[ While Hilda is fully aware that the things in the Horizon and her domain are under her control, she often likes to forget about it some days. Sometimes it's easier to pretend that things here are as real as they would be back home without her influence - but well, then that sort of leads to a lot of thinking which she purposely tries to avoid.
All of that to say is that she isn't thinking too hard about how Waffle might react but it wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination that Waffle is a mischievous extension of his mistress. Waffle's jaw hinges open - wider than it needs to - revealing the row of teeth that extends back into his mouth keeping his eyes on Sam as if scrutinizing his mettle before bearing down on the meat to pull it off. Just as it's pulled off he gives one gigantic snuff of air through his nose that probably doesn't smell very good before noisily snacking on the offered snack.
Hilda can't help but a round of applause, grinning from ear to ear. ]
If I didn't know any better I'd say you've done this before. I think I'm already beginning to see inspiration for the next family dinner poster.
[ sam understands that - the majority of the time he spends in his own horizon is doing chores and projects that he could just think up better and done. but that's also not the type of person that sam is, and he also doesn't think that's the type of person hilda is either. this won't be any harder, or any easier, than it would be in real life. and that is enough to give sam the confidence to keep doing.
which - judging by the way the wyvern chows down on the snack, seems to be pretty okay. he grins, genuinely excited that it's working, and then hilda is applauding and sam gives a small roll of his eyes. ]
You know I haven't, but I like the vote of confidence. [ maybe if he doesn't acknowledge the next poster for family dinner, she'll forget all about it. ] So what's next?
What, there aren't wyvern-esque creatures where you're from? Nat and Wanda said that there's magic. Why wouldn't there be creatures like Waffle too?
[ She's really trying to pump his tires, don't give her that eye roll, Sam!
Now that Waffle seems to be sated, she eagerly reaches for the saddle and reigns and handing it over to him. It's another thing that she could just blink and it would be on Waffle (she's tried, it saves so much time), but this just feels like another one of those things that has to be done properly. ]
We have to get him ready for the flight. Unsurprisingly, it's not the comfiest if you decide to go bareback. Do you know how to saddle a horse?
There might be- I've just never been this up close and personal to any of them. I've barely ridden a horse.
[ now, if it comes to planes and jet packs and all that sort of stuff, he's got her total covered. but a living, breathing, pretty huge creature who has opinions of his own that sam's still not entirely sure how to read? that's...a different story.
but he's gonna keep doing his best. and it's gotten him this far, so far. when she hands the saddle and reins to him, sam does take them, though he doesn't exactly look experienced. and may even be eyeing them for a moment or so after like he's trying to put a puzzle piece together. ]
Saddle a horse? Nah, every horse I've been on already had all their kit on. But I take instruction real well- can you direct me?
You're telling me that you've done all this flying but you've never ridden a horse?
[ Not that it's particularly odd for someone in Fodlan to have done both. She had learned how to ride a horse long before she had figured out how to ride a wyvern. Actually, she had been terrified of heights and wyverns so flying had never been in the cards for her in her youth. If only her younger self could see her now. ]
Ugh, all right. But only because you asked so nicely and I'd rather not see you embarrass yourself.
[ Hilda's quick to explain how to saddle Waffle up properly. With how clear her instructions are, it's clear that she's done this before. It wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination to say that she's probably had people saddle Waffle up for her instead of being perfectly capable of doing it herself.
Whether or not this is also one of those moments might be hard to determine. She's too preoccupied ensuring that he tightens the straps or ties them just right so that there's no accidental falling out of the saddle in the sky later. ]
Why would I need to ride a horse when I can go flying? Saves the horse the effort and me the time.
[ and while his voice is vaguely offended, it's very obviously just a tease. but sam looks at waffle less like he doesn't know what he's doing and more than he's excited about the challenge. even more so now that hilda's going to help him.
he grins, knowing very well what she means by asking so nicely. truth is, sam's never even gotten close to doing this step of things before. but hilda's instructions are clear, and helpful, and experienced, and before long waffle is ready to go and acting a bit impatient. ]
He looks ready to go. I'm guessing he likes flying as much as you do?
