Post by Muse on May 25, 2013 0:17:00 GMT 10
Title: Beginnings IV
Rating: PG
Word Count: 675
Pairing: Buri/Raoul
Round/Fight: 2B
Summary: Many things begin in the year following Jon’s coronation: babies, kingship, friendships and maybe even a unit of army irregulars.
Buri doesn’t have the chance to say anything at all before her pony stretches out his neck and nips Raoul’s warhorse.
The big horse, road dust matted into her hide and drooping from weeks on the road, sidles away and throws up her head, and Buri swears her pony makes a noise as if it were snickering. She tugs fondly on the ornery beasts’ mane and backs away from the slowly settling warhorse.
“Just when I thought you couldn’t find a mount more rotten than that donkey you rode that one time in—“ Raoul grinned at Buri. “What are you riding, because it is one ugly beast.”
Buri mock-glared at the big knight. “Just because you’ve spent the last three months in uncivilized company doesn’t mean you can insult a lady’s mount. This is Trouble and we’re your escort back to Corus.”
“Is that because I need an escort, or is Jon trying to make friends again after sending the Own out for months to do things we’re not cut out for?” Raoul asks, his mount falling into step besides Buri’s.
Her pony eyes Flame interestedly, but Buri steers Trouble just out of reach. Either the pony truly is tough stuff, and stubborn to boot, or it is extraordinarily stupid to continue agonizing Raoul’s overly large warhorse. Either way, Buri likes it. It could be a useful trait.
“Their majesties have been worn into the ground recently, and have not been getting full nights of sleep due to the demands of his royal highness the Crown Prince.” Buri informs Raoul wickedly, amusement dancing in her dark eyes.
“It’s a boy?”
“His name is Roald.”
Raoul considers this. “I can’t say I’m surprised at the name; Roald is an old Conte family moniker. How old is he?”
“Old enough to be a handful; two months, now? Jon’s at a point where he can’t remember his own name half the time, much less anything else; so at least try to not hold his past actions against him. I’m pretty sure the new prince is on our side.”
Raoul laughs, loud and long. “That is perfect. I bet Gary’s pleased.”
“Gary is laughing and laughing while he dodges diaper duty. He’s figured out that if he has piles of reports in his hands, he can’t be unexpectedly handed infants. So far, it’s working well for him.”
Raoul looks Buri up and down. “How are you handling it?”
She laughs. “I’m here, aren’t I?” When Raoul gives her another, deeper look, she clarifies. “Don’t worry, nothing bad. I’m simply not playing nursemaid all day and all night. They have people for that…but he is adorable.”
Chuckling, they settle into an easy silence as they begin winding through the streets of Corus, heading towards the Palace. Eventually, Raoul breaks the quiet between them.
“So, this pony. Is this a part of the idea you were asking me about?”
Buri leans over to pat Trouble’s neck before answering. “From what you’ve said, we really do need a group, something other than the Own, that can travel faster and do other work, the dirty work that Tortall needs help with right now. I was thinking ponies, instead of warhorses.”
Giving the pony an appraising glance, Raoul turns to Buri. “You may be right. He’s got an attitude on him, though.”
Buri smirks proudly. “Mountain ponies are tough as anything. They’ll be able to go where no one else can.”
“So will you,” Raoul points out, and Buri flushes dully.
“Never mind that. We’re almost back, and you have to report in, Sir Knight Commander.” Raoul pouts at this, a mighty feat for a knight in full armor riding a warhorse.
“You’re just going to leave me to Jon’s tender mercies?”
They dismount together, and Buri claps a hand to Raoul’s shoulder. “You’ll survive; babies aren’t that terrifying.”
Rating: PG
Word Count: 675
Pairing: Buri/Raoul
Round/Fight: 2B
Summary: Many things begin in the year following Jon’s coronation: babies, kingship, friendships and maybe even a unit of army irregulars.
Buri doesn’t have the chance to say anything at all before her pony stretches out his neck and nips Raoul’s warhorse.
The big horse, road dust matted into her hide and drooping from weeks on the road, sidles away and throws up her head, and Buri swears her pony makes a noise as if it were snickering. She tugs fondly on the ornery beasts’ mane and backs away from the slowly settling warhorse.
“Just when I thought you couldn’t find a mount more rotten than that donkey you rode that one time in—“ Raoul grinned at Buri. “What are you riding, because it is one ugly beast.”
Buri mock-glared at the big knight. “Just because you’ve spent the last three months in uncivilized company doesn’t mean you can insult a lady’s mount. This is Trouble and we’re your escort back to Corus.”
“Is that because I need an escort, or is Jon trying to make friends again after sending the Own out for months to do things we’re not cut out for?” Raoul asks, his mount falling into step besides Buri’s.
Her pony eyes Flame interestedly, but Buri steers Trouble just out of reach. Either the pony truly is tough stuff, and stubborn to boot, or it is extraordinarily stupid to continue agonizing Raoul’s overly large warhorse. Either way, Buri likes it. It could be a useful trait.
“Their majesties have been worn into the ground recently, and have not been getting full nights of sleep due to the demands of his royal highness the Crown Prince.” Buri informs Raoul wickedly, amusement dancing in her dark eyes.
“It’s a boy?”
“His name is Roald.”
Raoul considers this. “I can’t say I’m surprised at the name; Roald is an old Conte family moniker. How old is he?”
“Old enough to be a handful; two months, now? Jon’s at a point where he can’t remember his own name half the time, much less anything else; so at least try to not hold his past actions against him. I’m pretty sure the new prince is on our side.”
Raoul laughs, loud and long. “That is perfect. I bet Gary’s pleased.”
“Gary is laughing and laughing while he dodges diaper duty. He’s figured out that if he has piles of reports in his hands, he can’t be unexpectedly handed infants. So far, it’s working well for him.”
Raoul looks Buri up and down. “How are you handling it?”
She laughs. “I’m here, aren’t I?” When Raoul gives her another, deeper look, she clarifies. “Don’t worry, nothing bad. I’m simply not playing nursemaid all day and all night. They have people for that…but he is adorable.”
Chuckling, they settle into an easy silence as they begin winding through the streets of Corus, heading towards the Palace. Eventually, Raoul breaks the quiet between them.
“So, this pony. Is this a part of the idea you were asking me about?”
Buri leans over to pat Trouble’s neck before answering. “From what you’ve said, we really do need a group, something other than the Own, that can travel faster and do other work, the dirty work that Tortall needs help with right now. I was thinking ponies, instead of warhorses.”
Giving the pony an appraising glance, Raoul turns to Buri. “You may be right. He’s got an attitude on him, though.”
Buri smirks proudly. “Mountain ponies are tough as anything. They’ll be able to go where no one else can.”
“So will you,” Raoul points out, and Buri flushes dully.
“Never mind that. We’re almost back, and you have to report in, Sir Knight Commander.” Raoul pouts at this, a mighty feat for a knight in full armor riding a warhorse.
“You’re just going to leave me to Jon’s tender mercies?”
They dismount together, and Buri claps a hand to Raoul’s shoulder. “You’ll survive; babies aren’t that terrifying.”