Neptune's Legacy

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana had managed to win Ellen Banks at the auction which had not really been her full attention when she had showed up there. She was simply there to bid on a friend and would have done the same with any of her other friends. Unfortunately; depending on how you looked at it, Rox didn't really have many friends. She did understand how she didn't really come off as the warmest or caring of people and that was possibly why her friend count was only on one hand. Not that she was bothered by it much; she was used to never really have that many people who were actually her friend.

Thankfully, Ellen Banks was one of her friends. Well, at least she assumed that Ellen still viewed her as a friend but if anything it felt like Ellen was avoiding her or at the very least not keeping contact with her since Rox admitted her feelings to the other girl. She supposed it probably did make Ellen feel awkward around her but at the auction she seemed unphased, but people had been around. Ellen always put on an act when others where around so she was not certain if Ellen even wanted take any of the package deals.

Or could have been the case that Ellen just didn't want to go with Rox in particular on any of the packages, but she never said no. With that in mind, Roxana decided to go with the horse and picnic for obvious reasons. However she did change one aspect of it. She found it purely useless to go to the Slepnir Stables when they had a perfectly working stable on the school grounds and also Ellen's horse was there. Thus Roxana had the arrangements made for things to happen at the school stables, where she was currently waiting with Neptune and Legacy; who were already saddled up and ready to go.

"Any idea how Ellen feels about this, Neptune?" Roxana asked the horse, seeing as she knew he and Ellen were particularly close and no doubt Ellen might have talked to him about this or other things involving Roxana. Of course Rox did not speak horse, but she was reading his body language and it was just nice to be able to talk to someone who did not view her as a machine or tool.

((Tag:Ellen Banks))

[Ellen Banks]

There was two ways Ellen could approach this up coming "Date" with Roxanna on the one hand Rox admitted that she had feelings for Ellen -Which was...just bizarre- and now she has bought a date with Ellen, anyone else and Ellen would just not show up...because really there was literally nothing that anyone could do to stop Ellen from doing exactly what she pleased. but seeing as it was Roxanna who she felt safe around no matter what so she didn't exactly feel any aggressive moves or lingering awkwardness from Roxanna.

It was just a normal day as far as Ellen was concerned...

She walked into the main meeting place appearing in the clearing and approaching Roxanna "Well it seemed th-" Ellen started but stopped in place once she saw what horse she managed to get for this ride, without another word she practically ran over to Neptune's side, arms wrapped his man for a few moment while Neptune shook his head in clear delight "How did you get him"?

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana would not have blamed Ellen if she choose to not show up, but she would have been...displeased. At the very least if Ellen decided to not show, she hoped the girl at least contacted her so she was not standing out here with two horses for who knew how long before they would get antsy. That and it would have just been rude to back out of something that had been agreed upon before. It was not like Roxana expected that Ellen was not going to feel the same way towards her after this.

In fact, she hoped that Ellen would remain closed off in terms of those specific feelings towards her. It would help with Roxana getting over it; at least that was what she assumed. She already had a new method in which she was working on putting herself through in order to get over the two girl's that she had comes to care deeply about. Who knew if it was going to work in the end, but Rox was giving it a go. Her own form of rehabilitation. Those thoughts quickly went to the back of her mind when she spotted Ellen.

The other girl looked as beautiful as she always did and for a moment a small smile appeared on Roxana's face. Then; as expected, Ellen was running over to greet her horse. Had it been any other horse besides Neptune, Ellen would have likely scared the beast and ended up getting herself hurt. However; in this case Neptune was of course pleased to see his favorite person in the whole wide world and was returning the affection with added whinnies. "I know how to halter a horse." Roxana responded, sounding a little confused. How else did one obtain a horse? It was not all that hard if you knew what you were doing.

[Ellen Banks]

Well, now Ellen was very glad that she agreed to go on this date, especially now that Ellen knew she was in the company of her horse, which was quite the surprise to say the very least. Ellen never really enjoyed riding any other horse. Not that she had anything particularly against the other horses but something didn't exactly....click with them, they didn't seem to be in sync as she was with Neptune and she was reluctant to entertain the idea of using another horse, so you can imagine how surprised she was when she saw the horse.

