Ride Away Cowboy (Ash)

[Dakota King]

After meeting a fellow rancher in the infirmary, Dakota got to thinking and decided to spend less time at the infirmary and more time in the stables. It was truly the one place at camp where she felt like she was at home and not under constant stress. It was a good time as well to bond with her pegasus, Blue Sky, since she hadn't seen her in quite some time. Good thing someone took care of the pegasi, because Dakota was being a terrible owner until today.

Once she got Blue Sky all brushed out and sweetened up with sugar cubes, she started putting the saddle on her. Most campers preferred to go bare back for whatever reason, but Dakota liked the feeling of a little bit of control along with security. Once that was on, she got the rein on as well before she led Blue Sky out of the stables. Once they were outside, Dakota hopped on and got herself situated. It was the first time in a long time she rode a horse-like thing, but everything was coming back to her.

She smiled a bit before she clicked her tongue and prodded with the heels of her feet before her and Blue Sky took off at a gentle trot. But that gentle trot didn't last too long. They went faster and Dakota started doing tight turns around random objects to make it somewhat feel like barrel racing. The thrill of it hit her as she laughed as they rode.

(Tag: Ashley Bates )

[Ashley Bates]

Ash stretched as he walked along the path from the cabins. It was nice to be able to do that without the dull ache of his bones from his falling injury a few weeks back. He had been limiting himself lately but with a few ambrosia treatments and a little healing magic from his siblings his injuries had been healing nicely. Now he was feeling pretty good and thought he could get back to his ordinary life, if you could call anything about the life of a demi god ordinary.

Unfortunately he hasn't had a chance to stop by and visit the pretty nurse who had fixed him up that day when he fell off his pegasus. He doubted seriously if she even remembered him, they hadn't been able to talk that long after all, but Ash still wanted to thank her again for the job she had done on him that day. There was also the matter of the pegasus she had offered to let him train on. That was something to think about too but it was secondary to the fact that he had enjoyed the conversation they had gotten a chance to share and it would be nice to continue that under less chaotic circumstances than the busy infirmary.

Today might be that day that he stopped by, if he could find out where she was. He had thought to stop by the infirmary to check but didn't really want to interrupt her work again. That didn't really leave him many options but fortunately it appeared that he wouldn't have to go investigating any of them as the path he was walking took him right by the stable yard.

The sound of hooves thundering against the ground in a fast run brought Ash out of his thoughts and caused him to look up. It was then that he saw her, his nurse from the infirmary, she was riding hard and by the look of things she was enjoying herself immensely.

Ash stopped and watched her for a moment as she led her pegasus through tight turns that he couldn't deny were impressive. She was good despite the fact that she hasn't used her skills in a while but all things considered he thought that was understandable.

Moving over to the fence railing Ash leaned against it like an old cowboy and continued to watch the show giving her a little wave when she passed close by just to let her know he was there. He would let her have her fun. He could wait until she was finished.

[Dakota King]

Dakota forgot how good the wind felt on her face and how the adrenaline made everything ten times more exciting as she raced around the field. She was used to going fast. Barrel racing was about being the fastest after all. She knew that Blue Sky wasn’t trained for this, but she was keeping up pretty well. Dakota decided to ride around the fence and that’s when Ash was leaning along the side of the fence. She slowed Blue Sky down to a trot before she turned them around and trotted right back to where he was.

“Hey, Ash,” she said a bit breathless with a bright smile on her face once they were close enough to him. She reached up with one hand to comb her hair back into place, since she was pretty sure it was all over the place, since she didn’t think to tie her hair back before her ride. “Didn’t think I would see you today.” She dismounted her pegasus before she walked over to him. “Are you here to practice on ole Blue Sky?”

[Ashley Bates]

Ash continued watching her as the girl noticed him and began making her way over. Dakota did actually recognize him so that was a good thing and judging by her response he supposed it was more than a passing recollection. Ash nodded in response to his name as she approached and when she was finished picked up the conversation. “Dakota. It’s good to see you again.” He paused for a moment to look Dakota’s pegasus over. She hadn’t lied about Blue Sky's quality and Ash had to admit that he could see how the pegasus would be a cut above the rest.

"So this is Blue Sky?" He said appreciatively. "She is a beauty." When the pegasus was brought within reach Ash extended his hand to stroke her forehead. "Actually I was just walking by when I noticed you riding but if you’re going to be out for a while I would appreciate the experience. It’s certainly not every day I get to ride such a fine creature as this one or to see a show like you just put on. It takes me back to some of the rodeos I attended back home.”

[Dakota King]

As she walked over to Ash, Blue Sky followed behind her, nudging at her pockets knowing there was more sugar cubes in it. She had to swat the pegasus's nose a couple of times to remind her to behave, but Dakota didn't mind it too much.

