[ hilda??? there something you want to talk about?? hello????
but that's fine, actually. there's a good chance sam can pick up on all of that when he actually sees her. for now, he's just kind of excited about the whole prospect to this, and since they've both got the time... ]
OH I KNOW THAT'S WHY I TOLD YOU RIGHT OFF IT ISN'T THAT WE CAN DO THIS WHENEVER YOU'RE FREE BUT HELL- IF THAT'S NOW, I CAN DO NOW YOUR HORIZON?
SO STEVE FINALLY CAME BY, HUH? HE'S PRETTY STUBBORN GOOD LUCK
AND I DON'T THINK I'VE BEEN BY, SO I'LL TAKE THE TOUR TOO SEE YA SOON
[ it doesn't take him long to show up; he'd been up in his apartment anyway, so settling back and getting into the horizon didn't take much at all. and, of course, there is the fact he's just kind of...excited to try this out. to go full game of thrones. because if he's been living in this fantasy-aesthetic world, why shouldn't he learn how to fly on the back of a dragon?
( unfortunately, sam does not know the difference. so dragon riding it is. )
he's dressed in what leans more athletic gear - the same sort of shorts, running shoes, and tshirt he would if he were going to work out. part of him wonders if it's going to at all be like horse back riding, which he's done...a couple of times in his life, and then he'd need heeled shoes and long pants. right?
sorry, hilda, he's kind of going into this totally blind. ]
[ Ooo she's going to have some choice words and expressions for Sam when he shows up in her domain.
She's there shortly before him dressed in her normal wyvern riding gear - which is to say not shorts, running shoes, and a t-shirt. Instead she's dressed in gear that probably looks closer to horse riding gear: thick, long pants, thigh high boots and a long sleeved shirt with a cloak thrown over top.
Whatever choice words and expressions she had in mind falter when she sees what Sam is wearing. There's a brief moment of silence as she gives him a blatant look up and down before - ]
Uhm, you know you're going to get cold, right?
[ Some of this roasting may or may not have to do with finding out that he's also a betrayer. ]
[ oh yeah, he's definitely prepared for some choice words. but it also leaves him laughing a bit to himself as he gets set up and heads into the horizon - arriving in what is his usual gear and still in a good mood.
seeing her arrive in a very different outfit has his brows lifting a bit - looking from her clothes to his own. ]
Am I? Never done this before, so. [ the roasting probably would be more effective if the horizon wasn't the horizon, because as it stands sam gives an easy shrug and in the blink of an eye his clothes are now a bit more appropriate - athletic jacket, yeah. but also now in pants and boots, probably something a lot more southern in terms of horseback riding gear, but it's better than he was. ]
[ Regardless of where they are, it will never stop Hilda from roasting someone affectionately - especially if that someone is Sam.
The fashion change is met with a happy whistle and a clap of approval. It probably didn't matter half as much what they wore in here versus if this was real, but having the option to change into stylish riding clothes was all part of the fun and illusion, right? ]
Much better. [ Seemingly satisfied, she does a complete one 180, giving him a light punch to the meatier part of his arm. The pout remains even as she loops her arm through his to lead him up the stairs to the front entrance where they can start their tour. ] Now don't think I forgot that you basically knew Steve was coming by the loft to train me. I can't believe you didn't step in and intervene!
you know when your inbox just EATS AN ENTIRE TAG???
[ he knows this and he loves her. besides, he was that role for steve for so long he knows the important of it. and hilda just now gets to be that for him. does that mean he's accepted a long life full of the harshest roasting imaginable? most likely. good thing he can handle it.
to the happy whistle and clap of approval, sam will very dramatically take a bow. thank you, thank you, he'll be here [ insert the complicated nature of time in a place that may or may not exist outside of it ]. the punch, though light, has sam keeping with the dramatics and pulling back - his hand rubbing against said meatier part of his arm. ]
Hey! Steve has nothing to do with you doing something nice for me. You got yourself into that mess. There's nothing I could have done. [ a beat, and then a small smile. ] You'll be glad for it after a while.
[ She wouldn't dish it out if she didn't think he could handle it. Unsurprisingly, most people in her life seem to be cut from similar cloth and she wouldn't have it any other way. Meeting the Golden Deer in many ways had only solidified her desire to be around people that accepted her the way she was.
The dramatics are met with barely concealed delight as she lamely attempts to bite back the smile threatening to show. The entrance stairs they ascend will eventually give way to the marketplace. While normally bustling, the stands are quiet today, devoid of what would normally hustle and bustle of merchants.
There's a bit of a whine in her voice as she juts her lip out a little further. ]
You could have absolutely done something. I know you have no sway over Natasha but Steve listens to you, doesn't he? Did you know that he showed up at my apartment and carried me to the training grounds?
[ She attempts to make it sound like that's somehow the worst thing that's ever happened to her when the opposite is probably true. ]
[ it's possible she simply attracts these kinds of people, but that's not a bad thing. sam likes spending his time with those people. he likes being those people. it's probably why he was so quickly attracted to hilda, too.
they continue through a quiet, empty marketplace. sam takes note of all that he sees around them, curious as to why it is so quiet, but the conversation is where his attention remains. ]
Steve? Listen to me? Hilda, girl, I can suggest things to Steve all I want, but I would not say he listens to me. Not where this sorta stuff is concerned. [ and okay, maybe that's not entirely true. what steve and sam have is complicated, but also not at all. sam knows that where it matters, when it matters, they listen to each other. trust in each other one hundred percent. that's not applicable here, exactly, but that's fine.
and now sam is laughing, because of course he is. the mental image of hilda being picked up and thrown over steve's shoulder is too good. ] Yeah, that sounds like him. Good luck with that.
[ Truthfully the marketplace is never this quiet. There's always the sounds of idle chatter, laughter, the occasional call of a merchant hawking their imaginary wares.
If asked, Hilda wouldn't have a useful answer as to why because she wouldn't know what to say apart from the fact that she simply had no clue. Maybe it's because her own mental state hadn't been very jovial as of late and it's easier to focus on the things that brought her joy - like the wyverns. As if sensing her arrival, a familiar screech echoes from the direction they're heading towards. ]
You mean he's done this before?
[ She's positively appalled, but it's mostly aimed at the fact that Sam is laughing at her. Commence the whining and pouting. ]
What happened to being on my side? I'm just a tiny little thing, Steve shouldn't be picking me up and carrying me to a training session that I don't want any part of. What happened to what I want?
[ it's something sam can at least consider later on - he's no psychologist, but he's been here long enough to know how horizon domains can reflect things people don't really want to address. he'll keep it in mind as the rest of the day continues on, but hilda might recognize that look tucked back somewhere during the conversation.
the sound of the wyvern screech, and sam's attention turns towards that, now. there may even be a flicker of oh god, are we really doing this that he moves on by real quickly. ]
I mean, yeah. In a way he did it to me too. I wasn't born this fit. [ he is so unaffected by her whining and pouting. completely and totally. ]
I am always on your side. In a supportive and maybe a tough love sorta way - but you are always my girl. But okay, you've got me: what do you want?
[ The thought of Sam being carried like a swooning maiden in Steve's arms is oddly fitting and Mirth returns to her expression, almost a clear indication that her pouting and whining had been entirely put on (but then again, he probably knew that.)
And while she knows that their banter is meant to be lighthearted by design, her chest still warms when he calls her his girl. Knowing that she has Sam in her corner helps more than he realizes. It's enough to give her pause while she contemplates her answer as they silently pass through the entrance hall. If she gives off the impression that she's seriously considering it, it's because a small part of her is. But no one else can fix the things she's run across the last several months, even someone as strong willed as Sam.
After a beat she grins. ]
I want to see you try and ride a wyvern. Just remember that if Waffle gets a little nippy that I'm also your side but in a tough love sort of way because you're always my guy.
[ well, okay, maybe not a swooning maiden. but sam's definitely been carried by steve before, that's just something he kind of assumes most people who are friends of steve have experienced. ]
Yes, me. Crazy, I know.
[ but yes, to be honest, sam pretty much knew it was all an act. the ease in which he sees her switch from depressed to mirthful tells him all he needs to know about it all. and of course he notices the way she brightens at his words, as subtle and small as it may be - honestly, all it really does it remind him to be a little more specific about his words. because it is true, he does feel that way, and sometimes he forgets that people need to hear it a bit more specifically.
anyway, after the beat passes, hilda is grinning. and sam - he has a feeling about that grin - sort of smiles back. alright, okay, what does that look have in store for him now. and yeah, his smile definitely turns into a full grin when she mirrors the words back to him, you're always my guy. ]
Waffle? [ and then, a beat later. ] Sounds perfect. We can figure it out. [ he glances up and around into the sky, before turning back to her. ] Does Waffle like to make an entrance, too?
