[OAS] Clementine and Cassandra Friendship Token

In the dying light of a setting sun, Clementine sits outside her tent, feeding a small fire that blazes contentedly under her care. The raucous, screaming laughter of young children is shortly followed by two girls bursting from the canvas flaps, one chasing the other. She watches with a careful eye as they run further from the tent, until they've reached a distance she deems too far, letting out a sharp whistle. "Don't go wanderin' too far. Stay where I can see you," she says firmly. Goose's ears perk at the sound, the stallion snorting softly. Time and training had gotten him calm enough that Clementine could trust him around the children, especially after he learned they were also unable to be scared off by his fire magic. He was still a rather opinionated creature, but at least he was unlikely to kick and bite at anything or anyone that annoyed him. The girls shuffle their feet as they walk back, clearly disappointed at the imposed limitation.

Cass comes riding up on a large draft, Lily Belle by the look of things. Not her usual mount, but certainly one of her better behaved ones and the least likely to lash out at anyone or anything The demonkin pulls Lily Belle to a stop a few yards outside the camp and dismounts, taking the mare firmly by the reins and calling a polite greeting “Evening, Clementine.” She then then turns her gaze to the two girls and gives them both a polite nod

Hazel hides behind her mother almost immediately, her shining blue eyes a bit unsettling in the dim shadows. Igni, on the other hand, ever curious, approaches the large horse with a wide stare, while Clem fights the urge to call her back. "Evening," she replies, her shoulders square and tense, tail curling defensively around the small girl behind her.

Cass watches Igni approach the horse for a moment, the Lily Belle sniffing at the child with a mild curiosity. The demonkin seems to take note of Clem’s posturing before glancing back at the child. Her voice isn’t necessarily kind, but it’s devoid of its usual edge as she addresses Igni “Her name is Lily Belle, and she’s gentle enough. Though perhaps you should head back to Clementine and let her introduce you to me properly. Then, if she’s okay with it, you can meet my horse properly as well.” (edited)

Igni rushes back over to Clementine with a slight pout, pointing at Lily Belle. "Momma, the lady said to ask you if I can meet the horse!" The guarded expression melts from Clementine's face as she looks to her daughter, but it stays in the tightness of her movements when she stands, and the stiffness of her walk as she brings the two girls closer. "This is Igni," she rests a hand on top of her daughter's head, and her too-large feline ears swivel to get out of the way, "and this is Hazel." The other child stays mostly behind Clementine's legs, though she's starting to peak out more. "Girls, this is Miss Sinclair. She owns the stables where we keep the other horses."

Cassandra, of all things, lowers herself to the girls’ level. Her voice still isn’t warm, but it’s not unpleasant either “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. This is Lily Belle, and if you’d like to pet her, you can.”

Clementine gives her daughter permission to do so with a small pat on the back, and she eagerly rushes forward, barely able to reach anything above the mare's legs. The prospect of a new animal to bother finally draws Hazel out, too, and she runs to join her sister.

Lily Belle seems unconcerned with the two children, the mare’s only reaction to sniff at them and nuzzle each in turn Cassandra glances over to make sure things are going smoothly, offering each of the girls a carrot to give to the draft horse before standing and looking at Clementine “They’re charming.” She seems to more or less mean it. If she’s not wildly fond of children, she doesn’t dislike them either.

"Thanks." The response is somewhat distracted, her eyes never leaving the pair. They were still learning that not everything was as fireproof as they are, and beasts of burden are far less forgiving than people. To their credit, the twins remember to keep their magic to themselves, reaching up to pet Lily Belle's head when it comes within reach.

“They are yours, I take it?” Its a question, but more a statement Lily Belle, sniffs at them again and leans into the petting. For one of Cassandra’s horses, she’s docile almost to a fault. She even makes a show of ‘nibbling’ on the kids fingers in play

She huffs a small laugh, crossing her arms casually. "If there's some other family of fire-spittin' beastfolk out there I've not heard of, I'd be quite interested to hear about 'em."

“Demonkin, perhaps, but not beastfolk.” Cass’s lips twitch as she keeps half an eye on Lily Belle “At least not off the top of my head. Though I take it things should be further fireproofed?”

"Eh, it'll probably fine." Most of the tension has left her by now, but not all. "They should be old enough to know better, but there's still a reason we set up so far from everyone else."

A pair of blue feline ears poke past the tent flap, followed shortly thereafter by a catfolk wreathed in smoldering blue flames, a dapper grey waistcoat, and copious amounts of soot. The closing tent flap briefly reveals some kind of complicated portable apparatus within. He yawns widely, and looks at Cassandra like he’s assessing a new blueprint. “Hello, I must have dosed off for a minute there. Anyways, I’m Cat and I assume you would be Ms. Sinclair?” 

