2 Famiglie ~Action

[is_mafia]

[Giotto was on the lookout for any and all Christmas decorations that could possibly be the magical kissing sort, because he really did not want to be kissed. The only problem with this plan was the castle was filled with Christmas decorations and really, it could be anything. Maybe the safest place was outside the castle itself, even though it had seemed to get cold overnight. It couldn't honestly decorate the town, could it?

And he could sense the boy in the library, possibly trying to avoid the exact same thing. Usually he also hid in the library, but he didn't want to scare him like last time. And since he was not in the town, the town seemed like the best place to go for the day.

Also, Ino lived in town. Perhaps he would run into her and apologize for how rude he had been to her a few days ago. He had been upset, yes, but that didn't mean he could make little of her problems or shut the journal on her.

So he bundled himself up in a black long coat and a scarf, and walked down to the lobby. Of course, he has no idea that nutcrackers are the magical kissing decorations, and that they literally have populated the lobby and that by passing through there, he has left himself completely open to being kissed by anyone who would walk by him.]

Comments

[peacockherald]

Oh, my apologies. A Companion is a magical creature that Heralds in my world bond with, but they look like white horses. Hence why she stays in the barn.

[is_mafia]

...Ah. [Giotto laughed.] For a moment there I thought you had someone locked up in a barn.

[peacockherald]

_{[He laughed.]}

No, no, nothing quite like that. Though, she is closer to a person than a horse. If you want to go out, you could join me. She wouldn't mind meeting someone new.

_{[Though it would be no protection against the nutcrackers, if they went.]}

[is_mafia]

[He nods, giving Vanyel a smile.] I have nothing else to do at present. I would love to meet her.

[peacockherald]

_{[He smiled, for a minute thinking that Giotto's hair really needed to have fingers run through it, but he set it aside as they opened the doors and headed out.]}

If you want, you could get one of the spare horses and we could go for a ride. It would keep you away from the Castle for a bit, and I would enjoy company.

[is_mafia]

[Giotto followed him, giving him a brief smile.] Ah, I am terrible at riding. I have tried to learn, but to no avail.

[peacockherald]

Well, there is always time for it. And considering the modes of transportation available, I really think more people should learn.

_{[He shrugged.]}

This is my piece on it though.

_{[He led Giotto across the lawn towards the barn structure and paddocks. For a minute, as they walked, Vanyel's eyes would seem to glaze, as if thinking something far in the past, then returned to normal.]}

She'll be with us shortly.

[is_mafia]

I am more of a city person, I'm afraid. I also happen to be important enough now to merit a carriage. [Also, if he truly had to get anywhere, he would fly. Not that Vanyel needed to know that.]

[peacockherald]

Ah, so you come from a well-off family. Noble?

_{[He did not seem to find the other's words strange at all, but any immediate response was cut off by the chiming of hooves a beautiful white mare approached, looking to have the build of an Arabian, though perhaps a bit taller. She whickered, coming to Vanyel directly and nuzzling before turning intelligent eyes on Giotto.]}

Giotta, this is Yfandes. Yfandes, this is Giotto.

[is_mafia]

Ah. No, I come from a very poor family. I became well off...later in life.

[He watches Yfandes approach and when she turns her eyes on him, he gives her a small bow.] My lady.

[peacockherald]

_{[Her ears prick up and she nods her head in greeting, Vanyel chuckling as his fingers lovingly work through her silken white mane.]}

She says she likes you already.

Come, the barn is warm and between you and me I might hide a hot beverage or two in the tack room from time to time.

[is_mafia]

[He smiles.] It sounds wonderful.

[peacockherald]

I grew up around horses. I had a favorite mare before my girl came along. So, in a way, the barn became one of my favorite places.

_{[He patted Yfandes' shoulder as they continued their walk up to the barn, Yfandes walking placidly beside Vanyel, though Vanyel seemed hardly concerned if she would run away or not.]}

[is_mafia]

...My family lived in a village that was big enough that it wasn't considered completely rural, and we were too poor to afford horses or any such thing. [Giotto walks along the other side of him.]

[peacockherald]

Oh? I've been to some towns like that. Despite that, everyone there was kind to me -

_{[Though maybe that was because he was a herald, but still.]}

- And the land was always so beautiful.

[is_mafia]

We do try. It's hard, when you have nothing but you try. And yes, the land is beautiful. [His smile turns into a fond, wistful smile.]

[peacockherald]

And that is what I admire about people like that. They don't give up, when so many would. Believe me, if my brothers were set into such circumstances they would not fair half so well.

_{[Yfandes snorted and bobbed her head, Vanyel laughing.]}

My brothers, for the record, are not... terribly bright sometimes.