fandomhighdorms | The stables: Early Wednesday morning [before classes]

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The stables: Early Wednesday morning [before classes]

Karal walked into the stables, still mulling over the things Aravis had told him last night, and grinned when Trenor whinnied a welcome. He gave him a scratch before fetching his breakfast and, while he waited for him to finish (it never took long), said good morning to Greatheart, offering him an apple or two.

It was a beautiful morning, so Karal led Trenor out into the early morning sunshine, and made himself comfortable under a tree while his horse grazed.

[ooc: primarily for one, but open if you like]

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Molly had woken up early and started thinking about what Anakin had told her yesterday. Unable to go back to sleep, she'd gotten dressed and headed down to the stables, hoping to find exactly who she saw sitting under a tree now. Without a word of greeting, she walked toward Karal, hands in her pockets.

Trenor saw her first and, ears pricked, trotted over to her. Karal looked up when Trenor moved, and smiled as he saw Molly. "Good morning," he called and stood up, brushing grass off himself as he followed the horse.

Molly couldn't help but give Trenor a small. She stroked his nose when he got to her and gave him a few firm pats on the neck. "I'm sorry, Trenor, I didn't think to bring an apple."

Her smile for Karal was a bit better, but still sad. When he reacher her, she moved in close and hugged him around the waist, laying her cheek against his chest.

"Molly?" He closed his arms around her, worried and puzzled. "What's wrong?"

Trenor wandered away to the end of the lead rope, grazing again, but he kept an eye on them, in case apples suddenly appeared.

"Yesterday was very... roller coaster-y," Molly said, closing her eyes and leaning against him, "and I'm just happy I found you because I really just wanted to hug you

right now

No less worried, he held her closer, slowly stroking her back. "Well, I am here and you can hug me for as long as you like," he said, and dropped a kiss on her hair. "So long as you let me do the same."

That won a real smile from Molly and she lifted her head to look up at Karal. "Thank you. You can hug me for as long as you like too."

He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead. "I intend to. Do you think you could come sit down, perhaps tell me about yesterday?" he asked.

Molly nodded and walked over to sit under the tree with him. Once they were both settled, Molly leaning against Karal, she explained her mood.

"It started off good," she said. "Jamie, a student who sort of left before you got here, came back. Only, there's some stuff that I'm still not sure about and I'm worried about him. So, that is mostly good." She sighed and looked up at Karal. "But then in the afternoon I stopped by to see Anakin and he told me about Hamlet. Did you ever get to meet Hamlet?"

He settled his arms around her, keeping half an eye on Trenor and most of his attention on Molly. "No, though the name does sound familiar," he said, frowning. "Possibly from the radio." Karal touched her face. "Molly, did something happen to him?"

"Anakin told me he died," Molly said quietly. "His uncle poisoned him right after he got home."

"Bright Flame." Karal was shocked, and it took him a moment to react, then he leaned closer, arms tightening around her. "Vkandis watch over him," he murmured. "I am so sorry."

Molly closed her eyes and hugged him close. "I just wish I would have been here to say good bye," she said. "When I first got here, we both used to end up in these fun groups that happen in the late night common rooms sometimes. And then, he was a cheerleader too. I never got a chance to tell him how... We didn't hang out together, but I would have liked to tell him how much I liked just knowing him."

Karal held her and listened, sad for the young man he hadn't even known. "It is hard when death touches someone you know. Even harder when you do not have that chance, but Molly?" He went to tilt her chin up so he could meet her eyes. "You carry your enthusiasm, your happiness, like a beacon, for the world to see. I suspect that he knew."

Molly looked up at him. "I hope so," she said quietly before turning her face to Karal's shoulder and crying quietly.

He stroked her hair and let her cry, knowing it would help, knowing she needed to get past the shock of it. "It's all right," he murmured. There were very few deaths that were good; this one...even Karal felt a twinge of sorrow at the tragedy of it. Sunlord, watch over him, wherever he is now, and grant him peace.

