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Mary has never been a skilled rider. During her disastrous one and only lesson, the family pony had left her in a heap on the ground and she had steadfastly refused to go near a saddle again, content to either ride in a rig or walk.

But now there’s Milliways. A brave new world full of opportunities, a stable of horses, and an acquaintance with a certain Queen of Ambergeldar who happened to have a well-trained, proper lady’s mount stabled at the End of the Universe, and who had bade Mary to make use of her if she wished.

So, Mary is, at this moment, standing in the aisle of the Milliways stables having a serious conversation with a pretty brown mare.

“Now, Dar, I trust you’ll not attempt to throw me off. Or run away with me on your back. Or step on me. Or shy and jump. Or sweep me under a tree branch. Or do anything that will cause me to break a limb….”

Dar, fully tacked up in bridle and side saddle, is listening patiently. Any minute now, Mary will work up the courage to take her outside to the mounting block and actually get on.

Any minute now.

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"No, won't be doin' that for a while. Just a trot, ease into everythin',"

He gets Les going into a trot.

Mary bounces fairly horribly. Fortunately, Dar is quite patient.

She hangs on for all she's worth.

"This is really the most dreadful gait to try to keep one's seat on."

"Then try a canter, it's smoother."

"But faster."

Dar has a fairly smooth trot, really, but Mary's seat leaves something to be desired.

She tries to move with the horse, as one is supposed to do, and it seems to get a little better.

"Yeah, but it might be easier. It's all about movin' with her, you're startin' to do it."

Mary clenches her jaw and nods.

"Remember me fondly if I fall."

She touches the crop to Dar's side again, urging her into a canter.

"Don't say that and don't tense up like that,"

As she goes into a canter, he moves Les into one, still not too far away.

That had been rather defeatist, Mary acknowledges.

She's keeping her seat, though that may be by dint of keeping a death grip on the reins and Dar's mane. The mare is occasionally shaking and pulling her head, uncomfortable at the pull on the reins.

"I think I might want to stop."

Less the 'might.'

"Alright but be gentle about it and loosen up on the reins. She doesn't like that. I'll be right here if you feel like you're even wobblin'."

Mary pulls Dar up to a halt. A bit more forcefully than strictly necessary, but the mare takes it with decent grace.

She braces her hands on the horses neck, taking deep breaths and enjoying the feeling of sitting still, if on a precarious perch.

"I'm sorry."

Clearly this is not going to be an overnight learning experience.

Once she's stopped, he gets closer and rests his hand on Dar's mane,

"You did just fine. Let's get these two tied up and I'll help you down."

Mary tries not to look defeated.

"It's still a considerable improvement over my last attempt," she offers.

Though she knows that still doesn't make this one good.

"Yes, it is and your next one will be even better. Do you want me to lead you over? Or could just dismount here?"

"I think I can get down."

It's not elegant or graceful, but Mary still breathes a sigh of relief when her feet touch the grass. She pats Dar's neck.

"You're a good horse, Dar. I hope in time you'll find me a more pleasant rider."

The horse snorts amiably, and turns her head to wiggle her lip against Mary's sleeve.

William smiles and dismounts before giving some sugar to Les and Dar,

"You'll do better in time once you're not so scared."

"And how does one accomplish that?"

Mary looks a little glum.

"With practice. Do you want to do this, Miss Mary? I ain't goin' to have you gettin' up again if you're goin' to look like that,"

As he hates seeing her looking so defeated.

Mary straightens up and attempts to exchange the expression for one that is a bit more determined.

"No, I do," she says.

She's come this far (short distance that it might be). She just sometimes wishes that some things came easier.

"I'll just....practice. As you say."

"I'll come ridin' with you whenever you want. You can do this."