Sea Horses:
Chapter Twenty Six:
Amaira shifts at the palace gates, shaking her mane out. She strikes the ground impatiently, nickering to Killian. He mounts, still clumsy without the advantage of stirrups, but not as badly as before. His seat is mostly correct thankfully, and a few choice nips to his calves bring his legs into the right positions as well. He grabs a handful of her mane, and Amaira starts off at a walk. As Killian adjusts to the rhythm she sets, Amaira figures out the spots where he's most likely to fall when she speeds up. Compensating for his lack of skill, Amaira bypasses the trot and flows into a canter instead. Amaira slows to a walk just before they hit the beach to catch her breath. She can smell the salty tang of the shore, and she imagines it's only seconds from Killian smelling it as well. Her hooves start finding bits of sand in the hard packed dirt road they're traveling on. She whickers encouragingly to him, and Killian leans down, trying to see what she sees. Amaira feels him start to slip, and quickly halts before he can fall. He knows she caught him, and pats her neck gratefully. Amaira shakes her head, and starts off again. Her ears prick forward when she hears the cry of a sea gull, and she quickens her pace. Killian feels the change in pace, and tightens his grip. This is all the encouragement Amaira needs, and she surges forward in a gallop. She hears Killian's coat flap in the wind, and resists the urge to buck. There's a small log blocking their access to the now visible shoreline. Without thinking, Amaira shortens her stride, preparing to jump. Killian's slight shift on her back, causes he to remember her rider thankfully, and she slows to a walk before delicately stepping over the log in an almost prancing motion. This little action almost unseats Killian however, and she stops as soon as she's clear so he doesn't fall. Her pirate slides off, and holds her clothes out to her. She shifts back, sheepish grin on her face.
"Sorry, forgot for a second."
Killian smirks as she pulls her shirt over her head, followed by her sliding her riding pants up her legs, before finishing by tugging on her boots. Dressed, she looks up at him.
"Oh hush."
Killian puts his arms up innocently.
She smiles and leans against him as they walk towards the water. Out of the castle and faced by his beloved sea, her pirate is calmer. Amaira threads her fingers through his, swinging their arms slowly as they walk. There's no rush, and when they reach the shore, they pull off their boots and let the cool waves break over their toes before dragging the sand out from under their feet as the water retreats back into the sea. It's silent, save for the crash of the waves and distant cries of scavenging gulls. Killian stands, staring out at the sea even when Amaira drifts back to the shore to sit and draw patterns in the sand. She pulls a forgotten twig from the debris and sketches out her little buckskin horse. While Killian continues his staring contest with the sea Amaira fetches pebbles from the shore, before outlining her horse in them. Amaira's never done well with boredom, and soon there's a small herd of horses littering the beach. Her own buckskin form, Ash and Pirate from Silverfire, Coal the carriage horse, even Bunny the gray she just met today. She's collecting pebbles to finish up Beauty from her book when she breaks the silence with a squeal. Killian turns and starts towards her.
"Hello there! You're home's very lovely."
"Love who are you talking to?"
Amaira turns and shows Killian the hermit crab in her palm. The creature shrinks back into its shell when it sees Killian.
"It's alright, he won't hurt you."
Hesitantly the creature comes back out of its shell, looking up at Killian.
"Don't be rude pirate, say hello."
Killian decides to humor her, bowing to the small crustacean.
"Greetings fair sea-dweller."
Amaira giggles.
"Yes the pirate likes shiny things too. Killian let him see your hook."
Gingerly, Killian places his hook in her hand, careful not to let it bump the creature. The little crab pokes it before shooting back into its shell.
"Yes it's often cold."
She smiles mischievously up at him.
Amaira's brow furrows as she listens to the crab.
"Well I'll be sure to have a word with them if the nasty things let me get a word in edgewise."
She sets the crab down back on the beach, waving as it burrows back into the sand. Before Killian can ask what just happened, Amaira plants her feet and cups her hand to her mouth.
"Oi you lot!"
Amaira stamps her foot.
"Yes you, you bunch of squawking imbeciles!"
A few gulls lazily trickle down, landing on the beach before her.
"What's this I hear about you terrorizing the hermit crabs?"
