01 | Open | General introduction and foundation building

[kartereo]

WHO: Waver
WHAT: Waver getting to grips with surroundings
WHEN: Post inital arrival on 8 Firstfall-End of th month
WHERE: Location
NOTES: Content warnings, OOC notes, links to other relevant posts, etc.

I. Stables
Staying near the stables so much isn't exactly a good choice, Waver knew. It meant he smelled like horse constantly, and the smell lingered in his hair most of all. Lingering also made him look just as much as a fish out of water as he felt, but such things weren't quite as important as why he insisted on frequenting the area so much: horses meant fast transport. Fast transport meant greater paths to learning outside of the immediate area. And being thrown into another world entirely, Waver wanted to learn everything he could as quickly as he could. He was at a disadvantage now, and he disliked it intensely.

So he stayed, watching tack go on and off the horses, memorizing the order of events. Observing horses and their personalities, so that he knew which ones might eventually accommodate someone who had never rode a horse before. Trying to figure out who to approach for lessons with minimizing awkwardness or needing to take up more of Iskandar's time. It was a delicate balance of observation, and one that got involving after some time. Enough involvement to ignore the rest of his surroundings, and for him to become more obvious than he'd like.

Then again, it was fairly hard to miss a strange tall man in a red coat, looking at horses like he was going to write a book on them.

II. Outside
One thing that Waver had insisted on doing, was adamant about doing, was trying to keep himself doing was walking the grounds and trying to learn them as quickly as possible. Certainty staying with and near Iskandar would be safe enough for his untrained self whose primary form of self defense was starting to dwindle, but on the off chance of something going wrong or else getting separated, Waver wanted to have some routes available to him.

But he was informed by his desire for safety as he was by Iskandar's preference for staying outside of the primary buildings, sleeping in a stable or a tent like the man was on one of his legendary campaigns. Waver had to admit, perhaps there was something there, but not something he wanted to dwell on.

So he simply walked time and again, retracing paths, a cigar sticking out of his mouth and the smoke billowing ahead of him, the acrid smell announcing his approach. From time to time, he took the thing out and examined it, before muttering, "Where can I get a steady supply of these anyway? I'm nearly out."

III. Additional
For additional prompts in and around the location!

Comments

[el_tybs]

"It's much easier to come up with more tiny questions after you've gotten the first one down." Sam grins slightly, amused by the obvious shyness the stranger is displaying despite how collected he's trying to be.

"You've been staring at the horses for a while. First time seeing them?"

[kartereo]

"Not at all. First time being in a society where they're the primary mode of transportation though," Waver admitted. At least he was an obvious rifter, and that would at least make conversation about the novelty of having to use a horse easier.

"I've mostly been trying to observe all of the intricacies of gear required for heading out on one. And get an idea of the animals' personalities."

[el_tybs]

"And in your society what is the main transportation?" Obviously not the first time he's talked to a Rifter since the statement doesn't seem to phase him all that much.

"Planning on taking a trip already?" Being a new face the man must have been from the recent group that came in. "Have to say, you're not going to get it all just by looking. Saddling a horse needs a hands on approach. Same with their personalities. Not all of them act the same with everyone."

[kartereo]

"Cars, mostly." Waver prayed that someone else might have provided that explanation. "Trains and airplanes as well. Horses, outside of certain fields of work, are seen as more of a luxury because their upkeep is costly."

He nodded in confirmation about heading out already. Waver would at least to get somewhere further than where his two feet would take him, if only for an overnight stay. "Observing also lets me figure out who the appropriate tutor to ask for lessons is."

[el_tybs]

"Can't say I'm familiar with... trains and airplanes?" Jim has talked about cars before, as well as spaceships and bicycles, though it is still a bit hard to comprehend at times. "More metal vehicles using 'science'?" That's important right? Kirk did always make a point in that it didn't use magic.

"And have you figured out who would be an appropriate tutor?"

[kartereo]

"Essentially, yes. Connected cars that go on a specific track and can carry more people and, essentially, same concept as trains but in the sky." Waver paused, then added, "Trains are especially good for large cities. There can be underground networks of them to get everyone to their respective destinations." London being one such place, and essentially the only way Waver got around.

But as for the other question, he shook his head no. "Everyone is rather busy, it seems."

[el_tybs]

"So... you have a bunch of cars put together that follow tracks in the sky and underground?" Seems that people in his world used any space they could to get around. Interesting.

"Well we wouldn't be very effective if we didn't keep busy," he chuckles. "It usually works out if you stop and talk to the person so that they can make time. Seeing as I need to take Conan out for a ride I could possibly answer some of your questions... even see about getting you in a saddle if you want."

[kartereo]

"With some design modifications, but yes. Hence why this is all a novelty for me."

But it looked as if Waver could abandon the topic of mass transportation for how-to-horse-properly. "If you're willing, then I suppose the first question I have is about how long does it take to become adequate with riding?"

[el_tybs]

"Huh." It never occurred to him that it was a 'novelty', not with how Kirk or some of the others reacted to the horses.

"Wouldn't offer if I wasn't willing. How long does it take?" That was a very curious question. "Ah... that... would depend on you really. If you've never even been on a horse... you're going to need to learn how to stay in the saddle, how the horse moves, and how to control it. Some people take to it right away and alright on their own after half a week. Others take longer."

