Meeting someone new.

Emera was quite settled, she hoped Stormy isn't doing too much of hassle, but Emera wasn't going to work on her, no, she was bring out Night Noise. He was fine stallion, and had offers to breed him recently. She haven't consider his breeding schedule, so she's holding off. Emera wouldn't want to bred that mare just yet, even if she's gorgeous, as she knew her temperamental isn't very nice.

She had moved her horses day time area, to where maintenance on them would be better, but she doesn't want to move too far from her original settlement. She liked her home, and she had done well on the four horses she received.

A nudge from Night Noise, made her back into the present. She was going to take him out for a ride. He seemed eager for that. Emera patted him, and went to finish brushing, and grooming, as she always does before putting any tack on. She rewarded him with treats as he was standing still. She hoped to train him enough to be ground-tied, of course, she knew that once he caught scent of mare in heat, at least she had enough control on top of him. She hoped to have nice ride today.

Lesla
Lesla let Adonis have his way as they made a leisurely ride around the pasture. It was a wide area with grass so green it would shame those grown back on Earth. There was even a stretch of ground that was perfect for galloping if she had been of a mind to do so on Adonis. Maybe, if she could take her brother into it, they would start breeding race horses. That patch of land was perfect to create a race track for the horses. She mused silently to herself.

Lovely was flying about in the sky, following after Hers. She liked it when Hers decided to go for a ride out in the pastures. She spied a rock out cropping that was perfect for basking in the sun. With a projection of an image of the rock out cropping with herself basking under the sun to Hers, Lovely winged ahead and settled herself on top the rock. If a firelizard could sigh in relaxation, one would have been heard from Lovely as she lay down the rock, her wings outstretched on either side of her to catch the heat of the sun.

Lesla just sent her assent and understanding for what Lovely wanted to do. It wasn't as if she really needed Lovely to be around every second of the day. As they reached their starting point, Lesla noticed someone, a woman who was grooming a horse... well, a stallion really, upon closer inspection.

Adonis neighed a greeting at the horse thereby making Lesla unable to evade a possible encounter with a stranger all by herself. But she bucked up, she was 25 years old and it was really high time for her to start making friends on her own without her brother mediating for them. So, straightening her spine and girding herself for the encounter, Lesla and Adonis came closer to the pair. They halted a few feet beside the two, the woman and the horse, as Lesla hopped down from Adonis' back. Lesla gave Adonis an affectionate pat as Adonis bent down his head to eat some grass.

Her voice, trembling a little in nervousness, Lesla said to the woman, "Hel... Hello... I uh... I haven't seen you around. I'm Lesla... Lesla Kincade." her hand white knuckled as they still grasped Adonis' reins as if it were a lifeline.

Emera turned around at sound of neighing. Night Noise neighed in response. The Liver Chestnut brindled, stallion always looked to be eager for anything. She watched the pair coming up, and then paid attention to her stallion. She knew Night Noise is friendly for the most part. She watched as the stallion stretched his neck out, to sniff the other stallion. Emera made sure that he wouldn't do anything to harm the other one.

"Nice Blood Bay." Emera stated first. "I'm Emera Wilkins. I've been training horses since I got here." She stated. "I'm trying to figure out what to do with my barren pastures. Communal corrals fine for all but one of mine." Emera added.

She wasn't going to consider such thing, but it happened, and she didn't mind that she was one, rather young, but she had been with horses for a very long time, and she really doesn't know much else. She hadn't considered such a thing, until she arrived here, with her draft. Working with Stormy, she seemed to prove herself she could handle horses, and train them. Teaching people to ride often a bit harder for her. She could, if she has to. Right now, working on her four, she has her hands full enough. At least her two drafts are fine, and Night Noise is fine as well. She just had to work on Stormy. But she swears sometimes that mare can tell who to pick on, and dominate, and those she cannot.

Lesla
Lesla watched a bit warily as the other stallion sniffed at their direction. She relaxed a bit, when the horse did not seem to be the aggressive and territorial type. She had met a few of those but she'd always worked hard on gentling them training them to be more sociable until they would be almost as friendly as Adonis is towards everyone, man and horses alike.

"Nice Blood Bay."

She relaxed further, loosing her somewhat death grip upon Adonis' reins, when she heard the first words that came out of the woman. Lesla smiled at the woman who had introduced herself as Emera Wilkins. As a rejoinder to Emera's praise, Lesla replied, "He is, isn't he?" as Lesla absently patted Adonis' shoulder. "His name is Adonis, my Mustang stallion." Lesla said proudly her voice having lost any hint of nervousness.

