I Walk A Lonely Road *OPEN*

[Amelia]

Wind blew the dark brown hair of the towering 6'4" farmer boy's hair slightly away from his tan and powerful looking face. His long legs wrapped around the barrel of a dark bay Andalusian stallion, towering at 17.3 hands and walking with a graceful gait. They had ridden for about an hour now, sent to the market place to find migrane medicine for his mother who was ill at the moment. Iakoz wasn't concerned. Her health had wavered ever since his abbusive father had died, and to him his mother was weak for staying married to such an evil person. The 29 year old squeezed his horse slightly, edging his gait from a walk to a trot. A somber look remained on his face when he reached the shop he had visted oh so frequently, and dismounted. Tieing his horse, he appraoched the door and stepped inside, being welcomed by the cool shade. It was a nice break from working in the feilds, and after a tiersome day of labor he kind of liked getting away from things by visiting the market.

Iakoz stepped forward to the counter and examined the many potions and medicens avalible, waiting for assistance. When no one came, he straightened and cleared his throat, trying to look as classy as one can who was wearing sweaty, tattered, and fifthly clothing from the feilds.

[Riley]

Ria glared at the vials in front of her "Now, you behave! If I try to put something in you, you better not spill it back out!" She yelled, finally losing her cool. Long black hair in a disheveled french braid, she swung her head towards a rather large vial. "And YOU! I have never met a vial so SEXIST! Just because I am not a man, does not mean I don't know how to make the best potions in Anthropesia!" The large vial responded with a violent hiss in her direction, shoving a small, frail vial over. The tiny vial shuddered and inched its way closer to the edge "Don't you pick on Frederick! You know he has problems!" Ria soothingly patted the tiny vial, interrupting its suicidal adventure. The large vial, Ulric, proceeded to tip over, the contents of it spilling down Ria's apron. "Oh, sodder." She hissed, putting out the fire that had started on her apron. "That is the last time I put Quik-Fyre in you." Ria growled, her hands on her hips and brilliant green eyes glaring at the large vial. "I'm not going to help you up. You can stay there for awhile and think about what you have done." She huffed, and started to clean up the mess Ulric had made, only to be interrupted by a loud noise from the front room.

"Une momente, si'l vous plait!" She yelled, then looked for another apron that wasn't half gone. Unsuccessful in her quest, Ria resorted to going to the front room with the half burned apron. At least the customer would get a laugh out of her appearance. She sighed and marched out, placing herself behind the counter. The tiny woman examined the man in front of her, he was probably more than a foot taller than her. "Hello, I am Mademoiselle Hockan. How may I be of service?" She asked, impatiently awaiting his answer.

[Amelia]

He smirked as the tiny woman marched out of a room. Eyeing her from her toes to head, he laughed. "Tough time?" he asked, deep and soothing voice filling the room. He leaned forward and placed his hands on the counter, still having to look down to make eye contact with the girl. "I'm in need of something for migranes. Got anything that might help?"

Iakoz smiled through his exhaustion. This little person in front of him was so . . . firey. The man straighened again and smoothed his fiflthy, mud covered clothing, trying not to get too much dirt on the ground. He shrunk back slightly when he realized that he had left a trail of dirt into the building. "Sorry 'bout that . . . " he said, sandy brown eyes staring at the mess he had made. He turned back around and stared into the alluring green eyes of the ferice female hidden behind glasses.

He took a glance over his shoulder at his stallion, growing impaciet of standing in one place. He released a pericing neigh and pawed at the ground, making the 29 year old mementarily rush outside and give him a good smack on the shoulder. He walked back into the building, collecting himself and clearing his throat once more. Iakov flinched again, realizing he had made an even bigger dirt trail.

[Riley]

Ria resisted the urge to move away as he leaned over the counter. The petite woman was big on personal space, no matter how attractive the person was that invaded it. The handsome-ness of the man in front of her had been more of a side thought to Ria, as her mind had things more urgent to think about, mainly Ulric. She hoped he hadn't found a way to pick himself back up. If only her father would let her toss that nuisance out, but, nope. Ulric had been a birthday present to him from her deceased mother. Ria had a sinking feeling that she would never be able to get the sodder out of her shop. Ria's attention was once more drawn to the large being standing in front of her, as he tracked more mud into her precious shop. She attempted to ignore it, but knew it would bug her until she cleaned it up. "Don't worry about the mud. Migraines? Oui, I believe we do have something for that. Hold on a moment." Ria knew exactly where the migraine potion was, she had just coaxed the vial that contained it from killing itself a few moments ago.

