It had taken a few weeks but Peyton was doing better. Something that was evident by anyone who knew here by the fact that she was circling lazily in the air above everyone's head. Well Everyone being no one as the quad was actually empty for the moment.
In truth she was all of thirty feet off the ground and barely circling. She certainly wouldn’t stay airborne for long this way but at least her feet were off the ground. A few weeks ago she wouldn’t be even this high up.
She did have to admit at least that the view from even this high up was pretty good. She had forgotten with how far she could see what it would look like from a higher altitude. She missed that about home. From the roof of her house back home she could see a good ways.
Flapping her wings suddenly, Peyton brought herself up higher for a moment before settling into a glide. The last thing she had expected was to see a woman walking two horses. Even from a distance they looked beautiful to her. Not that the distance mattered to her. Especially not such a short one. Still she couldn't help herself. She made sure she landed a good distance away not wanting to spook them. She knew first hand just how difficult it could be to round them up.
Once she had touched down Peyton folded her wings in tight to her back and slowly approached, nothing but admiration on her face as she looked at the two as they walked closer. She was still probably thirty feet away, unsure of how they would react. Pan Banks
Pan had hoped that taking a few horses to Bellefonte would entice Ellen to take a ride with her. Alas, she'd trecked over half the substantial academy and her sister was nowhere to be found. Slightly disheartened, Pan was already making her way back to the entrance. She supposed that at this point, if Ellen had wanted to be found, she'd have made herself known.
Bandit and Shade clopped along behind her, Shadow occasionally nudging her head against Pan's shoulder, as if sensing her mistress' discomfort. They had been together so long and shared such a tight emotional bond, that the blue roan wasn't even attached to a lead road. She just stuck by Pan's side, as she always did. Bandit was on a lead rope. He was on an extra strong lead rope and there was no chance of Pan letting it go. She didn't need to play a game of tag with the mischievous stallion on that day.
Pan halted when Bandit balked and Shadow raised her head curiously. Using her hand to shade her face, Pan whistled in appreciation as she saw a winged girl glide to the ground not too far away. "So cool," she whispered. Before she knew it, the young girl was making her way towards them, and Pan regarded her curiously, noting her discomfort. Pan put a comforting smile on her face and gave a little wave. With her other hand she tapped Shadow on the shoulder in permission, and the mare ambled forward to sniff at the girl curiously, her ears flicking back and forward rapidly. "She wont bite, I swear," Pan added as an afterthought. Perhaps she shouldn't have allowed her mare to run off straight away on the assumption that the girl would be ok with it. "I'm Pan, and that one sniffing you is Shadow."
Peyton glanced over at the woman then back at the horse as it approached. A smile slowly spreading across her face as she remembered her own horses. Though it faltered a little as she remembered their reaction to her after she started growing wings. This one at least seemed interested.
Holding her hand up Peyton spread her fingers knowing all too well how painful a bite from a horse could actually be. “Hey there Shadow. You are so beautiful and you remind me of home.” She let her voice fill with the affection she had for all horses knowing that the two in her presence would pick up on it.
Once Shadow was close enough Peyton let her other hand raise up and stroke the side of the horses long face before scratching around her ears. Only once proper greetings between her and Shadow were done did she turn towards the woman. “You said Pan? She smiled in greeting though her eyes didn’t stray away from Shadow for very long. “I’m Peyton and whatever your reason for bringing these two lovelies around, Thank you. I haven’t been this close to a horse since coming here.” Well ok in truth it was a few weeks before that even.
As Shadow was making her introductions to the girl, Pan approached with Bandit in tow. She smiled at the affection in the girl's voice; it always made her happy to meet someone with a similar love for horses. She remained silent while Shadow was coddled, happy to let her best friend receive a bit of love and attention while she waited. Bandit gave a jealous snort and Pan raised her hand to tap his nose with her knuckles.
"Peyton? What you were doing up there was wicked by the way," she enthused, pointing to the sky to elaborate. She cocked her head curiously at Peyton's words. She was aware Bellefonte had a stables with many fine horses, the academy had even given her permission to borrow some tack from there for her ride today. Peyton clearly had a love for the equine, so there had to be some other reason for her to be missing horses so much. Or perhaps she simply hadn't had the opportunity. Either way, Pan was happy to have caused her some manner of joy.
