[Gift] 1.7 Strange Doctor - Alistair and Satin

Their morning preparations went exceedingly smoothly to both Alistair and Harry’s surprise. Satin’s coat was brushed down, her tail carefully combed and a special shine applied to make her white markings practically glow beneath the various lights. He too had his hair carefully brushed and tied back, a handsome jacket and hat on and the finest top, riding pants and boots Harry could get him. He looked the part perfectly and fit right in amongst the other riders in the stables that morning.

He wished he could remain with Satin in her stall until it was time for him to start but Harry had urged him to watch the various contestants before him. Something about learning what he would need to be wary of and make sure he didn’t forget the pattern. He huffed at thought, as if he and Satin couldn’t do it in their sleep by now.

The wait for his turn however was excruciating as his anxiety rose watching the other performances before his own. As he did so, Harry had stepped away for a moment and Alistair was left fiddling with his old pocket watch to calm his nerves.

“Dr. Castor? Is that you?” He heard an older man speak up from behind him and he turned around with brows raised. “Oh it is you! I never would have imagined running into you here.” The man strode up and grasped Alistair’s free hand, shaking it with far more force than he had expected. “I’m Dr. Thompson, do you remember me?” The man who had finally released his hand looked familiar but it took Alistair a moment to jog his memory. He had peppered greying hair and a dense beard with bushy brows. He certainly was much older than Alistair probably remembered him.

“Dr. Thompson… oh! Oh yes, you worked at the clinic on Pine Street before the darkness, yes?” It finally came rushing back to Alistair, it had been so many years, perhaps over a couple decades by now. No wonder he barely recognized the man, he had been so much younger and certainly didn’t have a beard back then.

“Yes, yes indeed good sir, I’m impressed but you did always have such a sharp wit and excellent memory didn’t you?” He chuckled and roughly patted Alistair on the back as he turned to join him in watching the rider in the ring. It left the doctor almost breathless at the force. “I was lucky that day, out of the clinic on errands. Saved my life ya know. Got stuck in another town however, didn’t make it back until long after things settled.”

Alistair nodded, his throat tightening at the distant memories he had tried to forget. But he knew it was polite to make conversation so he tried his best. “Lucky indeed, I was in the storage room that day, I don’t think I’d have survived if I wasn’t.”

The older man whistled, impressed. “I heard there had been a blood bath in there, sorry you had to see that. You don’t seem terribly off though, in fact you don’t look a day over 30!” He barked out a laugh, making people turn to look at them.

Alistair chuckled awkwardly, his heart racing at the mention of his age and appearance. “Haha, yeah it’s probably my family’s blood, mum looked 20 years younger when she passed.” He cringed at mentioning her, feeling the old wounds dredge up but praying Harry would return and could help him out of this mess.

“Ah ye, I remember her. Lovely woman, shame what happened to her.” Alistair nodded along, biting his tongue and wishing the man would move on. “So you participating in this show? Such a strange sight seeing a doctor riding dressage.” Dr. Thompson chuckled. “I’ve seen others ride from town to town but never for this sort of thing.”

“I am.” Alistair did his best to hide the sigh of relief at the subject change. This would be easier to manage until Harry got back. “In fact, my business partner is my mentor. I’m riding our mare Satin, a loshenka we got from last year’s rescue. Beautiful mare, she has a brown coat and white encircling her belly.”

“Oh she does sound like a beaut, can’t wait to see your turn with her.” The older man crossed his arms. “Surprised you got into the horse business, never took me for a man interested in ‘em.”

“Ah no you’re right I wasn’t. Harry, my associate, was greatly interested in them before the darkness and he saw opportunity with the resurgence in equestrian showing starting here in Lexington.” Alistair swallowed, hoping he sounded like he knew what he was talking about. “We’ve been discussing starting a breeding program with Satin, might train and sell more loshenkas if we can find a suitable stud.” Once again he was grateful for his excellent memory. He knew what he was saying but it also felt like he was just regurgitating what Harry had told him or always brought up in those equestrian conversations he had anytime they visited here.

