| Logs |
2004 May 23
| Idlewild |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Idlewild Logs |
May 23
There is regrettably no solid news of the whereabouts of either Elis Shh or Rluel Averet by nightfall of the day Seodil succeeded in waking the Princess. Her rescue party does not see her again, though they are reassured by messenger that she is most grateful and appears to have suffered no lasting damage from her incarceration. In the absence of her kidnappers-- who stand accused of treason-- Seulement sends a royal request that her guests be moved to a more secure location. It stands unspoken but plain that where Elis and Rluel found them once, they might decide to do so again-- and the local royalty doesn't seem to want to take the chance.
Everyone therefore finds themselves the center of a whirlwind move, and settles again into entirely too luxurious housing in the heart of the main palace itself. The walls and floor are buttery gold marble, everything that can be is carved within an inch of its very elven sensibilties, and the metals of choice for handles, sconces, brackets and hinges are all ruddy or golden. Silk and translucent hangings abound, and it seems there is no shortage of things to sparkle or shine. It is, all in all, not as reassuringly comfortable as they probably meant it to be-- though the layout is undoubtedly more secure.
The party is split up into suites acording to preference, alone or in small groups, along one gloriously extravagant, sloping marble hall. Although the insides of the rooms themselves are reassuringly flat-floored for the most part, traversing the hallways is much like being inside a giant conch shell (and pearlescent to boot).
Each suite is then supplied with guards outside the door, and the Princess' rescuers left to themselves for the night. A few hours into it, Aiden, Sol and Seodil having disappeared to a suite with a healer from the city, Zhi shows up at Lauren's door and convinces her to come with him to collect the others. Everyone ends up in a small knot outside the suite that swallowed Aiden, Sol and Seodil. The very armed and very elven guards eye them from behind bronze helmets, each a bit different, but recognize them and let them pass. Zhi knocks cheerfully on the suite entrance door.
"Better be awake in there," Lauren grumps. "And have clothes on."
Lotte yawns and waits for someone to answer the door.
Zhi chuckles. "Why do the clothes matter?"
Aiden pulls himself out of the tub and wraps a towel around his waist. He walks towards the door, slowly to allow the others to prepare themselves. He also scoops his sword up along the way. He opens the door, with the sword naked in his hand. "Yeah?" He's very obviously just gotten out of the bath. He's dripping.
Lauren folds her arms. "I knew it," she says. She sounds disapproving.
Aiden frowns at Lauren, "Knew what?"
Lauren says, "Nothing, nothing. I guess we can wait while you get pants on."
Steven looks a bit uncomfortable. He really can only imagine the heart-to-heart whatever that might be going on in there and isn't sure this is a good time. On the other hand, the emotional entanglements intertwined within the group have caused problems; yet on the third hand, it was those selfsame entanglements that probably got them out of this latest predicament with everyone alive if not well. He nods politely in greeting to Aiden; the nudity really doesn't bother him, least of all since Aiden obviously just got out of the bath. His precaution of taking up a sword worries him, though, and he glances -- maybe a bit pointedly -- at the blade.
Aiden steps back away from the door, slipping the sword back into the sheath. "Wasn't planning on it. C'min."
Zhi says easily, "Don't be silly, we don't require pants. --See?" He walks in, smiling. "Thank you, Aiden."
Ghost waves her tail and noses Lotte in.
Lotte follows Zhi inside the suite and hopes that they are not interrupting something.
"We damn well do," protests Lauren, edging nervously into No-Pants Land through the wide door. "We're not all staying here."
Aiden walks into the room, leaning his sword against a wall while he grabs another towel to quickly towel off his hair and torso. He doesn't look any closer to putting on pants. He doesn't pick the sword up again, neither does he move very far from it. "What's going on?"
Lotte yawns again and says, "Speak for yourself." She looks at Zhi and nods. "Yeah, what's up?"
Steven frowns a little. He's worried that Aiden's being so obviously on edge, but nothing puts a person on edge even more on edge than being asked why they're on edge, so he doesn't ask. He glances to Zhi, to let that one explain himself.
Inside the suite, Seodil, Kip and Soleil are still in the ensuite hot-tub, which comfortably seats perhaps six, seven if they don't mind touching. Kip looks at the group entering and makes a strangled sort of noise, eyes getting round and wide. The other two just nod greetings. This suite looks identical to the others in amenities-- entrance room, doorways off from the bedroom, hot tub, giant four-poster, sofa, chairs-- but in different colors and layout.
Lauren's ears droop. She gives Kip a knowing, sympathetic look and makes no move to get closer to the tub.
Lotte eyes the tub longingly but doesn't want to embarass anyone, so she chooses a chair and sits.
Zhi catches Lotte's look and says cheerfully, "You'd fit, you know."
Lauren settles down into a chair, too--at a distance from the tub that a prudish maiden auntie would find acceptably polite.
Lotte looks at the tub, then at Kip, then shakes her head no.