The gulls start squawking again, flapping their wings at each other.
"I don't care who started it, I'm ending it! You've plenty to eat 'round here, so knock it off."
The gulls don't listen and Amaira snaps. Her clothes fall away as a snarling gray terrier mix pins one of the gulls to the ground.
"Let me put this in terms you'll understand bird-brains. I will put all the local dogs and cats on you feather-heads if you don't pick on someone your own size!"
The bird trapped under her offers one last squawk. It's quickly halted as her jaws snap inches from its head. She releases the bird who flaps down shore quickly.
"Now get outta here!" she growls before charging at the pack of gulls. The birds flap away quickly, but not before tugging at her ears and fur with their beaks.
"Idiots." she mutters as soon as she's human again.
She turns to Killian, "Before you ask the birds were bothering the crabs and deserved every bit of roughing up."
She puts her hands on her hips, nodding.
She curses as she looks up at the sky.
"We've got to go meet Red."
Killian flicks his head at the shore.
"I leave you alone for an hour and you litter the shore with ponies."
"Horses Killian, and if we want any chance of meeting Red to go the tavern we need to leave now.
"One thing love."
"Hmm?"
"Toss me your clothes."
She glances down.
"Damnit!"
She chucks her clothes at him.
"You bloody idiot pirate! You're worse than the birds."
He laughs.
"Careful Killian, I'm you're ride back."
That shuts him up, and Amaira smirks as she becomes her four-legged equine self once more.
They reach the palace, and Amaira stomps, annoyed. It's easy enough to shift out of clothes, not as easy to shift back into them. Killian laughs and dismounts. He pulls his coat off and holds it out, ready to catch her. Amaira shifts back and before she has time to process one set of legs, Killian has his coat around her, hiding her from prying eyes. She smiles up at him, and tugs on her riding pants beneath the coat. The shirt's harder to manage, but Killian's bulk hides her for the majority. Covered, Killian drops the coat, and Amaira pulls on her boots again.
"Off to find Red then."
"I thought she was finding us?"
"That's sweet Killian, but I've got the better nose."
She taps the aforementioned, and deliberately sniffs the air.
"She's in my room," Amaira growls.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"No," Amaira stalks through the palace gates, "She brought a dress."
Killian chuckles and jogs to catch up.
"Reeeeeed!" Amaira whines.
"Well hello to you too Amaira. I'm fine thanks for asking, and-why do you stink?"
"Gulls. And I don't stink, I just smell like the sea a bit."
"Well lucky for you I'm here because sweetie you smell like you rolled in it."
Killian's hardly noticed it, but whether it's due to the fact that Red has a wolf nose, or the fact that Killian practically lives in the ocean, he's not sure.
Amaira huffs, "I thought we were going to a bar."
"We are, so you have to look nice."
"Forgive me, but the alcohol generally makes everything look better."
Red laughs, "She's not drinking, and we have to make her gorgeous so the stupid bar harpies keep their claws off of her pirate."
"Her pirate?"
Amaira and Red both arch their eyebrows at him.
Killian wisely shuts his mouth.
"Now get out."
Killian looks rightly annoyed.
Amaira sighs, "please?"
Killian grumbles, but retreats to his own room.
"I don't think I could shift out of this corset as a mouse."
"Good, it's tight enough then."
Amaira coughs as Red sprays her with a mist.
"What is that?"
"Perfume; it'll cover up that...salty fish smell you're currently sporting."
Amaira shakes her head, but allows Red to fuss. The red dress she's wearing reminds her of the one Killian gave her, but the patterns and stitchings are different. Red takes the time to paint her lips red before Amaira's able to swat her away.
"Enough!"
Red smirks, glancing in the mirror and fixing herself.
"Can we go now?"
Red rolls her eyes, but relents.
"Go grab your pirate, carriage is waiting at the-"
Amaira slams the door behind her.
"Gates," Red finishes lamely.
Amaira's skirts rustle as they hurry down the hallways. Killian scowls as he tugs her aside to avoid slamming into yet another preoccupied noble heading for dinner.
"I swear if these idiots don't pull their heads out of their asses.."
