WM105: Taming Attempt #6

The eagle broke the treeline first, flying into open air, soaring out and over the Bay. Kangee and Galileo were close behind, only stopping when their front paws hit the water. Rorin and Orion followed, picking up the rear. “Nice work gang, we made it.” Rorin said hopping down his boots crunching on the gravel underfoot. “Welcome to the Kesuk Bay Galileo, thanks for making the trek with us.” Kangee stood ankle deep in the brackish waters of the Bay, watching his eagle soar in the cloudless skies above. Galileo turned back towards Rorin and Orion at the words, he seemed more calm than he had all day.

Rorin scratched Orion’s chin and smiled at his companions, “Let’s get you guys settled and then we can get something to eat.” Rorin said, getting Kangee’s attention. Rorin started with Orion, helping the Tokota out of his saddle. As he began taking the bags off the saddle Galileo wandered over to watch. Following Rorin’s every move with his eyes as he unstrapped the bags and placed them on the ground out of the way as he walked around Orion. Galileo became more curious as Rorin began to uncinch the leather straps on the Tokota’s torso that held the saddle in place on his back.

The smaller Tokota padded up to Orion’s side, once again sniffing the leather straps with their metal buckles. Rorin smiled, lifting the saddle off  Orion’s back, “Hey Galileo, maybe we’ll get you in one of these by the end of all this too.” At the words Galileo jumped back, snorting indignantly and rolling his eyes. Rorin walked to Orion’s head and reached up to pull the reins off. Orion lowered his head and Rorin lifted the leather over his ears and pulled the loop off his muzzle, “There,” he whispered as he rubbed the top of Orion’s muzzle where the strap had been, “that’s better isn’t it?”

Rorin set the saddle and the reins down by the bags, looking over Orion’s back at Galileo he took the saddle pad and blanket off his back as well, making sure to give the Tokotas back a good scratch where the saddle had been. Orion padded away, towards the water’s edge to get a drink and relax. Rorin and Galileo watched him go, and Rorin waved at Kangee, “you’re next pal.” Kangee took his time, still watching his eagle. Rorin turned back to Galileo, and lifted the blanket up for the smaller Tokota to see.

“How about this one Galileo? Just a blanket.” Rorin said, shaking the colored fabric gingerly, a broad smile playing across his scarred face. Galileo tilted his head to the side curious, but before he or Rorin could make another move Kangee walked in between them. “Alright Kan.” Rorin said chuckling, shaking his head, “Let’s get this harness off, and then we eat.” While Rorin took the harness off Kangee, Galileo padded around to where he set the blanket down, beside Orion’s saddle and the bags.

As Rorin walked around Kangee to unbuckle the other side the Tokota nipped his hand, “Hey!” Rorin exclaimed, staring at the Tokota confused, “What?” Kangee quickly glanced over at Galileo and then back to Rorin. Rorin followed the gaze and saw Galileo sniffing curiously at the blanket. Well that’s something at least. Rorin thought to himself as he unbuckled the other side and pulled the harness off Kangee, freeing the older Tokota to join Orion at the water’s edge where he was splashing, his muzzle underwater, chasing the minnows that hung around in the shallows.

Rorin watched Kangee walk away before walking up alongside Galileo, “I wasn’t entirely kidding you know.” Rorin said as he gently placed the harness down beside the rest of the teams gear, Galileo tensed in surprise when he noticed Rorin next to him, quickly trying to seem less curious with the multi-colored blanket. “Here, let’s try it on for size, what do you say?” Rorin asked as he bent over and picked it up, brushing a few pieces of gravel that stuck to the woven textile.

Kangee nudged Orion’s flank as he snapped at another school of minnows, missing even the slowest of the swarm. With water still dripping from his jaws Orion looked at Kangee and then behind him as Rorin lifted up the blanket for Galileo to inspect.

The Sphinx moved around it, first giving it a cursory once over, shifting between the blanket and Rorin’s neutral face, and then a more in depth examination, sniffing the blanket, even quickly licking the tassels at the ends where the threads were tied off decoratively Satisfied the blanket had no secrets Galileo took a step away from Rorin, unsure of the next step. “Alright Galileo,” Rorin said calmly, as he sidestepped along the smaller Tokota, “I’m just going to place this on your back then.”

Rorin was careful, knowing full well how big, and how dangerous this step could be for the burgeoning friendship they had. Under Galileo’s watchful eye he walked alongside the smaller Tokota’s flank, over Galileo’s back he could see Kangee and Orion were watching, the expressions giving nothing away, but they looked calm, which helped Rorin and Galileo both. Alright, homestretch. Rorin thought as he lifted the blanket above Galileo’s back, “Nice and easy now pal, nice and easy.” he whispered.

Galileo stiffened as he felt the blanket touch his shoulders. Rorin froze, letting the sphinx get used to the feel on his back. When Galileo, seemed ready he continued, letting the fabric drape effortlessly across Galileo’s shoulders and flank. It was a little long on all sides, laying much wider on him than it did on Orion, But that is to be expected, Rorin thought as he took a step back to admire his companion, He is much smaller than Orion, but he looks good.

Rorin smiled happily at Galileo who watched him step away, “How do you feel Galileo? Not too bad huh?” Rorin asked as he walked back to the sphinx’s head, “See? Nothing to worry about, it just makes carrying me and the gear around more comfortable for Orion, right big guy?” Rorin called over his shoulder.

At the sound of his name Orion happily trotted over, licking Rorin’s hand as it rested at his side. “He looks good, doesn’t he guys” Rorin said turning to Orion and Kangee as they made their way around Galileo, who stood as still as a statue under their close examination. When Orion had made his circle around the sphinx, stepping back to the front of his companion he rubbed cheeks with Galileo, thanking him for being a good sport about it. Kangee did the same, sharing an understanding gaze with Galileo before walking back alongside his other companions.

Rorin put his arm on Kangee’s shoulder before turning back to Galileo, “Well, this has been fun, I don’t know about you guys but I’m starving.” as he spoke all the Tokotas perked up, “That’s what I figured, so we’ll continue dress up later but right now let’s see if we can’t find something to eat and then we can relax. Sound good?” Rorin asked looking first to Orion, followed by Kangee, who he scratched on the back, and finally at Galileo, who turned to face him, staring with his piercing green eyes. “Alright then. Let’s eat.” Rorin said with a nod as he walked over to Galileo to get the blanket off his back.