what doesn't kill you [Hadyn/Worso]

[Seneschal]

He shifted his weight in his seat, uncomfortable with the focus of the conversation on what it was on. Not that this all wasn't very flattering; it was very flattering indeed! Hadyn had never been one to know how to respond to compliments, especially to ones about his appearance. He chewed his lower lip a little bit, straight white teeth digging into the pink flesh and making it pinker, a bit swollen with the abuse. Hadyn looked up and smiled slightly in response to the thank-you Worso had offered, marvelling at how calm and collected he sounded about the whole thing. Wasn't he even a little bit uncomfortable with being complimented? It didn't sound like it! The human was impressed, honestly.

Luckily for Hadyn, Worso seemed to decide that then was a good time to start eating. Hadyn watched him for a moment and noticed how he wasn't moving quickly, but was almost...tasting it for the first time, or at least that was what it looked like. He watched for a moment, lifting a forkful of potato salad to his mouth and ate it, thoughtfully licking the fork clean after he swallowed. "Do you like it?"

Hadyn had already returned his attention to his food by the time Worso paused and spoke again. He was apparently not yet finished with the topic which embarassed Hadyn so, and he took a moment to swallow his bite of food before looking up, licking his lips. "No, I'm single right now. Wh..." He faltered and felt his face getting hot again with embarrasment, and he fiddled with his fork. "Not...not that I know of...But what about you?" He lifted his eyes from his plate with some difficulty, struggling with his embarassment and trying to make the color high in his cheeks go ]down. Gosh, he thought, why can't I be calm and confident about this like Worso?! I look like a fool!

[Kago]

Worso may have minded the food before him for the most part but that didn't mean he missed what went on with the human he was seated with. The little actions he found he noted at the corner of his eye was just as cute as what he had been sure was blushing earlier. He just wondered what he was thinking to do that. Of course he wasn't thinking to say anything then. No, he was going to keep minding his food. Well, at least until he felt the need to say something. Seeing as he had no problem saying anything he didn't think it would be very long until then. He had quite a bit in mind he wanted to say as well or thought he wanted to say at the moment. He didn't exactly think to have any big conversation now. Though he felt he could talk quite a bit about the human he knew as Hadyn. More so about a subject he wasn't quite sure on but did feel he could say something on.

The question referring to how he liked the food was unexpected but one he had no problem in answering. "I do like it. Thank you for troubling yourself to provide something for me as well." Whether he had gone out of his way or not he would think to thank him. It seemed like the proper thing to do anyways. Besides no matter how one looked at it the fact he served him anything meant he went out of his way to do something he didn't normally do. Or what sounded like he didn't normally do which was serving others. Especially uninvited guests.

Was it just him or was he looking too much at the human now. He had been simply catching glimpses of him before but now that he heard the human speak he had reason to look directly at him. Hearing that the human was in fact singl as it sounded he might be. He wasn't expecting to be asked about his own relationship or lack of one. "If I'm with someone." He spoke, looking off to The side for moment before looking back at Hadyn. "At the moment I'm alone." He really meant it in both ways. That was single and at the moment he was completely on his own. Not counting the human that was with him. Very briefly he frowned before managing a faint smile. "When you look like that, I think you appear even cuter." It wasn't like he was flirting. It was something he genuinely felt he could smile a bit at. That and he was once again stating what he thought to be a fact. Him basically saying he thought the human looked cute when he blushed. He saw it as a sort of compliment if anything else and not something one should be embarrassed for. At least he wasn't the type to get easily embarrassed so he hadn't even considered the thought. Simply the fact that he minded the humans lips. Especially his lips. Not that anything was wrong with him. Heavens no. It was just that his lips looked very...kissable right now and practically begging for attention. He didn't know why he even considered the thought but it just seemed so to him.

The way he noted he seemed to making them even more the color they already were as well as making them look a bit swollen, he did note details, and then finally the way he licked them. If he didn't know any better if he wasn't trying to taunt him he was teasing him. But he knew better. It was all in his mind or so he would assume as he didn't rush to blame anyone for what he knew was his own fault. He wouldn't admit it but he seemed to have come across an awfully tempted human but still a human. A human who was kind to him and gave him a place to stay. He didn't want to lose that when he knew nothing about the area let alone where he was. He just had to keep in mind that he needed to do what was best and that was to keep things as they were as it seemed best there for right now.

