The Stables: Friday night

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

After leaving his room, Karal had brought Florian down to the stables. While they were nice, they were hardly up to Companion standards. "I'm sorry they're not better," he said as he prepared the stall next to Trenor.

Florian shook his head. :I don't mind. This will be an adventure, of sorts. Rolan on the other hand...:

Karal burst out laughing, and Florian whickered with amusement, the sound filling the stables and ringing out through the open doors.

[ooc: it's equineapalooza! And it's totally open!]

Comments

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara was feeling a bit homesick and had avoided the picnic, knowing that no one was coming for her. Instead, she'd made a brief trip to the store and was now carrying a large bag of apples and several boxes of sugar cubes, intending to spoil Trenor a bit if he'd let her keep him company.

She smiled when she heard the mingled laughter as she entered the stables. "Hello?"

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

Florian turned curious blue eyes on her. :Hello.:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

She stopped where she was and glanced around. "Altra?" But no, the voice in her head felt different.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal looked up and smiled at her. "Inara! Hello!" He touched Florian's neck. "Altra is fast asleep somewhere. This is Florian," he paused, then grinned and continued, "a Companion of Valdemar!"

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Oh!" She blushed, remembering her conversation with Gavin, then dropped into a curtsey, grocery bags and all, as she would when greeting any fully guilded Companion on Shinon. "It's very nice to meet you, Florian."

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

Florian bowed his head, and tucked one front leg underneath him to give her a proper bow. :And you, Inara. I understand,: his eyes were twinkling as he glanced at Karal, :that you are also a Companion.:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"In training," she said, blushing more, "and I understand that it caused some confusion?"

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:Gavin was very confused,: he replied, laughter in his mindvoice. :But we did our best to set him straight. Not that you wouldn't be welcome among us, but you have too few legs for a start!:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara laughed as she glanced down at her feet. Both of them. "I suppose I do. I would invite you to join me, but I fear that would not go over well. Besides, Karal would miss you." She reached into her bag and pulled out an apple and offered it to Florian. "Do you eat like horses, or would you prefer something else? I brought treats for Trenor, but hopefully he won't mind sharing."

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:An apple would be very nice, thank you.: He delicately picked it up off her hands, then bit it neatly in half, turning his head so the fallen piece landed on a nearby hay bale.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Are you enjoying Fandom so far?" She asked, sitting down next to the fallen apple and offering it to him. "Was it a difficult trip?"

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:I am. very much, and the trip was as simple as stepping through a door.: He accepted the other piece and crunched it very carefully. :It's all so different, so exciting.: His ears shot forward. :And your Gavin has said that, should there be time, he will take me in the flight simulator, so I can see what space is like!:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"You want to see space?" She asked, smiling at Florian's interest. "Any reason?"

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:Karal shared what it was like with us, and his fascination.: Florian dropped his head and scraped a hoof across the floor. :I think it was contagious.:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"It's so vast--it's hard to believe that the universe is quite so large. Quite awe-inspiring."

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

Florian nodded in wordless agreement. :It's where you come from, isn't it? From space?:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Yes, but no. I'm from a different planet, but of greater note to the people here is that I'm from a few hundred years in this planet's future."

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

He bent his neck to peer at her. :You're from this world's future? How does that work? Do you know everything that will happen? How did you get back here from there?:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"I'm not quite sure," she admitted, "and no, I don't. Many records were lost--it has been quite a while, after all, and the ones that remain are carefully protected and not for the likes of me."

"I haven't gone back and forth, except for when I arrived--a shuttle dropped me off, but left shortly thereafter."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Having finally finished setting up the stalls, Karal came and sat next to Inara, offering her and Florian a smile, but not wanting to interrupt their conversation.

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:I thought just being in another world was strange, I can't imagine what it would be like to be from it's future,: he said, touching Karal briefly with his nose in thanks.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"The cabins were very odd," she confided, looking around for a currycomb. "Would you like to be brushed, or is that too personal an activity?"

