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[the_lioness]

Thanksgiving isn't a holiday in Tortall, but Alanna decides it would be a perfect excuse to follow through on her plans with Mel. Too often, these offers fall by the wayside; she's determined that this not happen here, if only to see Mike investigate the castle's kitchen.

It's late when they make their way from the ruins, taking turns pushing Raph's wheelchair over slick grass and crackling leaves. Moving under the cover of darkness helps limit the curious stares at both the chair and its occupant’s scowl. The air smells like apples and hearth fires, and both Alanna and Adam brightened visibly when the castle yard comes into sight.

Myles is there to welcome their guests and quickly helps them settle in; there will be time enough for conversation over the next few days.

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[the_lioness]

The morning room is Alanna's favorite place in the castle. The dining hall is near by, and an arched doorway leads to her father's library. Books and maps have overflowed his sanctuary to line low shelves and grace the walls. Like every room in the castle, a large hearth keeps the chill at bay. But her favorite features are the large windows overlooking the valley. When the weather is fine, as it is this November, one can see the fields, orchards and village. Sometimes even the Great Road.

[the_lioness]

It's Alanna's turn to get up early with the triplets. Almost as soon as the sun rises, the four of them can be found playing on the hearth rug, surrounded by toys and the remnants of breakfast; perhaps not the best position, considering Alanna decided to wear a dress today.

They aren't going anywhere for a while.

[slayer_fray]

Mel has, it should be said, been up for just over an hourand a half already, and utilised the first hour of this by running around as much as the ground as she cared to explore.

She re-entered the castle through the kitchen, by way of going through the first exterior doorshe could find, promptly got lost and refused to accept directions, so she's relievedto burst in, mud and all, on Alanna and babies.

"This place is huge."

[the_lioness]

"You should see the palace," Alanna laughs, diving to rescue Jamie before he scoots himself into a table leg. "This is but a cozy country home in comparison."

Arms around her son, she looks up and smiles.

[slayer_fray]

Mel smiles back, flushed from the search, and drops down uncermoniously onto the rug, where she picks up the nearest toy horse for something to do with her hands.

"More people live there, I bet, though."

[the_lioness]

"Aye," Alanna agrees. "Sometimes I think it's like a small city, all on its own."

A touch of jealousy colors the friendly smile she gives Mel. The slayer has obviously been outside, been active, and as much as Alanna enjoys spending time with her children, she looks wound up and impatient.

"Have you been exploring?"

[slayer_fray]

"Went for a run," Mel confirms. "Then got lost downstairs."

For her own part there's a touch of longing in the look she gives Jamie, before realising that Grace has eyes fixed on the toy in her hands, and she leans over to run him along the baby's arm.

"Didn't realise anyone else was up, though."

[the_lioness]

Located across from the castle, the stables are perpetually in motion, overrun with people and animals. Horses of all sorts are stabled here, from Alanna’s warriors to saddle and work horses. The stable hands have come to accept strangeness from the Lioness and her odd husband, but they'll undoubtedly look askance at additional strangers who seem to materialize from thin air.

[mnt_raph]

It doesn't matter how big the keep is, it's still nowhere near as big as the outside. So Raph wraps himself up against the cold, and prying eyes, and escapes out a window. Eventually he finds himself at the stables.

It feels good to be out among people who won't stare and feel bad for him or kick up a fuss because he's sans wheelchair.

Now if he could just stop limping.

[the_lioness]

No one stares. A solidly built stablehand, shoulders wide and strong from years of shoveling, passes by with a bay colt and tips his hat. A pretty mare shakes her forelock and bites the wooden door to her stall, then turns and sticks her head out a low window. There's only natural light, here. The cold air seems to hit the stone walls and rebound, but it's warmer now than it is when the sun is low.

Down one of the cross-aisles, into the main part of the stables, comes a young boy with sandy hair. He smiles winningly at the stranger and hops up on an overturned bucket.

"Hiya. I'm Stefan. Havin' a look around?"

In the large stall near the back paddock, the redhaired grooming her warhorse, hidden from view, smiles slyly.

[mnt_raph]

"Somethin' like that."

