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[flamekthunder]

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[flamekthunder]

[The horses continue to look at the girl curious before the mare slowly reaches out to accept the touch, nostrils quivering before releasing a strong, warm wuff of air. The stallion will follow as well, bumping its nose against Lyria's hand.]

Seems they accepted you. Here—

[He pulls out something from his pockets and takes Lyria's hand, covering it with his own before he drops a few sugar cubes into her palm.]

This will win them over.

[azuresong]

[ She is cautious with her hand, and gasps loudly when the horse reacts to her movements. This was a good reaction, right!?

Lyria allows her hand to be taken and once the lump is felt in her hands, she will curious look on with wide eyes. ]

Ah...! Sugar cubes! [ That's right! Horses like these!

Renewed with a bold sense of courage she will give a nod to him before turning her attention back to the horses, opening her palm and pushing her hand forward towards their mouths. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Their ears are pricked forward immediately upon seeing and catching a whiff of the sugar cubes. However, rather than both at once, the black stallion takes a step to the side, tail swishing idly as he bobs his head towards the mare to go first. There's a pleasant little whicker as she bumps her head against his neck before daintily reach out, velvety lips shuffling around to grab one sugar cube before she steps back to let the stallion take a turn, who also gently takes the other sugar cube.

...

Watching this Eustace feels a little strange...

...

He may need to keep them separated more often—]

[azuresong]

[ She couldn't tell if this was normal or not... but it was so cute!? She's delighted when each of them take a cube from her as well as a bit surprised by how well behaved each one was to one another! ]

Eheheh... I think they like each other!

[flamekthunder]

.......Perhaps.

[Eying them..... Eying them.... It wouldn't be so surprising, really, but now he has to think about things he didn't think he had to worry about. His horse had always shown zero interest so it was never a problem, but now.... ... .....HM.]

...In any case, I need to get Nyx ready, so lets head to the stables.

[azuresong]

[ Lyria can see the expression Eustace's making but is... unsure of what it entirely means. Was two horses in a love a bad thing!?

She wants to question but the talk of the stables brings her back down to the topic at hand. ]

Yes, sir! [ She cheers before filing by his side once again and using a hand to wrap around his arm for guidance. ] Did you build the stables here, too?

[flamekthunder]

[Tucking his concerns to the back of his mind, he smiles lightly as Lyria holds onto him and laughs at her question.]

No. These already existed and someone else runs and maintains them. I only pay for the rent and necessary supplies.

[azuresong]

Oooh! First dogs, now horses... I didn't know you had so many pets! Maybe you should have a farm full of animals!

[flamekthunder]

[A small laugh.]

Well...maybe in the future. Would you help take care of them?

[azuresong]

[ A shocked, but excited glimmer in her eyes and she nods!! ]

I would love to help! Anything you want to me do, I will be there for you!

[flamekthunder]

Have you ever had to help take care of farm animals?

[He knows she and Gran tend to do...a lot so he honestly would be more surprised if they haven't.

And to help keep moving things along—the horses are also following them alongside the fence line as they near the large building down the road, as if aware that they're here to take them out. Though the mare keeps looking back, swishing her tail. Where's her person??

The large building is where the main stables are, but there are smaller buildings for supplies, other animals, and more, with other pastures and smaller paddocks making up the large area of land used for the animals housed here. There are even some small field for harvesting hay and other small crops.]

[azuresong]

Mmm... I've been around a lot of pets before, and even some farm animals, but have never taken care of them.

[ At least, nothing that she could immediately remember off the top of her head. Her adventures had certainly taken her to make places, so she will happily add this to the list!

As they approach the stables Lyria's eyes glance from one thing to other- her mouth agape with wonder. ]

Wooow... there's so much! It's amazing!

[flamekthunder]

[A low hum as he considers this. Maybe he could help show her how to do a few things later...

For now he just lets her explore a bit, pointing out a few things here and there as they continue into the stables. By now the two horses are waiting at the gate, curious as to what's going on.

There are also a few horses in their stalls, so when they enter some will poke their heads out, curious.]

I can show you around more another time.

[azuresong]

[ Oh... right. She may have gotten a little carried away. The real reason they were here was a bit more serious, and Eustace was going so much out of his way to help her figure things out.

