~ Chryse's First Ride

As Taylor spoke with him about next steps - like the price range, her bloodlines, even her availability, Aarya wandered a few paces towards the line of nearby sale stalls. She wasn’t really looking, she told herself, just stretching her legs… giving Taylor space to obsess in peace. But then her russet-colored doe eyes landed on him; tucked into one of the middle stalls, half in shadow, stood a stallion unlike any she’d seen today. A collared pangare buckskin roan; buttermilk over bronze and smoke, his coat shimmering like desert sand at dusk. Subtle marks traced his flanks like spilled ink, and the creamy pangare lightness around his muzzle and belly only made the rest of him more striking. He wore his collaring like a scarf, dark roached mane revealing his sculpted neck, his entire frame a perfect balance of athleticism and grace. And he was looking right at her.

Before she realized it, her feet were moving. One step, then two, and by the time she caught herself, she was standing at the front of the stall, knuckles resting on the top bar like a kid at a candy counter. The stallion snorted softly and trotted up to the fence, his ears forward, a curious glint in his deep amber eyes. He stretched his neck and sniffed at her hand, then nudged her fingers with his velvet-soft nose. “Oh no-“, Aarya muttered, already reaching up to scratch between his ears, “Oh no.” He leaned into the touch, utterly calm, friendly… almost magnetic. “You are dangerous-“, she whispered, running a hand down his nose, “Why do I already like you?”

She glanced back towards Taylor who was still locked in conversation about Themiskyra, and cursed under her breath. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She was just here to support her friend, maybe help with tack or take pictures or hold a lead rope. Not to fall for a stallion. Aarya sighed heavily, her hand still resting on the stallion’s broad forehead. “Stupid, stupid, stupid-“, she mumbled, “You better not move like you look.” She turned to wave over the same handler who had worked with Themiskyra and Tartarus earlier. “Hey um…”, she called, trying to keep her voice casual despite her heart pounding, “Would it maybe be possible to test ride this guy, if that’s okay?”

The handler raised a brow, then grinned, “Sure thing, Ma’am. He’s a good one. Let me get him saddled.””

And as he walked off to get a saddle, Aarya leaned on the gate and whispered to the stallion, “This better not be love at first ride.”

Taylor was just wrapping up her conversation with the handler, her mind still spinning with visions of Themiskyra’s storm-colored coat and fiery canter, when she turned to look for Aarya - only to find her leaning against one of the stall gates, suspiciously close to a very handsome pony. Instantly, her brows arched, and she narrowed her eyes like a detective catching someone mid-crime. “Ohhh no-“, she said aloud, striding over, “Aarya, what did we just talk about?”

Aarya didn’t even glance back. Her hand was still resting on the buttermilk stallion’s cheek, the connection so natural it almost looked rehearsed. “I don’t want to hear it, Tay-“, she muttered.

Taylor stepped closer, and that’s when she got a good look at him. Her breath caught. “Okay, wow-“, she whispered, “Okay but - oh my god. Look at his coat.” The stallion’s coloring was nothing short of jaw-dropping. He looked like someone had poured coffee and cream over honey and left it to shimmer in the sun, and the roan added a smoky layer, softening his sleek buckskin with texture and tone, while his pangare belly and nose added that irresistible softness. And then the collaring - that striking frame of white hugging his neck, making his eyes stand out even more. Taylor’s mouth dropped open in awe, “I need to touch him.”

Aarya immediately swung an arm out, blocking her path, “Absolutely not.”

Taylor blinked, “What?”

“Back. Away.”, Aarya gestured dramatically, “I know that look. That is your buy-it-before-someone-else-does face.”

Taylor tried to suppress her grin and failed, “Girl, I just want to pet him!”

“You just test-rode the crowned grey and the blue roan within the hour. You're already halfway into making an impulsive offer and dragging one home.” Wow, that was rude. Accurate, but rude.

Taylor crossed her arms, pretending to pout, “But he’s so pretty.”

“Yes. I noticed.”, Aarya glanced at her sharply, “That’s why I’m trying him. Not you. Not us. This one’s mine to fall hopelessly in love with and then deeply regret in six months when he chews a hole through my trailer.”

Taylor made a face, “Okay but hear me out… what if you buy him and I visit him all the time?”

“That’s already what you do with August.”

“She deserves adoration.”

“So does this one.”, Aarya muttered, flicking her eyes back to the stallion, who had not moved an inch and was still soaking up all the attention like a sponge.

Taylor leaned against the opposite post with a sly smile, “You’re so gone. Look at you. Soft eyes. Slow breathing. You’re bonding.”

“I hate you.”

“No, you love me. And now we both love this pony. Welcome to the club.”

Aarya groaned, but her smile gave her away. She couldn’t help it. The stallion was incredible. And as the handler returned with a saddle and a knowing smirk, Taylor backed up dramatically with her hands in the air, “Fine, fine. I’ll let you have your moment, but if he ends up being perfect, I expect joint custody.”

“You’ll get visitation rights at most.”

“Deal.”

The handler adjusted the last buckle on the stallion’s saddle and handed the reins to Aarya with a quiet nod. “He’s called Chryse.”; he said, “An angel.” Aarya swallowed hard and took the reins, her palm brushing over the stallion’s thick, warm neck. He gave a low sigh and shifted closer, already at ease.

“Let’s hope you live up to your name.”. she murmured and then mounted smoothly, settling into the saddle with practiced grace. Chryse didn’t fidget, didn’t toss his head, nor did he fuss. He simply stood, breathing deep and steady, waiting. From the first step, it was clear: this wasn’t going to be a battle. Chryse moved like silk drawn across polished wood, fluid, and responsive, and impossibly light under her seat. His walk was measured and confident, and when Aarya tested a gentle halt… he stopped instantly. She pressed him into a jog, which he picked it up with elegance, like it had been his idea all along. Each transition was effortless. Each cue she gave, he responded to like a horse who wanted to listen. No resistance, no overreaction, just quiet focus, like the two of them had been riding together for years instead of seconds.

Across the paddock, Taylor leaned on the rail, eyes wide. “He’s perfect!”, she mouthed with an exaggerated gasp.

Aarya trotted past and shot her a look, a wild blend of panic and delight. “God, Tay-“, she hissed under her breath, “I want him.”

Taylor grinned like the devil himself, “You should!”

Chryse kept moving beautifully, his ears flicked back gently towards Aarya, tuned in without tension. When she asked for a lope, he stepped into it like it was nothing, smooth, clean, not too fast, not too slow. Just… a dream. She could feel herself falling. This was bad. She brought him to a walk again, her heart pounding now, trying not to let her emotions show. But when she looked down at him, at his steady breath, his golden eyes, the strength in every collected stride… she knew. She was in trouble: big, beautiful, buckskin-flavored trouble. Shit-