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[lionpassant]

If Peter were in my situation right now, he’d probably have this all sorted. I don’t. I'm not Peter.

I don’t know where I am right now. But I know one thing and it’s that this place is not Narnia. Far from it.

Answers. Answers would be good.

I have to sort this out myself.

First. Where am I?

Comments

[Action]

[noflatterer]

[Bree frets briefly over the state of his grooming--no one's taken a comb to his tail recently--before he reminds himself that the king is waiting, and more than that, the king is only a foal now, and lost. The stallion snorts in self-derision and trots out of the stableyard, heading for the field Edmund mentioned. For Bree, it's been barely a year since he last saw His Majesty, though he understands that for Edmund the time has been a good deal longer. He supposes going to meet him under these circumstances is no stranger than accepting friendship and protection from a Telmarine king of Narnia whose reign is still 1300 years distant from Bree's own time.]

[Action]

[lionpassant]

[Edmund basks in the field, catches sunlight high about him. Shocks of yellow and black are all he sees no matter which way he turns, so he doesn't bother anymore than he should. Edmund doesn't see anything beyond the sea of sunflowers, nor does he really want to. This world is odder than the one Edmund's come to call home after 15 years, the other that his birthplace since 13.

Edmund sits and waits for Bree to come, hoping the familiar face will do to soothe the unease he feels in his chest at the strangeness of this whole new world.]

[Action]

[noflatterer]

[The grey stallion, still young enough to be heavily dappled, picks his way through the flowers. His ears prick forward when he catches sight of Edmund, and though he doesn't know the king as well as he knows Cor or Aravis, he is certainly glad to see him and nickers a welcome (the sound carries better than words). Once he's near enough, he dips his head and drops briefly to one knee in a bow, mindful of decorum even here, perhaps too much so.]

[OOC: At work, so I'll be a little inconsistent until I get home.]

[Action]

[lionpassant]

[Edmund straightens at the a sound that is a welcome pierce through the air. He draws his body up off of the flowers, turning in languid uncertainty. Edmund breathes relief at the sight of a familiar hide that stands vivid against a picture of yellow.]

Bree!

[Edmund does little bothering to conceal the grin on his face, moving to gesture for the horse to stand, stepping towards him.]

Up, Bree. I'm no king here.

[Action]

[noflatterer]

You're also much shorter.

[Said with amusement as he straightens, his head well above Edmund's so that he arches his neck to be a little closer to eye level. He isn't so awkward with the younger of the Pevensie brothers as he was with Peter, having made Edmund's acquaintance upon returning to Narnia, a free horse at last.]

It's always astounded me how human foals get anywhere on such short legs.

[Action]

[lionpassant]

That too.

[Leave it to Bree to state the obvious. A millennia and more has done nothing to change his persona, it seems. Edmund is tempted to run a hand through Bree's mane just to ensure that he's real and not a figment of Edmund's imagination. He refrains, eyes lambent with comfort and appreciation at Bree, quick to answer his call.]

You get used to it.

[Said with a shrug, Edmund steadies his school pack, closes it up so that his blazer, jumper and scarf are sealed tight within its confines.]

[Action]

[noflatterer]

[Well, Bree is a horse, and horses are nothing if not practical creatures. He shakes out his mane and backs a step to get a good look at Edmund. Shorter, yes, and he doesn't smell like Narnia at all, and what is he wearing? But, he is the king, and from another world at that. Bree huffs a breath through his nose in resignation.]

We'd best find the others before a curse makes it impossible to get anything done, I think. Has anyone explained those yet? There's a great deal to keep track of here, most of it unpleasant.

[Action]

[lionpassant]

Curse?

[The word is said with an ill-concealed frown. Edmund makes a face, remembers something he read from what a girl wrote of this world. Edmund can tell that Bree is surveying him, so takes a step back, reproachful at the way in Bree is choosing to eye him.]

Yes, I've heard of it. Explain it to me, will you?

[Edmund stares up at Bree, ready to step forward to swing onto his back at a ready, but not without Bree's permission. Edmund won't exercise authority here, not when his title means nothing. That, and it has been a while since he's seen Bree. Respect falls on Edmund like an unwashed habit. It's nothing that's easy to forget. He won't be rude to a friend by seizing command like a rein.]

[Action]

[noflatterer]

[Bree can't help it if horses see better from further off than up close, or if he still finds it strange that Edmund doesn't look like the king he first saw in Tashbaan. He does notice Edmund doesn't seem entirely pleased, and gives him a quick, gentle nudge on the shoulder in apology.]

City curses last for a day. They can physically alter those they touch, or cause them to behave strangely, for a given period--usually a full day, as I understand it, beginning at midnight. Just last week, Caspian had to pretend to be a member of the High King's retinue to convince me to trust him because the City had decided I ought to be an unweaned colt again ... but we can discuss the pitfalls of this place while we travel. Up you go.

[Action]

[lionpassant]

[Edmund lets a hand brush at Bree's silken hair, mood lightening at his words though ultimately they bear no good fortune. He accepts the apology with wordless thanks, keeps his lips pursed in thought until he decides to move.

He swings lithely onto Bree's back, move lacking grace rather than the swift experience it entails. Edmund is unamused that his younger form finds this harder than it should really be.]

Complications.

[Edmund doesn't hide the grimace that comes. He presses a hand against Bree's neck, smoothes his hide gently.]

Let us hope that we are able to avoid such curses until we reach safe my brother and Caspian. It worries me that Caspian's here when Narnia's in dire need of a ruler after being freed from Telmarine control.

[Action]

[noflatterer]

He spoke of the war. I'm afraid I can't quite imagine Narnia as it must be in that time. I don't think that I should. It isn't my story, and Aslan was rather adamant about only telling you your own.

[Bree sets out at an easy trot, his gait not as smooth as some horses', but pleasant to ride. He's mindful of the fact that he's bearing one of Narnia's kings, and steps out at his best.]

We should try the stable they've been working on before we look for them anywhere else.

[Action]

[lionpassant]

Aslan has something on his mind then, to have sent us all here.

[It's a mutter, low against the wind. Edmund feels comfortable with this familiarity, allows Bree to take him and lead him to where the only people he knows in this world are. He appreciates the effort Bree puts in his stride, can feel the regal bearing with each step.]

Don't worry about it, Bree.

[Edmund gives him a reassuring pet to sate his worries.]

(OOC: Since this is progressing really well, I've talked to Caspian's player about it -- would you like to start a log at tampered where Bree and Ed are both still on the way to the stables, arrive there, and Caspian comes and meets them?)

[Action]

[noflatterer]

I'm finding that it's best not to.

[The stallion says this with good humor, though he's the type to worry. He holds his silence for a little while, until they reach an open stretch, with nothing growing up to his knees to hinder his step.]

Would you favor a bit of a run?

[OOC: Sure thing. I have to step out on an errand for about an hour. I can get something up when I get back, unless one of you would like to make the opening post while I'm gone.]

[Action]

[lionpassant]

(OOC: I think this is a great spot to cut off and continue with a log at tampered. So this is good. I'll make an opening post & look forward to a response. Good luck with your errand!)