Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse

Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse

Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Revna tugged Mike along with her. “We have time to waste, Mike, so lets get you a drink because it’s going to be VERY late before we’re alone together again.” After a ways she stopped and looked up at him. “You were made for this, you know that right? You and your executive orders.” She kissed him gently, “Come on let me show you our clan. It’s a bit of walk back to the main village.”

Revna, Runa, Ragna

Mike took the drink Runa had brought and took a looooong pull from it. “If I don’t get stabbed by some douchebag cousin of mine in the next few days, my liver is gonna do me in.” and he chuckled softly and took her hand in his. “Let’s go. A hike will do us both good after that -” and he grinned from ear to ear, “- awkward positioned shuttle flight.”

Mike

“They might try Mike but I promise you they won’t get to within 10 feet of you. I won’t let them, and after I’ll have Kirsten make you something to clean the alcohol out of your liver. I’m not loosing you.” They walked along a deep fjord to their right and a few one or two person skiffs pulled up on shore. She took the bottle from him and took a long swallow from it and gave it back to him. She looked sad. Then they turned east following along a fence rail as they walked. “One of the smaller villages on this side, breeds our horses. Shires, magnificent giants.” There were several large draft horses in the field, Revna whistled, the descending notes and one broke off from the rest and came full gallop straight at them, kicking up clods of dirt with the massive hooves and then came to a sudden stop right in front of them. Head down, nose reaching over the fence for Revna’s hand the all black giant snorted at her pockets. “This is Ravan. He’s old, retired now. I think he misses my Aunt Trine. She and I were the only ones who could ride him. He mellowed out a lot after she left us.” Revna reached down and pulled a handful of grass up out of the ground and offered it to the horse, running a hand over his cheek and then his ears. He snuffled at Mike, looking for carrots or sugar cubes or something other than hay.

Revna

Mike smiled and put a hand slowly on the horse’s neck. He then dug around in a pocket and pulled out a small bag of vegetables he snaked on in the shuttle. He fished out a few carrots and held them out to the giant flat-handed to keep his fingers out of the way.

“He’s beautiful.” he said softly.

Mike

“He is that. He’s sired quite a few of the younger generation.” Ravan’s soft muzzle wiggled and lipped up the treats and a sharp crunch could be heard as he chomped on the treat. He tossed his head and snorted as if in agreement to Mike’s words. He pressed the full length of his head against Mike’s chest, which took up the entirety of Mike’s front. He side stepped up against the fence and looked at Revna. “You ever ride, Mike? As chief you get your pick of the herd.” She ran her hand along the neck, shoulder, and flank. The massive horse was content to stay by the fence and get attention. He nosed at Mike again looking for more carrots. Revna laughed softly, “You’ve turned in a lamb in your old age, Ravan.”

Revna

“No, never. McKenzies never had a lot of horses. Even in the ancient times, we were known for our ability to take people off horses. YOu should see the blade Seamus uses as Marshall. That’s the one we have always used. Damn near as long as I am tall. Designed just for that purpose… knocking the English off their horses and into the afterlife.” He gave the massive horse some more carrots and patted him. “But if I ever did ride, I’d want to ride someone like you, my friend.” he said to Ravan.

Mike

“Oh yes Seamus’ claymore…Ragna is a bit infatuated with it.” Revna chuckled. “This heard,” she nodded out at the field, “their great great great…well endlessly greats grandparents were pilfered from the English. I can only imagine what it was like having 3 or 4 of them on a long boat.” Revna glanced over at him, took his hand and pulled him over to her, “Then let me give you this.” She kissed him and then climbed the fence, “Trust me?”
Revna

He kissed her back and said “With my life. You know this, so don’t pretend you need to ask.” with a chuckle. He watched her climb the fence… then watched a part of her as she climbed the fence… and grinned. “Best. Walk. Ever.“

Mike

Ravan pranced a couple of steps and then settled stock still along the side of the fence. Revna patted his neck and then turned to Mike, “Come on,” and she tugged him up next to her. “Throw your leg over and have a seat.” Once Mike was settled, she swung a leg over Ravan’s neck and sat in front of Mike. She turned to look at him, “Shush, Enjoy the ride.” And she winked at him. She tapped Ravan’s sides gently with her heels and adding pressure with her right leg turned him back in the direction of the main village and the gate for the pasture.

Revna

Mike’s eyes went a little wide as they started moving, and he put his hands on Revna’s waist. It took him a minute to get his balance, but fortunately the incredibly wide back of Ravan made finding it easier. As they trotted along, Mike relaxed a bit and then did indeed enjoy the ride. “I could get used to this… but my longboat was still better. It earned me you, wife.” and he kissed her cheek… or tried to anyway. The motion had the kiss land somewhere above her ear.

Mike

Revna placed her hands over his, keeping herself relaxed. His stiffness made Ravan side step and prance a bit but once Mike relaxed Ravan calmed as well. Ravan had a beautiful and easy gate. “No Mike, your longboat didn’t earn you me, it was the fairies.” She smiled as he ‘missed’ and she took his hands and wrapped his arms fully around her waist. “Take a deep breath and relax, move with me. It’s not so different than finding your rhythm on the deck of a ship as it rocks in tide.”

They came to a gate and Revna bent down grabbing the chain and swinging the gate wide. Using the pressure of her leg she took Ravan out the gate and then turned him so she could reach the gate, back him up and secure the chain. Eager to be out of the gate Ravan increased his speed, “Lean back, let our weight settle on his haunches” and he slowed, shook his head, sending his main flying every which way, but slowed back to a slow trot. Revna pointed south to a large barn. “That’s the main barn with a full large animal veterinary hospital. The Dullum family is in charge of it. They’ve been breeding and training the horses for centuries. Beyond that the entire south of the island is farms.”

A man was outside the barn, saw Ravan with riders, and took a large bay from someone else, mounted and headed towards them. Once he got closer his posture relaxed. “Lady Revna! I heard you were coming home. And this must be Lord Michael.” Revna brought Ravan to a stop. “Leiv, it’s good to see you. I couldn’t help it,” she patted the horse, “He seemed lonely. And he’s made a new friend.” She turned to Mike, “This is Leiv Dullum, this is his domain. Leiv this is my husband Mike McKenzie.” Leiv turned his horse and reached over to shake Mike’s hand. “Are you here to pick a horse?”

Revna

Mike took his hand in a firm grip and smiled as he shook Leiv’s hand. “Master Dullum, it is a true pleasure. Seeing these fine animals, I can only say that your skill is truly impressive. You should be proud, sir. And as far as picking a horse… I’m still not entirely sure what that means!” and he laughed.

Mike

Leiv smiled at the praise, he was older and more traditional and he appreciated the words even if Lord Michael had no idea what he was talking about. The man was genuine though, and charming. No wonder their Lady Revna choose him. He passed a smile over them both. To be that young again. “It can be an all day thing, or not. I’ll ask you all kinds of questions and then I’ll round up the horses that meet your criteria and you get to pick. Lady Revna knows what to ask. She can let me know.” He looked at Revna, “Speaking of which, are you going to come by and ride Crescent? She takes after her father, here, she won’t settle for anyone.” Ravan turned his head almost double reaching for the bay’s hind quarters with his teeth, Revna leaned forward and tugged his ear gently and whispered to him. He turned his head back forward but not before the bay danced sideways away from him. “Bring her to the stable near the house. I’ll make time.” She turned to look at Mike over her shoulder, “You want to look now, or keep riding?” She glanced up at the sky, they still had several hours before dinner.

Revna