She squeaked when they pulled out of the parking lot and tightener her arms around him, a light blush on her face from how close they were. Her hair whipped in the wind and she felt a grin come to her face, loving the feeling of the wind and just being by Rhydar.
He grinned at her cute squeak and how her grip tightened around him. "I'm not going that fast!" he said over the wind.
"I know, it just scared me," She said as close to his ear as she could, knowing her words wouldn't reach him otherwise.
He chuckled, but didn't say anything further. They rode on for some time until he turned onto a dirt road, heading into a patch of trees. Rhydar breathed in the scent of the nearby lake, relaxing slightly. He slowed down some to prevent too much dirt flying around everywhere.
When they reached the dirt road she looked around at where they were, hoping they were getting close but slightly confused as to why an ice cream place would be in a place like this. It would be a cool location, she could say that, but no one would know it was here.
"We're almost there," Rhydar said over his shoulder. Indeed, the trees cleared as he continued down the road and pulled into a small parking area. It was a quaint little cottage sitting next to the lake, with some picnic tables for seating. Flower bushes and small trees decorated the clearing, as well as cobbled paths that led from the house to a pasture with well-groomed dairy cows and even some horses milling about.
Rhydar parked and shut off the motorcycle, and an old woman hobbled out of the cottage. She sported a bright smile when she saw him. "Ah, my dear Rhydar!" she called. He smiled back at her and slid off the bike, holding out a hand for Jynna.
Jynna quickly took of the helmet and set it on the seat, taking Rhydar's hand as she slipped off the motorcycle. "This place is nice," She said, looking around and nodding in approval. Her face lit up hen she saw the horses but she didn't say anything, just admiring her favorite childhood animal.
Rhydar quietly watched her take in their surroundings, but couldn't help his smile when he saw her face light up. "If you want," he started, casually sliding his hands in his hoodie pocket, "we could go riding after ice cream. I'm sure Kim would let us."
"Really?" She looked up at him with a smile, "That would be amazing, but first, ice cream." Jynna glanced to the old woman and waved politely, "Hi," She said, heading towards her.
The old woman smiled and waved back at Jynna. "Hello dear. I'm Kimberly." She looked over to Rhydar, who was trailing after Jynna. "It's wonderful to see Rhydar finally settling down. My little Nat has worked so hard to find the perfect girl for him."
Rhydar's cheeks burned. "Kim," he wined, ducking his head.
The old woman just chuckled.
"I'm Jynna," She introduced herself, glancing at Rhydar as well. Her face heated up as well but she laughed lightly, poking him in the side, "You didn't tell me that I had to live up to the expectation of perfect."
"I was just coming here to get you some ice cream," he muttered, then looked to the old woman. Her eyes were bright with amusement. "I'll have my usual, Kim." He flicked his eyes over to Jynna. "What about you? Nat can whip up pretty much anything."
She thought for a moment before shrugging, "I'll just have chocolate ice cream, nothing fancy." Her gaze flicked back to the horses and she watched them for a moment before looking back at Rhydar and Kim.
Kim noticed the look and chuckled. "You two go have some fun while Nat and I get the ice cream made, hmm? Perfection takes some time, you know."
Rhydar looked to Jynna for her thoughts. "We don't have to go riding just yet."
"What should we do then?" She asked, smiling in thanks at Kimfor a moment and then looking over at Rhydar.
He jerked his head over to the horses as Kim went into the house, shouting for Nat to get over there and help with the ice cream. "We can say hello to the horses and cows. I'm sure they'd love the attention." He had one particular equine friend that he preferred. Said stallion was eagerly pacing the large pasture, brushing up against the fence and tossing his head around proudly.
Jynna thought for a moment and nodded, smiling, "Sure," She said, already starting over to the pasture with a slight bounce in her step. It had been a while since she'd ridden a horse and she had a feeling she would mess up when they actually went riding, but even then, she wanted to ride them sometime.
