03 - Public / Video

[domesheriff]

[Linda is sitting on a bench in the garden when she activates the feed. she's dressed casually in a coat and jeans, though her right hand visibly has a bandage around it. she looks tired, and she's obviously fallen in some mud at some point today as well]

Anybody else having trouble learning to ride their animals? [there's weariness in her tone. but a thought occurs to her then, and she adds:] Are many people going to be in the race? I know it's optional.

[while the mud is a result of her rocky attempts to learn to ride a "yoshi," her burned hand isn't. it's been a busy day, starting with testing forcefields with Agent K to try to find one like the dome followed by her riding session on the farm. needless to say, relaxing for a bit chatting with friends strikes her as a good way to end an exhausting day]

Comments

[folkscallmewander]

Pardon my rudeness, but you kinda look more awful than jus' "tired". [He actually frowns at that.]

Oh, yeah! I've been practicin' with a bunch of animals forever, and I have plenty of experience with reins an' saddles. It's not that bad. 'course, for years I've been gettin' rides from my pal Sylvia, seein' that she's much bigger than me, but she's been givin' me tips, too.

[domesheriff]

[she looks surprised at his frank statement, and it takes her a second to realize he must be referring to her hand] Oh, this? [she lifts it to show the bandage tied around the middle of it] I just burned it--at work. [in the building, anyway, even if not in the process of performing her patrol duties] It's not bad.

Sylvia? [she's not sure from that description whether this is a person or an animal, and she has no idea how to ask]

[folkscallmewander]

Burned it?! [His eyes widen in surprise.] That's awful! You sure you're not hurtin'?

[His attention is diverted by Linda's next question.] Yeah, she's my best friend. A Zbornak, actually. [That's right. He remembers most people here aren't from his galaxy and never heard of that species.] She's much bigger than me, and longer, and a heck lot stronger. A lotta them travel in groups, and they're really good at carrin' people from place to place.

[domesheriff]

[Linda holds her hands up placatingly] It's okay, Wander, really. A little sore, yeah, but it's not a serious burn.

Oh. [she's having trouble picturing a friend who is also able to provide rides, but she's not going to question it either] So...you really wouldn't mind giving me some tips? I mean, I've ridden a horse before, but not often, and that wasn't anything like this...

[folkscallmewander]

If you say so...[He doesn't look convinced at all.]

Sure thing. First of all, remember to relax when ridin' your steed. Can't get too uptight or you can fall off easy. Another thin': keep encouragin' 'im and be sure to pet his snout.

[domesheriff]

Is that what it is? [Linda was blaming the yoshi's habit of jumping for her inability to stay on his back, but she wonders if her own nerves were making it worse] Okay, I'll try that next time I go out there. [she gives Wander a grateful smile] Thanks.