“Ah, well good luck with that son, might hit you two up if my daughter keeps at this. You still in the medical world? I haven’t heard hide nor hair of ya in years.” The older doctor glanced back at the smaller man before letting his gaze return to the arena.

Alistair shook his head before realizing Dr. Thompson had stopped looking. “Ah, no not exactly. I do some minor vet work for our horses since we live quite far from town. Satin wasn’t a fan of needles but after working with her so much she’s calmed down significantly. Our stallion Daemon is shockingly calm about just about everything.” Alistair scrambled for a way to change the topic so he didn’t have to talk about why exactly what he was doing now. Especially since he still used the title. “You said your daughter is interested in riding?” He forced a smile, glancing back at the older man.

That hit the bullseye and immediately the other doctor began to proudly rattle off about his child. There was barely any more room for Alistair to comment more than some small noises to make it clear he was listening.

“She’ll be out there in about 15 minutes or so. Was trying to find a better spot to view the show.” He chuckled. “She’s the black haired girl on the uh… what do you call em, the uh… cream colored horses.”

“Oh there’s quite a few terms, depending on appearance.” Alistair replied. Before they could continue the conversation however, his savior finally arrived.

“I believe you’re thinking of a cremello or palomino sir.” Harry patted Alistair on the shoulder. “Pleasure to meet you, I’m Dr. Castor’s business partner, Harrington Lynwood, but please call me Harry.” He shared a firm handshake and introductions with the older doctor. Thankfully Harry knew how much Alistair loathed small talk like this and he quickly took over the conversation. The younger man only had to quip up a few times and it all quickly moved on, letting him relax back into the white noise of everything around him.

Eventually Dr. Thompson’s daughter arrived in the ring and she had an excellent performance. It actually made Alistair a bit anxious for his own but Harry’s reminders that placing in this didn’t matter, it was more about the experience soothed his nerves. Once she was done the doctor beside them let out the loudest clapping in the whole of the arena, making Alistiar blush as he drew attention over to them. However he quickly excused himself to go meet up with the young woman and left the two alone.

“So old colleague of yours, hm?” Harry asked once he was gone. Alistair nodded and let out a sigh of relief.

“I barely remember him, he was a part time travelling doctor who primarily worked out of the clinic I apprenticed at. Alright man but it seems age hasn’t made him any less boisterous. While he started getting on my nerves I’m glad to see he’s able to be here with family and support them. Ended up catching up a bit and talking about Satin and your horse business.”

“Our business. Satin is just as much your mare as she is mine. If not more so.” His words and the pride in his voice made Alistair flush and look away for a moment. “But indeed, he seemed incredibly grateful for his good fortune. I don’t know if you picked up on it while we were talking but he mentioned he’s pretty proud of you too. Getting your degree despite everything and managing to learn how to ride. Said the last part was a bit queer but I responded that it simply made sense for the work we’ve been doing. Best you understand all that goes into the animals under our care.”

“Hah, yeah. Thank you for taking over that.”

“Anytime, dear.” He leaned in and whispered, giving Alistair a gentle and subtle squeeze. “Let’s get you ready, you’ll be coming up soon.”

The two quickly parted their spot and returned to the stable to fetch Satin. Alistair took a moment to steel his nerves and take comfort in the mare’s presence. She pressed her nose against him and he gave her as many pets as he could. Harry concluded one last checkover of horse and rider before Alistair and Satin were heading to the arena. His heart thundered in his chest, so loud he almost felt as though everyone around him could hear. He knew Harry probably was picking up on it but was thankful no one else could. A hand briefly slipped into his own, giving it a squeeze before releasing as they arrived.

Alistair did his best to ground himself, pressing a hand against Satin’s soft fur. He could hear her soft snort beside him and the gentle brush of her head against his arm. She knew what she was doing, they could do this together. Finally he moved to her side and with reins in hand he hoisted himself into the saddle. After adjusting himself and making sure everything was as it should be he pulled his gloves on.

“Good luck, I know you two can do this.” Harry smiled up at him, the pride shining in his dark eyes. Alistair smiled back and with a gentle nudge to Satin, finally made their way to the dressage arena entrance.