Disclaimer: I disclaim the disclaimer of the disclaimed story below. And
if you have any idea what I just said, please tell me what it means, cause
I sure don't know.
Muse responsible: Krathnae.
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[Free time. I love free time,] thought Kamaria as she walked through Companion's Field with Alain, Ramya, and Sitara after supper.
"Shield!" said Alain, smiling at her.
Kamaria checked her shields again. "Why did my Gift spring up so fast?" she asked Alain.
"Well, some of it was active that night you ran away," said Alain, slowly, "And being Chosen enhances the Gifts."
Kamaria nodded and kept walking. Inside, she was wondering what exactly had happened in Weapons class.
"Kamaria?" asked Alain.
"Weapons class was rather odd, today," said Kamaria, slowly, "Have you ever gone into a trance when you were fighting?"
"No....." said Alain, looking at Kamaria a bit oddly.
"Oh."
Kamaria mused over it for a while, at least, until Sitara said, :Quit worrying over it. You're making my head itch.:
Kamaria grinned at her Companion and changed the subject.
"How long have you been at the Collegium?" she asked.
Alain paused in his stride. "You know....." he mused, "Three years, give or take, but somehow it seems like forever."
Ramya nudged Alain, to keep him going. "I can't imagine being without her," says Alain, turning and smiling at Ramya.
:Let's ride!: said Sitara.
:Not hungry?: jibed Ramya. Sitara glared at her. :Pleeease?: she said, looking at Kamaria.
Kamaria melted under the influence of the pleading blue eye.
In answer, she moved to the left side of Sitara and managed to mount. "Coming?" she asked Alain.
In answer, Alain vaulted lightly onto Ramya's back. "Show-off," muttered Kamaria, shifting on Sitara.
Sitara sprang into a trot, then a canter. Kamaria again marveled at how smooth her paces were.
They rode as the sun began to set, not going that fast-for a Companion, anyway-and ended up in the trees.
There were shadows among them already, though it had barely started to darken outside.
Kamaria dismounted, followed by Alain. The Companions glanced at each other.
Sitara nudged Ramya, and in an unspoken agreement, both of them turned.
And left the Herald-Trainees standing by a rather mossy stump, under a few trees.
"Hey! Get back here!" called Kamaria. "Where are you going?"
:Good night, Chosen,: said Sitara, amusement in her mind-voice before she left Kamaria's range.
Alain stared after Ramya. "What-no-what gave you that idea?" he shouted after her.
Ramya politely screened their bond.
Kamaria flopped to the ground. "What did Ramya say?"
Alain kept staring after Ramya, his cheeks slowly suffusing red.
Kamaria stared at him-then blushed herself. "Oh, you mean-did she say to have a good night?"
The deeper red staining Alain's cheeks was enough.
"Ah," said Kamaria, going even more crimson.
"Matchmaking white horses," Alain muttered, at last flopping onto the ground a few feet from Kamaria.
"What gave them that idea?" asked Kamaria, still highly embarrassed.
"Well...from what I picked up before she blocked me, Ramya thinks we're lifebonded and that's enough."
"WHAT?"
"Exactly my point."
"I-I-I'm going to slap that horse upside the head!" exclaimed Kamaria, turning still redder. "Just because we-doesn't mean-not-rabbits," she finished, mostly in a mutter.
Alain looked at Kamaria curiously. "What's this about rabbits?"
"Just...something...my older brother used to say," muttered Kamaria, turning her flaming cheeks away from Alain.
Alain thought for a moment. His eyebrows rose. "You said you were going to slap her upside the head?"
"Yes?"
"Let me do the first one."
"All yours. And...I won't give any treats to Sitara."
"Ooh. That's mean."
"Well, it'll teach her not to assume that-um-and that some things are just not her business!"
"I can see your point there..."
"What to do now?" asked Kamaria, at last fighting her blushes under control.
"Well...since our rides have walked away, I suppose we'll just have to wander back to the Collegium on our own," said Alain.
[That Healer-she said the same thing as Sitara,] Kamaria suddenly remembered. [The moonflower powder-make that two slaps upside the head and a withholding of treats.]