Aiden leans against the wall next to his sword. "Zhi?"
Kip looks like he'd really like some pants, but apparently his comfort level is close to 'prudish maiden auntie' because he relaxes visibly when Lauren and Lotte are not in range to look at things below the waist. He sinks lower into the water.
Lotte addresses Seodil, "How are you feeling, Seodil?"
Sol and Seodil look perfectly comfortable. The healer that Summer sent for seems to have finished Lotte's work on Seodil's wounds; he has the barest bruising. Opening his eyes a little, he smiles lazily at Lotte, reassuring. "Perfectly well, thank you, Lotte. Zhi is correct, too."
Soleil says nothing, watching Aiden and the door about equally.
Zhi nods, "Yes, Aiden?"
Aiden says, "What's going on? Why's everyone gathered here?" He adds, internally, Why won't you let me finish my bath in peace?
Zhi says, "Because I wish you all to be clear on what you want before the trial begins."
The azure-haired Fall elf adds, "And it begins tomorrow."
Lotte's eyes widen. "Tomorrow? How do you know?"
Aiden takes this news without batting an eyelash. "Tomorrow? Alright.. What do we need to know?"
Zhi shrugs, smiles. "Lyri owes me favors. He let me know."
Zhi says, "You ought to decide if you want to stay for it, and try to be part of it... or collect your favors and go before they think to keep you here while it lasts." He pauses and adds, "If the latter, you should decide exactly what it is that you want while gratitude is fresh. I'm not saying they're going to forget you, but Summer is, mm, well. If you let them, they take a notoriously long time to do anything."
Lauren says, "The prince DID promise us things. Somehow it seems very important that we actually get 'em."
Lotte says, "Is there any reason we need to stay here for the trial?"
Aiden nods. "Alright. Is there any reason for us to stay for this trial?" His eyes flick down to the floor. All I want is everything back the way it was before they got us.
Steven comments, "Notoriously long... like conducting trials?"
Lauren shakes her head vigorously, but declines the chance to go on at great length, and in detail, abou precisely why they should leave very soon bearing nice royal goodies. And so on.
Zhi smiles at Lauren and suggests, "You might consider what you'd like to ask for, then." He glances at Aiden before turning to Lotte. "Rathskeliad will be proving his innocence and testifying against the women-- his mother, Clairchiare's mother-- alongside the princess. Clairchiare is a witness to much that we were, so most of us are redundant. Aiden and Seodil were alone with Lady Shh for a time, however. Your presence.. could affect that outcome. It is more or less set that the women are banished on pain of death, and that if found they will not survive it."
To Steven, Zhi nods. "Yes. It will not take less than a week."
The Fall elf adds wryly, "It will probably not take more than a year."
Lotte says, "Well, then it seems to me that the decision to stay or go falls on Aiden and Seodil. I will support anything you decide." She gives the two a kind smile.
Kip says softly, plaintive, "I want to go home."
When Zhi confirms the length of time involved, Aiden blurts out, "I can't stay here that long.. I can't." He sounds like he's on the edge of distress when he speaks, but he shuts up, fast, and appears to be perfectly calm.
"You said Rathskeliad was innocent, Aiden." Zhi looks straight at him. "Do you want to speak at the trial, or go?" He tries looking at Seodil too, but Seodil is serene and quiet.
Steven arches a brow when he looks at Aiden, at Aiden's apparently panicked voice. he bites his lip; he feels a little aimless right now, but he knows he wants to help out Sol and the Winter Court.
Aiden shakes his head. Screw you, Rathskeliad. Get your own ass out of this, you bastard.
Lauren chews a lip. Oooh, things. What does she want? Do they still have her car somewhere?
Lauren muses further, blissfully distracted. Maybe she could ask for a pony.
Aiden takes a few moments after shaking his head before he speaks. He's got the voice back under control when he does, "I would strongly prefer to go. I am not convinced that my opinion and words have any sort of weight here, when compared with the voice of the Princess. She knows where the guilt lies and they'll listen to her."
Lotte says, "Then if we decide to go, should we try to find Haasha? I did promise Madhavi..." She realizes that only half of the people in the room know what she's talking about and trails off."
Lauren bites. "What's Haasha? And Madhavi?"
Seodil looks at Lotte. His eyes are fully open now. "What did you promise Madhavi?"
Lotte looks a little nervous, though she's not quite sure why. "I promised her I'd help her restore her trade route."
Aiden blinks. "I don't remember that."
Steven blinks to Lotte, and blurts out, "How?"
"What trade route?" Seodil sounds wary.
"And what's Madhavi?" Lauren repeats.
The silver elf adds, "And what did you receive in return?"
Lotte looks very nervous now. "I... she gave me my guitar. She wanted help to restore the route to the Grey World."
Aiden raises his hand, fingers touching the spot between his eyebrows, like he's trying to ward off a headache.
Seodil looks at Lauren and says, "An old acquaintance of mine who sheltered us on our... departure from Winter."