They're obviously very different experiences, that's why.
[ She says it like it's the most matter of fact thing. Although if she's being perfectly honest, she vastly preferred flying to riding a horse. Racing along on the ground felt so pedestrian compared to being able to fly. But admitting that means she can't continue ribbing Sam for not knowing how to ride a horse.
The saddle is given one final tug and when it doesn't move she gives Sam a very satisfied - and proud - smile. ]
He loves it - don't you? [ The last bit is obviously directed at Waffle who she gives a little scratch under his scaly chin. There's something akin to a purr from the back of his throat as he nuzzles into her. ] I don't think I know a wyvern that doesn't love flying.
Did you want to ride together? There should be enough room but I can ride Adelheid if you'd rather ride on your own.
[ for a brief moment, sam just sort of nods. because while he doesn't exactly agree with it, he can't really argue with it either. they are indeed very different things and sam's never really felt the need to do one when he's had the other.
or when, you know, he had access to a car. or a jet. horses are fine and all, but they're just. super last century. he's been forced to learn how to actually ride them since being summoned, but the problem with that is that he's had plenty of other people to do the actual steps.
but, thankfully, there's hilda. and sooner rather than later waffle is saddled and ready to go. hilda scratches waffle under the chin with a fondness sam can recognize and he just sort of ends up smiling. ]
Honestly? I think it'd be better if I went solo and you helped me out along the side. Don't want him getting mixed signals, and it wouldn't surprise me if you were some kinda backseat wyvern rider. [ obviously a tease, but sam - carefully - holds out his hand for waffle to sniff, or acknowledge, or whatever before he tries to go to pet him. ] If that's cool?
[ The backseat rider comment immediately draws an appalled gasp from her. Her attention snaps from Waffle and her affectionate scratching under the creature's chin is put on pause - something that Waffle definitely doesn't seem to enjoy. There's an annoyed, needy growl from the back of Waffle's throat as he pushes into her hand but Hilda seems far too invested in this bit about her being a rude backseat flyer to notice. ]
What? I would never!
[ When no more scratches seem to come from Hilda, Waffle turns to Sam's offered hand without a second thought. Ah, to be a fickle wyvern. She sniffs, the act continuing. Although how long it'll continue is anyone's guess (it won't for the record, especially if the tug at the corner of her lips is any indication). ]
He seems to have accepted you though so I guess that would be fine. I'll leave you two to get acquainted and I'll go get Adelheid ready.
[ Saddling up Adelheid is done in no time at all, all while keeping an eye and ear out for what she hopes will be a new budding friendship. So long as nothing goes wrong, Hilda eventually hops up onto the slighter wyvern and nudges her towards the large window that serves as their launching point. ]
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All of that to say is that she isn't thinking too hard about how Waffle might react but it wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination that Waffle is a mischievous extension of his mistress. Waffle's jaw hinges open - wider than it needs to - revealing the row of teeth that extends back into his mouth keeping his eyes on Sam as if scrutinizing his mettle before bearing down on the meat to pull it off. Just as it's pulled off he gives one gigantic snuff of air through his nose that probably doesn't smell very good before noisily snacking on the offered snack.
Hilda can't help but a round of applause, grinning from ear to ear. ]
If I didn't know any better I'd say you've done this before. I think I'm already beginning to see inspiration for the next family dinner poster.
no subject
which - judging by the way the wyvern chows down on the snack, seems to be pretty okay. he grins, genuinely excited that it's working, and then hilda is applauding and sam gives a small roll of his eyes. ]
You know I haven't, but I like the vote of confidence. [ maybe if he doesn't acknowledge the next poster for family dinner, she'll forget all about it. ] So what's next?
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[ She's really trying to pump his tires, don't give her that eye roll, Sam!
Now that Waffle seems to be sated, she eagerly reaches for the saddle and reigns and handing it over to him. It's another thing that she could just blink and it would be on Waffle (she's tried, it saves so much time), but this just feels like another one of those things that has to be done properly. ]
We have to get him ready for the flight. Unsurprisingly, it's not the comfiest if you decide to go bareback. Do you know how to saddle a horse?
