Stables [early Wednesday morning]

[not-that-gentle.livejournal.com]

Susan, to be quite honest, was beginning to be rather sick of being equine. As, she assumed, would anyone in her position, after a week and a half.

So it was a welcome surprise when after falling asleep in a vacant, clean stall in the stables, she woke up her normal, human-shaped self.

"Oh, by the Lion, thank you," she breathed, when she opened her eyes and stretched her legs out.

The discovery of her lack of clothing was less pleasant, though she did hold back her shriek for the benefit of the only actual horse she'd encountered, who had seemed very sweet and didn't deserve to be spooked. She didn't think he'd mind if she borrowed one of his blankets to cover up, though, which was what she was going to do, thank you very much. It was hardly regal to go traipsing all over the place in nothing but a horse blanket, but she'd make do with what she had.

[for one, please, unless you have some special reason to be in the stables in the wee hours of the morning.]

Comments

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Despite being in the cabins, Aravis still had a horse to feed. Which was why she'd risen early -- as she did every day, now -- and fumbled her way into some semblance of dress before making the short walk up to the stables to care for Trenor.

"Morning, Tre -- "

That was as far as she got before she was met with the sight of a young woman she didn't know, dressed only in one of his blankets. "What in the name of -- who are you?"

[not-that-gentle.livejournal.com]

Wonderful. Precisely what she didn't need.

Susan knew she had a way with words. She may not have been the most level-headed, or an optimist, or the most commanding leader. But she could speak, and people would listen and understand her, despite the simplicity of her speech or the softness of her voice. She could command attention in the most graceful and eloquent of ways.

"I was a pony!"

This...was not a particularly good demonstration of that ability.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis stared.

"...well, so was I, but that was months ago and that hardly explains what you're doing in the stables, wearing nothing but my horse's blanket! So help me, if you're doing anything untoward -- "

[not-that-gentle.livejournal.com]

Susan could hardly process that. She interrupted the other girl -- terribly rude, but necessary under the circumstances -- with a flaily (though one hand was firmly holding the blanket across her bust) "No, no no no, no no! Oh my -- no. I was not -- how dare you insinuate as much? No, I was a pony just now and I changed back to my normal form, and found myself without clothes! That's all. What is wrong with you?"

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Oh." Well, that made more sense. "My apologies, though it did seem like a logical conclusion," she said stiffly, quickly getting together what she needed to feed Trenor, since he'd started looking a little more antsy when she came in. "I myself spent last week as a cat and came back to myself in a similar state. It's just...startling to come across."

[not-that-gentle.livejournal.com]

Susan rolled her eyes. "And I don't suppose you'd be willing to give any assistance?" she asked, and yes, that was a bit rude but she could be forgiven, given the circumstances.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis smiled, debating how to treat the girl. "This is a rite of passage, you know," she said sweetly.

[not-that-gentle.livejournal.com]

Susan wanted to smack her. "And judging from your appearance, you'd understand the need to maintain one's modesty." It was true; the girl's attire was almost Narnian. "Does sorority carry so little weight in this world?"

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"This world?" Aravis raised a brow, considering the other girl's speech patterns and trying to guess. "From which one do you hail?"

She decided to be merciful, and was looking around for another blanket to donate to the cause.

[not-that-gentle.livejournal.com]

Susan straightened, and hoped that for once in this world, this might carry some weight. She'd really like to be clothed. "I reign in a land called Narnia."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis felt her blood run cold, her eyes going just a tiny touch wider.

And now she was frantically studying the girl's face, trying to place the features. And as soon as she recognized her -- or thought she did -- she realized should have seen it sooner.

There was only one way to make amends. She immediately dropped into a deep, Archenlandish curtsy, her head ducked low. "My greatest apologies, Majesty. I am an ally, an Archenlander, and meant no offense."

[not-that-gentle.livejournal.com]

Susan had hardly expected that, but for the moment, her lack of clothing was forgotten, and she smiled. "Archenland? Truly? I did not know there were any women at King Lune's court." The girl looked too dark for an Archenlander, considering they tended to be even fairer than Narnians. She could easily pass as Calormene, though.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis carefully rose, her suspicions nearly confirmed with the other girl's reaction. "Yes, Majesty -- Lady Aravis of Archenland, formerly Aravis Tarkheena of Calormen. I believe, if you are who I think, that I am from a few years into your future. I could be very wrong, but you do bear a great resemblance to a younger Queen Susan, and I do know your brother and have the same time discrepancy."

[not-that-gentle.livejournal.com]

Susan blinked, shaking her head. "You know Edmund?" she asked, before ducking her head in a makeshift curtsy and adding, "Yes, I am Queen Susan. You may just call me Susan, though, as we do not stand upon ceremony here."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Is Edmund here as well?" Aravis asked, looking confused. "I know Peter. He was very kind to me and assisted in my adjustment to this world."

She remembered a moment later the reason that this conversation was taking place at all, and tugged her light cloak off, offering it to Susan. "I shan't look, but it would cover you enough to make it to the cabins, I think."

[not-that-gentle.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Peter, of course." And now that she was thinking of it, her elder brother had mentioned something of a lady from their future being here. She cursed herself for not remembering as she took the cloak with a grateful nod and slipped it over herself as Aravis turned away. "Yes, Edmund is here as well. He and I came together. You're from our future, you say?"

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"I can't tell you much," Aravis said apologetically. "For fear of marking your path. But yes, the Queen Susan I know is a decade and more your senior, and her beauty and gentility is known throughout all our lands. Your sister is one of my dearest friends, as well. Would you like company back to the cabins? I might be able to tell you more, and I admit to being curious as to how Narnia is faring in your time."

[not-that-gentle.livejournal.com]

Susan considered, and nodded with a smile as Aravis led the way out.

Well. At least she was still known for being pretty.