[Video]

[lightandglory]

[The face of a young woman, with obviously-not-of-this-world yellow-green hair and a delicate pendant on her brow, appears over the network. She is seated on the side of a bed in a nondescript room, and she looks positively exuberant.] Oh, I think it's working! Splendid!

...Yes, now then. [She composes herself abruptly, although her cheerful smile remains in place.] Greetings to my fellow heroes and heroines! I am Princess L'Arachel of the sacred realm of Rausten, famed far and wide as the beautiful banisher of darkness, and I'm certain that it will be my great pleasure to meet each of you. The powers that guide us to this land have chosen very well, of course, for you'll find yourselves quite safe from the forces of evil as long as I'm nearby!

[L'Arachel gives a small, satisfied nod before getting down to business.] There. Now that introductions are out of the way, I have a question I must ask. Who might I speak to about acquiring a horse? In a dreadful oversight, I fear I've not been provided with a mount, and this simply won't do at all. It's of the utmost importance that I find one at once. A well-trained warhorse, ideally, but if they are in short supply I suppose any horse with the proper temperament would serve, as long as there are capable trainers available for hire.

Oh! And I'll need the location of a reputable stable. These accommodations are very charming, to be sure, but they just haven't the space needed for a horse.

Now, am I forgetting anything...? [She taps her finger to her lips in thought, before waving her hand dismissively.] ...Well, no matter. It's a simple enough task to let you know if I think of anything else. I'll be in touch, and do seek me out if you have any vile abominations that need smiting!

Ta-ta!

Comments

video

[bindsthedead]

Your highness, horses are uncommon here. People generally prefer more mechanical means of travel.

[Sabriel's tone is polite, but not especially deferential.]

Although it's always a pleasure to meet a fellow mage.

video

[lightandglory]

Aha! It is working!

[L'Arachel looks absolutely delighted... until Sabriel's words register. Then her expression falls.]

...Oh dear, you mean those metal carriages? I can't imagine they'd fare well over difficult terrain... well, perhaps the flying ones would... but they're so dreadfully noisy! No, no, I must find a horse. How does one even fire a spell from within one of those unsightly contraptions?

And I'm not a mage, I'm a valkyrie. That would be much more apparent if I only had a horse. Nonetheless, it is indeed a pleasure! [Her smile returns, bright as can be.] Might I ask your name?

video

[bindsthedead]

A hovercycle might work better, or a vehicle outfitted with special tires, yes. But this world is not set up for horses... and I doubt many have been taught not to panic at something like a spell flying past their head. Or for combat in general- they haven't been used for that purpose here for- oh, about a century? [At least from what Sabriel had learned from history books.]

Ah- my name is Sabriel. What is a Valkyrie, if you don't mind me asking?

video

[lightandglory]

Is that so? Goodness, what a backwards place this realm is!

[She seems more bemused than annoyed.]

Well, I must be able to charge gloriously into battle upon something. What does the local army use? These--oh, what did you call them--'hover sickles'?

[She nods.] Well met, Sabriel! Of course you may ask! [L'Arachel's always more than happy to talk about herself, after all.] How strange that a mage would be unfamiliar with valkyries! But since it seems you are, I will gladly enlighten you. A valkyrie is a magic-wielding battle maiden on horseback. We aid our allies with staves and obliterate evil with holy Light magic!

Re: video

[bindsthedead]

Staves? Well, they can be a decent weapon, I suppose. And countering darker powers- well, recent events have shown there's a need for that.

video

[monster_san]

[oh my, they have captured a wizardly knight.]

Oh! Horses are simply beautiful animals, aren't they? But typically, stables are not found in large cities, I'm afraid. Perhaps there's one in the local suburbs?

video

[lightandglory]

They are! Beautiful, majestic, and noble... why, there could be no more fitting mount for one such as myself! I'm so glad you understand! [Have a big, bright smile.] Are you also in search of one?

It's true, however, that this city was clearly not designed with horses in mind. Can you believe I've not seen a single hitching post anywhere? ...But yes, surely I'll have better fortune elsewhere. I will succeed, or my name isn't L'Arachel!

[monster_san]

Sadly, I've never learned how to ride. [she joined archery club instead.] Perhaps I should try to make up for it while I'm here.

It's nice to speak to you, Princess L'Arachel--my name is Fuu Hououji. May I ask what city you are in right now?

[lightandglory]

Well then, I would be delighted to teach you! [Never mind that Fuu didn't actually ask to be taught.] I'll have to find a nice, gentle warhorse, in that case. Brave enough for battle, yet patient enough for a beginner. I'm sure it won't be too much trouble, though. I simply need to find the right place to look!

The pleasure is mine, naturally! Fuu Hououji--goodness, that's a mouthful. But yes, of course you may ask. I've been lodged in a quaint little home in a place called Nonah.

[whitequeens]

Hello, Princess L'Arachel! My name is Euphemia. Welcome to this world, strange as it is!

[She pauses.] Ah... I'm not certain where one might find a horse? Most people here just use automobiles.

[lightandglory]

Euphemia. What a delightful name! It evokes the same beauty and elegance as my own! And a proper welcome, at last. You have my thanks.

