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

[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?"

[sai_delgado]

"Ka like a wind, sai," she tells him crisply, but there's more than a hint of mischief there. "Ye couldn't have stopped it, I wot."

"And we are -- there's naught else need be done in the stables at the moment, once Rachat's turned out--"

Susan might be well aware of that herself, what with she and Alain and mayhap Caspian as well all seeking to distract themselves with work.

"--so ye've time for it, an'ye would be so kind as to help us, do'ee ken?"

Susan turns to Amy and says, smiling, "Not that I'd think-- unless ye wanted to look through the basket and make certain all's there that's needed?"

[the_seafarer]

"Who am I to argue with my employer?" he says, but he's smiling. Truly smiling, for the first time in what feels like an age.

Rachat gets an energetic rub-down, before he is led into his stall and given some feed.

"Dare I ask what has been plotted planned?"

[kitchen_maid]

Amy looks from her brother to the picnic basket, which has been inspected and found to be perfect.

"I should think part of it is obvious," says Amy.

"And as for the rest . . . well, there aren't many days left that are going to be suitable for sailing, are there? 'Twould be a pity to waste this one, don't you think?"

[the_seafarer]

He lights up. It's quite the change.

"Aye, this is a perfect day to go out on the water," he says, enthusiastically, "and I'd wanted to go before taking her out for the winter anyway."

He looks to both of them, smiling.

"I think it's a marvelous idea."

[sai_delgado]

"So do I," she says softly, and oh, but her delight at seeing her friend's joy is evident.

(the Dawn Treader - to the Edge of the World and back)

"Shall we, then?"

[the_seafarer]

Caspian nods, and picks up the basket, and offers his arms (well, elbows, really), to the two girls.

"My ladies," he says. "I am at your disposal."

[kitchen_maid]

Brilliant smiles all around, as Amy and Susan take the offered arms. Er, elbows. And they set out from the stables to the lake.

"And you thought we were causing trouble," Amy says, rolling her eyes.

God help him if they ever decide to.

[the_seafarer]

He rolls his eyes.

"I wonder why I could possibly have thought that," he says, drily.

"Especially after seeing the stock register."

[sai_delgado]

Susan looks utterly innocent.

"Why, would'ee expect me to do incomplete work? For shame, Caspian!"

It's a crisp fall day, with the sky above them a deep, jewel-rich blue-- it almost reminds her of

(Aslan's Country)

the blue sky over Cair Paravel and the Dawn Treader resting lightly on the water there, and mayhap that's why when they draw near the Hope, Susan looks at it almost as if seeing a different ship entirely.

There's a soft smile on her face.

[the_seafarer]

The Hope looks small and bright against the water, drawn up to shore with sails neatly furled and the rudder and centerboard laid neatly on the seats.

Caspian takes pride in his ships, small or grand, and this is no exception.

She is so well taken care of, that the paint is still bright and cheerful--white, with a red trim.

And that twisting strand of ivy that chases along the trim.

His step might falter for a moment, but steadies.

"There she is," he says, mostly cheerfully. "Waiting prettily."

[kitchen_maid]

"Like she knew we were coming," Amy says, smiling. "And it would have been a great pity to disappoint her."

She smiles at her brother and takes the picnic basket. He has captainy things to do, after all.