"Yup," she said as she nudged away Blue Sky from her pocket once more. "This is here. My mom gave her to me when I first arrived at camp." She smiled as Ash stroked Blue Sky's forehead, but the pegasus was still nudging at her pocket. Dakota rolled her eyes as she finally pulled out a sugar cube. "And of course she gave me the one with a sweet tooth," she said with a laugh.

She looked back at Ash with a slight smile. "She's all saddled up if you want to take her for a spin right now. I'll even give you the sugar cubes so you'd become her favorite person for today."

[Ashley Bates]

The pegasus was obviously interested in whatever Dakota was carrying in her pocket and that made Ash assume that it was some kind of treat. He had been around horses long enough to know they were very intelligent creatures and it appeared pegasi were not that different. "Perhaps it's more than just the sweetness she likes." Ash said as he watched Dakota feed the pegasus a sugar cube. "The two of you seem to have a strong bond."

He had seen it before. Horses also knew who were good to them as Dakota was to Blue Sky and a good rider could build up a rapport with their animal to where the steed was not only a method of getting from point A to point B but a also a companion for the trail. Ash thought that told him a lot about what kind of person Dakota was.

Climbing over the fence with practiced ease at her invitation Ash dropped down on the other side in front of the girl. "Do you have any tips for me?" He asked sincerely enough and then added. "Or maybe you're hoping you'll get another chance to patch me up before the day is through."

[Dakota King]

Dakota smiled as she blushed slightly as she stroke Blue Sky's head after she took the sugar cube from her hand. "I guess we do... I don't know, but I know I haven't had a close bond with some of my show horses." She shrugged a bit. "Maybe it's a weird demigod thing that I haven't quite figured out yet. There's a lot of things I haven't figured out about this." She laughed a bit before she turned her attention back to Ash.

She giggled a bit at the last part of his question as she shook her head. "Nah, I have no plans patching you up today. Blue Sky only bucks off people on Tuesdays, so today is your lucky day." She smiled a bit at him, hoping he knew she was teasing before she looked back at her pegasus. "And for riding these guys... you need to let them know you're alpha and they're omega. You don't have to use brutal force, but you do need to be confident. From what I hear from the Poseidon kids, these are very intelligent creatures and they can read people well."

[Ashley Bates]

Ash didn't know about the whole demigod idea unless it was some kind of special power the Aphrodite kids had that he didn't know about. More likely it was the fact that Dakota had been given Blue Sky as a gift from her mother. In Ash's experience when the gods decided to send their children gifts it was something they needed. The same had been true of his backpack at least. Perhaps the pegasus had been just what Dakota needed in some way. In any case Ash couldn't see it mattering that much. Dakota and the pegasus seemed happy and that was all he needed to know.

In response to her joke about Blue Sky not bucking him off Ash gave a simple nod of acceptance. He was wearing that stern expression of intense concentration that made him look much older than he really was. Unfortunately flashes of humor were not his usual thing and it was obvious that he had turned his attention back to the task at hand, if it had ever left to begin with.

"That seems easy enough." He said with confidence. "I've been riding practically since I've been able to sit a horse so as long as Blue Sky is as considerate as her mistress I think we'll get along." Ash gave the pegasus a few more affectionate pats before stepping into one of the stirrups and swinging himself into the saddle. "I would invite you to ride along but perhaps you would prefer to watch."

[Dakota King]

Dakota frowned as Ash either didn't get her joke or didn't acknowledge it. He was focused so much the advice she just gave him. He needed to loosen up. Didn't the boy didn't have any fun? Dakota found riding fun, didn't he as well? She watched him get up onto the pegasus and looked up at him when he asked her a question.

Dakota raised her eyebrows as she looked at Ash. Did he just indirectly invite her to ride along with him? She tilted her head to the side as she was about to tell him no, but then realized something. "Actually..." She said as she straightened up to look at him. "I should come with you. One to make sure that Blue Sky plays nice and Two to make sure you grip the reign correctly. That can be a difference between a good ride and a poor one."

She walked around to the side of Blue Sky before she hoisted herself up behind Ash and reached up to gently grab the reigns. "You ready?" she asked before she gently nudged Blue Sky in the side and the pegasus took off.

[Ashley Bates]

Dakota had looked initially surprised when he had asked her to ride out with him but she eventually accepted his invitation. That was good. Ash liked the pretty rancher and was looking forward to their ride. Beside, Blue Sky was her pegasus after all. It was only right that she should be able to ride along with him. He cleared some space for her to sit and when she had pulled herself up behind him he let her settle herself in before finally giving her the okay to ride.

