|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 21, 2024 14:37:48 GMT -6
They rode for awhile, the park seemingly endless as they traveled although they encountered fewer and fewer training groups as they did so. Goewihg had largely stopped tossing her head which Runa thought was pretty promising. This type of training was somewhat intuitive she thought. She tapped her left foot to Goewihg's side, putting the left rein against Goewihg's neck and pulling with the right. Goewihg turned accordingly, releasing a breath that might have been a snort as she did so but without any protestation otherwise. That was good.
Runa leaned forward further, squeezing Goewihg's side and encouraging through the bond to run, Goewihg and the Pasha broke out into a run. Runa's ears were pressed flat to her head, her hair streaming behind her as she leaned forward in the saddle and let the Pasha have her head. She grinned broadly as they raced across the land. She began to sit up, pulling back lightly on the reins and Goewihg slowed until she was walking again. Runa caught her breath, patting the Pasha who blew out another breath.
That was what Runa had been missing, the feeling of the wind brushing through her hair as she sat astride such a magnificent creature as this one was.
Runa: 22.4
Goewihg: 37.0 // 12.0
Bridle Knowledge - 3
|
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 21, 2024 14:47:11 GMT -6
Feeling confident in her abilities, Runa switched both reins to her left hand, careful to keep her hold on the reins light and not pull on Goewihg's mouth. She moved her reins so that her left rein was on Goewihg's neck and she tapped on Goewihg's left side with her foot. The pasha turned. She kept the pressure on until Goewihg was facing the way they had come and then she let her walk on. She was already feeling better, more alive. If riding Goewihg changed her mood around so efficiently, she could only imagine how much better she would feel when it was Gallant instead who could take to the skies.
She let out Goewihg's reins and leaned forward in her seat and the Pasha picked up her pace, her long legs eating up the ground they covered. It was good, Runa reflected, that Goewihg did not have a mane to blow back into her face and tickle her nose to make her sneeze. She leaned further forward and the Goewihg kicked it up another notch. It was almost as good as flying, Runa thought as the wind whipped her hair back.
Almost as good. But not quite perfect.
Runa: 22.5
Goewihg: 37.2 // 12.2
Bridle Knowledge - 4
|
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 21, 2024 15:18:51 GMT -6
As they approached their typical area, Runa slowly started to sit back in her seat, putting light pressure on the reins to slow Goewihg down. She stopped her in front of the tree that they usually ate lunch under and then she leaned back in her saddle and pulled backward on the reins, sending a back command through the ribbon. Goewihg began stepping backward, not tossing her head as Runa had feared she would. She sat back up and let the reins drop and Goewihg stopped.
She patted her neck and then dismounted, happy with the progress they had made so far. She still wanted to work on faster and slower. Goewihg seemed to understand the concept as long as Runa was using the reins and body language but unlike her other commands, she didn't seem to know the command alone. Body language was definitely crucial in directing her but just in case, she wanted her to know the commands without Runa on her back as well.
She needed a quick break first though as did Goewihg it appeared. She took the tack off and used a bit of rag that she had packed to wipe down her scales where the equipment had rested.
Runa: 22.6
Goewihg: 37.4 // 12.4
Bridle Knowledge - 5
|
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 21, 2024 15:28:27 GMT -6
Begin Training: Faster/Slower
Once they had eaten and rested, Runa began the process of tacking Goewihg up again, leaving the saddlebags off this time, not seeing them as necessary. She got herself situated on Goewihg's back and then began the process of training a command...thought, she supposed...to the desired behavior. She tapped Goewihg's side once to urge her to go and let her walk for a bit. Then, she squeezed Goewihg's sides and leaned forward while commanding faster across their link. Goewihg obliged, her stride lengthening until she was running. Runa wished they could run like this forever.
Reluctantly, she sat up and began to pull back on the reins. This time she gave the command slower and released pressure once Goewihg was back to a walk. They walked along for awhile, the Pasha looking around with interest at their landscape. Runa squeezed her sides again and leaned forward faster she commanded and the Pasha took off, flying across the grassy knoll that they were on.
She allowed her to run for awhile, but eventually began to sit back up and pull back on the reins slower she added across their bond as Goewihg slowed. She let the reins up once they were walking again.
Runa: 22.7
Goewihg: 37.6 // 12.6
Faster/Slower - 1
|
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 21, 2024 15:36:42 GMT -6
Runa repeated the sequence of faster and slower a few more times while she was on the Pasha, eventually heading back to their normal training area. Then, with a sigh, she hopped off and went to grab something out of the saddlebags. She felt like it would probably be helpful if she was able to use the reward system to mark the proper behaviors while Goewihg was running without necessarily using the bark that she had brought for treats.
