Marianne scurried about her tent, gathering her belongings. Today was the day to leave, and the Edmund girl had always despised getting used to sleeping somewhere new. She had wondered if it was foolish not to pack up the night prior, knowing anxiety would follow once she had begun putting things away.
"Hello, Marianne-"
"Eep!" The blue haired girl jumped back. "Um, I'm not ready to go yet… wait, Ashe?"
A friendly smile on Ashe's face helped to relax Marianne. "Sorry to bother you, Marianne, but I wanted to check on you. Would it be alright if I took a moment of your time?"
The priestess normally would have requested privacy in her room, but having Ashe in it… didn't feel threatening to her. "Sure, Ashe. And, good morning," she replied, no longer startled by her kindred visitor.
"Good morning!"
Ashe felt nice knowing he really was allowed in Marianne's tent. It was a bold move, to visit her in her quarters, but he had hoped his friend wouldn't mind him being there, considering their closeness as of late. He might have played it safer if it weren't urgent.
"How are you feeling?" Ashe asked her. "Did you get some rest? Any nice dreams?"
"I did," Marianne nodded, unsure if she should continue. "There was one dream, but it wasn't nice… I always get anxious when I have to move."
The archer frowned at hearing that. "That's unfortunate. Would it comfort you if I gave you a hug?" he asked, his arms already outstretched to her.
The Edmund girl made eye contact with him, considering it. Ashe has got a gentle touch, but… Maybe it'd be best if I didn't.
"I'd like to… but, um… you should-"
Marianne's thought was halted when her friend approached her, standing within arm's reach.
Okay… if you insist. A smile found its way to Marianne's face as she indulged herself, taking Ashe into her embrace. Her head found its way to his shoulder.
Despite Marianne's cold body, Ashe felt warm inside when he held her. A surprise took him when he felt a drip on his shoulder.
"Marianne, you're crying..? Are you okay?" he asked, concerned. He rubbed her back slowly, hoping to soothe her.
"Ashe, I… this is silly," the priestess confided. "I'm sorry for still riding you yesterday. I saw you after Hilda had ridden you, and you were exhausted."
"Huh?" Ashe asked. "But that was because of Hilda, not you. If I could ask Hilda to-"
"It was my fault," Marianne piped up. "If I had been more patient, and just waited for another time, you wouldn't have had to work so hard for Hilda. I didn't stand up for you when she refused to let you have a break, either. I'm a terrible friend."
Ashe's blood rushed as he felt a few more teardrops on his shoulders. "Hey, Marianne, it's okay-"
But the priestess pulled away, leaving her friend's embrace. She wiped her sleeve across her face.
"I think it should just be Hilda riding you. She has to be a nicer rider than me. She's probably more fun, too…"
Actually… Ashe thought to himself. I wish you knew how wrong you are…
"Marianne, it's okay! I'm happy to let both of you ride on me if you want," he affirmed.
"No, you're just saying that to be nice to me," the girl rebuked.
"I mean it," Ashe said, taking her hand in hers. "It's fun. And you are kind to me too, aren't you? You and… Hilda… both."
Marianne fell into his arms again; her mount readily caught her. "Hilda makes you work really hard, doesn't she? It's because I let it slip that she started riding you too. I can't imagine our friendship has been beneficial for you," she explained.
He saw her heart being beared to him, and so he spoke to her again, openly as he could. "I've enjoyed getting to know you, Marianne. I'll admit that… when you ride me, it makes me feel nice. Like I'm having the time of my life with my friend, who's having the time of their life with me. It makes me feel appreciated. And when you pet me, I get fuzzy feelings in my face."
His jockey clutched him tightly. "I'm truly glad you enjoy it. And you feel similar about Hilda?"
Ashe paused, considering how to answer- how much honesty, and how much optimism would be necessary here? He released her from his arms, but still left his hands in hers, reassuring his friend with his touch.
"Hilda's… fun, but not as much fun as you. She's not so graceful like you are… she's more like a drill instructor." Whoops, too much honesty! "But, I think I'm getting to know her too, and I'm getting more practice at this to bring back to you! I like that she always gives me a nice challenge. And it's always worth the work to grow!"
Marianne smiled, taking his answer with the optimism his voice presented.
"I have noticed you're getting stronger, Ashe," she complimented. "Your arms are looking a bit bigger, and you've been dashing for longer when I ride."
Ashe alighted his hands from hers.
