the_lioness | In the palace stables, Corus

In the palace stables, Corus

*It has been almost a full day since Alanna left the bar, and although there isn't much for her to do at the palace at the moment besides meetings and sword drills with the squires, she isn't in a rush to get back. She will return today, at some point, but for the moment she is content to groom Moonlight and avoid thinking about the last week.*

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

After receiving intelligence from a certain someone that Alanna is in the stables, Jon manages to sneak away. He enters the stables quietly, pausing a few stalls down when he hears a familiar voice cooing compliments over the sound of a brush. He smiles, then sticks his head in the stall door.

"I swear, you treat that horse like your first-born child."

*Alanna smiles without looking up, lifting Moonlight's mane and running the brush along her neck.*

As I am not likely to have a first born child anytime soon, I am remarkably unperturbed by that comment. Besides, she has more than earned it, haven't you, lass?

*She bites her lip, hesitant to meet Jon's eye.*

How are you?

He crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe.

"Oh fine, the usual. Oppressing the peasants, draining the coffers of the kingdom for my capricous whims, murdering nobles in their sleep. My days are rather boring." He grins broadly.

"And you, my Lioness?"

Oh, indeed. So it sounds.

*Her eyes narrow briefly in a wince as she smooths her hand behind the brush.*

It has been a bad week. *quietly* I've been missing you rather a lot.

Jon uncrosses his arms and moves over to her. He takes the brush and gently grabs her shoulder, turning her to him.

"Alanna. What's wrong?"

A friend of mine was murdered. Meg Giry? I can not recall if you met her or not. *She turns into him, loosely looping her arms around his waist.* The nightmares are back with a vengeance.

*A strangled sound works its way up her throat, and she sighs, staring at the stall wall.*

He sucks in a breath and moves to hold her tightly, putting as much reassurance in his hug as possible.

"Alanna, I am so very sorry. I never had a chance to meet her, but I did hear a lot about her." He pauses for a moment. "Would it help to talk about it?"

There's not much to say, truth be told. The shock is starting to wear off now that we know who is responsible. We've both had friends die before, but her death seems remarkably senseless. It's... I lack the words.

*Alanna squeezes her eyes shut, clinging for a few moments. Embarrassed, she casts about for a change in subject.*

Just out of curiosity, are you ever going to ask Thayet to be your Queen?

And Jon is nonplussed by the complete non-sequitar.

"I...uh..I, well, yes, actually." He blushes. "I wanted to get your advice on that. I want to do this properly and..." he pauses, then bursts out, "I have no idea if she would say yes!"

*Alanna pulls back and stares at him in utter disbelief.*

You. Want my advice?

MY advice?

*eyebrow*

Yes, doing it properly this time would be a very good idea.

Jonathan. Of course, she will say yes. IF YOU DO NOT ORDER HER!

Jon turns beet red at this.

"I never ordered you! I just...did I?" He looks confused, then stubbornly sticks out his chin. "Well, please, I never imagined that you didn't want to marry me. I mean, you never told me otherwise before that fateful conversation."

*Teeth clenched, Alanna pokes him in the stomach.*

I DIDN'T KNOW YET! That's why I needed MORE TIME. *She snorts.* Mithros, that ego. Just because everyone else wanted to marry you didn't mean I wanted that life. You just couldn't imagine.

*mutters* Maidenly shyness. Hah.

You did so order me. Mostly. You ordered my bags packed without so much as saying a word to me, assuming I would say yes.

But it turned out well. I wasn't feminine enough for you, remember? Never enough.

*Sniffing, she turns around, aware that she's taking out current insecurities on him, but unable to stop herself.*

"That is not fair or true at all!"

He steps around, not letting her walk away from this. He takes her and hugs her again.

"It's going to be okay. I promise. And you are a wonderful, very feminine person. I love your earbobs." He smiles into her hair.

*She growls at him in frustration, but her lips are soon twitching.*

You can be such an ass. Luckily for you, I seem to be drawn to that. *pause* I did love you, you know. Do love you. *She ruffles his hair.* But we would have killed each other in under a month. Thayet is good for you, and will make an excellent Queen. So stop stalling.

He grins, giving her one last squeeze, then releasing her.

"I know, I know. I will do it within the week. Or so. Soon, though. You're not the only one pestering me to marry. Or have you forgotton that I have no heir?"

Good. Thayet loves you, but she will not wait forever.

Oh, I've not forgotten. *mischievous smile* I have grand plans for your first-born, never fear.

He holds up his hands in mock fear.

"I think I have every reason to fear. I can only see you getting revenge on me through it."

Nonsense. You are my oldest friend. Why would I do any such thing?

*She blinks.*

Are you still angry about the frogs?

He bursts into laughter.

"I had completely forgotten about that! Oh, you have an evil streak, Alanna."

*For some reason (possibly related to the Antichrist), Alanna finds this vastly amusing. She snickers and hugs him again, standing straighter than she has in several days.*

Why, thank you. You do know how to turn a lady's head. Thayet hasn't a prayer.

I should... get back. Soon. However... I did promise Moonlight a ride. Care to join me? Darkness looks bored.

He grins, happy that he has improved her mood and immediately moves towards Darkness' stall.

"I can think of nothing Darkness or I would enjoy more. Race you to the river?"

*Alanna lifts her saddle from the stall door and rolls her eyes, murmuring words of encouragement to her mare.*

Aye! And we will win, as we always do when you play fair. That big head of yours weighs too much, you see.

*She grins, tacking up and leading Moonlight into the courtyard. Once Jon joins her, she vaults into the saddle and watches him mount. They walk in silence for a few minutes until she turns and smiles at him.*

Thanks, Jon. I'm glad we spoke. Now. Catch us if you can!

*Moonlight lunges forward, and Alanna laughs. Cursing, Jon speeds up.

He wins. Alanna doesn't care. Half an hour or so later, they head back to the palace. She affectionately pokes him once more about Thayet before racing back to the bar.*

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In the palace stables, Corus

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject