page sixteen

[fantasies]

[ Arya ]

Hey! [He sounds a bit out of breath.] You should come down to the stables, I want to show you something.

----

[ Ruby ]

I just wanted to see how you were doing.

[Event Horizon was a big deal for his friends. He's not going to let it get swept under the rug.]

Also I'm getting way better at blackjack if you want to play.

----

Comments

Henry;

[wolfchild]

What?

Arya;

[fantasies]

I found something. I think he used to be Lana's, but--

[Whatever!!]

Just come see!

Henry;

[wolfchild]

I'm busy. [ She's not. ]

Arya;

[fantasies]

Come on! It'll be fast, I swear.

Henry;

[wolfchild]

[ A sigh. ]

Fine. It better not be stupid.

Arya;

[fantasies]

[The grin comes through in his voice.]

No way, you'll like it, I promise. Come fast!

action 5ever

[wolfchild]

[ Accompanied as always by Nymeria, Arya heads to the stables. The horses announce their arrival: Nymeria's scent spreads anxiety like a disease. Nervous whickering fills the air. Both girl and direwolf ignore them. ]

[fantasies]

[Including, it seems, Henry's surprise. He's on a step stool to reach higher over one of the stalls, trying to calm one of the nervously pawing horses. Or, rather, Pokémon.

He's stumbled on Lana's Rapidash, who is clearly eyeing Nymeria with distrust.]

Hey, it's okay, it's just Arya and Nymeria. Shhh. [He's speaking quietly, but he lifts his head towards her to eagerly motion her over. Friends!!]

[wolfchild]

[ She leaves Nymeria outside. ]

Whose is that?

[fantasies]

Nobody's, I guess. [He pats Rapidash's nose.] I think he used to be Lana's, before she left.

[wolfchild]

Is it a…Pokémon?

[fantasies]

I think so. We don't have any horses like him in my world, anyway.

[wolfchild]

[ She refuses to be impressed. ]

Is that all?

[fantasies]

[but arya it's on FIRE.

He frowns. She did say she was busy, but...]

I guess so. I was going to try and ride him this afternoon, to see if it's different from riding Philippa.

[wolfchild]

[ And Zelos' little wolf-like thing hiccups fire. Your point?? ]

And either you or the saddle will catch fire. Can you even saddle him?

[fantasies]

[weak!!

He folds his arms stubbornly, and ignores the logic of the first comment entirely.]

Of course I can. I learned how to do that ages ago.

[He's short, but that's what stepping stools are for.]

[wolfchild]

And the burning?

[fantasies]

[He opens his mouth and closes it.]

It must be magic. Lana wouldn't have kept him if he burned her all the time.

[wolfchild]

Are you even sure she rode him? Those animals are made for battle.

[fantasies]

Well--

[No, he doesn't know for sure.]

Well, there's one way we can find out, right?

[He reaches for Rapidash's mane.]

[wolfchild]

[ Arya crosses the distance between them and knocks his hand out of the way. ]

Don't be stupid!

[fantasies]

I wasn't going to stick my hand in it, I was just going to see if I could feel how hot it was.

[wolfchild]

[ She fixes on him the biggest look of disbelief she can muster. ]

Henry

[cloaklikeblood]

I'm doing fine, Henry. And a game of blackjack sounds wonderful. I'd like to see how you've improved.

[fantasies]

Okay, fine, how about this.

[He stoops down to pick up a few pieces of hay off the ground. He motions lifting it toward Rapidash's mane.]

Better?

Ruby

[fantasies]

Great! Where are you? I can bring my cards.

[wolfchild]

[ She expects him to burn his fingertips. Mayhaps it will teach him. ]

Fine.