[Backdated to sometime shortly after the return from Paris]

[forgedinbattle]

[Elektra, Carolina]
You guys got a minute? There’s somebody I’d like you to meet

[For anyone else, Xena can be found tending to the aforementioned somebody in the stables- a rather beautiful and extremely intelligent horse. And if Xena’s looking more tender than you’ve ever seen her…it’s because she likes this horse more than she likes most people, to be honest. Best castle Solstice present ever.]

Hey girl. I’ve missed you.

Comments

Elektra

[forgedinbattle]

The stables. Know where they are?

Xena

[likethetragedy]

I do. I'll be there in a few minutes.

[She'll be there as promised in that time slot. Elektra is curious, alright?]

[forgedinbattle]

[And when she gets there she'll be waved over to a stall by a very content looking Xena.]

Elektra, I'd like you to meet Argo. We've been through a lot together, haven't we girl? [She pats the horse fondly.] Guess the castle figured I needed her for this little adventure too.

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra looks a little out of place with a horse. Xena seems happy though so she's trying her best to overcome it.]

She's beautiful. Congratulations on being reunited.

[forgedinbattle]

Thanks. [Don't think that goes unnoticed, though.] You don't spend a lot of time around horses, do you?

[likethetragedy]

None actually. [A beat.] Is it that obvious?

[forgedinbattle]

Maybe not to most people. [Shrug. They're enough alike that Xena has an easier time reading her than she does most people.] You seem a little nervous.

[likethetragedy]

[She might consider lying about this normally but since this is Xena...]

This is one of the few things my father didn't make me learn. I don't know how to act around them.

[forgedinbattle]

Would you like to learn? [She doesn't offer to teach things very often either. But Elektra not knowing how to handle horses is like a sin against...something.]

[likethetragedy]

[It really is. Nikolas dropped the ball on this one.] If you're willing to teach, I'm willing to learn.

[forgedinbattle]

Can't say I'm the best teacher, but I'm willing to give it a shot. Seems like something you outta know.

[likethetragedy]

I appreciate the effort on your part. With the way things go around here I wouldn't be surprised if it came in handy someday.

[forgedinbattle]

[She just nods.] First lesson? Don't be afraid. They can tell; makes 'em nervous.

[likethetragedy]

Stay calm. Got it. [Elektra exhales.]

[forgedinbattle]

Don't worry about it. Argo's smarter than most people here and well trained. She's not going to do anything I don't want her to.

[likethetragedy]

So it's alright to touch her?

[forgedinbattle]

Sure. She'd like that.

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra is carefully moving to pet Argo's nose. She is only trusting this whole situation because she trusts Xena not to let her hand get bitten off.]

This okay?

[forgedinbattle]

[Argo will press her nose into Elektra's hand, encouraging her to keep petting.]

That's great. She likes you already, but she always has been a good judge of character.

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra smiles and continues. Well so far so good.] I can tell by the company she keeps.

[forgedinbattle]

Yeah, well. We look after each other.

[likethetragedy]

For how long?

[forgedinbattle]

[Gods, how long had it been. She'd had Argo before... Before.]

Longer than almost anyone else in my life.

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra smiles. She's happy for her. ;;] Sounds nice.

[forgedinbattle]

Good to have somebody along for the ride, anyway. [It's actually kind of depressing when you think about it- the horse being the most stable relationship in her life.]