Horsing around (Iris/invite)

[Zodiac]

The animal stood patiently chewing up an apple as his owner made sure the saddle sat properly upon his back and the straps were set properly. The horse looked back at the girl as she worked along as if critiquing her efforts. It also did not appear to mind the chalk work the girl had applied to its hide. It's sides and head now sporting a equine skeletal pattern upon it. It was, after all, the season and who said dressing for All Hallows was just for people was Zodiac's rationale on the matter.

"Okay, big guy. I think we are ready." Zodiac gave a final check of things and looked up at her most unusual 'pet'. He had been a gift from her childer, Iris, and she certainly had better luck with the horse than she did with the gift Dominique had also given her. The machine was still wedged half in/half out of the back wall of the barn. "I really need to get some help out here and fix that."

But 'Dimitri' (named after her real life father) was far easier to manage and understand. She had ridden as a child, and some things were like the proverbial bicycle. Her normal skirts and scarves were gone and in their place she wore jeans and a leather duster. Black above the knee Dharma's graced her legs and a wide brimmed hat sat on top of a small sack that kept attracting Dimitri's attentions. The girl grabbed both and put the small pack inside one of the saddle bags.

"Enough apples for now," she gently admonished the animal as she put her hat on. "You can have another when we get to Iris' place." The horse needed a good run just as much, if not more, than a quality race car had to be driven to be sure all was well. The horse had the run of the property surrounding her farm house, but that was a poor excuse for actual exercise. Zodiac stepped up on the hay bale she had used as a step ladder and got one foot into the stirrup and swung herself up and onto Dimitri's back with ease. "Damn, you are tall." she leaned down and hugged the horse's neck for a moment before sitting up and taking the reins in hand. Gently she nudged his sides with her feet (Zodiac refused to wear and use spurs on the animal) and turned him with the reigns. "Okay, big guy. Show me what you got."

Dimitri turned and began to walk away from the barn and was trotting soon after. Once the animal had passed through the gate, it went into a canter across the field. "Oh yes, good man. Good man." the mystic grinned as he picked up speed. "Compared to pulling a coach, I must be like a fly on your back." she laughed as they turned along the fence line separating her property from the others. Once the animal was back on track, she nudged him again. Now he was at full gallop and the landscape was blurred rushing past them. "SWEET!" her thoughts cried out. This is why she refused to drive a sports car. She knew her foot could suddenly transform into the molecular density and weight of lead in a split second. The horse was a much safer way to indulge in the need for speed and was ticket free if the police saw her out and about in the farmlands running like the wind.

And the 'wind' was racing directly for the northern fenceline of her property. Zodiac tried to pull back on the reigns, but with a solid kick, Dimitri sent his bulk up and over the fence and landed in the field next to hers and continued to gallop along. "Oh hell!" She grabbed her hat as the pair kicked up a trail of dust in the now plowed field that was ready for the long wait until next spring. Like a black arrow shot across the darkness, the horse made its way in a line to her childer's property. "What's got into you? Iris has some filly's you want to introduce yourself to or something?" The girl just hung on for dear life now as the horse crossed the county styled road and entered the next field. Zodiac had no doubt the animal knew what it was doing, but the idea of falling off in the middle of this equine sleigh ride was another matter.

The few miles between the properties vanished quickly and Dimitri jumped again, leaving the plowed fields to land in the well manicured grounds leaving damage and ruts in the ground. "Lugosi is gonna be pissed," she fretted, but her expression changed as she saw Iris' house slowly coming into focus in the distance. Instinctively, her mind reached out and found her child's thoughts and she began to cackle loudly in the girl's thoughts as the horse reached the front of the homestead.

"Tis a night for a witching, me thinks! Come and play with me, Creeping Iris!"

