Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2015 8:59:08 GMT -5
It was not quite yet an hour past noon, as the Lady Kattalin had stipulated in her reply; but already the Princess Royal was walking briskly through the stables to where her mount was being saddled; the great, grey beast shuffling pleasantly from one hoof to the other, the clopping of its feet against the cobbled ground a pleasant sound amidst the snorting noses of the horses in their stalls and soft coos of the birds in the rafters. There was one particular snort to her left that gave pause to the Princess' progress; and she let the gloves she had been pulling out linger in one hand, the bare pads of her fingers on her right reaching out to graze against the velvety nose that sought out her hand.
There was a gentle giggle of laughter from the Princess Royal as this massive, snowy-haired head rubbed against her open palm, searching for treats. She leaned forward then and brushed a surprisingly tender kiss across the long snout of the Percheron, shuffling in its stall before her. "What a surprise we'll give Nicolette, when she learns that I've found you, hm?" Antoinette murmured, her blue eyes bright with mirth, as she patted the large horse before her once more, before sidling away.
Because now it was Saracen who deserved her attention, and had truthfully had it these past four years; a far more reasonable mount for the Princess Royal, who was a surprisingly adept rider -- a delicately hidden secret -- but had never quite been able to handle Bluebell, who snorted now at her departure, the way such a beast required. No, Saracen was a better fit; a better size, and temperment for Antoinette, who took great pleasure in riding the long trails alone; and it was this beast whose saddlehorn her gloved hand grasped, the stablehand offering a hoist for one booted foot, as Antoinette swung her leg over the other side of the mount; settling quickly into the saddle with the her hands holding loosely the reigns.
Yes, this would be a day of many interesting revelations, Antoinette mused, if all went well -- the first not quite being catching glimpse of the Princess Royal, not in her customary voluminous skirts, but rather riding breeches, and a fitted tunic. Such a shock this would give the courtiers, if she had been parading about the castle proper in such an outfit; but while Antoinette often rode side-saddle on short journeys, her encumbering dresses bunched around her, she had a mind for a longer journey with the Ibarra woman that afternoon. There was much to discuss, things that would take time to casually bring up... it would be interesting, to say the least. But of course, even in this ensemble, Antoinette's choices were stylish and finely tailored -- some things didn't alter that greatly...
With a click of her tongue and a nudge of one knee, Antoinette prodded Saracen on, out from the stables, to head towards the courtyard; her blue eyes briefly squinting in the bright high-noon light as they emerged from the darkened building.
Kattalin Ibarra
There was a gentle giggle of laughter from the Princess Royal as this massive, snowy-haired head rubbed against her open palm, searching for treats. She leaned forward then and brushed a surprisingly tender kiss across the long snout of the Percheron, shuffling in its stall before her. "What a surprise we'll give Nicolette, when she learns that I've found you, hm?" Antoinette murmured, her blue eyes bright with mirth, as she patted the large horse before her once more, before sidling away.
Because now it was Saracen who deserved her attention, and had truthfully had it these past four years; a far more reasonable mount for the Princess Royal, who was a surprisingly adept rider -- a delicately hidden secret -- but had never quite been able to handle Bluebell, who snorted now at her departure, the way such a beast required. No, Saracen was a better fit; a better size, and temperment for Antoinette, who took great pleasure in riding the long trails alone; and it was this beast whose saddlehorn her gloved hand grasped, the stablehand offering a hoist for one booted foot, as Antoinette swung her leg over the other side of the mount; settling quickly into the saddle with the her hands holding loosely the reigns.
Yes, this would be a day of many interesting revelations, Antoinette mused, if all went well -- the first not quite being catching glimpse of the Princess Royal, not in her customary voluminous skirts, but rather riding breeches, and a fitted tunic. Such a shock this would give the courtiers, if she had been parading about the castle proper in such an outfit; but while Antoinette often rode side-saddle on short journeys, her encumbering dresses bunched around her, she had a mind for a longer journey with the Ibarra woman that afternoon. There was much to discuss, things that would take time to casually bring up... it would be interesting, to say the least. But of course, even in this ensemble, Antoinette's choices were stylish and finely tailored -- some things didn't alter that greatly...
With a click of her tongue and a nudge of one knee, Antoinette prodded Saracen on, out from the stables, to head towards the courtyard; her blue eyes briefly squinting in the bright high-noon light as they emerged from the darkened building.
Kattalin Ibarra