Steed Assignments
The moment James ushered the newcomers through the door, the room's ambiance shifted palpably. The boy with long black hair already seemed to have struck up a camaraderie with James, their laughter mingling in the air. "Time for introductions, I reckon," James chuckled.
"There's no puppeteering here, James. They can introduce themselves if they wish," Alexi interjected, earning a pointed look from James.
"Very well then," the long-haired man declared, his voice brimming with charisma. "I'm Sirius Black." He flashed a captivating grin at the group, instantly drawing Lily's attention. She found him intriguing, yet sensed he might be quite the handful. "And what about you?" He teased Alexi, who simply raised her eyebrows in response. "Excuse me for not being lightning-fast. I'm Alexi," she retorted.
As James and Sirius wandered into the kitchen, presumably for a drink, Lily seized the initiative. She approached the other black-haired boy, noting his striking resemblance to Sirius. "Hi, I'm Lily. Was your journey here okay, or as chaotic as ours?" She gestured towards Mary and herself.
"It was fine," he replied curtly. "I'm Regulus."
Taken aback by his brusqueness, Lily turned to his companion. "And you are?"
"Evan," he answered, mirroring Regulus's cool demeanor.
Mary interjected with her usual warmth, "Hopefully, you'll feel more at ease after some rest. I'm Mary, pleased to meet you." Their response, however, was nothing more than an indifferent silence.
Lily retreated to her seat beside Peter. "I didn’t expect anyone to be so sour at a camp like this," she whispered.
Peter nodded, speaking softly, "I've seen their type before. Always a bit aloof."
Meanwhile, Mary, slightly irked by Regulus and Evan's rudeness, muttered, "Oh dear. Birds of a feather, it seems." She was watching the interaction between Alexi and the guy she had mockingly dubbed 'dumpster diver'. The dynamic between them was a mystery; an intricate dance of subtle jibes and conflicting emotions. One moment they seemed on the verge of conflict, the next, Alexi's veiled insult would draw a hearty laugh from him, blurring the line between animosity and camaraderie.
Sirius made his way to the table where Lily, Mary, and Peter were seated, exuding a magnetic presence. "So, what kind of equestrians am I getting to know today?" he asked with a playful curiosity. As they each took turns introducing themselves, it became apparent that Sirius' charm was more than just surface level. Despite occasionally throwing a sharp comment, he seemed genuinely engaging.
"I've been involved in show jumping for as long as I can remember. Not really a fan, but it's a family thing, so I stick with it," he confessed with a casual shrug, then turned his attention to Lily. "And you?"
"I was into show jumping too, but the industry's harshness didn't sit well with me. These days, I'm more into natural horsemanship," Lily replied.
Sirius nodded appreciatively, then directed his inquisitive gaze toward Mary. "I don't ride much now. I used to do vaulting, but my studies have become too demanding," she explained.
His interest peaked at the mention of vaulting. "Vaulting, really? Do you know Evan? That surly blonde guy over there." He motioned toward Evan. "He used to be into it too, until his dad decided it was 'too gay' for him."
Mary shook her head. "Never seen him before. Are they always so..."
"Yeah, that's Regulus, my little brother, and his insufferable crew. They're a constant presence around our place, always a nuisance."
Finally, his attention landed on Peter, who seemed momentarily lost in thought. "What about you, mate?"
Peter, seemingly lost in thought, looked slightly startled by the sudden attention. "Oh, I'm into driving. Tried riding once, but it didn't end well," he admitted with a sheepish, awkward chuckle.
"Attention, everyone!" Alexi's voice rang out assertively. "We're starting without one person, but that's their loss. If they can't bother to show up on time, we won't bother waiting." James released a resigned sigh. "A bit harsh, Alexi. They might have a valid reason," he interjected thoughtfully, then shifted gears. "Alright, let's sort out the horse assignments for the camp. We'll discuss your preferences and try our best to accommodate. Everyone clear on that?"
Once everyone nodded, James and Alexi took their seats at the table, with Alexi unfurling her crumpled paper. "Let's start with Peter," James suggested, glancing up. "I'd prefer a pair of calm ponies, nothing too large," Peter requested. Alexi raised an eyebrow. "Right, for driving... How about Bubble and Ricky? They're Haflingers, not overly big, very steady." Peter nodded his approval as Alexi noted it down. "I'll show you to their stable shortly," James added. He then turned to Lily and Mary, "How about you two?"
After a moment's thought, Mary spoke up. "Something gentler would be good for me; I'm a bit out of practice." The comment earned a snicker from the so-called 'dumpster diver.' "What a timid bunch," he scoffed. Alexi shot him a sharp glance. "Oh, I see. Barty, you're getting T-rex," she announced with a mischievous glint in her eye.
James looked aghast. "Alexi, are you out of your mind?" he exclaimed. "That horse is a handful!" His protest seemed to fall on deaf ears as Alexi nonchalantly jotted down the assignment.
Turning her attention back to Mary, Alexi continued, "You'll be with Amira. She's a retired racer, but incredibly gentle at heart. I'll take you to her stable later." Then she looked at Lily. "Any particular preference?"
Lily, trying to contain her amusement at the banter, finally spoke. "Something with a little spirit would be nice." Alexi nodded approvingly. "Plenty of those here. How about Cappuccino? He's a bit of a mystery mix, but a character for sure."
"And you, Sirius? What's your preference?" Sirius responded with a mischievous grin. "Something fiery for me, with a good chance of throwing me off so I might have an excuse to never go back home." James turned to Alexi with a chuckle, "Lex, you should've reserved T-rex for him."
Unperturbed, Alexi eyed Sirius. "How would your ego handle being matched with a short, stout coldblood?" Sirius's grin broadened. "As long as it's spirited, I'm game." Alexi's lips curled into a smile. "Consider yourself honored. You're getting my horse, Fritz. He's a bit of a rascal, but that should suit you just fine." She jotted down the pairing, and James scanned the group once more. He was about to address Barty, but Alexi interjected swiftly, "We've already dealt with you. Now, you," she pointed at Regulus, who snapped back, "I have a name."
"Congratulations, most of us do," Alexi retorted dryly. "Preferences? Or shall I choose for you?" James interjected with a sigh, "Be nice, Alexi." Regulus, shooting Alexi a glare, responded, "I require a horse suited for rigorous exercises. I'm accustomed to warmbloods for dressage."
After a brief pause, Alexi responded, "You're getting Zephyra. And for the last one... Barbie, what would you like?" The nickname drew a loud laugh from Sirius, and even Barty cracked a slight smile.
Evan, attempting to maintain his composure, specified, "A proper horse, not a pony. Something with speed." Alexi considered his request briefly before James interjected. "You'll be riding Scar. Alexi will show you to his stable." Standing up, James announced, "Now that everyone's paired up, we'll take you to meet your horses." The group began to stir, ready to follow their leads to the stables.