[Iris von Drol]

Cornflower blue orbs scanned the surface of the ritual alter and a slow bloom of a pleased smile washed over the pale pink natural lips that never wore more than the kiss of the moonlights rays or the descending drops of an unexpected midnight rain. The flat surface beneath each open palm seemed to be warmer as if the success in the ritual the golden haired telepath just performed was even more powerful than she intended it to be. Her hands pulled downward and landed in the small shelf of her lap thanks to the kneeling position she was currently in. A curl of the youthful yet strikingly pale long fingers over the dark velvet beneath gave way to the sounds of rich fabric submitting to the bunching of the the tug of each hand as the young woman rose. A soft glow of dancing candlelight illuminated across the the space around her. A hiss of the layers following over hard wood behind her was just loud enough to be picked up on above the quiet that otherwise filled the farmhouse she moved through. The faint bouquet of bluehearts and lavender stayed with her as she left the only bedroom and progressed towards the spacious parlor.

The moment was not an uncommon occurrence. This was by far the norm. Iris was one to savor it as if it was rare. Appreciating each moment was just how the woman was and those who knew her found it consistent. However, this particular moment would not continue in its current fashion. It was soon squashed of its soothing benefits when Iris felt the urgency in her sire, Zodiac, calling to her. It was not so much the words. They said nothing but enthusiasm and were playfully inviting. This she did adore about the mystic who had brought her the gift of darkness that she thrived in. It was the unmistakable sounds of a heavy beast snorting as its momentum increased sprinting its powerful body closer to where she stood inside. Iris moved quickly to the front door and pulled it wide open. Now she had a clear view of what was coming with the raven and purple haired gypsy. Dimitri pounding his hooves into the meticulously maintained grounds between the farmhouse and the front gates.

Iris slammed the door behind her then gathered her skirting and ran to the stables. A quick grab of a hand crafted leather saddle from its place of rest and the toss of it over the towering black Friesian that was brought over from its native Netherlands was done with urgency. Her hands were fast with their movements. They had mastered the process and now the grip of her hands and the swing of her leg had her sitting tall in the finely crafted saddle. The reigns were pulled and the beauty affectionately referred to as 'Chopin' was in fast pursuit of the beast and vampire racing off in the distance. Her mind was as fast in reaching Zodiac as the horse beneath her.

"Dimitri needs training." She barely caught the blur of destroyed rose bushes and leaned down and commanded Chopin to move faster with a nudge of her vintage covered heel. "Badly."

[Zodiac]

She thought she saw the front door open but could not be sure. Dimitri was having the time of his life and was not taking breaks in the process to allow her to look at details. Zodiac cringed as he made short work of the rose bushes as he charged along. In a way, it all made sense to her. Sometimes, you just got to run, which lined up with her own notions of 'You just gotta dance sometimes' which she did, without warning, depending on the music or muzak that was playing at the time. Dimitri was running to his own music now-simple.

The only difference was her dancing did little more than annoy the horse. He was not barely 112 pounds of mystic sitting on the back of 2000 plus pounds of runaway locomotive with no one driving or on the break heading down the side of a mountain when she danced away. Several times she tried to reign him in, but her efforts were having little effect. She finally 'heard' Iris in her mind and glanced over her shoulder to see she had given chase to the problem at hand. She waved at Iris.

"Oh why didn't I think of that?" she send back as she ducked down against her horse as it passed some low hanging trees. "Obedience school! Brilliant! Soon as he stops I will sign him up for classes!"

Despite her tone, part of her was enjoying this despite the trail of property damage adding up behind the pair. So far, the horse had not put either of them in any danger during its running about. An occasional tree branch or the sudden jolt to her spine when he decided to jump. but that had been the worst of it-so far.

Dimitri had cleared the trees and was heading for the fence line that marked the end of Iris' property. "Not again!" she moaned as she tried once again to turn him. She simply did not have the muscle to make her wishes known to the beast.

"If you don't stop right now, no more apples for you, I mean it!" she shouted into the horse's thoughts as he vaulted the fence with sinful ease. Another bone jarring landing (for the gypsy. a slight annoyance at best for the animal) and he was still in motion.

"NO.....MORE....APPLES!" she sent the image of an apple suddenly being taken away into Dimitri's mind along with her words.

The American Belgian with Tennessee Walker in its blood line suddenly came to halt. The gypsy was not prepared for the sudden end of the road and was catapulted over Dimitri's head to land on her back in the plowed field. She laid their-blinking as she tried to sense if anything was broken as she looked up into the night sky. A part of the darkness grew blacker as Dimitri looked down at her. He bent his neck and nuzzled her cheek as he nickered as if asking her 'Was you really serious about no apples?'.

