I had the rest of the day ahead of me after revealing my romantic relationship to the director. I wish I could have stayed pushing papers like all the lucky ones, but just because I wasn't on the field didn't mean I didn't have any work to do. I need to learn how to ride a horse. Where could a regular guy like me learn that in the middle of a city? The answer is a bit complicated.
I could technically head to the mounted patrol unit at the FBI and ask for lessons, but although I was now a fully fledged field agent at the otherworldly affairs department, on paper I was still a desk agent for the rest of the bureau. There was some cooperation between different units, but I was advised against relying on other units to keep things between the regular FBI and the otherworld affairs department separated.
"That's why you get paid so much." The system manager explained how my new salary was not just to compensate me for my work, but also to allow me some resources I could use independent from the agency. Honestly, I don't get it. While traveling to other worlds I would be able to access the FBI vault with some restrictions depending on the world and the mission. However, I got to keep some of the items I found and even the money as personal belongings. The system called it my inventory, some sort of pocket dimension that can store items with magic, but it just doesn't make sense to separate what belongs to the agency and what belongs to me. Especially when the use of items is heavily restricted in this world.
"Got it." I said before cutting communications with the system manager as I drove my car across the city. Spending my own money for a mission didn't sit right with me as I believe the bureau should take care of these matters. I'm not cheap, it's just how I see things.
Thankfully, I don't need to head over to a ranch far from the city. Why make myself a fool struggling to learn how to ride a horse when I can do the same with my good friend Peter.
"It's the cops! Run, baby!" Marla, Peter's girlfriend shrieked a warning shout and Peter freaked out for some reason. He ran away with his headset on and a keyboard behind his shoulder.
"Activate defense perimeter!" Peter shouted and the AI home assistant replied with blaring alarms and steel curtains falling down to cover the windows.
"Did I come in a bad time?" I ask.
"Is that you, Bob?" Peter asks from behind a couch.
As far as I knew Peter had nothing to be afraid of and I was baffled by his and his girlfriend reaction. Flashes of me having to arrest him for hacking, industrial espionage, even more heinous crimes passed in front of my eyes. Ten minutes later I learned the reason for their reaction was actually innocent.
"Swatting?"
"Exactly," Peter nodded. "it's more common than you may think."
"Let me get this straight. You stream yourself playing and they get so mad at you and send cops at your address?" I was astounded at the extent people can take their pettiness. Just thinking on the waste of government resources makes me cringe.
"So, what brought you to my domain anyway?" Peter finally asked.
"I have some time off and thought maybe you could teach me how to ride a horse. Since you have a stable and all."
"I knew this day would come! Marla, get me my riding armor."
"Get it yourself, I'm busy." She didn't even lift up her head from her phone.
"Actually... maybe you could lend me one of those armors and teach me how to wear them."
"Is it my birthday!?" Peter screamed like a child who just opened a surprise gift.
"No, it is not." The monotone sound of Peter's AI home assistant came from the nearest speaker.
"So, how are things?" I try to make some conversation with Peter's girlfriend.
"We don't need to talk." She scoffed still stuck on her phone screen. Most people would take it as her being rude, but I think she knows I was just trying to fill in the silence with chatter.
Peter then dragged me towards a walking closet that contained only cosplay items. Linen or cotton shirts, leather pants, historically accurate shoes, but that wasn't all. There were several armor sets lined up. I would say he's taken things too far, but I'm not going to lie to myself. It really is a cool hobby, though perhaps it's only because he has the resources to have everything professionally made or bought from private auctions.
"This one is yours," Peter pointed at a large plate armor made of steel. It had engraved decorations all over and some gilded details, though what I liked the most was the visor that could come up and down mechanically. Peter then helped me wear each piece while explaining how to do it properly. "most armors need help to wear, but the ones you see are designed to be worn without any help."
"It fits me perfectly." I say as I look myself at the mirror then I take a glance at the other armors noticing something strange. "are those for Harris and Patrick?" Peter ignored my question and rushed to the stables where he proceeded to teach me everything as if he had rehearsed it. "you seem awfully prepared to teach this..." Peter once more ignores my question.
Saddling a horse wasn't difficult at all despite me doing it for the first time. Following a procedure step by step and paying attention to detail was all it needed. It was the next part I had a problem with. There's two kind of people in this world, those who've never been near horses and think they're dangerous and those who have and still think the same thing. Those who underestimate the power of a creature that weights a thousand pounds usually learn the hard way.
"The key is making eye contact before attempting to ride a horse. They will tell you how they feel about you and they will also sense how do you feel. If you're uneasy, the horse will be too. So keep calm and act natural."
"Easy, easy, easy..." I repeat the mantra as I walk near the horse. I looked it in the eye as I walk near but instead of the expected gentle look I received a soul piercing gaze.
"You're doing great, just keep going," Following instructions is my entire job description and I did as Peter said only to receive a kick on the chest as a reward. Not just that, the damned thing started neighing like he just did the funniest thing. "are you Okay?" Peter rushed to me, but I was already standing up.
"Now you've done it!" I leap towards the horse and catch the reins with both hands, starting a tug of war I was determined to win no matter the cost.
"Let go!" Peter warned.
"Your heard him, let go!" I grunt at the stubborn stead. In response, the horse bumps my head with his and rather than pulling it starts pushing. Two can play that game. It turned out, that wasn't true and the horse dropped me on the ground and stomped me for good measure. Peter was ready to call an ambulance, but the armor played its part perfectly. I chased after the horse until I cornered it by the fence. I thought it was going to attack me, but it surrendered. They really are smart creatures.
"That was... something." Peter chuckled.
I asked to stay a couple days to practice and Peter was more than happy to agree. Dinner at his place resembled a medieval banquet, though it was nothing compared to the one I participated in at Valhala world. I'm not comparing to make Peter's effort look bad and I really enjoyed it. It's just that after traveling to other worlds it's very difficult to surprise me.
"I've been playing this game lately and perhaps you can help me a little. Maybe give me some hints."
"What game?"
"It's one you don't know."
"If I don't know it, then it's probably shit," Peter said with confidence. "what is it about?"
"It's actually not a good one. It's set on a world with medieval technology, elves and magic are real and there's undead."
"That's literally half of the genre, you'll have to be more specific."
"I can't..."
"Alright, something's off here. You're either lying to me or hiding something very important. This has been one of the best days of my life, when one of my brothers finally takes an interest in the same things I do, but there's no way you're the same Bob I had to beg just to try playing Beacon of Justice. Are you dying? Am I dying? What's going on!?" Peter asked desperate.