paradisalost | (no subject)

Ashura appeared at the stables in what amounted to his riding gear. He wore a spit over-robe that clung to his upper body and arms, a short obi around his waist. Beneath that he wore a pair of tight, doe-skin trews and a pair of knee high, black leg warmers that shoes toes and heels. It was an odd ensemble, but he had learned that the trews worked nicer for riding than his usual robes, but he was unwilling to let go of his people's styles. Thus, the resulting outfit - custom tailored via wishing.

He smiled at the woman he assumed to be Vivian, his dark hair set into a single thick braid that scraped at his heels and his usual finery kept down to his necklace and a few golden clasps on his ears.

"Good morning," he greeted her, heading for the end box stall where his own Svitana was. "Vivian, is it?"

He opened it and led out the creature - easily eighteen hands and more, the beast was covered in smooth, dark red scales, its frills frosted with black and bright golden eyes. A long, narrow face was topped with a sharp-toothed maw, and four sturdy legs ended in ground scraping claw, keeping its balance with a serpentine tail.

It seemed that someone was arriving already so Vivian stopped what she was doing for the moment to get ready to welcome them. She watched as the man approached, taking in what he was wearing with interest, wondering if it was part of his culture. Of course, Vivian didn't know that fact for certain but she did like meeting people who came from different backgrounds with interesting stories to tell.

She inclined her head in greeting, offering him a warm smile in return. "Yes, that's me. Hello. I'm afraid that I didn't get your name when we last spoke."

Vivian could find that out when he returned. What was captivating her now was what his steed was going to look like. When he had told her it was like a dragon, it had Vivian more than intrigued, maybe even a little frightened. She wasn't used to seeing odd things and this creature was no exception.

"It is Ashura," he called as he went into the box stall, and a moment later came out with his dragon horse.

Svitana shook his frilled head and danced a bit, claws scraping the floor of the barn as Ashura put him into the cross-ties. The beast secured he went to a trunk in front of the stall and opened it, pulling out what looked like a blanket and a girth.

"Though I think you might have figured that from Svitana here."

"A pleasure to meet you, Ashura," she called back in return, loud enough for him to hear.

Vivian didn't mean to gape at the dragon horse but she couldn't help it. She watched as the beast moved from a distance, afraid to get too close to the thing. Not that she should be afraid because it seemed to be quite tame. Thankfully, the other horses weren't rattled by him.

"I really should have. My apologies." She stopped what she was doing, taking a step forward. "Svitana." Vivian repeated. "Did I say that right?"

"Svi-tahn-ah," he sounded it out for her, knowing that it was a bit of a mouthful for anyone who was not used to his language.

And tame the creature might look, but it was war trained despite all that. It pawed the floor, shaking its head as the woman approached. It eyed here with its forward set, predator's eyes, nostrils flaring as it took in her scent.

"Calm," Ashura said in his own, native tongue - a liquid language like water and fire. The beast calmed and Ashura tossed the blanket/saddle over the back of the beast and started connecting the girth.

"Where did you plan to ride today, Vivian?"