23rd july . 11.30 am . Broken Arrow Ranch . Optime Form
thread prompt threeeee

Long strides were bouyant and bouncy as the agouti male made his way out of Trenton. He was feeling just a little bit pleased with himself this time- Wretch's leg had been set properly and while it was still very much broken, the cast he'd put on it would make sure it healed straight this time. Her flesh wounds were cleaned regularly and while they still have no idea who had attacked her, and she remained in her room once more, the male felt just a little happier that she was on the mend. He'd left Ichika a few days ago to see if he could track down Saluce- in his mind, perhaps Wretch wouldnt have been attacked if the warrior had been there. But he and Hermes had found an old friend of Sauls instead. Ever had emerged from the brush on a golden horse and they'd begun talking. Her scent had niggled at him until she'd told him what was going on in her life, and he'd finally told her she was pregnant. It had been a shock for the woman and at first she hadnt believed him. That much was obvious. But the male had persisted, asking a few delicate questions that meant her pregnancy was undisputed. The bearer of good news, or bad, he wasnt sure. But after a few snippets of conversation on each side, the male had finally admitted that he had to head back. He'd gotten back to Ichika in the early hours of the morning two das ago and had taken Hermes back to the barn to rest. The journey down into the mainland was long, for both of them.


Yesterday had been spent cleaning his own rooms. He'd seen Eclipse had managed to clear some of the weeds away from the garden, overjoyed that she had taken matters into her own hands and begun to clear it away. He was aware also that she had taken up the position of cook and he was pleased that his cousin was beginning to intergrate herself into Ichika. She had been so awkward and shy, so unlike his cousin, that he had wondered if she was ever going to get back to the energetic and happy girl she had been. He had been so worked up over getting the roof sorted out, the front doors fixed and everything else that he had neglected his own rooms. Siku had started, but she was away, tending to the vineyards a lot. He was fine with that, it was just difficult to get any fun time with her anymore. He knew they'd both grown up, but he knew Siku was still the playful female she'd always been.


The day was cloudy, but it was still warm in the northern parts of Nova Scotia. The male wore a pair of cutoffs shorts and a white t-shirt, plain clothing but there was something about the way he wore them that made them look not so plain. The Ranch lay ahead of him, in need of serious repair. He thought about Temo and wondered if the dark male had been down here to look at the damage to the barn. The whole back of the barn had collapsed and only the front was safe and accesible. It would be nice if they could come together to fix it up and have a fully working barn. He made a mental note to track down the carpenter and ask him whether he thought it a good idea to gather a few able bodied Ichikan's to get it sorted out. With many of them, it might only take a few days to get it fixed properly. He brushed past the paddocks, thinking of his horses inside, when the glint of a latch caught his attention. It was broken, but not snapped. It had come off of its hinges. He paused, fingers pushing it back into place and wondering what it would take to get it back to its normal standard.

<33 No problem sweetums

The latch on the fence was troubling him, as it should not have been broken. When they'd arrived her, he was certain that whomever was in charge of the stables and animals had made sure that the paddocks were safe. It wasnt like the horses were likely to run away, as far as Saul could discern they enjoyed the life they had here. But it was a little neglectful to allow the latch to remain broken. Saul straightened, cinnamon backed ears flashed forward as a commotion in the barn caught his attention. The whinnying was familiar and Saul gave a soft smile. It wouldnt have taken long for either of his horses to catch his scent and Saul knew that if he didnt go in there soon, harm would be done. Tieing the latch closed with a stray piece of string already tied to the fence post, the male moved towards the barn. He paused as an unfamiliar voice came to him, talking to nobody he could discern from the gloom. He entered the barn and saw that it was Jace, Temo's mate. She was by Arete's stall and Saul surpressed a smile.


"Good morning, miss. Is my foal giving you trouble?"


He spoke quietly before moving towards the two horses that had been welcomed into Ichika not long ago. Hermes stuck his head out of the stall and nickered his greeting, a fleck of straw hanging from his mouth where he hadn't noticed it. Saul chuckled, running his hand over the horses face and surruptitiously removing the strand of straw before it was spotted by any of the parties involved. Still, the despairing whinnies and whimpers of the foal in the next stall made him continue. Jace had left enough room for him to squeeze in and lean over. Despite the cuts on her right foreleg, Arete jumped forward, soft muzzle pushing into Saul's folded forearm. "Hello sweety. Are you causing commotion in here?"


He murmered, reaching over and stroking her head. This was the first time she'd hurt herself trying to get out. Concern washed over his face as blood began to ooze around the cuts. He turned to Jace, a small smile on his face. "I'm Saul Stormbringer. And it appears my foal has hurt herself..." He spoke plainly before opening the stall and letting himself in. Arete jumped forward, butting him in the thigh in a clumsy attempt at a greeting. Grunting, Saul dropped down and caught hold of the foals flailing leg, a frown echoing on his lips at the three gashes on her foreleg.

Aaaaand 10 days later, you have a reply! I'm so sorry about the wait hun.

He almost didnt catch the gasp that came from the females throat, although his ears were too good not to hear it. He had no idea what she was gasping about and tried not to let it go to his head. It wasnt often he elicited this kind of reaction from someone and he reminded himself firmly that she had a mate, and that it was more than likely a shocked response, nothing more. He grinned in return though, that lazy boy grin that had been with him for most of his life. Green eyes focussed on Arete as she stood in her stall, trying to support her injured leg. He was pleased he hadnt started proper training with her just yet, because it would set them back a bit. Of course, what was going to happen when she grew bigger and began really trying to get out. He was going to have to wean her off her attachment soon enough, although at the moment he was liking the attention he got from her. She was growing quickly and soon she would be out in the fields all the time, he doubted he would be able to catch up with her even if he wanted to. He turned as the female spoke and he nodded softly.


"Arete's been like that since I rescued her from the wild... A little attached."


He offered in return, turning as he saw her go for the medical supplied. He had his satchel with him, filled with the supplies that were becoming commonplace when he needed them quickly. Antiseptic wash and cream that he'd learnt how to make, bandages and clean swabs used to clean the wound straight off. He even had a small sowing kit for really dire times. The young male bent down to retrieve the bandage the female had placed on the floor as she introduced herself. He already had an idea of who she was but had yet been able to meet her. "Its nice to meet you Jace. I don't often see you around here." He commented, reaching down to stroke the foal's face. She asked another question then and Saul nodded softly. "Yeah, its what I do. She can't be that different to treating any of us. Although I could use your help, if you were willing?


He asked, knowing it would be very boring for her if all she had to do was sit around and wait for him to finish cleaning up. He gestured for her to enter the stall, pushing the foal gently back to make way. He began to get out the things he was going to need, before glancing back up at Jace. "Would you be able to hold her head and also her leg? I'm not going to be able to hold it and clean it at the same time! That would be a massive help." He said, crouching down to trace a thumb around the outside of the cut, assessing the damage. Luckily it was mostly a flesh wound, although the skin on the foal's shin was always thinner and closest to the bone. It would take only a few moments to clean her up and set her straight again.