[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

Xena

[youfallback]

[A little amused:] I have a few. Where should I meet you?

Carolina

[forgedinbattle]

[She's just very pleased, okay?] You know where the stables are?

Xena

[likethetragedy]

I've got time. Where are you?

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.

Xena

[youfallback]

Yeah. Be there in five.

[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]

[And when she gets there, she'll find Xena hanging out with Argo.]

Hey. This is Argo. She's probably smarter than half the people in this castle.

[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?

dictated

[optimystic]

... You got a girl for your present? [LIKE A SLAVE? what is this]

dictated forever; I loled something fierce

[forgedinbattle]

[...Does she seem like the type to have a slave? Because she disapproves of slavery mightily.]

...My horse, Argo.

[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.

I AIM TO PLEASE ;D

[optimystic]

Ooohh. [she makes a noise of understanding, and laughs] I thought you meant something else.

But that's cool! Congratulations.

[forgedinbattle]

I don't think a person has the right to own another, if that's what you were thinking. [This...is a much more radical opinion where she's from.]

But thanks. It's good to see her again.

[optimystic]

Yeah, I figured you'd think that. That's why I thought it was weird!

What does she look like?

[forgedinbattle]

You wanna see?

[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.

[optimystic]

Sure! Are you down in the stables?

[youfallback]

[Smiling underneath that helmet, not that Xena can see it. Carolina pulls off one gauntlet and slowly presents her hand to the horse.]

I don't doubt. [A light chuckle.] She from home?

[forgedinbattle]

[And Argo will examine the offered hand and slowly but surely lower her head a bit. Pet her, please.]

Yeah. We've been together a long time. I'm glad to have her back, even if this isn't the best place for her.

[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.]

[forgedinbattle]

Yep.

[likethetragedy]

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