"Bad horse!" she moaned softly as she heard Iris finally catching up. "Bad horse." She grabbed the reigns and slowly used them to pull herself into a sitting position. "Ow-weeeeeeeee," she sobbed as all the aches and pains she had just earned announced themselves.

[Iris von Drol]

The Kentucky Derby had nothing on them. There was nothing like a no-holds-barred ride in the dark with the potential to get even the coldest blood flowing once again. This was certainly the case for Iris. She held the reins with the grip one should allowing Chopin the freedom to run to his hearts content. He was an impressive tracker and like always he was hot on the trail of none other than her Sire. Of course who couldn't spot something as big as Dimitri plowing through the darkness like a runaway freight train? Chopin kept up with impressive speed of his own. Iris meanwhile took in the delights of the night and farmland to the face. The wind and the random back draft of bugs and everything else that Zodiac and Dimitri had not cleared out on their path ahead came at her with flesh biting force.

"You feeding him those vitamins?" Her mind was questioning her sire just about the moment the fate of a flying beetle had been read its last rites. She risked the chance of releasing her right hand from the reigns long enough to sweep the beetle carcass off her face. "If so..."

The telepath's message never finished. Instead Iris was clinging suddenly to the beast beneath her as it found Zodiac flat on her back with Dimitri standing over her looking as guilty and possibly as remorseful as a horse could look. Iris barely managed to stay on the saddle. Her skirting went upward to her thighs and her boots were pinned tight at the black horse beneath her. Her tightly fashioned hair lost its hold and now the golden tresses were a cloud of knots resting on her shoulders. Her corn-flower blue orbs didn't blink as she leaned forward so very carefully and peered down at Zodiac gazing to the sky.

"There is no apple that causes that." Iris' features shaped to those one would expect to see on a displeased parent. "Now I know!"

Iris' let out and knowing snort of remaining miniature night flying bugs and brought her leg back to join the other and hopped down in a plume of dark velvet that ultimately landed as it should around her leather clad ankles.

"I won't say it..." She had her hands curling to her hips as she bent down as the words came audibly from her lips.

"But I will think it." Her mind reached once more to her sire as she finally smiled rather pleased.

[Zodiac]

She dropped back to the ground and relaxed. So far nothing felt broken, but her entire back was screaming in pain. "Okay. Just a few seconds." she muttered in her mind. Her eyes caught Dimitri looking down at her still. "Oh, so when I threaten to do away with the apple barrel, you are suddenly concerned. You sure you don't have fangs in your head?" she jested.

Now a second bit of darkness blocked her view of the stars. Zodiac smiled despite the jab of her childer's words when that sweet voice crossed her thoughts. Once again, one hand grabbed up and held the reigns tightly while her other hand groped out and braced herself against Iris' shoulder as she lifted herself upwards and managed to get on her knees.

"Vitamins? In Dimitri? That's like putting extra salt in sea water. The big lump doesn't need any help from me. All he does is roam the pastures of my place and stuff himself. Now your ponies, on the other hand, need all the help they can get. Always on the go, hauling your carriages and such around town for hours. So they need that little extra to keep them working hard and strong and to stay healthy." she explained glibly. She knew perfectly well what was in the 'vitamins' she sometimes slipped a pinch of into Iris' ponies, but she would never admit it. She had stopped after one or two good laughs, but the joke never died. Anytime something odd happened to the girls animals, vitamins were to blame and vitamins meant Zodiac at work.

"Please," She asked as she adjusted her grip and began to pull herself back onto her feet. She stood there on shakey legs for a moment. Twisting her neck a bit. "You know, if I was expecting that, that would have been a blast!" she finally smiled properly. "Wore a football helmet and such and just go ahhhhh as I fly along!"

Dimitri nuzzled against her, demanding attention. One hand petted the horse's nose as she looked at Iris. "So, I got a moon rocket with no off switch once it gets going. Any suggestions, cause if this is gonna be my typical dismounting technique I don't think I will be going much of anywhere with him."

