A Very Enthusiastic Ride (D2 EM)

[Davelyn Sand]

Davelyn had arrived at the Dunn compound early in the morning with Qitam to join Kaliya for a ride. His saddlebags seemed to have been packed and prepared. After greeting her and Perlera being readied he escorts her to the woods, regularly looking to her with a warm smile. There is nothing suggestive about his demeanor, seeming to simply be happy to spend time with her.

[Kaliya Redding]

Garbed in her embroidered riding dress, Kaliya was up with the birds. Her hair had been braided to keep it tidy, and Perlera's coat didn't just shine in the morning sun, catching the rays like the steed had been cast in gold. She had curtsied politely to the Dornishman, struck by his handsome features as if seeing him for the first time again.

She was competent enough on horseback, as much as any noblewoman. She might not have done so well on an unfamiliar horse, but she and Perlera knew each other well.

[Davelyn Sand]

"I hope that you rested well last night, Kaliya," he says to her with gentle smile, sitting astride Qitam. He kept a close distance between the two steeds.

"So this is Perlera? She's lovely."

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya raised an eyebrow slightly, smiling, "I did, thank you, Serr." Perlera tossed her head at the sound of her name, "aye, she is, but she misses the sands of home sorrely. But I do what I can to keep herr content." The weather was a little cool for Kaliya's taste, but it was pleasant nonetheless, perfect for a ride through the dappled shade of the trees of the woods.

After a time, Kaliya looked to her companion, "fancy a rrun?" and without waiting on an answer, she set her heels to Perlera's side, breaking into a smooth canter.

[Davelyn Sand]

"I'm sure you do a wonderful job of keeping her content," he says with a smile.

As she urges Perlera forward, Davelyn chuckles, following along. "Well, I can't really keep up so much now can I?" he says a bit louder. "But I can show you my secret weapon in the joust."

[Kaliya Redding]

Even without her head start, the Sand Steed's stride is long, and would easily outpace Qitam. Not forever, Perlera's lighter build lacked the muscle mass needed for endurance, but more than enough for a playful chase. Kaliya held in the horse's head, keeping her from breaking into a gallop, but moving smoothly through the loose stands of trees, headed for the deeper forest, slowing as the trees began to close in.

She wheeled the elegant steed to watch Davelyn as the heavier Qitam thundered after them.

[Davelyn Sand]

Surprisingly, the chase given was not extremely loud. It had weight to it but there was something airy about how the two moved together, like they could sense each adjustment as, or even before, it happens. And as she and perlera manever through the large passes between trees, she'll notice that whenever she avoids small groups of trees that would be incredibly difficult to get through at this pace, the chasing pair don't slow a step and Qitam maneuvers through with a graceful ease.

At a certain point she may also notice that even if she can out pace them, Davelyn has stopped giving orders. He seems to just be resting comfortably while Qitam finds the best line to keep up. The two simply seem to know what the other wants.

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya finds herself glad she did this, providing her an unequalled opportunity to see the pair at the height of their form. A joust was a mere firework: a little build up and small bang and it was done. This was... better. She can see the bond between then ran deeper than any she'd witnessed before, an understanding that was profound and... to her it seemed mystical. It was breathtaking.

Perlera was less impressed. She tossed her mane impatiently, annoyed that their run had ended, annoyed to not be given her head. She snorted as the gleaming black steed closed in. Kaliya would have wheeled again, to give the four of them a better run, but the trees ahead were tighter, and roots more treacherous, she would not risk Perlera on her mediocre horsemanship skill.

[Davelyn Sand]

As they came to the end of the game and Qitam slowly trotted up to Perlera, Davelyn had apparently had the time and control to go through his saddle bags. He held a pair of apples in his hands. Maneuvering him forward so that he could easily reach Perlera he he'd one of them out for her.

"My aunt asked me what kind of horse I wanted. I said I wanted one like Ser Thaudrey. A sand steed may have been the stronger choice, but she said that Qitam would enjoy northern climates much more."

[Kaliya Redding]

"The swifterr choice, perrhaps, but I am not so certain on strongerr." She patted Perlera's neck and the mare sniffed curiously at the apple. "I am... quite awed, Ser Davelyn," her voice is surprisingly small as she says this.

[Davelyn Sand]

The apple was held steadily, for as long as the mare needed to be comfortable with accepting it. "Awed at what?" he asked.

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya narrowed her large eyes. He hadn't fished for a compliment before, and she suspected he lacked the subtlety, so why, exactly, does he need to ask? As she searched for meaning, Perlera plucked up the apple, crunching with apparent contentment.

[Davelyn Sand]

After she takes the apple he runs his hand along her neck as he pulls Qitam back. "Watch..." he says with an innocent smile. It seems he was just so naively used to Qitam that his relationship didn't seem as extraordinary in his mind.

