Second Ax [@the.boneless, video]

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar's improving on using the video function. This time, he gets it on the first try. His voice is just a little above a whisper and he's looking off to the side at something just beyond the camera. The background shows he's in the forest beyond the city.]

Does anyone know where I can find a fire-proof bridle?

[The question seems a bit of a non-sequitur until he turns the camera to the side. There's a Ponyta standing not too far off. Ivar's been trying to get it closer all afternoon. It's taken a lot of patience, but now it's only about ten feet away. Its diamond-shaped eyes narrow as it watches the Viking and the Pokemon tosses its head, too suspicious to come any closer.]

Come on. I won't hurt you. Just a little further. Come on.

[For someone who usually keeps everyone at arm's length with a combination of sarcasm and toughness, he sounds far more gentle than usual. It seems to be working, as the Ponyta takes a hesitant step forward, ears pricked forward in anticipation. Ivar's face is a combination of wonder and awe. He's about ten seconds away from completely freaking out. This creature looks like something from an old legend, a horse with a mane and tail of fire. This qualifies as the coolest thing he's seen since he came to the city.]

Comments

video

[suckstobestrange]

If you bring me a bridle I can enchant it for you.

[Okay that horse is really cool, clearly this place has some interesting wildlife.]

[ragnarsson]

Somehow, I just knew one of my roommates would say that.

[There's three magic-users on his floor. At least one of them had to know a way to do it. The Ponyta seems to have decided that eight feet away is a good enough distance. It stops there, stiff-legged, watching Ivar, nostrils flaring as it takes in his scent.]

[suckstobestrange]

It'd take a bit for it to be a lasting enchantment. I can bring you out a rope with something a bit shorter term in the meanwhile, assuming the creature sticks around that long.

[Not to mention where are you even gonna keep a fire-horse, bro?]

[ragnarsson]

If it's stuck around this long, I think it'll last a little while longer.

[Psh, a small detail like that isn't going to stop the Viking. Taming a horse on fire trumps all logic.]

[burntbridges]

[She's not exactly sure how loud her voice will be over his device, so she's whispering just in case, but hey - she already caught a pokemon, so she feels she can be of some assistance.]

Do you need food for it? I have some of Sprig's on hand.

[ragnarsson]

I'll take anything that gets it closer at this point. Wait, wait! Don't go.

[This last part is directed towards the Ponyta, which dances away a few steps when it hears a twig snap nearby. If it's anything like the horses back home, it promises to be a jittery little thing. Ivar doesn't move forward, instead letting the horse Pokemon calm down naturally. Soon, it resumes its slow progression forward, one hoof in front of the other.]

There we go. That's it.

--> action

[burntbridges]

I'll come over then. That's a ponyta, by the way.

[She's been studying hard to follow Professor Sycamore's lessons, because Letha has a vested interest in being The Very Best. At everything.

In a couple of minutes she's made her way out to where he is, carrying a bag of general supplies and being followed along by Sprig. Once she's close enough to spot the horse pokemon, she starts moving slowly and quietly, and crouches beside Ivar.]

The Professor told me it's best to battle them if you want to make friends. You can borrow Sprig if you like, and... I think I have a spare Pokeball on hand. [She pauses.] Or you can feed it. It might be hungry out here.

[ragnarsson]

[Huh. A Ponyta. That's a fitting name for such a beast. When Letha shows up, it doesn't like the sudden change, with now two people and a new Pokemon. It backs up a few steps, ears going back and forth, whickering softly.]

Careful. It's really skittish.

[He considers both options. Seeing as how he's no idea how to battle and would likely make a mess of it, feeding it seems like it might be the easier option.]

Let's hope it's hungry. Get out the food.

@outis

[prisonking]

Please be careful.

Video

[ragnarsson]

Yes, mother.

[If he ends up burning his hands, he'll be pretty much unable to move until it heals up. That's not a risk he's going to take.]

It's a horse on fire. Of course I'll be careful.

video;

[prisonking]

[ Switching to video, because he really doesn't want to distract Ivar any further by making him read. He can't quite conceal his expression of concern/irritation. ]

Just a horse on fire. Right. No big deal.

Has anyone taught you how to use a fire extinguisher?

[ragnarsson]

I've seen stranger things. Can't think of anything right now, but I'm sure I have.

[That's good because Ivar was using the text-to-speech function since he can't read. The sound was agitating the Ponyta.]

No. Should they have?

[Oh yes, this will only end in disaster.]

video

[toolatetochangethename]

[Is that something that sounds like a challenge for the engineering postgrads among us? It certainly does. Welcome to the Scott Lang school of impromptu engineering solutions. ]

Could probably work something up with fire hoses, if they're the right type. Or turnout gear.

[ragnarsson]

[Scott Lang, meet Ivar, a psychopathic young Viking who thinks taming a fire horse is worth getting burned for. This shall be a great partnership.]

How long would that take you?

[toolatetochangethename]

[There is no way this could go bad. Ever. ]

I don't know. Couple hours, tops?

[Starting with a small pilferage of the hose, of course.]

[ragnarsson]

Good. I should have it back to the city by then.

[Failure is not an option when Ivar wants something. And he really wants the Ponyta.]

Where can I meet you?

Video (@prof.sycamore)

[megabond]

[Just as he sees the video feed, he also sees the Ponyta and realizing what the man is trying to do, it is best for him to give him some advice.]

I'll be careful with its mane if I were you.

[ragnarsson]

Let me guess. It'll burn my hand if I try to touch it?

[One of the reasons he's been taking his time in letting the fire horse Pokemon approach him. If he ends up with a burned hand, he's going to be incapacitated until it heals up. That just won't do.]

[megabond]

You're right about burning your hand, but if you try to gain their trust to you, the flame on its mane will be unaffected by your touch.

un: jb.barnes, video

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Bucky just looks incredibly skeptical. Things on fire kind of lose their novelty when your teenage best friend could set himself on fire, and did so often.]

Where are you even going to keep it?

[ragnarsson]

[Psh, don't spoil his fun now, Bucky.]

This city is big enough that it has to have stables, right?

[Or, you know, a Pokeball once he figures out those exist. Probably good not to keep it anywhere it could light the place on fire.]

[anotheroldsoldier]

Maybe. I haven't exactly seen any horses around here, though. [He doesn't really want a flaming horse on their floor pls Ivar.]

If you get burned, run room temperature water over it, not cold. [Says a man with experience treating minor burns and heat rashes. Such is life when your flaming best friend used to carry you in the air by your arms.]

audio; @ellie

[pundemic]

Hooo-ly shit what is that?

[There is awe and wonder and utter bemusement in her voice. Yep, this is what passes for a greeting. Hi, Ivar.]

[ragnarsson]

I have been told it is something called a Ponyta.

[See, now this is the appropriate response to seeing a horse on fire, rather than all the worrywarts he seems to have attracted with this post. Is it not the coolest thing ever?]

[pundemic]

And you're going to ride it?

[Animals on fire would understandably be more distressed about the whole thing, so she's assuming this is just par for the course with the weirdness this place attracts. Fiery ponies. Okay.]

Badass. Can I help?