[Iris von Drol]

Iris took hold of Zodiac with the gentleness that she would always use when handling the woman. There was no lack of care or concern. Even more so there was always enough respect that never left the mystic questioning Iris' willingness to do anything to protect her and keep her safe from harm just as she was given in turn. She adored the eccentric gypsy to depths that few would ever understand in the dark world the now existed in together by the bond of blood and mercy.

Zodiac was quick to dismiss the vitamin theory. Perhaps Dimitri was just over enthusiastic and needed far more time with her sire in his saddle. The nudge Dimitri gave Zo demonstrated the two were comfortable with their current arrangement so Iris gave a light lift of her petite shoulders and went back to gathering the veil of gold knotted tresses and managed to fashion them into a reckless bun with the one remaining comb that was left from the breathtaking race across the property. She should have taken the seconds required to grab her riding hat. Now that Zodiac was safely on her feet she sent a request with her thoughts to Edith, the woman she recently took on the task of bewitching into her service. Edith was likely getting cozy at this hour with some of those rather unscrupulous gang figures. Her concern was growing as the less than successful business woman had come back with large sums of cash and concerning reports of info that had her questioning the stability of the city in general for those like she.

"When you are finished for the evening and returning home please check your steps carefully walking up to the house. I seemed to have lost a comb I cannot replace. An unexpected ride has delayed me from finding it." Her thoughts were now clear and her attention went back to Zodiac and Dimitri while reaching up to stroke an open palm down Chopin's warm black neck.

"It all depends on how disciplined you desire him to be. If you are comfortable with his lack of response to your commands and wish to be racing through the streets and open fields like a bat out of hell then he is perfect as he is. However, I do think there is a certain beauty and mutual pleasure in having a balance between a beast and its master. It does help when in town. Etiquette of rider and horse is expected." She nodded and was certain she wasn't likely telling her sire anything she didn't already know.

Iris liked the formality of how she handled her horses. They knew their place. They did have their spirited moments and each was easy to recall. She took long hikes to retrieve them from various distances and odd locations. For the young telepath it was easier to blame it on something they ingested than for Iris to accept they were being disobedient.

"I would be happy to assist in training Dimitri if you desire." She smiled as she leaned over and gave Dimitri an attentive brush of her hand to enforce he was hardly ignored. "Or I will buy you a helmet and landing gear. More than willing to do either one."

[Zodiac]

Was she making fun of her? Zodiac didn't think so. Iris had a dry whit about her at times, but nothing to suggest amusement at her misfortunes. She watched her childer and her gentle way with the animals and smiled.

"Landing gear? Why not fold out wings too? I can wear cute fuzzy ears as well so when Dimitri stops, I can pull a cord, unfold them and scream into people's minds 'Woo Hoo! I'm a fruit bat!' as I crash and burn."

She made a quick inspection of herself and picked up her hat to put it back on top of her ebony and violet locks. "He's a good horse at heart," her hands rubbed his neck and muzzle softly. "Smart, fast, muscle bound and the lady horses are always glad to see him show up. Boy has Syzgany in his blood. Maybe an old Romany soul back for another round perhaps. I do not want him broken, but I can't just go along like a flea on his back as he does his own thing either." She leaned her head against the stallion's and looked up into his eyes.

"Salutari fratelui meu," her thoughts sighed to them both. "Ca o echipa suntem puternici. Help me to help you, old one within. Sângele e sânge şi suntem sânge. You do not disrespect blood, brother." She turned her head and looked at Iris directly while still leaning against the horse. "So what can we do? You the 'horse whisperer' or whatever it is you do with them. Maybe I am not firm enough with him or his will is strong. Something. He is 'Regele' on my farm land, but he was made for more than wandering around the grounds doing nothing. Guide me here, my love. What can I do with this overgrown gypsy of a horse."

As if in response, Dimitri nuzzled the mystic and nickered softly."Sorry, Fratele. I don't understand Equine. I love you too, but if you hinting at another apple, forget it. You cut off till we get that rocket you call your body under a bit of control."

