(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]

"One may breed for a temper that takes to it," Teja says. "We did, of course. But not all bred true."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"No, I wouldn't expect that. Not I know about breeding. I would guess your day knew a lot more than we did." Even if his time has the advantage of knowing the genome.

[ostro_goth]

"We did," Teja says. "We needed them, for work, and to go elsewhere, much as the future uses cars. But my friend Totila knew much more about them than I; my family never bred horses, and he was a virtuoso on horseback, while I was but a rider."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"I'm like that. I tend to be aggressive to make up for my failings as a rider. Kate tends to put me to shame." Which he hasn't admitted to Kate.

[ostro_goth]

"Some are just better; their grasp of the horses' nature almost seems to be in their blood," Teja says. "I couldn't do what Totila did; nor could I hope ever to do what Carlotta does."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"I'll take your word for it." Seeing as he doesn't know either.

He ties Rachat down for a moment and removes the saddle.

[ostro_goth]

"Still, I would not be without my horses," Teja says, starting to once more brush Orion's coat.


The dappled gray clearly enjoys the attention.

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"We can't have horses in space. So I've had to do without for some time in my career." Not a big sacrifice, of course. But he is glad to have the Bar for a chance to ride.

[ostro_goth]

"It must be so truly strange, to live on a ship always," Teja says.

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"It takes some adjusting. Some crews don't make planetfall for years. But once I get in the right state of mind, it seems normal." Which probably means the Bar makes it that much harder that it used to be.

[ostro_goth]

"How large is your ship?" Teja says.

If it is too small, then the crew would be in dire trouble, from simple lack of space.

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

Jim gives a number that would be about the size of ten aircraft carriers, and thus much larger than any ship in Teja's day. "But we carry a lot of equipment, supplies and crew, so there isn't really space for a stable. Or a meadow."

[ostro_goth]

"But at least not all men would be forced to sleep in one dank, cramped hold, cooped up like fowl," Teja says.

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"No, those days are long past."

[ostro_goth]

"How many men are there, on your ship?" Teja asks.