That was all it took Blue Sky was up and climbing towards the sky in an instant. Ash watched the trees and the camp rush past as they gained altitude and before long they were soaring. Dakota had been right about her pegasus. Blue Sky complained very little about the added weight of an extra rider and she actually appeared to be enjoying the opportunity to stretch her wings. As for Ash he was enjoying the opportunity to fly as well not to mention his lovely riding companion. There was only one thing missing.

"This is great." He called back over the rushing wind at the girl behind him. The air was cool and crisp up this high and it was, he thought, a view that everyone needed to see at least once. Still, he hadn't come up here just for the view. "Do you mind if I take the reigns? I want to see what Blue Sky here can do."

[Dakota King]

When Dakota prodded Blue Sky's side, she was hoping the pegasus would go int a gentle trot and maybe they would get into the flying. Blue Sky had other ideas and immediately started flying. It caught Dakota off guard and she gripped the reigns a little tighter and leaned in towards Ash as she got her bearings. After a few minutes, she was able to straighten up and grip the reigns correctly. She leaned over to the side to catch a glimpse of Ash's face and it looked like he was enjoying himself even if he wasn't smiling like he did back in the infirmary.

"Sure," she said when he asked for the reigns and she handed them to him. "Take the lead." Once they were in his hands, she gently wrapped her arms around his waist. She peeked over his shoulder and watched him grip the reigns and she frowned slightly. "You should loosen up your grip a bit," she said as she spoke into his ear. "Just relax."

[Ashley Bates]

As Dakota handed over the reins and wrapped her arms around him Ash became immediately aware of just how close she was too him. The feel of her holding on to him, her warmth against his back, these were all sensations which were new to him and yet surprisingly pleasant. With all that going through his mind it was no wonder that he tensed as he took control of Blue Sky and it was only when Dakota spoke up in his ear telling him to relax that he was finally able to do so despite it still taking a considerable effort on his part.

Taking a deep breath of the cool, clean air to clear his head Ash finally relaxed his grip all the while assuming the strong and confident riding posture that he had learned over years working at his grandfather’s ranch. It actually wasn’t much different from riding a horse when you got over the fact that there was no contact with the ground. After that you just had to get use to the occasional dip or sway as the pegasus’ wings beat the air and things started falling into place.

After a few moments Ash thought he had the hang of things. He led Blue Sky into a gentle glide so that they could soar over the camp far below. It was nice up here and he wanted to enjoy this as long as he could. “You’re right. It’s easy once you get the hang of it.” He said as he glanced around taking in the view from this height. “You’re lucky to be able to come up here whenever you want. It really is something special.” Pausing for a moment he glanced back over his shoulder and caught Dakota’s gaze to see how she was doing. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

[Dakota King]

Dakota smiled a bit as Ash visually relaxed his grip. She readjusted her arms around his torso as she kept her head over his shoulder. She hovered over it, but she was very tempted to rest her chin. But she was enjoying the fresh air that was rushing through her hair. She couldn't remember the last time she took Blue Sky out flying, but it was nice she was finally getting the chance to do so now. She would glance down at the ground below and watch the campers that were like ants beneath them.

She glanced up back at Ash when he asked her a question and she couldn't help but notice how close his face was to hers. "Yeah," she said a bit breathless as she nodded her head. "I am. You're doing it. Relaxing is probably helping a lot, is it?"

[Ashley Bates]

Dakota seemed to be thinking about something as he watched her. Ash was not a mind reader however and he didn’t spend much time trying to figure out what was going through her head. If she had something to say he had no doubt she would say it but for now it wasn’t the time or the place to try and drag it out of her. “The advice is helping...” He confirmed. “…but I should know better. I believe my tension is more my own doing than anything else.”

It was with some effort that he finally tore his gaze away from Dakota’s. He realized now that it wasn’t just the thrill of flying that had gotten his blood up. The Aphrodite girl’s eyes were dangerous. A guy could get lost in them if he wasn’t careful and Ash was not interested in taking another tumble from the saddle especially while said Aphrodite girl was depending on him to keep his balance. "It's a liberating feeling getting to be up here. It's a wonder you ever want to come down."

[Dakota King]

Dakota rolled her eyes as she glanced over at Ash. "You really need to relax. It's like... you got a stick up your butt." She smirked a bit as she shook her head. "I don't know why you have to take things so seriously. Riding is fun. So you just need to relax and enjoy yourself, you know?" She readjusted her arms around him as she kept an eye on his hands, making sure that his grip was relaxed as he was supposed to be.

"Well..." Dakota said with a slight chuckle. "There's some things that riding a pegasus doesn't offer, like necessities like food and bathrooms." She leaned in a little closer over Ash's shoulder. "But I do forget how much fun this is, especially being stuck in that infirmary day after day. It gets boring after a while."