It's a nice day, so the recently-titled Countess is working outside. Redmane sits on the porch of the run-down looking ranch house, clad in tee-shirt and jeans and surrounded by stacks of ledgers and notebooks. Nearby, a pitcher of lemonade and some cups rests atop a barrel, along with a plate of sandwiches. Despite remembering more about Redmane's previous life, the current incarnation still shows her mortal heritage: Agatha is using a ballpoint pen to write with.
A white charger passes through the open gate that leads to the road down to the house. The horse moves at a brisk walk, a lightly-armored golden-haired figure on his back. As he draws near the porch, the rider calls out. "Good afternoon, Countess Redmane. How fare you this day?"
Redmane looks up, and breaks out into a smile. "Sir Tristan! I am doing well, if going a bit stir-crazy," she replies. "And hello to you as well, Souhait!"
Souhait bows to Redmane and whickers in return greeting after Tristan dismounts. "Stir-crazy?" the fey knight asks, nonplussed. He delivers a graceful bow, then unhooks a messenger pouch from the saddle of his horse.
Standing up, the young Countess approaches and offers Souhait a sweet-carrot. "It means I am feeling too confined," she explains to Tristan. "I have been trying to sort out the bloodlines for the Knightsteeds, as well as trying to learn about my new County. Thank goodness I don't have to actually run it! Are you bringing me what I think you are?"
"I am indeed, m'lady." He passes over the bag with a natural flourish. "This holds all of House April's records on breeding Knightsteeds. Yes, including yours, Souhait." The horse snorts at his rider, and laps the carrot out of Redmane's hand to crunch on it with surprising neatness.
The young woman smiles at the weight of the pouch. "Excellent! I'm hoping a cross-reference will help me fill in the gaps in some of the other House's records," she says. "Especially February's. They tended to let the Knightsteeds do whatever they wanted, so it isn't clear who sired whom! Oh, would you like something to eat and drink? Forgive my manners!"
"I should not object to a drink, m'lady, especially something cool. We've had a good long ride today, have we not, my friend?" Tristan glances at Souhait, who nods. "I daresay a drink would not go amiss with him, either, and food never does. I daresay he's getting fat in these peaceful days." Souhait snorts again, looking insulted.
"Hah, Souhait is far too disciplined," Redmane notes, and pours Tristan some lemonade. "We can walk him out to the temporary stables. It would do to show some of the adolescents how a real Knightsteed acts."
Souhait whickers dignified agreement with Redmane. "Then I concede the point to you, m'lady; you are by far a better judge than I. Ah, thank you." Tristan accepts the glass with a smile. "I should be glad to see the next generation, myself. It has been too long since we've been out this way, and Souhait was looking forward to the chance to see the herd again." At Redmane's mention of the stables, the charger's head has been turned that way. At least it is now that he's not getting any more carrots.
Picking up some sandwiches, Redmane gestures to follow. The stables aren't too far off, and are by far the most 'renovated' of the old buildings. There are troughs of water and various open feed bins, as well as the training paddocks and other necessities. A few foals gambol about, but the only adult horse keeps distant from them, lying on a blanket under an oversize pink and white-lace parasol.
Tristan blinks at the prone horse and the outsized parasol. Souhait walks sedately alongside, giving an appraising eye to the foals before he breaks off from his two-legged companions to investigate the adult. "Is that one ill?" the fey knight asks.
"Oh, that one," Redmane mutters. With a sigh, she says, "No, not ill. That is Princess Peach-Blossom Marigold Honeydew of February, voted the prettiest Knightsteed at the celebration festival. It's gone to her head, so she's back here for re-training."
Tristan tries to restrain a smile, and gives it up as a lost cause to chuckle. "Peach-Blossom Marigold Honeydew? I see the re-training is progressing ... slowly." Souhait and the mare strike up some kind of silent conversation; the stallion circles around the parasol and mare, inspecting both.
Peach-Blossom barely gives Souhait a glance, except when his shadow interrupts her view. The mare is golden brown with white freckles, and sports an impressive white mane and tail that are nearly silver due to expensive grooming. Silk versions of her namesake flowers are woven into both mane and tail, and a silver tiara actually rests on her brow. Other adornments include gold-filigree hoof-art and a blue ribbon sash worn about the neck, with the First Place medal still hanging on it. The mare is more delicate and graceful looking than typical, however, and has bright lavender eyes under long lashes.
