milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Charlie is dangling from a tree branch near the lake. It's not quite spring yet, but it's mild enough that he's come down from the rafters and moved outdoors.

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"No...that would be a very tiny horse. Malcolm makes some interesting acquaintances, and this would be the result of my son not recognizing that some prayers may actually get answered."

Beaming at Charlie: "He's nice though?"

"I guess. If you want to find a mount for certain alien races or a kid who's an advanced rider.

"Did Malcolm actually pray for a miniature horse?" He's met enough gods to not doubt the possibility.

"Not on purpose? I don't know - whenever I try to get the story out of him or Inara they just laugh and change the topic."

"You need to keep asking. Clearly, there is more that needs to be learned." The truth has to be set free. That's how it works. "So what does your son do with a mini-horse?"

"Not much at all, unfortunately. We all take turns comin' out and making sure they both get enough to eat, enough time to run about, that sort of thing."

"There was a hero in my world who stood six inches tall. I don't think he actually needed a horse, but he might have been able to help." Though the notion of the Atom on a tiny horse is a bit hysterical.

"And who gets to ride Tequilla?"

"Anyone who's friends with both Malcolm and Tequila himself, isn't that right, baby?" Sallie coos in Tequila's direction, who whuffles into her shoulder.

"Mostly that equals out to me, Malcolm, and Inara. Don't know who else, but maybe a few in there somewhere."

"Are you a good rider?" He wonders if he should ask about riding. And figures that would be a very bad idea.

"That I am. I don't get to ride for pleasure very much of course, what with work and all at home, but I refuse to get a damn hovercraft, so horseback it is if I want to get anywhere."

"I don't think I would want a hovercraft either. It's a jetpack or nothing." Or maybe a flight ring. He heard that Booster Gold used one. The only cool thing about that walking billboard.

"Jetpack? That sounds...bizarre, frankly."

"It's a personal flight engine. A few heroes in my day, and a few bad guys, have them. We always thought that it was going to replace cars someday. SO much for that." The future, as they say, isn't what it used to be.

"The ground's usually safer for folks anyhow."

"I liked flying, actually." As Sallie should recall. "Is riding like flying?" He turns his attention back to Tequilla.

A quiet little smile. "I liked flying too. The way I did it, at least. Riding is very different - you're dependent on something else, and you feel everything the horse does. It's...it's still fantastic."

He could note that he did the flying for Sallie when he was Captain Atom. But then he would have to note how often he finds himself remembering that week.

"How easy is it to learn to ride?"

"You asking for a lesson?"

"I'm asking for an honest assessment, Sallie. And then I will think about it." He's rash on occasion, but has been a deliberative thinker more often than not since his first "death."

"I don't think it's hard at all. You have the quietness you need for it."

"And Tequilla takes to strangers?" Or is that idea of horses acting standoffish to everyone but their owners a Hollywood myth?

"Eventually - I'd get you used to feeding him first, and once he knows you some you could take him out."

Beat. "If that's actual interest I hear now."

"It's just the beginnings of interest. I'm not afraid to try new things, of course. But it's just such a new idea that I want to consider it.

"But please don't ask me to dress like a cowboy."

"Never in a million years," Sallie grins. "Let me know when."

[ooc: fade? And I'd love to hear an elaboration of what Charlie thinks about that Cubefall.]

"Deal."

[ooc: Fade is good. And now I need to write an OOM.]

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