Library [29.02]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Unlike the last time Karal had opened the library during a school break, this time he actually knew it was a break.

But he was beyond sick of sitting in his room, and there was still a lot of work to be done. So, after feeding Trenor, Karal gathered up a stack of notes and scrolls, and Altra Jumped them to the library.

He wasn't expecting anyone to stop by, but the library was open, with a very engrossed Karal occupying one of the tables.

[ooc: No OCD, but it is totally open]

Comments

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"And I am permitted to tease you a little," he said in reply.

"And let you know that I'll probably stay in Andrew's room while he's a rabbit, if only so he's got a familiar den."

And so that I can sleep since the pillows still smell of him.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"You are, at that," he said. "And that is good to know." For once, he didn't blush when thinking about Evey. He just smiled. "Liir, would you object to having a plant in your room? Possibly something with some flowers?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He blinked.

"Why should I object to that?"

He shook his head.

"No. To be honest, before this all happened, I asked Evey if she'd mind if I got a pet. The Mice in the palace have got me feeling a bit homesick in one respect anyway."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I didn't think you would, but still, I needed to ask," he replied. "A pet would certainly bring some life to the room."

Altra perked up his ears. :I like those Mice.:

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"I grew up with more Animals and animals than people around," he said. "There were all manner of beasts and Beasts that came to Kiamo Ko. The only people were the soldiers and I wasn't permitted to spend much time with them, considering."

He smiled, a little apologetically, at Altra.

"Furry or fluffy or feathered faces are familiar."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra snorted, but rolled to his feet to bump his head against Liir's shin. :Practice, and I'll be happy.:

"Aravis has a dog," he offered. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you came to meet him, and you're always welcome to visit Trenor."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He looked down at Altra.

"I practiced last night and I'll practice again after work. I don't have much else to do."

He smiled.

"And it would be nice to meet her dog. Any dog. It's been years since Killjoy."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I'm caring for him while Aravis is away. You'd be welcome to come and visit him," he offered. "Though I don't know how he would react to Andrew."

:Good.: Altra jumped back onto the table and put his head on his paws. :I can watch Andrew while you meet the dog.:

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Liir shook his head.

"I can wait till after Andrew's better," he said. "I've been well enough without a dog so far. But thank you, Altra, for the offer."

He was an odd child; he took a strange satisfaction in turning down pleasures in favor of his duties. To Andrew, this time.

"And you, Karal."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra simply flicked his ears while Karal said, "You're welcome. he is a nice dog, just large."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He smiled.

"That's the best kind. Killjoy wasn't that big, but he could knock me over with his enthusiasm."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"In that case, you'll definitely like Ata. He is, umm, extremely enthusiastic about everything."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"A properly doggy dog, then," he said with a grin. He shook his head.

"I guess I don't realize how much I miss them all until I see them," he said. "Animals and all. That was the one thing we had in riches."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I really only had horses around me growing up, though there were the barn cats. But they stayed away from people. And then," he lifted one shoulder. "There weren't any animals at the Cloister that we were allowed to go near - too much of a distraction from lessons - at least not until I got Trenor."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Trenor's lovely," he said. "And a lovely color. Not done up like some of the horses in the Emerald City."

He shook his head.

"Shameful, what they do to them really. All in the name of appearance."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

And now Karal was staring at Liir. "What do they do to them?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Color them," he said. "There's horses of all sorts of colors in the Emerald City, powdered or dyed to match their master's colors or the ladies' choice or just something to thrill."

He shrugged.

"I never saw the point."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He scowled. "It doesn't matter what colour a horse is. It only matters what it can do and how it's trained. that it is healthy and sound. Dyeing horses is just foolish."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Most of the Emerald City seems to be presentation," he said with a shrug. "At least, the parts where there are horses at all. That wasn't where I was most of the time."