In The Stables, Early Sunday

[kitchen_maid]

It's early. Very early even, perhaps, but Amy's awake. She hasn't seen Caspian in a day or two, so she's decided to try the stables. If he's been sleeping in there again, she's going to have to be a very indignant little sister.

"Caspian?" she calls, softly.

Comments

[kitchen_maid]

Amy thinks carefully, about how to say this, because the stables are clearly dear to both her brother and her friend. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

"I think he needs to get out of the stables more than he does, and talk to people. The horses here don't talk back, after all. He has . . . too much time to angst think."

[sai_delgado]

"Not all of them talk," she corrects gently, with a bright smile. "But aye, I'd not argue-- they're not the same as the ones that talk in Narnia, say true."

A beat. "And I'd not argue the other, as well-- " She trails off, thinking--

(Dawn Treader)

-- and then Susan beams triumphantly. "Sailing."

[kitchen_maid]

Perhaps it is because they understand each other, and perhaps it just because they both understand Caspian, but Amy's response is a no less brilliant beam. "Perfect," she breathes.

"Let's make him take us. So he'll have people to talk to."

[sai_delgado]

Her smile is utterly delighted, and she nods.

"Of course-- and it's still pretty out-- we can bring a picnic on the Hope, and go out on the water--"

[kitchen_maid]

Amy beams. "I think there's just enough pie left for three," she says. If she doesn't cut the pieces too big. "And maybe sandwiches?"

She looks around the stable.

"I think we should just wait for him here. Is there anything I can help with, so that when he gets here we can just spirit him off?"

[sai_delgado]

"Sandwiches, aye, and mayhap fruit and cheese--" There's a beat, and a bright smile.

"--and hot chocolate." Susan considers, looking around. "Do'ee want-- 'Bert and I were gifted a picnic basket, I could go get things together, if ye'd want to wait here to stop him if he shows before I return?"

[kitchen_maid]

"Sounds perfect," says Amy. "And knock on the door to room 203 and ask Anne Shirley for the pie, please. It won't last too much longer, and there's no nicer place to eat it."

She nods.

Really, Caspian should be a little afraid of these two.

[sai_delgado]

Susan beams at her, and then vanishes out the door of the stable, headed back to the bar-- and that right quickly, say true.

[kitchen_maid]

Amy stands alone in the stable for a moment, not quite sure to do. Fortunately, Kiseki is happy to offer an unoccupied person something to do, and nudges her shoulder with his nose.

She turns, smiling. "They may be right," she says to him. "You may be mischief."

But she pets him, nonetheless.

[the_seafarer]

Caspian has been out with Rachat.

Edmund is not here. Someone has to excercise him. And even the stables seemed a bit claustrophobic these days.

("When are you going to come read to me in the stables?"

The clatter of hooves outside, however, is likely a good sign that he's back.

[kitchen_maid]

Amy hears the clatter, thinks about the time, and decides that yes, that's probably Caspian.

But she doesn't look toward the door, and her expression is carefully innocent as she goes on petting Kiseki.

There's mischief in her eyes, though.

She and the horse are perhaps well matched, this morning.

[the_seafarer]

In fact, it is Caspian! Surprise, that.

He comes in, leading Rachat, and looks up rather guiltily at Amy.

"Hullo, there. Come to feed me again?"

[kitchen_maid]

She looks up, still oh-so-innocent.

"I don't even have an apple with me right now," she says.

She did, of course, but Kiseki ate it.

"Good morning. How are you today?"

[the_seafarer]

"Fine," he says. He's lying through his teeth. But at least he is not banging his head against a wall.

[kitchen_maid]

She arches an eyebrow. She does know him well enough to know that he's . . . well, she'd never accuse him of lying. Understating, perhaps. Selectively reporting.

"I see," she says. "Have a nice ride?"

[the_seafarer]

"Fantastic," he says. "Edmund has done a fine job, training this one."

He begins unsaddling Rachat, and looks about for the curry brushes.

"Have a good week, I hope?"

[kitchen_maid]

"Very good," says Amy. "I've been--"

And she breaks off, noticing something over Caspian's shoulder, and breaks into a dazzlingly bright smile.

[sai_delgado]

Susan is also smiling, as she returns to the stable. She's carrying a picnic basket, swinging it slightly in one hand as she waves to a startled Caspian and to Amy as well.

"Long days and pleasant nights." Cheerfully said.

[the_seafarer]

"A-aye," he says, a bit surprised. Though he shouldn't be--Susan runs these stables, after all.

"Hullo, Susan! Just taking Rachat out for Edmund. I hope you and Amy haven't been causing too much trouble together."

[kitchen_maid]

"Trouble?" asks Amy, still far-too-innocent.

"I don't think I'd say 'trouble.'" Mischief, maybe, but for Caspian's own good.

"So you think we're causing trouble, Susan?"

[sai_delgado]

She shakes her head firmly in denial, saying, "I'd not say that, nay-- now, I've been known to cut a few capers, but none of them were real trouble, say true."

She comes further into the stable, looking at Rachat and Caspian both. "Had him out for a run, then? Aye, and he'd have needed it, that one. But ye seem near-done with him, wouldn't ye say?" She sets the basket down by the door, adding,

"I'll see to the tack, so that ye can finish brushing him down sooner."

[the_seafarer]

He eyes the basket, and eyes Amy.

Who smiles back innocently.

"Sounds fine," he says. "Going somewhere, are you?"

He gestures to the basket.

[sai_delgado]

Susan lifts the saddle and the rest of the tack with the ease of long practice and carries it across the stable, wiping it down and stowing it away with swift, experienced motions.

"Nay," she says simply. A beat.

"We are."

[the_seafarer]

He blinks.

"We...are?"

And looks back at Amy.

Back to Susan.

"...I should never have let you two meet."

[kitchen_maid]

"We are," she says firmly, and gives Caspian a smile that is pure little sister.

He may not be wrong about that.

"So you'd best get started on the brushing. You're holding everything up."

She turns back to Susan. "Is there anything I can do to help?"