At the mention of Adonis' name, the horses stopped cropping grass and turned his head to nuzzle Lesla's neck. Lesla bent her head trying to stop Adonis from getting to her neck for she was ticklish there as she gave the horse a scratch near his throat latch. Adonis whiffled air past Lesla's head making wisps of Lesla's hair tickle her neck. Lesla put up a hand to try and alleviate the ticklish sensation of her hair as they moved with the passing breeze from Adonis.

"I'm Emera Wilkins. I've been training horses since I got here."

"It is nice to meet you Emera. My brother, Roman, and I breed horses at our ranch. We mostly breed Warmbloods and Mustangs. Your horse is handsome too. And I've never seen brindles like that on our horses." Lesla said. But then she had to think for a moment about Emera's last sentence.

"I'm trying to figure out what to do with my barren pastures. Communal corrals fine for all but one of mine."

"Hmm... maybe there's someone back at the Caldera with knowledge on how to cure your barren pasture." Lesla replied after a pause. She waited what Emera would think about her responses.

"Nice name. This is Night Noise. I didn't name him such thing. I call him Night. He's a quarter horse. Brindling very rare, I've been told. I have another one. She's nasty one, but I got her to point where only I can ride her, due to her behaviour. She's a grey brindle." Emera stated.

She like the mustang, and she paused on her grooming, to take a closer look at the pair. She nodded at mention of breeding. She isn't breeder, but allows people to bred their mares with. She done rarely for her draft mare, and none at all to Stormy, but she may do so soon, to see about the brindling, if they are inherited or not. She would have to wait out on it.

"I'll have to ask. Right now, Stormy and my drafts takes a lot of my time, currently. I got the mare to excerise daily, but I take her out alone." Emera added.

She noticed Lesla had relaxed, and Night Noise seemed to calm down, and took no interest of the other stallion. She had him just standing there, waiting for what she would do next. Emera didn't mind, as long that he stood quietly. Night Noise is one of her quieter ones. It was after her other stallion, which she could easily calm both males, quickly followed her calmer mare. She had able to get the mare to calm down, and not get too excited.

Lesla
Lesla giggled a little when she heard that the Stallion's name was Night Noise. But Emera had said she only calls him Night. With laughter on her voice she asked, "So, who named him Night Noise?"

Just then, Lovely who had been feeling Hers' amusement popped into existence from Between. She chirped a question at Hers wondering what was amusing Hers.

Lesla, noting Lovely's entrance, introduced her Green Firelizard to Emera. She also hoped that Night Noise wasn't spooked from her Firelizard's sudden arrival. Adonis was used to it, but she didn't know about other horses. She didn't even know if Emera had a Firelizard or Dragonet with her.

"Oops, sorry if her sudden appearance scared Night there. She's Lovely, my Green Firelizard." she said as she extended her right arm and mentally commanded Lovely to land on her arm.

Lovely, obeyed once secure on Lesla's arm, crooned at Hers. She felt that Hers was a little peeved at her sudden appearance.

"The owner told me that he would make noises at night. Even when he was young. When was old enough, and gotten louder, he did even still. He still does, but not much. I put pretty much stop at it." Emera stated.

She noticed that Night Noise was skittish with the sudden arrival of a firelizard, although, she doesn't know what it was. It wasn't until she waited for the young stallion to calm down before continuing.

"It's alright. Night Noise isn't too skittish. He's calmed down now." Emera stated.

She then studied the creature. "What is it, again?" Emera asked. She patted the stallion as he staying calm.

Lesla
"Lovely is a Firelizard. They were genetically enhanced from the Dragonets and the Geneticists included menta-synth enhancements, as well as giving them five fingers and toes." Lesla said as she showed off Lovely to her new friend, for Emera is a friend, one that she made for herself without the help of her brother, Roman.

Lovely knowing that she was being talked about, preened and trilled a greeting at Emera. She also hopped off of Lesla's arm and flew to land on Lesla's right shoulder. Her tail gently wrapped around Lesla's neck for support. Lovely was very careful not to choke out Hers.

"Ah, I see. She is lovely at that." Emera stated.

She watched the green one preened, and almost giggled. It was a very nice firelizard.

"I have seen them around, just not close enough. I guess I'm into horses too much to hear such things around here, I guess." Emera said.

She loved them, and she knew she did for as long she could remember. Being here makes her feel she is well needed, and that her four horses well enough, and she hoped to help people with more. She seemed a good horse trainer, and she wondered about what else she was taught.