Cass turns her golden eyes to Cat, regarding him with the same calm neutrality she greets anyone with “I am, yes.” She politely offers her hand out to shake

He approaches, keeping a cautious distance from any horses, and briefly takes the offered hand. Cat’s hand is unnaturally warm and deposits a fine layer of soot as he lets go. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“And you as well.” Cass looks between the gathering “Fiery beastfolk indeed. I can see why you setup a bit further out. Though of any horse the Sulavari ones will tolerate it the best.”

"That's the idea," Clem agrees. "They're an interesting breed. We didn't have anythin' like it where we came from."

“If you’re looking to get them mounts of their own, I have contacts that could prove useful.” The offer is made almost surprisingly readily, and genuinely, Cass easing her grip on the reins slightly as she’s established Lily Belle’s good behavior seems likely to hold

"They might be a bit young for that yet." The significance of the offer isn't lost on her, but the children look to be around six by human standards. "I appreciate it, though. I'll be sure to keep that in mind if they start to show more interest."

Cat nods in thanks. “Gods willing Igni won’t inherit my problems with horses being terrified of me, but it’s too soon to say for sure.”

"Eh, I'm sure we could fix that with some practice," she says with a teasing smile and a nudge.

He laughs. “If you can find a horse willing to put up with that, I don’t see why not. Otherwise I’ll keep going with my plans to build an airship.”

Cass watches the interplay for a moment, noting it but in the same benign way one would normally note a relationship “I started riding at around their age, a little earlier actually, but my circumstances were rather different.” Its an oddly open statement for her, but presented as casually as if one was discussing lunch

“And I know horses that aren’t particularly scared of anything, if you’d like to try them.” She offers Cat

He raises an eyebrow. “I haven’t met a horse that hasn’t bolted or tried to throw me. It’s usually better off for everyone if I keep my distance. But if you’re sure about that, I’d be willing to give it a go.”

“I can’t promise anything. Horses are horses. But I’ve a few you can meet and we can go from there.” She gives a half-shrug “And we can shop around for you too, if needed.”

“Thanks, I’d appreciate that. I think I’m too close to a mountain lion for most horses to tolerate, so it would be a pleasant change to find a horse that could. Of course that would mean that I’ll have to get over my own uneasiness around them too.”

She looks him over and then huffs “I’d that’s all, then I don’t imagine it’ll be a problem. I’ve several trained to handle hell hounds and other trained in running down demons. A mountain lion looking individual will be of little note.” Shes not dismissing him. If anything she sounds almost… reassuring… does Cass do reassuring…? “Your nerves may be the bigger obstacle, but I’ll pick a gentler one at first. Or let you see which seems best for you.”

He shrugs, “I guess I’ll have to trust your expertise in that area. I’m sure I’d get used to horses soon enough, if one did remain calm while I was on it.”

“Worst case, there’s always demonic mounts. They’re easier than fae ones, and afraid of absolutely nothing. But they’re also not the best for beginners.” Cass shrugs and gestures to where Lily Belle is still enjoying the company of the kids “She might not be bad though. I’ve not taken her out against demons, but she’s gentle.”

Clem gives a sly grin, though there's clearly no malice behind it. "We could always try now. There's plenty of space, and I can patch you up if you get bucked off."

Cass glances at Lily Belle and then Cat and Clem “I don’t mind. So far she doesn’t seem bothered.”

Cat looks uncertain. “I suppose I could give it a go.” He scratches the back of one of his ears. “So, what’s the correct way to approach and get on this horse? I don’t think the ambush strategy I’ve used in the past is optimal.”

Cass gives him a look that suggests he may be his own problem on half of it. Not necessarily unkind, but certainly appraising. She fishes a few apple slices from her pouch and hands them to him “Slowly, and with food. Let her see you coming.” She adjusts her grip on the lead so it can be released easily if needed

He takes the slices and shrugs. “In the past, the only time I interacted with horses was when I was trying to scare them off.” Cat slowly approaches Lily Belle and hesitantly holds out an apple slice, ready to withdraw his hand should the horse attempt to bite.

Lily Belle regards Cat curiously, sniffing in his direction but seeming largely unfazed. She doesn’t take the apple immediately, regarding him cautiously as she picks up on his fear

Cat remains still, waiting patiently except for the twitching of the tip of his tail.

Lily Belle finally takes the apple with surprising gentleness for a horse her size. It might be too much time around horses likely to set things on fire, along with two hellhounds, but the draft seems more curious than afraid of Cat

He calmly offers another apple slice, and looks back at the other two. “Okay, what next?”