Steven is suddenly reminded of one part of his vision from... was it really months ago? Him in a Grey World room, passing packages through a portal... He shakes his head as if to clear it, and considers what Lotte says thoughtfully.,
Lauren blinks. "Waaaaaaaait. TRADE ROUTE?"
Lotte begins to ramble. "I thought that she could help us get home... if we wanted to... and I want to know who Haasha is... and who we are, really... and..." She starts to cry.
Lauren says, "You people are all mumbling and groaning about not being able to go home and there's somebody looking to set up a trade route? Oh, for crissake."
Aiden sighs, "Lotte." He steps away from the wall, and walks over to hug his distressed sister. He doesn't even bring the sword with him this time!
Aiden glances over at Lauren. "I'm not. I don't want to go back."
Steven blinks to Lotte at the sudden crying. Like most men in such a situation, he's at a total helpless loss, and can only put a gentle hand on her shoulder. I guess I was so unconcerned and letting myself bend to events liek a reed or willow that I forgot how stressful this was.
Lauren stands up vehemently, knocking her chair back a couple of inches. "We're goin' there," she says. "No more mumbling and vacillation." She looks pleased with herself for that last word.
Lotte wails, "Don't you want to know, Aiden? Steven?" She looks at Lauren as she hugs Aiden. "Don't you want to know why we're here?"
Aiden sighs, "Why... isn't so important to me anymore. I'm sorry, Lotte.. I'll help, but.." He trails off, absolutely sure that he's just going to make this worse.
Lauren says, "...want to know? Maybe. I want to get back more."
Zhi stands back a little and smiles, faintly. He says, "I know where Haasha's tower is. Care to explain why you want to find it?"
Aiden looks at Zhi. "We think he's our father, in a manner of speaking. He's almost certainly the reason we're all here."
Lotte wipes her tears and sniffles a little before mumbling, "I don't know if I want to go back either. But I want to know why we were brought here. I want to know who I am." She looks up at Zhi with wide eyes and an open jaw.
Lauren throws her hands up in frustration. "Oh, for FUCK'S sake," she snaps. "So we're going, right? Yes?"
Aiden nods, "Yes, Lauren."
Lauren says, "Good. Right. That's settled then. So....." Pause. "When? Now?"
Zhi walks over to ruffle Lotte's hair comfortingly. It manages to come off as intended. "Who you are is rather personal, but I can't argue with that." He looks at Lauren and shrugs. "It would be fastest to go through Fall for you anyway. I can take you whenever you're ready. Kip and I are packed. Tonight, tomorrow... you want your gifts, so... tomorrow?"
Lauren nods. "Tomorrow. I am SO glad we were able to have this meeting."
Aiden backs away from Lotte and returns to the spot he was standing before. "Tomorrow, then." He glances over at Seodil and Soleil, hoping they're okay with this...
From the hot tub, Kip says "Zhi can go get Lyriquin here tonight if you want to talk gifts and leave sooner. It's not like he sleeps with her."
Aiden shrugs, "I don't particularly care about that part. Whenever.."
Lauren wants to talk gifts, and says so. "I want to talk gifts. If we're leaving, might as well LEAVE."
Lotte sighs heavily. "I would like a night's sleep."
Lauren says, "Anybody else? Steven? Aiden? C'mon."
Steven lets out a breath. "I'd like at least a night's sleep as well if we're leaving tomorrow. That being said, I'll go where we all go. I don't know how needed we are for the trial, though if it's the difference between them haunting us the rest of our days and seeing them... removed from our future...." He leaves the obvious preference unsaid.
Lauren lifts her brows. "Go on," she prods. "Finish that sentence. It sounds important."
Aiden looks over at Lauren. "I just want to leave, Lauren. I have everything that I want, and that's my family relatively intact."
Steven shrugs a little. "I'd rather ensure we don't run into them in a dark forest one night while we're sleeping and they have vengeance on their minds."
Zhi flicks a reproving glance at Kip and says, "The careless cruelty of the young, Kipyranyllie. His living arrangements are not to his best liking either." He looks at the group, at those desirous of sleep, and says "When they are found, I doubt they will survive it. If we find them, I guarantee that," and smiles with sharp white teeth. "Speaking to Lyri on the matter wouldn't hurt, though. Tomorrow morning for gifts and other requests, then?"
Aiden says, "Steven, we're going to have to worry about that anyway. It's not like they've been found."
Steven says, "... Nrg." He rubs his forehead. "In that case.. the trial is really just for show, isn't it? And for people to have the chance to blame it all on those two.""
Zhi says, "More or less, Steven.. yes. Though the official banishment and death sentence will have an effect, it's far from immediate relief."
Lauren mrrs, mollified. "Okay, so we leave in the morning. That's cool."
The Fall elf looks around and says, "Well, things are decided. I'll arrange for Lyri to meet us here for breakfast if that's all right with you?"
Aiden nods, "It's fine."
Lotte nods and gets up from the chair.
