The Stables - Saturday Afternoon

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

Jocelyn had started to come down to the stables once in a while to curl up on a bale of hay (prickly but it smelled like home) and study or read or just try to follow orders and get out of her room a little for things that didn't involve training.

Today she had a book, but she was distracted by the horses and wishing that her horses weren't all back in Idris on the family estate. One brown horse in particular had demanded her attention as he stuck his head out over the half door and whickered demandingly, hoping for a treat.

She laughed, moving to his stall and reaching out to let him snuffle at her hand. "I don't know, your owner might have you on a diet," she pointed out, smiling at the touch of his velvety muzzle. The horse gave her a Look of disgust. "Hey, don't blame me. But maybe I have a mint or something in my pocket."

Of course she did. No matter what she said about the importance of following horses' diets, she never came down to the stables without an apple or two or a pocketful of mints.

[OOC: Baru modded w/permission and open stables for sure.]

Comments

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"Do not believe him," Faramir said as he found Baru begging for treats from Jocelyn. "He is not half as starved as he claims to be. He merely forgets he is a horse sometimes."

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

Jocelyn looked up at his words and smiled at the boy she'd met way back at the beginning of the summer. "I think he's being pretty horse-like right now. I was just trying to explain that his owner might not want his appetite spoiled with treats."

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Faramir looked amused. "So you were attempting to make him mad at me as you withheld the treats?"

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

"I like how you put those words in my mouth!" Jocelyn protested though her eyes were dancing. "It was purely out of courtesy for you."

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"Then I stand corrected," Faramir gave her a shallow bow in apology. "And to answer your question, he is welcome to whatever treat you wish to offer him."

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," she said, nodding her head in acceptance. "I wouldn't want to be blamed for turning a horse against his owner!"

She smiled and turned back to the still hopeful horse, digging in her pocket for a mint before offering it to him. "He's really a gorgeous horse. What's his name?"

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"Baru," Faramir replied, moving closer as he watched the horse inhale the mint in an instant. "He is a horse of Rohan. They are known to breed the best horses one can find in Middle-earth."

He did sound proud of his horse.

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

Jocelyn gave him a sidelong glance before returning to patting and babying Baru. "But you're not proud of him or anything."

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"There are worse things to be proud of," Faramir said with a laugh. "It is a good horse and he has served me well."

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

She chuckled, giving Baru another mint then tossing one (a non-horse-slobbered one) to Faramir. "I'm just jealous you got to bring him with you."

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"It took me a day's ride to reach the portal that brought me to Fandom," Faramir clarified, popping the mint into his mouth. "It was somewhat necessary. You have a horse as well then?"

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

"I suppose," Jocelyn allowed then nodded. "Technology doesn't work in my country. So - horses mostly. I've a chestnut gelding."

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps you could send for him?" Faramir suggested. "There is plenty of space and the stables are well kept. I was a little worried at first, but they keep them in fine order."

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

"I could try," she admitted, rubbing her hand up Baru's nose to play with his ears. "It's ...slightly more difficult than that. I'd have to convince my parents to agree. And besides? Then I'd have less time to spoil your Baru."

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"Yes, because he is not spoiled already," Faramir replied, mostly amused as Baru's eyes were half shut as he enjoyed the pets. "I believe he might survive as long as you share the treats evenly."

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

"At least he's not so fat he looks like he's pregnant," Jocelyn pointed out laughingly. "He can't be that spoiled."

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"He gets plenty of exercise," Faramir assured her. "Truth be told, I would be a little lost without them so I am grateful I was able to take him with me."

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

She nodded, glancing down. "Something from home, right? Are you looking forward to returning there?"

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"It is home," he replied, thinking that spoke for itself. "That is not to say I would not miss the island. But yes, something from home and with how much different this world is, it is good to have these things to keep me in balance."

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

"I can't imagine missing this island," Jocelyn admitted, wrinkling her nose.

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Faramir tilted his head, studying her curiously. "Not even one thing? Such at the library or the endless supply of food? What of its people?"

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

She considered. "The library has good books on language and art for sure. But beyond that most of the books I'd want are in the Special Collections. As for the food...well, since as I'm not a guy, I don't think it matters as much."

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Obviously she had never seen some of the girls at Fandom attack the food tables.

"And what of the people then?" he asked. "Or do you loathe us all?"

[sedlexduralex.livejournal.com]

Jocelyn made a face at him. "Oh sure, like I could say that after you let me baby your horse!"

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"What if I offered for you to take him for a ride?" he asked.