He can be a bit of a drama wyvern but he's my wyvern so it shouldn't be that much of a surprise.
[ Affection oozes out of her as she speaks; it's clear how much she adores her wyvern. The steps to the aerie appear and she leads them up the winding staircase up and up until the sound - and smell - of the wyvern's becomes more apparent.
Outside the door is a small feeding room filled with supplies and buckets of meat and tongs. The nice thing about the Horizon is that she didn't have to do the unpleasant task of preparing any of it โ it was already done for her. She tosses Sam a pair of gloves before handing him some tongs and a bucket. She cracks the door to the aerie ajar. ]
Now when we go in, make eye contact with him and give him some of the meat.
[ The room is large and circular, split into several nests for the wyvern's. A pleasant breeze drifts through the large windows looking out onto the grounds and Horizon beyond. As she pushes it open further, three pairs of eyes immediately turn to the newcomers.
One wyvern is the oldest of the bunch, burly with thick muscles, battle scars and a perpetual glower. The brass name plate on his stall reads "Buri". Laying in the stall next to him is a wyvern named "Adelheid". She's slimmer, lithe, with curious, bright eyes. Finally, in the stall across from them reads the name, "Waffenzahn". He's in-between Buri and Adelheid in size, but clearly the youngest of the three if his puppy-like energy is any indication. Pink ribbons are tied around his horns. But upon seeing Sam, he bares his teeth, a low growl emitting from his throat. Hilda clicks her tongue, breezing into the room. ]
[ sam feels himself nodding, which is his way of saying oh yeah, definitely not a surprise. he can hear the affection in her words, and he recognizes it well enough. he sounds very similar whenever he talkes about red, so it does make sense. the stairs appear and sam follows hilda up the winding steps, up and up as the sound and smells start to become much stronger.
he takes it all in as they walk, the feeding room and the supplies and the pieces of meat. carnivore, then, which...sam reminds himself exactly what it is they're doing. what he's about to do. flying has always been one thing, but riding what is basically a dragon. whatever nerves might show themselves, sam pushes away quickly enough as he slips on the gloves and takes the equipment, the tongs and the meat, and once again he can't quite escape how...not strange this is, but just how out of his element. ]
Right; eye contact and a meaty snack. Got it.
[ there is no sarcasm in his tone, despite the slight urge he has. this isn't really a time for it, so sam focuses on matching hilda's body language, her general state. when she opens the door and leads him inside, he follows only a step or two behind. he follows the circular walls of the room, seeing the nests and the plates with names and the...well. the wyverns.
the innate curiosity sam has makes him want to hover, to really get to know each one. he knows he can't, and instead he keeps pace with hilda, keeping his own energy calm and casual as he goes ahead and sticks the tongs into the bucket as he walks behind her.
he decides not to try and talk to waffles quite yet, trusting hilda and her control over the creature enough that he doesn't even feel all that intimidated by the growl. when he's almost close enough, sam offers up one of the pieces of meat, coming to a slow stop and meeting waffles eyes in one easy motion. ]
Hey, boy...hungry?
[ ( sam's never actually been attacked in the horizon. that survival-voice in the far back corners of his mind wonder if this is when he's going to find out. ) ]
[ Being told that Sam is a friend of Hildaโs doesnโt seem to take the edge off of the wyvernโs general demeanour. In fact, it only seems to prompt him to size him up more. Thereโs a measured criticalness to his gaze as he regards Sam and the meat.
Hilda doesnโt do much to help or encourage. Instead she stands off to the side in his next, keeping one hand resting gently on Waffleโs forehead just in case. The meeting bit is arguably the most important part of meeting a wyvern for the first time. If you couldnโt gain their trust, riding them would be far more of a challenge, even for the most seasoned of riders.
Then again, they were in the Horizon and they literally her creation. Following that logic, no harm should come to anyone while theyโre here apart from maybe some light ego bruising.
Adelheid trills from her stall as if laughing at the young pupโs scrutiny and that seems to prompt Waffle to give Samโs offering a long, drawn out and very exaggerated sniff. Finally he opens his jaw wide, revealing several rows of shiny, sharp teeth. The action makes Hilda look positively delighted and immediately perks up. ]
Oh, I think he wants you to feed him! Just extend the skewer into his mouth and heโll do the rest.
