The stables: Late Tuesday afternoon

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal arrived at the stables, cheerful because Altra was back, even if he'd woken only long enough to eat several tins of salmon and was now snoring on his bed again.

It only took him a moment to notice something was missing.

"Where is my horse?"

[ooc: it is open, though first for the missing horse aka myself]

Comments

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I wondered where they had come from," he said, stroking a very relaxed Trenor's nose. "I am glad that he had some company while I was gone."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Animals talk in a quiet way," River said, combing the mane with her fingers. "Good company."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"They are, yes," he agreed, smiling as he patted Trenor's shoulder. "How are you, River?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She fell silent for a moment. "Waiting. Am restless. Want to get started soon." She started braiding again. "And you?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I am happy because my friend came back last night," he said, smiling as he thought of Altra. "What are you waiting for?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Classes to start," She replied. "Have been idle enough. She looked up at him, curious. The fact that she couldn't sense his thoughts was frustrating sometimes. "Which friend?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Altra." He beamed at her over Trenor's back. "He was gone for two weeks, but now he is back!"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"He comes and goes?" River didn't look surprised though.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Altra," he fiddled with Trenor's forelock when the horse curved his neck around to snuffle him, "he can come and go, yes. On a whim, I sometimes I think."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Still a good friend," River said, running her fingers through the braids she had made, dissolving them. She looked up at the sky, squinting.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"The very best, and more," he agreed, glancing over. "You did not like the braids?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Some days they're more temporary than others," she said, still looking up at the sky. "Doesn't mean they're bad. I should try to get my ship flying soon."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal looked over at her, eyes bright with curiosity. "Will it travel between planets?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Yes," She said. "Slow and not too advanced, but sturdy." She moved her gaze, smiling at him. "In space every inhabited planet is a garden in a desert."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He smiled back. "I did not even know there were planets before I came here. I did not know there was space, or that the stars in the sky could be other worlds. And now I know people who fly among them."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"I didn't believe in magic before I got here," River replied. "The way with crossroads between worlds."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"A nexus between worlds," he said quietly, remembering his first day.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River reached up and scratched Trenor between his ears. "Just have to decide whether to leave on the same road you came here on," she said.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I am a Priest of Vkandis Sunlord. It is my road," he said gently, almost serenely. "There is no other I would choose."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"That is a good thing," River replied softly, resting her hand on Trenor's neck. "A horse to carry you and a cat to lead the way. More than money can buy."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He bowed his head, still smiling. "And the chance to serve Vkandis."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

That made little sense to River. She knew how Shepherd Book had perceived his calling, and assumed what Karal felt was similar. "Faith is a requirement," she said. "Stepping on to air hoping it will carry." Smiling, she added: "I've danced on air."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Leap off the cliff and know that He will catch me," he said, then tilted his head to look at her. "I have never danced on air. I do not dance at all, really."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River looked at him, the memory of Jack in Karal's body, struggling to dance, suddenly very vivid. She couldn't hold back a giggle. "No, I don't think you do."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He slowly went red. "Somehow, I think I do not want to know."