"I've made some progress," Redmane notes, and points out a heavy-looking bag with large reinforced wooden handles. "I've gotten her to carry her grooming supplies on her own."
Souhait looks more bemused than impressed by the other horse's accoutrements. "Who is grooming her?" Tristan asked. "Did her owner come along to continue to ... er ... dress her up?" From his tone, it's plain he thinks this sort of vanity is a waste of a Knightsteed. Souhait paces back from the mare, with a whicker and a toss of his head to invite her to join him in a walk. Since he dismounted, Tristan removed Souhait's barding for the visit, so the white charger is nude and happy about that, though he's still a little dusty from the road.
Princess Peach-Blossom turns up her nose and gives a delicate snort, letting the stallion know she's not about risk getting herself dirty - and that maybe Souhait should clean up first in any case.
"Frankly.. I have no idea how it gets done," Redmane admits, her brow furrowing. "I think she summons brownies, or else is very dexterous with her teeth."
Souhait gives an indelicate snort that indicates the Princess could use some honest dirt. He turns sideways to her, and struts with parade ground precision and finesse: head up, knees high, strides of exactly the same length, muscles rippling beneath a white hide that glistens with the sheen of sweat. "It must be a sight," Tristan says to Redmane, marveling. "I ought to give Souhait a rubdown, in truth. Where is the rest of your herd this day, m'lady?"
"Out with Ahearn, except for the expectant mares and the foals," Redmane notes. At Souhait's performance, Peach-Blossom actually gets up and mimics him, adding a bit of flair and making sure her mane and tail catch the breeze to best effect.
Several of the foals notice the parade, and hurry out to be with Souhait. They mostly ignore the Princess though, and even keep some distance.
Souhait observes the mare with a sidelong look and a hint of a nod. Then he changes to warhorse battle manuevers: sidesteps, blocks, kicks. He's had plenty of practice at this, in drill and on the field. He notes the arrival of the foals with whickered greetings to them. "I trust the rest of the herd is well?" Tristan asks. "Have you been building the herd back up, m'lady? I imagine last Year's war took its toll on them as well."
"Ahearn is.. doing his best in that regard," Redmane notes with a grin. "He's eager to get things back to the way they were." Peach-Blossom watches Souhait's antics (and those of the foals, who clumsily try to keep up with him) and actually feigns a yawn before trotting back to her blanket and parasol. Redmane sighs again. "Well, maybe I can give her to Princess Angel to keep as a royal pet.." she mutters.
Tristan raises an eyebrow at the mare. Souhait ignores her in favor of the foals: he whickers to them, nudging and nipping to correct their form. "I suppose putting her to broodmare is out of the question. It might knock some sense into her, but what would you do with the foals if they took after her?"
"Exactly," Redmane notes. "She's unsuitable to carry a knight, certainly. Frankly, I think I just need to shake her up and put on a mission. I'd give her Thomas if I thought he'd ride her. Goodness knows, a few days with him and she'd either be shocked back to her senses or else commit suicide."
That image startles a laugh out of Tristan. The grin lingers on his lips as he envisions a disheveled Lord Explorer seated on the back of a very disgruntled and prissy Peaches. There's a kind of shadow in his eyes despite the smile, however. "That would be something to see, certainly. How ... how is the Lord Explorer of late? I've not heard much word of the doings among the Hawks in the last few months."
"Well, he had some of us over for a story-telling session last week," Redmane notes, crossing her arms. "He looked busy, trying to organize the Hawks' records. Frankly, I don't know why he doesn't just let Rachel take over.."
Tristan smiles again. "I admit that the task of sorting records does not seem quite the highest and best use of his time. Or yours, Countess, if I may be so bold as to say as much."
"Because I'm far too young and far too handsome to retire. I have so much to still do! I'll retire when I'm dead," comes the all too familiar voice of Thomas from behind one of the buildings. And soon Thomas actually walks into view ... with two familiar faces in tow and looking a bit tired from a lot of walking. It is none other than Minstrel Sam and Lady Hannah. "I could comment about associating with bad company right now, but ... how much more can one knight corrupt the other, anyway?"