[ that is the fun middle-ground of doing anything in the horizon; you make it as normal as you want, you have the option to introduce anyone and everyone to things they wouldn't otherwise have access too, you want to make it as realistic as you can because you're experiencing it - but, also, it's all a creation.
so, really, it's entirely up to hilda whether or not this is going to work out. and the worst part about that is that it being up to hilda doesn't give sam any actual confidence. she'd be just as likely to make this harder on him just for the sake of it, especially after their recent steve-rogers-shaped conversation.
but sam does what he knows how - he's calm, and nonthreatening, and patient. he keeps his attention on waffle, even as the other wyvern starts to make noises. a good call, considering the way waffle decides to take an extended interest in the meat right about then. when he opens his mouth to long rows of extremely sharp teeth, sam can't help but smile - taking it as a good sign, which is confirmed by hilda's delightful perk. ]
Yeah? Alright- here you go, buddy. [ and sam will do just that - extend the skewer a safe amount into waffles mouth with very little to any nerves at all. he's doing a great job, he thinks, all things considered. ] Eat up!
[ 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?ย
[ She's really trying to pump his tires, don't give her that eye roll, Sam!ย
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), butย this just feels like another one of those things that has to be done properly. ]ย
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?ย
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?ย
[ 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. ]ย
Ugh, all right. But only becauseย you asked so nicely and I'd rather not see you embarrass yourself. ย
[ 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?
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but that's fine, actually. there's a good chance sam can pick up on all of that when he actually sees her. for now, he's just kind of excited about the whole prospect to this, and since they've both got the time... ]
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[ Yes, she is still devastated that Natasha and Steve teamed up to force her to go and do any amount of training. ]
๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐จ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ช๐ต! ๐'๐ญ๐ญ ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ๐ต๐บ๐ข๐ณ๐ฅ๐ด ๐ช๐ฏ ๐ต๐ธ๐ฐ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ข ๐ธ๐บ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ข๐ช๐ญ. ๐ ๐ค๐ข๐ฏ ๐จ๐ช๐ท๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ข ๐ต๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ช๐ญ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ฆ'๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ต ๐ช๐ต ๐ช๐ง ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ๐ฏ'๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ท๐ช๐ด๐ช๐ต.
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( unfortunately, sam does not know the difference. so dragon riding it is. )
he's dressed in what leans more athletic gear - the same sort of shorts, running shoes, and tshirt he would if he were going to work out. part of him wonders if it's going to at all be like horse back riding, which he's done...a couple of times in his life, and then he'd need heeled shoes and long pants. right?
sorry, hilda, he's kind of going into this totally blind. ]
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[ Ooo she's going to have some choice words and expressions for Sam when he shows up in her domain.
She's there shortly before him dressed in her normal wyvern riding gear - which is to say not shorts, running shoes, and a t-shirt. Instead she's dressed in gear that probably looks closer to horse riding gear: thick, long pants, thigh high boots and a long sleeved shirt with a cloak thrown over top.
Whatever choice words and expressions she had in mind falter when she sees what Sam is wearing. There's a brief moment of silence as she gives him a blatant look up and down before - ]
Uhm, you know you're going to get cold, right?
[ Some of this roasting may or may not have to do with finding out that he's also a betrayer. ]
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seeing her arrive in a very different outfit has his brows lifting a bit - looking from her clothes to his own. ]
Am I? Never done this before, so. [ the roasting probably would be more effective if the horizon wasn't the horizon, because as it stands sam gives an easy shrug and in the blink of an eye his clothes are now a bit more appropriate - athletic jacket, yeah. but also now in pants and boots, probably something a lot more southern in terms of horseback riding gear, but it's better than he was. ]
Better?
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The fashion change is met with a happy whistle and a clap of approval. It probably didn't matter half as much what they wore in here versus if this was real, but having the option to change into stylish riding clothes was all part of the fun and illusion, right? ]
Much better. [ Seemingly satisfied, she does a complete one 180, giving him a light punch to the meatier part of his arm. The pout remains even as she loops her arm through his to lead him up the stairs to the front entrance where they can start their tour. ] Now don't think I forgot that you basically knew Steve was coming by the loft to train me. I can't believe you didn't step in and intervene!
you know when your inbox just EATS AN ENTIRE TAG???
to the happy whistle and clap of approval, sam will very dramatically take a bow. thank you, thank you, he'll be here [ insert the complicated nature of time in a place that may or may not exist outside of it ]. the punch, though light, has sam keeping with the dramatics and pulling back - his hand rubbing against said meatier part of his arm. ]
Hey! Steve has nothing to do with you doing something nice for me. You got yourself into that mess. There's nothing I could have done. [ a beat, and then a small smile. ] You'll be glad for it after a while.
