Lucy Knight— Thanks for the tips from the last chapter. I'm continuing to make the chapters longer (and believe me they will) once the fluff starts up…and when they FINALLY get to Pirate's Swoop!
Aussie-Soccerfreak4— Thanks for reviewing! Glad you can pictures them. Neal is quite um…an interesting character. Might wanna read the books to get a good picture of him. And Alanna…one of my favorites!
Back to the story anyway:
It was almost midday when Kel, who had been deep in thought, snapped out of her dazed state and actually noticed Alanna.
"Love isn't necessarily a bad thing Kel," Alanna put in.
But before Kel could do so much as open her mouth to further question Alanna, the Lioness had kicked Starfire into a canter to get to the front of the group with Raoul. Kel, meanwhile, was left to ponder this thought by herself. Or so she thought.
Neal on the other hand had other ideas. Kel swiveled on her mount to see who had ridden up to her. Exactly the last person she wanted to see.
I am a lake. Kel thought, her mask slipping into place as she urged Peachblossom on.
Neal had caught up to her by now and again, Kel had begun to feel a little giddy like she had that morning. Stop it! Kel screamed at herself slamming the giddiness into a far off corner.
They rode on in awkward silence for ages until Neal cleared his throat, attempting to speak. (A/N—notice how I said ATTEMPT…our dear Meathead is lost for words…that might be a first). However, his mouth refused to say what both his head and more importantly, what his heart wanted him to say so badly.
"Kel…I…I…I," Neal whispered uncomfortably matching her hazel eyes with his as he wished the words would magically pop out.
Magewhisper had inched closer so that Kel could hear Neal. In doing so, they had taken a huge risk.
Deciding to try again, Neal stuttered, "I…I…I—OUCH!"
Peachblossom had chosen that moment to lunge and bite Neal. Magewhisper jumped sideways at her rider's yelp and Neal was nearly unseated. Kel had the harder task of yanking Peachblossom to the side, a good distance from Magewhisper and Neal.
"Peachblossom behave!" Kel scowled, scolding her mount like a small child.
Neal on the other hand, touched an emerald green hand to his lower leg, using his Gift to heal himself.
"And Neal what were you trying to say before being interrupted by this monster?" Kel asked pointing at Peachblossom.
"I…uh…it was nothing, Kel." Neal stammered as redness surfaced onto his cheeks. Mentally, he kicked himself. You COULD'VE just told her you dolt! Neal thought annoyed at himself. He settled for just riding with her—he'd have to be for now.
Wonder why Neal was acting so not like himself. Kel contemplated. Banishing that thought from her mind, Kel trotted up towards the rest of their crowd, Neal following.
Pretty please click that bluish gray button. It's lonely. --bats eyelashes--
Promise it'll get more interesting next chappie…more fluff coming soon!