Methos really should've known better than to bid against Aiyanna WhiteEagle for a paint. One didn't need to have a clue about her full history to see the stupidity of it. The problem was he'd wanted the slightly temperamental grey, but hadn't hung up the "Out to Lunch" sign at his mead tent in time to bid on it. There Methos stood on the grounds of the horse auctions watching Aiyanna show the grey who was boss. He let out a forlorn sigh, and wondered if she might have any advice on where he should place his next bid.
Mark had seen Methos enter, while he atched the bidding war over the paint. He sidled up to his friend, being sure to avoid eye-contact with the auctioneer, then proffered a grin. "I just pray she lets me have the gentle grey" he said softly, seeing how dejected Adam was. "Looks like she's out to buy everything..."
Aiyanna was not out to buy everything, just the two that caught her eye. With a firm hand she finally settled the grey down and got him cooperating. She had caught that Methos was there, but until she had the horse settled she wouldn't acknowledge him.
Aiyanna directed the grey over to the fence where the boys were talking and she gave Methos a mischievous smile, "Perhaps I shall let you borrow him sometime. Of course a studious city boy like you probably couldn't handle a horse." Oh she knows he most definitely can, but there is an air of challenge there. The two might not be playing the game but there is always that sense of competition. Neither had lived so long without keeping it sharp.
Aiyanna dismounted in a single, fluid movement before holding out the reins towards Methos. "Care to give it a shot?"
Methos didn't notice how Mark was watching him while he was focused on his bidding war with Aiyanna. He only noticed his friend had appeared at his shoulder after he'd lost the war. Methos nodded acknowledgment of Mark's prayer that Aiyanna would let him have the gentle grey. He gave his friend his best effort at a reassuring smile, "Since she is the doctor in the settlement with the best appreciation of your having recently suffered head trauma I imagine she'll keep in mind your needing a gentle mount
( ... )
Mark watched the interplay between the doctors, a faint smile on his lips. He looked up, seeing the diminuitive doctor astride the unruly grey, and something clicked.
"Marcus..." he heard in his mind's eye as a moment of his past returned. "Catch me, if you can!" He saw, not Dr Whiteeagle, but another small woman turning on the back of a grey, her heels kicking the sturdy beast to a gallop.
The rest of the conversation between the doctors was swallowed by the memory of Arisa that washed over him. He gripped the rail, his childhood returning in a blur.
Aiyanna chuckled as the reins passed, "Why not. He is yours after all. Not that you don't owe me for him and for running up my bid, but still he's yours. I saw you eyeing him earlier and since you didn't make the bidding... well I was being nice. Don't make me regret it."
With that Aiyanna pulled herself over the fence, now that Methos had control of the horse, and turned to look at Mark. Her brows furrowed slightly as she watched him grip the railing, "Mark, are you alright?"
Aiyanna paused a moment, "I made a deal with the owner of that grey that seemed to like you. He's not that far away, so you do some work for him and the horse is yours." Aiyanna has definitely been wheeling and dealing in the horse auction today.
"Marcus..." he said, turning to look at Aiyanna, as the memory broke. "Marcus Cole." A satisfied smile flittered around his lips. "I am Marcus, son of Hyam and Anita Cole. We lived on a small planet, Arisa Colony and I rode horses across the plaines with my... brother."
He stopped as a feeling of loss washed over him. However, there was still no memory of who or what he had been in later years. Only that part of his past the horses had reminded him of.
> "I made a deal with the owner of that grey that seemed to like you. He's not that far away"
Marcus nodded, listening attentively "I can certainly lift, carry, repair. That's well within my abilities, I'm sure. And I really appreciate it, she's a beautiful grey."
"Mine?" Methos blinked at Aiyanna with a mix of disbelief and guarded hope. He nodded quick agreement with her pointing out he owed her.
"Of course, mead, honey, manual labor, whatever the doctor would like for payment," Methos promised. He listened to her explain how she'd seen him eying the grey earlier, and realized he was missing the bidding for the horse.
"Do my best to keep you from regretting it," he smiled at her warmly before he focused on his horse. Methos talked softly to him as he slowly moved closer. He took his time to even touch his horse. Methos had gotten just the horse he'd wanted, and it was thanks to Aiyanna WhiteEagle. He'd have to say what he could do to show her how grateful he was for the favor.
His attention shifted from his horse back to Aiyanna and Mark as her concerned question got his attention. Methos couldn't help sharing Marcus' satisfied smile when he shared the memories the horse had helped draw back, "Pleased to meet you, Marcus Cole, son of Hyam and Anita Cole, from Arisa Colony."
Well there is also the fact that Aiyanna needs someone in this place who can keep up with her on a horse. She's pretty certain Methos has way more experience then her, namely because the her people only had horses when the Spaniards brought them. She's only been riding for centuries
( ... )
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Aiyanna directed the grey over to the fence where the boys were talking and she gave Methos a mischievous smile, "Perhaps I shall let you borrow him sometime. Of course a studious city boy like you probably couldn't handle a horse." Oh she knows he most definitely can, but there is an air of challenge there. The two might not be playing the game but there is always that sense of competition. Neither had lived so long without keeping it sharp.
Aiyanna dismounted in a single, fluid movement before holding out the reins towards Methos. "Care to give it a shot?"
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"Marcus..." he heard in his mind's eye as a moment of his past returned. "Catch me, if you can!" He saw, not Dr Whiteeagle, but another small woman turning on the back of a grey, her heels kicking the sturdy beast to a gallop.
The rest of the conversation between the doctors was swallowed by the memory of Arisa that washed over him. He gripped the rail, his childhood returning in a blur.
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With that Aiyanna pulled herself over the fence, now that Methos had control of the horse, and turned to look at Mark. Her brows furrowed slightly as she watched him grip the railing, "Mark, are you alright?"
Aiyanna paused a moment, "I made a deal with the owner of that grey that seemed to like you. He's not that far away, so you do some work for him and the horse is yours." Aiyanna has definitely been wheeling and dealing in the horse auction today.
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He stopped as a feeling of loss washed over him. However, there was still no memory of who or what he had been in later years. Only that part of his past the horses had reminded him of.
> "I made a deal with the owner of that grey that seemed to like you. He's not that far away"
Marcus nodded, listening attentively "I can certainly lift, carry, repair. That's well within my abilities, I'm sure. And I really appreciate it, she's a beautiful grey."
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"Of course, mead, honey, manual labor, whatever the doctor would like for payment," Methos promised. He listened to her explain how she'd seen him eying the grey earlier, and realized he was missing the bidding for the horse.
"Do my best to keep you from regretting it," he smiled at her warmly before he focused on his horse. Methos talked softly to him as he slowly moved closer. He took his time to even touch his horse. Methos had gotten just the horse he'd wanted, and it was thanks to Aiyanna WhiteEagle. He'd have to say what he could do to show her how grateful he was for the favor.
His attention shifted from his horse back to Aiyanna and Mark as her concerned question got his attention. Methos couldn't help sharing Marcus' satisfied smile when he shared the memories the horse had helped draw back, "Pleased to meet you, Marcus Cole, son of Hyam and Anita Cole, from Arisa Colony."
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