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TLDR - Kisho goes jobhunting, Jim ponders the past and Finn's very confused

Featuring Kisho Kurakawa on Astrid , Finn Walsh on Libertalia , and Jim Kelly on Oxana .
Prev: Birdwatching on Horseback - Next:
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It was only during the ferry ride back from the Inverny Hunt that Jim remembered his encounter with Kisho. The intense nausea that came with sailing made him question if it ever happened, or if he had just seen a ghost during a particularly stressful evening. He read his journal for confirmation that yes - Kisho Kurakawa, son of an ex “colleague” from his days with a criminal organisation had tracked him down. He had current colleagues, in more honourable work nowadays that he had to protect, which is why he had carried on his plans and activities as usual. After going out for drinks with the man following his impromptu visit, armed and paranoid, Jim ended the night fairly satisfied that they were on the same wavelength and simply seeking a quiet life. During the tipsy conversation, it had surprised Jim to discover that Kisho had gone to university at some point to study equine genetics and while at the university had become a keen dressage rider.

Jim was initially tempted to keep Kisho at arm's length. The man seemed to have escaped his past, else he’d already be dead - but there was always that risk that he would undo Jim’s extensive work to stay under the radar. The prospect of another dressage rider at Ballyroan to exercise his growing herd and an equine geneticist to aid in his new breed’s development would be extremely beneficial.

And so, as Jim returned home, he pondered his options. It bothered him that he couldn’t turn to his best friend about the dilemma. He had kept his past from him, but a day didn’t pass where he didn’t want to tell Finn everything. He wouldn’t put him through the same fate as the boy’s uncle. Knowing too much was extremely dangerous. Instead, he’d go on a short hack with Finn to settle his thoughts.

Jim made his vet rounds as he did every day, noticing that Frankie’s mare Oxana was a bit agitated after her checkup and needed to blow off some steam he rang to ask if he could hack with her for a bit. Frankie seemed more than content with that and so, he tacked up and met Finn at the arena to do some light warmups before heading out. Finn was waiting with Libertalia, a moody Friesian mare that probably also needed to let out some energy.

Jim waved at Finn, “Better helmet up, lad, she’ll be amping to throw you”.

“Pfft, at least this one had two eyes to keep on the road, where’s your helmet?”

The pair of them went through some easy paces for a handful of laps, chatting and reflecting on Finn’s performance at a recent peacock-themed dressage event until they were distracted by the sound of approaching hoofsteps. Being a particularly dark and grey day, it wasn’t clear who was approaching, but neither of them recognised the horse. Eventually, though, Jim recognised the thin man with jet black hair and fumbled to make a decision of how to approach the situation. The man decided for him.

“Afternoon, gentlemen. It appears you left your front gate open. Thought I’d do the neighbourly thing and let you know.”

Finn, the sweet soul that he is thanked the man, “Ah you must be at the farm past the river, that’s grand, thank you so much!”
Kisho turned to Finn with a twisted smile, as if amused and confused all at once. He instantly saw Harri in him.

Jim has some weird sense of humour keeping this kid around. He thought to himself.
“You’re quite welcome, Mr?”

“Walsh, Finnlay Walsh. Call me Finn though”

And confirmed. Jim’s hanging around with his ex-partner’s relative. A nephew perhaps? Interesting. Kisho didn’t have much time to wrap his head around this unexpected situation or introduce himself before Jim chimed in.

“Lovely horse you have there, Sir. Do you usually close neighbours’ gates on horseback or can I help you with anything else?”

Finn looked baffled at Jim. True, it was a bit weird for the man to have trailed the long drive to the front gate and he had sworn he’d closed it after him, but still, it wasn’t the polite greeting he was expecting from him.

“Well, actually yes. I’m looking for a job. I heard about your breed revival and I would be happy to offer my services as a qualified equine geneticist. I have a lab and equipment already set up, and I can send through my qualifications if you’re interested.”

“Apologies Sir, I only discuss business in my office. We’re about to go on a hack, if you’d join us?”

Kisho raised an eyebrow. “It would be a pleasure.”

Finn had never been more confused but knew best not to make it known.