Suddenly a question came to mind as Worso's passive expression returned. "Can you tell me if any bodies of water lie about anywhere on the land here?" He had meant to ask this question and now seemed like a good time to him. As good as any as long as he was talking to the human. Seeing he was talking to him now seemed a good time to do so.

[Seneschal]

Hadyn smiled with relief when he heard that Worso did indeed like the food. It was reassuring to hear that. "I'm glad you like it. And it was no trouble at all!" He didn't mind, really. Hadyn enjoyed cooking, actually, and enjoyed serving others the food he prepared. It gave him a sense of accomplishment to do so; so really, there was no need in his mind to thank him for doing something that he wanted to do anyways. Serving a guest was definitely far more pleasant than eating all alone in Hadyn's eyes, and he sort of felt like Worso was doing him a favor as much as Hadyn was doing Worso one; Worso was providing Hadyn with much desired company.

He was a bit surprised himself to hear that Worso was single, and blinked, surprised. "Oh. I didn't think that you would be single." He didn't really know why he had just assumed automatically that the teal young man would be with someone, but now that the fact that he wasn't was presented to Hadyn, the redhead didn't really know what to do or say. He fidgeted a bit. "Do you date often..?" He looked up again when Worso said the next bit, eyes wide. "When I look like--oh, gosh!" He covered his cheeks with his hands to hide the blush he could feel getting even darker, mortified.

He lowered his head and focused on his food, fighting his blush with his bangs hanging in his face. Hadyn hated how prone he was to blushing. He couldn't have been like Mady, could he, who never blushed at all? Oh, no. He had to be the blusher. The youth wanted to curse his pale skin, but knew that doing so aloud would look exceedingly peculiar. He didn't want to scare Worso, or make him think that he was insane.

Bright green eyes focused on the teal face when Worso spoke again, and the blush faded as he thought about it. There were several bodies of water, actually. "Yes. There are two lakes on my property, and about four ponds. Two creeks and one river. Further down the mountain, in the valley, there is a very, very large lake. Why do you want to know?" It was a strange question to be asking, Hadyn thought, unless Worso was a fisherman. But Worso didn't seem to be the type, and he didn't have any fishing equipment with him, so Hadyn was understandably curious.

[Kago]

Worso supposed he thought it a good thing he made the other male trouble himself. He didn't think too much on it though. His mind was currently on other things he found his mind wandering to. Like the subject that he seemed to bring up earlier with Hadyn being single. He really wold have thought he would be with someone. Something that seemed to be a mutual thought of sorts as he heard that it seemed the other male didn't see him being alone or single really. He didn't see why it was so hard to believe. But perhaps he should consider how things were with the other male. Just as he found it hard to believe he was single. Though it was more like he had to wonder why he didn't still have himself in a relationship. At least he stated that he had dated a few times or rather hadn't dated much. He didn't quite recall what was said exactly but then his thoughts weren't focusing on that right now. Not that exactly at least.

Hearing the question referring to how often he dated he found no reason not to answer it. Though it seemed his comment or what he thought had come to make the other male blush quite a bit. "I actually have never dated before." Quite honestly he had just never come across anyone that interested him and then there weren't many that cared for him. He assumed it was merely a fact that his wasn't the most desirable persona around. It was just the way he was and whether anyone else was pleased with his ways or not he wasn't changing it for anyone. Or at least he hadn't come across anyone he cared to change for and that was something that didn't look like it would be changing anytime soon.

Now considering his compliment and the look the other male had. He almost felt like smiling all over again. However this time his expression was passive. He however still thought to say exactly what was on his mind. "Like that, the way you look now, I don't understand why you seem to try to hide your face when I find it makes you look even cuter then you already are." Or should he have said handsome. He thought anything could be cute whether it dealt with a male or a female. Which was why he thought he could use the word so easily when it came to describing the human male he knew as Hadyn. He was almost tempting to ask or perhaps steal a kiss. He however had enough sense about him to note how awkward things could be if he even tried such a thing and refused to give the other male a reason to throw him out when he had nowhere to go. Perhaps if there was a body of water about somewhere he could manage on his own but he still knew nothing of that yet.