Kip starts to get up, then stops and sinks back into the water, turning pink. Zhi offers Lauren his arm and smiles. "Shall I walk you back to your room?"
Lauren takes Zhi's arm, but casts a look back at Kip. "Um," she says.
Ghost stands and follows Lotte.
Zhi raises an eyebrow at Lauren. "Hm?"
"Did you want to stay here?" the blue-haired elf asks innocently.
Lauren shuffles nervously. "Nah, nevermind. Not important. C'mon."
Lotte mumbles a goodnight to the room and departs for her own rooms sleepily.
Aiden picks up his sword and goes over to the couch with it, sitting down while the other organise to leave.
Steven lets out a breath, and heads back to his own room to do his evening rotes and try to sleep before morning comes.
Zhi walks Lauren out soom after Ghost's tail clears the threshold. Steven departs, and Kip is out of the water reaching for a towel, blushing. "I should go... thanks for the company."
Aiden says, "You're welcome, Kip.."
Once the others are out of the room, Aiden actually does put pants on. He moves to a clear area of the room and starts going through the katas he's been taught methodically, to relax himself, loosen tight muscles and for the much-needed practice.
Kip turns in the doorway and says softly, "Try to sleep tonight," and is gone.
***************
The next morning finds everyone trickling back into the same room, where the silver and gold inhabitants as well as Aiden are dressed and sitting around a low table on cushions. Breakfast, on that table, seems to have taken the same step up in quality as their rooms. The Prince Lyriquin is also at the table; he smiles at everyone as they enter. There is plenty of room for the new arrivals around this table, and Lauren cannot possibly deplete the selection alone.
Lauren tries. Yes indeed, she tries.
Pastries, sweets, cakes, candied nuts and fruits, fresh fruits, crystallized sugars.. all fall before Lauren's grasp and grovel upon her plate. In a matter of speaking.
Aiden eats, as usual. He looks absolutely bone tired.
For those less vegetarian, there are several kinds of eggs including an amazing omelet thing and various meats as well.
Steven nods pleasantly and gives greeting to the prince before sitting and starting to eat a light breakfast. he doesn't want to fill up until he's seen what the day is going to throw at them.
Lotte greets everyone and selects a light meal for herself and Ghost, then sits to eat.
Sol is quietly dedicating himself to making a dent in the food, Aiden's golden shadow and about as talkative today as yesterday. Seodil is silver and serene; he greets everyone pleasantly out loud and looks little the worse for wear.
Zhi eats, but seems preoccupied. Kip, on the other hand, is going after the baked goods and sugars like there's no tomorrow. He and Seodil look like they're thinking about fighting for cake at one point-- it's quiet but intense. Well. Relatively intense.
Lauren grins, mouth full of some date-based confection. Much less bitchy this morning, now that there's the prospect of a pony.
Lyriquin starts it. "Zhizhibat tells me you're leaving today. Let me remind you that Summer does not want to you leave empty-handed, though our debt to you will remain regardless of gifts. Do you have requests? I am very pleased to be the means to your desires in any way that I may." He smiles, looking well-groomed, perfect and charming as a prince should.
Steven glances to Sol, naturally assuming that the need for aid for Winter will be the first thing mentioned. Little does he suspect that some people at the table -- namely, Lauren -- have their own plans.
Lauren flips a smile of special effulgence at Steven, taking his glance as a hint to break the ice. "I'd like something to replace my car," she says, "since it's probably stuffed and mounted by now."
Aiden stays quiet for now. There's one thing that he wants, but priority goes to the aid fo-- Lauren, apparently.
Soleil speaks, soft. "Winter..." he blinks at Lauren, smiles, and waits.
Prince Lyriquin seems a bit surprised as well, but only for a second. Suave, he turns and smiles brilliantly at Lauren. "Car was your mount, correct?"
"Mostly, yeah. The, um, beetle thing." Lauren twigs on that maybe she shouldn't have ACTUALLY gone first, and hunches her shoulders up incrementally.
Steven tries to imagine a stuffed and mounted VW Beetle. IN consideration of Lauren he tries to sifle the chuckle. He fails; it might have somethign to do with the juice he was trying to drink at the same time.
Lotte smiles reassuringly at Lauren. They are allowed to ask for whatever they want, so why not ask?
Lauren glares, briefly, before returning to a slow blush and a handful of almonds to keep herself from saying anything else.
Lauren glares at Steven, that is. Lotte is NICE. Lotte is not a complete bastard person.
Lyriquin says, "So, you require a new mount." He nods, still smiling. "We can go to the stables after breakfast, certainly. You may have anything you can ride." He smiles and looks polite. "Was there anything else?"
Soleil says firmly if quietly, "Winter requires aid. Aid in the form of personnel, Prince Lyriquin. Any young and bored that you have-- any skilled craftsmen-- we require resources, bodies, rebuilding. Anyone who wishes to stay would be welcome. My people were sorely hit by recent events."