HELLO DAI'S INBOX GET IT TOGETHER???
The dramatics are met with barely concealed delight as she lamely attempts to bite back the smile threatening to show. The entrance stairs they ascend will eventually give way to the marketplace. While normally bustling, the stands are quiet today, devoid of what would normally hustle and bustle of merchants.
There's a bit of a whine in her voice as she juts her lip out a little further. ]
You could have absolutely done something. I know you have no sway over Natasha but Steve listens to you, doesn't he? Did you know that he showed up at my apartment and carried me to the training grounds?
[ She attempts to make it sound like that's somehow the worst thing that's ever happened to her when the opposite is probably true. ]
SERIOUSLY YOU HAVE ONE JOB!!!
they continue through a quiet, empty marketplace. sam takes note of all that he sees around them, curious as to why it is so quiet, but the conversation is where his attention remains. ]
Steve? Listen to me? Hilda, girl, I can suggest things to Steve all I want, but I would not say he listens to me. Not where this sorta stuff is concerned. [ and okay, maybe that's not entirely true. what steve and sam have is complicated, but also not at all. sam knows that where it matters, when it matters, they listen to each other. trust in each other one hundred percent. that's not applicable here, exactly, but that's fine.
and now sam is laughing, because of course he is. the mental image of hilda being picked up and thrown over steve's shoulder is too good. ] Yeah, that sounds like him. Good luck with that.
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If asked, Hilda wouldn't have a useful answer as to why because she wouldn't know what to say apart from the fact that she simply had no clue. Maybe it's because her own mental state hadn't been very jovial as of late and it's easier to focus on the things that brought her joy - like the wyverns. As if sensing her arrival, a familiar screech echoes from the direction they're heading towards. ]
You mean he's done this before?
[ She's positively appalled, but it's mostly aimed at the fact that Sam is laughing at her. Commence the whining and pouting. ]
What happened to being on my side? I'm just a tiny little thing, Steve shouldn't be picking me up and carrying me to a training session that I don't want any part of. What happened to what I want?
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the sound of the wyvern screech, and sam's attention turns towards that, now. there may even be a flicker of oh god, are we really doing this that he moves on by real quickly. ]
I mean, yeah. In a way he did it to me too. I wasn't born this fit. [ he is so unaffected by her whining and pouting. completely and totally. ]
I am always on your side. In a supportive and maybe a tough love sorta way - but you are always my girl. But okay, you've got me: what do you want?
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[ The thought of Sam being carried like a swooning maiden in Steve's arms is oddly fitting and Mirth returns to her expression, almost a clear indication that her pouting and whining had been entirely put on (but then again, he probably knew that.)
And while she knows that their banter is meant to be lighthearted by design, her chest still warms when he calls her his girl. Knowing that she has Sam in her corner helps more than he realizes. It's enough to give her pause while she contemplates her answer as they silently pass through the entrance hall. If she gives off the impression that she's seriously considering it, it's because a small part of her is. But no one else can fix the things she's run across the last several months, even someone as strong willed as Sam.
After a beat she grins. ]
I want to see you try and ride a wyvern. Just remember that if Waffle gets a little nippy that I'm also your side but in a tough love sort of way because you're always my guy.
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Yes, me. Crazy, I know.
[ but yes, to be honest, sam pretty much knew it was all an act. the ease in which he sees her switch from depressed to mirthful tells him all he needs to know about it all. and of course he notices the way she brightens at his words, as subtle and small as it may be - honestly, all it really does it remind him to be a little more specific about his words. because it is true, he does feel that way, and sometimes he forgets that people need to hear it a bit more specifically.
anyway, after the beat passes, hilda is grinning. and sam - he has a feeling about that grin - sort of smiles back. alright, okay, what does that look have in store for him now. and yeah, his smile definitely turns into a full grin when she mirrors the words back to him, you're always my guy. ]
Waffle? [ and then, a beat later. ] Sounds perfect. We can figure it out. [ he glances up and around into the sky, before turning back to her. ] Does Waffle like to make an entrance, too?
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[ Affection oozes out of her as she speaks; it's clear how much she adores her wyvern. The steps to the aerie appear and she leads them up the winding staircase up and up until the sound - and smell - of the wyvern's becomes more apparent.