Amaira pats his arm comfortingly, and they resume their walk. She's taller he realizes, and he manages to catch a glimpse of exactly why that is when she lifts her skirts to head down the stairs. Red's squeezed her into a set of matching heels as well, and Killian's shocked that she's walking so easily. Amaira, halfway down the stairs by now, stops and looks back.
"You coming?"
He nods, catching up to her.
"I've worn heels before you know. Plus there is the whole balance thing, so..."
Killian raises his eyebrow, surprised that she knew what he was thinking.
"What? I know you."
She shrugs, linking arms with him once again. They reach the gates where Red is waiting from inside the carriage. Amaira greets the team of horses pulling their carriage before joining the others. The ride over is quiet, Killian not comfortable, Red silently egging him on, and Amaira's too busy watching the passing forest with cat's eyes to deal with them. Killian glances at her again, and pulls his head back as he returns to Red's stare.
"Nervous pirate?"
"More annoyed than anything she-wolf."
"Do I have to separate you two?"
Amaira turns, annoyance evident.
"Course not. I'm being perfectly civil."
Amaira narrows her eyes, meeting Red's stare.
"I know what you're doing Red."
Red rolls her eyes, but leans back then, relaxing.
Amaira tries to steer them towards conversation, "So what bar are we going to?"
"The Black Dog. One of the better kept, while lacking most of the annoying royals."
"And it has nothing to do with the name?"
"No of course not," Red sniffs.
Amaira smirks knowingly.
"Okay a little bit, but it's still fun!"
Amaira returns to looking out the window, seeing the forest change into wooden houses, most with red roofs. The carriage stops outside a light gray bricked building, roof still the iconic red however. Amaira steps out first, Red and Killian following behind. Next to the door is an iron statue of a big black dog, while a wooden sign, displaying the bar's name, hangs over the door. Killian's hand comes to rest lightly on her waist as Red leads them into the bar. With the evening rapidly approaching, the bar is decently crowded, men sit at the bar itself, some talking animatedly to each other, while a few souls simply stare into the bottom of their glasses. Amaira feels a twinge of regret as she realizes Killian's crew won't be here to entertain them tonight. Killian's taking in the bar scene with mild interest, whereas Red just trots over to an empty table in back, chatting to a bar maid there.
Red waves them over.
"Amaira this is Diana. She and her boyfriend work in the stables."
"Nice to meet you,"
Amaira tentatively shakes hands with the girl.
"You work in the stables?"
"Mhmm, I'm just a groom, so nothing terribly important, but the pay's good."
"Oh gosh what are they like? Do they take care of the horses? How many are there? What breeds? What colors? Is it just war horses, or-"
Diana laughs, "Why don't you all sit down, and I'll fetch us a pitcher."
Amaira opens her mouth to protest.
"I promise I'll tell you all about the stables when I get back. I have a job ya know!"
Diana winks and walks off to fetch them drinks.
Red and Killian look at each other.
"Don't know about you, but if she's this hyper already I'm drinking the pitcher myself."
Killian nods in agreement, sinking into a chair.
"Love."
"Huh? Oh sorry."
She sits, but doesn't take her eyes off the door Diana left through.
"Amaira sweetie. The horses will still be there tomorrow. Relax have a little fun, huh?"
She blushes, a sheepish grin on her face. Killian sighs, slinging an arm around her and kissing the top of her head.
"What am I going to do with you."
Red grins, "Do tell pirate."
He shoots Red a wry grin. Despite her annoyance, the spirited she-wolf is growing on him he admits begrudgingly.
"How long does it take to get a drink or two? Maybe I should go help her."
"Sit," Red commands, "So what do you think of the kingdom so far?"
"'S beautiful and severely lacking in the horse department."
"Alright I give up. You're up pirate, what'd you and your crew do while I was playing dress up? Count gold, dig for buried treasure, irritate the ruling nobility-oops too late you did that already."
She grins at Killian, tongue in her cheek. He smirks back.
"Bit of sword-play actually, but can only keep the crew in line for so long. Knowing them, they're frequenting your lovely taverns and corrupting your young impressionable bar maids."
"Who you calling a "young impressionable bar maid there" captain?"
Diana's back, setting down huge mugs of some frothy ale in front of them."
"Ahh my reputation proceeds me."