"No worries. I'm glad at least someone has found some joy in me coming here." Her voice was more wry than she'd intended and Pan sighed. "Doesn't the academy have their own stables? Surely you could have visited there?" She stepped closer, bringing Bandit level with Shadow. The stallion nickered in greeting. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry. This is Bandit by the way. He's a bit of an idiot, but he's a good kid."
It honestly took a bit of effort on her part to actually pay attention to the woman in front of her and not the horses but she did manage. “Wicked? I. Well i’m slowly getting used to it all. But it is peaceful in its own way. I just wish it wasn’t so high up.” Getting comfortable flying would take less time for her then actually getting used to heights. Though in truth she had less to worry about falling now didn’t she?
She had to raise her eyebrows hat Pan’s words, something about someone finding joy in her coming? Peyton really didn’t know what that meant. “They do but, I’ve been afraid to go there. My own horses didn’t react so well around me the last time I saw them. But I was kinda growing wings at the time. I’ve just been really nervous about the whole thing.” And upset, depressed and angry. But she was starting to deal.
Keeping one hand on Shadow Peyton stepped to the side so she could offer the other to Bandit. “Hey there Bandit.” She noticed Bandit’s nervousness and didn’t know if it was because of her or Bandit’s natural personality. Peyton had to bite her lip as she did her best to hold her hand steady. “Sorry, I’ve been dealing with this whole change bit. It’s been a bit rough. She gave a small shrug, one that extended to her wings. It was something that had started to feel natural.
Pan craned her neck to better see Peyton's wings, tightly tucked against her back. She was surprised Peyton didn't seem very enthused about her wings, but perhaps there was some history she wasn't seeing. She'd met more than her fair share of mutants that had hated, or been scared of their abilities to start. Pan herself had been one of them, until she'd learned to embrace her freedom.
"If you run I'll shoot you," Pan warned Bandit, but with a resigned sigh, she looped his lead rope around his neck and released the stallion. He shuffled closer to Peyton as well and Pan watched the small group carefully. "Oh, I understand now. That's rough." Pan frowned, biting her lip. Horses were creatures heavily weighted towards the 'flight' side of the spectrum, and they didn't adapt well to change or perceived threats. She couldn't imagine how it would feel to be rejected by her own horses. "Shadow is practically bombproof. I raised her myself from a foal, and she's been around mutants practically all her life because of that. She's not going to freak out on you."
Her green eyes flicked to Bandit then back at Peyton's wings. She'd seemed to have picked up on the stallion's antsy nature as well, and she only hoped it wasn't going to make her too nervous. "You know, Bandit was named because he's a great escape artist. He can get out of anywhere, and he loves it when people chase after him. He's a bit of a bullhead, but all stallions are. He wont hurt you though." She felt it was most important that Peyton felt at ease with the horses, especially now that she knew how important they were to her. If she could help in any way, that could pass as her good deal for the day.
Her head cocked to the side. "Are your wings designed like a specific bird? They like kind of owlish to me, but I don't know anything really. Have you got anyone helping you with this? Someone with wings like you?"
While she certainly wouldn’t consider herself something of a threat she understood her own horses reactions. It was an odd change. It did however hurt when they had become spooked around her. Now to be standing this close to other horses, it was a breath of fresh air in her life. It was a moment where she felt normal.
She grinned up at Shadow and gave her neck an affectionate pat. “Good girl Shadow.” She knew that if she had the time to work on it, her horses would adjust. But it would take time. As she relaxed around the horses, her fingers finding all the nice spots she could reach on them both her wings had also relaxed and extended slightly so they weren’t as tight as she had held them before.
“Oh you’re like that are you Bandit?” She grinned over at him as she scratched his ear this time. “I bet you’re a handful back on the ranch huh? Having to double and triple knot anything to hold you in place?”
This time her head turned towards Pan as the woman spoke. Peyton was suddenly very conscious of her slightly oversize and odd eyes that she couldn’t turn fully. “My wings? Yeah I guess. I’m not sure though. I can't see any better in the dark then I could before so I’m not sure about an owl.” She had to shake her head at the rest of the woman’s question. “No not really. There are a few others on campus that can fly. I’ve seen one or two but it’s not the same. She certainly hadn’t seen anyone with wings walking around like she did. Not to mention the whole fear of heights.
Pan chuckled in agreement as Bandit nickered gently and pushed his nose into Peyton's chest. "An absolute pain. He knows how to unlock the latch on his stall," she confirmed. "But a gun on the track." She realized that in all their conversations she had yet to mention that the two horses were thoroughbreds. "I train and race horses. Shadow is something of a champion," Pan said, pride seeping into her voice.
