The Soul Riders (old and dusty version)

A beginning has to be somewhere ✺

[Edited 2020-04-05]

The first thing that came to Lilly's mind when she mounted Blaze was how big he was. It was a wonderful feeling, yet a little unnerving to be completely dependant of something so large and strong. Magnificent. Her body felt too small to contain her excitement and she wanted to scream it out.
And as if he agreed, Blaze neighed loudly.

She could feel his stomach moving under her as he breathed, but never once did he move the slightest hoof to make her uncomfortable.
Like he too, just as she, had a feeling this match were meant to be.

Maya beamed from where she stood beside Lilly and Lilly couldn't help but give a blazing smile in return. She thought she'd have to work for moths before even touching a horse here.
"Jenna usually wears a pink cloak and green riding boats, you can't miss to see her! Just keep your eyes peeled and ride that way."

Maya pointed at what looked like a small paddock, barely visible through the crowd.

Lilly nodded, a little nervous, and Blaze took a step forwards before she had even had the chance to ask him too.

She shouted a quick "thanks" to Maya before grabbing the reins and pretended it was she who controlled the horse, and not the other way around.

It didn't really bother her, no, she found herself trusting the horse to take her to the right place. Somehow she knew he would.
What made her slightly unease was how he seemed to read her mind, know here she wanted to know and how.
Like how she though to go around a boy who was picking the hooves of a fat palomino pony, and Blaze completely changed direction to do so.

Soon enough Lilly spotted that Jenna woman some feet before her. And despite herself she felt both relieved and somewhat somber.
Like her mind had a hard time deciding whether she was scared of the mindreading horse or if the bond she felt tying them together was reason enough to trust him.

Jenna looked exactly like Maya had described her, with her blonde hair in a braid along her back, she practically radiated power. Lilly had a good feeling she was the one in charge of this place.

Lilly slowed Blaze by lightly touching the reins, and let out a breath in relief that she was quick to cover with a cough as the horse turned its head to look back at her. Her horse was surly both stronger and smarter than her, and he clearly did not approve of her distrust.

And as such an important person she seemed to busy to notice Lilly. Blaze seemed to think he could solve this as he pushed Jenna hard in the back with his nuzzle when she didn't immediately turn around to Lilly.

"You must be Lilly? I've been waiting for you." Jenne spoke out as soon as she spotted Lilly, or rather felt Blaze. "I can see you and Daisyblaze make a pretty good team, for being beginners and all that."

Lilly was right about to say thank you or something similar in that manners, or perhaps apologiz for Blaze's behaviour when Jenna continued like she didn't expect any answer.

"Normally it's Mr Moorland who introduces new visitors to the stable but he's very busy at the moment so I'm filling in. I don't know if you've heard but there's this awful company called G.E.D, that wants to tear this place down and build houses on the grounds. So do not disturb Thomas Moorland unless you have to, he's working really hard to find a way to stop that slimy Mr Kembell."
She put on a strained smile for Lilly's benefit and continued. "But anyways, you're not here because of that, even though I'm normally handling the stable duties I think I can tell you a thing or two about riding as well."

Lilly was a bit shocked, she had to admit. Jenna looked nothing like the other stable girls, and she had the aura of someone who knew how to ride properly.

"Before I let you ride away I want to see if you know how to control that horse of yours." She turned around and pointed behind Lilly. "Over there I have a small track of cavaletti poles laid out on the ground, so go one, I'm waiting here."

She wanted her to do cavaletti? How hard could it be?

Not hard at all it turned out as Blaze, again, moved on his own accord. He stepped over the cavaletti poles almost like a proper show horse would walk with its legs bent up high.

Lilly wanted to show Jenna that she had control but she soon realized that would be very complicated on this horse. It was like he felt what she wanted before even she herself knew it.

What felt like a great start now turned into a fantastic beginning.

This Blaze flew over the cavaletti. Lilly didn't even get a chance to tell him how to do before they were done.
And she felt amazing.