So with a firm nod she'll return back to this side, watching the horses in their stalls as they pass by. ]

Is there something I should do to help?

[flamekthunder]

[...Cute. Really he doesn't mind, but it would be more fun for her if they set a whole day for it and he made better arrangements beforehand. So he just lightly smiles and guides her over to the tack room.]

Here, you can carry these two.

[He hands her the saddle blanket and the bridle before grabbing the heavier saddle.]

Normally it would be good to brush him... But we can do it after.

[The stallion seemed pretty clean when he saw him, and they can spend more time later.]

[azuresong]

[ Be it any task, and she will do it to the best of her abilities no matter the size! She eagerly takes the blanket and bridle, clasping them tightly in her arms as to not allow them to slip out of her hands.

She's only slightly disappointed that she won't be able to brush them... but perhaps they will have more time later now that she knows this place exists! You cannot stop her from visiting this place now! ]

Brushing the horses~ 🎶 Riding the horses~ 🎶

[ She begins singing to herself as she helps prepare the rest of the necessary items needed for the trip, her head swaying to the makeup tune. ]

What a fun day to ride through the courses~! 🎶

[flamekthunder]

[..........

So cute???? WHY IS SHE SO CUTE????

It's taking every ounce of his willpower to not laugh, but his lips still crack into an amused smile as he hears her singing next to him. And it remains even after he lets his horse in through the gate, the mare about to follow but is stopped when he closes it right behind him.

The mare: ????????

Ignoring her indignant snorts, stomps, and neighs, Eustace leads the stallion to where he can be tied and tacked up, Eustace explaining to Lyria every step—starting with the saddle blanket and saddle, and then to the bridle.

With the mare still making a racket in the background, Eustace turns to Lyria.]

Here, I'll help you up first.

[azuresong]

[ Lyria is... trying to pay attention, she really is, but as Eustace continues to explain the ins and outs of the process, her eyes couldn't help but keep lingering back over to the mare. ]

Oh, uh, okay! [ She finally replies when his question brings her back to reality. And so be fair, it was a little hard to hear what he was saying with all the commotion in the background. ]

... Do you think it will be okay, though? I think she's getting mad— [ A look of concern over to her as she flashes the smallest frown. ]

[flamekthunder]

[SIGH.]

Don't mind her. She's always like that when I take Nyx out on his own.

[NEEEEIIIIIGGGHHHH. Angry pawing at the gate, making it clang against the chains.]

She'll get over it once we're out of sight. Nyx isn't bothered by it, either.

[It's true. Even though Nyx looked back once, he just turned his head back forward and is quietly waiting.]

[azuresong]

She must really love him, then... [ Pondering over the words, she blinks towards Eustace. ]

Is that how you feel? When you're away from Tifa?

[flamekthunder]

[......Please don't remind him that he needs to possibly monitor and split the two—

But he'll look at the mare who has stopped her stomping and instead just glaring indignantly at him.]

...Not quite like that.

[And up he's going to lift Lyria onto the saddle.]

[azuresong]

[ You cannot separate love, Eustace!! You of all people should know that!!

But as Lyria opens her mouth to respond she lets out a gasp as she is lifted into the air and onto the saddle. ]

Whoa!!

[ It... was a lot larger than what it initially seemed like. She felt so far off the ground and instantly her hands flew to try to hold on the bridle, eyes wide.

THIS IS HER FIRST TIME OH NO SHE'S SUDDENLY SO NERVOUS ]

[flamekthunder]

[HE'S TRYING TO PROTECT HIS HORSE—

Eustace can't help but grin at seeing Lyria's surprise, and she won't be alone for long as he mounts up behind her, his arms immediately going around her to grab the reins.]

Scared?

[azuresong]

[ Once she feels Eustace settle in behind her she will move to press her back against him, sticking against him like glue. ]

No, I'm not! It's just... so high... [ But this is so new and exciting, and she can't help but feel a little overwhelmed with all the new emotions swirling around her.

She reaches out and grips one of his arms that had taken the reins for support. ]

[flamekthunder]

[A light chuckle above her head.]

Nyx is a rather large horse. But don't worry, I won't let you fall. You can also hold onto the front of the saddle or the reins if you need to.