Alison nodded once Justin voiced that thought, or otherwise came to the same conclusion on her own.   There could be quirks, or differences, compared to the horses of Earth.

"C'mon, yeah, let's watch this thing.  After we grab some popcorn and soda," she joked.

In reply to Dr. Alison Verault (msg # 188):

Justin glances around the area checking for any snacks. None were obvious Sorry Honey, I should have planned this outing better. motioning to a couple of adjacent seats. Justin waited for Alison to get comfortable and joined her to view the lesson.

She laughed at that, "No worries.  I kind of sprung this on you.  It wasn't like you had much time to prepare!  Thanks for being accommodating," she smiled, rubbing his arm.

"The last guy I dated told me I needed to get some more 'usual' kinds of interests.  We didn't last too long," she winked.

After the vid concluded, it was time.   Alison approached the now-saddled Grit, and mounted up in the way the demo had shown.  Really, it was similar to a standard horse;  beginning with standing near the steedle's front leg, on a mounting block, and gently taking the reins in hand.

After which she shifted her body weight onto her mounting foot, then swung her other leg over top of the steedle. Grasping the saddle horn with her free hand.   It required some muscle control to land gently in the saddle, avoiding a harder landing, which horses didn't like, or might even be hurt by, with a heavy enough rider.

"Like that," she said to Justin, from atop Grit's back.   "Your turn now!"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:07, Tue 25 Oct 2022.

Justin attempted to combine what he'd watched with Alison's demonstration. Once on the mount he settled into the saddle and gave flower a gentle rub. Eating forward Hello Flower I hope I'm not too heavy for you and we get along well; if this isn't the case I understand your misgivings. he whispers
This message was last edited by the player at 20:23, Wed 26 Oct 2022.

"Such a gentleman!  She's going to fall for you too, without a doubt!"

Once introduction and orientation were concluded, there was no more ado to stop them from riding out.   And, so...

There were soon trotting down a road that wound between that village and the next one nearest. Having had a little time to compare the steedle to an Earther horse, she found there was something different about its gait.   A different rhythm, for lack of a better way of putting it.

Turing to Justin, she said "See?  Much easier than the tunnels, right?  Your trusty mount is doing the work.   Although, once we're done, you'll find you've used some muscles that you usually don't.   Because, they will be sore."

"Are the villages mostly self reliant?" she asked their guide, at some point. "Do they trade with the city much, or not really?"

   The fellow  watched with a measured look as the mounted up.The Bigger Cities have the Industry under them, it provides   energy, heat and all of that. The Power Cell buildings  do   al that for us, the sun charges  them, every now and the  the City sends out a team  to check the cells , maybe bring  new ones in...touch job with power cells  as big as a barn door,

 he motions towards the thick forests  off in the distance, There are  smaller    'native;  Villages. They use  small power cells   for some devices and such, but they are more or  less primitive .. The  fight  with Bows and Blades. The Council, after we were freed
 from  the Empire. had them Chipped so they have income. and   each  village  has  2- 6
 Burian  Troopers stationed their. Alot of our  Mountain troops comes from those Villages,
 You whenever seen a more comical sight then a  Full sized  demon  trying to  fight or
 three or   four Burian's  with Hunting knives.

 holding up a hand in warning.if you travel  and  stop at a Village, do not refuse  any kindness they may offer. It is a grave  insult... we have seen  Largrans  refuse  a gesture, because they saw it a puny?   and the Largrans did not  come back from that. Sadly, if you refuse   something. because you don't want to take  what the  from the village..it is still an insult.. Better to barter, if you feel you are 'getting too much'

In reply to al-ju (msg # 193):

Justin appreciated the Guides advice and council. Better to be aware of the social processes than to cause unintentional insult. Thank you esteemed Guide for your wise council. acknowledged Would there be any groups, organisations or such who provide aid to Orphans, Widows/Widowers; Sole Parents or such who seek sponsors?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:46, Thu 27 Oct 2022.

"Yes, thanks for letting us know.  I'll for certain keep that in mind."

At first, she was surprised by Justin's question. But then remembered his past connection with an orphanage, and understood.   If it was for the reason she suspected, then it was a warm gesture on his part...

  The   Guide shook his head,we mostly take care of our  own, check on neighbors  and such.

his wife took off her hat, ran her   fingers through her   hair as she said.the Capitol is the place to ask?  I know there are agencies   that  help move children around if they lose parents.  We take influx of orphans  and Stem kids, to try to infuse some  young blood  back into this world. The Empire....is  fond of   young ones, when it comes time for thier feasts.