"It's best not to go slapping Healers upside the head. Just in general," said Alain.
"Am I that obvious?" said Kamaria, blinking at him and bringing her shields back up.
"Not to everyone, I don't think, but we are lifebonded."
"True."
There was a companionable silence for a while. Kamaria leaned against the stump, uncaring of any moss-stains, though she'd probably regret that later when her turn on Laundry came around, and Alain sprawled on the ground.
"Look. A star," said Alain, pointing.
Kamaria glanced up. "First one today."
"I thought the clouds wouldn't clear up..."
"Guess they did."
"Ever wish upon a star?"
Kamaria considered the question for a moment. "Yes. I used to a lot when I was younger-and I remember it was usually just one particular wish."
Alain glanced at Kamaria. "Mind enlightening me?"
"It was foolish, really. A girl's dreams."
"I won't laugh."
"I wished I would get Chosen..."
"Wish granted. Notice the white horse? Blue eyes, name of Sitara?" There was a grin in Alain's voice. "Loves to eat?"
"I wasn't finished," said Kamaria.
"Sorry."
Kamaria looked over at Alain. "I wished I'd get Chosen, then find my lifebonded."
Alain sat up from his sprawl and looked at her. A smile spread over his face.
"Wish granted," he said, moving a few feet to lean against the stump just beside Kamaria.
Kamaria looked at him. "Did you have a wish?"
"I wished tonight. In Mindspeech."
Kamaria considered this. "Can a star hear Mindspeech?"
"I don't know."
"What was your wish?"
:This,: said Alain, very quietly, in her mind.
He leaned over a few inches and kissed her.
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Awww! Some fluff there at the end. And no, silly horses-*glares at Sitara and Ramya* Tonight it was just a kiss. Krathnae said so. And I'm sure you don't want to argue with the gryphon?
*Sitara and Ramya try to look innocent*
*Krathnae glares*
:...fine. But we will strike again!: (That was both of them.)
Fireblade: *grumble* I think we'll have to start a Matchmaking Companion's Anonymous.
Forgive me for not updating in such a long time. Hopefully there was enough fluff to carry you to the next installation?
Reviewers! Thank you for bearing with me! You get ice-cream cake today!
Cat McDougall: You mentioned you were glad they didn't just fall into bed. Well, they didn't, and they aren't going to until I say so. I think it's a better story that way.
Cybele, Goddess of wild beasts: Wow, you have a long penname. Thank you for your review. And the gryphon is behaving.
Darkfyre: Simulacrums-I thought they got to you. Hmm. Krathnae?
*hands over simulacrums, continues scribbling*
I think he's working on the next chapter. Good muse. *scratches crest* All is forgiven, Krathnae!
And no, I didn't get your e-mail, but that's cos my e-mail is completely screwed. Ah well. Ask Sena to buzz me on Elftown, if you really need to get in touch with me.
Cookxenya: ...this isn't exactly soon, but it's there, ne?
Kierseth: And yay for Kierseth, too!
Rat Mouse: It isn't that much featured in this chapter, but I think there will be several amusing opportunities for Sitara begging for food later.
BrokenSkye: Thank you for your review.
Cookxenya: Wow, how'd you manage to review twice...?
Maybe it has something to do with me having to remove Reviewerthanking.
Darkfyre: And you, too? Wow, something's screwy...ah well. Yes, she switched into "warrior" mode. The Weaponsmaster is going to have to train her to widen her focus, though.
Cybele, Goddess of Wild Beasts: Yup, think it's cos of Reviewerthanking. Kamaria went into a trance-thingy...just...cause. She's a natural with the rapier. Maybe it's inherited? From her daddy, Lord-General Garethe?
Faeborn2930: Nope, not a Gift, I don't think.
Cerulean Sky: ...again, this isn't precisely soon, but ah well.
Shadowblade: Well, her Mindspeech was already partly there, and everyone knows that being Chosen strengthens Gifts a lot...she's about the right age, too. Perhaps being lifebonded to Alain, who's at least part-trained has something to do with it.
Hawk: Thank you for the review. Ice-cream cake?
BrokenSkye: Thank you!