"Actually the Prince sent out an alert to watch for smartass captains missing a hand. Hook's kinda a give-away, plus you know the all black, jewelry, and quite frankly you smell like something the fishermen would catch in their nets"
Killian smiles thinly.
"Apparently you are not to be trusted," She crosses her arms, "I miss anything."
Amaira raises her hand.
Red sighs, "If you say ponies I'll bite you myself."
Amaira's hand stays up.
"Or horses."
She grumbles, but lowers her hand.
"Sweetie you're just too predictable."
Diana points to Amaira, "She's not gonna let it go is she?"
Red, Killian, and Amaira all shake their heads at the same time. Diana snorts, and pulls a chair out next to them.
"Alright go ahead."
"How many horses are they? What breeds? What colors? War horses only, or hunters too? Is the prince one of the stupid people with just stallions, or does he have mares too? Is-"
"Okay okay slow down! Numbers, oh gosh I've no clue. A lot? I'm not the best with breeds, but I think somebody mentioned Arabians, oh and I know there's some kind of draft breed, although that kinda answers your next question. Yeah there's all kinds, but we're all focused on getting the war horses ready for the front. Not sure if they use the mares, but there's some with really cute foals!"
Amaira's absorbing every word, and her excitement is tangible.
"Sweetie calm. You can meet them tomorrow, promise, but tonight...Tonight we drink."
"Aye," Killian agrees, clinking glasses with Red and taking a hearty swig.
Amaira looks at the drink in front of her, and pushes it away.
"Sorry did you want something else?"
Amaira smiles, "No, it's fine I'm not drinking."
Diana's eyes widen, "Oh gosh congratulations! Sorry, but I didn't realize. You don't even look pregnant."
Killian does a spit take that would be hilarious if Amaira hadn't just gone white.
"Sorry what?" he manages out.
"You two?" Diana looks shocked.
"Is there something you need to tell me love?" Killian's voice sounds slightly strangled.
"What no! I'm not pregnant. Soooo not pregnant. Like soooo not pregnant! Don't drink cuz I...don't like to?"
Amaira swallows thickly.
Red can't keep it together anymore and just bursts out laughing, a few very unladylike like snorts escaping her as well. Tears roll down her cheeks as she tries to stop.
"Well," Diana's face rivals Amaira's scarlet hue, "This is awkward. You know what, I'm just gonna go."
Diana scurries away, and Amaira's face is still frozen in terror.
"Red's my na-nam-namesake sw-sweetie. Get you-your own!" Red falls into another fit of giggles, clutching her stomach.
"Make it stop!"
Killian doesn't look much better than Amaira, although he's gone white not red.
Red manages to calm herself, pinching her lip to keep the giggles in, "You should see your faces."
"Glad you find this so funny she-wolf," Killian chokes out.
Amaira recovers from her shock.
"She thought I was pregnant! What do I look pregnant?"
"No sweetie, no. That's why it's so funny!" The resounding fit of laughter is thankfully shorter.
"D's sweet, but she's missin' the whole common sense aspect. Sassy to rival you though daddy."
Killian's look sends both girls into hysterics.
"Okay maybe it is pretty funny,"Amaira gasps out.
"Yes let's all give the pirate a heart attack shall we?" Killian growls.
Red smacks him, "Don't pout pirate, have a drink."
Killian nods pointedly at his drink, downing half of it.
Much later in the evening, Red who had stubbornly been trying to keep up with Killian was quite drunk.
"See I luff you sweetie, even with all your quirks." Red boops her on the nose, and Amaira jerks her head back. She smiles worriedly as Red tilts her chair back. Killian's back then, too mugs sloshing over their tops with him. He sits them down, and Red hiccups.
"Haven't you had enough Red?"
"Pirate's still going and so am I."
"What's the harms love, lets the wolfs find her seas legs."
Killian's own words are starting to slur, but he's much better off than Red.
She shakes her head determinedly, "Not legs, paws!"
Red giggles at her own joke.
"Oookay. Why am I always the mature one."
Red raises her hand, "Ponies."
Killian guffaws at this, Red joining in.
"You're both horrible. I hope you know that."
Red takes a sip, still giggling as Killian slides into his seat.
