[Khans]

 Owner       >>> pesmusic
 Name                >>> Winter
 Gender         >>> Gelded Male
 Adoption Price         >>> 11' common
 Training         >>> Fully trained
  =====
  .Skittish
  .Friendly
  .Goofy

 [Discipline >>>>>  ]
 [Shows Entered > R: W: E:]
 [Shows Won >>>> R: W: E:]

 [Ej > ] [Ep > ]
 [Eh > ] [Ws > ]
 [Wp > ] [Wt > ]
 [Rf > ] [Rs > ]

[pesmusic]

The first touch:

The fresh snow crunches under my new boots sending a noise into the piercing silence that surrounds me. I step cautiously not wanting to startle the beautiful creature I see in the distance. His head perks up even though the crunch of snow under my boot would be too soft for any human to detect. He sniffs the air and then timidly approaches.
I stop, dead in my tracks, as I can now see him clearly. The soft winter sun reflects off of his lavender and snow white tinted coat. The teal furs in his ears and outlines in the area where his eyes should be shine like aquamarine gems in the world of white and dull greys. A gasp sticks in my throat and I feel my hand reaching up as he gets nearer, even though my brain never told my hand to do so. Upon his gingerly bowed head, I place a gentle hand. Wagging a little because of the breeze, his tail then starts to swing viloently, happily. In fact, he waits only a few seconds before he completely nuzzles into me.
I then laugh the kind of laugh that I haven't been able to laugh for a long time as I forget my cautions and completely embrace him back. "You are such an amazing creature," I breathed. "Like a fresh snow on a beautiful winter day. You even make the snow look dull compared to you, Winter." He nods as if he knew I would call him that and he would answer for the rest of our lives. He was mine, but I knew that, more importantly, I was also his.

[pesmusic]

The first saddle:

Winter stares at me with sullen eyes from across the paddock. I'm going away for a few days to visit my aunt since I haven't seen her in a few years. I honestly think that Winter can sense that I will soon be absent. His body language has been jerky, nervous, and depressed for the past few days. I swear he is such an intelligent creature. I can't stand to see him so upset, but he has to learn that I will have to leave him for a few days sometimes.
I sling a duffel bag from over my shoulder into the back of my rusty, old truck. I set my alarm extra early this morning so I could get packed and still have time to do one last thing with Winter. Since I first met Winter I have been putting off this task because I knew he would protest, but today I figured I'd bite the bullet and finally try to get Winter to let me put a saddle on him.
Though I really don't want the last thing Winter remembers before I go away for the weekend to be negative, it has to be done. I call Winter over as I pick up the heavy, leather saddle off the dusty dirt driveway. He timidly approaches, all the while eyeing the saddle suspiciously. "It's OK, boy," I coo softly. Hanging the saddle on the fence, I let him sniff it and investigate it. His look of distain towards it slowly seems to melt away and he appears to be ready to trust me to put it on.
Sliding on a saddle blanket, he appears a little uncomfortable and fidgety, but I rub him reassuringly. Then I attempt the most difficult part: sliding on the saddle. I have to be careful with this; if he senses I'm nervous he will most likely become nervous as well. Gently I brush his head and slightly move my hand to his back, brushing him lightly. "Here we go," I breathed as I slowly, mechanically go through the motions of slipping on the saddle. To my surprise he accepts it with a twinge of confidence. As I gaze at my friend with happiness, I decide that my aunt can wait.
"Don't worry, buddy," I whisper in his ear, "I can call her and tell her to come here. I'm not leaving you." He nuzzles against me and neighs with joy. I swear that he is such an intelligent, incredible creature.

[pesmusic]

The first ride:

At that moment, I was swaying and Winter was swaying but we weren't swaying separately, we were a single being morphed together, making our way across the paddock, slowly, carefully, but confidently. Together we were one nervous, but willing creature, ready to take the first step, together. Earlier that morning the sun rose and out of nowhere when I was feeding Winter and we glanced at each other. We could both feel that we were ready for this, after weeks, the moment had finally come. Slowly, methodically I made my way over to the tack shed that stood crumbling on the other side of the stable. Winter followed me with his usual nervous, but excited pace. Today was the day we attempted what would be impossible for an inexperienced, unconnected pair of rider and neravontii.
About half an hour later, with all the tack successfully in place, I take a deep breath with butterflies flitting about inside of my stomach and I stare off a little in to space, anxious. Winter's warm breath hits my neck and as I turn around, he completely buries his head into me, playfully, but reassuringly. He knows I'm nervous (as I'm sure his is as well) but we also both know that we trust each other and nothing bad will happen. At least, I would never let anything horrible happen to him, and vice-versa.
I gently swing my leg across his back, locking my feet in place in both stirrups and take a deep yoga breath that fills my lungs and calms me. The breath of the wind whispers at my ears, brushing the loose strands of hair around my face askew. Our hearts beat together in unison. They are the only noise in the otherwise silent field. Gently, I nudge Winter's side with my foot and urge him onwards. Almost instantly, I'm surprised how quickly we get into our own little groove. It's like we were a match made in heaven. It is quite apparent that Winter will never be the fastest racer there is, but he will be the best fit for me that there could ever be. The winter breeze is cool and invigorating as it leaps about our feet and heads. Snow crunches softly under Winter's foot. The crunch is almost tender, as though Winter is trying to preserve his "kin" season under foot. Snow crystals and me. We are his family.
The ride seems to be over in an instant, but I know that is was longer as the sky is suddenly painted with a sunset, the colors dulled a little from the winter season. I dismount with the help of Winter. As I rest against him, we gaze at the beautiful sunset and realize that after today, we are perfect together. We are connected. We are jubilant, content, and amazing because we are together, and that's all that really matters.