed to stay sunny through the rest of the day and good at night too, isn't it Ashy?"

"Yeah! At least tonight is good so yeah we can do that! Though can be fun to ride in rain too. Mama's real good at everythin' pretty much."

by **The Selkie** » Sun Dec 08, 2019 11:17 am

I nodded - I knew that sentiment, the sentiment of Mothers being the best at everything. In my memory, Mam had been the best, too...
I smiled.
"I would love to ride with her and Sugar, too.", I said and was quite pleased - I would see the abilities of the Lady of the House as a horsewoman as well. "Sugar seems like a fine mare. And her rider is awesome, too."
I took out my washbag and put it onto the nightstand, the last item to be taken out.
"So...", I said to the two kids, sat down in front of them, on the ground while they sat on my bed, "I'm quite sure, that yer Mam isn't finished yet, so... how about I ask you something and you ask me something until its time?"

by **Kuronami** » Tue Dec 10, 2019 11:28 am

Both my children giggled, seemed they felt he was taking a liking to me, well maybe. "Well okay." Yuzu agreed

"Sure." My boy quickly threw out "So what do ya think of our mama? Isn't she the greatest?"

"Like super best!?"

"Nobody we know can ride quite like her."

by **The Selkie** » Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:18 pm

Kuronami wrote:Both my children giggled, seemed they felt he was taking a liking to me, well maybe. "Well okay." Yuzu agreed

"Sure." My boy quickly threw out "So what do ya think of our mama? Isn't she the greatest?"

"Like super best!?"

"Nobody we know can ride quite like her."

I grinned.
"We'll see, if you won't get to know another good rider soon, but you're right.", I said and nodded, "Yer Mam is awesome!" I let a beat pass. "She reminds me a bit of my big sis. Her name's Deirdre."
After my own Mam had passed, my big sis had tried to fill the hole in our family, with tenderness and kindness and a strict hand - but the two of them didn't need to know that. Not yet.
"And, among the three of us, she is a beautiful woman.", I said and winked - I knew, that this would be told to Raimu the moment they could tell her.
And I did not mind.

by **Kuronami** » Tue Dec 10, 2019 2:08 pm

"oooh" they both went wide eyed and a little surprised "Ya lost yer ma! So sad." Yuzu shook her head in disbelief and sadness

"Ya know we lost our papa not long ago. Ma's been gettin' long okay but we know she misses him." Ash added.

"She's being big and brave for us. And we're trying to be too."

"Yeah really trying hard. Not always doing so good like when I accidentally pulled Yuzu out of that tree..." Ash sheepishly remarked.

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