Outside the door is a small feeding room filled with supplies and buckets of meat and tongs. The nice thing about the Horizon is that she didn't have to do the unpleasant task of preparing any of it โ it was already done for her. She tosses Sam a pair of gloves before handing him some tongs and a bucket. She cracks the door to the aerie ajar. ]
Now when we go in, make eye contact with him and give him some of the meat.
[ The room is large and circular, split into several nests for the wyvern's. A pleasant breeze drifts through the large windows looking out onto the grounds and Horizon beyond. As she pushes it open further, three pairs of eyes immediately turn to the newcomers.
One wyvern is the oldest of the bunch, burly with thick muscles, battle scars and a perpetual glower. The brass name plate on his stall reads "Buri". Laying in the stall next to him is a wyvern named "Adelheid". She's slimmer, lithe, with curious, bright eyes. Finally, in the stall across from them reads the name, "Waffenzahn". He's in-between Buri and Adelheid in size, but clearly the youngest of the three if his puppy-like energy is any indication. Pink ribbons are tied around his horns. But upon seeing Sam, he bares his teeth, a low growl emitting from his throat. Hilda clicks her tongue, breezing into the room. ]
Waffle, be nice. This is Sam, my friend.
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he takes it all in as they walk, the feeding room and the supplies and the pieces of meat. carnivore, then, which...sam reminds himself exactly what it is they're doing. what he's about to do. flying has always been one thing, but riding what is basically a dragon. whatever nerves might show themselves, sam pushes away quickly enough as he slips on the gloves and takes the equipment, the tongs and the meat, and once again he can't quite escape how...not strange this is, but just how out of his element. ]
Right; eye contact and a meaty snack. Got it.
[ there is no sarcasm in his tone, despite the slight urge he has. this isn't really a time for it, so sam focuses on matching hilda's body language, her general state. when she opens the door and leads him inside, he follows only a step or two behind. he follows the circular walls of the room, seeing the nests and the plates with names and the...well. the wyverns.
the innate curiosity sam has makes him want to hover, to really get to know each one. he knows he can't, and instead he keeps pace with hilda, keeping his own energy calm and casual as he goes ahead and sticks the tongs into the bucket as he walks behind her.
he decides not to try and talk to waffles quite yet, trusting hilda and her control over the creature enough that he doesn't even feel all that intimidated by the growl. when he's almost close enough, sam offers up one of the pieces of meat, coming to a slow stop and meeting waffles eyes in one easy motion. ]
Hey, boy...hungry?
[ ( sam's never actually been attacked in the horizon. that survival-voice in the far back corners of his mind wonder if this is when he's going to find out. ) ]
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Hilda doesnโt do much to help or encourage. Instead she stands off to the side in his next, keeping one hand resting gently on Waffleโs forehead just in case. The meeting bit is arguably the most important part of meeting a wyvern for the first time. If you couldnโt gain their trust, riding them would be far more of a challenge, even for the most seasoned of riders.
Then again, they were in the Horizon and they literally her creation. Following that logic, no harm should come to anyone while theyโre here apart from maybe some light ego bruising.
Adelheid trills from her stall as if laughing at the young pupโs scrutiny and that seems to prompt Waffle to give Samโs offering a long, drawn out and very exaggerated sniff. Finally he opens his jaw wide, revealing several rows of shiny, sharp teeth. The action makes Hilda look positively delighted and immediately perks up. ]
Oh, I think he wants you to feed him! Just extend the skewer into his mouth and heโll do the rest.
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so, really, it's entirely up to hilda whether or not this is going to work out. and the worst part about that is that it being up to hilda doesn't give sam any actual confidence. she'd be just as likely to make this harder on him just for the sake of it, especially after their recent steve-rogers-shaped conversation.
but sam does what he knows how - he's calm, and nonthreatening, and patient. he keeps his attention on waffle, even as the other wyvern starts to make noises. a good call, considering the way waffle decides to take an extended interest in the meat right about then. when he opens his mouth to long rows of extremely sharp teeth, sam can't help but smile - taking it as a good sign, which is confirmed by hilda's delightful perk. ]
Yeah? Alright- here you go, buddy. [ and sam will do just that - extend the skewer a safe amount into waffles mouth with very little to any nerves at all. he's doing a great job, he thinks, all things considered. ] Eat up!
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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.
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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!ย
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), butย this just feels like another one of those things that has to be done properly. ]ย
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?ย
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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. ]ย
Ugh, all right. But only becauseย you asked so nicely and I'd rather not see you embarrass yourself. ย
[ 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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