The first ride
As the group approached the edge of the property, James's father stood holding the gate open to the woods, a walkie-talkie in hand. James eagerly accepted the device, his enthusiasm palpable. Evan couldn't quite grasp the necessity of a walkie-talkie in this setting, finding it somewhat odd. Why would James need one out here?
At the tail end of the line, Alexi also received a walkie-talkie, only to have it swiftly taken by Remus, who effortlessly attached it to his jeans. Evan observed the exchange with mild interest before redirecting his attention to Scar, his equine companion. However, his focus was interrupted by Lily, riding ahead of him, attempting to strike up a conversation.
"Sirius mentioned that you used to do vaulting," Lily chirped cheerfully, her posture relaxed as she balanced herself against her horse. He had little patience for small talk, preferring the company of Barty or Regulus. Lily either failed to notice his indifference or chose to disregard it, pressing on with the conversation. “Did he now?” Evan's response was lackluster, his disinterest evident in his tone. He thought the argument Regulus was having with Sirius about art was far more entertaining than this.
Unperturbed by his lackluster response, Lily pressed on. "It's a shame you quit. Vaulting is one of the most exciting branches of equestrian sports!"
Evan couldn't resist a dry retort. "Depends on your definition of exciting. It's kind of..." He trailed off, realizing belatedly that his comment might come off as insensitive. But the truth was, he was simply not in the mood for idle chatter.
Attempting to salvage the conversation, he redirected it. "What about you? What do you do?" His attempt at politeness was half-hearted at best, his mind already drifting to more engaging topics.
As Lily launched into an explanation of her involvement in natural horsemanship, Evan found himself tuning her out, his attention wandering to the interactions around him. Barty's incessant pestering of James about the walkie-talkie grated on his nerves, while Regulus and Sirius's petty squabble only served to exacerbate his annoyance.
While Peter engaged in what Evan considered a slightly robotic-sounding conversation with Alexi and Remus, he couldn't resist the thought that Peter sounded like an NPC. In Barty's company, he would have shared this observation for a good laugh, but Barty was currently occupied with pestering James about the walkie-talkie.
The landscape had shifted, and the relentless sun bore down on Evan's skin, a reminder of his oversight in neglecting sunscreen. If only the Evan from thirty minutes ago had foreseen the journey's trajectory across sun-baked fields devoid of shade. Scar, meanwhile, maintained his steady pace within the group, occasionally emitting soft snorts. Evan found solace in the horse's reliable demeanor, his spacious gait offering a comfortable ride. With one hand, Evan released the reins, allowing his fingers to trail along Scar's neck as he lost himself in contemplation.
Lost in his reverie, Evan missed James' signal to transition into a trot. Suddenly, he found Scar picking up pace, matching the group's new rhythm. The trot was easy for most, but not for T-rex, who seemed to revel in the opportunity to bounce around with enthusiasm, much to Barty's amusement and James' concern. Evan could hear Barty's infectious laughter even from a distance, the sound carrying over as T-rex eagerly moved, his ears perked in excitement.
Evan empathized with James' predicament. As the unofficial leader, James bore the responsibility of ensuring everyone's safety, a task made challenging by Barty's recklessness.
Evan's eyes traced the line of riders ahead, observing each horse's unique reaction to the unfolding excitement. Mary's mare remained composed, unfazed by T-rex's exuberance. Sirius, on the other hand, grappled with a spirited pony, its rapid movements threatening to break free and take control. Regulus, as anticipated, effortlessly handled his horse. The golden mare moved with a graceful ease, exuding a sense of tranquility amidst the liveliness.
Lily's pony, mischievous and determined, continuously tugged at the reins, seemingly intent on testing Lily's control. Peter, positioned near the back, appeared somewhat overwhelmed by the animated and spirited horses around him. In contrast, his own Haflingers trotted calmly, seemingly oblivious to the commotion.
At the rear, Remus and Alexi bounced along, the energy of their horses evident. Evan caught a glimpse of Remus' horse seemingly bucking in pure joy, a sight that brought a subtle smile to his face. As they continued, Evan overheard Remus asking Alexi if this was the first trail ride of the year, to which she affirmed.
Evan couldn't suppress a sense of satisfaction as he observed the chaos unfolding around him. While most of the riders struggled to control their horses, Evan managed Scar's restlessness with ease, coaxing the horse into a calmer state by gently guiding its movements. As Scar settled into a relaxed rhythm, Evan felt a surge of pride in his horsemanship.
Their pace quickened slightly, but the group seemed unfazed by the change. Up ahead, James reached for his walkie-talkie, his voice crackling through the device as he communicated with Remus. Evan heard Remus' response, confirming that all was well except for the antics of T-rex, much to everyone's amusement.
A burst of laughter erupted from the front as T-rex's antics drew attention. James attempted to regain control, though his own laughter betrayed his struggle. Barty, oblivious to James' attempts at instruction, continued to revel in the moment. Evan couldn't help but chuckle at the scene unfolding before him.
In the midst of the laughter, Evan caught a glimpse of Alexi's playful attempt to reprimand Remus, her actions hinting at a familiarity that piqued Evan's curiosity. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if there was more to their relationship than mere friendship.
About halfway into the ride, James called for a halt, his voice carrying easily over the group. "Ladies and gentlemen! There's a log up ahead on the path. You can go around it, or if you're feeling adventurous, you can jump it," he announced, gesturing toward the obstacle in the distance. "Peter, you're exempt, of course," he added with a chuckle, anticipating Peter's response.
"I don't fancy it either," Peter confirmed, his tone lighthearted.
James, radiant atop his horse, exuded a contagious enthusiasm that seemed to elevate the mood of the entire group. He sat comfortably in the saddle, a testament to years of riding experience. "Raise your hands if you're up for the jump," he prompted. All hands, save for Peter's, shot up in response, satisfying James.
After giving instructions to maintain distance, James set the group in motion with a gentle canter. As expected, T-rex couldn't resist showing off, bucking a few times as they approached the log. A few other horses followed suit, their energy palpable.
The log loomed closer, and Evan felt a surge of anticipation. It had been a while since he'd jumped, but he relished the challenge. Scar approached the obstacle with ease, sailing over effortlessly. The exhilaration of the jump was evident on Scar's face, mirroring Evan's own thrill.
As the ride continued, the horses began to show signs of fatigue, their earlier exuberance waning in the warm afternoon sun. James signaled for the reins to be lengthened, allowing the horses to cool down. The once neat line of riders began to disperse, and before Evan knew it, Scar had sidled up beside T-rex, both horses showing signs of exhaustion.
Barty, his face streaked with dust, couldn't resist a playful jab. "Looks like someone forgot their sunscreen and turned into a lobster," he teased, a mischievous grin on his face.