And as always, reviews are loved!
~Fireblade K'Chona
Muse responsible: Krathnae.
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[Free time. I love free time,] thought Kamaria as she walked through Companion's Field with Alain, Ramya, and Sitara after supper.
"Shield!" said Alain, smiling at her.
Kamaria checked her shields again. "Why did my Gift spring up so fast?" she asked Alain.
"Well, some of it was active that night you ran away," said Alain, slowly, "And being Chosen enhances the Gifts."
Kamaria nodded and kept walking. Inside, she was wondering what exactly had happened in Weapons class.
"Kamaria?" asked Alain.
"Weapons class was rather odd, today," said Kamaria, slowly, "Have you ever gone into a trance when you were fighting?"
"No....." said Alain, looking at Kamaria a bit oddly.
"Oh."
Kamaria mused over it for a while, at least, until Sitara said, :Quit worrying over it. You're making my head itch.:
Kamaria grinned at her Companion and changed the subject.
"How long have you been at the Collegium?" she asked.
Alain paused in his stride. "You know....." he mused, "Three years, give or take, but somehow it seems like forever."
Ramya nudged Alain, to keep him going. "I can't imagine being without her," says Alain, turning and smiling at Ramya.
:Let's ride!: said Sitara.
:Not hungry?: jibed Ramya. Sitara glared at her. :Pleeease?: she said, looking at Kamaria.
Kamaria melted under the influence of the pleading blue eye.
In answer, she moved to the left side of Sitara and managed to mount. "Coming?" she asked Alain.
In answer, Alain vaulted lightly onto Ramya's back. "Show-off," muttered Kamaria, shifting on Sitara.
Sitara sprang into a trot, then a canter. Kamaria again marveled at how smooth her paces were.
They rode as the sun began to set, not going that fast-for a Companion, anyway-and ended up in the trees.
There were shadows among them already, though it had barely started to darken outside.
Kamaria dismounted, followed by Alain. The Companions glanced at each other.
Sitara nudged Ramya, and in an unspoken agreement, both of them turned.
And left the Herald-Trainees standing by a rather mossy stump, under a few trees.
"Hey! Get back here!" called Kamaria. "Where are you going?"
:Good night, Chosen,: said Sitara, amusement in her mind-voice before she left Kamaria's range.
Alain stared after Ramya. "What-no-what gave you that idea?" he shouted after her.
Ramya politely screened their bond.
Kamaria flopped to the ground. "What did Ramya say?"
Alain kept staring after Ramya, his cheeks slowly suffusing red.
Kamaria stared at him-then blushed herself. "Oh, you mean-did she say to have a good night?"
The deeper red staining Alain's cheeks was enough.
"Ah," said Kamaria, going even more crimson.
"Matchmaking white horses," Alain muttered, at last flopping onto the ground a few feet from Kamaria.
"What gave them that idea?" asked Kamaria, still highly embarrassed.
"Well...from what I picked up before she blocked me, Ramya thinks we're lifebonded and that's enough."
"WHAT?"
"Exactly my point."
"I-I-I'm going to slap that horse upside the head!" exclaimed Kamaria, turning still redder. "Just because we-doesn't mean-not-rabbits," she finished, mostly in a mutter.
Alain looked at Kamaria curiously. "What's this about rabbits?"
"Just...something...my older brother used to say," muttered Kamaria, turning her flaming cheeks away from Alain.
Alain thought for a moment. His eyebrows rose. "You said you were going to slap her upside the head?"
"Yes?"
"Let me do the first one."
"All yours. And...I won't give any treats to Sitara."
"Ooh. That's mean."
"Well, it'll teach her not to assume that-um-and that some things are just not her business!"
"I can see your point there..."
"What to do now?" asked Kamaria, at last fighting her blushes under control.
"Well...since our rides have walked away, I suppose we'll just have to wander back to the Collegium on our own," said Alain.
[That Healer-she said the same thing as Sitara,] Kamaria suddenly remembered. [The moonflower powder-make that two slaps upside the head and a withholding of treats.]
"It's best not to go slapping Healers upside the head. Just in general," said Alain.