"Yes, you didn't have bad company, so we came to remedy that lack," the old bard says with a grin.
"I'm wonderful company," Thomas argues as he tries to shake off the accumulated dust on his worn travel coat.
At the mention of another Knight, the ruddy-haired girl following in Thomas' wake stops - and stares directly at Tristan. Even at that distance, it looks as if she's taking in a long breath. Then the moment passes, her shoulders relax again, and she comes forward with the rest.
Tristan turns at the sound of the voice. He covers his surprise with an even mask on his features, bowing instead. "Good afternoon, my Lord Explorer, Minstrel ... Lady Hannah." The mask cracks enough to smile at the fey woman.
"Wonderfully bad company," Minstrel Sam clarifies.
Tristan very, very carefully does not smirk. He puts his 'expressionless fey knight on guard duty' face back on.
"I have heard House April has kept you fairly busy of late with courtly duties, Sir Tristan," Thomas notes as he nods slightly to the man. "There are no greater monsters than those that hide in the court, after all. So ... what brings you out to visit Redmane?"
"Good afternoon to you, Sir Tristan," Hannah replies quietly. She even returns his smile...but not by much.
Tristan's eyes go back to Hannah as she speaks, and he seems to miss most of Tom's comment. He must have caught the tag end of the question, however, because after a pause he says, "House April had some record the Countess had requested, and I volunteered to deliver them." His eyes barely leave Hannah's face as he speaks. "It's good to see you again, my lady," he continues in a softer voice to her.
Smiling at the arrival of more guests, Redmane automatically hands over her remaining sandwich to Sam. "So, what brings you all out to my ranch today?" she asks.
"It is also... Well. Thank you, Sir Tristan," Hannah says, looking very much flustered for some reason. Then she turns towards Redmane to see how she will respond to Thomas' teasing.
"Oh, I have a few business issues to discuss with you. Nothing pressing. It's Hannah that has immediate business. She's about to go on her first solo mission," Thomas explains as he looks towards the sky. "As for me, my days are currently occupied with making sure the Nobles behave. They're slowly coming around. Slowly."
Tristan continues to gaze at Hannah for a moment after the woman looks away. Then he realizes that he's staring and turns suddenly to the others: Tom for a moment, then Sam, before settling on attending to Redmane for -- whatever reason.
"I.. can almost sympathize, Thomas," Redmane says, glancing aside to the delicate Knightsteed currently resting under a frilly parasol nearby.
In the background, the Knightsteed Souhait is standing at parade rest while a group of foals march in a poor semblance of formation before him. He whinnies occasional commands to them, and they turn one way or another. He's ignoring the prissy mare resting in the shade.
"The world must be coming to an end, Redmane is sympathizing with me," Thomas laments as he walks over to the Redhead and then drapes his arm around his shoulder. "You have got to be bored by now, just sitting around here all day, watching the horses ... play. Hey, why is that horse under a frilly thing. Where did you get a frilly thing? Wait a moment, are you really Redmane? Redmane doesn't do frilly."
The old man raises an eyebrow at Tristan. He leans back against a fence, swinging his lute to the fore with a practiced motion, then begins strumming a light, pleasant melody.
"No, she does not," Tristan agrees, but he confines his remarks to that and lets Redmane explain about the mare.
Since Redmane is currently dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt, the accusation of frilliness makes her brows rise. "The parasol came with the mare," she explains, but doesn't try to dislodge the arm. "What sort of business brings you here, Tom?"
"Steed staffing, or the lack thereof," Thomas explains simply. "The Hawks have grown somewhat and we will be needing horses. And when I think of stubborn, unruly beasts that need to be broken, I always think of you, Redmane," Thomas quips, then grins to the woman. "So, it's helpful that you also raise horses."
Something in Tristan's attitude makes it look like he wants interrupt, but he checks himself. He does steal another glance at Hannah when he thinks no one's looking.
"That's Countess Redmane, remember," Redmane notes, and then gestures to the paddock. "As you can see, I've just got foals right now. Regular horses I can probably get you, but not Knightsteeds. Of those.. I only have Peaches here available."
The relaxing mare raises her head to give a delicate snort at the sound of her nickname.
