ѕтαη∂ιηg яєѕσℓυтє ⚔ open

[~echo~]

"Alright. Where are the stables?"

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Follow me!" Darcy tugged his arm gently, leading him down the corridor.

[~echo~]

Lief grinned and followed her quickly, matching pace easily.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

She smiled at him, her white teeth flashing, "I don't often have company that I enjoy talking to. This ride will be fun, I think."

[~echo~]

"Well, I'm glad I could be of service," he smiled as they reached the stables. "Which horse should I ride?"

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Hmm," Darcy frowned and tapped her lips, looking over the horses, "You can ride my horse. Her name is Ophelia," She showed Lief to her mare's stall. The large black horse snorted in greeting, nosing Darcy's hair lightly.

[~echo~]

Lief smiled and nodded. "Thank you," he said, holding his free hand out to the horse. He was a gentle soul, except exceedingly protective of those he loved.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Ophelia sniffed his hand, her touch gentle, yet firm, "She's a kind horse. She'll be easy to ride."

Darcy walked over to Illium's horse, grabbing a saddle.

[~echo~]

Lief gently patted the horse's nose and then followed her to get a saddle of his own. He had a horse back home in Edulith, but as he had arrived on a ship, he hadn't brought her. He quickly tacked Ophelia and then led her out into the courtyard, mounting.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Darcy did the same, having to coax her sister's horse with an apple first.

[~echo~]

"Now, where shall we ride to?"

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Out of the courtyard," Darcy decided, "I want to see a little more than just the Rain House."

[~echo~]

"Very well," Lief agreed, clicking to Ophelia and leading her towards the front gate.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Darcy urged the other mare, Crystal, after them. Illium's horse was skittish and shy, often rejecting strangers, but Darcy knew her well enough to ride.

[~echo~]

"It is a beautiful countryside," Lief commented as they rode. "But my homeland of Edulith has beautiful fields of white flowers, long grasses sway in the breeze."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Edulith sounds beautiful," Darcy smiled brightly, "I would like to visit someday."

[~echo~]

"I would certainly love to have you," he said nonchalantly.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Darcy's smile widened, "You would?"

[~echo~]

"Of course," he said as if he was surprised. "It's not everyday that a girl wants to see my homeland."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

She laughed and shook her head, "No women following you around, begging to get to know you?" Darcy hummed.