Rhydar laughed to himself, shaking his head as he watched her go. He eventually followed, though less enthusiastic than Jynna, and leaned against the fence. "Hey, Thunder," he called to the stallion.
He was a handsome and proud horse, sporting a sleek, coal black coat and striking blue eyes. His large hooves pounded against the dirt as he trotted over to Rhydar, playfully nipping at his hair. Rhydar smiled and reached up to pet the stallion's muzzle.
"So," She started, leaning against the fence as well as she looked out at the horses with a smile. In her mind she was already trying to figure out how to get them to come over before continuing, "What are the horses names?" Her eyes landed on a beautiful black and white pinto and she pointed to it as it continued grazing like it didn't even notice the two of them by the fence.
Rhydar's gaze followed where she was pointing. "That's Dani. Mare." He chuckled and patted the stallion's cheek as it nudged his chin with its nose. "There here's Thunder." There were three other horses in the pasture. He pointed to a silver gray stallion with lighter gray dapples all over its coat and a white face. "That's Silver." He then pointed to a mahogany bay mare with black legs, tail, and mane. "That's Elly." And he pointed to the last one, which was a white and red roan Appaloosa mare. "And that's Scarlett."
Jynna smiled and looked out at the horse before glancing at Thunder, reaching out to pat the horse's neck, "Do you come out here often?" She asked, glancing at Rhydar while still trying to figure out how she could get Dani to come over. The horse was still grazing and seemed none too interested in coming over even if she did call her name.
"Yeah. It's like a home away from home for me." He was still smiling idly, then looked over to Dani. "She's a stubborn one. You'll have to get creative to get her over here." Thunder snorted and shifted so he was in between the two, eagerly accepting all of the attention.
"I would just hop the fence and walk over to her, but I suspect she would run away and there must be some kind of electric fence on the inside of this one." She chuckled lightly at Thunder but continued petting his neck, "What's Dani's favorite kind of treat? Maybe I can bribe her to come over.." Her mind was spinning with ideas while Dani flicked her tail and moved around while grazing.
"No electric fence. Kim likes to keep things old fashioned. And as for Dani's favorite treat… I'd say sugar cubes," Rhydar replied, lifting himself up to perch on the fence. Some of the other horses took interest in the two humans and meandered over as well, but the other stallion stayed away from Thunder.
Jynna nodded, a small smile on her face, "Now, where can I get sugar cubes.." She stayed leaning against the fence as some of the other horses started over, ready to pet them but hoping if she couldn't get Dani to come over right not that she could ride the stubborn pinto if they went riding.
"I'll get them," Rhydar offered, then hopped off the fence. He walked over to a small shed behind the cottage and dug around in it, before finding a small bag of sugar cubes. He grabbed it with a small, "aha!" and jogged back over to Jynna. "Here you go, Princess." He handed her the bag–but kept it out of the reach of the other horses.
"Thanks Prince," She responded, taking the bag and pulling out a few cubes, "Dani!" She called to the horse, shaking the bag lightly to try to get her attention, "Sugar cubes!" As she called the horse she kept it well out of the reach of the other horses, not wanting to give up her only way to coax Dani over.
The stubborn mare slowly lifted her head up, ears swiveling over to Jynna at the sound of the sugar cubes. The other horses were trying to fight each other for the treat.
Dani eventually lumbered over, snorting at the others bossily as she approached. They all scattered–except Thunder, who was being pampered and fussed over by Rhydar. Dani hesitantly sniffed the air near Jynna.
A smile appeared on her face and she held out the cubes in her hand, "Hiya girl, I'm not gonna hurt you," She reassured the mare, happy since the sugar cubes actually worked to get Dani to come over.
Rhydar watched silently–curiously. Not many people to get Dani to do what they wanted. It would seem Jynna was one of the few 'chosen,' as he liked to call it.
Dani snorted again and pressed her snout against Jynna's hand, eating the sugar cubes.