Ria approached the potions cupboard, gently picking up Frederick and holding it close for a second. "Now, I'm going to send you off with this man, okay, Fred? You'll be fine, I promise. He'll bring you back." The tiny potion seemed to shiver, the silver liquid it contained slightly disturbed by the movement. Ria was still murmuring reassuring things to the depressed vial as she walked back out into the front room. Ria placed Frederick on the counter between her and the man. "This is Frederick. He is a little...sensitive. Talk gently to him, and be nice, and he'll do what you want. Also, he's slightly disturbed, so, you should probably keep him in locked cabinets, away from any...long falls. That'll be two bronze coins, please."

[Amelia]

Iakov nodded, and placed four bronze coins on the counter. "For the mess . . . " he stated, picking up the vile as gently as a rough farm hand could. The tan and tall man began to exit when he slowed to a stop and turnned back to face the small lady. "You know . . . I finished up work early today . . . How 'bout I help you round the shop a bit?"

His deep voice filled the room with relaxing tones that only his father could achive when he was in a good mood. The farmer yawned a bit and brushed his hair away from his eyes, looking into the green eyes of the worker. "Anything . . . really."

Iakov's stallion began to paw at the ground again. "No!" the farmer shouted, loud enough to be heard outside with is low voice. "My appoligies for the noise Miss. He justs gets a little bored standing there." The brunette paused. "Have you ever ridden an Andalusian stallion?"

Andalusians were quite magnificent horses that were typically used by the royal family, and being a horse breeder, Iakoz had the privelage of keeping all of the horses that were not deemed acceptible by the king, or in other words not pure white in color. Their biast in color disgusted him, but it allowed for more horses at his farm.

[Riley]

"Oh, well, thank you." Ria said, a little surprised. She scooped up the coins and tossed them in her pocket before the man had a chance to change his mind. Was he actually offering to help her? Ria blinked, a little taken aback. She could handle things by herself, she always handled things by herself. Oh, that was unfair. Her father tried, when he could. But mainly, he just stayed upstairs, with his books. Or book, she guessed. He always had the same one, reading it over and over. "I think I can handle it, there isn't much to do..." She trailed off as she thought of the list of things she had to sort, clean and make. There was a lot to do. But she could handle it. Ria could handle everything by herself.

The tiny woman jumped at his sudden shout. "Don't worry about it. Oh, can't say I have." Ria had always avoided anything that could possibly stampede over her, and for such a small woman, that was a lot of things. Ria was flustered and Ria was never flustered. Just, a lot of things were happening that had never happened before. Mainly, this strange man that chose to stay and talk to her. Most people would of gotten their potion, payed the minimum amount, and gotten out to avoid the strange girl that constantly occupied Hockan's Potions. "Since you've chosen to stay longer than five minutes, I feel it is my duty to properly -- or improperly, I can never tell what applies to which -- introduce myself further. I am Ria Isobel Hockan. You may call me Ria." Ria offered her tiny, pale, hand out to be shook.

[Amelia]

"Hello Ria," he said with a gentle smile, tasting the name for the first time. "You may call me Iakov . . ." he said, not stating his last name. It reminded of his horrible father, and those were memories in which he did not want to revisit. "Never? Well then I guess you might just have to go for a ride," he stated, smile widening. He left the store briscly without waiting for a response and grabbed the reins of his stallion, motioning for Ria to follow.

His mind whirled of possible places that they could visit on horseback, and was reminded of a very beautiful view of the sea near the castle. 'I'll have to take her there . . . ' he thought while tightening the girth on his saddle. The horse, Watson, pinned his ears in annoyance as the band grew tighter, but relaxed when his owner stroked him, whispering words that only the horse could hear.

"Are you coming?" he said with a smirk, not willing to take no for an answer. He would put her in front of him so he could keep her from sliding off and control the horse as well. The tall man stroked his horse's neck while waiting for the girl to come outside the store.

[Riley]

"Wait, what?" Ria stared after Iakov, now convinced that he was thoroughly insane. "Me? On a horse?" She stepped out of the shop, getting a full view of the stallion. Ria froze. It looked exactly like the horses Gallifrey had excitedly described to her so many years ago, although he often said that they were a 'startingly angelic white'. This horse was a much darker, almost bay color. He filled her little twelve year old ears with tales of Horses, battles and training until the day he never came home. The foolish, foolish boy had gone off and joined the army. Now, you couldn't even mention the word in front of Ria without receiving a cold glare. She hated the Anthropesian royalty, army, and basically anyone with any sort of power over anything destructive."I really shouldn't leave the shop." She said, taking a few steps back within the safety of the doorway. Crossing her arms, she set her steady, stubborn gaze on Iakov. "You might as well give up now. I will not get on that."