Hannah clears her throat loudly and says as an aside to Sam, "We may need those bottles of brandy sooner than I thought..." When Redmane mentions the name of the prissy Knightsteed, however, she interjects incredulously, "Peaches? What kind of name is that for a Knightsteed?"
"Regular is adequate for most things," Thomas comments as he nods. The lord then can't help but peer at the mare under the parasol for a bit. "Okay, what's wrong with her?" he finally asks. "Some princess turned horse?"
With a sigh, Redmane says, "Her full name is Princess Peach-Blossom Marigold Honeydew, actually. She has an ego nearly as big as Tom's."
"And yet none of my charm," Thomas quips. "But then, who does?"
"No one else, if we're lucky," Hannah quips.
Redmane turns to look at Tom, and says, "I remember you being a bit more charming in the past. I remember a lot of things now, since that little story you told us.."
The corner of Tristan's mouth twitches at Redmane's remark, but he keeps it in check. He does give Hannah another curious glance at her quip.
Thomas waggles his brows briefly, then actually says, "Aroo." He finally lifts his arm off Redmane's shoulders and says in a far more serious tone, "Now, enough reunioning. Hannah has a real need for a Knightsteed. She'll be heading beyond Mirari's borders soon. Are you certain you have nothing well ... less prissy?"
Hannah seems to notice Tristan's glance this time and her face slowly turns pink around the cheeks. Yet she still does not say anything else to him.
Minstrel Sam's playing sounds suspiciously like the melody for Young Beichan and Susie Pye, a traditional love song, except he's not actually singing any lyrics. He chuckles to Hannah, halting his music for a moment, then reaches into a pouch and fetches out a flask which smells of apricots. He offers it to Hannah, "I brought mine!"
"Wait.. will it be a dangerous mission involving fighting monsters or anything?" Redmane asks Thomas, poking him in the chest and blushing at the 'Aroo' comment.
"I'll let Hannah explain the mission. It's her job now," Thomas insists as he holds up his hands.
Tristan raises an eyebrow. "A mission outside of Mirari, alone?" he says, repeating what he's gleaned. "If I may ask, m'lady Hannah, what is the situation that occassions this need?"
"No one ever expresses concern if I have to go off on a mission alone," Thomas has to comment. "I wonder if that means something..."
"Concern? Ohhh, I didn't realize you wanted us to be concerned about it when you leave alone," Minstrel Sam says, mock-seriously. "Will you be wanting a bodyguard as well, milord?"
For her answer, Hannah fishes a small scroll out of one of the pouches at her belt and holds it out for either Tristan or Redmane to take. "I'd actually be interested to see what your reactions are to this...summons," she comments with a small smile.
Redmane pokes Thomas again, and says, "That's because you never tell anyone that you're going off alone.."
"Oh, right," Thomas says and snaps his fingers.
"Personally, I think you leave alone so you can ditch me," Minstrel Sam opines.
Tristan reaches for the scroll, perhaps faster than he should. "Thank you, m'lady," he says as he takes it. His fingertips brush against Hannah's for an instant.
To the Honorable Golden Hawks,
We formally request the aid of the Golden Hawks, who have shown themselves to be above political bias and possessed of honesty and good will. Our newly founded land of Greedle has suffered a sudden and tragic blow, as our Royal Groom, Prince Feezle, has been taken away by unknown agents. We are a struggling community and could not afford any ransom that may be demanded of us for his return.
We humbly await your reply,
Princess Grizelda the Bountiful
Hannah's hand jerks slightly against the knight's and her face turns a little pinker. Still, she remains silent for a minute so the two can pass the scroll between them and read. "What say you?" she asks finally.
"Well, sometimes," Thomas tells Sam with a grin, "Your songs are rarely flattering. Plus ... you have really bad campfire gas."
Tristan drops his eyes quickly to the scroll, his fair complexion coloring slightly. He reads the missive and passes it to Redmane, saying, "Greedle? Princess Grizelda? How 'newly-founded' is this land?"
"So, some royal got cold feet?" Redmane asks after looking at the note. "Hmmm. So.. you have to deal with royalty then..."
"It's part of the excitement! The thrills never stop when you're travelling with Minstrel Sam," the old man says with a laugh. He resumes the gentle melody.