Lesla
"I have seen them around, just not close enough. I guess I'm into horses too much to hear such things around here, I guess."

"Umm, just how many horses do you actually care for by yourself?" Lesla asked Emera curiously. She only had Adonis for herself to care and groom. But she did help her brother, Roman, with the other horses that they had in their ranch. But Adonis is the only horse that was hers and hers alone. Roman has Ares, and the horses in the ranch belonged to the Kincade Ranch which belonged to all her family, Roman and her mother, Arden.

And then Lesla added, "Maybe I can help you with grooming them sometimes. I only have Adonis to really care for, but I do need to help my brother first with the other horses that we have in our ranch." she did love grooming horses. Her brother took care of the other things that needed to be done at the ranch but feeding, grooming the horses was normally her job. Mucking about the stalls they usually share equally unless Roman has some business to attend to and Lesla was left with cleaning the stalls herself.

"I have four horses. I can handle them easily enough, as I used to handle about ten of the thirty horses that my neighbor has. Only problem, which I'm afraid to ask people, is Stormy. She knows that she can't get away with things when I handle her, but she does do it to anyone else. I can ride her, but it hasn't really calmed her down at all." Emera stated.

"If you can, perhaps handling her would be nice. She has quite a temper, what I know, and beautiful mare. She's my grey brindle, quarter horse." Emera added, after brief decision that she would need the help.

"I had a small plot, well, small for having horses, but it was large enough, and when the Thread fell, I had practically lost it, as you know. I didn't name the farm, like I should, but I was busy doing training, and helping out with my two drafts." Emera added.

Here was someone that she could talk horses about. She wondered what Lesla could do, and perhaps knows a few others that could help her with. She just would like the mare at least more people friendly and would stop being almost like a terror horse. Stormy has scared the previous owner. At least now Emera could handle the mare. She still keeps an eye out when she's around her.

Lesla
"She sounds like a handful. I don't know how well we'll take to each other. Once in a while, one of our yearling horses will become difficult to handle and quite unsociable, but I usually am able gentle them enough that they would become sociable enough to other people, especially if they get bought. We'll just have to see how she'll take to me when I try handling her." Lesla said with a shrug. If her brother was there right now. He would be wide-eyed in surprise for that was probably the longest that Lesla talked aloud to anyone other than her brother.

"That's really too bad about your plot." Lesla said when she heard about Emera's land suffering from Thread attack. But then again, everyone had suffered from Thread attack in one form or another. Whether by destruction of their land, or destruction of their family. "If you are still having problems with your land, you are welcome to corral you other horses with ours. There's plenty of room back home in the Kincade Ranch." Lesla said as she decided that Emera would need all the help she could get especially if there was only herself taking care of four horses and one of those horses being quite difficult to handle. And it seemed that even the horse's name, Stormy, was proof of the horse's personality.

Emera listened to both, but when she offered corrals, she thought it would be absolutely nice. She would hoped that she could do that, and see what she could do with her plot.

"I can show you the mare, when I transfer them to your ranch. I would like that, allowing my four horses to stay. Although, Night Noise is very fond of his mare, Morning Frost, and Stormy need to be one whom can handle her. My quarter horse can be house with other stallions when there's no mares around, or by himself. He doesn't mind." Emera replied, putting both in one shot.

She liked this woman, and perhaps they could exchange ideas, and discuss things when it feels like it. She was glad that someone could house her horses. She doesn't have much, and normally can do it all, it does take a good portion of her day with all four. She doesn't mind at all, as they are lovely creatures, and she knew that she grew up with horses. This woman seemed kind, and that she could trust her with her horses. It isn't like she'll be gone for days on end, no, she most likely be gone all day, if her draft pairs needed to be used for taking someone, or she exercises the two quarter horses, on a nice long trip. She always looked at the skies when she's out, and never stray far from the Caldra.

Lesla
Lesla nodded after Emera stopped speaking. In reply she said, "Well, if you are done with Night Noise, why don't I show you the way towards my place, Kincade Ranch. Hopefully my brother will be there and I'll let him know about letting your four stay with us while you try and fix your problem with your plot of land."

Then out of curiousity, she asked, "Were you asked to be a Candidate for those dragons by any chance?" She wondered because she and Roman were Candidates and if by some luck they both got dragons or if even just one of them did, either would need help with the ranch. At least, their mother would need help with the horses. Their mother after all, only knew how to cook and keep the house clean and do all those basic everyday routines like any normal housewife would.

