A Stable Solution (Moria)

[Whisper]

Second Cycle of Melora, Winter, Era XV

The stables of the Ivory Wings Universitas housed horses for many purposes. Some were used in the horseback riding classes offered at the Training Grounds. Others were used by the teachers and staff to get around town, since the Universitas was a bit of a distance away from the town proper. Other horses were privately owned by the wealthier students and instructors, and were cared for by the kind and devoted stablehands.

The stables held approximately 30 horses, all told. They ranged from delicate elven windsteppers to sturdy thoroughbreds. Each horse had its own stall with water and feed. Brushes, horseshoes, and other equipment hung from hooks on the walls.

Past the stalls was a large field where the horses could run freely on their own or during exercise with trainers. There was an abundance of fresh grass along the edge for the horses to nibble at. All around the pasture was a high wooden fence, at least six feet tall.

The head of the stable was a Baijani man named Caylon Morceno. His golden skin was accentuated all the more by the tan he received from being outdoors so often, and his light brown hair was tied back in a short ponytail to keep it out of his face while he worked. He could usually be found in the stables, ready to offer a helping hand to whoever needed assistance.

[Moria Black]

She walked calmly and quietly to the universty stables. A certian air of quiet pride surrounded the pale Rhagrnd women. Her people had never scoffed at work, they used their hands to keep the harshness of thier icy realm at bay. Working in the stables was no different then anyhting she had done back home. Her figure was lean and wirey, making her look weak but only the foolish assumed that about Moria Black.

She stepped into the stables and her senses were assulated by the smell of many animals and hay. She didn't find it unpleasent just unfamilair. " Hello?" she called out ," Is anybody here?" She walked around looking for somebody anybody whom she could report to her new to.

[Catalyst]

OOCHi Moira! I'll be taking over this thread

A man popped his head out of a horse stall and gave her a quick once-over with his eyes. He wore the expression of someone who had just been interupted, but his face had a friendly look for all that. A brush was strapped to his right hand, evidently he had been brushing the horse in the stall.

"Can I help you with something miss? I'm Caylon Morceno, head of these stables." He glanced quickly down at the brush in his hand. "We're a bit short handed at the moment, so everyone must pitch in," he explained.

[Moria Black]

She was taken back a bit by the man just popping out of a horse stall but she quickly recovered and said, " I'm to report to my first day of work ," She flashed him a quick and rare smile and looked around . It was a rather large stable , it must have been so large out of demand apprently people 'round the Fire Isles liked their horses. Moria had never ridden a horse so much as been around them. She wasn't afraid , again, just unfamliar.

" So where do I start?" she asked looking back at the man.

[Catalyst]

"Work study eh? That's great, we can use you. You are quick, which is a good sign, but you've beaten your paperwork down here. Not a problem, but it means we should start with your name. Also, have you worked in a stable before? Do you have any experience with horses? We pay beginners 30 crowns a cycle, which can be automatically applied to your tuition. If you have experience you may earn a better salary."

As he talked he removed the brush from his hand and leaned up against the wall of the stall, making himself comfortable. The horse in the stall in which he had been working neighed, a rather contented sound.

[Moria Black]

The man spoke plainly and evenly Moria appericated that. He seemed at ease with himself and the enivorment around him, something Moria envied.

" My name is Moria Black sir . No I've never worked in a stable before and have no expernice with horses," she paushed. She wasn't going to lie to her newfound employer and lose the trust of somebody she just met for the shake of a few coin. Besides horses where a lot bigger than her she didn't want mess up on the base of some bravdo statement.

" But you'll find I'm a quick learner and a hardworker." She looked over at the horses in the stales such strange noble creature. They looked like Kings of the Wind she wondered why they let themselves be caged up and ridden like slaves. She approached a hoeny brown mare and after letting her sniff her hand she stroked its wide long nose and neck. She smiled she might like horses after all.

[Catalyst]

Caylon was not displeased to learn of Moira's inexperience. "It is no great matter one way or another. In truth most stable work requires a strong back rather than a learned mind. Grab that shovel and come with me."

Caylon showed her quickly around the stables, where the supplies were kept and where the feed was stored, and a closet where she could put her things while she was working. He aquainted her with the schedule of the stable, when the horses were fed and when they took their exercise. He warned her never to approach a horse directly from behind. "None of our horses are especially troublesome, but they are powerful animals with ironshod feet and if you spook them they can kick you far across the room."

After the tour, he set her the task of mucking out the stalls, using a shovel and wheelbarrow. The manure was stored in a midden out behind the stable.