"It is a fair ways from here. It is basically that one of the wilder lands was recently settled and named Greedle," Thomas explains and then thumbs in a bit of a north-easternly direction. "That way, in fact. It is always good to answer a request for aide. Allies are always welcome when you spend much time in the wilderness."
"Ah. It's just ... perhaps I am too suspicious. But a venture into unknown lands at the best of unknown leadership does not strike me as the best one to set out on alone." Tristan starts to say something else, but stops himself. He doesn't quite look at Hannah.
"Right! You'll take Peaches then," Redmane announces. "She's suited for dealing with Royalty. Or at least, you'll be ready to deal with them after spending a few days with her, Hannah."
Hannah casts a very wary glance at the lounging Knightsteed and says,
"That is the best kind of venture," Thomas remarks to Tristan, "Going into a land you already know is pointless. Or maybe you're just trying to imply Hannah cannot take care of herself, hmm?"
Tristan gives Redmane a betrayed look. "Surely Ahearn can spare one of the others. Were you not riding Fiona the last I saw you, Lady Hannah?"
"Fiona hasn't foaled yet, but is due in the next two weeks," Redmane notes.
Hannah casts a very wary glance at the lounging Knightsteed and says, "Er...are you sure I shouldn't just take a regular horse, instead? This Peaches doesn't look as if she'd make it past the fences of your ranch, much less across the wilds I'll have to travel!"
Looking back to Tom, Tristan says, "No. I am saying that I would not wish to go to unknown lands without backup, were any available. We are no longer at war or under threat of Winter; I was not aware resources were so scarce."
"She's still a Knightsteed, with more speed and endurance than a regular horse," Redmane says, crossing her arms again. "She's smart too, and.. uh.. has hidden talents."
"You make do with what you can. Things are only as scarce as you let them be. The best skill anyone can learn is how to improvise," Thimas notes, "Take Redmane for example. I bet she could saddle and ride a pig if she had to."
Minstrel Sam looks curious. "Did I hear someone volunteerin' to help you out, Hannah?"
Hannah's eyebrows threaten to vanish into her hairline at this piece of news, but she has to ask, "Talents such as...?"
"Hmmm, is that a challenge, Thomas?" Redmane asks. "I'm sure I can find a saddle that would fit you.."
Seeing the new people who've gathered and are talking, Souhait leaves the budding platoon of young Knightsteeds to return to the fey. He listens with pricked ears to the conversation. Tristan glances sidelong at Redmane, then at Peaches. "I think all of her are on display already," he grumbles under his breath. Then adds, "The ability to braid her own mane, apparently," to Lady Hannah.
The Knightsteed in question does have silk flowers braided into her silvery mane, and her light-brown, freckled hide is also immaculately groomed. It is a testament to her poise that the tiara on her head hasn't fallen off by now, probably. And she has her own handbag.
Tom just grins. "Just remember you couldn't hold onto me before," he points out. "A saddle certainly won't help now."
"If I wanted to hold onto you, Thomas, I'd use leg irons or hamstring you," Redmane points out.
Minstrel Sam eyes Peaches suspiciously. "Wait, wait, Lady Redmane, yer saying you didn't put all those geegaws on that girl there?"
"And that would require catching me," Thomas counters. "Tsk, tsk."
Hannah finally stares back at Tristan, apparently too surprised by this news to avoid his eyes anymore. "And just how is that supposed to help me?" she asks. The look on her face is now what one would expect on the face of a captain suddenly going down with her ship.
Tristan gives her a helpless little shrug and a don't-ask-me expression.
"Do I look like the type who'd dress up a pony?" Redmane replies. "I assure you that Angel isn't sneaking over and doing it.."
The old man looks decidedly unsettled. "Huh. Well, this could be more fun a trip than I thought... or more frou-frou."
When Tristan offers to come with her on the journey, however, the girl doesn't respond for a few long moments. Indeed, it looks as if she doesn't know how to respond - or as if there are ten different things she would like to say, all at once. At last, Hannah says quietly, "I understand that there are other matters which would keep you at Court, Sir Tristan. Are you sure you have leave to go with me?"