"'S not horrible, we're both just pretty, ain't we pirate."
Red presses a sloppy kiss onto his cheek. Killian glances at Red bemusedly.
"I think I'm startings to see your point love."
"You think? Okay Red c'mon."
"What no? We's just gots here and I looove you both soooo much. Oh my gosh lookit this!"
Red stumbles over to the bookshelf, picking up a red glass wolf.
"Is me!"
"Yes it's you. Now put it down we're going."
Red pouts. Amaira holds out her hand. Cursing, Red drops it into her hand, and Amaira puts it back safely on the shelf.
"Good. Now heel. You too pirate!"
Amaira pushes Red out of the tavern. Amaira shivers; the night's got a bit of bite to it for an ending winter. Red stumbles out of the tavern, lifting her skirts and twirling slightly.
"Lookit the stars they'res so prettys!"
Amaira hmms in agreement and opens the carriage.
"In."
"Yes mumsy!" Red boops her on the nose again. Amaira motions for Killian to get in and then shuts the door behind them as she joins the drunken duo.
Red plays with her hair on the way back, clumsily braiding bits of it. When they arrive at the castle, Amaira sniffs the air to find Red's room. Unfortunately Red's scent is pretty much over the entire castle. Some are staler however, so she's able to lead them to the general vicinity.
"Red where on earth is your room?"
"That one," Red points.
"That says the Grand Duke. Last time I checked, you weren't him."
"Ooopsie wolfies."
She turns furrowing her brow, looking at the hall.
"Thats ones."
Red strides off to the room before Amaira can stop her and walks in. Red however is correct that this is her room, judging from the cloak hung carefully by the door. Killian steps inside, taking in the mostly neat room before him.
"I'll meet you in my room?"
Amaira nods and picks up a hairbrush off the floor, placing it on the table beside her. Red flops down on the edge of her bed, before dragging the blankets to her, creating somewhat of a nest.
"Are you good?" Amaira asks gently.
The only response she gets is a soft snore. Amaira sighs and walks out to join Killian in his room. A flash of red on the table catches her eye however. Stupid pirate.
"Your she-wolf just doesn't knows whens to quits does she?"
Amaira shoots him a look.
"I have an excuse love, 'm a pirates."
"Yes yes you're a pirate. Red'll try and keep up with you despite that. And I saw what you left her Killian."
Killian shrugs, feigning innocence, "I've no ideas what you'res talkings about."
"Crystal wolf on the table? Yes you do. Red, if she remembers, is gonna kill you in the morning."
Killian raises an eyebrow, "and you're not?"
Amaira sighs, "At this point I'd expect nothing less. You have quite the inclination towards shiny things after all. Not happy, but I really can't imagine you doing anything else. Just keep it harmless yeah?"
"Mostly."
Amaira rolls her eyes.
"Pirate."
"Thinks we've beens over this."
"Ha ha very funny. Now go to sleep."
Killian looks confused.
"Horses are tomorrow, and I guarantee we'll be riding."
"You could start riding now," Killian mutters with a half-smirk.
"You know what, I'm gonna be nice and pretend I didn't hear that. Have fun by yourself, I'm sleeping."
Killian grumbles, but pulls his shirt off, and places his hook on the bedside table. He clambers in with her, purposely jostling the entire bed.
"You are such an ass."
"Mmm, but you love me anyways."
She hits his arm lightly, but Killian only chuckles and pulls her against him, kissing the top of her head.
"Nights love."
Author's Note:
Thank you to anyone who has followed, favorited, or reviewed.
So first of all my heart goes out to all the people of Boston! Be safe loves!
Second, I'd apologize for this being so late, but I just seem to be doing that every chapter. Life is busy, and I write when I can. But if it's an consolation, I sat down and wrote the entire 29th chapter today. So onto chapter 30!
Thirdly, this was one of my favorite chapters to write! If you can't tell by now, I love dialogue, specially when it's funny.
Hopefully y'all are still with me because chapter 29 is awesome. Because reasons. Okay I'm done.
And Once comes back Sunday! So flipping excited, it's going to be amazing!
Until next time lovelies- Reveiws are much loved and adoringly read over and over.
Thanks for Reading,
TheSparkedInfinity