milliways_bar | (no subject)

Current Mood: determined

(no subject)

Sonia Belmont makes her way toward the stables, shaking snow from her cloak and boots before entering. With a bit of pride, she notes that she hasn't gotten so used to the cushy, heated bar interior that it's that uncomfortable outside.

She glances around for anyone who looks like a worker, trying not to consider the fact that, given her past encounters in this place, one of the residents may actually be a worker. Fucking Milliways.

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Luckily, the man grooming one of the horses--a palomino mare--and whistling, is probably a worker.

He may even be the manager! Who knows?

She takes a few steps forward. "Hey, you know who runs this place?"

He turns, halfway, running his brush over the mare's back, and nods.

"Aye, that'd be me, miss. Can I help you?"

"Yeah, um... friend o' mine said I could try t'get a job here..." And, because she can kind of figure out manners, she adds, "Name's Sonia. Belmont," and holds out a hand.

He turns and puts the brush down, wiping his hands on a cloth before taking her hand and shaking it firmly, with a warm smile.

"A pleasure, Miss Belmont. My name is Caspian. As a matter of fact, we are short-staffed here, so why don't I show you around a bit."

He steps out of the stall and closes the door behind him.

"What sort of experience do you have with horses?"

"Uncle's a peddler. I helped take care of 'em when he was home. Can't ride, though." Glancing at her stomach, she quickly adds, "I can still work." Because she's not sure if the whole pregnant thing is a problem.

Caspian would never have even brought it up. He's far too polite.

"Well," he says, "that's fine. There's a boy here who exercises the horses when their owners aren't able to, so you aren't required to ride."

He flips on a light so that the nameplates on stall doors are illuminated, and watches her, mayhap seeing how well she and the horses interact with each other.

After a glance at him, she takes a few steps in, eyes inspecting the stables carefully.

"Don't think I ever seen this many horses in my life," she remarks in awe, "All of 'em belong t'folks here?"

He nods.

"All, yes, although some of their owners don't stay here."

He eyes Binky.

"And I've never met the owner of Boukephalos, sad to say, though I hear tell she's a princess of some sort."

"Boukephalos..." Face twisting in puzzlement at the name, she carefully scans each nameplate until one looks about right. It starts with a B, and has some vowels. Fortunately, the only other one is Binky, which doesn't look long enough.

"That this one? Sure looks like he'd be for nobility." She slowly reaches a hand out toward the stall, letting the animal decide whether it wants to investigate or, y'know, try to bite her fingers off. Because the mun is paranoid of horses that way.

Boukephalos snorts, and nuzzles her hand, his neck arching proudly. Caspian runs a hand under the shining black mane with a smile.

"Aye, he does at that. He's a grand horse, fully trained for combat, but gentle enough even for children."

Her eyebrows rise. "Wow... gotta be one valuable beast, then," she exclaims, patting Boukephalos warmly.

"Aye, that he is," Caspian says, fondly, and leans against the stable wall to observe her with the horses.

"As I said, Miss Belmont, we're rather short-handed right now, so I'm more than willing to offer you the job. Would you prefer having a week or so to try it out, and see how the stables suit you, or would you like to start right away?"

Her head snaps up. "Y'mean it?!" This is apparently magnanimity bordering on sainthood.

"I- I can start whenever y'want, really. Ain't doin' much otherwise, y'know," she adds, grinning.

He grins, suddenly and warmly.

"Surely I mean it," he says, stepping forward. "You seem as if you know what you're doing, and I can use all the help I can get, frankly. Your salary will be paid directly to your tab, and you can get a room in the staff quarters, if you so need."

"Got a room... payin' and work are about all I really need. Thank you so much, Caspian! It means a lot!"

And she gets to play with horsies, yay!

He nods.

"I understand. I was near bored stiff when I first came here, until Susan gave me a job here with the stables."

His smile is a little rueful, but still warm.

"You're more than welcome, Miss Belmont. I'm glad I can help you out."

She beams. "Should I start out now, then?"

Why yes, she is quite excited and eager.

He laughs.

"Aye, please do," he says, and shows her where the feed and the tack are kept.

"I'm afraid I have to get back to my own chores," he says, after he is certain she knows what she is doing, "but do feel free to look around and do whatever seems to need to be done." He grins at her.

"I hope we shall be friends, Miss Belmont. Welcome aboard."

She nods and would skip off to work if she could. As is, she sort of waddles jauntily.

"Hope so, too," she says over her shoulder, "Thanks again!"

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