GHH 13. Late Afternoon.

[golden_moon]

[When Selene appears on the Orb, there is no sign of the trauma that she exhibited the last time she spoke with anyone over the orb, and the way she acts as she begins to speak, it's as though it never happened.]

I don't suppose anyone knows the approximate value of three head of cattle? I'm afraid I might have been somewhat responsible for lessening the herd of a local rancher or whatever they're called in these parts, and I should probably correct that.

[She leans back a little from the orb, a smug little smile settling in on her face.]

Also, does anyone know of someone who sells jewelry? Something fine, not trash. It wouldn't do to send a half-rate gift if I'm a princess, one would think, and I certainly wouldn't want to anyway. I'd love to find something with a fine silver chain and sapphires. Or lapis, I suppose. Oh, I know the others are blue and everything, but I think Selenite would be wonderfully appropriate, all things considered. Does anyone have any ideas?

[After a moment, she sighs, and begins looking a little uncomfortable.]

Yuan. Um. Your Highness, and all of that stuff I'm not sure about, I'm guessing you have a horse and everything. Hmmm. How...um. Happy are you with it?

Comments

[steelhearted]

Just Yuan is fine. Sir if you'd like.

[He's not used to the other titles, but he's been a knight much longer than he's been a prince. 'Sir' is familiar, if still a bit discomfiting.]

My horse is...healthy. Seems to be a good specimen.

[It's not his horse, though. As far as he knows, his horse is still in the stable at Portglas.]

I'm glad you've made it back safely.

[golden_moon]

[She shrugs and clears her throat.]

Sir, then. Look, I'm trying to be polite, but I ain't all up on. Well, you know. Protocol for Royalty and what-not. We ain't got any of that back home.

[Pursing her lips, she sighs.]

Anyhow, steeds. Mighty and whatnot. You aren't terribly uncomfortable around, say, lizards. Or snakes. Are you?

[steelhearted]

It's all right. I'm not quite used to royal etiquette myself.

[But he drops it--thankful for the opportunity--and focuses on the question at hand.]

Not terribly, no. Is there a dragon that needs slaying?

[golden_moon]

Should prolly work on that, I'd think.

[And that? That is a completly innocent little smile. Yes. Innocent.]

No, no, nothing like that. Well, at least, it ain't why I am inquiring. Um. Well.

Right. I thought maybe we could. You know. Meet when I'm back in the city in an hour or so, and. Um.

[She clears her throat.]

See if you might be interested in the...um. Little gift I brought back for you. And I know you're married and that wasn't what it is about, it's because I was so rude the other day, and it's just been eating me up, because how often do I expect to meet an actual prince, especially one who actually acts, well, you know, noble and all that stuff. It's from the swamp.

[steelhearted]

[He listens, and becomes progressively more wary the more she speaks. A gift, a steed...reptiles, from the swamp?]

Did you bring me back a dragon? They don't make good pets, you know.

[golden_moon]

A dragon? No, no, not a dragon. No.

[She tucks her hair back behind her ears.]

Not. Exactly.