Market By Horseback [Mutt/Jack]

The call of the outside is too strong to resist. Even whilst I saddle up Wind, our stallion hued black as night, I am anxious to get moving. To retrieve fruit from the market, I have been sent outside by my father. Rosalind offered to accompany me; I declined. Today is one of the rare days that I would like to be without the companionship of a sibling. When attached to a sibling, you are given a label. With Rosalind, it is usually the one who is less-pretty, slightly less coordinated and funny. I am a watered-down version of Rosalind, I have heard people say. Hence her invitation. Going outside with me, she looks good, like the better one. Whereas whenever she steps outside with the twins, she appears the outsider to their dynamic. They have always been a duo, strictly. Eve and Eva are so clearly and obviously best friends. I would like a best friend, I think fleetingly. And then I shake off all of my stray thoughts.

I mount Wind, taking note of the warm weather. Even as I ride, I am thinking of the picturesque scenery that I am riding by. Usually, I am moving much too fast to stop and glance around. Either that or I am with someone who is chattering behind me, or I am riding bareback and I have to concentrate on not flying off of Wind. I feel him pick up speed beneath me and tighten my grip, bouncing slightly as I ride. The leaves whip by me rapidly as we gain speed, and the sky is a pure blue, clear of clouds and anything that would hint at a disruption in this beauty. I made a barely audible sound to Wind, telling him to slow down. Soon, we were trotting, his hooves kicking up dust as my hips rocked from above him. The rhythm was soothing and familiar. I let myself get lost in his walk.

We come by an area with trees, and almost immediately, Wind veers slightly off path to approach them. I tap him sharply and attempt wildly to get him riding at the pace we were before. He is simply not in the mood. "You are one of the most stubborn horses I have ever encountered," I huff at him under my breath, but finally allow him to just take his time. It is no use rushing Wind. When he wants to go quickly, he does. And likewise, when he wants to stop and poke his head in trees, he does, too. I relax on his back and he gets closer to the tree. I close my eyes slightly, but out of my peripheral vision I can see it. Wind's head reachers upwards to rip at the branches. I groan and protest, all to no avail. He doesn't listen; it is no use. Oh, great. Just great.

Birds explode out of the tree all at once. A few even fly directly over me, prompting a shriek. Wind is still buried up there; doing what, I could never even begin to guess. Likely, he is entertained, but I am spooked, as are the birds. They take flight, more than I would have ever anticipated living in a lone tree. Frustrated, I abandon all hopes of getting him out of there and rather focus on shielding myself from the irritated birds. Through the sea of winged creatures, I spot a hand reach out and gently yank Wind's bridle, dragging him out of the tree and away from all of the pesky birds. It is Irafine Delyn. I recognize the long hair, thin build, and clothing. Yes, this is Irafine. Does she know of me? I only know of her from gossip amongst my peers.

Known for her love of animals (particularly horses), it is no shock that Irafine is smiling widely. "Silly, you were spooking all of the pretty birds." I hear her now, voice directed at the horse rather than me. I snort lowly and clear my throat a bit, purposely attracting her attention. She should, after all, formally introduce herself. First impressions are everything; or hasn't she been taught? Her smile becomes more guarded, intentionally polite. "I.. I'm sorry. The birds startled my boy and me a bit," she says, and then laughs a bit. I smile thinly. "Yes, that's quite alright." Irafine's attention, however, is already back on Wind, who is nuzzling her slightly. I feel indignant that he is showing her such affection. Traitor,

[/i] I think at him.

"Maybe he shouldn't eat out of trees anymore," Irafine is speaking again, but mostly to the horse. I agree, but I do not speak. I purse my lips, and then give up waiting for some kind of introduction. Clearly, I am not going to get one, and I may like this girl regardless. I smile at her, more warmly than before, awaiting the next time she will speak. "What's 'is name?" I laugh a little, shaking my head in wonder. Seemingly, Irafine is more interested in him that in me. "This here is Wind." I give him a good sturdy pat on the rump and he snorts. "And I'm Jenna." I gesture at her own steed, so well behaved in comparison to mine. "What's his name?" I ask in return, all smiles, though not willing to dismount.



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Other: Lol, yeah. And sorry for the late reply, by the way.

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This girl truly seems to get joy out of horses. Not just her own, either. I follow her gaze to Wind and grin in wonder. Directly after I tell her my name, she replies. "Irafine," she says, and gives a small smile. I don't allow my grin to waver and go on to ask for the name of her horse. I watch her pat his back affectionately prior to speaking. "This dirty fellow is Ayto," replies Irafine. I giggle and wave at Ayto, feeling foolish and carefree. I lean forward to pat him between the eyes. "He's a beauty," I grin at her again. Truly, she seems overjoyed by these horses. Almost indignantly, Wind takes a step backwards, away from Ayto, but looks at Irafine and steps closer again. Sighing, I realize that Irafine has such control over Ayto, while in contrast, Wind seems to be guiding me most of the time. There's not much to do about that. It isn't as if Wind will respond to training. At the thought, I snicker.

Irafine continues to stroke Wind with her hand. I am jealous, not that they are bonding already, but that he seems inclined to listen to her. He wouldn't do that for me, and certainly not Rosalind. I chuckle silently, shoulders moving up and down, recalling the memory of him thrusting her off of him with one swift move. He hates Rosalind. I tune back into the conversation. "My family has a farm a good bit back. I could've taken whatever horse I wanted, but Ayto was lazy today so he gets to go for a walk to the market. I'm assuming you were headed there also?" I lift my head, not surprised. I had already known that her family had a farm, being something of a gossip. Of course, I wouldn't dare tell her that. I feigned surprise, though it was not uncommon to own a farm in my district. "Oh, really? So does mine! Wind is the horse we all use to go to the market, though. And yes, that's where we were headed, before he got side-tracked." I roll my eyes in faux anger toward Wind, and then shrug as if to say 'what can you do?'

Suddenly, I am aware of hooves pounding against the floor. I re-direct my eyes to this approaching figure on horseback. He stops just short of me and Irafine, behind us. I position myself to face him and give him a once-over, identifying him at once. Jack Lexington. I know most people in this town from talk with my group of friends, even if they do not know of me. He tilts his head back and then speaks. "Hey there, do you need any help?" On cue, I groan good-naturedly, deciding that this is a pick-up line. As I am contemplating what to reply, I notice Irafine's facial expression change, the joy almost entirely gone. In fact, she looks annoyed. She talks before I do.

"I.. think we're good," Irafine says in a mumble. Her tone grows stronger as she speaks again, this time sarcastic. "Unless you want to escort us two helpless girls to the market," she adds loftily. I don't think she meant it to come out flirtatiously, but I could see how Jack could take it as either cutting or flirty. I hide my laughter with a bout of coughing. "Yeah, why don't you?" I say easily, my tone cozy and inviting. "Wouldn't want to leave us here. We may not make it," I tease, obviously joking at this point. Practically everybody in our district knows the way to the market by the time they can walk.

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