Stables

Subject: Stables Thu Oct 18, 2012 5:44 am

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Subject: Re: Stables Thu Oct 18, 2012 5:48 am

Very early the next morning Christophe awoke, as he usually did, before the sun broke from its hiding place in the sky. He went to the stables and chose a young horse that would suit Coralie's weight and size and made sure she had all the safety equipment she would need for her lessons. He waited, beginning to groom the horse and fed it some as he watched the sun rise in an explpsion of oranges, reds and pinks as he waited for Coralie to arrive.

Subject: Re: Stables Fri Oct 19, 2012 2:57 am

Coralie hurried forward, the grandest of smiles on her lips and she pulled tighter the cloak around her shoulders, shielding herself from the early morning cold. She hoped she was ready, and she had dressed warmly with her cloak and gloves for the lesson, yet she was more afraid of falling off the horse.

She giggled slightly at the thought of what her mother would say to see her arriving at the stables.

Coralie spotted Christoph and waved to him, skipping forward and giving a curtsey. "Bravesir Christoph," she smiled.

Subject: Re: Stables Fri Oct 19, 2012 3:52 am

He smiled with light in his eyes as Coralie approached. "And a very good day to you, Mademoiselle. It's good you've dressed for the weather." As he spoke his breath came out in puffs of smoke. "Now, I've taken the liberty of selecting a horse for you," he introduced her to the filly he'd picked out. "Coralie, say hello to Andromeda." He patted the filly's nose.

Subject: Re: Stables Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:11 am

Coralie's eyes went wide in excitement as she looked upon the pretty horse. She looked at Christoph in surprise, "oh, she's beautiful...and I can touch her?" she laughed.

She hesitantly stepped forward slowly and stuck her hand out toward the horses nose. She gently brushed her gloved hands against her, and looked into her eyes.

Subject: Re: Stables Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:25 am

Christophe smiled to see that Coralie was warming up to the animal. Apparently she had not ever been this close to a horse before. But with the girl's gentle ways, Christophe was sure the filly would come to have affection for Coralie. "Now, you must be very sure you are ready to mount the horse. They will know if you are afraid, and horses naturally seek a rider who is their equal in bravery and strength. I know you have both those qualities, in spades." He smiled at her, ready to help her on if and when she was ready.

Subject: Re: Stables Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:20 pm

Coralie slowly pulled her hand away and nodded. She clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and nodded, "alright, monsieur...I am ready."

She looked up at him and smiled, giving a little laugh as her excitement bubbled out of her. She reached her hand out and petted the filly's nose, again. "I am ready, Andromeda," she smiled.

Subject: Re: Stables Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:28 am

Christophe was glad to see the pair getting along, and he brought out the horse from its stall. He gave the lead to Coralie, having her follow him out into the morning air where the sun was just beginning to show through the clouds. "Nearby there is a field where we can practice," he said, insisting she take Andromeda herself.

Subject: Re: Stables Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:01 pm

Coralie looked up at the pale morning sun and shielded her eyes a moment, smiling, happy that in a moment she would learn to ride a horse from a true soldier.

Coralie looked out toward the field and back to Christoph, giving a nod. She slowly took Andromeda's reins in her hands and looked the filly in the eyes. "Will you go with me, Andromeda?" she smiled. "Bravesir Christoph says there is a field we can go to."
She wondered if perhaps she looked mad speaking to a horse, and wondered if she were perhaps the only one in the world.

She gave Andromeda's nose a pet and gently pulled the reins and praying that Andromeda followed. She gave a sigh of relief as Andromeda follwed slowly.

Subject: Re: Stables Sun Oct 21, 2012 9:45 pm

Christophe followed close by, leading the way to the open field. He glanced back often to see Coralie speaking to Andromeda in soft quiet tones. He thought of what an imaginative and gentle little creature she was, and that she and the animal would get together fine.

The reached the field, and he opened the crooked wooden gate, allowing Coralie and Andromeda to pass though. He followed after, and showed Coralie where to bring the horse. "So do you think you will get along with this creature?" he asked, stroking the horse's mane.

Subject: Re: Stables Mon Oct 22, 2012 3:43 am

Coralie looked at Andromeda a moment and smiled, her eyes wide. "Oh, yes," she nodded, "I think we shall be inseparable," she smiled.

She stopped at the place where Christoph had pointed and began to rub the filly's nose, again. "I only hope I pick up riding well," she gave a laugh. She looked up at Christoph, tilting her head a little, "is it very difficult to learn to ride?" She looked down at Andromeda's hooves, "I should hate for you to waste your time if I cannot learn it."