Thomas just whistles for a moment. "Sure you didn't," he adds when he stops. "We all know deep down in that cold heart of yours is a lump of coal just waiting to burst into a flame of pure ... girliness."
Redmane predictably punches Tom in the arm.
Thomas rubs his arm. "The flame died again. My victory is complete," he declares.
Tristan does not hesitate. "I have some leave due to me, and nothing so pressing or urgent as -- as an abduction," he answers Hannah. He looks like he's thinking of saying more, but he does not.
Thomas finally turns his attention back to Tristan and Hannah. Raising his hand slightly, he says, "Now, I believe I have a say in whether or not he can go with you... After all, this is supposed to be your mission. Taking a knight along may cause you worse complications than your .... knightsteed."
"Hah!" Redmane says. "You'd know all about complications, Thomas.."
For the barest instant, Tristan glares at Thomas. Then he quickly schools his expression into one of bland politeness, waiting to see what Hannah has to say, or if Tom is going to add anything else.
"I do happen to know all the trouble a knight can cause!" Thomas retorts and waves his hands. "All this ... you can't do that because it's not honorable! No sneaking in because it's not honorable! Chew with your mouth closed because it's more honorable! He'll get in her way."
Hannah looks into the Knight of April's eyes for a while, possibly trying to determine the truth of the feelings behind his words. Then she appears to give in and simply nods. "If he truly wishes to help, I will not stop him from coming," she says. "As you said yourself, Thomas, it is good to have allies in strange lands."
Minstrel Sam goes back to gentle melody. "Tom, Tom," he remonstrates with a laugh. "If you can't stop Hannah from doing something, what makes you think Sir Tristan could?"
"Because he can make goo-goo eyes," Thomas answers.
"Oh, and what about the benefits of having a knight along?" Redmane asks Thomas. "There must be some you can recall." It isn't clear that she's talking about Hannah and Tristan anymore..
Tristan holds his tongue at Tom's diatribe. When Hannah speaks up, he offer her a warm smiles of gratitude. "Thank you, my lady," he says softly to her, ignoring Tom and Redmane.
"The benefits? Well, I do suppose there is some use in having someone around who can get eaten by the monster first," Thomas remarks, smirking.
The old man peers at Hannah, then at Tom. "You're just jealous because your goo-goo eyes don't work on people."
With narrowed eyes, Redmane says, "The old Thomas was definitely more charming. And if this one tells you anything out of school about me, Sam, you are to ignore it!"
"It's not my fault no one appreciates then," Thomas comments with a snort.
"I think Redmane and I need to speak privately for a moment," Thomas notes and actually grabs the woman's arm, dragging her away from the other two and their ... Minstrel.
Minstrel Sam cackles and draws an imaginary mark on the air, as if chalking up a point.
Princess Peach-Blossom watches the goings on with interest.
Hannah actually gives Tristan another small smile and replies, "Don't thank me yet. You haven't been exposed to Minstrel Sam's new songs about the new land we're going to see. He will be riding with us, too, or did I forget to mention that?"
"Well, I won't be much help in a fight," the old man admits. "Bad back and all, y'know. Glad to have the knight with us if we wind up in a scrap."
Souhait hangs out with the minstrel, also watching with interest. Tristan's smile linger, encouraged by Hannah's own. "You did neglect to mention that. So you were not quite going alone, I see." He smiles at Sam. "It is as well you are not of the Lord Explorer's mind, or we should never have heard the end of it for that oversight."
Peaches eyes Sam as if he might be... contagious.
Off to the side, Thomas can be seen saying something to Redmane and gesturing wildly. What it is, though ... who knows?
So far, at least, the lady knight hasn't smacked him one.
Tristan adds, "And for my own part, I shall be glad to help you -- and to help, er, Greedle, was it? Rescuing an abductee is far more knightly work than anything I have done of late. I do not miss the war or the strife, and yet ... " he trails off.
Hannah now glances over at her loaned Knightsteed and says uncertainly, "So, now that we have this part settled, I'd better see if I can communicate a little with the Princess over here...especially if I'm going to be riding her all the way to this new territory. Feel free to come, if you want the laugh," she offers to the two men, then approaches the mare.
Minstrel Sam works a few variations into the melody, making it more dramatic. He blandly ignores Peaches's evident distaste.