The woman shrugged, her nonchalance remaining unfading. She was an expert on horses, not birds, and if it didn't bother Peyton then she wouldn't let it bother her either. Her lips pursed in thought. She knew very well that there was at least one more individual in the academy with wings like Peyton, but she certainly understood why the young girl wouldn't have heard of him. "I suppose I can understand that; I've not met anyone with powers like mine." She wasn't fond of the idea of giving away her friend's presence unless it would help Peyton; Kasey was a bit of a private soul. "If you did find someone with wings like yours," she began tentatively. "How would that make you feel?"
Shadow stomped impatiently and Pan looked over, eyes widening. She'd completely forgotten that she'd come with the intention of giving the two a good ride. Her eyes glanced at the quiet Peyton again and a crooked grin appeared. "I have permission from the stables to borrow some tack, and it would be a shame to let that offer go to waste. I don't suppose you'd fancy joining me for a ride?"
She laughed as well at the affectionate gesture on Bandit’s part. Scratching him all the more for it. She looked up when Pan mentioned they were race horses and looked between the two smiling. “Oooo nice. Mine isn’t anything like that. Jake is gentle as all, great for kids in that regard. Pain to get up on though. I need a ladder.” She looked way from Pan for a moment as she remembered her horse. Not the last time he had seen her but before. "Jake stands eighteen and a half hands. Beautiful tan Belgium. Hoofs the size of a plate. Good thing he has the patience of a turtle.”
She had to bite her lip as the woman mentioned her own powers. Well ok so she mentioned she had powers not what they were. Though Peyton certainly wanted to know. But in some cases it just felt like such a personal question to ask. It wasn’t one she was comfortable with. It also wasn’t one she was asked often or at all really. “If I found someone else with powers like mine?” Peyton had to blink at the idea. “Um well.. Not so alone, not so afraid. It would give me someone to talk with who could maybe empathize a bit more. People try here but it’s not the same.” She honestly would really love to meet someone else with wings like hers that couldn’t be hidden. Or even just someone to help her with her flying.
Peyton’s eyes grew large at the question, large enough so that her slightly abnormal eyes became a bit more evident. “What? Really? Go riding? I would love that!” There was no way she could hide her excitement, something that actually cause her to give her wings a few beats in the process. Luckily she managed to to unfurl them to their full extension. Quickly tucking them in she winced and gave an apologetic look to Pan as well as the horses. “Sorry.”
Pan let out a hum of appreciation as Peyton described Jake. "I love big boys. They're usually gentle giants," she gave a wink' it wasn't just horses she was talking about. After a pause Pan burst out laughing, realizing she was definitely implying inappropriate things to a minor. No wonder people said she was a bad influence.
For the moment she allowed the conversation on Peyton's powers to dull. The woman was lost in thought, absently pulling the lead rope off Bandit's neck. She handed it to Peyton, still chewing on her lip. Really it wasn't her place to tell Peyton anything, but she seemed like a good kid. Pan glanced at the blonde girl out of the corner of her eye. Her horses liked her, that was a good indication. Perhaps she'd be a good influence on the grumpy asshole of a gardener.
She let out a laugh at Peyton's excitement, then waved her apologies away. "Don't be silly. Your excitement is like, the best compliment in the world to me." She took the opportunity to study Peyton's wings a little closer. They really were beautiful. "I'd be thrilled if you came with me. You can ride Bandit, so long as he hasn't scared you by now. We'll just have to get the tack from the stables." Pan let out a whistle and began walking, Shadow already following close behind. Bandit began pulling, not eager to be left behind.
Pan waited for Peyton to catch up before speaking again, almost hesitantly. "Listen, there is someone like you at Bellefonte. Well...not exactly. He has the wings, but he's taught himself to hide them. Also he's an asshole so I don't know how much empathy you'll get from him." She glanced at Peyton and winced as they arrived at the stables. "But, if you're interested, I'll tell you who he is."
While what Pan was saying proved true of Jake she was innocent enough to not get Pan’s subtle reference or the wink that went along with it. She certainly didn’t understand the reason for Pan’s laughing either. Oh well.
She took the lead rope that was handed of to her giving Bandit a friendly pat as they walked. It meant so much to her that they were so accepting of her like this. When Jake had pulled away from her, it had felt like a blow to her heart. Smiling at hearing the offer she looked over at Bandit. “What do you say Bandit? Feel like giving me a ride? I promise to be your friend for life?” She had to lengthen her stride slightly as she worked to keep up with the group.
