(Untitled)

[sai_delgado]

She's not avoiding the bar, not precisely. It's only that there's that which needs doing in the stables, and with the stock-- and so Susan Delgado is out in the training ring, working Corella on a lunge rope.

And thinking a little, mayhap.

Comments

[honest_johns]

After a time, Alain is there, too, leaning crossed forearms on the fence and watching.

Mayhap thinking a little, himself.

[sai_delgado]

She notices him, and flashes a bright smile, but she does not call out -- it would startle the two-year-old, and disturb that which she's trying to accomplish, and she knows that Alain will understand, oh aye.

But after a time, she finishes with the palomino mare and turns her back into the paddock, then comes to stand by him.

"Good day, Alain. How do'ee fare?"

[honest_johns]

He returns the smile, and waits, absently assessing Corella's performance as he knows Susan is.

When she comes over, he turns away from the fence a little, towards her. "Well enough. And you?"

[sai_delgado]

"Aye, well enough," she says. "It's a pretty day out; has been all day, say true."

[honest_johns]

"So it is."

A pause. But he came out here to give news, more than to see the horses, and there's no point in drawing it out. So he says, quietly and simply, after a short silence, "Lady Deschain is gone, now."

[sai_delgado]

Her head snaps around as she stares at him.

"Gone?" And well she knows it-- there's naught else really to go, is there?-- but still she asks,

"To the clearing?"

[honest_johns]

He nods, and looks off into the distance, at the hazy line where forest meets sky. He's still leaning against the fence.

"Aye. Moved on, of her own choice."

[sai_delgado]

Susan bites her lip and looks unhappy.

"I tried to tell her it were nice here, although mayhap it'd be strange, at first--"

[honest_johns]

He glances at her, then, with swift concern.

Gently, "Aye, and it were both, I think, but..."

He exhales. "She's not ka-tet, as we are. Stranger for her."

(Would'ee have peace of the clearing?)

[sai_delgado]

"Ye say true, Alain-- she weren't --"

She sighs, looking unhappy still.

"Mayhap I should have said something, but if it were her own choice..."

[honest_johns]

He wonders what sort of conversation they might have had. He doesn't push it, right now.

Softly, "It was."

And for the best, he thinks, for all of them, though he doesn't say it.

[sai_delgado]

"She went her way in peace, then."

Susan sounds oddly certain of this.

[honest_johns]

Alain saw the path she stepped onto. He nods with a silent certainty of his own.

"Aye."

Give her peace of the clearing. Say true.

[sai_delgado]

Susan sighs.

"And-- Roland must know, I wager?"

[honest_johns]

Quietly, "He saw her to the door."

[sai_delgado]

She closes her eyes as if to shut out the image. After a few moments, she says,

"At least he were able to bid her a farewell, then."