Caylon allowed her to work without too much supervision, but near the end of her shift he approached her and asked "would you like to learn how to ride? If you learn the skill I can assign you to help exercise the horses for some of your work, which you may find more pleasant than shoveling manure."

[Moria Black]

Moria toook the shovel and her lips twitched with a smile, she could shovel snow what made horse waste and dirt so different? She was beggining to love the smell of the stables, besides the horse waste it had a nice earthy smell; oddly it was relaxing. She followed him around taking in everything he said. And then he set her to work. It was hard work but Moria was young and strong and wasn't to taxed to haul wheelbarrow out again and again. She was weary of the horses and tried to stay away from those hoves, she didn't feel like getting her ribs cracked today.

She was nearing the end of her shift Caylon approached her with a intresting proposition. Her heart quicked and she sucked in breath, " I would love to learn to ride. " She wondered what the price would be she was already in debt for schooling. Even so to learn to ride a beast of such nobility , it would be something Moria would treasure for the rest of her days. " Would you really be willing to teach me how to ride?"

OCC: Can you really teach Moria to ride?

[Catalyst]

oocYep, I can teach Moira to ride :)

Caylon laughed. "Of course I would. And as I say, it is not entirely an act of generosity, it will allow me to be more flexible with my stablehand scheduling. Of course since you are not paying for lessons we will learn as work allows, but we are not busy now and I do not believe we shall have difficulties. Follow me."

Caylon led Moira to a storage room at the back of the stables, and opened the door. Inside, a number of saddles sat on racks. He indicated one near the back of the room. "This will be your saddle, for as long as you work here. It is old and somewhat worn, but this is not entirely bad, it is well broken in and comfortable. It will be one of your responsibilities to take care of it, which is not a difficult task. It should be kept clean, and if you ride in the rain it should be dried out afterwards. Set it out in the sun at the next opportunity to dry completely. Periodically rub it with a light oil..." he pointed to a jar of oil on a shelf in the shed, "...and rub conditioner into it twice an era. Be sure to check the underside of the saddle for broken rivets, they can annoy your horse and make them behave badly. Am I clear so far?"

[Moria Black]

She flashed the man one of her rare bright smiles when he told her it wouldn't be a promblem. She followed him at a steady pace even though she wanted to race ahead of him hollering like a child. Such strange emotions for Moria , the Ice Princess, maybe the valley people where really starting to rub off on her.

She stopped at the storage room and listened queitly to everything he had to say. He pointed out her saddle, apparently the riding apperatus she would place over the horses back. Intresting..... She wouldn't have a promblem cleaning it and rididng in the rain here in Demioas that was mostly certainly going to happen. She listened to the rest he had to say , and nodded eagerly when he asked if everything was clear to her, " Yes, everything is very clear Calyon."

[Catalyst]

"Good, good. As I say, this business is not complicated, but if you have questions do not hesitate to ask. A horse can be a friend and companion for you, but they are large powerful creatures and so a certain amount of care is always appropriate."

Caylon bent down under the saddle and pulled a wooden basket out from underneath it into the dim light of the shed. "This is a grooming kit. I keep one with each saddle, so that every rider will always have access to one, so this one will be yours while you are here with us."

He led Moira back out into the stable proper. There, he paused to consider, and then took her to the stall where a chestnut horse of medium size stood placidly, chewing on a mouthful of hay. "This is Anabelle," he said. "We'll start you off on her. Anabelle is of mature years but not old and cranky. She has a gentle disposition and is unlikely to throw you. We can try a more spirited horse later, after you have a hang of the basics."

Caylon brought an oval brush from the grooming kit, similar to the one he had been wearing when Moira had first met him. "Keeping your horse well groomed is always a good idea. A clean coat promotes health in the horse, and keeps them happy and willing to work for you. This brush is called a currycomb. It will remove dirt and other irritants from the horse's coat, and will work loose dead hair as well. This will keep the horse's skin healthy, and prevent them from becoming irritated by the saddle. Spending time brushing your horse will also help them get to know you. Horses are intelligent creatures, and if they like you it will be for the best."

He showed Moira how the brush strapped onto her hand. "Use a circular motion, and do not worry much about pressing too hard, except when you use it on sensitive areas such as those near the face. Give it a try, and I will watch your technique."

"Some people brush their horses every time before they ride. Personally, I just do it on a regular schedule, every few days whether I ride or not. If you do it regularly and often then you need not spend much time on it, and your horse is always ready."