Lyrquin nods, and says "Normally that would require a more formal alliance, such as a marriage.. but you are owed a favor and I will do my best to see that occurs as generously as I can. I will ask, however... is there any chance of such a marriage or betrothal as a symbol of the alliance? For what you ask is closer to a joining of courts and a lasting trade agreement than anything else. It would aid me greatly in arranging it to have such a lever..."
Aiden looks like someone just drove a knife into his gut and then twisted it a few times.
Lotte frowns at such a request from the Prince.
Lauren checks out the faces of her tablemates in turn...let's see, who's looking shifty, who's looking apprehensive...
Sol doesn't bat an eyelash. "I understand your difficulty in presenting such a... large request to your rulers. You would join a member of Summer of noble standing to someone suitable of my court?"
Seodil looks serene. Very serene.
Lyriquin nods. Sol appears to consider it for a moment, then says almost apologetically, "Of course, while I hold the word of Winter, it is only considerate to discuss this further before deciding... perhaps we could conclude the rest of this first, and then have some time to speak privately?" He smiles; Lyriquin smiles back and inclines his head, "Of course." The Fall Prince looks up and clears waits for someone else at table to have a request.
Aiden looks down at the table. He said that this might happen. Just.. trust him. "My only request, Prince Lyriquin, is that I get my ring back. It was cut off of me, and I was not of a frame of mind to remember it when we left that.. room. It means a great deal to me."
Lauren eyes Aiden's hands. She didn't remember him wearing a ring...
Lotte nods to the Prince. "We have decided to travel to Fall's country, Prince. Perhaps we could bring with us some rations and necessities?"
Lyriquin hesitates and manages to look sheepish for a moment before nodding to Aiden, "Of course. Nothing else? A sword, a mount, a magical cloak?"
Steven remains quiet, listening attentively and not touching his food for the time being.
Aiden shakes his head, "Just the ring." I'm not going to elaborate, Prince Lyriquin, you seem like a nice enough person, but I am done with your bloody court and I don't want any more reminders than I already have.
Lyriquin gives Lotte a kindly and almost sparkling look. "Lotte of the bright curls, that goes without saying. Think of something you would enjoy. This is a gift for pleasure, we will arrange necessities. You are a bard, are you not?"
Lotte nods to the Prince. "I am, indeed, sir."
Lyriquin says, "Then come with me after we finish here-- er, after you are all done talking-- and I will show you what we have." He actually grins.
Lotte grins back and nods again. "I shall be pleased to."
Steven has made no request, and about half the table is looking at him now... Lyriquin, Sol, Seodil.
Lauren too. Of course.
Steven looks around, realizing that he's silently being asked what he wants. "Er...." She shakes his head. "I... don't want anything, honest. I came here to help Prince Soleil ask for assistance for Winter. I... have no real needs or desires for myself. If I can add my voice to the request for aid for Winter, then I do so.
Lyriquin tilts his head at Steven and says, "Your selflessness embarasses the politician in me. I apologize that I cannot simply withdraw my request to your Prince for a symbolic alliance." He bows his head with evident respect to Steven and rises. "I will leave you to discuss the possibility without my presence, and see to what has been asked thus far. Please, if you think of anything else... do not hesitate to ask it later. I will return with the midday meal, to allow you time. If you finish before that, send a guard for me and I will take Lotte and Lauren to select their treasures."
Lauren perks to her feet at once, brushing crumbs off. She pokes Lotte happily in the shoulder.
Lotte shakes her head and simply says, "Nuh uh."
"...nuh? Oh, fine." Lauren settles again.
Lyriquin departs, after murmured pleasantries from Sol. The door shuts.
Aiden looks over at Sol, chewing on his bottom lip. "Well.. You said they might do this.."
Soleil nods to Aiden, looks at the group and says, flatly, "I'm sorry. I won't throw anyone unwilling to Summer, but if any of you want a Summer mate... now would be a good time to mention it."
Kip says, "That Sarete liked Steven an awful lot."
Lotte stares at the table severely.
Lauren shrugs. "Kip's right. You could do worse, Steven."
Steven glances at Kip. "I'm afraid, ultimately, I wouldn't be suited for her." Nor, I'm sorry, her to me. At least he spoke the truth.
Aiden nods at Sol. He doesn't, however, leap up to volunteer himself. He didn't want souvenirs. He certainly doesn't want a wife
Sol doesn't even look at Seodil. He looks at the table and sighs. "I thought as much, but I thought I'd check. Lotte, not even Clairchiare?"
Lauren oohs, but with decorous restraint.
Lotte sounds very sad as she speaks. "He doesn't love me. I don't want to marry a man who doesn't love me."
The golden elf looks sheepish as he adds, "Clairchiare is of very good birth indeed... despite the current, ah, family problem." He stops when Lotte speaks, and nods. "I'm sorry, I understand. Of course you don't. I won't ask again."
Sol twitches an eyebrow at Lauren.
