"I… I want to get to know you better, Marianne."
She tried to find words, but they escaped her.
Filling the space, he continued. "You're a lovely person, and I wish I could see you happier. If we could be friends, it just might help you have another reason to smile. Couldn't it?"
"I'm sorry, Ashe… You are my friend, I would like to too, but…" was what came out.
"Is there any way I can make it easier for you to talk with me?"
The girl caught her breath, and considered his question. The way he was looking at her so… intently… made her mind quiver in anxiety.
"Umm… maybe we could do an exercise together? Something to practice, that needs both of us."
"That's a great idea, Marianne!" Ashe beamed, happy to hear her response. "Do you have any ideas? What's something easy for you?"
"Um… I enjoy to go riding, from time to time," she said. "But we already do that when we travel…"
"And that doesn't need to involve both of us, does it?" Ashe considered. "Can you think of some way to make it more interesting?"
Marianne paused. "Hm… what if I…" she said, before having a finished thought. Ashe was smiling at her, and yet she had nothing to say next? Surely this'd only make things more awkward, if she had no idea. So when she couldn't wait any longer, she stammered out the first idea she could come up with-
"If you want to do a bonding exercise, then… What if I rode on you?"
Marianne immediately turned bright pink. She covered her face with her hands, unable to face the embarrassment. Maybe it was better that Ashe would think she was an odd girl- that way, he'd keep his distance without feeling sorry for her.
"I'm sorry- forget it. That was a strange idea," she added, before turning to leave.
The archer quickly caught her. "Wait! It's… not a bad idea," he said. He tried his best to avoid showing that he did in fact think it was awkward.
"Um… Are you sure you'd like to do that?" Marianne asked. She was surprised that he wasn't looking at her strangely.
"I think it could certainly be a unique shared experience," Ashe said. "If it doesn't go well, that's okay- we can just keep it a secret."
His glowing positivity was something Marianne was not used to… she despised her secret, yet… the idea of sharing a secret with someone else sounded refreshing.
"Perhaps there's truth to that," she said, a smile attempting to creep onto her still-blushing face.
"Well, I guess it's a plan then!" he committed. "We'll meet up at the gate for this, okay?"
"Um… yes. I'll see you there," Marianne said, trying her best to smile for him.
Ashe stood by the gate, and awaited the priestess's arrival. His clothes were changed to his blue loungewear- which he estimated would be more comfortable against Marianne. Comforting her was his utmost priority in this endeavor. After all, if she wasn't comfortable, how would she open up to him?
"Oh, you thought the same as I did," Marianne commented, wearing yellow loungewear that matched his.
"Yes, I did! I can't imagine riding in a dress is very practical."
"It's not," Marianne said, blushing and turning slightly as she remembered their plan for this meeting.
"So, are you ready? We can go wherever you like," Ashe invited.
"Y…yes. Are you sure you'd like to do this?" Marianne said, coyly.
Ashe nodded and gave a smile.
"Okay," Marianne responded, and pulled a few items out of a small bag.
"Oh, um… what are those?" Ashe inquired.
"Just a few things I'll need… reins, a bit, and stirrups. Could you, um… get down for me? I'll put these on for you."
Ashe's face grew color with surprise. Gear? He wondered if that was necessary. But still, if it was what Marianne wanted, it'd be best to oblige her. He knelt down, and prepared for her to climb onto his back. He felt her hands gently pushing him down to his hands and knees,
"I'll try to be gentle- please stop me if anything is hurting."
He was surprised at Marianne's sudden boldness. Before, he hadn't have dreamed Marianne would be comfortable with so much touch, as she laid out the stirrups, placed the bit in his mouth, and attached the reins.
"Alright, I've set everything up. Um…" she stammered, hesitating. "Are you comfortable?"
"Yesh, Marianne," he assured, turning to look up at her.
She didn't look convinced to him. "Okay. If you're sure, I'm going to sit down."
Ashe looked straight ahead.
The girl wondered how exactly to approach this. She's come this far, but sitting on Ashe's back felt… a bit brazen. Taking her time, she lifted a leg over the archer, and stood over him. She paused for a minute, wondering if she'd feel awkward sitting on him. Ashe only looked straight ahead, patiently awaiting his mounting.
After building up the nerve, Marianne lowered herself gently, taking a seat on top of Ashe's ribcage. Ashe felt her butt softly landing on his back, and held his balance as she lifted her feet into the stirrups, and took the reins in her hands. He wondered if she was comfortable.
"Um… Giddyup, Ashe," she asked.
The boy began to crawl forward. They went through the gate, onto a dirt road beside a field rich with grains. As they began, Marianne was impressed at his ability to keep her steady on top of him.
"Um, can I try something with the reins, Ashe?"
He nodded, and smiled as she began to experiment. She pulled to the left, and Ashe turned, careful to keep her seated steady on him. Then she pulled right, and he turned once more. When she pulled gently, he came to a stop.
