 Yeah I broke that mirror, so what? ll NOT backward ll Official Gryfferin ll Lemon's favourite
Today was gonna be a FUN day. Why? Because she promised Dexter they'd be giving his wings some exercise this go around.
For the past few weeks, she'd been giving him exercises that forced him to use his wings and she watched her baby Aethonan grow from barely being able to prance about at long distances to something a little more reliable. See, now he kinda did this...er...cruising thing where he stayed in the air for a few seconds at a time before his wings gave out.
It was such a magical thing, y'know? Watching a baby winged horse learn how to use his most prominent feature. She supposed it was like a mother watching her kid learn first how to walk then to run. Granted Dexter already knew how to walk but that wasn't the point. It was MAGICAL.
"Deeeeeexter!" She called in her usual fashion as she entered the barn. The sound of hooves scraping against the wooden door of the stall near the back confirmed the Aethonan's enthusiasm at her return. This was probably the highlight of his day, having her visit him at some point before he went to bed. Her times weren't consistent, usually as a result of everything else she had going on but Jessa was sure to see him for even five minutes a day once she could help it.
The Ravenclaw came to a stop by his stall door, tugging it open and heading in to give him rubs along his neck. "I hope you didn't forget we're gonna get you flying today." Of course it's likely he didn't know or understand but she knew he'd love it regardless!!
"Come on! Let's get you saddled!" Feeding and brushing would happen after his exercise, as a perfect means of winding down for him.
Jessa reached for the small saddle and the small harness, equipping them with much more fluidity than she did when she first began this--partially because of how much more compliant Dexter was now. She didn't have nearly as many disobedience or defiance issues as she once did.
Next, she led him out into the barn area and over to the makeshift course she'd made. Half would require running but some would require him to be airborne for even a little. The 14 year old cast a featherlight charm on herself JUST IN CASE, before climbing onto his back. This would be his first time carrying anyone and she didn't wanna add too much pressure. He would need to learn to follow the instructions of his rider first. "Alright bud, we're gonna take this nice and slow for now." With the slightest of nudges from her heels, Jessa gestured him forward--a trick that took several minutes for him to grasp but when he did, Merlin did he go!
The thing was, they'd done the course before, but more often, she ran along beside him cheering for him to keep going, getting him all riled up, that sort of thing. She could tell he still expected her next to him by the way he kept looking to the side but she spoke to him frequently, assuring him she was still there; cheering in the same manner she typically did.
One obstacle cleared, then another but they were cleared with jumps...not flight. "We talked about this Dex, use your wings." Her legs nudged at the wings he kept tucked at his side, encouraging them to open but every time they did, he clammed them shut again. "Noooo, you gotta do this. Just spread 'em a little. You don't even have to fly but you gotta get off the ground for a bit." The horse paid no heed to her words, continuing his jumps at every obstacle.
Over and over she nudged at his wings, insisting he get them open until he finally left them there....but he wouldn't flap them. Frustrated, she gave a tug at the reigns, forcing him to stop then she climbed off and moved to a position before him. There, she extended her arms much like his wings had been extended. Curiously he watched, extending his once more. "Good, now pay attention." She began flapping her arms, doing it over and over until his wings began flapping too.
Not particularly fussed about how she may have looked to anyone passing by, she began running with her arms flapping, giving an occasional leap. With the featherlight charm still in place, she actually got some distance between jumps.
Dexter came prancing behind her, jumping and flapping along with her. Over time she noticed the time he spent in the air grew longer and longer. It got her grinning excitedly. "That's it! Just like that! Come on!" Around the course she ran, baby Aethonan in tow flapping at his wings and essentially hop!flying about with her.
Around and around they went, spending the afternoon on this activity. The Ravenclaw didn't notice the time passing. All she noticed was her baby Aethonan getting more comfy with the use of his wings and the way he sometimes boldly lunged into the air before hurtling back down. This was progress, small progress in the grander scheme of things but progress nonetheless.
__________________ Imma say all the words inside my head____________________________________
______________________________I'm fired up and tired of the way that things are said.
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