June 8, 1889 — Sterling Stables
Bragi Holm
NOTE: Sorry for the wait!

A warning from the head stableman about his past with incidents was what made Ben wear a helmet on his ride for the afternoon. He so loved to feel the wind whip through his hair that he often didn't, but after being asked if he'd prefer the incidents in chronological order or alphabetical, he'd jammed the helmet on his head.

Currently, he was attempting to wedge it off of his head; he'd picked one that was too small. As he was struggling, his stalbleman notified him that a one Mr. Holmes was shown into the stable foyer to pick up Galahad. Ben had finally managed to wrench the damned helmet off his head, bumping his head on the stable post in the process. Massaging the spot, he asked for the housekeeper to send him and his guest a drink. Grabbing the damp towel from the stableman, he threw it over his head to get the sweat out of his curls.

Ben threw the towel over his shoulder as he strode into the main waiting foyer. "Mr. Holmes?" he smiled, spotting the young man and going to shake hands. "Benedict Sterling. As I understand it you're the one taking young Galahad today?"

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Back in Denmark, while his parents had been preoccupied investing in British property so he might make his fortune across the sea, Bragi had been arranging the purchase of a black horse by owl. Now that he had moved into said property and was settling into Hogsmeade, he was itching to finally meet his horse. Perhaps it was not prudent to have already forked over Galleons and to have already named the beast (Galahad), but Bragi was a young man, and not every choice he made in his youth would be of the highest caliber.

And so the young Dane found himself in the foyer of Sterling Stables, clad in riding gear but holding the helmet politely at his side for now, and shaking the hand of the man who'd sold him Galahad. "It's —" he began, about to correct Mr Sterling that his name was just Holm, not Holmes, but with an almost unpleasant lurch in his chest he realised that Mr Sterling was painfully handsome. And so, in another show of bad decision-making that for a moment made him something tantamount to a byspelt, Bragi opted not to correct him. "It's a pleasure to meet you", he finished gratefully. "And to finally be here!" He'd been dreaming of meeting Galahad for weeks.

  

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As his stableman went to fetch the paperwork necessary for the transaction, Benedict gestured genially to the side table and pointed his wand at it. "We're glad you could take young Galahad off our hands for us - pray, what is your drink of choice, sir?" he said. "He's been restless and looking for a life outside our stables, he's very eager to see you." As he spoke, fine crystal glasses and an empty caraf appeared on the table.

"What brings you to our humble little town?" Ben said, entirely unaware that he'd gotten the man's name wrong.

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”Oh — Gillywater please”, he replied distractedly but gratefully as the handsome Mr Sterling offered drinks.

It occurred to him vaguely that Galahad sounded rather more energetic now than he had in their owls, but this did not deter Bragi, who had grown up with speedy young horses. Most of those had been fillies, though. Would Bragi be able to handle a stallion?
For some reason, that question made him feel slightly warm and uncomfortable.

”I have always dreamed of living in Great Britain”, he replied to the question, taken in by the man’s ability to encourage charming small-talk. (It was a rare skill!) ”My father chose Hogsmeade for me, as a wizarding hub and prudent spot to build a property portfolio. I hope one day to own a place like your estate”, he gazed out out of the stable foyer to the grounds beyond. ”It’s very fine.”

  

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At Mr Holm's request, Gillywater immediately filled the empty caraf enough for both of them, and Ben handed the glass to his guest in addition to taking one for himself. He mused over his guest's response as he sipped. While he was certainly partial to Great Britain, this man obviously had hailed from somewhere outside, and Ben wasn't entirely sure that he wouldn't choose a different place if given the opportunity. It was one of the reasons he became an auror; far off lands tickled his fancy, though he certainly had more than enough reasons to stay in Hogsmeade for the time being.

Being in Hogsmeade certainly hadn't hurt his estate career, however. The man's father had a point. Provided with enough connections and a trade with high demand, one could make a cozy nest for oneself in the years after schooling. He gave a modest smile, "Thank you that's very flattering." he offered conversationally. "You seem like someone with a good head on your shoulders, I'm sure you'll do fine." Ben usually had a very outward and ostentatious manner, but when it came to boasting about his goods and success, he remained more modest than anything. With Mr. Holm, he sensed an uncertainty about him which was to be expected of any new-comer in society.

The auror gave an encouraging smile. "Well then! You're most welcome to come by any time and inquire about the foundation! Simply ask for the stableman, he'll show you around and answer any questions you might have." New-comer he might be, but the young man had a sincere and earnest quality about him that Ben seemed to immediately trust. The head stableman approached and handed Ben a piece of parchment containing the contract for the horse.

Ben read it over, making sure the details were in order. His expression faltered slightly and he looked up at his guest with a slightly awkward grimace. "It appears I've blundered and gotten your name wrong!" he said, laughing slightly. "My apologies, Mr. Holm, I can assure you it won't happen again!"

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Although Bragi was evidently received as a gracious sort, and for what it's worth was more polite than most, he felt he paled in comparison to Mr Sterling, who was almost overwhelmingly charming. For all his achievements and qualities, the older fellow was very modest, and not stingy with his social graces. Bragi felt he had a rolemodel right here, but to hit those heights would be to reach the moon.

Reminding himself to nip back another time and learn a bit about the estate from the stableman, Bragi kept his grateful attentions on Mr Sterling, and joined a light chuckle of embarrassment. ”Oh, not to worry. I didn’t notice”, he fibbed cleanly, a faint smile on his white face. Bragi Holm was a foreign name, rarely mastered on first attempt.

