WHO: Elijah and Ruby WHAT: Networking and negotiation When: Evening WHERE: The Stables STATUS: In progress RATING: Low
Man and horse broke into a spry gallop in pursuit of a meandering trail through the thicket of Ridgeway forest. Hooves pounded strongly against smooth soil stained dark by fresh rainfall, rider guiding his four-legged companion with ease past nature's obstacles. Elijah was an experienced horseman, but to boast of it would have held about as much immature glory as over one's driver's license. As they circled back to the stable, he reined to a canter, then to a gentle trot.
When the creature had wound down, he dismounted with swift grace and led it inside to be untacked. Both were at rest with the horse being treated to carrots by the time that the stable's sole trainer made entry. As much as Elijah enjoyed riding, he was rarely without some deliberate intent—a definitive goal to which every action and inaction built up. Tonight, that goal was the apparent young lady before him whose exploits he had watched with great interest in the large rectangle of pixels in his cabin. Strictly business, dressed up to seem as social pleasure. But then, that's all they both were, weren't they? Dressed up to seem like something they were not.