Lotte says, "Isn't there any other way to make a symbolic alliance with this Court?"
Lauren shrugs. "Dunno."
Sol makes a tired face. "Not really... they owe us favors, but I'm asking something awfully big. They don't really mean 'give you half the kingdom' when they say it without giving you the heir to marry too; there's got to be something lasting in it for them to assure us of this kind of help actually happening." He slumps, then straightens again. "I have another candidate, but I'm going to be in so very, very much trouble for it eventually."
Steven frowns a bit, suddenly realizing that his little selflessness just might get him into trouble. How much is he going to give for Winter....?
Aiden glance at Sol. "Lua?"
Soleil nods, once. "Technically, she gave me that authority." He looks at Lauren and says, "My sister. She's the actual heir to Winter."
Lotte's head snaps back up from her gaze at the tabletop. "No. You don't have to do that."
Aiden says, "Is there any way that you can defer Lyriquin to her for that decision?"
Sol grins lopsidedly to Lotte, "She already hates me anyway. Did you have a better idea? I married Aiden. I can't enlarge the family without his permission."
Lauren blinks. They can DO that?
Lotte stammers, "I want... I want to help. I really do. But I hate the idea of someone being forced to marry me by the Prince's order!"
Aiden frowns, "Could he.. I don't know.. Join us? Come with us to persue a lengthy courtship or something like that?"
Steven blinks at Sol. Marrying off Lua? The irony is rather funny... she sent them off to Summer, after all. But still, it seems mean and petty.
Soleil says, "Hm. Maybe, Aiden. It's a thought." He perks up, then looks at Lotte. Slowly, he says "If it were a volunteer, you'd be okay? ...Look, nobody's being forced, here. Lua would agree, it's a political arrangement to her. I'm not trying to guilt you into it, Lotte." He looks at Aiden and shrugs, "Depends who they pick. I'm sure Lyriquin has someone in mind, but they will try to match gender preference, so it does depend... and if it's Lua it must be male, for an heir. He might come-- if he's born yet."
Aiden nods. "Alright.."
Sol looks at Ghost. Ghost growls. Sol looks back up and says, "Right. That seems to be that, then. Ladies? The stable and various musical instruments, I suspect, await you."
Steven finds himself murmuring, "That's assuming that the person he wants to marry off to one of us is male."
Lauren stands again. "Um. Really? That's it?"
Lotte goes back to staring at the table.
Sol says, "It's Clairchiare or his kid, probably. I don't know the child's gender, but they're the most likely prospects." He shrugs. "It's pretty much settled, though, unless someone has a change of heart and passionately embraces somebody they haven't mentioned yet." He winks, apparently in a decent enough mood, and looks at Lauren. "Unless you're feeling passionate, yes. Go tell a guard to get Lyriquin, and go get your ride."
Sol adds delicately, "From the stables, that is."
Soleil smiles.
Lotte looks up again. "Clairchiare would marry Lua?"
Lauren snorts.
Steven glances to Lotte at that, pursing his lips. "If Clairchiare is even the person the Prince is considering."
A bit absently, Sol shrugs. "Clairchiare would do what he's told, if he were. That I'm fairly certain of. He takes his duty to his court seriously if ever I saw one."
Lauren scratches the back of her neck. "Eh, what the hell," she says. "I'll do it, sure."
Lotte makes a strangled sound in her throat as Lauren speaks.
Lauren waits. "Will somebody at least do me the favor of saying 'Really?'"
Aiden's mouth drops open briefly, before he gets his composure back and closes it.
Sol blinks at Lauren. "Yes. Absolutely. ...Really? And also why?"
Steven just.... blinks at Lauren, still not quite believeing his ears.
Aiden indulges Lauren, "Really?"
Lotte says loudly, "No. No... no."
Lauren grins. "'Course not. You're such a bunch of SAPS."
Steven looks around for something fairly soft to throw at Lauren. Then he thinks better of it before he decides on something fairly substantial.
Lotte her true feelings out in the open, Lotte looks at Sol. "You know how I feel. I think you and the Prince can come to a decision based on that."
Aiden chuckles softly, "Very funny, Lauren. Could you restart Lotte's heart now, since you caused her heart attack?"
Lauren sashays doorward happily. "How's this: come on, Lotte, you've got fancy stuff to pick out."
Lotte nods and gets up from the table to follow Lauren.
Sol rolls his eyes at Lauren and says, "I'm going to go demand the Prince come get you and take you away now. Maybe once you have something to ride you'll be less annoying," and gets up to do so. He pauses and looks at Lotte, face softening, and Lauren beats him to the door while he does.
Sol calls after them, "Lotte, it stays Lua unless you WANT it, I swear to frost," and then, "LAUREN-- don't you want to take Kip to make sure the saddle fits?" It's before the door opens, though.
Kip looks fit to just about die on the spot.
Zhi starts laughing his ass off, however.
Lauren giggles. "Well, you COULD come along..."