[She's beaming. It doesn't last, though. Now she shakes her head, furrowing her brows.]

Oh, but I simply can't understand why anyone would prefer one of those loud contraptions to the noble grace of a well-bred horse. It's so confounding! Surely not all the citizens of this realm have such strange tastes?

[whitequeens]

Oh! [She giggles, suddenly, at the other girl's exuberance and kind words.] What a kind thing to say. But please, call me Euphie!

I cannot speak for everyone, and certainly I can understand your preference, but I do think you may be underestimating the convenience of mechanical transport. Not only can it far outpace any animal I know of, it'll never tire. For long trips, it's certainly an improvement.

[lightandglory]

Euphie... well, it's not half as elegant, but it has a certain endearing cuteness. Very well, Euphie it is! And you may address me simply as L'Arachel! [The smile's back, full force. There are such pleasant people here!]

It's not simply a matter of convenience, though. I have an image to uphold. I am the beautiful banisher of darkness, after all, and I must look the part! There is nothing quite so heroic as charging headlong into battle atop a majestic white stallion, its mane blowing back in the breeze, its tail streaming out behind it. Why, just the sight is often enough to set an army of evil creatures to flight!

video

[huntergames]

[ Sasha's mouth drops open for a moment, but there's no sound initially. ]

... ah.

[ What's with this place and royalty? It's always intimidating to talk to a princess at first. ]

Um, well, your Highness, you could go to a stable but you wouldn't be able to keep one. Like someone said, everyone here uses cars and bikes and other transport to get around.

video

[lightandglory]

Oh, of course I don't expect to simply take a horse.

[She laughs... a little unnaturally. She totally did expect to be offered one, being a princess and all, but is now rethinking that based on everyone's responses.]

Surely there must be some for sale. How much does a well-bred warhorse cost in this land? Ten thousand gold, perhaps? I'm certain I can acquire the funds in no time. No, I fear those 'cars' are just not to my taste.

--Oh, but you say there are other forms of transport?

video

[huntergames]

Ah, well, the currency is different here! They don't use gold, but dollars. US dollars.

[ She can empathize with how strange and new this all is. ]

Oh, yes! There are bicycles, vespas, motorcycles... and I guess if you know someone who can fly or teleport...

video

[lightandglory]

Yes, dollars. I must remember that. Those slips of paper with numbers printed on them... such a charmingly odd custom! Oh, but it's certainly practical, isn't it? It can be terribly wearisome to lug about large sums of gold.

[Wearisome for other people, of course. L'Arachel does not lug anything about.

And she blinks.] My, but this realm has a dialect all of its own! [She assumes those must be words but has no idea what you're talking about.] I must set to work learning it at once. No pegasi, though? Or wyverns?

VIDEO.

[jyuced]

[ Whoaaaa. Is she for real? An actual princess?? This place has everything! ]

Oh, I have an idea! [ He waves his arm in the air. ] A person! You should find a person to carry you around on their back! That's sort of like a horse?

VIDEO.

[lightandglory]

A... person?

[This young man is so enthusiastic about his idea that she actually considers it for a moment, but then quickly waves it away.]

No, no, that's just silly. People are not nearly as strong or as fast as horses. Besides, they'd also need to carry a bag with my tomes, and I'd have my staves... No, unless you know someone of considerable size and strength, I fear it just wouldn't be practical.

VIDEO.

[jyuced]

Yeah, a person!

[ His enthusiasm doesn't seem to flag even when she rejects the idea -- it still seems completely reasonable to him, she just needs to find the right person. Clearly! ]

Let me do it, let me do it! If you need to get someplace I can take you! Since you're a Princess it's really important you get around quickly, right?

VIDEO.

[lightandglory]

Oh yes, it's very important... but you can't possibly hope to be as swift as a horse. And think of how undignified it would look! Why, we'd be laughingstocks!

[video]

[medalsome]

[Well, she's cute but Joaquin has got to be honest with her on this...]

I'm sorry to say, Princess, but this world isn't ideal for horses. At least, not in the cities were us imPorts are stationed. I had to leave my dear Plata back at home and I miss her greatly, but I wouldn't wish this world on her.

[video]

[lightandglory]

Oh dear, you too? I'm terribly sorry to hear that. She must miss you greatly, as well.

[A moment of silence for horses left behind.]

That is kind of you, but surely the local horses must be more accustomed to this world? Or are they kept out of the cities entirely?

[permavid]

[medalsome]

I'm sure she does.

[He can appreciate her empathy here.]

Pretty sure horses are best left in areas less population-dense. And polluted. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but the air in the main cities isn't as healthy as it was back home. At least, not like it was where I'm from. I'm pretty sure if I had brought Plata here with me she would be suffering.

[lightandglory]

Aha! So it wasn't my imagination! There is a certain haze in the air, isn't there? Yes, and I'll bet those 'cars' are to blame for it. If everyone just rode horses, there would be no problem. [Except for horse poop in the streets but never mind that.]

Oh, but this can't be good for my complexion. I'm accustomed to the pure mountain air and fresh sea breezes of my beloved Rausten. If this realm gives me wrinkles, it will have to answer for every one of them! Tell me--ah, I beg your pardon. I know your horse's name, but I've not had the honour of yours!