Cass comes up alongside, gesturing for the two girls to go back by Clementine. She’s not overly worried, but no sense in potentially putting the kids danger. She leads Lily Belle to where there’s a step for Cat to use “Foot in the stirrup, swing your leg over. Probably want to use the step.”

The twins look between Cass and their parents for a moment, not entirely willing to take directions from strangers, before Clem waves them over with a nod. "C'mon now, get outta the way." This they listen to, scrambling to her side before inevitably getting bored and wandering off to continue whatever chase-game they'd started earlier. Clem keeps one eye on their antics, and the other on watching Cat's attempt.

He walks over to the step, takes a deep breath, and smoothly follows the instructions. He very quickly finds himself atop Lily Belle before either has a chance to think better of it and object. Upon finding his balance, Cat remains absolutely still. Even his tail is still, though it has puffed up slightly. This cat is ready to teleport off the horse the instant it does anything he doesn’t like. Meanwhile, Hazel scoops a beetle off the ground and tosses it at Igni as a distraction.

Lily Belle shifts a bit as Cat finds his balance before tossing her head a bit and just standing there and waiting for instruction. Eventually dropping her head to graze on the thick grass

Cat remains still, but seems pleased with his situation. “Alright, I think this is a good thing? She’s not kicked me off or started bolting, anyways.” He relaxes slightly, but maintains a carefully balanced and minimal-impact posture. “I hadn’t really thought past this point, so I have absolutely no idea what to do now that I’m up here…” Igni catches the beetle out of the air without breaking stride and instinctively stuffs it in her mouth. She crunches it with her little needle teeth while continuing to chase after her sister. “This one tastes bad! I’m really gonna get you now!”

Cass glances at the girls, a mild amusement in her gaze before turning back to Cat “She’s pretty easy. Squeeze your legs like you’re trying to nudge her forward. Click your tongue as well, if you’d like. She usually listens.” She passes him the reins

Cat holds the reins like a potentially cursed object. “Um, I think I understand, but before I do anything else, how am I supposed to make her stop?” Igni catches up, and tags the tip of Hazel’s relatively long prehensile tail.

“Pull back on the reins. Start out firm, but not hard.” Cass keeps half an eye on the kids and half on Cat. She seems oddly familiar with the antics of children

Cat squeezes with his legs and clicks his tongue. “Let’s go, Lily Belle!” Igni turns to run away, but Hazel points off to her side at Cat and says, “Hey, look! Dad’s riding a horse!” As soon as Igni stops and looks, her sister tags her back and runs away cackling. (edited)

Cass smirks at the kids antics but keeps most of her attention on Cat and Lily Belle The horse accepts the signal well enough. If it wasn’t done exactly right, she gets the gist and seems to take mercy on Cat. She does stop rather quickly, having found a particularly tasty looking patch of grass

Cat does not seem to mind the quick stop. “Alright, now is there a proper technique for turning?” Igni sprints after Hazel, and tackle-pounces her. In response, Hazel falls over, lands with a dull thump, and drops dead.

Unbothered, Clementine scoops up the fallen child and tosses her over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Alright, Igni, you know the rules. Dead girls go in the dirt." Quiet giggles erupt from behind her, both of them familiar with whatever game is about to play out. Clementine waves for Cat and Cassandra to continue without her.

Cass raises an eyebrow at the children’s and Clem’s antics before offering instructions to Cat “Use the reins and guide the horse to turn their head in the direction you want them to go.”

Cat squeezes with his knees to get Lily Belle moving again and gently pulls the reins to the left in an attempt to get her to turn around. “Let’s try going back the way we came.”

Lily Belle starts moving and following the instructions, but stops and gives Cass a confused ‘what am I doing’ look as one of the signals didn’t quite translate right

Cat repeats his attempt to get her to turn around, but a bit more insistently.

This time Lily Belle listens, turning, if I bit uncertainly, in the direction indicated. She seems to be making towards a large log, though at her slow pace, she’s not aiming to jump it

Unsure what Lily Belle is intending, Cat pulls back on the reins and tries to bring her to a stop before she reaches the log.

Lily Belle stops and if she could turn her head far enough to give Cat an annoyed look, she would have. Instead, she just swishes her tail Cass starts laughing, not at Cat, but at the situation

“I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.” Cat teleports off the horse and appears next to Cass.

Cass goes to fetch, Lily Belle, leading the horse back over, still chuckling “Oh, she was looking to pull the log, I’m sure. She was a cart horse before I got her and has a fascination with pulling things.”

Clementine returns from whatever antics she'd been performing with the twins, wiping dust and sand off her hands. "How'd it go?" Hazel and Igni shoot off behind her, Hazel's face noticeably dirtier than before.

Cass, still chuckling, looks over at Clem “Well, other than Lily Belle looking to pull a log, reasonably well I think.”