Naturally she was currently had Neptune swimming with affection which of course the horse enjoyed and his reaction allowed Ellen to unleash a rare natural smile that lit up her entire face "No, no I mean..I wasn't expecting him in particular. I thought the school horses were busy today..."

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana could understand having a specific bond with an animal even if you enjoyed other in its species. There was just something about it being 'yours' and that bond that made you want to be with that animal specifically. Why would Rox put Ellen though dealing with another horse when she could work her connections to ensure that Ellen got to be with Neptune? Sure there had been things needing to be done with the horses but nothing that could not wait and nothing that was not going to be that big of a deal if Roxana wanted to borrow just two of them.

There were other horses at the school after all, and Neptune did technically belong to Ellen Banks. Rox smiled just a little bit for a small moment as seeing how Ellen reacted to having Neptune with her and just how the two were together. Another small pang sat in Rox's heart as she thought about the owl she had that kind of bond with. "They were but I made sure that these two were not. I felt it made more sense for you to be able to ride your own horse since you would be comfortable with him." Roxana explained in the way she did everything. To the point and simple.

"Do you need help mounting up?" Roxana asked as she moved over to provide Ellen any assistance in getting up on the horse. Roxana had no problem getting on her own but she didn’t bring anything for Ellen to step up on so she was just on standby. Just in case. They did have to get to ridding at some point after all and they could enjoy the picnic which Roxana honestly was looking forward to the most. Only because she was hungry but there was some nervousness there since she didn't really eat in front of other people.

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen didn't exactly own the horse of course the school did, and that was something of a sobering fact once she left the school the horse will pass to someone else. Which was a sad thought considering that her time in the school was closer to the end then it was to the beginning sure she had mentally claimed that horse as her own but at this point the time to say good bye was coming...

Sooner rather then later....

But not now and Ellen was quite enjoying the time they were spending together, Ellen backed off momentarily from scratching behind the ear of the horse and instead looking upwards at Rox "As always your instincts are impeccable" She smiled pleased at the turn of events

"If you wouldn't-" Ellen stopped once Rox had already moved in front of Ellen to help her up "Right." She nodded using her to get on top of Neptune, once she got into position she leaned forward and whispered in Neptune's here "Ready to show Rox what we can do?"

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana didn't really know what was going through Ellen's mind, she was no mind reader. All she did know was that Ellen looked beautiful and always so at peace when she was with Neptune. The painting she had given Ellen on the girl's birthday was one of her personal favorites. To be able to capture such a soft and innocent side to Ellen, it was beautiful. Not helped by the fact that Rox still had feelings for the other girl, who she knew did not feel the same about her. Just her luck the first people that she actually started to care for in such a way did not feel the same way back.

It was perhaps for the best considering how she was and the family line that she came from. Still, Rox could not help but feel something inside her chest as she looked at Ellen bonding with her horse for a moment and it bringing a small smile to her face. "I like to think I've known you long enough to know what makes you happy." Roxana spoke up when Ellen said her instincts were impeccable. It was less instincts and more so a long period of observation and actually the desire to make Ellen happy and comfortable. It was also why she was quickly able to figure out that Ellen would perhaps need some help, so she offered it.

It didn't take long at all to help Ellen up onto her horse and once she was situated Rox climbed up onto the horse she brought for herself. It took a moment to get used to the feeling of being on a horse after so long, but her mind quickly clicked on the training she had gone thought. Yes, horse riding had been involved for several reasons that she would not get into because she didn’t really tell Ellen too much about the things she went through and Ellen just knew she worked for an organization that had her looking after her. "Would you like to race?" Rox asked, but she didn't wait for an answered as she got her horse to surge forward, expecting Ellen to catch on quick.

[Ellen Banks]

She didn't have a soft and innocent, Ellen would argue with Roxanna that was quite obvious, sure she might have had one years before when she was a child but that was long gone now, leaving behind...well...What she was now, but then again Ellen was never really sure what Roxanna saw in her and she was probably never wise to try and figure out what went on in Roxanna's mind. That was probably for the best that she didn't. God, knows what she had to deal with on a regularly basis.

"Well, it doesn't take much effort with him" She admitted tossing her head back behind her head to make sure Neptune didn't start to nibble on her head which she he was very fond of doing....