It would be nice if their mother found someone new to love who knew of horse breeding like their dad had. Roman was filling dad's shoes quite nicely in Lesla's opinion, but in case Lesla and Roman had to move into the Caldera, her mom would need help and maybe Emera could be that help, especially with the horses.

"I'm pretty much done with him. He had a light work out, and I let him off early, because of he was being so good without Morning Frost around." She said about showing her the ranch, "Sure, Can I bring Night Noise while we're at it?" She hoped the stallion would be great to breed.

She almost turned her head at a tilt, about candidate. She had never really though that she would be asked. Her time was with the horses. "No, I haven't. I didn't know much about them. I guess they never have a chance to let me know, if I spend my day with my horses." Emera commented.

She wondered why Lesla asked, but she didn't want to ask why. She was good with horses, and kept them enough for most people to ride. She does keep Stormy away from other people, not only to prevent people from blaming her about the mare, even though she got the mare such like that, and them ruining her because she imtimidates people too much. Emera at least could handle and work with the mare.

Lesla
Lesla nodded in response when Emera asked about bringing along Night Noise to the ranch as she said, "Sure, you can bring him along." Then as Emera replied to her question about being a Candidate. "That's even better!" she exclaimed excitedly. Then Lesla proceeded to explain why it was so. "You see, Roman and I are Candidates and it got me thinking. What if, and this is a big if, what if we both get dragons, what will happen to our ranch then. Mama doesn't know much about horses so she'll need help with them. Or, if only one of us gets a dragon, either of us would still need help at the ranch. What do you think? Would you be interested to possibly moving there and helping out Mom if both Roman and I get dragons?" Lesla asked Emera hoping the other woman would be agreeable with her idea. When they get back home, she tell Roman about it but Lesla was sure that Roman would be okay with her decision to invite Emera to stay at the ranch should they both get dragons.

At first she wondered why Lesla asked. She then listened, without saying a single word, nothing to indicated she was listening, but she was. She led Night Noise along, and hoping to find a couple corrals at least she could use. Her two stallions could be with each other, or what she said earlier. She wouldn't mind taking care of the horses, keeping them supple, and fit, as well still rideable.

"Sure, I'll take care of them. I see no problem with more horses." Emera replied, "I do ride all sorts of horses, or used to before I came here. If any doesn't like to be ridden, let me know, before I settle down here, okay?"

She rather wanted to know, if they both impress, and be prepared for it. She wouldn't mind at all to take care of horses that isn't hers. She hoped it wouldn't be too bad. She would have to get used to more horses than she has now.

Lesla
"That's good to hear. At least, it takes a load of my list of worries if ever either one of us gets chosen by a dragon." Lesla replied with a smile for Emera. It was a load off her chest and now, she wouldn't worry too much if and when either of them happens to end up with a dragon when the time comes for Hatching Day.

When Emera asked about if any of horses didn't like to be ridden and Lesla thought for a moment as she considered if there currently were any problem horses back at the ranch. After a few minutes, she replied, "No, as I remember, there shouldn't be any problematic horses back at the ranch. However, my brother does buy new brood mares every now and then so, I don't know if there would be problematic horses from among those." with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Anyways, if I do somehow end up with a dragon, I would still try and help at the ranch as much as possible. But, most of the horses are sociable and gentle much like Adonis." Then Lesla paused at the mention of her stallion. She frowned a little as she added, "Actually, Adonis might not like to be ridden. He'll tolerate it if I'm there, but if I'm not, he won't let anyone on his back other than me." She might need to conceive of a different plan with regards to Adonis' care.

Emera listened. She nodded, and think it through. She doesn't have to ride the stallion. She knows other ways to exercise the horse, lounge line, and perhaps she could try another way to get him fit.

"I can access the brood mares, to see if there's any issues. I can also handle foals, and get them halter broke." Emera told Lesla.

She then went to think about exercising, and training for Adonis. She would never allow a horse idle. She could try to think other, non-riding ways for him. Emera knew a lot of ways to keep a horse fit.

"I can train your stallion to different means. If doesn't mind handled, I think I could put him in cart driving, for nice long exercises." Emera added.

It was a suggestion, and she knew it would be long gentle process, which she would start by using long reins so that he would be used to noise behind him. She hoped that his owner wouldn't mind.

Lesla
"I can access the brood mares, to see if there's any issues. I can also handle foals, and get them halter broke."

Lesla nodded as she said, "That's good to know. And we'll take the help even if we don't end up with dragons." as she thought about exactly how many of the mares were actually pregnant and ready to drop foals.

