A new day

[Leyna de Somerville]

I was in my study, having my morning tea and reading some correspondence when the news came that the King had awoken the night before . I wondered if I should go and see how everyone was, especially Sabrina, but I decided to wait. I was certain that the Palace would be in an uproar and one more person with no real input to add was the last thing they needed.

I decided to take the morning off, and catch up a few things that I needed to do around here. Maybe give Shylah a bath as well.

I sighed happily and sipped my tea. My time as an adult was marching on, but it was to a tune that I really seemed to like.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

AS I approached the Somerville house I realized how much it looked like a place Leyna would live. Things went as usual in a well-run household; Noche was led off with my usual order for him to behave himself and I was led into a room to wait for Leyna, waiting patiently and thinking on some of the things that had been happening around me.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I had just finished with my own bath after giving Shylah hers when Anne told me Nic was here. I threw on a pretty, but comfortable blue dress and raced downstairs, my hair wet and unbraided. Shylah just beat me down the stairs and she went bolting into where Nic was waiting. At least she was dry.

"Nic," I said, smiling and slightly out of breath. "I am so glad you came by."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Smiling, I stood up and looked at her just in time to have Shylah run to my feet. "You shouldn't run in the house, you could fall and break your neck," I said teasingly, bringing a hand down to Shylah slowly before petting her briefly. "Though I am flattered that you were so anxious to see me. What have you been doing? Getting into trouble?"

[Leyna de Somerville]

I was feeling rather impulsive and a boisterous at the moment, so I rose to his teasing instead of blushing.

"You've caught on to my plan Nic, everyday I try and figure a new reason for to have to come and rescue me. Today it was running and falling," I said with a laugh.

I opened the door out to the garden so Shylah could go run off her energy.

"I just finished giving her a bath," I said as Shylah bolted out the door. "What have you been up to?"

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Eating breakfast with a Ruskovian prince who seems to have a slight crush on Sabrina- after I convinced him that I wasn't here to be his competition he seemed to loosen up a little though. She took him to Desir," I added with a wink to remind her of our plan to sneak Sabrina off for dinner with us sometime. Plus, I doubted she'd been to the Palace since the King had awoken and she may like to hear what was going on. "Other than that, nothing of interest; that's why I decided to come and visit," I added with a wide grin.

[Leyna de Somerville]

"Oh, what's he like?" I asked, motioning for him to sit again and I sat on the end of the chaise next to where he was. I tucked my feet up underneath me. "I told Sabrina I hoped he wasn't old and covered in fur like a bear, was I at least right there? She took him to Désir, so he must at least be alright to take into public."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"He seemed somewhat reserved and a little cold," I said, sitting comfortably on the chaise. "He's not covered in fur, and about my age, but as to his attractiveness you would have to ask someone else."

Smiling, I leaned back and looked at her. "So, what would you like to do today? We could always go and pretend to be normal people."

[Leyna de Somerville]

My eyes widen with excitement.

"Oh, that's a brilliant idea. Just the sort of thing I'm in the mood for today," I said, smiling wide. "Let me go and get my things and we can go."

I leaned over and kissed his cheek before jumping up and running upstairs.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Smiling at her kiss on my cheek I watched her run upstairs, wondering exactly what she was getting. Standing, I walked over to the bottom of the stairwell, leaning against it curiously. I knew I was a bad influence in some things, but I wouldn't let her get into any real trouble- and besides, everyone need a day or two to relax.

[Leyna de Somerville]

Anne smiled at me when I raced back into my room, she was in the process of straightening up from the minor disaster that was the whole bath process.

"He's very handsome," she said, smiling.

"Yes, he is," I said, laughing as I changed into shoes that could handle the outdoors, a purse with money in it to tie to my belt, and tied my hair back with a ribbon.

"Don't wait up," I said as I raced back out.

I stopped at the top of the stairs at the sight of Nic at the bottom. I grinned wryly and with exaggerated care descended the stairs.

"Better?" I asked with a laugh.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Much," I said agreeably, "Broken legs are no fun, I should know. Now, when yuo're down here by spring, you'll have to go back upstairs and change again," I said, rolling my eyes and smiling. "What would you like to do or see as a regular person for the day?"

[Leyna de Somerville]

"Everything," I said upon reaching the bottom of the stairs. "I do everything as a irregular person, so I would like to do everything from the regular side."

I was so full of happiness and emotion, the faint scent of apples rose from my skin as evidence.

"What about you?"

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Catching the faint scent of apples, though being unable to place it I quickly blocked it out, I grinned and said, "Well, I believe I promised to take you for ales at an actual pub, but it's too early for that yet- but I did ride Noche here, so we could go for a ride in the countryside. Noche does need the exercise before he gets as lazy as a brood-mare."

[Leyna de Somerville]

"I ride sounds lovely," I said, linking my arm through his. "I have been in far too many carriages lately."

Shylah came running back in, looking tired and happy. I released Nic's arm for a moment and knelt down to pet her. "You get to stay here this time," I said, scratching her ear. "Go have some water and then you can sleep on my bed." She woofed happily and dashed off to the kitchen.

Standing, I took Nic's arm again. "All ready now," I said with a smile.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Smiling, I turned and led her to her front door. "That Shylah of yours is going to end up terribly spoiled," I teased as I opened the door and led her out to the stables. "I've seen children with fewer privledges than her. Then again, I've also seen children who weren't even half as bright, so I guess it balances out."

Once at the stables a boy handed me Noche's reins- he looked like he'd been well cared for, though I had not expected otherwise. Petting his nose I watched Leyna's own mount being brought to her.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I smiled as Soir, my mare was brought out. While a little smaller, she looked close enough in bloodline to Noche that they could have been siblings.

"They make an attractive pair," I said with a smile. Then I took the reins and swung up into the saddle. I had long ago forsaken riding sidesaddle, it was cumbersome and silly.

"Ready when you are," I said with a grin.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Proud that she wasn't one of those silly sidesaddle girls I laughed cheerfully and said, "They do look rather alike- and you're going to have to lead the way, I haven't learned the City yet."

She sat her mare very well, and since she wasn't in a sidesaddle she may actually be able to go faster than a trot once we were outside the City walls.