sixwordstories | (no subject)

*holding out her hands, waiting for him to calm down before grabbing the rope*

Shush, it's ok. You're ok. Just calm down, you might hurt yourself.

*bucks angrily, stamping his hooves, throwing head agitatedly from side to side*

I won't hurt you, I promise. If you hold still, I'll get that rope off for you.

*whinnies loudly, pawing the ground. Ears flick back suspiciously*

Unless you'd rather I didn't?

I won't hurt you. I promise.

*tilts head, an ear flicking forward. Takes a step towards her, sniffing, nostrils flaring. Give the rope another tug with his head*

*holding out her hand for inspection*

I'm Susan. You don't have to be scared of me.

*nose wrinkles and he gives the rope another tug*

I'm not afraid. No, really.

*frowns slightly, as if she's just heard something - or a glimpse of something - that she surely shouldn't have heard*

Ok...well, just stay still, and let me untie you. I wonder how you got in this mess in the first place. Humans?

*snorts again but does as he's told*

Who else?

I had to ask. They can be a terribly rough species at times...

*carefully starts trying to un-knot the rope*

Easy...here we go...

Hey. *soothing tone* Need a hand, big guy?

*rears and flails his forelegs, snorting angrily, trying to free the rope*

*takes a step back* I can cut you free, if you want. Calm down, okay?

*whinnies at him, pawing the pole the ropes tied to*

*steps forward, offering a hand to him* I don't have my teacher's way with animals, I'm afraid, but I promise I only want to help. You must be frustrated.

*neighs at him, teeth bared, ears back and tale swishing agitatedly*

Hey. Calm down...

*huffs and tugs at the rope, weaving sideways*

Listen, horse, I have other places to be. I'm only going to waste so long trying to help.

*nickers at him*

I don't need any help.

*gives the rope another sharp tug, rearing again, his hoof landing on a rock, sending him sprawling on his side, neck arched painfully up by the rope. Chocked neigh, screams*

Arrogant thing, aren't you? Fine.

*his eyes widen at the sound and he draws his sword from where it hangs in his sheath, on his back and slices through the rope, sheathing the sword once more before he moves, faster than light, to catch the horse's head so he doesn't fall*

*blinks up at him, breathing quickly. Nickers softly*

*blinks down as well and pats at his mane, moving to help him up* Are you okay?

*climbs quickly back onto his hooves, nose wrinkles in confusion*

What just happened?

*shakes himself, aware of the cut rope dangling from the bridle on his head as it swept limply across the ground. He was free?*

That was quite a fall. Are you hooves all right? Anything lodged there?

*huffs quietly, walking backwards to test his leg. Groans quietly in his throat, limping slightly on his right hind leg*

*examines him and tuts* Let me see? I'm no vet, but I'm sure I can help some.

*whinnies at him, ears flattening with suspicion*

I won't hurt you. I don't have any reason to, horse.

*huffs and reluctantly limps forward, giving him access to his leg*

*moves to run a hand down the right hind leg, testing for breaks and sensitive areas* Is it the leg or the hoof, buddy?

*as his hand reaches his ankle, he squeals low in his throat, automatically jerking his leg painfully away. Turns his head, whinnying warningly*

I'm sorry. But at least I know where to look. *crouches and moves his fingers, lightly, over the ankle* I'm only trying to help, this may sting a bit. *looks to see if there's an open wound, and then to lightly test for breaks and sprains*

*huffs and cringes, his tail swatting anxiously from side to side. His ears are turned back, listening intently to the boys movements*

Did someone hurt you? You're awfully skittish. *moves up to pull a cloth handkerchief from his pocket and tears it into thin strips, moving to wrap the horse's ankle*