A horse is a horse

[stableman]

WHO: Detlef and open
WHAT: Detlef finds and takes in a tiny horse
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Forest and stables
NOTES: There better not be any need for content warnings, guys.

1. The Forest

It isn't unusual to find things roaming in the forest. Detlef avoids a majority of them when he wanders; he wants to read in a sunny, warm place. Preferably with a cat crawling on him, but he's not going to bring them out where there might be predators. He's barely settled in, book open to chapter five, when he hears a rustling. With a sigh he gets up and looks around to see... a horse. A very small pony, unusually small. Any annoyance at the disruption is immediately gone as Detlef kneels by it.

"Oh, hello there," he says quietly, reaching to start getting burrs and snarls out of its mane. He can't risk using the Vice out here where anyone might come across him, but he knows how to handle a horse without it. It tries for a bite but he pulls his hand back in time; this he knows too. "You've been out here for a while. I'll get you an apple to bite soon, all right?"

2. The Stables

The tiny pony is now clean, with a few ribbons in his hair and his hide starting to gleam from brushing. He seems content enough to munch on the offered food, and Detlef is content enough to hum to the animal as he tries to come up with names.

"You need a small name, one that's not too imposing," he tells the pony. "But not too small. You deserve a little dignity to go with your little hoovesies." There isn't really any question of ownership - if anyone anywhere around owned a pony like this he'd know. He's Detlef's now.

[ooc: feel free to make something else up if you want to run into Detlef and neither prompt works!]

Comments

[ferruginous]

Fíadh eagerly continues brushing the pony, even using her free hand to gently stroke his cheek. It's not exactly the soft fur she expected, but neither is it unpleasant. And even as small as he is she can feel the thick muscles of his neck ripple beneath the brush. He's tiny, but he's strong. She can certainly appreciate that. And, yes, she is finding a tugging emotion at her heart that is seeming more and more like … adoration?

“What will you use him for? He can’t do any regular horsework.”

[stableman]

"I could find a tiny cart for him that the cats can ride in." It sounds like a stupid, ridiculous idea, but as soon as it's out he actually wants it a little. Or maybe a lot. How cute would that be? He should ask Kit... or maybe he shouldn't, considering his recent encounter with Ben. The smile that had been growing on his face fades a little as he shifts on his feet.

"I wouldn't actually expect him to do much in the way of work. They don't tend to live long when they're that small, and I wouldn't want to burden him. But he could be a cute representative for the stable, get tourists interested, and the like. There's always something to be said for tourist money." For all of them, really. Tourist season is short but it can bring a lot in.

[ferruginous]

Fíadh gives Detlef a curious frown at the talk of a cat cart. She hasn't known the man long, but she's certainly beginning to learn he has an incredibly odd affection for cats and that makes it difficult for her to decide whether he's being serious or not.

But the the talk of age brings her gaze back to the pony as she sadly considers it. Something this great should live forever. She of all people knows that's not the way the world works, but sometimes, like now, it's really nice to think if it did.

"That's a good idea. For tourism. He's strange enough to bring in a good amount of money."

No, strange isn't the right word though it's accurate. She almost whispers as a smile starts to cross her face.

"He's perfect."

[stableman]

He grins. There's the person behind the shield. It's nice to see her not be so angry and on-guard, as much as he can understand defensiveness a little. He's not good at it, but he can understand it. There was a time he was new here too.

"He is," Detlef confirms. "Or just shy of it, since he doesn't have a name yet. I've been trying to think of one, but I haven't found one that sticks yet. Any ideas?" He genuinely hasn't landed on the right one yet, but it doesn't hurt to get her invested a little. She might come back more if she has a connection to the horse.

[ferruginous]

"I ... don't know."

It's a hard thought for Fíadh. She's never had anything that she felt the need to name before. What if she chooses the wrong one? Not that she cares that much of course ... but he deserves something appropriate.

"It needs to be something strong. Sturdy. Reliable."

She knows someone like that. Knew. No, knows. It's just been a while.

"I would choose Gregor. For what it's worth."

[stableman]

"Gregor," he echoes. He'd known a Gregor once, one of the more stern members of the Watch in the village neighboring his. They'd gone a few times, and he'd been intimidated every time, partially because Gregor had remembered a particular bit of mischief Detlef had gotten up to his first visit. That doesn't make it a bad name, though. It is sturdy. And a tiny horse needs a strong name.

"Gregor the Bold," he says as the small horse tries for another taste of human flesh. That'll take some getting used to, he thinks as he hands an apple over rather than his arm. "It's set, then. And I'm sure he'd like faces that become familiar. Animals appreciate that, especially after being out in the wilds alone for however long he was."

[ferruginous]

Fíadh shoots Detlef a look of mild surprise; she didn't expect her suggestion to be accepted just ... like that. But it's good. The corners of her mouth tick up at the thought, especially knowing that the pony's namesake would be very annoyed if he ever found out. Watching her fingers Fíadh gives Gregor one final cheek scratch before placing her hands on her knees and rising up.

"... I'll come back to see him." She flexes her fingers for a moment before speaking again. "Will the shoes work for you, then?"