Ellen was about to answer Rox challege before she startred to speed off Ellen blinked in surprise for a moment before Ellen leaned down and patted Neptune gently "Come on boy...let's show her how we do things" Ellen squeezed her legs together which was Neptune's signal to rush forward which he was all too happy to do, he was most happy when he was running espeically with Ellen on his back and Ellen adored it the feeling of the wind on her skin and Ellen's natural control over the horse was a joy to behold as she caught up to Roxanna and out paced her quickly

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana almost expected Ellen to speak up and say something to try and go against what Rox had just said about her. Even if Ellen would try to deny it, Rox felt pretty confident that she understood and knew the girl at least on a few personal levels. After all, she had watched and protected the other girl for a while now and there had been a time that they were particularly close. Ellen had even revealed that Rox might have had a chance in the past back when Ellen was particularly vulnerable, but Rox didn't want that. She didn't want to take advantage of the other girl and that was in part why Delta died.

Still, Rox had no regrets and accepted that Ellen didn't really feel the same way about her. Rox still had feelings for the other girl; and while she was working on getting them to go away, they were still there. That was why deep down she was actually happy that she had one this time to spend with Ellen, even if nothing would come out of it. That was a lie; something would still come out of it. The fact that she was able to spend time with someone she cared about made it feel like it was worthwhile despite the confusion within her. "I just had to lore him out with a sugar cube and tell him he was going to go see you." Roxana pointed out when Ellen turned the topic on Neptune and how it didn't take much effort with him.

There was the race to be had at, which Roxana too the liberty of giving Ellen a handicap by ridding off first. She knew all too well had skilled of a rider Ellen was and how while she knew the basics, she was not were as good as a rider as Ellen. Ridding had not been something she had been expected to master and more along the lines of something that she just needed to know how to do. For a short moment there she was in the lead, following on of the trails and expecting Ellen to follow suit. It didn't take long before she could hear Ellen gaining on her and then soon see the other girl on Neptune beside her.

She could not help but to be captured in Ellen's beauty in that moment with seeing how happy Ellen looked. The way her hair blew in the breeze caused by her speed and how Ellen and Neptune just seemed so in tune with one another. If felt like a lifetime had passed for Rox to enjoy that view but in reality it had only been a minute or two before Ellen was speeding past and taking the lead. The trail was a decent length but with their speed, Ellen was likely to reach the finish line in no time and come across the little picnic setup.

[Ellen Banks]

Ok, ok. Ellen would admit, Her competitive streak might be shining through a little, especially when it came to these races she never just played around when it came to these type of things. She came to win, not liked Neptune of course he just wanted to run that's all he wanted to do and she could tell that Neptune was having the time of his life doing it, that's part of what drew Ellen towards her. Such an enthusiastic animal.

Poor Roxanna never stood a chance.

Ellen zoomed ahead and once she reached where they agreed, Ellen squeezed down and Neptune gently slowed down into a trot. As Ellen leaned down and gave him a loving victory pat on the head muttering praise in his ears before she looked up and noticed the picnic area "What's all this?"

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana did not expect in the slightest that she was going to win this race, unless Ellen had not been feeling well. She knew the moment that she had made sure to get a hold of Neptune that victory was ensured for the other girl. That didn't mean that Roxana simply gave up; no, she still tried and gave it her all. It just reminded her of how long it had been since the last time she went horseback riding and racing them. Her rear was already a little swore for not moving properly with the horse at first when in a full gallop.

It was nothing that was going to be that big of a deal and pain was not something that ever really bothered Roxana too much. "Congratulations, I had no doubt that you would win but I didn't imagine I would lose by such distance." Roxana pointed out as she pulled back on the reins a bit to get her horse to slow down once they reached their designated finish line for the race. They were then pretty close to the picnic, able to at least see it but they had to ride just a little bit more to actually get to the spot where they could get off their horses and enjoy the food and drinks set out.

"Did you forget what the prizes conceited of? The horse back ridding came along with a picnic, but I understand if you do not wish to have a picnic with me." Roxana responded. If Elsa wanted to eat somewhere else, that was fine and it was also fine if Elsa didn't want to eat with her. Rox didn't really eat in front of others that much, even back when she and Ellen were roommates, so it would only be a little odd for her in that aspect.