Damien
and every demon wants his pound of flesh
but i like to keep some things to myself
but i like to keep some things to myself
Damien huffed a low laugh, rubbing a hand across his jaw as Colt ribbed him about lessons and pants. “Well, if you’re offering,” he said, deadpan, though his eyes flicked toward her with that glint that could be humor or challenge depending on how you caught it. “I might skip the pants, though. Don’t wanna look too professional now.”
He turned to Spud, opening the stall and stepping lightly in the straw. The gelding watched him, ears flicking, weight shifting once before settling. Damien reached for the halter with easy patience, letting the horse see it coming, smell it, think it over. He didn’t rush it—never did with animals. They read body language better than words.
When Colt asked if he knew how to groom one, he gave her a look over his shoulder, all wry amusement. “I can at least remember enough to stay on the right end.” The corner of his mouth twitched as he lifted a brush from the shelf and ran it down Spud’s neck in long, even strokes, the sound of bristles and hide soft as breathing. “My folks had a pony when I was a kid. One of the fonder memories I have of them.”
He paused long enough for the memory to fade before he went on. “Truth is, I’ve missed riding. Plus, I wouldn't mind having them around when I've got lumber to haul or deliveries to make. Or... animals to round up. So after I wrote you about these two, I spent some more time around a few others—helping some farmers. One of em's got this red mare named Tully who’s real clever. She’ll open the gate latch with her teeth if you don’t tie it with rope. And even if you do tie it…” He gave Spud’s shoulder a fond pat. “She’ll figure it out eventually.”
He ducked to check the horse’s hooves, movements sure and deliberate, then straightened and met Colt’s eyes again. “I wouldn't get on if I didn't know how to ride. There's not a whole lot to it, I think. I was just wondering if Spud here’s got any.. quirks, habits. Some horses like to test you; others just want you to keep up.”
The gelding snorted as Damien led him from the stall over to a hitching post. “Guess I’ll find out which kind he is soon enough.” Once the horse was tied, he went to collect the saddle and bridle from Colt [or wherever she might've placed them].
He turned to Spud, opening the stall and stepping lightly in the straw. The gelding watched him, ears flicking, weight shifting once before settling. Damien reached for the halter with easy patience, letting the horse see it coming, smell it, think it over. He didn’t rush it—never did with animals. They read body language better than words.
When Colt asked if he knew how to groom one, he gave her a look over his shoulder, all wry amusement. “I can at least remember enough to stay on the right end.” The corner of his mouth twitched as he lifted a brush from the shelf and ran it down Spud’s neck in long, even strokes, the sound of bristles and hide soft as breathing. “My folks had a pony when I was a kid. One of the fonder memories I have of them.”
He paused long enough for the memory to fade before he went on. “Truth is, I’ve missed riding. Plus, I wouldn't mind having them around when I've got lumber to haul or deliveries to make. Or... animals to round up. So after I wrote you about these two, I spent some more time around a few others—helping some farmers. One of em's got this red mare named Tully who’s real clever. She’ll open the gate latch with her teeth if you don’t tie it with rope. And even if you do tie it…” He gave Spud’s shoulder a fond pat. “She’ll figure it out eventually.”
He ducked to check the horse’s hooves, movements sure and deliberate, then straightened and met Colt’s eyes again. “I wouldn't get on if I didn't know how to ride. There's not a whole lot to it, I think. I was just wondering if Spud here’s got any.. quirks, habits. Some horses like to test you; others just want you to keep up.”
The gelding snorted as Damien led him from the stall over to a hitching post. “Guess I’ll find out which kind he is soon enough.” Once the horse was tied, he went to collect the saddle and bridle from Colt [or wherever she might've placed them].
