(no subject)

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

Jim could be dealing with the latest intelligence on the Tholians. Or finishing personnel reports. Or catching up on any number of things that he sometimes feels like he never has the time to finish.

But the sun isn't quite so low in the sky. And the air isn't that cold. And the snows are melting. Some days just demand leaving any and all work behind in favor of saddling up.

So while you could find Jim inside later on, you could just as easily find him outside right now, taking Rachat for a ride.

Comments

[ostro_goth]

Teja is by the stables, brushing the coat of his dappled grey, Orion.

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

Jim spots the Goth on his way back from his ride. "Good afternoon, Teja."

[ostro_goth]

"Greetings, Captain Kirk," Teja says. "I did not know you had a horse here, also."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"Rachat isn't mine, technically. He belonged to one of the stablemasters, and Kate Barlow and Doc Scurlock arranged a long term loan." Though it's unclear who is in charge.

[ostro_goth]

"Who does he belong to?" Teja asks. "I might know him."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

Jim tries to remember, but the name escapes him. "I'm sorry but it's not coming to me. I will have to ask Kate or Doc. I don't think he's from the same time as them, though." The name is all wrong for a horse from the Old West.

"And what about your horse?"

[ostro_goth]

"I bought my horses from Sallie Reynolds, the old woman from the future," Teja says. "This is Orion; I have a brown with a spotted rump also, by name of Bramble."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"Two horses...a bit extravagant of you." Jim half-smiles. "I don't think I've met her, but that's Captain Reynolds's mother, I think." Word about such things spreads even when you don't seek it out. "Have you found any difference between horses of your day and hers?" Which is more or less Jim's.

[ostro_goth]

"Not much," Teja says. "These are sturdy, sensible horses, a bit stubborn and temperamental, but quite clever, and willing to learn much, once they accepted you as their leader. Carlotta has been teaching this one circus tricks, even. I am sure they would have made apt war-horses, also."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"Equine evolution hasn't shifted much, aside from the decline of certain breeds of thoroughbreds in my timelines." Too much inbreeding. "I can't say I've ever had a war-horse, though."

[ostro_goth]

"Their training is special," Teja says. "They must advance when all other horses would flee, and must not shy at things that would drive an untrained horse straight into rearing madness."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"How do you do that?" He rides Rachat to his stall and begins to dismount.

[ostro_goth]

"Training them to not startle at noises, by getting them used to loud sudden clamour," Teja says. "Getting them used to the smell of blood. To fire. Such things."

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy is out by the lake, skimming stones over the icy slush.

Sometimes they bounce, sometimes they skid.

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

Man and horse ride closer. "I think there is a trick to that, Doctor." Not that Jim ever really learned it.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Yes. Having the water all of one consistancy for a start."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"My uncle used to try teaching me how to skim stones. But I was rarely at his ranch in the winter." He's also skimmed stones on lower gravity worlds on occasion, but that is not the same thing.

"How are you, Doctor?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"I'll show you if you like." Guppy says.

"I'm okay thanks, how are you?"

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"I'm doing reasonably well. Some possible areas of concern with neighboring powers, and a new helmsman to break in, but nothing big." As much as part of him hopes otherwise.

"Feel free to demonstrate."

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy does so.

"You sort of twist as you throw." he says.

"How do you pick up a new helmsman? Do you drop off and pick up new staff when you reach colonies?"

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"No, Starfleet officers are assigned for the long haul. And we don't usually ferry colonists. You need special ships for that." Large ones, with less in the way of weapons, to send a more peaceful message. "My longtime helmsman was promoted. I'm not used to anyone else at the helm."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Oh I see." Guppy nods. "Well it sounds like you've trained him well."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

Jim nods. "Sulu was with me for the better part of twenty years. And probably would have become a captain without me. But I don't mind taking the credit for his accomplishments." Jim can only retract his ego so far.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Learned from the best, huh?" Guppy smiles slightly.

"Did the new helmsman train with him before Sulu left?"

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"No. Lieutenant Carstairs was not only new to the bridge but new to the crew. She's good but hasn't any idea what to expect from us." Or vice versa.