Bragi glanced briefly towards the direction of the horses, keen to meet his new equine friend, but he would not be so insolent as to utter his keenness outloud. He was content with the present company, after all; more than content.

  

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The young man had an air that reminded him of someone, yet he couldn't place his finger on it. Ben smiled as he saw him cast a brief glance towards the stables. He supposed he'd tortured Mr. Holm long enough! Were they closer friends, he'd reach out and give him a friendly clap on the back. Presently, he settled for clasping his hands together in a robust fashion and gestured towards the stables. "Shall we?"

He led the way towards the stables, assuming Mr. Holm would quickly follow suit given the fact that Ben had made him wait long enough to see the Galahad. The stables had been down a separate pathway. While there was an entrance to the stables from inside the foyer, Ben rather found himself wanting to show off the whole stable from the front. It wasn't often he'd received a foreigner on his land! Plus, while he was reticent to verbally brag, there was no shame in giving guests a good impression of the land to one who hadn't visited there, yes?

Down the pathway they went which, was lush with hedges and scented flowers, and to the right onto gravel which would easily crunch under both their riding boots. Soon the scent of the stables was upon them in a waft of musty leather, fresh hay and – of course – horses. The sounds followed soon after as the horses jostled among themselves, scenting a newcomer and poking their heads out of their stalls as Galahad** was led towards the two men in the entrance to the main hallway of the stables.

"And there you are!" Ben declared jovially, spreading his arm and gesturing towards the horse.

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**I'll let you to describe the rest of the horse, since Bragi's the one who liked the description of him in the 1st place! ^_^

  

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As well-bred and naturally inclined to politeness as he was, Bragi was hardly a veteran socialite, and so he'd missed the obviousness of his own glance towards the stable, and would not have caught it had he been in Mr Sterling's shoes. But of course Mr Sterling caught it — and with a flash of another handsome smile, no less — and thus Bragi followed his business acquaintance towards the stables, feeling rather transparent. He smiled himself, though. Mr Sterling had an aura of warmth, it was hard not to relax.

So keen was he to meet his new horse, Bragi barely paid heed to his surroundings. Until there he was — Galahad. Recently a colt, now a young stallion, the beast was shiny black and beautiful, long-legged but not very tall at all. A fitting steed for the slight-statured Bragi. "Hello Galahad", he breathed, standing slightly off to the side so not to be in his blind spot. He offered his hand to the mildly inquisitive animal. "He's even prettier than you described", he said over his shoulder to Mr Sterling, blue eyes twinkling with enthusiasm.

  

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Ben couldn't help the swell of pride he felt over Galahad. Though only very young, Ben had still put a great deal of time into training the young colt, molding him into the fine specimen he was today. Glad that Galahad's new owner appeared more than pleased with his new charge, Ben returned the beaming smile. "Im glad you like him!" he laughed heartily, beginning a last walk around the animal so he could be sure he was giving Mr Holm an animal in prime condition.

Since he'd been dealing with horses since a very young age, Ben's next check-list was as good as branded into his brain. Hooves and shoes were in good condition, with the metal hammered on well. Hindquarters and muscles still were nice and supple, as if the horse was ready to spring up into the hay loft. "Everything seems to be in good shape," he murmured, more to himself than the young man across from him.

The auror ran his hands over the horse's smooth coat for the last time. This was always the bittersweet moment - he loved his animals and was always nervous to hand them over to a new owner. It was all the territory of a breeder, he knew, but the mingled feeling of melancholy and nostalgia never got old. "You plan on riding him home, Mr. Holm?" he inquired, clearing his throat. He peered over the black beauty at Mr. Holm, ready to go get the tack promised in the purchase. He had assumed, from his attire that the answer would be yes, but he wasn't entirely willing to jump to conclusions.

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It was hard to miss the bittersweet twinkle in the breeder’s eyes, and Bragi glanced down at his feet, feeling a little sheepish. Was it too romantical to give the young stallion and his erstwhile master time to say goodbye?

But then he blinked up again at the question. ”Oh yes”, he breathed, his own eyes twinkling now — he was enthusiastic to get started with Galahad! ”Yes indeed.”

”Would you care to join me for a span, Mr Sterling?” Bragi asked before he could bite his tongue.

  

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Despite the nostalgia, Benedict did enjoy the eagerness he saw in his clients' eyes as they looked over their newest acquisition. Galahad seemed to sense something was happening as well, his ears pricked forward and his muscles taut with anticipation. Ben was prepped to fetch the tack when the invitation was extended.

He blinked, surprised. He hadn't expected to take his horse out for the day, however, there was no reason he couldn't seeing as Mr. Holm's appointment was the last of the day. "Why not?" he said, smiling jovially. "Thank you for the invite, Mr. Holm!"

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At the man’s surprise, Bragi felt the swelter of embarrassment rise in his chest, brutally aware that his invitation had been quite against the ordinary. He cooled only slightly when said invitation was accepted.

Perhaps this would be an opportunity for him to get to know Benedict Sterling as something other than an immensely kind and painfully handsome gentleman. Yes… perhaps he could find some flaws…

It was not long before Galahad was ready for his first walk with his new master, and in preparing him Bragi managed to forget all about… well, the embarrassment in his chest. For already Galahad was demonstrating so much character, as stallions tend to do. He was sprightly but quite calm for his age, curious and rather dominant as he nosed against Bragi’s shoulder. The boy was already fond of him.

When mounted, he couldn’t help but notice Galahad was taller than expected, but Bragi was used to tall horses and recovered from the initial surprise in a trice. High or low, there was no better view than the world from the back of an equine friend.

- fade out -

  

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