It was a major relief to hear that there was indeed some bodies of water about. More then one from what he heard which didn't make him feel so at loss at the environment he was use to. He wasn't expecting to be asked why he wanted to know. He really wanted to know because he wanted to be able to go swimming at some point int time. He just wanted to dive underneath the water and not feel so constricted to land as he had felt since he had arrived. Though he had felt that way he wasn't about to let him not focus on the simple fact that he needed to find someway to last whether there was any major source of water or not. "Well, I wanted to know if there was any chance I could possibly go swimming anytime while I was here." He was partially being honest here and didn't tell any lies. That was basically what it came down to. He wanted to however not just swim in his more human form but to be able to return to his merman form and actually relax a bit. Or so he would feel so in some body of water he could swim about it. "Would there be any possibility of that?" For all he knew that areas mentioned weren't inhabitable. He found it hard to believe that was even possibly the case but he knew one couldn't always hope for the best. The worse was bound to happen sometime. The best he could hope for was only to be able to keep hydrated as his kind needed water more often then not. He was a merman after all and that meant he dwelt in the water or usually did at least. For him at least it was more often then not but it seemed lately he had been stuck to getting use to land.

"Whether it's possible for me or not could you at least show me to those areas you can or at least the nearest one." He wanted to at least know where to find them. Then perhaps he could at least feel somewhat comforted by the massive amount of water about. Though it might have sounded silly he really felt better about the water more then he did on land which shouldn't have been surprising with where he was from and what he was. To not be able to do that much would have been saddening but he would manage somehow.

[Seneschal]

He blinked. "You've never dated even once??" That was certainly a surprise! Worso was so calm and collected. He acted like nothing bothered him even a little bit! Surely he had dated before, to be so calm about talking about it? "Wow..." It made Hadyn feel embarassed to hear that someone who had never even dated was more confident about this whole thing than Hadyn.

He wanted to hide his whole body!! "Because blushing is...it's embarassing!" He didn't mean to do it! Quickly, wanting to avoid the whole topic, he shoved a bite of food into his mouth and made a show of eating. Hopefully Worso would forget the topic, and then Hadyn wouldn't be embarassed by it anymore.

His blush fading, he tilted his head and smiled. "You like swimming, huh? I do, too. And yes, you can swim in any of them, although the rivers and creeks are a bit cold in this area. Mountain melt, you know. Always icy, even in this weather." He wrinkled his nose playfully to express his distaste for cold water, and smiled. "Of course. We could go swimming later, if you like? The best swimming lake is two miles out, so we can take...oh...I'll be on Warlock, and you can take Velvet." He smiled. "Have you ever ridden before?"

[Kago]

Worso wondered if it was such a surprise that he had never been on a date. He didn't see why it would be? He personally didn't see himself as the dating type. But apparently he was the only one as he saw how Hadyn seemed to react to hearing what he did. He thought little of it. He wasn't really sure what to say to it and simply found himself shrugging his shoulders. "I just don't suppose anyone was interested in me." Perhaps his looks but not really him and his personality. Or so he found out as he did find himself coming across a few acquaintances which was everyone that wasn't family. And everyone he came across never really took much interest in him. At least not after awhile or perhaps he had missed something at some point in time.

Worso couldn't help but find himself amused at what the human here with him said. So he found blushing was embarrassing. Well, he merely thought it was a fact. A sort of play of emotions telling ones body how one felt. But what was there to be embarrassed about. Was it him stating the facts or was it that he was also giving the human compliments. He could only assume it was such. He was considering saying more on it but saw how the human suddenly started eating again. Well, either way he had one more thing to say. "It shouldn't be embarrassing when it's a natural thing." This was stated as he looked down at his own food thinking he should try eating a bit more himself. He was still a bit hungry but he was alright with not eating too much. Not that he ate much yet.