Her refusal seemed strong, but really, she wanted to go just a tiny bit. Ria couldn't remember a time she had been out of the shop just to get out of the shop. Usually she was working all day, went to sleep, then got up and started working again. Ria hardly had time to check in on her father, or make anything other than cabbage soup -- which was as disgusting as it sounded. No. She thought, fighting against the urge to be free just once. I have other things to do, anyway. It was true, she did have a long list of duties to do before she could tuck in for the night. Ria held her stubborn gaze, green eyes narrowing.

[Amelia]

Iakov smiled at her stubborness. "Oh, you're coming alright." he stated, tone deepening as he grew more serious. With only a few steps his long stride had him directly infront of her, their bodies almost touching as he looked down into the green eyes now glaring at him. "Why must you ressist?" he whispered. With one swift move he picked her up off the ground and slung the girl over his shoulder, his hands on her back and thighs to keep her from falling. He once again stepped toward Watson. "Easy boy . . . " he stated softly, trying not to spoke the horse because of the girl over his left shoulder.

The strong farm boy swung her like a rag doll over the horse's back and grabbed her by the waist, positioning her body in just the right spot so the horse would't buck with the two of them on its back.

He laughed. "You know, this would've been much easier if you had jsut agreed to get on. There is no way I'd let you pass up and oppritunity like this."

With a quick laugh he sprung upon the massive horse's back from the ground and positioned himself behind the girl. Gentley and slowly he moved both his hands on either sides of her waist and scotted his body next to hers, then grabbed the reins and took a moment to get a feel for the horse again.

"You ready?" he whispered into her ear, preparing to squeeze the horse onward.

[Riley]

"No, I am no--" Ria was interrupted as Iakov stomped over to her and proceeded to invade her personal space. "I--uh--" He swung her over his shoulder, much to her dismay. "I am NOT a bag of potatoes! This is most degrading!" She glared down at his back -- a rather nice back, if she might add -- and pounded against his shoulders with her tiny fists. "IT'S NOT HIM YOU SHOULD BE TELLING TO CALM DOWN, SIR!" Ria growled, as frustrated as she could possibly be. Really, this was ridiculous. He had no right to just come and pick her up like that -- be all 'Oooh, I'm a farmer boy, I'm just going to swing you over my shoulder with my gigantic, bulging muscles, and stare at you with my pretty brown eyes.' No. Right. Besides, his eyes weren't that pretty. Just...really brown. Or was it golden? There probably wasn't even a color to describe it.

She huffed and ripped her apron off, tossing it on the ground. It was useless now, anyway. A brown shirt two sizes too big for her was under it, along with breeches. Crossing her arms, Ria glared at him as he was still on the ground. "I'm glad you find this so amusing, Iakov. I, however, do not. Nor do I view this as an opportunity I would enjoy participating in." Ria hadn't thought about riding a horse, especially this type of horse, since she was twelve. And she hadn't had any intention to.

Her face turned red behind her freckles as he scooted her towards him. "I am most certainly not ready. Although I doubt that will stop you. I'm also sure you're aware that this is kidnapping, but I fear that it is a moot point now." Ria reluctantly unfolded her arms and gripped the saddle horn like her life depended on it.

[Amelia]

He smiled and laughed, abdominal muscles flexing with amusement. "No, it won't," he said, applying the slightest bit of pressure to the stallions barrel as he lurched forward into a walk. The brunette applied preassure on diffrent parts of the horse's sides sin order to manuver him down the street easily, supporting the girl infront of him with his forearms.

"Would you look at that . . . " he said in a flabberghasted tone. "You're not dead!" Iakoz bellowed, laughing at Ria's nervousness.

He inched slightly closer to her to support her, and squezzed the stallion up onto the next gait, a much bumpier trot. Making sure that she wouldn't slide off, Iakoz once again squeezed the horse onward and he finally broke gate into a canter.

He had lost count of the number of homes and shops that they had passed while ridding, and he soon found them etering a wooded trail area. Once he slowed the horse down to a wallk again he breathed deeply. "Are you enjoying the kidnapping so far Madam?" he whispered kindliy into her ear. They rounded a corner and the once forest abruptly ended to sea cliffs. With a smile the boy had the horse walk on the edge, and eventually the mountain side fadded into a beautiful sandy beach.