Then Lesla listened to Emere and thought about Emera's suggestions for Adonis. She really was glad that Emera knew so much about horses.

Shaking her head, Lesla answered, "No, Adonis doesn't mind being handled by others. It's only when they try to get on his back that he takes offense. Children, he'll tolerate, and he'll never move from his spot with a child alone on his back. So you don't have to worry about that." as she thought about how Adonis usually behaved around others.

"Hmm... I never had him pulling a cart so that'll be new to him. You might need to slowly introduce him to pulling carts if I end up being with a dragon." Lesla added regarding Adonis pulling a cart behind his back.

"I was grew up with someone who can do wide variety of horse training, and passed it on to me. I know a lot, yes, and he had taught me well." She said.

She wouldn't mind helping, sometimes mares can get testy if they are handled by humans. She would be cautious to both of them. She then continued to think and listen on what Lesla said.

"Of course. I'll first start him getting used to long reins, then add like a log, or something to drag behind him, as I'll walk next to him. I then go on from there, by then guiding him from behind, and making sure he knows command. I only punish those that needed, and use more praises than anything else." Emera stated.

She was glad Adonis would be gentle with children. She never had any of hers, especially Stormy with children, but knew that both stallions are very reliable horses, Morning Frost, just need to keep eye, in case she gets playful. Emera glad taht Lesla approves of her suggestion.

Lesla
Lesla listened as Emera told her something about her past. Lesla was just glad that Emera had managed to retain much of the knowledge passed down to her.

Lesla nodded as Emera told her what she planned on having Adonis do in order to get Adonis to pull carts. "That sounds good. He's good with commands once he learns them. I've only ever punished him verbally. He's a softy and would sulk if you're not talking to him. It's how I would punished him when he misbehaves on those rare occasions that he's being testy. He doesn't test me anymore but if he does with you, then you can give him the silent treatment when your grooming him." She added helpfully.

Just then, Lovely pressed her little head onto Lesla's right cheek and said, Hungry. Just as Lovely's stomach rumbled loud enough to be heard by Lesla and Emera.

Emera listened. She nodded about Adonis. "I'll probably leave him tethered if he's so nasty. Horses hates being left alone. I have done that once to Sunset, when he wouldn't want to leave his mare, so I took Morning Frost, and moved her to another pasture, and kept him alone in his pen, until he calmed down." She said.

She doesn't use phsyical for ones that really don't need it. She only tap her stallions with it, unless they were really being pushy, then it's more of poke, than anything else. Stormy only one she had to really whip really hard once.

She heard the growl from the green. It seemed like someone is hungry. She didn't laugh or smile when the little Lovely had her stomach growling. "I guess you should take care of Lovely, then?" She asked. She would hopefully have place to put her stallion, and time to meet, so the rest of them could join them.

Lesla
Lesla turned red when she heard Lovely's stomach rumble. She heard Emera asking if she needed to take care of Lovely. And just as she was about to give a reply, her own tummy gave an answering growl. She had been having such a fun time talking with Emera that she plain forgot about time and that it had been a while since she last ate.

Lesla's face was red as she said, "Unfortunately yes. I'd tell her to hunt but there aren't game here small enough that she can eat all by herself. And besides, I just realized it's been a long time since I last had breakfast. We'd have to go back home and I'll chop up some meat for her to eat. She doesn't eat that much anymore, thank goodness for that. And then I'll have lunch there at home. Mom's probably done cooking lunch anyways and waiting for us 'kids' to get home and eat." as she turned to get something in her saddlebags.

It was a pen and a piece of paper and for a while, Lesla was writing on it. When Lesla was done, on the paper was directions on how to get to Kincade Ranch. She put the pen away and turned to give the piece of paper to Emera. "Here, it's directions on how to get to our ranch, Kincade Ranch." Lesla said and then she looked up at the sky and noted the position of the sun. She then added, "I'm sorry to leave in a hurry, but my mom and brother, won't start lunch until I'm there." in a pleading voice hoping Emera would understand. Lesla just waited long enough for Emera to get the paper before turning to face Adonis and putting her right foot on the stirrup, haul herself up on top of Adonis. "Come by as soon as you can. You can even join us for lunch if you want, mom and I eat slow, and mom always cooks a lot so there'll be plenty of food. But I really am sorry that I have to run. It was great meeting you, Emera. Hope to see you soon." Lesla said in farewell as she turned Adonis in the direction towards home and urged her stallion in a canter.

Lovely, was already flying well ahead of Lesla back towards home.