[D3 A] Unbalanced

[Talieas Corbray]

"Mayhaps once or twice. Mayhaps." And he would say nothing more on this.

Kaliya would notice the sadde was quite wide and very comfortable. In fact it was deceptively fine. Tal certainly liked his horse riding. However, even more certainly would she notice just how high up she was! It felt like being up on a second floor or in a tree. Most people found looking down very sobering at such a height. However, the view was amazing as she thought it would be. It was also empowering; it wasn't difficult to envision oneself as a knight vanquishing one's enemies atop such a large warhorse.

"There, your stirrups are set. Add some pressure to her flanks, just a touch, and she'll start walking. Hold it for longer and she's speed up. A few quick taps and she'll speed up much, much faster. Slowing down is as easy as calling woah or a brief nudge back on the reins. I promise she'll respond quickly." Talieas sounded utterly convinced of it like it were fact.

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya was surprised he answered at all, she had only been teasing. She found the stirrups easily, and settled more comfortably into her seat, though it was more difficult keeping her heels down. She wasn't a small woman, exactly, but she imagined that such a magnificent beast was easier for the tall knight.

Still, she took up the reins with confidence, nudging Pearl to a gentle walk while her own steed shook her mane and sniffed disinterestedly at the grass.

[Talieas Corbray]

The knight walked alongside; close enough to help if need be, but not so much that she would feel him to be molly-coddling her. Apart from this he did nothing. He'd seen enough of her to know she could handle Pearl. The only thing that mattered was Kaliya finding that out for herself.

[Kaliya Redding]

Although Pearl had been intimidating at first, once she was on the mare's back, the more she realised that a finely bred horse was still a finely bred horse. Pearl seemed responsive, but without the high-strung sensitivity of Perlera. Kaliya urged Pearl into a trot, the massive mare rattling her much more than she was accustomed to with a heavy gait, but she easily pushed Pearl into a canter. It was nothing like Perlera's silken movements, but the sense of power as she circled the meadow was palpable.

[Talieas Corbray]

The knight was forced to jog to keep up, though he only could a little ways as Pearl gained speed and momentum. She was slow to accelerate yet accelerate she could. Without a heavily armoured knight or her back, or barding covering her, she could hit a decent enough speed.

"Doing well! How is she?" Tal called out supportively as he slowed back to a walk. He was confident that Kaliya would be fine.

[Kaliya Redding]

It was strange, bringing Pearl in a wide circle, compared to Perlera's nimbleness, the Sand Steed could all but turn on a copper penny, but the destrier's hooves were like thunder, rumbling across the meadow and kicking up great clods of dirt and grass. Kaliya brought the mare a full turn, slowing to a walk as they approached Tal once more.

[Talieas Corbray]

He held up his hands, grinning. "I surrender Lady Kaliya. Don't run me down eh?"

[Kaliya Redding]

Laughing as well, "so long as you yield," and she brought Pearl to a halt with a soft woah.

[Talieas Corbray]

"At this moment in time? Aye." He dips his head and bows to her. "Do you have a request of me Lady Kaliya, being the victor upon your mighty warhorse?"

[Kaliya Redding]

"Oh yes," Kaliya patted Pearl's neck, and swung down from the saddle. It was a long fall, but the Dornishwoman managed to neither stumble nor twist an ankle. "Thank you, Pearrl," she murmured before turning to Tal. "I demand rransom," she teased, "to be paid in the currency of a kiss."

[Talieas Corbray]

"Oh ho! So mercenary. Would you really impoverish me so ignobly here, in this open field?" He asks, smiling even more and lifting himself up to his full height.

[Kaliya Redding]

Eyes sparkling, "would you rratherr yourr life be forrfeit? Who will prrotect the innocent and rrescue damsels, if not forr you? You would let all the land sufferr forr yourr miserrliness?" Kaliya lifted her chin, but it was difficult to look down your nose at someone who was a good half foot taller.

[Talieas Corbray]

Which he knew. "I could not have that. Alas, I submit to your demands." Still smiling he bends down, until he is on one knee. He then gently takes her hand and lifts it so he can kiss along her fingers. Teasingly he glances up. "Like this Lady Kaliya?" His feelings flowed into his voice making it far too amused to play at being innocent sounding.

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya's laughter was warm, "it will take you a thousand yearrs to pay off yourr debt that way," she played along. "I know yourr motherr did not rraise a fool. Trry harrderr."

[Talieas Corbray]

"I might like a thousand years of this." He replied back wittily and cheekily, kissing her hand a few more times. "A shame it cannot be, so... how does this please you fair Lady?" His kisses moved up her hand and to her wrist, fingers nudging her clothing back so he could plant a few more kisses up her skin. Standing up he moved her fingers up to his lips, taking one into his mouth and suckling upon it before he waggled his eyes at her.

Tilting his head, he releases her hand and smiles gently. "How goes my debt Lady Kaliya?"

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya murmured softly, "it is prrogrressing, though you give nightmarres to the men of the Irron Bank, as they try to calculate the exchange rrates."

[Talieas Corbray]

"I see." He taps his chin, looking upwards and then back to her as he tries to come across as thoughtful and innocent. It mostly fails.

"Then what do you progress Lady Kaliya? Your wish is my command."

[Kaliya Redding]

Being the impatient sort, Kaliya dropped the pretence, closing the distance and pushing her fingers into the knight's hair, kissing him hard before remembering that it was the middle of the day and anyone might see. She stepped back a pace.

[Talieas Corbray]

Having been rather enjoying her advances he does not let her go quite so easily. His right hand moves down to catch her by her waist. "Shh. There's no-one about and I hardly had an opportunity to counter attack." Which was all true. He leans forward and bends down so he can kiss her slower... if she allows.

[Kaliya Redding]

"Do all of yourr opponents wait so patiently forr yourr rriposte? Perrhaps I should insist you catch me firrst?" but she doesn't, she meets him instead, lips parting softly under his.

[Talieas Corbray]

Intensifying the kiss, pushing his lips gradually firmer against hers and nudging her to action, he only breaks away when Pearl gives him an unexpected nose tap to his shoulder. Leaning into the direction of the touch he pulls back, turning to Pearl and laughing. "She is telling me she is hungry."

[Kaliya Redding]

"I think she disapprroves," Kaliya laughed, pointlessly smoothing her dress so as to have something to do with her hands. Perlera was a short distance away, apparently unimpressed by the whole situation.

[Talieas Corbray]

"No, she likes you. If she hadn't then she'd have simply headbutted me." Tal replies confidently, moving to lift Kaliya suddenly by the waist with both hands and to spin her around once in a full circle. Letting her down very gently he grins. "I do need to see to her, but would you like to join myself and a few friends for some drinks and a spot of fun tonight? No obligations or anything. Just a chance to let our hair down after a difficult day."

[Kaliya Redding]

Though she was surprised by the suddenly display of strength, Kaliya laughed joyfully. "I suppose I should change forr ourr meeting with Lorrd Warryn, but drrinks sounds good." She had her own interpretation of his meaning, despite the use of the words 'no obligation'.

[Talieas Corbray]

"Perfect. I'll let you know a good time after checking with the others." Sounding excited and appearing it as well Tal moved to lengthen the stirrups on Pearl.

"Would you like an escort back or will you be riding a little longer?" He asks over his shoulder.