strangetrip | [GP] Check-In Day

The formerly California air had grown crisp with winter moving in, but the sun still shone bright and the sky was clear. At the barn and in the pastures, the horses blew out their breath in playful snorts, shied and sidled playfully, prancing with their tails flagged. Grace, Regina's mare, gave a spirited whinny at her stablemates as Regina sprang up onto her bare back from the mounting block but waited patiently for her mistress, since there would be at least one long gallop in the offing. It didn't matter to Grace that Regina had an agenda for the ride beyond the gallops, as long as she got to run.

Inside the Inn, Kitty tended bar like any ordinary day, and Caroline's baskets had been freshened and set out for any new arrivals. Each one had a magic journal for "texting" and Sam had a stack of fresh ones set out on the same table in case anyone had used theirs up. The Inn had begun decorating itself the day after Thanksgiving, helped, of course, by Caroline, and Thor had brought in a lovely fresh tree that had begun to acquire a patchwork coating of ornaments, traditional popcorn strings, and hideous gleanings from around the Inn.

In short, it was an ordinary Check-In day with a little nip in the air, an extra sprinkling of glitter, and and an abundance of apple-based drinks and a few pies, compliments of Regina's harvest and her stress-baking. What there weren't were any of Emma's fresh pastries or any of her finer dishes, as she seemed to have taken the day off. Which meant that unless Sunny or Mary or one of the others stepped up, everyone was eating dishes with chicken or what they could make for themselves.

[ooc: Feel free to use for any threading purposes anywhere around the Inn. If you want Regina, Kitty, Sam or Lillith, poke me on Slack. Welcome Hook! Don't forget to tag your character's name if you tag the post.]

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Valkyrie had gotten her day started a bit earlier than usual, rising with the sun and embarking on a search for suitable clothing for the cold. She'd planned to spend the day at the stables, and apparel that covered the skin more than her usual fare seemed appropriate. While frost did little to bother her, some of the offerings were intriguing, if not quaint. While the long white coat and tall boots she settled on were suitably charming, the earmuffs were considerably less so, and she had questions over how Midgardians wore giant puffballs on their head while maintaining a façade of dignity.

Satisfied with her choices, Valkyrie was pleased to find the horses were in good spirits as well. The past month had seen her visit them as they frolicked in the pastures, befriending a few and getting a feel for the dynamics of the group. One didn't rush a relationship with any creature, let alone one as willful as a horse. They had many needs outside of simply riding, after all.

One lively mare in particular when paired with her rider made for a sight that Valkyrie could have watched all day. The woman rode with confidence and sensitivity, and her companion responded in kind. Valkyrie turned her head as they galloped by, leaning forward against the wooden railing.

Although Regina was headed out toward the spot where the undead had tried to congregate in order to leave, she was aware of being watched. The woman whose gaze followed her and Grace while they warmed up in the training ring was tall, dark-skinned, and attractive. New to the Inn, but not brand-new, as the description rang a bell from Caroline's briefing last check-in.

Out of curiosity, Regina steered Grace toward the woman with a touch of her calf. Although she held reins, she used them not at all, only sat heavier on her seatbones and Grace dropped to a trot for several steps and then to walk. At the fence, she drew to a halt, and Regina leaned down to pat her neck.

"Valkyrie, isn't it?"

"As I'm known." Valkyrie had perked up at the approach of the woman and her steed, quite welcoming the possibility of some pleasant conversation. "Regina...correct?"

"Yes." She inclined her head in a manner that couldn't be described in any word but regal. Even here, even now, she was still a queen, and as she'd once said to Emma, a little more refined.

"I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself sooner. My daughter suffered a painful loss, recently, and I've been staying close to her."

Valkyrie inclined her head back on reflex at the gesture. It seems her courtly etiquette hadn't gone far, after all.

"You've a daughter?" She inquired, matching the faces of the young women she'd met to the woman in front of her.

"And two sons who aren't with me," Regina confirmed, noting the courtly mannerisms and filing that away for future reference.

"If you've spent time in the stables, you've probably met her. Snow takes care of the animals." There was pride in that, but more pride in the girl herself. She never specified that Snow was adopted unless she was telling the children's stories. She couldn't be more Regina's daughter if she'd given birth to her.

"She's quite good." Valkyrie smiled a bit. She had quite a lot of respect for those who could read their companions, be they people or otherwise. She nodded at the horse that accompanied Regina. "What's her name?"

"She is," Regina replied, a mother's pride in her eyes. The mare, given rein by Regina, stretched her nose out toward Valkyrie. "The mare is Grace. Do you ride?" The woman had an eagerness in her eyes that Regina knew well, but she'd let her speak for herself.

"I did." Valkyrie replied, reaching out a few partially-gloved fingers to touch Grace's snout in warm greeting. "These days, I'm a flightless Valkyrie."

"That sounds like a story," Regina replied, watching the woman making friends with Grace.

"I was going to ride out for awhile. If you want to join us, we could wait."

Considering Regina's offer and Grace's welcoming disposition to match, it was an easy decision to make. Valkyrie bowed her head once, passing through the gate nearby. "Perhaps I can regale you during the trip."

"Perhaps." Only if she liked, Regina might have said, and meant, but she wasn't in the habit of telling people they needn't satisfy her curiosity, even now that she believed it.

"I think you'll find Echo responsive and spirited. He could use to the exercise, too." Snow would be glad to see him get out. "Grace and I will wait for you here."

[GP] Check-In Day

Tag Regina - At the Stables

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Re: Tag Regina - At the Stables

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Re: Tag Regina - At the Stables

Re: Tag Regina - At the Stables

Re: Tag Regina - At the Stables

Re: Tag Regina - At the Stables

Re: Tag Regina - At the Stables

Re: Tag Regina - At the Stables