Tristan follows in her wake. "Surely the Countess meant it as a jest," he says, uncertainly. "She has an entire herd in the field, this can't be the only unbred mare."
Princess Peach-Blossom stands as the others approach, and flutters her extra-long lashes as she looks over Hannah with lavender eyes.
Hannah looks askance at the tiara the Knightsteed wears and says archly, "Are you certain about that, Sir tristan?"
"... no." Tristan looks at Peaches, and with an inward sigh offers her a bow. Souhait looks amused.
Peaches turns and dips into her 'handbag' to retrieve an ornate, ivory-inlaid hairbrush, which she holds out to Hannah. The tiara didn't even slip when the horse dipped her head.
When Hannah reaches the mare she also bows to her, thinking that a little flattery might the best way to approach a Knightsteed with royal airs. Then she takes the offered hairbrush and pulls it gently once through the Princess' mane, watching carefully for her reaction.
With the brush taken, and used, Peaces finally returns the bows, dropping down on one knee like a courtier.
Souhait watches Tristan watching Hannah. Then the white Knightsteed noses at his rider's shoulder. The knight takes a moment to respond. "Yes, yes, you are due, I'm sure," he murmurs to the horse with a bit of a sigh. "I'll get the comb. I'll be right back, m'lady."
Peaches gives Souhait a glance of grudging respect. You've trained him well, it seems to say.
Hannah rolls her eyes heavenward over the mare's bowed head at Tristan, telling him just what she thinks of all this posturing, but she still goes forward with it. "I am Lady Hannah of House November, and this is Sir Tristan of House April. How do you prefer to be called?" Hearing the knight's soft words chasing after her own, she nods her understanding before returning her attention to the mare.
The mare tosses her head, causing the light to sparkle off of the tiara and her mane to swoosh over coquettishly and whinnies.
When Tristan returns with the brush and a cloth and start to work on currying Souhait, the stallion returns Peaches's look with one of his own. I earned this attention, mare. What have you done to deserve anything?
Hannah notices the tiara again and holds back a sigh. "So you truly wish for me to call you Princess? I'm rather fond of the Marigold in your name, myself, but if that's what you'd prefer...?"
"Rule number one," Tristan whispers to Souhait. "My horse should not have a longer name than my lord."
The mare looks to Souhait with an almost hurt expression. I'm pretty and people naturally want to groom me. Looking back to Hannah, the mare seems to sigh and gives a nod to 'Marigold'. But the impression is that it isn't to be used except in private.
Hannah nods herself and goes back to brushing the Princess' mane. "All right, I guess we're making progress. Compromise is good." Then she hesitates before adding, "Knight Redmane has allowed me to ask if you would carry me to a new land outside of Mirari where the people need our help. A Prince and another Princess, actually."
At the mention of a Prince and Princess, 'Marigold' perks up considerably and looks interested.
Encouraged by this reaction, Hannah continues, "It seems that a Prince who was to marry the Princess of the land has been abducted and we are needed to rescue him. I would appreciate it if you would help us to accomplish this. As Redmane so aptly said, your speed and endurance would greatly benefit us as we go to and from our mission."
The mare tosses her mane again, and holds her head up proudly. Then she gives a determined sounding snort, and does her Royal Bow once more to Hannah.
For her part, Hannah looks pleased and inclines her own head to the mare before replacing the brush in the Princess' handbag. "I will take that as a yes. And thank you!"
That reaction makes Tristan smile. "Spoken like a true Knightsteed," he says to Peaches.
The Princess raises an eyelash triumphantly to Souhait. See? I'm a Knightsteed just like you! Just without all the filth.
Minstrel Sam watches the young Explorer and the knight with a discreet smile. He lowers the brim of his floppy hat over his eyes and continues playing.
Souhait is looking fairly clean now, in fact, after a thorough currying by Tristan. He lifts his head higher than the mare's -- not hard, given his greater height -- and whickers. We'll see.
"Right, well, I guess I'm glad to see you and Princess are going to go together," Thomas finally says as he marches back towards the small group. "And oh, yes, your new steed too." He claps his hands together, ending with the announcement of, "Good luck to all of you. My involvement is officially over."