Once she got the crying under control, Molly took a deep breath and looked up at Karal again. "Thank you," she said.

"There is no need," he replied with a faint smile. "Comfort is something I would offer to anyone," it was part of being a Priest, "but you are not just anyone." He blotted her cheeks carefully with his sleeve. "So I am very glad you came to find me."

The cheek blotting made her smile a little. "It helped a lot."

Her eyes fluttered down and when she looked back up at him, she had a hopeful expression on her face, "But, I was wondering," she said hesitantly, "if you could come stay with me tonight? I didn't sleep very well last night and I think I might if you're there."

Given what had happened with Molly's parents, he wasn't surpised she'd had trouble sleeping. It wasn't precisely the same, but it was near enough. "I would be more than happy to," he told her, and kissed her forehead.

Molly hugged him again. "Thank you," she said again.

"You are very welcome," he said, hugging her in return. "Now, I think you have class today?"

"I do," she said. "Alternative Tactics. First period. I hope it's as interesting as it sounds."

Karal leaned back against the tree, not letting go of her. "It sounds as if it will be very interesting. But first period, that means you will have to leave soon."

Molly leaned against him with a sigh. "I have a few minutes before I should go."

"A few minutes is not now," he replied, smiling down at her. "Would you like Trenor and I to deliver you to the door of the school?"

That got a big grin from Molly. "That would be awesome!" she said.

Karal beamed, some of his concern lifting at her grin. "Then that is what we will do," he said. "Do you want to go now? We could take a turn or two around the school first."

"Okay!" Molly said, sitting up.

Karal got to his feet and clucked to Trenor, tugging gently on the lead, and he walked over. "We're going to deliver Molly to school, all right? And you are going to behave, since we will be bareback."

Once he had looped the lead over Trenor's neck and affixed the other end to the halter to create some impromptu reins, he held out a hand to Molly. "I'll give you a leg up, then jump up behind you."

"Okay."

Molly took Karal's hand and gave Trenor a few quick pats before moving to his side and letting Karal help her up.

Trenor turned his head to peer at them in astonishment, then sighed and dropped his head as Karal boosted Molly onto his back.

"Hang onto his mane," he told her, then placed one hand on his withers in front of Molly, and one hand on his back behind, and jumped up. It was a bit awkward, and he was grateful Trenor stood very still, but he made it, sitting close against Molly. "Are you comfortable?"

Molly nodded silently, her fingers wrapped in Trenor's mane.

He only needed one hand to hold the lead, and Trenor responded better to legs than hands, anyway, so he tucked his other arm around Molly's waist. "Hold on," he said in her ear, then nudged Trenor into a brisk walk, guiding him around behind the school.

Molly relaxed back against Karal with a sigh and held on, enjoying the ride and the quiet morning.

Content to maintain the comfortable silence, he rested his chin on her shoulder, letting Trenor stretch out and pick the pace as they wandered down to the edge of the preserve, and turned to continue around the school, breaking into a light, smooth trot.

Molly leaned her head against Karal's. "Any plans for today?" she asked.

"I might take Trenor for a short ride, and there is some research I wish to do." They were approaching the doors of the school. "Perhaps I could use my desk in your room? That I would be there when you return."

Molly smiled. "I'd like that," she said.

He kissed her cheek, then slipped off Trenor and held up his arms. "You do not want to be late for class."

Molly smiled and slid off Trenor's back into Karal's arms. "No, not on the first day."

"I will see you after class," he said, then bent his head to kiss her lightly.

The kiss he got back was a little more than light, but it was brief since she did have to go to class. "Bye, Karal. I'll see you later."

He stepped back, gathering up the lead, and mounted. "You will, Molly," he said, and backed Trenor before turning him back towards the stables. "Enjoy your class!"

And with that he signalled Trenor into a canter, knowing he was showing off as they headed back towards the stables, and not minding in the least.

Molly appreciated the showing off and watched them ride off until they were completely out of site before heading inside to class.

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The stables: Early Wednesday morning [before classes]

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