Aiden looks at Kip. "I'm sure he meant because Lauren's probably never put a saddle on a horse be--" He glances over at Sol, then back at Kip. "No, he probably didn't."
Kip moans and hides under the table.
Literally.
Lauren pokes her foot under there. "C'mon out," she chides. "You're embarassing Zhi, you know."
Zhi helpfully piles cushions on him and says, "Remember, he's not done growing. Get a bigger one than you think you'll need."
Aiden rolls his eyes and leans down to look under the table. "Kip? Come on out of there. They're just teasing."
Very quietly, Kip mutters "No they're not."
Lotte shakes her head as she's leaving and calls back to Sol, "I can't. I don't." Then she hurries out before her head explodes all over the pretty walls.
Aiden sits up and shoots an unfriendly look at Zhi. He says, dryly, "That was so helpful." Then he bends back down and says, "You're probably right."
Lauren pokes her head out the door and clamors for a guard before realizing--whoops--there's one standing right there.
Zhi shrugs at Aiden and says, "He'll be like this til he relaxes. Your way... my way."
Aiden sighs. "Sorry. I didn't mean it unkindly."
Lauren very nearly gets stabbed by that guard, too, before it-- probably he, though the armor makes it hard to be sure-- recovers and says, "Yes, my lady?"
Lotte is hiding out in the hallway and looks thankful Lauren has joined her.
Zhi politely does not say "my ass" to Aiden out loud, and pats Kip's pile of cushions. "C'mon out, kid. Your virtue remains relatively safe. Honest."
Lauren titters, and then gets herself under control. "Um. Could you let Prince Llyriquin know that we're ready to go to the stables and...eh, wherever Lotte's going?"
Steven bites his lip a bit, seeing Lotte go, and lets out his breath. He hopes this at least turns out well for Lotte, and that Clairchiare isn't the person the prince is planning to marry off.
Aiden leans back on the couch, falling silent.
"At once, my lady Winter," says Lauren's guard, and strides off. Despite the metal, the guard makes very little sound.
Lauren shimmies out into the hall and does the strangest little boogie-dance thing. It looks like she's trying to dance with something roughly football-shaped.
Moopy says, "Pony! Ponyponyponyponyyyy."
Lyriquin shows up promptly, smiles, and leads the two ladies of Winter off. The stables are a ways away, but Lyriquin manages to keep up pleasant and entertaining chatter to pass the time quickly, until they emerge from golden hallways into leafy arches, and suddenly a shining herd is visible in the distance.
"Oh my frickin' GAWD," Lauren says fervently. "Pretty."
"Did you have anything in particular in mind, Lady Lauren?" Lyriquin asks politely. "Color, speed or strength-- a warhorse, or the fleetest child of the wind?"
He walks toward them, off the path, and whistles piercingly. The entire shining mass breaks like water and surges toward them.
Lauren wrings her hands in thought, looking mutely to Lotte. "Um, I'd fall off one that was too fast. Is there a....er, an easy one? A friendly one?"
The prince looks thoughtful. "Any of them would be friendly... they choose, you know, when they find the right rider. It's not the same as..." He smiles as the flood parts around them and a literal rainbow of horse shapes fills the immediate surroundings, all clearly curious. "Just talk to them and see how they feel. Tell them what you want."
Lauren ambles forward into the mass of horses. "Uh. Hi, guys," she starts. "Um, not so big on pink just so you know, nothing personal. Nice to meet you all, yes, lovely day. Hi." She strokes a yellow flank. "Moops? We couold cet one that matches you. Sort of."
Moopy says, "Boss, I float. But if you want to ride a horsey me... sure. There's blue and orange, but not both so far. Ooh! Get an orange one and steal some of Zhi's hair."
A metallic orange palomino with sherbet mane and tail noses Lauren's face with every evidence of gentleness and curiousity. It whuffles. It's practically made of muscles.
"Bingo, little guy. See, there's an orange one. Oooh." Lauren bounces over to a smallish peach-colored horse. "Hlo, pretty," she coos. "Are you friendly?"
Lotte holds her hand out to the horses and pets some manes.
The peach horse peers at Lauren from under a ridiculously thick, silky forelock, and says "Mostly. Why do you ask?"
Lauren boggles without shame. "Jesus fucking Christ," she explains.
A gunmetal-blue horse with darker tiger stripes monopolizes Lotte shamelessly. It's very soft, softer than a horse should be.
"Language," says the peach horse. "You ought to know better at your age. Around a prince, too." It laughs, though.
Lotte pets the horse and coos, "Well aren't you a pretty one. Oh, sooooo soft."
"Sorry, horse," says Lauren. "You, uh, you want to come with me? We're going off to see Fall apparently. It's nice."
Lotte's horse says in a lovely baritone, "I'd be softer if someone brushed me every day," and leans into the petting.
Lotte pets the horse as shamelessly as it hogs attention and says, "Ooooo, well, who wouldn't want to brush you and your stripes?"