It was certainly something to hear that Hadyn liked swimming also. He wasn't exactly looking to find that out but it was nice to know. If going with the human meant he could go swimming today he would gladly go off to do such. He was about to agree on going swimming later but then he was confused on what was mentioned next. Whatever was he referring to. "Ridden?" He spoke this in a clearly questioning tone. "I'm not sure what you are talking about." He really didn't and the confusion was slightly noted in his tone. "Whatever you are referring to I'm sure I haven't done anything of the sort." He hoped the riding thing mentioned wasn't the only way to get to the water source that sounded so very far away. When it came to things that referred to land he had nothing to do with it.

[Seneschal]

He still found that hard to believe, but nodded anyways. It wasn't something he thought appropriate to argue about; what did he know about Worso's life anyways? He let the issue drop. "Oh. If you say so." He fiddled with his fork and smiled slightly. "Well..it still embarasses me. Even if it shouldn't."

Hadyn blinked. Surely Worso didn't mean that he didn't know what horse riding was! That was truly strange, even for a city boy. He must have been exceptionally sheltered to not know what horse riding was! The redhead smiled. "Horseback riding. I'll show you when we're finished eating, okay?"

When they finished eating, Hadyn took care of the dishes and then said, "We should put on some sturdy shoes and some jeans. I'll be down in a minute." He went up and to his room, where he changed into a t-shirt and jeans and some riding boots, and then came out. When Worso came out as well, Hadyn led him outside and along one of the paths towards his large barn. None of the horses were inside, of course, but he kept Warlock in a paddock off of the barn in his own area away from the mares, since he was a stallion. He whistled, and the heavily built stud lifted his head, small ears pricking before he trotted over. He stood only 14.3 hands, but looked much larger due to his hair, presense, and the fact that he was a draft animal. He was gorgeous though, and a sweetheart even though he was a stallion. Hadyn hopped the fence and went over to meet the stallion, catching hold of his halter. The horse snorted and nosed at his chest; with a chuckle he obliged the animal, petting him and scritching at his favorite spot by his ears.

After getting in his pettings, Warlock was willing to follow Hadyn like a puppy to the gate, and Hadyn let them both out, leading the stud to the barn, where he tied him and began saddling him. "Worso, this is Warlock. He's one of my breeding stallions. He's a gypsy vanner horse. You can pet him if you want; he's very friendly." He smiled reassuringly at Worso and patted the muscular shoulder by him, the animal leaning into his pats. "I'll be back in a minute, I've got to go and catch Velvet for you." He got a lead rope and went outside, going into one of the further fields, where he took about ten minutes to catch the 14.0hh mare. She was built sturdily, but somewhat smaller than Warlock. Still gorgeous, her black coat gleamed in the sunlight as Hadyn led her inside and tied her. "Worso, meet Velvet. Black Velvet, that is. She'll be the one you ride today; don't worry, she's a sweetheart. I'll get her saddled up for you, and then we can take off."

It didn't take long to get her tacked up, and Hadyn went over to Velvet's side. "Here. Put your left foot into this step--that's the stirrup--grab this, the saddle horn there, and step up and swing your right leg over her back. Do you need a leg up?"


For your viewing pleasure:
Warlock:


Black Velvet:


Both horses are real Gypsy Vanners. Warlock is really the name of the horse in the first picture, and he really is a stallion; the same goes for Black Velvet. I do not own either of them or the photos, lol.

[Kago]

This whole riding thing was the present subject on Worso's mind. Never mind the previous topics. To find himself soon enough outside after all was said and done. Or more specifically when he was done eating. Outside he found himself looking upon the animals he assumed were horses. The big creatures looked like they were very capable of causing some major damage if not death to him and anyone else that got in there way. Though from what he saw he would think they at least didn't appear to cause Hadyn any harm. From the first horse he noted to the second horse that was brought up. The first he believed was mentioned to be called Warlock and the other was Velvet. There was no chance of him coming across such creatures from his home world and perhaps that's why he found himself just a bit intimidated by the large creatures. It could have been a natural reaction for him to feel the way he did. A being known only to dwell in the water wouldn't risk coming up to such a large land creature. Especially one who looked like they could deal such damage.

