The lawns around the dorms: Saturday morning

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

It was cold, yes. It was cloudy, yes. You wouldn't guess either of those by looking at Karal.

He'd risen early, trotted up to the roof to say the Dawn Rites, even more enthusiastically than usual, then down to the stables to feed Trenor.

Now Karal was riding Trenor in nothing but a halter and lead rope, letting him graze while he lay back, one arm folded under his head which was cushioned on Trenor's rump. Perhaps not the wisest way to ride a horse, but he was comfortable, Trenor was calm and content, and it let him watch the clouds scud across the sky.

Boy and horse were completely relaxed, enjoying the morning.

[ooc: open of course.]

Comments

[solo_sword]

Jaina grinned, trying to remember if he'd blushed at their last conversation, too, or if this was the start of a new streak. "Oh, just say you like her."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He beamed at her. "I like her, very much, and she likes me." He slipped off Trenor's back. "She's wonderful, Jaina."

[solo_sword]

"You know, I don't think I've seen you this happy before," she said, still smiling because she couldn't not.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I haven't been in a long time." Possibly never. "And I spoke to John the other day - I'm very glad you're not fighting any more."

[solo_sword]

"So am I," Jaina admitted. "It's not solved, I know it's going to come up again, but he's sticking around, so... Thanks for listening to me."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He waved her thanks away. "That's what friends do, especially friends who are priests," he said lightly. "I can always listen."

Trenor snorted and tossed his head, reaching out to Jaina again, obviously unhappy with being ignored.

[solo_sword]

Jaina laughed, giving Trenor the attention she hadn't been at that moment. "I think your horse is a little needy," she said.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"He's a little greedy, is more like the truth!" Karal laughed and patted his shoulder. "And he likes you a great deal. I think he remembers when he was human and you cared for him."

[solo_sword]

"Good. I like being remembered for good stuff," she said, smiling at Trenor. "One of these days maybe he'll see me when I'm prepared with treats."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"He's happy enough with pats, at least for the moment." He considered her thoughtfully for a moment. "John hasn't mentioned anything about Gavin hearing voices, has he?"

[solo_sword]

She looked over at him, confused. "Hearing voices? No."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Oh." Well, it couldn't hurt. "Gavin thinks he has been hearing voices in his room - I believe him," he added quickly. "I suspect John may know something about it. So, I thought he might have mentioned it to you."

[solo_sword]

"No, he hasn't. Though now I think I have to ask him about it," she said. "Huh."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal didn't grin, because he was Karal, and very good at not showing what he was feeling, but he was very pleased. If his suspicions were right, and John had something to do with those voices, he had a feeling Jaina would be able to find out. "That is probably a good idea."

[solo_sword]

"Is Gavin having any problems with his... uh, new disembodied voice friend?" she asked. That really would weigh in on how she went about asking John.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"He's not at all happy about it," he replied. "But I don't think it's actually done anything to him."

[solo_sword]

"Good. Then I don't have to hit anyone."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Glory, I hope not! But it would be good to know why it's happening, and John did seem to have an idea of what was going on."

[solo_sword]

"I'll talk to him," she promised. "Though considering I think he still likes riling my grandfather, I'm not sure I'll be able to do any good."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal almost shuddered. "He has a very odd idea of what constitutes fun."

[solo_sword]

"You didn't see some of the dresses he picked for me," Jaina said, and paused at the almost-shudder. "My grandfather hasn't been giving you a hard time or anything, has he?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"No, not at all," he assured her. "He did ask me about Evey, which was my own fault for checking up on him. Actually, he's always been nice to me, but...he is quite intimidating. I cannot imagine riling him on purpose for the fun of it."

[solo_sword]

"I do, but he likes me," she shrugged. "And I usually know how far to push him. So if he gets weird or, let's face it, creepy about anything, I'm happy to smack him for it."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he said sincerely. "I think Evey's appearance...disturbs him, but he's aware of it."

[solo_sword]

"There's really nothing like Fandom twisting your brain up a couple times," she said. "But if you like her, then the two of you are the only ones that should get a say in that."