Ethan & Others

Ethan had left Coltrane for two days without interaction. He'd also left him without food, nor any buckets or troughs for water; just hard dirt and a ring of unyielding metal bars that kept him trapped.

Today, the man had a bucket with him, filled with greens, cut apples and carrots, and a sprinkling of other goodies. He walked deliberately by Coltrane's corral before moving towards the small pasture where Savannah and Darkia were kept. Taking an apple slice from the bucket, Ethan clicked his tongue and held the treat out, trying to entice one of the girls to come his way.

Coltrane

Coltrane snorted ignoring him. HIs ears back.

Darkia did not go near him but Savannah tentativly did.

Ethan & Others

This was the first real contact Ethan had made with Savannah, aside from her initial capture. His expression wasn't exactly warm and endearing in this moment, but the predatory facade seemed to have melted away, and there was nothing sinister behind his eyes. He was calm, holding the apple out with his palm held flat, "Go on, you can have it." He spoke, and even his voice sounded less hostile and commanding. Not exactly amiable, but not unpleasant.

Savannah

She sniffed it before taking it one ear back on darkia

Darkia snorted but did not approach

Ethan & Others

Setting the bucket aside, Ethan deftly raised his opposite hand and reached for her muzzle. Not to strike or bring pain, but to offer a soft pet.

Savanna

At the hand being risen she snorted and moved away back to darkia

Ethan & Others

Her reaction was well warranted, Ethan knew. After all, he was the one that manhandled her and stole her away from her family, and it would take time to get past that. But if Ethan were anything, it was determined. He reached down for the bucket and took out a carrot this time, holding the orange treat out and clicking his tongue.

Savannah

Savannah this time just stayed by darkia grooming her.

Darkiaa snorted and groomed Savannah.

Ethan & Others

He gave her a few moments to contemplate the carrot, until it became clear that she wasn't going to come forward for it. No matter, he'd at least gotten her to take one treat from his hand, which was better than he'd been expecting, and told him there was definitely opportunity to work on this particular mare.

Ethan snapped the carrot in two and tossed both pieces a few feet from the mares before walking to the corral a short distance away, where Coltrane was kept. After going several days without food or water, Ethan grabbed an apple slice from the bucket and held it out for the horse; his other had hadn't gone to the whip coiled at his side yet, but it was ready should Colt get testy.

Coltrane

The two grabbed the pieces when he left

Coltrane had dug holes in the ground for water it had been muddy water but water none the less. One ear did go to Ethan but he didn't move

Ethan & Others

After putting a few choice bits of vegetable in his pocket, Ethan scaled the gate and swung his long legs over. He held the apple slice out again and took a few slow steps in Coltrane's direction. The other hand hung loose at his side, not gripping at the whip, but ready to lash it out if need be. If this day did not go well, Ethan would begin training the horse in much more brutal affairs.

Coltrane

Coltrane head lifted when Ethan entered and his ears go back but this time he stayed facing him

Ethan & Others

This was a change that Ethan was cautiously excited for. Either Coltrane was ready to put up a fight, or perhaps he was exhausted by all the feuding. The man clicked his tongue and took a few solid steps in Colt's direction, with his treat-baring hand outstretched. It was a dangerous move for him, but it was worth the risk of potentially turning Coltrane into his new steed.

Coltrane

His head fully raised now one ear flat back while the other on ethan. He snorted at him and pawed the ground. Part of him wanted to attack him and just take the thing in his hand the other didn't.

Ethan & Others

The tell-tale signs of warning were given, and Ethan read them loud and clear. But he didn't back down. He locked his eyes on Coltrane, giving his own signal that he was not intimidated by the yearling's threats, and wouldn't tolerate them. Instead of lashing the young stallion though, Ethan gave him his final chance, the last tenuous olive branch. The man moved forward to close the gap between them, with the harsh look in his eyes contrasting the sweet slice of apple that was openly offered to the horse.

This was it, the final test that would determine which direction Coltrane's life would take.

Coltrane

His nostrils flared as he now held his head up. He didn't however charge him nor did he take the food from him. He would not submit to this human. But he had little energy to attack him.

Ethan & Others

The starvation trap was working as intended at least, in dimming Coltrane's behavior and allow Ethan to get close enough to show that his presence didn't always have to mean pain and fear. The difficult thing would be to get Coltrane to accept this other side of Ethan, and the man still wasn't sure if that would work. He persisted though, stopping just within Coltrane's range. When the yearling didn't take the apple, Ethan switched tactics and slowly raised his opposite hand, holding it first before the horse's nostrils before reaching to lay the first gentle pat against his nose...

Coltrane

His nostrils flared and he almost let Ethan touch him but then he moved away from with a snort putting his hind end to him and digging at the dirt again.

Ethan & Others

The fact that he didn't get kicked or bitten was an improvement, even if that improvement was a result of Coltrane having less energy than usual. Pushing his luck a little further, Ethan circled slowly around, trying to get in front of the young stallion again, once more offering the apple in his hand.

Coltrane

His nostrils flared at ethan and he just kept digging at the dirt mostly ignoring ethan.