( closed ) bright silver were his helm and chain

[heroica]

Who: Robyn Cousland and Joel Miller
Where: The stables
When: December 7th
Rating: PG
Summary: Two strangers, two horses, and one dog.
The Story: [ The Warden is dressed for the season when she exits the mansion, Oren trotting along at her side, large paws leaving telltale dents in the snow. She draws her cloak around herself, smiling briefly into the bright air, before moving along to her destination.

It's a beautiful day, albeit a chilly one. ]

Oh - [ She starts, but it's too late: the dog has wrestled a branch from a nearby shrub, sending snow fluttering over his body. Undeterred, he drags the branch along as they walk, head cocked sideways to accommodate it. Begrudgingly, she laughs, breath visible. ]

You beast. [ Robyn coos, forever a dog mom. Oren doesn't bark, as his mouth is occupied, but he does draw closer as if showing off his treasure. She waves him away, after which he happily wanders off again, the branch drawing a deep line in the snow behind him.

As she approaches the stables, she hopes that her usual horse of choice hasn't been taken out for the day, though it's debatable how many others might be driven out by cabin fever and into the cold. ]

Comments

[shivving]

[ The cabin fever hasn't been as bad as he might've anticipated, the constant events usually offering enough of a change of scenery to distract from the fact that everyone lives, works and plays in the same giant mansion. Still, he's been here over a year now, and he's got to get out occasionally.

Hence the riding. Joel has just enough experience with horses to keep from completely embarrassing himself trying to ride one, and he figures there's always room for a little more practice.

Unfortunately, it seems he'd overestimated even his own humble skill. The horse he'd approached in the stable today has more spirit to it than the ones he'd ridden before, and it's fighting every effort he makes to saddle up. As Robyn walks in, Joel's dodging what could have been a nasty kick, ducking his head and holding up a hand in surrender. ]

Whoa - whoa, now -

[heroica]

[ Another resident is already in the stables, apparently having a bit of trouble with one of the more energetic horses. Immediately, the Warden moves in to the side, hushing and laying her hands carefully to help calm the animal. ]

Whoa, there... it's all right... [ Between the two of them, the horse eventually quiets, snorting unhappily but standing still all the same. With a sigh of relief, Robyn turns to the stranger with a weary smile. ]

There, that should do it. ... She didn't kick you, did she? [ Robyn asks, brows raised. ]

[shivving]

[ He doesn't recognize the young woman, but he's not about to refuse help from anyone. Joel lets her take the lead, and within a few moments the horse is calm and quiet again. He shakes his head in answer. ]

Pretty close, but nah, she didn't get me. [ He nods gratefully. ] Lucky thing you came along, though.

[heroica]

I think you would have been able to handle it. [ She counters immediately, adopting a smile once the horse has calmed down. ] I do wonder what spooked her, though...

[ Wonderland's horses are usually fairly tame, but obviously this one had been a little more wild than she'd usually seen.

It's lucky that dogs don't bother the horses, since Oren the mabari pads up to sniff around the stables. ]

Are you all right, otherwise? I wouldn't guess that this is your first time riding, is it?

[ Not many people come out to try their luck with a horse in the snow, having never done it before... and alone. ]

[shivving]

Givin' me a lotta credit there.

[ He might've been fine...or he might've just gotten his face kicked in. Joel's just glad he hadn't had to find out which one it would be.

He smiles as the dog wanders in, holding his hand out to be sniffed. ]

Ain't my first time, no. Thought I'd get in some practice.

[heroica]

Then we're the same. Though, it may be too cold... [ She sighs, her breath visible in the air. ] We'll see.

[ Oren sniffs Joel's hand, his hindquarters wagging along with the stump of a tail. He then unceremoniously bumps his head into Joel's middle. ]

Oh - I'm sorry. Oren, sit. [ And he does, albeit while whining softly. ] He's after some kind of food, though I don't imagine you brought anything outside.

[shivving]

[ Joel chuckles, immediately holding a hand out for Oren to sniff. ]

He's a good dog.

[ Oren wags his tail, and Joel scratches his head affectionately. ]

Sorry, bud, nothin' for ya today.

[heroica]

He's a good dog sometimes. [ Other times, he's a monster. ] You must not have been here when he ran around in the mansion and took other people's things...

[ He'd built himself a sort of treasure trove, the silly boy. ]

He'll live. [ Robyn declares, though Oren seems to know there isn't any food on Joel's person and huffs before leaning in for additional pats to make up for it. ] Most people are a little more timid around such a large hound, though. Do you have one of your own?