[kartereo]

"So if I alotted for a month, that'd be reasonable if not a vast insult to myself," Waver said, half asking, half coming to a conclusion. His stamina was the real question he'd need to answer, especially since physical activity wore him out quickly.

"And I appreciate the willingness. Truly."

[el_tybs]

"If you want to take a month, but shouldn't really take that long." A pause. "Well if you haven't been on a horse before you might have to get used to some soreness." A lot of it being from the trotting really.

"Samouel," he says after a moment, holding out his hand in greeting. "And you are?"

[kartereo]

"And with barely any padding on my ass," he said, his voice dry. "Lovely."

Waver took the offered hand, then grasped it firmly. "Waver Velvet. A pleasure."

[el_tybs]

"Ah... well, that does help," he chuckles lightly, having not expected to hear something like that. "We do have potions and salves to help with that... or even could ask someone to apply a bit of healing if you're inclined."

"Waver. Nice to meet you." Sam returns the firm grip and gives Waver's hand a shake before letting go. He motions for him to follow as he turns around, heading towards the stables. "A particular horse catch your eye?"

[kartereo]

"I think there's a fine line between admitting that you need a little pain killer and walking up to someone and requesting that they heal your butt." Waver's face managed to be perfectly serious, before a slim smile slipped. "Unless there are customs here that make such a statement more normal."

With his hand free, both went immediately into the pockets of his coat. The question required a moment's recall, before Waver indicated three stables towards the left. "The three on the end seem to have the best temperaments, based on my observations."

[el_tybs]

Sam snorts lightly at that, rubbing the back of his neck as Waver points that out - he's more then familiar with just that. "No, no special customs. Just pointing it out since being a healer I'm a bit obliged to stress that we are here for anything."

"Three on the end..." Sam cannot quite recall which horses those are since so many have been moved around, but as long as Waver knows which ones he's talking about. "Guess we'll start there."

[kartereo]

"--I'll try and remember that," Waver said, the blush coming back all at once. Of all things to get sarcastic.

Thank God for practicality. He was quick to follow after Sam, boots scraping against the floor. "Tell me when I'm doing something incorrectly, please. I'd like to avoid any accidents here."

[el_tybs]

"I'd be a very poor instructor and healer if I didn't. I'm trying not to get anyone injured with any of this. You'll be fine. We'll just start with the basics first and work from there." He's certainly not planning on mounting up the man and having him gallop across the valley.

[kartereo]

Waver nodded in agreement. "None the less, I'd like to be safer rather than do something stupid."

[el_tybs]

"Fair enough." It's not very long before they reach the end of the stable, where two of the three horses come up to the gate to see who was visiting them. "These the three you were talking about?"

AND I, AN IDIOT, FORGOT TO HIT POST COMMENT sorry about that

[kartereo]

Waver nodded, before gesturing towards the very last stable. A gray mare's head has poked out, curious about the new visitors.

"Mmhmm. The one on the end in particular. I apologize that I haven't committed names to memory as well."

Quite alright!

[el_tybs]

"Hm. That's fine. I don't know all their names either. She probably has something with her name on it," he says, walking up to the mare and patting her on the nose. "She seems like a good pick to start off with. Why don't you introduce yourself while I look for a saddle."

[kartereo]

"Okay. If you hear me yelling, er--" Waver stopped, shaking his head. "Whatever I did was the wrong thing, let's say."

Ideally, there wouldn't be any yelling at all. So as Sam went to look for a saddle, Waver tried to introduce himself to the mare in question. He wasn't so foolish as to attempt a hello without some sort of offering, which in this case meant grabbing some hay from whatever was in reach and offering it. There wasn't any questioning of the gesture from the mare - Waver didn't see a name on the stall, unfortunately - and with that done he was able to pat the horse's nose very gently.

What Waver didn't expect was the response. He was being nosed by an extremely curious horse as he tried his best to pat at her nose, as well as distance himself so that his hair didn't get messed up. The mix of surprised squawking, minor flailing, and delight coming from Waver was what greeted Sam upon his return.

[el_tybs]

Upon returning, Sam stops for a moment to take in the scene, shifting slightly so that he didn't drop the saddle in his arms. "Well doesn't look like you did anything wrong," he chuckles lightly, throwing the saddle and reins over the fence. That seems to grab the mare's attention for a moment before she once more starts nosing Waver.

"Seems she likes you. I'd still be careful though, sometimes they don't know their own strength."

[kartereo]

"Yeah, and they're a few hundred pounds of creature on very powerful legs."

It was a promise to be careful, really. As the saddle landed with an appreciable thud, Waver gave it a look over.

"Should I try and get the kit on, or leave that to you for the time being?"

[el_tybs]

"Less then a nuggalope," he offers with a grin, trying to make it not sound so bad. But yes, they were kind of outmatched in weight and strength compared to a horse right out.

"We'll do the saddle in a moment. Let's get her bit and reins on first, makes the rest of it easier. She shouldn't give us any trouble, but I'll do that part myself, and then you can help with the rest." That being said, Sam talks lightly to the mare as he grabs reins and starts to coax her into putting the bit into her mouth.