"Am I that obvious?" said Kamaria, blinking at him and bringing her shields back up.
"Not to everyone, I don't think, but we are lifebonded."
"True."
There was a companionable silence for a while. Kamaria leaned against the stump, uncaring of any moss-stains, though she'd probably regret that later when her turn on Laundry came around, and Alain sprawled on the ground.
"Look. A star," said Alain, pointing.
Kamaria glanced up. "First one today."
"I thought the clouds wouldn't clear up..."
"Guess they did."
"Ever wish upon a star?"
Kamaria considered the question for a moment. "Yes. I used to a lot when I was younger-and I remember it was usually just one particular wish."
Alain glanced at Kamaria. "Mind enlightening me?"
"It was foolish, really. A girl's dreams."
"I won't laugh."
"I wished I would get Chosen..."
"Wish granted. Notice the white horse? Blue eyes, name of Sitara?" There was a grin in Alain's voice. "Loves to eat?"
"I wasn't finished," said Kamaria.
"Sorry."
Kamaria looked over at Alain. "I wished I'd get Chosen, then find my lifebonded."
Alain sat up from his sprawl and looked at her. A smile spread over his face.
"Wish granted," he said, moving a few feet to lean against the stump just beside Kamaria.
Kamaria looked at him. "Did you have a wish?"
"I wished tonight. In Mindspeech."
Kamaria considered this. "Can a star hear Mindspeech?"
"I don't know."
"What was your wish?"
:This,: said Alain, very quietly, in her mind.
He leaned over a few inches and kissed her.
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Awww! Some fluff there at the end. And no, silly horses-*glares at Sitara and Ramya* Tonight it was just a kiss. Krathnae said so. And I'm sure you don't want to argue with the gryphon?
*Sitara and Ramya try to look innocent*
*Krathnae glares*
:...fine. But we will strike again!: (That was both of them.)
Fireblade: *grumble* I think we'll have to start a Matchmaking Companion's Anonymous.
Forgive me for not updating in such a long time. Hopefully there was enough fluff to carry you to the next installation?
Reviewers! Thank you for bearing with me! You get ice-cream cake today!
Cat McDougall: You mentioned you were glad they didn't just fall into bed. Well, they didn't, and they aren't going to until I say so. I think it's a better story that way.
Cybele, Goddess of wild beasts: Wow, you have a long penname. Thank you for your review. And the gryphon is behaving.
Darkfyre: Simulacrums-I thought they got to you. Hmm. Krathnae?
*hands over simulacrums, continues scribbling*
I think he's working on the next chapter. Good muse. *scratches crest* All is forgiven, Krathnae!
And no, I didn't get your e-mail, but that's cos my e-mail is completely screwed. Ah well. Ask Sena to buzz me on Elftown, if you really need to get in touch with me.
Cookxenya: ...this isn't exactly soon, but it's there, ne?
Kierseth: And yay for Kierseth, too!
Rat Mouse: It isn't that much featured in this chapter, but I think there will be several amusing opportunities for Sitara begging for food later.
BrokenSkye: Thank you for your review.
Cookxenya: Wow, how'd you manage to review twice...?
Maybe it has something to do with me having to remove Reviewerthanking.
Darkfyre: And you, too? Wow, something's screwy...ah well. Yes, she switched into "warrior" mode. The Weaponsmaster is going to have to train her to widen her focus, though.
Cybele, Goddess of Wild Beasts: Yup, think it's cos of Reviewerthanking. Kamaria went into a trance-thingy...just...cause. She's a natural with the rapier. Maybe it's inherited? From her daddy, Lord-General Garethe?
Faeborn2930: Nope, not a Gift, I don't think.
Cerulean Sky: ...again, this isn't precisely soon, but ah well.
Shadowblade: Well, her Mindspeech was already partly there, and everyone knows that being Chosen strengthens Gifts a lot...she's about the right age, too. Perhaps being lifebonded to Alain, who's at least part-trained has something to do with it.
Hawk: Thank you for the review. Ice-cream cake?
BrokenSkye: Thank you!
And as always, reviews are loved!
~Fireblade K'Chona