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:Not at all! Unpartnered Companions don't get as much grooming as we need,: he replied, looking expectantly at Karal.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"As you'd like, you mean," Karal said with a laugh, hopping up to fetch a brush, which he presented to Inara.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," she laughed, bobbing a curtsey, then running the brush gently down Florian's neck. "Unpartnered? What does that mean?"

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:Companions Choose a person to be their Herald,: he explained, leaning into the brush. :It is the only way someone can become a Herald, to be Chosen by a Companion. As part of the Choosing, they bond, joined until death. I have never Chosen, so I'm Unpartnered.:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"What does it mean, to Choose someone?" She asked, still brushing, then smoothing his coat with her hand after the brush stroke. "Do you regret not having done so?"

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

Companions rarely spoke of such things, so he chose his words with care. :It is a measuring, a balancing, to find if the person has that in them which would make a Herald. As for regret...: He turned to look at Karal. :No, I don't regret it.:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Do you only get one chance to Choose?" Inara wasn't sure whether she was prying into a private area or not. "Will you be alone forever?"

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

Florian whickered with laughter. :I am not alone. There is an entire herd of Companions, and I have friends. Some Companions never Choose, and I suspect I will be one of them. I guess you could say a different life chose me.:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Which life is that?" She was strangely relieved to know the beautiful creature wouldn't be alone for his entire life.

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:Valdemaran advisor - and friend - to a Karsite Sun-Priest,: he chuckled. :And that is a first for any Companion, in any time, but it was needed.:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"How do you decide what life you want?" She asked.

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:In this case, the Companions decided and Rolan asked for volunteers. I was chosen from among them. You have to understand that Companions have fared rather badly at the hands of the Karsites in the past.: He turned his head to glance at Rolan, almost as if seeking permission, before continuing. :Which is why he asked us to volunteer, rather than simply picking one of us.:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"You must be very brave," she said quietly.

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

He shook his head, making his ears flap. :Not really,: he said, mindvoice teasing. :It turns out Karal doesn't eat babies or Companions!:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara blushed, then remembered the alternate meaning. This was a difficult adjustment. "No, he's a good man."

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:And a true priest.: Florian nudged her gently. :You could work on my mane, if you wouldn't mind.:

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Of course," she laughed, then started brushing his mane.

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:My thanks. Hwin and I are going for a run on the beach tomorrow.: He arched his neck and pranced in place. :A Companion should look his best.:

[queensown.livejournal.com]

Rolan's nose was flaring as he paced into the stables. Talia followed close behind him, looking far too amused at her Companion's annoyance. "Karal, Florian."

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

Florian looked sideways at Karal and flipped his ears in amusement. :Good evening to you both. Karal has just been making the stalls as comfortable as possible.:

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal covered a smile and gestured at the two stalls he'd been working on. "Hopefully these will be all right. I made sure the bedding was deep and I tied back the latches."

[queensown.livejournal.com]

Talia winked at Karal as she followed Rolan into the first stall. "See, Rolan, it has a paddock at least. You're not going to be trapped in a building all night."

Rolan snorted, waves of disapproval still rolling off of him.

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

Florian, with a quick look at Talia, walked into his stall, and turned around several times. :Really, it seems quite comfortable.:

Trenor's nose appeared over the edge of the dividing wall, and he laughed. :Plus the company is quite agreeable.:

[queensown.livejournal.com]

The second snort sounded more amused at Trenor's interest. :The horse has good taste at least: Rolan said wryly to Florian.

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:He's a sweet little horse,: Florian replied, leaning over to touch noses with Trenor. :And he's cared for Karal well. Did you see the talking horses, Rolan?: He sent him the image of Hwin and the memory of their conversation. :They speak like humans do!:

[queensown.livejournal.com]

Rolan arched his neck to get a better look at Trenor and think about Florian's information. :Huh. I would like to meet them. Will they be staying here too?:

[blueeyeswhite.livejournal.com]

:Hwin said that she and Bree would be, yes, so you will certainly get the chance.: And since Rolan was the Herd stallion Florian figured he could bid farewell to spending anytime with her. He kept that thought buried nice and deep, though.