In reply to al-ju (msg # 196):

Justin nodded then focused on trying not to fall off the mount. Occasionally glancing at the surrounding area or Alison.

Justin considered Alison's jest about Flower, giving a shrug he tried as best as he could not to fall of the mount as the trio headed to the Village. Approaching its outskirts Justin assessed its layout. Would now be as good a time as any to let us in on why we are headed to this place?

"Well, here's more than one part to that answer.    First:  It's been too long since I last did any riding, and I wanted an excuse.  Second:  the city seems awesome, but I wanted to see Bura, without a high-tech metropolis in the way.  Third: heading off into the thick of the Wilds seemed like a bad idea.  So, I decided to stay to the more settled area, that being the villages.   The roads between make for a pleasant trail ride, don't you think-?"

In reply to Dr. Alison Verault (msg # 199):

Justin gave Alison a nod in agreement. So this Village is a random choice, or rather first accessible in this direction. I guess I've been exosed to hidden agenda's for far too long.

"I do understand.  I've had to deal with some of those, myself."   A slightly darker expression was on her features, but it was fleeting, and swiftly gone.

"Grit, you're such a good boy, and a gentleman," she soothed to her steedle.  "That merc you didn't get along with just didn't treat you right, I'm sure."     After riding in silence, enjoying the fresh air and scenery, she asked of Al-ju:

"So, tell us some more about the villages.    Are they unified with a single culture, pretty much?   Or are there things about each that make them more distinct?" 

Justin appreciated Alison's understanding and disclosure about hidden agenda's. Justin had found the shortcoming about societies is there was always some arsehole that said one thing; when they meant something different. Giving a shrug Justin waited expectantly to the Guides response.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Tue 01 Nov 2022.

After they listened to whatever answer was provided, Alison decided to pick up the pace a little bit.

She moved her hands forward, above her steed's withers, then squeezed her legs, gently, into his body.  Urging Grit to increase his speed from a trot, to the controlled three-beat gait of a canter...

 The Guide   gave a  shrug looking up into the air.. there weren't  as many 'high fliers' right now, with all the fleet shuttles    and  Braian fighters   zipping around.

 The Captital is for all of Bura... we have a   forest area  in the southern Hemisphere, that  is  deep Jungle, there  are Gava and Naragrans  living in  an ara  designated to them, to tun into thier own colony. But they are still under the Council Of Three.

Alison's mount speed up Justin spurred his to catch up to her. When Flower galloped forward Justin lost his grip and tumbled to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Rolling with the fall he ended up in a leafy shrub.
Chambering from the native breakfall Justin brushed the twigs and leaves off himself. 'What's next' he thought to himself

Alison's brows shot up, her mouth opened, when she heard the noise from behind.

Applying the reins to Grit, she slowed, halted, turned him about and rode back to Justin, figuring the others could retrieve Flower, if need be.

"My god!  I'm so sorry!  I just thought I'd pull ahead, for a bit!  I didn't expect you to try and match me!   Are you alright?"     She dismounted, and began looking him over with a doctor's trained eye.

 The Guide  pushed his   hat up with one hand and gave his head a shake.You can ride in all the space ship you want?..But  steedles  don't have  backrests  or  seatbelts..

In reply to Dr. Alison Verault (msg # 206):

Nothing serious; a few corkers, these should heal.

In reply to al-ju (msg # 207):

Thing is with Starcraft their thrusters aren't self starting.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:19, Thu 03 Nov 2022.

Clambering onto his assigned mount Justin settled back into the saddle. Giving Flower a pat then nudging it forward, they headed towards the Village Alison wanted to visit.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:28, Sat 05 Nov 2022.

Eventually, with no further mishaps along the road, said village hove into sight up ahead.

As they trotted into the periphery of the place, Alison greeted any guards according to Burian custom.

"Let's get the steeds to the proper parking spot, first. And then, if they've got a wine maker, a clothing shop, someone who makes ornaments or jewelry -- I'm interested in any of those, to start."     

In reply to Dr. Alison Verault (msg # 210):

Justin gave a nod, then scanned that immediate area for a parking spot. When the mounts were secured he glanced about for signs of Jeweller's, Spirits Outlet and Clothes Store.

  The Village  was  quiet, , perhaps, have the  size of the town, which was small.

    Building were made of  wood and stone, some of the Homes  were build  with living  trees  as  support.

 There  were  some shops  that made  hand crafted   jewelry . Leather    work..wood work and  leather clothing, as well as a Burian fabric that was light, yet  tough.

 the couple  taverns they have were relatively busy, and  there was a shop at the end  where   beer  and  wines   and  distilled drinks  were made