[Iris von Drol]

Iris had to admit that Dimitri was a little more spirited than most and in Zodiac's presence even more so. There was a definite bond and now it was apparent. Perhaps this worked for the two and she had been a bit premature in pointing it out from the point of view she did. She imagined the roles reversed and now it was one of those things she nearly regretted making the focal point of their impromptu meeting. Nothing tragic had happened that could not be fixed. Roses always grew, the ground was always changing and some bonds were meant to be just as they were even if they made sense only to those involved.

Iris smiled lightly as the two interacted in front of her. She was out on a beautiful night with her sire and their horses. There was no need to waste it critiquing what was not her place to. She released a sigh as she gathered Chopin's reigns tightly. Now that they had the night ahead it would be a perfect time to share a ride. They had hours ahead of them and perfect cool weather to accompany them.

"Care to take a ride?" She hardly was the horse whisperer. She would rather like to believe she was learning as she went. "I can only show you what has worked for me and mine. Dimitri could very well just be the exception and if so perhaps it is he that will guide us to what it is that works for him?"

Iris rolled her skirting into one hand then used the strength of the other as well as the spring of her foot in the stirrup to swing her leg over and be once again in the saddle. She leaned down and stroked Chopin's neck then patted it firmly in a finish.

"You have a way all your own with animals. Dimitri responds to your touch. It may just be your heart and spirit needs to reign in his own a little tighter. Show him you will not fail to guide him safely?" She turned Chopin with a pull leading him to turn slowly in a few steps. His head lifted up the bobbed down as he snorted. She laughed. "Okay. I think he wants to run. Care to try this again?"

Iris' big blue eyes looked to her beautiful sire with a sparkle of invitation to match Chopin's rising enthusiasm. She slipped her leather boots into the stirrups and made sure she was ready. When Chopin was ready to take off she knew from experience to that holding on tight was the first step in staying in the saddle and keeping control of the reigns.

[Zodiac]

"Another one? Can we go get a parachute first?" She adjusted her hat and looked up at her childe already on her horse. Iris did make it look easy or else her horse was simply more sedate. If she was right and there was a few drops of Syzgany in her horse's blood, she would just have to show him she had more than just a touch of it within her.

Getting back on Dimitri, however, was a bit of an adventure. The animal's height vs the reach of her leg forced her to give up after a couple of tries. Dimitri snorted in surprise as the mystic willed herself to levitate up off the ground enough to put the stirrup in reach of her foot. She then swung herself into place easily but froze once her feet were secure.

"STAY!" she projected into the animal's mind, then turned her attention back to Iris.

"To recap what happened, when we started all was good. He walked out from the barn and replied to me working the reigns. Same when he started trotting and the canter. It's when we went into a full gallop that suddenly I wasn't in charge anymore. Sorry about your yard. Just send me the bill and I'll take care of that." She considered a bit more. "I can't recall me doing anything or anything that might have spooked him or caused him to run like that." absently she was stroking the horse's neck as she 'talked'.

The gypsy took the reigns tight in hand and mock bopped Dimitri's head a couple times. "Now let us understand each other here, Fratelui. I say stop-you stop! Don't make me hex you to the glue factory." She clicked her tongue and nudged the horse with her heels and started walking in pace with Iris and Chopin.

"See? Just like before. Moving smooth as silk." She gave the reigns a tug to the right and the animal turned in the direction. A bit more encouragement and he began to trot. "Look at him. Could be in some video on how a horse should be when riding."

The trot turned into a canter now and Dimitri still responded perfectly to the small woman's wishes. The nighttime country side a balm to the spirit as they rode along together. The gypsy witch needed more times like this which is why she tried to ride the animal to begin with. Not a care to be found as she enjoyed the night on the back of a faithful friend. The added bonus of Iris with her a blessing as well. Iris 'grew up' and moved on into her own self, so the pair did not get to hang together as they once did just after her turning. She was proud of her, yet missed the eager childling she brought into the night. After a couple of miles, Zodiac pulled back on the reigns and the animal came to a full stop. She looked at Iris and then swung herself out of the saddle back onto the ground.

"You want to try?" she offered as she held out the reigns to her. "Take him for a spin and see how well he listens to you when he is going full tilt. If he obeys you, then I give up and will let him roam the pasture cause I must be doing something seriously wrong, but if he doesn't then maybe you will see what I am dealing with. Show me how it is done, oh Queen of the Rodeo."