Art & characters by me
No refs used

Description
TLDR - Kisho goes jobhunting, Jim ponders the past and Finn's very confused

Featuring Kisho Kurakawa on Astrid , Finn Walsh on Libertalia , and Jim Kelly on Oxana .
Prev: Birdwatching on Horseback - Next:
--------------------------------------------------

It was only during the ferry ride back from the Inverny Hunt that Jim remembered his encounter with Kisho. The intense nausea that came with sailing made him question if it ever happened, or if he had just seen a ghost during a particularly stressful evening. He read his journal for confirmation that yes - Kisho Kurakawa, son of an ex “colleague” from his days with a criminal organisation had tracked him down. He had current colleagues, in more honourable work nowadays that he had to protect, which is why he had carried on his plans and activities as usual. After going out for drinks with the man following his impromptu visit, armed and paranoid, Jim ended the night fairly satisfied that they were on the same wavelength and simply seeking a quiet life. During the tipsy conversation, it had surprised Jim to discover that Kisho had gone to university at some point to study equine genetics and while at the university had become a keen dressage rider.

Jim was initially tempted to keep Kisho at arm's length. The man seemed to have escaped his past, else he’d already be dead - but there was always that risk that he would undo Jim’s extensive work to stay under the radar. The prospect of another dressage rider at Ballyroan to exercise his growing herd and an equine geneticist to aid in his new breed’s development would be extremely beneficial.

And so, as Jim returned home, he pondered his options. It bothered him that he couldn’t turn to his best friend about the dilemma. He had kept his past from him, but a day didn’t pass where he didn’t want to tell Finn everything. He wouldn’t put him through the same fate as the boy’s uncle. Knowing too much was extremely dangerous. Instead, he’d go on a short hack with Finn to settle his thoughts.

Jim made his vet rounds as he did every day, noticing that Frankie’s mare Oxana was a bit agitated after her checkup and needed to blow off some steam he rang to ask if he could hack with her for a bit. Frankie seemed more than content with that and so, he tacked up and met Finn at the arena to do some light warmups before heading out. Finn was waiting with Libertalia, a moody Friesian mare that probably also needed to let out some energy.

Jim waved at Finn, “Better helmet up, lad, she’ll be amping to throw you”.

“Pfft, at least this one had two eyes to keep on the road, where’s your helmet?”

The pair of them went through some easy paces for a handful of laps, chatting and reflecting on Finn’s performance at a recent peacock-themed dressage event until they were distracted by the sound of approaching hoofsteps. Being a particularly dark and grey day, it wasn’t clear who was approaching, but neither of them recognised the horse. Eventually, though, Jim recognised the thin man with jet black hair and fumbled to make a decision of how to approach the situation. The man decided for him.

“Afternoon, gentlemen. It appears you left your front gate open. Thought I’d do the neighbourly thing and let you know.”

Finn, the sweet soul that he is thanked the man, “Ah you must be at the farm past the river, that’s grand, thank you so much!”
Kisho turned to Finn with a twisted smile, as if amused and confused all at once. He instantly saw Harri in him.

Jim has some weird sense of humour keeping this kid around. He thought to himself.
“You’re quite welcome, Mr?”

“Walsh, Finnlay Walsh. Call me Finn though”

And confirmed. Jim’s hanging around with his ex-partner’s relative. A nephew perhaps? Interesting. Kisho didn’t have much time to wrap his head around this unexpected situation or introduce himself before Jim chimed in.

“Lovely horse you have there, Sir. Do you usually close neighbours’ gates on horseback or can I help you with anything else?”

Finn looked baffled at Jim. True, it was a bit weird for the man to have trailed the long drive to the front gate and he had sworn he’d closed it after him, but still, it wasn’t the polite greeting he was expecting from him.

“Well, actually yes. I’m looking for a job. I heard about your breed revival and I would be happy to offer my services as a qualified equine geneticist. I have a lab and equipment already set up, and I can send through my qualifications if you’re interested.”

“Apologies Sir, I only discuss business in my office. We’re about to go on a hack, if you’d join us?”

Kisho raised an eyebrow. “It would be a pleasure.”

Finn had never been more confused but knew best not to make it known.

Art & characters by me
No refs used