2nd ♥ [Audio]

[lightwithin]

So, when do you suppose we can go outside again?

There are horses in the stables. I wanted to try riding this week.

When things do get better, is there anyone here who can teach me? Or - heh - is there anyone who'd like to come along?

Comments

[iwannabeadragon.livejournal.com]

I can teach you how to ride once breathing outside becomes an option.

[lightwithin]

Really? That's great!

Heh, I'd never really seen a horse up close before I came here.

[She leaves the question hanging unasked: Is that going to be a problem?]

[iwannabeadragon.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, they almost never eat little girls.

[lightwithin]

Horses don't eat people!

[Do they?]

[iwannabeadragon.livejournal.com]

Only the sweet ones.

[lightwithin]

Well I'm safe then.

[Even if he's talking about sweet horses, she wouldn't call any of the horses in the stables sweet.]

[iwannabeadragon.livejournal.com]

Oh no I'm sure you'll be fine. I'm rotten enough that I'll ruin their appetite.

[snowtop]

[Xanth spends a great deal of time staring at this entry. He wants to reply and he wants to go along with Kairi, but... he doesn't want to make her feel awkward.

Better start with something neutral.]

D-Don't know h-how to r-- ride?

[lightwithin]

No, I don't.

Do you?

[snowtop]

N-No, uh, that-- th-that wasn't s-something I ever l-learned.

[He never learned to ride the birds back in Mazi'ir, either. Too busy on the ship.]

B-But-- I'd l-like to!

[lightwithin]

Well, then you should come along! Garret says he can teach us!

[snowtop]

G--Garrett? Is-- i-is he the s--stable m-master?

[No, Xanth hasn't learned all their names. He just knows the Chatelaine Isabel.]

[lightwithin]

Hehe, no. He's a friend.

[Whom she is pretty sure doesn't live in the cellars, even if that's what he said.]

[snowtop]

O-Okay.

[Watch out, Kairi! He's probably the boogie man!]

I-I'd be happy t-to-- to come along. J-Just don't f-fall off th-the horse.

[lightwithin]

Oh?

[You're cautioning her, Xanth? You haven't ridden before either.]

Well, I won't if you won't.

[But in the end, the horse will probably have more say in it.]

[snowtop]

A-And-- w-what if I do?

[Don't go throwing yourself off a horse just because he's fallen, now.]

[lightwithin]

Well, you'll need someone to chase after your horse.

[snowtop]

[Okay, he can't help it; Xanth laughs.]

G-Good point! I-I'm fast, but-- n-not enough t-to catch a-- a horse.

[lightwithin]

[She made him laugh. For some reason, Kairi is all too pleased with herself.]

Okay, I'll see you there then.

[snowtop]

S--Sure thing.

[And Xanth closes his book feeling like, just maybe, things can be normal again.]