So were the merman's thoughts as he found himself staring with slightly widened dark mauve eyes as he looked up at the horses. Being left with the horse he heard was called Warlock. He could honestly say besides the basic name he knew, the creature being called a horse, he didn't know anything of what the human spoke of. All he could say or make of it was that he supposed there were different kinds. Other then that he was at a loss and didn't care to learn about something he didn't think he would need to recall. Though being told this Warlock was healthy he couldn't help but think strangely of the animal. Something he supposed came with his slight intimidation. He ended up just staring at the creature wondering if he attempted to speak with it if it would answer. Unlike the Chick this one certainly couldn't be young like that bird. It seemed large enough to be relatively old for what it was or so he thought but he wasn't sure. He in general wasn't sure about going near the animal even though it really seemed Hadyn was saying it would cause no harm.

The second horse he knew as Velvet now came along as Hadyn went off to get it. Still the human went on to say that the horse would cause no harm. He sincerely hoped what the human said was true. He now reconsidered going anywhere but then when it came to seeing the water again he would do just about anything for it so he thought to just get over his feelings. It was with that thought he listened intently to what sounded like instruction. So he would be getting on the horse called Velvet. He could do this. Perhaps if anything went wrong he could always try to speak with the animal through it's thoughts. At least he thought to try but not in any position where he would get hurt. "I think I do." He spoke to answer the question Worso asked as he came up to the horse called Velvet and looked over it before attempting what was said. Or thinking to. He found himself in a position to pull himself however, though he hated to admit it, he was a bit...wary of actually getting on or trying to get on. Later he would hardly believe he went this far to get what he wanted to in general he couldn't believe he was thinking to get on this large creature.

[Seneschal]

He could tell just by the look on Worso's face how hesitant he was about this. Clearly, he had never been near a horse this closely, and Hadyn felt a bit bad for him. He looked a bit afraid, so Hadyn smiled reassuringly. "It's okay. Here. Put your foot on my hands and step up and get onto her. Velvet likes people; she'll stand nice and still for you. You don't need to be afraid." He crouched a bit and held his hands out, cupped so that Worso could get onto her that way. He would help Worso in any way necessary; Hadyn definitely didn't want the young man to come away from this having had a bad experience with the horses. That's why he'd chosen Velvet; Black Velvet was one of his more docile animals, and was very laid back. She wouldn't be wanting to go very fast, so there was no danger of her bolting with Worso.

[Kago]

Worso certainly hoped what Hadyn said was true. That he could he could get one and didn't have to worry about falling off. At least he hoped that wasn't the case. The last thing he wanted to do was to fall off. If that occurred he really couldn't see himself getting on one of these creatures again. He was very grateful for the help that Hadyn offered. He did what he was told to when he heard Hadyn tell him what to do. Moving to use the support that the human offered. He considered saying something but what was there to say. Though he still felt intimidated by the creature he was being asked to ride he refused to let that stop him. Which was why he went to get on the horse as he did now. He just wasn't sure how he actually do with the ride but he had to start somewhere. He could just hope that if he managed to ride one of these creatures he wouldn't come to regret it.

This whole situation was just a little...distressing. That is having to deal with an animal he never came across before and then having to ride one by himself. Perhaps if he could be close to the human things would have been better. Not that he expected the human to do anything in particular. The thought of being closer to a being he had more relation to just honestly made him feel better. Not that he was going to say such though. The only thing that would serve to do was make him look like a coward of sorts and that was not a fact. He refused to let it be and he would just do this without another word of complaint. Not that he ever began to complain. That was another thing he refused to do.

[Seneschal]

Hadyn smiled when Worso finally got up onto Black Velvet, and handed him the reins. "These are the reins. Just hold onto them and don't touch her with your feet till I get on Warlock, okay?" He patted Worso's knee and then went to mount Warlock, and nudged the stallion to make him walk over next to Velvet. "Okay. What you're going to do to get her to go is nudge her sides with your feet. Don't kick! Hold the reins in one hand like this," He indicated to how he was holding the reins, relaxed in one hand near his lap. "Move your hand in the direction you want to go, so that the reins touch her neck. Like so." He showed Worso how Warlock responded to the light touch of the reins on his neck.