[Riley]

"Not yet." Ria mumbled, loosening her grip on the saddle horn. "For all I know, you could be some sort of murderer disguised as a farmer that likes tiny black haired girls with glasses and freckles." Although, she highly doubted it. Ria compared this gigantic man to a teddy bear. If anyone were to be a murderer here, she though that she would best fit the description. Hmm. What an odd murderer that would be. A tiny girl that creates potions all day. The longer the ride, the more relaxed Ria became. She straightened up in the saddle, leaning back against Iakov. Ria loosely placed her hands on her legs, looking around for the first time.

Her green eyes filled with wonder. "I've never been this far out of town." She whispered, gazing at the forest. "Of course, I've read about it...but I've never actually seen it." Ria was disappointed when the forest ended, but that feeling soon ceased once she saw the ocean. "Oh, wow." She murmured, seeming to forget that she was on a horse, an animal which she had always considered dangerous. Ria pushed her specs farther up her nose and attempted to take in every little bit of the gorgeous view in front of her. "Oh, what? Yes." She said, not really taking in what he had asked her.

"Can we-- are we going to stop here?" Ria questioned, coming back to reality. She turned her head as far as she could, hopeful green eyes looking at Iakov out of her peripherals. Suddenly, Ria was okay with being kidnapped. Yes, that seemed to be the highest point of her day so far. Or life.

[Amelia]

Iakov smiled as she wanted to get off to enjoy the scenery. "If you wish," he said, dismounting, then turning to her and lifting the small person off the horse. He gently placed her on the ground and grapped the horse's reins, walking out toward the crashing waves. Iakov looked toward her and smiled again, pleased she was enjoying her time out. The man revoved his shoes and rolled up his pantlegs, wading out into the water with the horse.

He paused breifly and picked up something with his toes and transfered the object to his hands. Jogging out of the water he went back to Ria with the object in his hand. It was a live sand dollar, a purple one at that. The tiny feet squirmed on the bottom side of the stragnge creature, and he grapped Ria's hand, placing the animal on her palm. With a smile he sat in the sand infront of his horse and looked over the horizen.

"Have you ever spent the night out here?" he asked her. "Just watched the sunset and rise? It looks quite beautful over the water . . . "

Iakov took a deep breath and looked back at Ria, hoping she was havig a good time.

[Riley]

"I really am quite a mobile creature. There's no need for all this lifting and tossing around. Except, for, you know, the occasions when I am astride a giant creature." Ria cursed her smallness and followed him towards the water. She stopped a few feet before the waves and sat down in the sand. It was rather nice to be on ground after being on a...being on ground. However that worked out. Ria lifted her hands to her hair and undid her messy french braid, letting her long, black hair fall down freely. She then kicked off her boots and pushed her toes beneath the sand. "It's so...warm." Ria smiled and proceeded to lay back, kneading her hands into the sand and staring up at the blue sky. "Unexpectedly warm." Ria murmured. "Is it always like this here?" It felt like time had stopped and nothing else mattered.

She laughed and sat up on her elbows as Iakov went into the water. "What're you doing?" Ria accepted the sand dollar from Iakov when he came back. "Oh, I've read about these!" She said, holding it up closer to her eyes. "They're nifty." Ria stroked the purple sand dollar with her finger, then set it back down on the sand. Frowning, Ria looked back at Iakov. "Shouldn't we get Frederick to your mum? Or is it not too serious...?" Her green eyes glanced at the pocket she had seen the big brute of a man put her precious vial in earlier. Ria sat all the way up and hugged her knees to her chest, still looking at Iakov, awaiting an answer.

[Amelia]

"Yeah, its allways warm. Just ecspecially hot in the summers." Iakov commented, He frowned when she mentioned his mother. "Oh yeah . . . " he whispered. "It's not too serious." He said, sitting closer to Ria. He had managed to inch closer to her to the point that they were almost touching, and he looked into her eyes. "My mother is fine." he stated flatly, looking back over the horizen.

He felt a pang of sarcasam hit him, and thought for a mament, but concealed it from the small girl.

"So how old are you?" he asked her, expecting a number like twenty four or five. Iakoz cleared his throat and laid down on the warm sand like it was a hot bed. All of his strained mucles relaxed and he looked back over at Ria.

"Relax," he told her. "Here, lay down next to me." he stated, reffering to her sitting upright.