OOM sorta: Milliways Stables, for Ako

[ikissdhimbck]

It's early. So early, in fact, the sun -- or whatever star variant warms the bar -- hasn't climbed high enough in the sky to show its face. There's a bit of a fog curling around the forest and the lake, and a fresh dusting of snow on the path to the stables.

Kate's been up for an hour already, taking care of the morning chores with the other brave souls out doing their morning duties. Concession has been fed and watered, and now all that's left is for Miss Ako to come by and get him ready for her first ride.

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Comments

[seat_five_girl]

Ako comes by with a thermos or tea. There is being up in the morning and then there's being awake and they don't have to happen at the some time. Moving and the cold help too.

Kate gets a wave from Ako as she comes up the path.

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate waves back with a warm smile.

Inside the stables it's not too bad. Still chilly, but at least there is some heat, and the animals generate a good deal of body heat themselves.

Still, Kate's breath is coming in quick, visible puffs.

"Mornin'," she says, once Ako is close. "Y'sleep all right?"

[seat_five_girl]

"Yes, it's just earlier than I'm used to," says Ako. Then she chokes back a yawn.

"Sorry."

[ikissdhimbck]

"No need to apologize," she chuckles. "I'm used t'risin' with the sun, but I know not everybody is. C'mon in; Concession's all fed and ready for you."

[seat_five_girl]

Ako follows smiling and offers the thermos.

"I brought some tea," she says.

Also, hard rock candy. Hurrah for pockets!

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate beams, tugging off one of her gloves.

"For me?"

She's used to people bringing treats for the horses, but not for her.

[seat_five_girl]

Ako looks kind of sheepish.

"It's cold out," she says, "There should be enough for both of us to have some, if you don't mind sharing a cup."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Of course not," she grins. "It's sweet of you t'share."

She nods her head toward the end of the room with a gentle 'C'mon', leading her past Concession's stall to the desk and chair. There's an empty cup on the corner of the desk -- the remains of Kate's first morning cup -- and a few books and papers.

She dusts off the chair with her kerchief, and offers a seat to Ako -- all the while, Concession watches. The horse has some sort of sixth sense when there's candy in someone's pockets.

[seat_five_girl]

Sixth or just scent. It's just a little like how small children always hear the ice cream truck before anyone else.

"Hello you," says Ako to Concession as she passes. He also gets some quick pats and a small section of sugar.

Picking up the thermos, since it had to have been set down to deal with Concession, Ako follows the rest of the way into the office. When she tugs the lid loose there's a small pop of the seal breaking - three quarters of a liter of tea doesn't have to cool much to make a vacuum - and Ako offers the first pour to Kate.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Thank you," she says, tugging off her other glove and raising her empty cup to accept the hot tea. "I gotta say, you're brave venturin' out this early on a cold mornin' like today."

She smiles broadly, and tips her hat back so it hangs from her neck by the stampede string.

"I'm happy to inform you that you'll be warmin' up soon enough, but sorry t'say that's because you're about to endure a lil' hard work. Hope y'don't mind."

[seat_five_girl]

Ako wrinkles her nose a little at the remains of the coffee (and if coffee tasted the way it smells, it would be far more popular) as she pours.

"I'm sure I'll get by somehow," she says, "I asked to learn after all."

Different rules than being told to do something by authority then when you sign up for it. Completely different, even if Ako is probably going to end up staggering up to her room afterward and pour herself into the tub to soak.