[Iris von Drol]

Iris felt a calm that was unlike any other when in the hand crafted saddle beneath her. It was perhaps the bond she shared based on mutual trust with the black Friesian. His disposition was strong and his quick response to her handling conveyed that they were in some respects one in thought when it came to their nightly rides. Effortless it all seemed to be when Chopin took to his run that had her moving with him. Everything that would weigh down the young telepath’s mind all but faded. The world was wide open as soon as they left the stable. So many adventures they had already and so many more yet to be taken.

Iris watched Dimitri display the ability to follow Zodiac’s lead. It was no surprise really. He was a powerful beast but indeed was no match for the petite dark haired gypsy that sat confident in his saddle despite the earlier mishap. Her cornflower blue orbs studied the gait of Dimitri. He was a strong draft horse. Much like a steam engine that once it was going took a bit to stop if he wasn’t so inclined to do so. It did appear that there was a understanding between the two and now he was content enough to follow Zodiac’s lead.

“The yard will come back next spring. There is no need to be concerned.” Iris lifted her gaze to her sire and smiled for reinforcement of what she had said. She could never take payment of any kind from the woman who created her. She had rescued her and if anyone had a debt that was still due it would be Iris herself to the gypsy who extended her mercy. “You know I would never be able to accept such from you. Everything that was shifted with Dimitri’s spirited dash will rise once again eventually. We hopefully shall see another spring, yes?”

In the existence they shared it was always a question to be pondered. Nothing was ever a guarantee. That inspired her hand to hold on a little tighter to the reigns. Not that Chopin would be the end of it for her but for the the simple fact she could not predict if she would get to do this again. Everything she did she tried to remember could very well be the last. Zodiac was the one who taught her that. Her turning was her own decision. She gave Iris the option with the condition she spend twenty four hours giving it serious thought before it would take place. What was to be done could never be undone. Especially choosing to accept the darkness as her future for as long as it was to be.

With the canter Iris leaned forward a little and kept a half seat position so that her hips rolled lightly with the rhythm beneath her. Chopin was known to take his own bursts if the mood struck him so she was prepared by having her feet positioned back a little more. This was most comfortable to her.

It was not long before Zodiac was bringing the pace to a slow halt. Chopin followed suit and came to a standing rest beside the massive Dimitri whom easily made the Friesian seem all but average in comparison. Now Zodiac was on the ground and offering both the reigns of Dimitri and the pleasure of taking a ride in his saddle. Iris' brow lifted as well as her leg as she swung her lower body off to the right side and landed in a soft cloud of dark material billowing with her to the ground. Iris' thoughts were rather simple at the gesture of her sire. This will be interesting.

Iris held the reins out to Chopin and once the trade of each was complete she mounted the horse from the near side and settled into the saddle. This uneventful first step was promising. She smiled feeling confident that all else would go equally well. Iris, in all her optimistic nature, was unprepared for what was about to happen next.

With a light pull of the reigns Iris attempted to get Dimitri to move a bit to the right and begin their trot. Dimitri gave a sharp nod of his head and with no warning the energy he had displayed when the night brought them together seemed to fill him. With a spirited and neck breaking bolt he took off and Iris squealed in surprise. She gripped tight and tried to pull back on the reigns with all the strength she had but Dimitri was not going to have any of it. This seemed to only inspire him more to do the opposite of what she wanted. She pressed her feet tight into the stirrups and held on trying to ride with him. this worked out well until he cleared a few downed trees and made a beeline straight for that pond that Chopin was fond of stopping at for a drink.

“Woah!” Iris called out firmly daring to take the reigns and make the mistake of pulling back equally with both hands gripping tightly. “I said…” She tugged this time with insistence he respond at once. She lost sight of her skilled handling and resigned herself to her own irritation. “WOAH!”

With that final word Iris found the saddle she was in roughly go past her thighs as Dimitri came to an abrupt stop. She lost the reins and was catapulted forward over the top of the horse. In a spiral of dark material and blonde locks she went derriere over head in a somersault landing with a cold and humbling splash in the pond several feet from where Dimitri stood.