[Audio]

[ghostly_stutter]

A-anyone w-want to hang out or do something tonight?

[Chloe really doesn't want to be alone. And she really doesn't want to beg.]

Comments

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

I-I'm, um. I-- I-I'm-- fishing?

[Or trying, at least. Mostly, Xanth is sitting by the edge of the lake with his feet in the water and pole in hand.]

I-If you... want to c-come down to the-- the lake?

[audio]

[ghostly_stutter]

Yes!

[She would do anything Xanth--even face the horrible lake monster.]

Y-you do know about the giant... thing living in the bottom of the lake, yes?

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

The.

Um.

The-- th-the-- the what?

[Yeah he's just gonna pull his feet out now.]

[audio]

[ghostly_stutter]

I-it's pretty awful, Xanth. It--it killed Talia.

[There's a marked hesitation here.]

I-I'm not sure it's still there, though! I-I mean, I only saw it o-once. But...

[Once is sometimes enough.]

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

[GETTING QUITE A WAYS AWAY FROM THE LAKE NOW]

O-O--Oh, uh, I-- I-I-- I see. Um.

W-We, uh, c-could go-- go see th-the horses i-instead?

[audio]

[ghostly_stutter]

[A huge sigh of relief. Something relatively safe, and will keep her mind off Derek. In the forest. With Alex. Perfect.]

Th-that sounds great!

[Only... Chloe's never been on a horse before. Oh, well! First time for everything.]

I'll meet you there?

[audio] -> [commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

Y--Yeah. I-I'll be there i-in a-- a bit.

[He takes a little while, as the stables are at the opposite end of the Keep and he has to stop off to return his pole to where he found it. He didn't catch any fish, anyway.

He walks up to the stables, pants still rolled up, feet still bare, and boots in hand. Now, where is Chloe?]

[commentlog]

[ghostly_stutter]

[Chloe heads directly to the stables, curiosity bubbling from within. She never was able to visit the stables with Derek, because animals never took kindly to him. Actually, the only time she was inside for any length of time was when she and Sollux had bathed the puppies.

Chloe had grabbed two apples, hearing they made good treats for horses, and smiled when she saw Xanth approaching the stable around the same time as she.]

Hey. Catch anything?

[commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth shakes his head.]

N-- No. I-I don't-- I don't think I-I was using th-the right bait, o-or, s-something. I-I'm not... so good at-- a-at the fishing.

N-No, um, no... no monsters, though, s-so I guess it c-could've been w-worse?

[commentlog]

[ghostly_stutter]

[A light chuckle.]

I'm probably not very good at fishing, either.

[Chloe can't help but feel immensely relieved. Her stomach twisted in knots, thinking of what could have happened.]

Y-yeah. I'm glad you're all right.

[Then Chloe steps towards him, procuring both apples with a bit of a mischievous smile.]

I brought horse bait. Or at least... I hope it's horse bait. If not, I hope you're hungry.

[commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth sweeps his hair behind his ear. It's more than getting long at this point - it's down to his shoulders and long enough to tie back.

His smile grows wider as he looks over the apples. His face is still slightly gaunt. (He looks rested today, at least.)]

Y-Yeah, they-- they like f-fruit just fine. O-Or, bread, or-- s-sometimes grasses a-and things. J-Just, you know, p--plant things.

[He takes a gander at the horses, then reaches for one of the apples in Chloe's hands.]

[commentlog]

[ghostly_stutter]

Bread?

[She grins, easily giving him the apple as she watches his movements.]

The horse won't bite my fingers off, right?

[commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

N-- No, no, don't-- don't worry. Just-- h-hold your hand flat, l-- like this.

[Xanth drops his boots by the door, and then holds up his hand. Flat palms make for no finger snacks for horses!]

I-It might just take your, uh, y-your whole apple. Th-they're not really... careful e--eaters.

[commentlog]

[ghostly_stutter]

O-okay...

[His reassurances worked--until that last bit. Pressing her lips together in mild trepidation, Chloe slowly eases closer to the horse, glancing over at Xanth once more to mimic the way he held his hand. Chloe didn't realize she was slowly leaning away from the horse the nearer she held her hand out to it.]

N-nice horsy...

[She mentally berated herself. 'Nice horsy?' Original. She took a deep breath, stood taller, and forced herself to have a spine of steel. When the horse did finally take the apple, Chloe jumped and yelped, then made a face at the thick saliva now coating her hand. Still, she had to smile and laugh. The experience hadn't been bad at all. Something to wipe her hand off on would be nice, though.]

[commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

[Oh it is a nice horsey. Xanth can't help a snort of laughter.]

S--See? Not... n-not so bad.

[He scratches the horse's neck, along its mane. Who's a good horsey?

He offers up his apple to Chloe. The horse, still busy with the first, chews happily.]

[commentlog]

[ghostly_stutter]

[She turns to mock-glare at Xanth when she hears him laughing, though her lips are trying very hard to curl upward against her wishes.]

Okay, fine. None of my fingers are missing, and the horse is a pretty one. Is it a girl or a boy? Do you--do you think we can ride her?

[Then she's hesitantly taking the apple and her eyes narrow suspiciously. She laughs a little as she tries to sound remotely threatening.]

You just want me to get all slobbery again. You better watch out, I will chase you down so we may share in the horse's thank you kisses together..

[Still, she looks back at the horse, wondering if two apples for one horse was too much, and waited until it swallowed the rest of the first apple down.]