"Thank you for the compliment, Marianne," he said, beaming. "That reminds me! I actually came here because I had an idea- for the move today."
"Oh?" the Edmund girl led. "What's your idea?"
He whispered into her ear, as if telling a juicy secret. "What if you rode me to the new base camp?"
Marianne held in her excitement at his readiness for her. But still, she advised him. "Ashe, I'd love to, but… this is ambitious, don't you think? Could we really travel all that distance? Not to mention, others might see you- wouldn't you be embarrassed being seen like that?"
Well, yeah, it'll be embarrassing… he thought. But Ashe could clearly hear that she wanted him to say yes.
"If moving gives you anxiety, I'd like to help you relieve it. And if Hilda can give me a challenge, why can't you? With you as my rider, I bet we could do it!"
Marianne's eyes shimmered as the tears that had fallen changed their meaning.
"You're my best friend, Ashe."
She leaned forward, and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"I'll see you when we leave. And please, stretch yourself out plenty!"
The silver-haired young man nodded, and gave a gentle wave as he exited her tent.
Truly, I just wanted to make sure Hilda couldn't get to me for this, but Marianne, I'd love to make you happy today… Best friend.
Remembering his original reason for talking to her this morning, he leaned back so that he could follow-up their meeting with some assurance.
"Just you, okay?" he asked, leaving back towards the tent. "Again, Hilda's fun, but I'd rather carry you for today."
"Sure. I bet Hilda can be patient for this walk if I speak with her." Marianne responded.
Perfect!
"It's really thoughtful of you to try to cheer me up today," Marianne thanked. "One more time, I want to ask you if you're ready?"
Ashe, poised on his fours, adjusted the bit in his mouth as he looked at Marianne. The rest of the Golden Deer covered the remaining space on the road, loading belongings onto carts and carriages. Of those who were already prepared to leave, Lysithea looked at the pair, a studious look on her face as she spectated their arrangement. Marianne leaned over where she stood, looking down at her friend on their hands and knees.
"Yesh, of course!" he affirmed, nodding. "Whenever you're readie, mound me, Marianne."
"Of course," she echoed, nodding right back.
She walked beside him, and lifted a leg over to straddle him. When she knew he was ready, Marianne lowered herself, stacking her yellow lounging clothes on top of his matching blue loungewear. She gripped her hands on the reins, and slipped her feet into the stirrups, readying herself to begin the trek ahead of them. Crop in hand, and spurs on shoes, the Edmund girl was now fully in her "riding mode". But a small, quiet moment passed where they had to wait for their company to become in motion.
Ashe appreciated this moment for what it was. Not a word was being exchanged between him and Marianne, and yet they felt connected as a blade would be to a hilt. Ashe looked up at Marianne, who looked back down at him, offering a kindle of eye contact. He smiled at her. The Edmund girl reached to his head and petted him, expressing her gratitude for being carried.
But soon after their displays of amity, the carts beside them were set off. Marianne gave him his cue.
Fwip!
"Giddyup," she cheered, her voice coming out lightly.
Hilda, at the back of the caravan, grumbled to herself.
He really pulled a fast one on me, signing up for Marianne today, she brooded. "Hi, Hilda. Ashe wanted me to let you know that he'll be happy to let you ride him another day, but he wanted some more time with me today… I hope you won't be upset." Ugh. Ashe had known what she said to him!
"How do you think I'm gonna get to the new campsite? I can't walk all that way!"
And yet, here she was, preparing herself to sit in one of the rickety, stiff, and splintery wooden carts, about to be dreadfully bored all day. She'd brought her gear, changed into her loungewear, and gotten herself psyched for some long-distance riding when her friend Marianne delivered the message.
Ugh!
"Hilda, are you alright? You look upset about something." A meek voice called out from one of the carts. Hilda recognized the voice as Ignatz.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she responded. "I'll be in in a moment."
"Alright," the painter concluded. "Petra and I will wait inside the cart then.
Suddenly, a little idea popped into her mind.
"Actually," she added. "Ignatz, could you come over here? I've got a job for you."
The first hour or so of the ride was relatively quiet, as both knew they'd had a lot of distance to go. An hour into the ride, Ashe was surprised as he heard Marianne begin to hum. She rode beside carts full of others, yet she was comfortable humming? He smiled, taking it as a good sign of her mood.
"So, Ashe," Marianne spoke, relaxing her posture on top of his ribs, "Let's talk a bit, since we've got a long way to go. Shall we?"