Peyton lost a step as Pan spoke up again. Letting her know that there was someone else like her. Someone with wings. “What? Really?” She hadn’t seen him. Of course if he could hide his wings when would she? She was fairly certain she couldn’t hide hers. Hell each wing alone was the same size as herself. “I uh. I mean Yeah!” In truth that was more exciting than the promised horse ride. Much more exciting really. “
Pan tapped Shadow's nose fondly then disappeared into the tack room to grab some riding gear. She returned with an armful and draped it over a wooden railing. Considering Peyton's familiarity with horses she trusted her to be able to tack up Bandit on her own.
"You give him food and he'll love you forever," Pan promised with a laugh. She was watching the black stallion out of the corner of her eye, just to make sure he was truly behaving. She didn't expect him to lash out at Peyton, but he could be tricksy. It would have probably been safer to put her on Shadow, but if Pan were being honest with herself, she'd been curious to see what would happen. Once again proof that she would make a terrible guardian.
It wasn't surprising about Peyton's excitement, but it did make Pan feel somewhat guilty. She hoped that the information she was going to give wouldn't disappoint her too much, which it was likely to do. "I suppose I should have expected that." The woman smiled, laying the blanket and saddle over Shadow's back. She paused and pulled back her red hair, annoyed by it constantly blowing in her face. "Well, don't be too disappointed. His name is Kasey, he's your groundskeeper. You can usually find him sulking in his shed round back, or out in the gardens. Bit of an antisocial sort really." She leaned down to do up the mare's girth, then glanced under her belly to smile at Peyton. "Just about ready?"
“Jakes is like that.” She had to grin at that but it was true. But then he was hardly the only horse with that personality. She kept herself as still as possible, doing what she could to make sure she didn’t spook Bandit. Even at the best of times some horses could spook. No reason to be the cause if she didn’t need to.
She listened as Pan told her about the man who may be able to help her. Peyton had certainly never heard of this Kasey but she had seen him. Well she had seen him from a bird's eye view. “I’ll have to find him someday.” She did however take her queue properly and started saddling Bandit. It felt good honestly. She did struggle for a moment doing up the cinch strap. Peyton had never done this before with wings and was actually struggling to find the right angle to reach it properly.
"I even know some people like that," Pan confessed with a laugh. She was about to mount Shadow when she noticed Peyton struggling. Giving her mare a last pat she ducked around and bent down beside Peyton. She had to dodge around one of the girl's wings, careful not to touch it. She wasn't sure if that would be considered rude or uncomfortable and thought it best to avoid the situation altogether. She gently took the cinch strap from the girl and tightened it, giving Peyton a grin. "Have to get used to all these things all over again, huh?"
She returned to Shadow and mounted, absently grimacing at the thought of Kasey. If Peyton were to introduce herself and mention her name, oh boy would she be in for it. "If you ever do seek him out, don't mention me," she requested. "We don't really get along. But I think you'd be good for him; and vice versa." Perhaps it would bring him out of that isolated little shell of his, and make Peyton more comfortable in her own skin. Ah, she was a genius. Pan nudged Shadow into a walk and looked back at Peyton. "Anywhere you'd like to ride?"
Ok that was true, she was pretty sure her uncle was like that. One of her old classmates as well now that she thought about it. The whole idea brought a smile to her face at the idea. “That’s a good point. Some are.”
She gave an appreciative smile to Pan as the woman stepped over to help. “Yeah sorry, I swear I have done that before. But I do need to learn how to do some stuff all over again.” She had noticed Pan looking at her wings. Well everyone looked at her wings, Pan was just trying to be subtle. “Getting custom made shirts and jackets are nice and all but learning how to put them on was fun.” Just one of many things she had to relearn. “Sitting in chairs and sleeping included. Cars are not my friend.” But then she took up the whole back seat.
Once Pan was done with helping with the saddle, Peyton was actually able to mount up on her own. She did have to actually stop herself from using her wings to boost herself. She knew she could actually hop up from the ground to the saddle but wasn’t exactly sure how the horses would react. “No?” Don’t mention her? Interesting. “Not the best of friends?” She had to wonder what Pan meant by them being good for each other? Why was that just slightly scary as well.
Where would she like to ride? “Um” She had to think on that for a moment not to mention organize the mental map she had of the grounds. “Umm isn’t there a good field that way by the barn?” She pointed off towards the stables. “ Umm I think I remember seeing it when I was airborne but I’m not sure.”