She stood back up and double checked that the ribbon of telepathy was still tightened and then cast her eyes around. She wanted to do this somewhere with a...ah, yes that would work. Up ahead there was a vacant pen that was roughly circular that would suit for working Goewihg. She headed toward it, tapping her leg so that Goewihg would follow her into the pen.
She opened the gate and let them in, noting the path that was worn in the grass of the pen around the outside. She suspected she was not the first one who had this idea to work their mounts this way. She patted Goewihg and flashed a stay at her before heading toward the center of the pen.
Runa: 22.8
Goewihg: 37.8 // 12.8
Faster/Slower - 2 |
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 21, 2024 15:44:21 GMT -6
Runa gave Goewihg the go command and Goewihg began to walk, apparently realizing she was supposed to do so in a circle. Runa watched her and then issued the faster command. Goewihg looked at her in confusion at first and then hesitantly began to pick up the pace. Runa clicked the clicker and got immediate good noise feedback across the link. She was thrilled to know that the training she had used for the clicker had actually worked as she intended. She let the Pasha take a few laps and then issued slower across their bond. Goewihg didn't react at first and Runa frowned.
Goewihg Runa said to get her attention and the Pasha looked at her while running slower. The Pasha hesitated and then slowed down slightly. Runa clicked the clicker and all confusion disappeared as Goewihg slowed to a walk. Runa nodded to herself as she admired the Pasha. She had read that Pasha's were favored war mounts - something that Runa couldn't imagine needing.
But, if she did, she had to admit, Goewihg would make a striking mount for someone who needed to ride into battle. Of course, Pethia was a peaceful place. The closest to battle Goewihg would get would be fighting other pets at the fighting pit.
Runa: 22.9
Goewihg: 38.0 // 13.0
Faster/Slower - 3
|
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 21, 2024 15:52:47 GMT -6
Runa watched Goewihg for a few more moments as she walked around the pen. Then she issued the faster command again. The reaction time was better this time and once again Runa rewarded Goewihg with a click of the clicker. She smiled at the immediate pleased response from Goewihg at the noise. She would need to make sure she rewarded Goewihg handsomely after this session with bark so that she continued to have such a positive association with the noise. She was glad she had decided to get the clicker. It had been invaluable considering how cheap it had been.
All of the items she had purchased at Supply and Demand had honestly been quite invaluable. She watched as Goewihg completed another complete rotation around the pen and then sent the slower command. Goewihg took a few more strides and then began to slow down until she was back to a walk. Runa clicked once her pace reached walking again. She was really enjoying this kind of training. She suspected that certain other mounts would not be nearly as compliant with working the way that Goewihg was.
She would have to remember to give Goewihg a rub down when they got home this evening so that she could keep her looking her best.
Runa: 23.0
Goewihg: 38.2 // 13.2
Faster/Slower - 4
|
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Oct 5, 2024 18:36:47 GMT -6
Happy with their progress, Runa tapped her thigh twice to summon Goewihg to her side and signal for her to follow. The Pasha responded immediately and Runa noted that the sun was starting to go down. She wanted to head home sooner rather than later. They headed toward the regular training area where the tack waited for them. Runa packed up the saddle bags and then tacked up Goewihg, feeding her a few pieces of bark before she swung into the saddle. She tapped Goewihg's sides lightly and the Pasha started forward, Runa effortlessly moving with the animal.
They walked through the mostly deserted park, the shadows lengthening as they did so. When they reached the entrance, Runa let out the reins a bit and leaned foward, squeezing Goewihg's sides. The Pasha jumped forward, her stride lengthening and the resultant wind blowing Runa's hair back. Runa leaned further forward, feeling the animal gather power under her. Elation washed over Runa as they galloped along.
In almost no time at all, they were back at the kennel and Runa was sliding off the Pasha's back, patting her neck happily. She led the Pasha into the kennel where she pulled her tack off and rubbed her down with a rag, her scales gleaming darkly in the dim light of the kennel.
Good girl Runa thought down the bond, pressing her forehead against Goewihg's.
Runa: 23.5
Goewihg: 38.4 // 13.4
Faster/Slower - 5
|
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Oct 5, 2024 20:15:55 GMT -6
The amount of effort that this endeavor was taking was making Runa seriously rethinking whether it was a good idea. Boulder had been in her kennel for nearly a month now and still she had not made an effort to work with him. Largely because she didn't see how she practically could. The large thing was not significantly food motivated and she hadn't really had the tools needed to make him go anywhere.
But she was in desperate need of him to train Goewihg. Of all the creatures in her kennel, it was only Boulder who was capable (so far, anyway) of setting other creatures ill at ease. That effect did not extend as strongly to either Goewihg or Gallant but nor were either of them particularly calm in his presence. She really couldn't blame them, the large, lumbering creature was certainly capable of significant feats of strength given proper motivation.