Says Raph, all non-committal like.
He's a kid, Raph. Cut him some slack and stop being such a sour-puss.

"Name's Raph."

That's better. See, wasn't too hard, was it?

[the_lioness]

"I know," Stefan answers with annoying smugness. "I heard all about ye, and yer brother."

He rocks the bucket forward until it pitches him to his feet on the ground, and leans on a stall door like he means to climb a fence. All the while, he watches Raph like a hawk.

"His girl's got purple in her hair. Wha'd she do ta anger the gods?"

[mnt_raph]

The appropriate response would be to explain to the young impressionable child that Mel didn't anger anyone. That where she's from everyone has hair that looks like that.

But Raph and the appropriate response aren't exactly on speaking terms, which is why he grows deadly serious and says:

"That one? She's a thief. Stole the scepter of time right out from under their nose. Didn't take them long to figure it out, and oooh boy did they get her good. Purple hair's just the beginning."

[the_lioness]

Hazel eyes grow wider and wider until the boy can't help exclaiming, "Kyprioth's toes! What else's she got?"

Stefan braces his feet on opposite hinges, holds the door behind him, and leans out.

"I bet she's got a tail. A right purple 'un."

Somewhere, a brush thumps against a feed bucket.

[slayer_fray]

The undead cursed dream thief bounces happily into the stables, fully expecting a ride and a half.

HORSES pretty much covers her entire thought process right now.

[the_lioness]

Following closely behind, Alanna can't help grinning at her friend's enthusiasm. It's contagious, not that she's ever had any trouble getting excited about a good ride.

"I've got two horses to show you," she calls. "Either will suit, so you can take your pick."

But she doesn't point them out yet, instead watching Mel take in the stables.

[slayer_fray]

It stinks, this place. But, the city girl decides, in a good way. It's not a stink that smells like it's lining your lugs with every breath: more one that feels like it's stripping the lining instead.

She heads towards the first stall, peering in. "Hey, I should have brought apples."

[the_lioness]

It's a different stink than that of the stables at the end of the universe: older somehow, if only because the building is and things have settled. Also, there's a marked lack of modern cleaning supplies.

"I keep them in the tack room," Alanna offers, nodding to a nearby stable boy; he'll bring some. "That's Twilight. He pulls all manner of things."

And the big black horse inside looks like he could, too. He shakes his head and peers back at Mel.

[slayer_fray]

Mel smirks and past him on the cheek.

(She could pull more than him. Yep.)

"He's huge," she says. "Hey, boy."

[the_lioness]

What would Thanksgiving be without Thanksgiving dinner? After all, Tortallans are fond of tradition. Even if it's not theirs.

[last_adam]

Tradition neither in Tortall or England, but if there is food, Adam is more than happy to partake. Food and friends, and it's doubly as good. He smiles nervously at Alanna as servants carry in platters and bottles, more food than could be imagined (at least here, without magic).

[the_lioness]

Just as long as there are tarts for dessert.

A bit puzzled, Alanna lifts her head from Thom's side, where she'd been helping him with tiny pieces of meat. Jamie is further down the table, with Myles, which puts Grace on his other side and directly to Raph's left; the knight had fun with the seating arrangements.

"Everything all right?" she asks Adam quietly, smiling back.

[last_adam]

And Adam is sure Raph will be having LOADS of fun when Grace gets a hold of the mashed potatoes.

Adam nods, and smiles around at their friends, here, with them.

"Everything's great." He says it a bit louder than she had, and laughs as he reaches down to take a knife out of Thom's hand.

[the_lioness]

Like his mother, Thom has shown an early affinity for sharp pointy things; Alanna is secretly proud.

"Aye," she agrees, rather wistfully, and grins when she offers their son a spoon instead. "I'm glad we decided to be hospitable, even if the locals don't know what to make of it."

Of course, the locals often don't know what to make of them, as is evidenced by the man placing a bottle of wine nearby; he frowns at Thom's presence, gives his head a small shake and retreats to the kitchen.

[last_adam]

Adam is used to people not knowing what to do with him, and just laughs.

Thom, on the other hand, immediately starts gnawing on the spoon.

"You know, if this is what comes of it, I'm not sure I mind being wrong."