Hannah now looks seriously at the Knightsteed and says, "However, I do have one concern about what you wear while we're on the road, Princess. It's, um...your tiara. If you wear it all the time, it might get lost as we travel! And it is much too pretty to lose. D'you mind if you just wear the flowers in your mane, instead? Flowers I'm sure we can get plenty of as we go, to repace the ones that wilt! So can we compromise on that, too?"
Minstrel Sam reaches out and snags Tom by the sleeve. "By the way, Tom, I just wanted to let you know... There's this new kid who's trying to break into the bard business, and I told him the best way to get started is to follow someone around who gets into the greatest adventure. And normally I cover your stories myself, but I'm not going to be around for a bit, right? So..."
The mare looks pouty at the suggestion of removing her tiara, but finally concedes and puts it into her handbag. How she managed to get to roll down her nose like that is a mystery though.
"When will you be heading out, Hannah?" Redmane asks as she returns.
Hannah gives the mare another smile and courtly bow, hoping to mollify her and thank her at the same time.
Tristan pretends not to hear Tom. He hides a smirk at the Minstrel's comment by working the comb over Souhait's mane.
Thomas stops, mid-step, and looks to Sam. "Oh? Well, no one can replace you but who are talking about?" he asks the Minstrel.
"Well, a meal and an hour or two of pleasant company would be nice before I must set out into the unknown," Hannah admits. Looking at the Princess, she asks kindly, "Does that suit you, too?"
"He wants to go by 'Byron Songshadow', but I've told him that's way too fancy-pants until he's proved he can carry it off, so just call him Byron," Minstrel Sam confides. "Or By, if you like."
The Princess whickers, and nods to her blanket and parasol, then gives Redmane a look. "Yeah, yeah, I'll pack it all up for you. Peaches will be ready to go when you are, Hannah."
So, not with the Lord Explorer, then? Tristan thinks, but he doesn't say anything.
"And oh, before you go," Thomas comments, tearing his attention away from the Minstrel for a moment, focusing his eyes on Tristan, "You and I have to have a talk." And no sooner does he finish saying that and he's back to talking to Sam, "Byron, eh? I'll see if he's sufficient to tell my tales, then." Boy, does he grin.
"Do you have any questions about taking a long journey with a gentleman by your side, Hannah?" Redmane asks the Golden Hawk.
Hannah exchanges a glance with Tristan which clearly says, A talk about what?
Tristan puts the brush back in its bag and turns to Thomas with a perfectly bland, polite expression. "Certainly, my Lord Explorer. At your convenience."
Giving Thomas a big grin around Redmane's shoulder, the girl quips, "Questions about a gentleman by my side? I've been traveling with Tom all this time, so what would I know to ask about gentlemen?"
"Don't be too hard on him," Minstrel Sam admonishes Tom. "I think his real problem is, he thinks bards are like how we describe ourselves in songs. Which is to say, nothing at all like the truth!"
"Well, the basics: let him do nice stuff for you, try not to spit in his presence and be discreet about having to use the bushes," Redmane says. "If he wants to cook, give him a chance and pretend it's edible."
Eyes sparkling in amusement, Hannah tells Redmane, "Thank you. I will try to remember all that!"
"Well, I'll do my best to remove that notion from him," Thomas tells Sam with a sage nod. He pats the Minstrel's shoulder, then whispers to him, "Keep an eye on those two and well ... help them if you can. Don't ask why I asked that, just do it please."
"Mm-hmm," the old man nods.
Minstrel Sam winks at Tom. "Help their budding little romance along, got it!"
In a whisper, Redmane advises Hannah, "Keep Sam away from any fox-tailed women you come across."
Thomas just rolls his eyes. Turning back to Tristan, Thomas snaps his fingers twice, then motions for the knight to follow him. "Come along, Sir Tristan. Hannah can prepare for the journey and we can have our little 'talk' in private," he comments, then heads towards one of the barns being rebuilt.
"Indeed." Tristan's expression remains carefully controlled. "If you will excuse me, ladies?" He follows Tom.
"I don't believe it," Redmane says, shaking her head. "Is Thomas about to give Tristan a 'don't touch my daughter' talk?"
Hannah gives the two men another wondering look, but she merely nods and watches them go.