"You're, um… pretty easy to ride," Marianne commented. "But still, I'll have to break you in, won't I?"
Ashe hadn't heard Marianne joke before. Regardless of his position, he was happy to be in it if it meant allowing Marianne to have a nice time. She allowed him a moment of still before speaking up again.
"Okay, get ready, Ashe. I'm about to crack the reins. I'll count to three, okay?" she said. "One, two, three-"
Ashe felt a light yank as Marianne snapped the reins, causing a fwip sound just by his ear. Eager to please her, he trotted forward once more, responding to Marianne's command.
"Hm…" Marianne added. "This might not have been a bad idea after all. Thank you, Ashe," she applauded, petting his head with her hand.
Ashe hid the blush which clearly showed that he had actually enjoyed being petted. He was too embarrassed to let her know.
"So, Ashe," she started, clutching the reins firmly. "Would it be alright to ride you to the waterfront?"
The waterfront? he thought. How far away is that..?
She took his silence positively. Knowing Ashe, he'd probably say something optimistic if he could speak right now.
Ashe continued, Marianne's weight upon him, and he began to grow acquainted to the feeling of her there. Her… rear, was soft, and not unwelcome on top of him. Her thighs rested with his arms, and the bare skin felt like a pillow. He wondered if she was yet having fun, as they continued straight forward along the path. Maybe he ought to try something to get her attention?
"Um, Ashe, you… stopped?" Marianne asked, looking down at him and sounding a bit surprised. "You're not tired, are you?"
Ashe turned his head towards her and spoke through the bit. "Din't you shay you were goin to breag me in?"
"Oh, I suppose I did say that," she commented. "But, umm… where are you taking us?"
Ashe turned the wrong way, toward the field, and began to walk into it. Marianne was seemingly stunned up there, as she simply allowed him to veer off course for a moment.
Finally, he felt her pull the reins. "Stop, Ashe, that's the wrong way."
As he resisted her order, she tugged a bit harder. When he decided he was ready to listen, he allowed her to turn him.
Once she'd gotten him facing forward, she kicked his sides with her shoes and ever so gently cracked the reins. "I won, didn't I? Giddyup, Ashe."
Ashe heard a hint of playfulness in her voice. He indulged her, and let her take control of him once more. The dirt road they were on had a turn ahead, and Ashe came up with another idea. Where the road turned, he ignored, marching straight- which lead again of the path.
Marianne noticed quickly that Ashe wasn't steering himself, and tugged the reins to turn him. She smiled as he obeyed her.
"You won't be tricking me again, Ashe."
Ashe took the cue from Marianne. She was right- she'd won this little battle.
Marianne found herself easing up on the ride. "I don't know how you're faring, but I think this is quite enjoyable. You're fun to ride on, Ashe."
Ashe felt her become a sliver warmer as she expressed her enjoyment. The trees overhanging this part of the road cast a shadow over them. He continued to trot forward, head held high.
"You're looking proud of yourself. Hehe. Would you care for a little challenge?"
Ashe continued on, ears wide open.
"When I kick, can you speed up?"
He nodded.
"Good. One, two, three-"
As her heels hit his stomach, Ashe trotted faster. He took care to keep his back steady, so as not to shake her. This pace was a bit much, but he did agree to a challenge. Surprise overcame him when he felt her legs move to kick him again. She wanted him to go faster?
Marianne insisted. "Giddyup, Ashe, faster," she said, kicking him again.
She felt a sense of satisfaction when he obeyed her, and began to run on all fours. Ashe felt her butt lift up and down a little bit, as he was unable to keep her completely still at this new pace. He began to tire out.
"Keep going, if you can, Ashe!" she applauded.
Ashe slowed to catch his breath. But Marianne was enjoying a bit of fun, and didn't want it to stop yet. So she kicked him once more, and Ashe set off again, running on low energy. She beamed as she bounced, watching Ashe carry her. His arms began to falter, and he wondered if he could keep this up. Fortunately for him, his rider was paying attention, and pulled the reins to slow him back down.
"I would say you did well, Ashe," she chimed, petting him again.
He breathed heavily, but continued on. Her weight felt a tad heavier on him after expending his muscles like that. But knowing she was having fun with him made it worth it.
Ashe carried on, despite his tiring, until Marianne pulled him to a complete stop.
"Look, Ashe, we're at the waterfront," she said. "I'll dismount you, now-" she said, pulling her feet out of the stirrups, standing up, and walking to his side.
Ashe reared back, and sat on the road. He reached forward, and removed the bit from his mouth to speak.
"That was certainly something," he said optimistically.
"It was. Thank you for your hard work, Ashe," Marianne said, sitting next to him on a cloth she had packed for the trip. "Please come sit with me."
Ashe scooted towards her, sitting on the blanket. "I'd say our little exercise was a success, wouldn't you?"
Marianne nodded and smiled. She turned to meet his eyes.
"I had a lot of fun… which doesn't happen every day for me. Do you… do you think we could do this again soon?"