milliways_bar | (no subject)

The mun is alone. Again. In Belfast.

So HERE'S SOME FUN.

Corella's by a tree, resting from being ridden.

Her rider is not in sight, exactly, but if Alanna looks up into the tree, she might find her.

*Around a turn, Mithros shakes his head, snorts and gives a half-hearted buck. Alanna rolls her eyes and turns him in a smallish circle. He dances sideways, and Alanna looks left, wondering again at Corella's presence.

But then again, what would she do if she left her horse cooling under a tree? Alanna slowly runs her gaze up the tree trunk and into the branches, grinning when she sees feet. She trots Mithros over and waves, wondering if the girl is asleep.*

Lucy vaguely knows who Alanna is, because of what others have told her, but only 1) Lady Knight, 2) dating Adam, and 3) going to beat the rest of them with the blade at the tournament, if it ever happens. Recognize by face, she does not.

Either way. Good enough for her!

"Hello," cheerfully. "Care to come up?"

*Thinking about it for a moment, Alanna finally hops down and nods. Mithros gives her an annoyed look and jerks his head in a gesture not unlike a nod.*

Yes, actually. I would. *She smiles and undoes the girth, quickly transferring the saddle to the fence. Mithros moves over by Corella and sulks.* My horse is being a pain in the arse. I suspect my time will be better spent climbing a tree and letting him think hard about his behavior.

*She eyes the tree critically and finds a good hand hold, talking as she climbs.*

It's been too cold for this lately, but today's not bad at all.

"No, it's quite nice out, compared to how it has been," grinning. "Though I climbed the other day and kept snowballs up here with me. Great fun. No one spotted me."

As it is, there's a satchel hanging from the tree with a book and a panpipe in it someone made for her, and a knife in it's sheath at her waist, which she's been carving with.

Lucy is content.

"Not that I threw them, of course," innocently. "Because that would be improper for a lady, I'm sure."

And there's another grin.

*Alanna throws her leg over a sturdy branch and settles in, grinning at the girl. There's something familiar about her, but Alanna can't quite place the face. In any case, she's too busy beaming over meeting another mischief aficionado to worry about it overly much at the moment.*

So I've been told repeatedly, but sometimes that's all the more reason to do it. *She winks, shifting to get comfortable.* I used to do that to my brother. Sometimes I'd just leap on him from the tree and catch him completely off guard. It's a wonder I didn't crush him inadvertently.

"I did crush mine," she admits, laughing a little. "Both, I'm afraid. Once I did it when my older brother was meeting with ambassadors. I spent a week avoiding everyone after that," sheepishly. "Not queenly behaviour, apparently, landing on the High King."

She looks contrite.

And then, not so much.

"I'd do it again in a heartbeat, of course. Apple?"

Oh, yes please. Thanks. *Alanna laughs, shaking her head.* As would I, I suspect. Ambassadors are frequently too stuffy and concerned with propriety. I'm quite certain it would do them good to jump out of a tree every now and then.

*It's almost comical how obvious it is when she puts two and two together.

High King.

Queenly Behavior.

Straightening, Alanna swallows and chews on her thumb.*

And such opinions are why I'm King's Champion and not Prime Minister.

*There. Her voice only cracked a tiny amount.*

So that would make you Susan... or Lucy?

"Susan's the pretty one," lightly enough, pulling the apple out and tossing it to Alanna and getting one for herself. "I'm Lucy, and frankly I'm Queen and share the opinion, so I'm not sure that's a good reason for you not to be a Prime Minister. And being King's Champion would make you Sir Alanna, wouldn't it?"

*Alanna longs to pat herself on the back for not falling out of the tree in shock. She tilts her head and gives Lucy a funny look, catching the apple easily.*

Then Susan must be very beautiful indeed, because you are certainly pretty yourself.

*Her tone is sincere, and she nods firmly as she takes a bite, leaning over to check on Mithros.*

Aye, that's me. *She looks back at Lucy, nervous.* Though 'Alanna' will do just fine.

"She is." Simply. "Every king there was came to seek her hand, and some fought wars in hopes of it. But thank you," blushing a little. "And Alanna, then. Your horse is lovely," as she pulls out her knife and cuts a few piece of apple for both horses below, dropping them carefully.

*Alanna wrinkles her nose. No disrespect is meant to Susan, but Alanna thinks such behavior is silly.*

Two of my fellow knights once fought a duel over Lady Delia's glove. Beauty does odd things to people, but as far as I'm concerned, it's what's inside that counts.

*She grins, watching Mithros snatch a piece of apple enthusiastically.*

Thank you. He's a war horse. I inadvertently stole him from my King, but I promise you that I did not mean that to happen. Your mare is lovely as well. I confess I've slipped her an apple a time or two. I try to help Caspian out now and again, and the horses get spoiled under my watch, I'm afraid.

(Frankly, so does, and did, Lucy. But shhh.)

"I don't think it was ever Susan's doing, really. She never played them. They just...loved her," with a shrug. "Or wanted her, anyway. And I believe you," smiling, a little. "And Caspian spoils her so much, I don't think anything anyone else does can make it worse. She's a dear, Corella is. And a brat, but it's been said her rider is too, so I suppose that's fair enough."