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[ now, if it comes to planes and jet packs and all that sort of stuff, he's got her total covered. but a living, breathing, pretty huge creature who has opinions of his own that sam's still not entirely sure how to read? that's...a different story.
but he's gonna keep doing his best. and it's gotten him this far, so far. when she hands the saddle and reins to him, sam does take them, though he doesn't exactly look experienced. and may even be eyeing them for a moment or so after like he's trying to put a puzzle piece together. ]
Saddle a horse? Nah, every horse I've been on already had all their kit on. But I take instruction real well- can you direct me?
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[ Not that it's particularly odd for someone in Fodlan to have done both. She had learned how to ride a horse long before she had figured out how to ride a wyvern. Actually, she had been terrified of heights and wyverns so flying had never been in the cards for her in her youth. If only her younger self could see her now. ]
Ugh, all right. But only because you asked so nicely and I'd rather not see you embarrass yourself.
[ Hilda's quick to explain how to saddle Waffle up properly. With how clear her instructions are, it's clear that she's done this before. It wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination to say that she's probably had people saddle Waffle up for her instead of being perfectly capable of doing it herself.
Whether or not this is also one of those moments might be hard to determine. She's too preoccupied ensuring that he tightens the straps or ties them just right so that there's no accidental falling out of the saddle in the sky later. ]
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[ and while his voice is vaguely offended, it's very obviously just a tease. but sam looks at waffle less like he doesn't know what he's doing and more than he's excited about the challenge. even more so now that hilda's going to help him.
he grins, knowing very well what she means by asking so nicely. truth is, sam's never even gotten close to doing this step of things before. but hilda's instructions are clear, and helpful, and experienced, and before long waffle is ready to go and acting a bit impatient. ]
He looks ready to go. I'm guessing he likes flying as much as you do?
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[ She says it like it's the most matter of fact thing. Although if she's being perfectly honest, she vastly preferred flying to riding a horse. Racing along on the ground felt so pedestrian compared to being able to fly. But admitting that means she can't continue ribbing Sam for not knowing how to ride a horse.
The saddle is given one final tug and when it doesn't move she gives Sam a very satisfied - and proud - smile. ]
He loves it - don't you? [ The last bit is obviously directed at Waffle who she gives a little scratch under his scaly chin. There's something akin to a purr from the back of his throat as he nuzzles into her. ] I don't think I know a wyvern that doesn't love flying.
Did you want to ride together? There should be enough room but I can ride Adelheid if you'd rather ride on your own.
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or when, you know, he had access to a car. or a jet. horses are fine and all, but they're just. super last century. he's been forced to learn how to actually ride them since being summoned, but the problem with that is that he's had plenty of other people to do the actual steps.
but, thankfully, there's hilda. and sooner rather than later waffle is saddled and ready to go. hilda scratches waffle under the chin with a fondness sam can recognize and he just sort of ends up smiling. ]
Honestly? I think it'd be better if I went solo and you helped me out along the side. Don't want him getting mixed signals, and it wouldn't surprise me if you were some kinda backseat wyvern rider. [ obviously a tease, but sam - carefully - holds out his hand for waffle to sniff, or acknowledge, or whatever before he tries to go to pet him. ] If that's cool?
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What? I would never!
[ When no more scratches seem to come from Hilda, Waffle turns to Sam's offered hand without a second thought. Ah, to be a fickle wyvern. She sniffs, the act continuing. Although how long it'll continue is anyone's guess (it won't for the record, especially if the tug at the corner of her lips is any indication). ]
He seems to have accepted you though so I guess that would be fine. I'll leave you two to get acquainted and I'll go get Adelheid ready.
[ Saddling up Adelheid is done in no time at all, all while keeping an eye and ear out for what she hopes will be a new budding friendship. So long as nothing goes wrong, Hilda eventually hops up onto the slighter wyvern and nudges her towards the large window that serves as their launching point. ]
Ready?