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

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Long few weeks," he said by way of explanation.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Yes, it has been. Longer for some that for others, I think," he said, a faint trace of worry on his face as he considered Gavin. "But it is over now."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

He was glad he'd tucked his hand into his pocket earlier. "It is. I'm okay, Karal."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal looked at him for a moment longer before he nodded, not sure he believed him, but willing to accept it. "I am glad, Gavin."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

He shook himself and asked, "Excited about classes?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

At that he grinned. "Very much so. This time, since Altra was not here, I was able to select them myself!"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

He laughed and said, "What'd you choose?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I chose one on religions, and one on the history of this island's invasions, and," he blushed furiously and looked down at Trenor's back, which was suddenly fascinating, "one called, umm, Love Smart. Molly and I have signed up together."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

Gavin tried to hold the laughter, he really did.

He failed.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Trenor stretched out his nose, ears pointing at Gavin, while Karal hid his face in his mane. A muffled 'Molly's idea' could barely be heard.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"No, it'll be fun," he said, laughing still. "Sorry, Karal, sorry. I bet it's fun."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He looked up, still blushing furiously, sort of smiling and looking extremely sheepish. "That I am not so sure of, but," he made a helpless gesture, "it is Molly. I could not say no."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I think I'd be the same way," he said. "You'll have to tell me if you learn anything good."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"You have my word. It is very strange having a," Karal still faltered over the word, simply because it sounded so odd, "a girlfriend, but it is," he smiled warmly, "nice."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"You seem happy," Gavin observed. "That's good."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I am," he replied, then eyed him curiously. "You and Inara are still happy?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he said, nodding. "I've just been...trying to sort some things out."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Gavin?" He reached over and touched his arm. "Can I help?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"It's not bad," he said, realizing how that sounded. "I mean, I'm still happy. There's just...other stuff and I don't know what it is."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I am here, with no plans other than feeding Trenor, if you wish help figuring it out," he offered.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I feel different when I'm with her now," he told him hesitantly. "Like something changed. Something good but I don't know. It's different."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Do you know how it is different?" he asked, frowning thoughtfully. "Or when it changed?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"No," he said, answering both questions. "It just is. Well, wait. It's--better?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Better?" He wasn't sure what that meant, exactly. "You are happier with her than you were before?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"No," he shook his head. "No, it's the same happiness. I mean, it's good happiness. I don't know, Karal. There's just something different."