"Shure," He agreed, readiness audible in his tone. "Whad do you wand to talg aboud?"
"Hmm…" the jockey mused. "Well, have you been able to hear any more animals?"
"I wash too bushy yestherdey to listhen, but… we could find mor animal friendsh soon if you wand."
"Yes, let's!" Marianne agreed. "We will do that soon!
Ashe enjoyed feeling her perk up at his idea. "Ogay. I haf a queshtion. Are you comferdable ub there?" He asked, requiting her conversation as best he could while he was still being her mount.
"Yes, very! You're very comfortable to sit on, Ashe."
"Ha," he huffed through the bit. "Hilda shaid the shame fing."
"That's because we're telling the truth! And you're steady, too. Your form has only gotten better since we started," Marianne said, a hint of pride in her voice.
"Fank you," Ashe responded.
"Thank you, Ashe!" she beamed. "You've been ever so obedient to me. It's very sweet of you."
Fwip! Marianne cracked the reins as a gesture of control.
Ashe lowered his head, shyly accepting her praise with a ruby color across his face.
"Well, I… I lighe being yor frien. Yor gendle, too… sho I'll habbily obey you if you wand me to," he offered.
"I think we compliment each other nicely. Don't you agree?" the noblewoman asked, sitting tall atop her mount.
Ashe nodded in response.
"Say, Ashe, would you be okay with doing some running? I know you need to conserve your energy today, so it's alright if not."
The archer did want to conserve stamina, but…
"I shupposhe we can haf some fun if you wand!"
He so hated saying no to Marianne.
"Okay, ready?"
Marianne tapped his right side with her hand, as a gesture that she was about to give him his cue. She raised her crop behind her, and smiled as she swatted his rear.
THWACK!
"Go!"
Ashe nearly jumped forward, racing as Marianne had commanded him. Though she'd asked him to go fast, there was no need to set a record here, and so he took it easier than he had in the past.
THWACK!
Marianne wanted to go faster? It stung his rear more than usual when he was caught by surprise like that. Nonetheless, he obeyed, and ran harder. But, having gotten too comfortable, Marianne's balance faltered.
"Great! Woah, Ashe, hold on!" the Edmund girl yelled, pulling back the reins to stop him. "Hehehe! That was a bit more than I expected."
Aww… I've not heard Marianne giggle before.
"Okay. Maybe I'd better just let you trot," Marianne concluded. "We can do some racing on another day."
Probably for the best, Ashe thought, winded.
Marianne kicked her spurs into Ashe's sides, signaling him to resume their trek. Pleased with the result of their little game, she hummed for a moment- but went silent after realizing they had a third party who'd snuck up beside them.
"Oh! Lorenz, I didn't see you there," she announced.
"Greetings, Marianne. And Ashe, hello to you too," Lorenz said, walking beside them. The archer glanced up, offering Lorenz a smile as if to say I'm okay. Then he looked back at Marianne, whose attention was now fixed in front of Lorenz. Her signature form of avoiding eye contact when socializing. Perhaps he should listen in, and see how she does in conversation?
"I would have made my presence known, but I was curious as to what you were doing, so I paused and studied. I hope I didn't startle you," Lorenz added. "Marianne, I must say, I didn't see something like this coming- not from you. You are aware of the power you hold over the commoner by mounting him like that, aren't you?"
Ashe's face grew blue as the worst had begun. He'd known Marianne tended to worry for him, on top of being scared of confrontation.
"Um…" the priestess brooded. Ashe could feel her droop lower on his back as he crawled. "Lorenz, I think… umm…"
This was bad, but… Ashe couldn't look back at her just yet. He continued trotting, keeping pace with the concerned Lorenz.
The nobleman put his hand to his face. "Surely one of the carts would be suitable to ride on, instead of the poor Faerghus boy? He looks positively exhausted."
Marianne didn't like this one bit. Lorenz knew not of her and Ashe's relationship… but was he right? Did Ashe truly not enjoy it when she jockeyed him? She gazed down at the silver-haired archer. Her mount, feeling her concerned gaze, looked back at her. Though Ashe was beginning to get tired, he wouldn't let Lorenz hurt his friend's feelings. So he smiled at her, as if to say, Really, I'm okay!
"Actually, Lorenz," Marianne continued, with the strength Ashe had offered her, "Ashe and I are good friends."
"Friends?" Lorenz inquired. "It looks to me more like you're his master, and as one of your fellow nobles, I must question if you're treating him properly."