[shivving]

[ Joel chuckles, shaking his head as he gives Oren a good scratch. ]

Nah, missed that one.

[ Once the dog seems satisfied, he straightens up, shaking his head. ]

Dogs are - well, most of 'em are wild now, where I come from.

He seems t'listen to you, though.

[heroica]

In Ferelden, they're - well, sort of the symbol of the country. [ And happily so, says the dog lover. ] This one... is only mine inasmuch as he came from the closet in my room. The mabari who was my... close companion is still back there, in my world.

[ Oren is a good boy, but he's no Calen. ]

It's strange to think that he might be made of 'magic.' [ She chuckles lightly, patting him on the back. ] He feels so solid, after all.

[shivving]

[ Joel glances at her, looking a little sad at her confession. He's had enough dogs to know that they can never really be replaced. ]

I'm sorry t'hear that.

[ He smiles down at Oren with her as she pets him. ]

Yeah, he's solid enough, alright.

[heroica]

Oh, it's all right. [ She wants to say "I'll see him again someday," but that isn't true, so she says instead: ] He's in good hands.

[ Which is true. ]

I don't suppose you have magical closets in your world? [ Robyn asks, amused. Then, though, she seems to remember herself and laughs almost sheepishly. ]

I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Robyn Cousland.

[shivving]

[ Joel nods somberly. There's probably more to that story, but he's not about to pry into something so personal.

Magical closets are a safer subject. He chuckles, shaking his head. ]

Ah, no. Woulda made things a lot easier if we did. [ He inclines his head in greeting. ]

Joel Miller.

[heroica]

I know the feeling. I don't get the impression that many others had anything like that in their homes.

[ Thedas has magic, but this is... a little more than what their mages' abilities entail, as far as she knows. ]

It's a pleasure, Joel. [ As she speaks, she begins to saddle up for her own ride, prepping one of the other horses and glancing back to speak with him. ] Have you been in Wonderland for very long?

[shivving]

[ Joel looks warily at his own horse, but she seems to have calmed, placidly eating hay. He follows Robyn's lead, starting to prep the horse for a ride. ]

Pretty long time. Over a year now.

[ You may have heard about the time he nearly burned down the library. ]

How bout you?

[heroica]

Mm... It was the end of the summer two years ago, so it's been about two and a half years, I think.

[ And so much has happened since then... ]

Time really does fly, here, doesn't it?

[shivving]

[ Joel shrugs his shoulders, coaxing his horse gently out of its stall. ]

Guess it does.

[ He glances at Robyn curiously. ]

If y'don't mind me askin'...how d'you stay busy, after two an' a half years in this place?

[heroica]

[ The Warden has hers standing near the exit to the stables, waiting as she considers his question. ]

Well... it's a little easier for me, I think, because so much of Wonderland is new. Not only the people and the... events, of course, but the place itself and all of its - features.

[ It's much more high-tech than Ferelden... ]

That aside, I've found that scheduling helps. Regularity, and... hobbies. [ Taking care of the dog, training, and a little bit of music, thanks to Souji. ] It's still difficult, but not quite as maddening.

[shivving]

[ He nods. It makes sense - he has no doubt it's why Evelyn spends so much time in the library, why Sam runs the bar. Having a set schedule, something to do, can go a long way towards fighting off not just cabin fever, but - he's willing to bet - even more serious existential crises.

What do you do with your life, in a mansion where everything is provided to you, and every problem you might have worried about in your own world is just...gone?

He raises an eyebrow as he leads his horse out of the stable. ]

Your own country's pretty different, huh?

What'd you say? Ferelden?

[ It's not familiar. ]

[heroica]

Mm, it is. [ She steps out and breathes in the cold air, seeming to enjoy it, despite the intensity. It's pretty chilly out, after all. ] And - yes, that's right. Ferelden. I've been told that it's - [ squint ] "medieval."

[ Not something she likes to hear, considering that people usually say it with an air of "oh, how quaint!" ]

And you?

[shivving]

Uh...guess mine'd be..."post-apocalyptic nightmare."

[ Not that that'll mean much to her, he imagines. ]

Boston. America, 2033.

[heroica]

Ah. [ Sounds lovely. ] And - another American, then. I've met a few so far.

[ It sounds familiar, at least, though she can't currently put other faces to the place. ]

"2033" is the year, then? The date?

[shivving]

Th' year, yeah.

[ He smiles at her apologetically. ]

Guess it don't mean much, without context.