Alexander seemed so at ease from the moment they walked into the stable while Alexis had never felt so out of her depth. She wanted to do this for him, though it would be a lie to say she wasn't intrigued with the beautiful creatures herself. She just always assumed since she was a predator in her other form that they would sense it and reject her. And the fear of rejection was real for her. Instead she saw only quiet faces as they walked the barn aisle. Alexander seemed to be lost in a trance of sorts, looking each horse over as they walked by as if trying to find the right one. Alexis wanted to ask if he could read their minds too, if he was looking for one who had no fear and wanted to give her a good experience. But she held in her thoughts, letting him have his moment until he stopped at a stall and reached out to a pretty chestnut mare. As she gently caressed the mare's forehead and muzzle, she felt her breathing slowing as if the simple touch of these creatures could sooth her.
A smile wound its way on her lips and she didn't even notice at first when Alexander stepped from her side to grab the horse's tack. She only looked up from the mare's gentle expression when he came back with all the stuff. She stood back so she wouldn't be in the way and watched with intrigue as he moved around the mare like he'd done it a million times, putting everything in place. When he put the bit in her mouth, Alexis scowled, sympathy fluttering in her gaze as she stepped back to the mare to love on her some more. "Why does she need that in her mouth? Can't they listen without it?" She had seen enough riding on tv to see it didn't exactly hurt the horses, but it couldn't be comfortable either. She had only curiosity as she looked to her boyfriend for answers, knowing he would be honest and open with her. When he started instructing her how to get up on the horse, she had to take a deep breath to steel herself.
But looking back in the mare's trusting eyes, she smiled and stepped to Alexander, doing as he said. When he asked if she needed help, she hesitated for only a moment before her lips set in a determined line and she shook her head. "I can do it." She said with more confidence than she felt. Looking back at the mare's head, she smiled. "We've got this." She said more to the horse than anything before she slowly pulled herself up and swung a leg less than gracefully over the horse's back. Leaning down, she moved her other foot into the stirrup and just sat there for a minute, getting over the feeling that she was suddenly so far from the ground and completely at this mares mercy. Reaching over, she caressed the mare's neck softly, feeling her strength as she let out a breath. "Okay, girl. We've got this." She repeated the words, trying to feel them more now that she was up here. Her gaze went to Alexander and she offered a small smile, hoping to assure him she was okay.
alexis wilde