The noblewoman had not been prepared for an argument, and her gaze fluttered around as she tried to formulate a response. She looked down at Ashe, and tried to speak.
Understanding that his jockey had hit a wall, the mount spoke up. "Itsh okay, Lorensh. I'm habby to serf Marianne."
Lorenz looked to Ashe's eyes, and attempted to gauge whether the truth was being told. The archer bucked gently, bouncing his jockey on top of him.
Taking her cue, Marianne followed up. "If he didn't want me to ride him, he wouldn't be letting me, would he?" she earnestly inquired.
"Hm. I suppose it's alright, if the commoner truly is willing. But I'm not sure I understand. Why exactly are you riding him?"
Ashe's mouth tensed on the bit, anxious at how Marianne would take the question.
"We started so that we could get to know each other," she eloquently continued. "But I found out how much fun it is to ride on Ashe, and so we've been doing this exercise for a while now."
"Hm," Lorenz mused, making his dissatisfaction with her explanation obvious.
The noblewoman tapped Ashe's sides, getting his attention. "Look, Lorenz. I'll show you how we work together."
Commanding the attention of the nobleman, Marianne proceeded on.
"If I pull the reins back, he'll stop," she said, displaying the technique. Ashe carefully followed her lead.
"And if I give him a spur," she continued, kicking her heels into his sides, "He'll trot again."
Lorenz considered their movements. Ashe did appear familiar with this arrangement- perhaps it wasn't worth worrying about?
"To go faster, I give him a tap with the crop!"
THWACK!
"A tap"? Thought the archer, as he obliged her order anyways.
"Marianne, stop!" Lorenz practically shrieked at the sight of her discipline. "Don't hurt the commoner!"
The priestess pulled Ashe back, braking back down to a trot. Dejected, she gazed down.
"I must request you dismount him at once," Lorenz affirmed.
"I'm ogay," Ashe offered, trying to sound truthful. "Lorensh, itsh ogay."
"Lorenz, I…" Marianne stuttered, unsure how to respond. But looking down, she remembered all the fun that she'd had with her silver-haired friend… And sitting on top of him, confidence welled up within her. Taking a breath before, she spoke again.
"Ashe agreed to be my mount. And I'm happy to ride him. If he wanted me to let him walk, he'd tell me. So please, Lorenz. Let us be."
The nobleman was thoroughly surprised by her response. If Marianne insisted, and Ashe had no complaint… then there was no reason for him to intervene, was there? He'd not seen Marianne argue with anybody before. Perhaps he was being stubborn.
"Very well," Lorenz said. "But do make sure you treat him with respect, Marianne. Give him a break when he wants one."
"Yes," the priestess agreed, willing to compromise with Lorenz's permission. "I'll speak with you later, if you like, Lorenz, but I was talking to Ashe before you came here. I'd like to resume our conversation."
Ashe could feel a dignified grip on his midsection, and cheered Marianne on inside his head. While he actually could use a break about now, as it'd been quite some time since their departure, he preferred to value the display of confidence inside the noble on top of him over getting rest.
"Very well. Have a splendid ride, Marianne von Edmund, and Ashe," Lorenz concluded, taking a bow before walking back to one of the carriages.
Once Lorenz had walked out of earshot, the blue-haired girl spoke to her mount.
"Lorenz can be… a bit willful sometimes," she said, relieved that he'd left.
"Yor confidensh ish getting bedder," Ashe giddily pointed out.
Marianne, stunned, leaned back. He was right. Normally, her anxiety meant she'd have had no chance of winning an argument against Lorenz. But sitting on top of Ashe, feeling powerful as she controlled his every movement… had shown her how to be a bit more brazen. The mount could feel her vindication through her waist and thighs on top of him.
"Thank you, my sweet mount," Marianne commented, a hint of superiority audible to Ashe as she petted him.
Feeling appreciation for his hard work, the priestess scooted forward, sitting closer to Ashe's head. Sitting up here felt a bit more intimate. The archer endured a bit more weight on his arms, but... it was nice to see Marianne's knees in his peripheral vision. Her hands held the reins closer to his ears, sheltering him from the wind. Her pillowy butt rested on top of his ribcage, so he could feel even the slightest changes in her posture under her hips and thighs.
"Let's not let Lorenz distract us from the ride. Stay focused, Ashe…" the blue-haired girl instructed.
THWACK!
"Giddyup!" she giggled, as a bright smile emerged on her face.