ℒℒ 50

[luthored]

[Private]

Another birthday, another Thanksgiving, another unexplained phenomenon, and another missed opportunity.

What's really changed? What have I changed? I told Clark that he wasted his gifts, that all he did was hide in a barn.

But look at me. I have no accomplishments. I have nothing of worth. I have nobody. I don't even have any good ideas.

I've become arguably the most powerful person here, and now these powers are all I have.

[/Private]

[Friends]

Anyone up for a late night ride?

[/Friends]

Comments

Lana

[heloise]

I am.

Lucrezia

[luthored]

[ LAST PERSON SHE EXPECTED TO ANSWER... But also someone she bets she doesn't have to offer a lesson to first. ]

Which horse is yours? I can go ahead and get it ready for you.

Friends

[assassino]

I would be, if you are not ignoring me.

Ezio

[luthored]

I guess I was trying to.

[ A pause. ]

I also guess I shouldn't.

Lana

[assassino]

[Ouch :(]

Have I done something wrong, Lana?

Ezio

[luthored]

No.

It was the castle. Always the castle, it seems like.

Lana

[heloise]

[ BUT SHE THOUGHT THEY'RE FRIENDS :'( ]

No, you mustn't. I will meet you at the stables.

Lucrezia

[luthored]

[ TWO-FACED FRIENDS. ]

All right, I'll be here.

[ She's not too put off by that. People can be very territorial about their horses, and Lana's not sure if she'd ever want someone handling Evan, either, who she's already saddled and bridled. She'll just be crouched over and checking his shoes while waiting by the stables. ]

Lana

[heloise]

[ All her closest ones are. What is her life.

Lucrezia takes less time to get to the stables at least, already dressed for the day and needing only to put on her boots and cloak. She arrives some fifteen minutes later, peering in to find Lana. ]

action ladies forever;

[luthored]

[ Lana hears her coming long before she looks in, but sees no reason to rush what she's doing. Can't skimp on getting crud out of your horse's shoe, okay?

She is just finishing up when Lucrezia enters, though, so with a pat to her stallion's flank, she straightens up to nod in greeting. ]

You're welcome to say hi to him, just don't expect the most friendly response right away. He can be a little moody.

yes this!

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia is less curt in person, smiling toothily at Lana before peering at the horse. She has apples in a pouch tied around her waist, and takes one out to offer one on her open palm. ]

His name?

[luthored]

[ Her smile is sincere as she glances to the horse, though she might as well be looking at someone else.

He, at least, is not foolish enough to turn down an apple, and gobbles it right up. ]

Evan.

[heloise]

[ With the apple all gobbled up, Lucrezia tries stroking the horse's head. ] Evan. A good name.

[ She turns to stroll toward the one she prefers, tall and black with white socks. ]

I call him Diablo, but perhaps it isn't his name.

[luthored]

[ He complies, only with a mild snort of his nostrils. It helps that Lana's hand never strays from him in an attempt to keep him calm.

Gaze following after her, Lana's eyebrows raise just a touch at the name. ]

Is he also a volatile one?

[heloise]

No, the gentlest. [ He isn't the real Diablo, of course, but it doesn't matter.

She goes to fetch the harnesses first, readying the horse with practiced ease though she makes no hurry. ]

Why do you ride him if he is volatile?

[luthored]

Because he has a good heart.

[ She rubs at the dark brown steed affectionately, and he gently bumps her arm. ]

He just gets spooked and defensive very easily. It isn't his fault, and someone has to handle him.

Lana

[assassino]

And what did the castle do to upset you, dolcezza?

Ezio

[luthored]

I'm upset for you, not for me.

It's been a week.

[heloise]

[ The saddle is more difficult to hoist, but she manages to with some effort. Who's dainty now?

Lucrezia casts a glance at Lana and her steed, smiling sadly to herself. ]

We make excuses for the ones we love.

[luthored]

[ She'd half expected Lucrezia to want to ride behind her, honestly! ]

I get the feeling we're suddenly not talking about horses.

[heloise]

[ Wait until they start racing!

She busies herself with fastening the saddle for a bit, not replying to Lana because that might lead to other things she wants to but doesn't want to talk about. ]

Did you want a listening ear, Lana?

[luthored]

[ Maybe a little, but she has a hard time unloading her feelings on anyone right now, let alone Lucrezia Borgia. Some of what's on her mind, she definitely can't say to her.

At least not bluntly. ]

Right now I just want some fresh air.

[ And she's up on the saddle with a smooth swing once Evan's been guided out a bit. ]

I didn't really have a destination in mind.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia tugs at the stirrups before hoisting herself up, without less fanfare as Lana, but she's pretty proud of herself for not needing help with it!

She pats the horse on his neck before urging him to start walking. ]

A friend showed me the woods once.

Lana

[assassino]

[Pause. Oh. That. He hadn't expected the women in his life to be so strongly impressed by it.]

Lana, what is there to be upset for me for? I am going to grow old instead of dying in a brawl somewhere. That is something to cheer for, is it not?

Ezio

[luthored]

I would be...happy for you if that is your future. I'm not disputing that.

We just don't even know if that's really your future. I'm not sure I believe if something like that can just be decided for us. If it wasn't real, and if it was just the castle manipulating you, then that is something to be upset over. More-so if you can't even remember.

And if it is truly your future, then...what's the point?