She offered him another handful of grain and tugged on the end of the chain. The collar she had attached to him was massive (and heavy) the largest she had been able to find in the stores that she had frequented. It was the only thing she had found that she was certain would be able to hold him.
She had already gotten Goewihg settled at the park. She hadn't wanted to get her too worked up that she would be incapable of settling down, after all. The beast lumbering after her paused again and Runa blew out a breath and offered him more grain. This was going to take forever.
Runa: 24.1
Boulder: 0.2 // 3.2
Goewihg: 38.6 // 13.6
|
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Oct 5, 2024 20:24:19 GMT -6
Begin Training: At Ease
She got Boulder contained within a pen and attached the chain to a sturdy looking tree for good measure. She was pretty certain that he wasn't going to try and break free of either, she had piled up a bunch of grain nearby and he was happily crunching that, but she didn't want to risk it and wind up being caught off guard. Better safe than sorry and all that. She left the Thundergug to his meal and went to collect Goewihg who had remained where she had left her, much to Runa's pleasure.
Good girl she praised across the bond and Goewihg flared her nostrils while bobbing her head. Runa patted her on the face and then turned away from her, tapping on her thigh to get Goewihg to follow. Their loyalty (and Goewihg's calm head) would ensure that she didn't go tearing off when they got within sight of the large Thundergug, Runa reassured herself. A different creature perhaps would have been terrified but Goewihg should be fine.
The Thundergug was at the end of his chain snorting when they approached and Runa was struck by how quickly Goewihg went from relatively at ease to on high alert. The thoughts came pouring across the bond in rapid succession and rather disjointed. The common theme that Runa could deduce was to run far away. Runa sent the at easecommand across the bond and accompanied it with calming thoughts to no avail. Goewihg remained on edge and refused to get any closer to the Thundergug.
Runa: 24.2
Boulder: 0.4 // 3.4
Goewihg: 38.8 // 13.8 At Ease - 1
|
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Oct 5, 2024 20:41:41 GMT -6
Runa laid a hand on Goewihg's side, noting that she was breathing in frantic bursts. Runa stroked her, encouraging her across the bond to be calm. Goewihg's thoughts were still rather nervous and when Runa took a step toward the Thundergug, Goewihg put her body between her, lowering her head defensively as she faced the Thundergug. While the panic seemed to be slightly receding, Goewihg was definitely not relaxing at all. Aggression, Runa remembered, could sometimes occur as a result of fear. She sent another at ease command across the bond which didn't seem to make much of an impact.
For his part, Boulder did not seem phased by the display that Goewihg was putting on. Runa kept a careful eye on the Thundergug, cognizant that a rampaging creature of that size could cause significant damage in a very short amount of time if he so chose. He took a step forward and the ground shook slightly as he did so and Goewihg's thoughts turned nervous again. At least she wasn't terrified, Runa noted because plenty of her creatures had far more negative reactions to Boulder's mere existence.
She was still quite defensive though. Goewihg, at ease Runa tried over their bond. Goewihg sent back a negative response, apparently uninterested in relaxing in the presence of such an obvious threat. Despite that, Runa couldn't help but acknowledge that if Goewihg's reaction here was to put herself between Runa and the threat, it would likely be extremely easy to teach her how to guard.
Runa: 24.3
Boulder: 0.6 // 3.6
Goewihg: 39.0 // 14.0
At Ease - 2
|
|
|
|
Post by Runa Deadear on Oct 11, 2024 17:25:33 GMT -6
Goewihg had never fully displayed her fins but she had them fully extended now. Runa projected calm across the bond again. Goewihg, at ease she tried but the Pasha seemed rather lost to reason on that front. She wasn't terrified but she certainly wasn't calm - she was projecting aggression - a sure sign that she was ill at ease. Runa stroked down her side and Goewihg turned her head to look at her briefly. The large creature was obviously disruptive to Goewihg's calm and Runa wasn't quite sure what else she could do but be there.
Goewihg let her fins drop slightly as Runa sent more calming thoughts across the bond. If one could croon in their thoughts, that was what Runa was doing to Goewihg who relaxed slightly. Not for the first time, Runa wondered where Goewihg had come from and what her story was. What had happened to the person who had loved her once. She knew that there had to have been someone. Goewihg thought of her sometimes and once or twice when Runa had been unable to sleep, Goewihg's dreams had shown the face of another woman.
Perhaps one day Goewihg would be able to tell her about it.
Thunder chose that moment to open his mouth and let out a sound. Runa didn't know what sound it was but she knew there had to be one because Goewihg flinched back, her fins flaring out in that moment to make her seem larger.
Runa: 24.7
Boulder: 0.8 // 3.8
Goewihg: 39.2 // 14.2
At Ease - 3
|
|
