Post by atkilihoujun on Feb 6, 2009 0:52:42 GMT -5
The water trough was filled, buckets landing to the ground with a clang. Faruq wiped the sweat from his brow off on his bare arm, wearing only his sleeveless tunic in the heat. The ostrich horses honked in glee, puttering over, trying to get to the trough over his shoulder, between his legs, under his arms. Faruq pushed their heads away with a grunt of protest. The birds paid no heed to him, just moving around him as he pushed his way through their long necks and sharp beaks.
Faruq let out a huge breath, taking the bottom of his tunic and wiping his face off on the fabric before dropping it against his thighs. A bellowing sound rumbled nearby as Ju-Long slowly lumbered his way to the trough. The ostrich horses squawked as the horns of the large panda bull came closer and they scattered off to the sides. Ju-Long easily drank his fill from the trough, long, thick tongue lapping at the water as some of the ostrich horses began running in circles, honking at him, waiting to swarm back on the refreshment as soon as the bull moved. These particular ones were not well trained, far too skittish to be ridden properly especially in the chaos of this day and age. The older, calm ones would be taken to Ba Sing Se to be sold tomorrow.
And Faruq would probably be making that trip with Mr. Cheng. He hoped the entrance guards did not recognize him, or that maybe they would not have to go to the gates at all, merely dropped off the merchandise. He wanted to get into Ba Sing Se, of course, but on his own terms. It would difficult if he kept returning to the gates as a different persona, especially after he told the guards he’d be back with his mother last time.
Ju-Long took one last large swipe with his tongue before licking off his face and moving away from the trough. Like predicted, the ostrich horses swarmed in and began their fuss again, sending brown feathers everywhere. Faruq went back into the stable, taking the key ring off the hook and unlocking the door hiding all the food behind it. Inside was a large wheelbarrow filled mostly with seeds and nuts and the occasional dried out fruit piece. Faruq took a bucket and scooped up the feed before shutting and locking the door again.
A single ostrich horse had moved from the others and was galloping on it’s clawed feet and stopping right in front of him instead of bowling him over. It was one of the younger ones, but much better behaved. Faruq slid the bucket behind him and the ostrich’s head tried to follow, “No.” Faruq drawled out, taking his other hand to push it’s head back in front of him. It knew the routine by now and backed up a step, lowering it’s head a bit. Faruq patted it on the neck before pulling the bucket back around and letting it get the first share.
The swarm of furious feathers was still sloshing through the trough, but a few more were starting to perk up and gallop towards the stable when they saw him holding that ever familiar bucket. Faruq pulled the bird’s head out of the bucket before jogging outside and starting to dump the feed on the ground, letting them feed like chickens. It was much easier than trying to be organized and make sure they all got fair amounts, especially with those threatening beaks and claws coming at him. He would just feed the slower ones later on.
Faruq let out a huge breath, taking the bottom of his tunic and wiping his face off on the fabric before dropping it against his thighs. A bellowing sound rumbled nearby as Ju-Long slowly lumbered his way to the trough. The ostrich horses squawked as the horns of the large panda bull came closer and they scattered off to the sides. Ju-Long easily drank his fill from the trough, long, thick tongue lapping at the water as some of the ostrich horses began running in circles, honking at him, waiting to swarm back on the refreshment as soon as the bull moved. These particular ones were not well trained, far too skittish to be ridden properly especially in the chaos of this day and age. The older, calm ones would be taken to Ba Sing Se to be sold tomorrow.
And Faruq would probably be making that trip with Mr. Cheng. He hoped the entrance guards did not recognize him, or that maybe they would not have to go to the gates at all, merely dropped off the merchandise. He wanted to get into Ba Sing Se, of course, but on his own terms. It would difficult if he kept returning to the gates as a different persona, especially after he told the guards he’d be back with his mother last time.
Ju-Long took one last large swipe with his tongue before licking off his face and moving away from the trough. Like predicted, the ostrich horses swarmed in and began their fuss again, sending brown feathers everywhere. Faruq went back into the stable, taking the key ring off the hook and unlocking the door hiding all the food behind it. Inside was a large wheelbarrow filled mostly with seeds and nuts and the occasional dried out fruit piece. Faruq took a bucket and scooped up the feed before shutting and locking the door again.
A single ostrich horse had moved from the others and was galloping on it’s clawed feet and stopping right in front of him instead of bowling him over. It was one of the younger ones, but much better behaved. Faruq slid the bucket behind him and the ostrich’s head tried to follow, “No.” Faruq drawled out, taking his other hand to push it’s head back in front of him. It knew the routine by now and backed up a step, lowering it’s head a bit. Faruq patted it on the neck before pulling the bucket back around and letting it get the first share.
The swarm of furious feathers was still sloshing through the trough, but a few more were starting to perk up and gallop towards the stable when they saw him holding that ever familiar bucket. Faruq pulled the bird’s head out of the bucket before jogging outside and starting to dump the feed on the ground, letting them feed like chickens. It was much easier than trying to be organized and make sure they all got fair amounts, especially with those threatening beaks and claws coming at him. He would just feed the slower ones later on.