"Now, follow me, okay? We'll go slow at first." He nudged Warlock into a walk and steered him towards one of the gates, hopped down to open it and led Velvet and Warlock by the bridles through the gate, then closed it and re-mounted, the big draft shifting his weight under the redhead, eager to go. "Okay, we're going towards those trees. Just stay relaxed and follow me." He let Warlock walk more quickly now and glanced back frequently to check on Worso and see that he was doing okay.

[Kago]

Worso couldn't say he felt any better seated on the horse. He was actually even more nervous before but at least not so intimidated. He was on top of the creature and he couldn't be crushed by it. At least not yet. Not unless he fell. Which he was sure or at least hoped wouldn't happen with the humans words. Considering what the human had to say he did just as he was told. Not moving from where he was so he didn't dare male the animal do anything. It really wasn't until he was given directions to did he dare move. It must have been quite an amusing picture. To literally see him not moving on top of the horse until he was told he could do something. He really was still feeling the same way about this. But he would never admit it. He just kept telling himself to keep through with this for his ultimate goal.

Hearing the human talk about where they were going as he set of riding at a rather slow pace he was quick to follow. Not that he made the creature go off. He just did what he was told and it seemed that things were going well enough. He hadn't been thrown off or trampled. That was a relief. Now he just had to hope things kept like this and he wouldn't regret what he was currently doing. He considered saying something for a moment but then he wasn't so fond of opening his mouth and speaking nor did he think to lose any focus and try to speak with his mind. Not that the latter was an option with the human. The last thing he needed was to him to find out he wasn't human himself. Perhaps if he could speak with him and have him not find out he was talking in that manner but right now he wasn't willing to take a chance so he did nothing but follow.

[Seneschal]

Poor Worso! Poor Worso looked so nervous!! Hadyn felt bad for him, but at the same time sincerely wanted for him to gain the same appreciation and enjoyment of horseback riding that Hadyn had. Velvet was behaving wonderfully for Worso though, staying calm and steady. Hadyn was glad he'd chosen her; not only was she exceptionally quiet and well behaved, she had one of the most comfortable gaits Hadyn had ever sat. That at least would keep Worso more comfortable. He led them along through the field at a steady walk for a long time, passing through the wide, grassy field lined on either side with trees, and backed in the distance by mountains. It was lovely country, and after a while Hadyn had Warlock stop to wait for Velvet. Hadyn smiled at Worso. "Feeling more comfortable? How about we try trotting, huh? Just nudge Velvet a bit more firmly with your toes, okay?" Hadyn demonstrated and Warlock's ears pricked, and he took off at his rapid trot, Hadyn's hair bouncing against his back and gleaming like fire and blood in the sunlight.

[Kago]

Worso was still focusing on why he was doing what he was doing. It really did help. At the same time he still noted where they were going. He barely noted much else. At least until he heard Hadyn speak again and he found himself focusing on the human he was wit. What was he asking? If he was feeling comfortable? Well, somewhat he supposed. What was this about trotting? He would have asked but then he saw and heard what Hadyn did and figured it out. It was with that he mentally answered the question only to himself. He figured he could do it and copied what Hadyn did to catch up with him. "I suppose I can manage this and I'm as comfortable as I can be I suppose." It still didn't feel natural for him to be where he was though he could figure that it was due to what he was and that he hadn't been on that long. "How long until we reach our destination?" He really was wondering. That was the only reason he felt he had to get on this large creature. He wondered once more if he could possibly talk with it and thought if he was going to test that out, using his mind to speak, he would do so when he wasn't on or when he was in the water whenever that wold happen.

[Seneschal]

He smiled at Worso reassuringly. "We're almost there. It's just over this hill ahead." He clucked his tongue at Warlock and allowed the stallion to shift into his ground-eating canter, and they crested the hill to look down on the medium-sized lake, pausing for Velvet before he nudged Warlock and allowed the stallion to pick his own way down the gentle slope, still cantering.

They arrived by the lake and Hadyn dismounted, turning to remove Warlock's tack. He reached into the saddlebag and pulled out two lunge lines and two halters, and put one on Warlock; he tied the end to a nearby tree, and then went to help Worso off of Velvet so he could take care of her. "Okay, now swing your right leg over her and just slide down to the ground. Be careful, your legs might be a little wobbly!" He reached out to help him.