Subject: Re: Stables Mon Oct 22, 2012 4:09 am

"It isn't very difficult, the hardest part is letting go of any fear you have. And fear is natural. But you must use that fear to your advantage and don't let it overpower you. Own your fear, and you will be the more powerful for it." He laughed. "I probably sound like an old soldier, don't I? Well let's see about helping you mount. Her saddle is on nice and tight. Simply hold onto her pommel here, and put one foot into the stirrup. I'll hold onto you the entire time. Then you swing your weight around and put your leg to the side and into the other stirrup." He paused. "Unless you wanted to ride sidesaddle?"

Subject: Re: Stables Tue Oct 23, 2012 12:15 am

Coralie took a deep breath and swallowed. She gave a laugh and shook her head, "not at all, bravesir...you sound like a wiseman whose ridden horses all his life," she laughed.

She took another deep breath. "Conquer my fears...conquer my fears," she muttered to herself.

She looked at Andromeda, "I think I should like to ride side saddle...that is what the other ladies recommended."

Subject: Re: Stables Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:25 am

He smiled. "I am something of an expert, so you are in good hands." He overheard her muttering to conquer her fears and he knew that she would indeed get over any trepidation she had.

"Sidesaddle? Then when you heft yourself into the saddle, keep your weight balanced while keeping both legs on one side. Place yourself firmly in the seat and one foot in the stirrup, the other hanging nearby but also ready to help the horse along, or to stop the horse altogether."

Subject: Re: Stables Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:04 am

Coralie gave a nod, stopping Andromeda where Christophe had pointed. She took a deep breath and lifted her skirts slightly, allowing her foot to place itself into the stirrup. She pushed off the stirrup and with all her might, stepped up with the other, placing herself in the seat of the saddle.

Subject: Re: Stables Wed Oct 24, 2012 5:43 pm

Christophe smiled. "Very good! Now, I will control the horse and walk it for you. I want you to learn to balance in the saddle. Hold onto the pommel," He put his hand to show here where he meant. "Simply hold on, use your legs to help you stay up and rely on keeping your back straight, sit as tall as you can." He slowly began to lead Andromeda into a slow walk, the creature following obediently. He knew he chose a good horse for Coralie; Andromeda was tame and the perfect horse to learn with.

Subject: Re: Stables Thu Oct 25, 2012 1:27 am

Coralie gave a nod, straightening her back and placing her hands upon the pommel forward and between where her legs would go. As Andromeda began to move, she found herself bouncing in her seat, and began to laugh with the joy of finally beginning to ride.

She straightened her back, again, and clenched her stomach muscles, knowing she would have to control her every movement in the saddle, just like the other ladies did. "Like this?" Coralie smiled.

Subject: Re: Stables Thu Oct 25, 2012 6:58 am

He began to walk backwards, still leading the horse though she seemed to know to go slow for Coralie. "Yes, very well done! Now, we will go just a bit faster, if you are ready." He glanced up to see if she approved.

Subject: Re: Stables Fri Oct 26, 2012 12:54 am

Coralie smiled, enjoying the ride, "oh, yes, I'm ready," she nodded, excitedly. She liked very much Andromeda and wanted to learn all she could from Christophe and the filly.

Subject: Re: Stables Fri Oct 26, 2012 6:46 am

He kept hold of the reins and brought the horse's speed up a bit. He kept glancing back to make sure Coralie was all right and saw how Andromeda was keeping a smooth and steady gait. "You let me know, if you need the horse to slow down."

Subject: Re: Stables Fri Oct 26, 2012 4:20 pm

"Alright, monsieur," she nodded smiling. She looked down at Andromeda, "she's a sweet thing, isn't she?" she smiled.

"Have you taught others to ride?" she looked at Christophe.

Subject: Re: Stables Sat Oct 27, 2012 5:20 am

"She is indeed a very sweet, docile creature," he agreed, nodding. "In fact I have taught only a few to ride. I taught my sister, long ago. She was only a little younger than you are now. But she was very scared at first, not at all like you," he complimented Coralie's bravery.

Subject: Re: Stables Mon Oct 29, 2012 3:13 am

Coralie giggled, very much enjoying the ride and lesson. She looked down at Christophe, smiling, "I am certain in no time you taught her to be brave," she smiled.

She tilted her head, "are you and your sister very close?"

Subject: Re: Stables Mon Oct 29, 2012 4:37 am

He kept leading her, gently upon Andromeda. "No, mademoiselle, we are not close anymore. But as children we were each others' worlds; we were never apart until I joined the army." It pained him to think of her now, when she was so close within reach but her heart was not for him anymore, it had turned to stone against him.

Subject: Re: Stables Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:24 am

Coralie looked down, "I'm so sorry, monsieur." She thought of how often her father and older brother would be gone from how, and how it would be weeks or even months before she heard or saw them again.

"I know what it is like to be the one left behind," she gave a faint smile.

She could see something else bothered him. "Are you alright Christophe?" her eyes went wide, "you can tell me...I'm a good listener," she gave a faint laugh.

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