eleven breaks of the stone

[craggyfaced]

[Fairies. Again. He should have known.

There was a suspicious amount of whimsy going around and the serious knight didn't like it. Besides, he'd had enough dealings with the fey to make him wary.

He's on his way out to the stables now - his Glameow, Maudie, perched imperiously on one of his shoulders. Skirting a fairy ring, he pauses to fish out his journal...]

I feel I must advise caution.

On my world, the Little People - the fey-folk - are a troublesome lot. Few are creatures of outright evil, but they think only of themselves are their whims, and their whims are something we mortals cannot understand.

I would give this ball - and it's hosts - a wide berth. Or, in the very least, go armed. If these creatures are like the ones I remember, they fear the touch of metal. Though I don't intend to test that myself, without need...

[He hesitates a moment and then sets a filter]

[Edward]

Would you like to learn to ride today?

((ooc: Open in person as well! FYI, this is likely to be his last post, so get your dose of the gloomy knight before he's gone))

Comments

Sir Durge

[jammin_with_ed]

Okay! Where? Wheeeeere?!

Edward

[craggyfaced]

Meet me at the stables. I will have a horse ready for you.

Sir Durge

[jammin_with_ed]

Okay!!

[And it's not long before she's ZOOMING through the doors]

[squartatore]

Agreed with all of that. I don't want to go "I told you so" later if they're dangerous, but we can't be sure.

[hellshaped]

Not just any metal. They don't like iron.

[craggyfaced]

We cannot - either because it is the castle's trickery, or of these fey.

[craggyfaced]

An important distinction, thank you, yes.

action forever

[craggyfaced]

[Durge is out there, as promised. His charger Blackalock is saddled off to the side, with his Pokemon curled up on his back. The knight is readying a smaller mare for Ed to ride]

[hellshaped]

So as long as everybody keeps a horse shoe or two on them, they should be alright. [He's only halfway joking.]

[squartatore]

You've run into trouble with them at home?

[jammin_with_ed]

[She prances all over, dancing a circle around the horses]

Horsey horsey yaaaay!

[craggyfaced]

A dagger would more easily be concealed, especially by the women...[nope, still takes it seriously]

[craggyfaced]

Some, yes. They cast themselves as our allies, having as much stake in the fate of the world as us, though they have rather selective ways of being of help. My lady rode out to seek their aid, and they nearly attacked us for simply being in their lands. I do not remember it, but I believe they used magic on me. I believe I would have died, if she had not intervened.

[craggyfaced]

Easy now, child. You don't want to startle her.

[jammin_with_ed]

[She skids to a halt, grinning sheepishly.]

Oooookaaay.

[craggyfaced]

[There's a shadow of something that might be a smile before he walks over and holds out his hand]

First step is to get into the saddle. For some, it is also the most difficult. [Though, given her agility, he doubts it will be for her]

[hellshaped]

[Durge, please.]

I don't know how hard it is to find an iron dagger that'll go with everyone's outfit.

[jammin_with_ed]

[She takes the hand with a grin, barely containing her excitement]

The saddle on the horse?

[squartatore]

[that's...grim]

Might be your turn to save someone from them now.

[craggyfaced]

I don't see what difference that would make. [Hellboy used humor. It wasn't very effective]

[craggyfaced]

Of course. Now up you go.

[He gives her a boost]

[craggyfaced]

[Grim is Durge's middle name]

Perhaps. I will remain at distance and keep an eye on things. Though with the Little People, one can not always trust their senses.

[jammin_with_ed]

[She giggles and clambers up into the seat, reaching forward and stroking the horse's mane.]

What's his name?

[squartatore]

[a tad dryly:] I kind of expected that, too.

[reminds her of witch barriers. Those didn't follow conventional laws of perception, either, and were made to cause harm for those who were drawn into them]

[hellshaped]

[DURGE. PLEASE.]

Ha. It was a joke.

[craggyfaced]

[He pats the horse's neck as well] It is a mare. A girl. But I don't know her name.

...Does it matter?

[craggyfaced]

Have you encountered them as well?

[He's not sure if these fey match up with the ones from home]

[craggyfaced]

Oh. Of course...yes...I imagine it would.

What else do you know of the Little People?

[squartatore]

Not where I come from. [which may or may not be a good thing :\] I'm sure those who followed us to Paris caused their share of trouble.

[jammin_with_ed]

She? If she doesn't have a name Edward can give her one. [Does that answer your question?]

If she's a mare... How about Mary?

[hellshaped]

Plenty. More than I'd like.

[craggyfaced]

Yes, I remember those as well.

[craggyfaced]

[He doesn't see the point in giving her a name, but if it makes Edward happy...]

Mary it is, then.

Here, take the reins, but don't tug on them yet, and place your feet here. [He directs her feet into the stirrups] It only takes a slight pressure with your heels to make her walk. Then you can use the reins to turn her head, and she will go in the direction that she can see. Give it a try.

[craggyfaced]

A little is more than enough for me.

[jammin_with_ed]

[It does indeed make her happy. Don't question Edward logic. She grins at him and takes the reins as she slips her bare feet into the stirrups]

Okay!

[She gently pulls the reins first one way or the other, making Mary turn her head. She giggles and pets the back of the mare's neck]

[craggyfaced]

Good. Now give her a nudge with your feet.

[He's standing by with a rope attached to the halter, just in case]

[jammin_with_ed]

[She grins and nods, nudging Mary. As the mare starts forward she giggles, flailing her arms a little]

Wheee!

[hellshaped]

My thoughts exactly, brother.

[craggyfaced]

Easy now, Ed. [He almost looks amused. Almost] Give her a little more kick and turn to the left, so that you go in a circle.

[jammin_with_ed]

[Just almost? Clearly she's not trying hard enough. She grins]

Okay! C'mon, Mary!

[She gives the mare a bit of a harder kick than she meant to and she starts into a canter. Edward laughs and holds on, trying to steer her towards the left as instructed]

[craggyfaced]

[Almost is usually the best anybody can get from Durge. His emotions reign like stone on his face.

He's ready for that, in any case. He uses the rope to keep Mary close, letting out enough slack for the mare to move in an easy circle with him at the center]

Keep your back straight.