The peach horse says in considering tones, "Would you be good to me? We don't go haring off for less than friendship, you know. You haven't even told me your name yet."
Lauren tries to smile a winning smile. "Right. Um. I'm Lauren, and this is Moopy, and that's Lotte over there. Hey Lotte, they....oh, you know they talk. Right."
Lotte's horse says encouragingly, "Lots of lazy, dreadful elves, that's what. But you're different. I can tell. What's your name, miss?"
Lotte says, "Well, my name's Lotte, precious. What's your name?"
Lauren's peach horse says in matronly tones, "You do realize Moopy's not real, yes? You're a wee bit on the flake side, pet." It tilts its head. "I don't mind that, though, honestly."
Lauren folds her arms. "You're one to talk," she says crisply. "Where I come from, talking horses are a punchline.
Lauren shakes her head. "No no NO, this is all wrong. I'm not supposed to be insulting you. I'm supposed to be charming your socks off in a way which respects the fact we're of different species."
"And...don't wear socks," Lauren adds.
"Fiesty," says the small peach horse. "Well. It may be that it's meant to be." It sniffs, and what seems approvingly at that. "We may be able to come to an arrangement here. Brushing every day, and butter me up when I tell you to but cut the bullshit most of the time, and I'll stay around til you piss me off but good. Sound fair?"
Lauren carefully rubs the nose of her new peach darling. "I like it. Hey Lotte! This one likes...ooh. That one likes YOU."
Lotte's grey-striped horse noses her shoulder and sighs happily. In its deep-ish voice, it says "My name is whatever you like, fiery. You couldn't say my real one, so it's a bit of a tradition... you give me one, and if I like it, I keep it. What do you say?"
Lotte looks over at Lauren and sees her new peach pony. "Oh, how pretty! Good choice, both of you." She smiles and turns to her horse as it speaks. "I don't know if I can name you. You aren't mine to name."
Lauren's peach horse leans into the rub and says muffledly, "Alright. I'll tell you what to do when you need it. But Lauren? A word of advice. Don't name me Peaches, or I'll kick you clean over the castle, and I mean it."
Lauren goes pink. "...wasn't going to." She was.
Lotte's horse says suavely, "And whyever not? I think I should be the one to make that call." It sounds, honestly, as though it might have a lovely singing voice. "Pretty bard like you, well. Ought to have fine things."
Not-Peaches chuckles and says, "Of course not. So, you know how to ride?"
"Jesus, Lotte," says Lauren over Not-Peaches' head. "You guys should get a room."
Lotte says, "Well, alright then. May I ask two questions? First, are you a boy or a girl? And second, does your real name translate into anything I can pronounce?""
Lauren makes an effort to climb up on Not-Peaches' back, and succeeds eventually. Not terribly graceful, especially with the long skirts, but damn if she doesn't end up sitting on her very own pony.
"Going to name you Crenshaw," Lauren announces proudly, ruffling on the peach mane.
Grey-Tiger says with evident happiness, "You may, and answer them I shall. I am male, and... hm. I don't know, I'm not entirely sure what your limitations are. I'm not really talking to you, you understand." He appears to consider it, then says "'I make mockery of the wind, and stroke clouds for favors with the first blades of spring.' Can you say that?"
Crenshaw says, "Well, that's different. I think.. yes, I like it." She shakes her head and seems pleased, dancing a sidestep. "Does it mean something?"
Moopy says, "Sweet. Lotte's got Colin Mockery. I love that show."
Lotte nods. "Yes, but that's an awfully long name. What about Cloudfoot?"
Lauren hangs on. "It's a melon. The outside's about THAT color--" she points at a pale pistachio herdmate-- "but the inside is about like you. It's sweet."
Crenshaw says, pleased, "Oh. Well. That is thoughtful. Alright. --Want to have a run?"
Lotte's equine conversationalist says, "Hm. Cloudfoot. You don't think it makes me sound kind of gay?" He sounds quite cheerful about it.
Lauren grabs a double handful of mane and clamps on Crenshaw's ribs with her knees. "Hoo-hah," she says.
Possibly-Cloudfoot adds, "You know. Light on the toes and all."
He continues, "In that way."
Lotte giggles. "Perhaps. I didn't think of it that way." She ponders again and then suggests, "Swiftfoot?"
Crenshaw dashes off as fleetly, if not quite as smoothly, as Lauren's ex-car. It is very very fast, and rather precarious, but Lauren clings and it somehow manages to work. --It also turns out to be a hell of a lot of fun. Crenshaw goes sailing over a ditch.
"Ooo," says Lotte's blue-grey. "Bless my stripes. That's better. How about just Swift, since you seem to like short things? Aside from me, of course." He shakes his mane proudly; he is indeed rather a tall horse, much taller than Crenshaw.
Lotte pets the tiger stripes and agrees with a nod. "Swift is a wonderful name for you."
Swift says "Righty. Hop on then and we'll be off. Where are we going?"
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