He shows off another little trick. "Catch! One, two, three!" With the last count he tosses the second apple up in the air. Suddenly Qitam, surprisingly quietly, rears back and catches the falling apple in his mouth.

[Kaliya Redding]

As Kaliya's mouth fell open, she politely covered it with a hand, but her eyes went wide. She wasn't entirely sure she could keep her seat if Perlera reared, let alone do it on purpose. Giving a tiny shake of her head, she composed herself again and closed her mouth, but she is quite speechless.

[Davelyn Sand]

He looks to her and chuckles. "I taught him that last month. Took a bit for him to figure it out with rider weight. But he got it in the end, like he always does." He leans forward and pats him on the neck. "Because he's my smart beautiful boy." Qitam whinnies at that comment and it almost looks like he's smiling.

[Kaliya Redding]

On anyone else, she would have found the knight's actions childish, but instead she is charmed. Steed and rider both are beautiful indeed, she mused, he did say he was from SunSpear, that could be Princely breeding...

Kaliya realises that she has been staring, and she hasn't said anything. "Uh, yes, I do not think I have chanced to meet a steed so cleverr," she manages.

[Davelyn Sand]

"We are both flattered," he says with a smile at her.

"But you. You're very charming. I enjoyed your toast to Prince Maekar yesterday. It was very well spoken. So I am thankful that someone who spoke so well of one of the princes of the realms is doing so of Qitam. Your words will undoubtedly inspire him to greater heights, and he'll carry me along in his quest for greatness."

[Kaliya Redding]

A younger Kaliya would have blushed at such profuse praise, "yourr worrds arre most kind. Frrom a lesserr man I would assume them to be as empty as the ones I rrepeated for ourr good host yesterrday. But, should my worrds give the Prrince even the slightest of rreasons to rreconsiderr his opinion of ourr kin, I would not be rregrretful."

Perlera pranced, spirited and restless and Kaliya turned the mare's head once more towards the heart of the forest, indicating that she was ready to continue on their way.

[Davelyn Sand]

He continued on alongside her. "It would be nice if there was less ill sentiment towards our lands. That is part of why I came to serve Kellington, to try and strengthen relations. But it is people like you, charming and skilled diplomats, that can truly make a difference. I'm sure that you will be able to steal the hearts necessary to truly help Dorne. Much like you are stealing mine." He had been speaking directly to her, but with that last line he looked away with a slight blush that would be very hard to notice for anyone not used to seeing a darker skinned Dornishman blush.

[Kaliya Redding]

While Kaliya wasn't the most astute of women, she certainly wasn't blind. And she definitely wasn't deaf. Her heart sank, but she kept her expression composed. She turned her face away, much as he had done, unsure what he wanted from her and how she was supposed to respond.

It was just a... compliment. Yes, she returned her attention to the handsome Dornishman, "thank you," she accepted the 'compliment' gracefully.

[Davelyn Sand]

Her apparent embarrassment at his words elicits an emotional response in him. He doesn't know that her embarrassment comes more from confusion rather than flattery. But he equates it with his own feelings. I want to tell her I enjoy spending time with her... but so much of that time was spent bedding her. I don't want her to think I simply want to bed her. I'd like to know her better. She's so charming, and beautiful, and thoughtful. She didn't have to be so kind and generous last night, but she was so considerate of my inexperience. And... the thoughts raced through his mind for a long moment, that became an awkward silence he was not aware of.

Finally when his mind distilled a thought to give voice to... "Do you swim?"

[Kaliya Redding]

She didn't find the silence to be particularly uncomfortable. It seemed less awkward to her than opening a discussion on some nebulous idea of hearts and a feeling she'd come to learn didn't exist. Gods, she curses internally, she'd prepared for a lot of things. breaking hearts was not on the list. I guess I forgot what it was like to have one to break.

While she would not have broken the silence, when he does, she turns her smile to him, "oh, yes."

[Davelyn Sand]

"We should take some time then on a warm day while we're here, head down to the river," he suggests. "I think that'd be a fun afternoon if you're up for it."

That was kind of lame. Quit being lame Davelyn.

[Kaliya Redding]

An afternoon of wet, glistening, near-naked bodies? That was certainly more her taste, and even if it was just the two of them, well, you could round up half the men in Ashford right now, put them in a room and they still wouldn't make one Davelyn. Or half of one Maekar, her mind began to drift, as it often did when she rode.

Realising that she was being rude, "I believe I should like that verry much. It should rremind me a little morre of home."

[Davelyn Sand]

He nods, "That was my hope. A couple of Dornish going for a swim together. Won't be the same without the salty sea breeze but the company would be wonderful."

Is that the way to get to know her better? Make her open up and lower the defenses? I need to be a reminder of home... and I am glad to have a reminder of home myself.

"Looks like there is a clear spot up there, if you'd like to stop and have some breakfast." He points ahead to a small area that was clear enough for the horses, the two of them and the blanket he brought.