nysalogs | silver white winters that melt into spring (open catch all)

Who: Loras Tyrell & Open
What: December Catch All
When: Holiday Season
Where: Wyver
Warning(s): TBD

[i. Meet me under the mistletoe ...]

[ Loras is enjoying this festiveness. It reminds him a bit of the harvest back home in Highgarden, with all the celebrating and relative cheeriness. He's certainly doing his best to take part in it all. Or at least learn about the traditions here.

The little sprigs are foreign to him. As far as Loras is concerned, they're simply another plant, and he wouldn't assume any sort of tradition came with them at all. He has no qualms then of standing by a free growing one, hanging over him while he's otherwise occupied with something else. ]

[ii. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ...]

[ The smell of hearty foods and spices is hanging in the air. Even after eating, the smell is intoxicating enough to make one's stomach grumble. Though Loras has no idea how to replicate the smells. His knowledge of cooking is basic at best - grown out of necessity and nothing else.

But he thinks he should take advantage of people's kindness while he can. He wanders through the market, bustling now at the holiday season, tasting this and that and finding his arms becoming fuller than he'd anticipated. He stops when he comes to a vendor selling bowls of some sort of stew. It seems worth a few hard earned coins, and the man who ladles it out has no qualms about Loras eating it while he loiters. How else is he going to learn what goes in it? ]

[iii. O Come All Ye Faithful ...]

[ Having seen a posting about the Knightryders, Loras had wasted little time in signing up. It had filled him with a sense of familiarity, and if it meant he could earn some money while doing something he was good at ... Well. All the better.

He'd even felt a rush at the word tournament. No doubt it would be different than what he was used to, yet at the heart all tourneys are the same. He'd not expected to be thrown into one so soon.

Understandable. How else do you test the worthiness of recruits? What little arrogance Loras had allowed himself had faded quickly. Muscle memory did not kick in the way he'd hoped, his opponent did not fight the way Loras was used to. But he stumbles away barely victorious, a few extra coins in his pocket and blood drying as it drips from his hairline. If you pass him on the street, try not to stare too much at the faint bruising cresting his jaw. ]

[iv. Christmas Cracker]

Want something that isn't here? Choose Your Own Adventure or hit me up at

fritzwinky.

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[ Perhaps on Loras' way back home, he passes by the stables. The huge man is rather difficult to miss,
standing there, broad back turned to look out into the little paddock. Inside of the corral is an absolutely massive white horse. It stands, looking rather pleased with itself while munching something from Reinhardt's outstretched hand. He murmurs something in a low guttural language towards the animal who uses it's nose to nudge Reinhardt's shoulder to let him know he's got company.

When he turns, his single eye alights with recognition, landing only a moment on that bruised jaw but saying nothing. Instead, he turns fully, one hand going back to pat the massive beast behind him on the nose. ]

Ahh! If it isn't Ser Loras! Teaching those pitiable excuses for knights what a real one looks like?

[ It is moderately embarrassing to come across someone he knows. Not that this is the worst Loras has ever emerged from a fight, but his ego takes a blow all the same. He offers a vague smile in greeting, but his attention is admittedly pulled to the beast that Rein is speaking to. ]

I suppose something like that - Is that a horse?

[ He's certainly never seen one of this considerable stature. ]

Good! That's how it should be! [ Because the old knight thinks the world of the younger one. If he wasn't so focused on the idea of being a 'free knight for the people' he might have joined Loras in trying to beat the hell out of fellow warriors for a spot. He as absolutely no doubt in his mind that Loras is going to be amazing.

The question has him pausing and then laughing.]

Of course it is! It's not just any horse. It's MY horse! Can you believe it, Loras? I came back to this place and found that I owned my very own horse.

[ He's excited. He's like a little girl who just got a pony for her birthday. ] They even gave me armor for him!

[ He'll step a little to the side so that the massive white stallion can get a better look at his young friend. ] I'm calling him Grani. Grani. This is Ser Loras. The best knight I've ever met. [ Congrats, Loras, you've just been introduced to a horse. ]

[ Thank the gods, really, for Rein. He's a bright spot that Loras had not anticipated finding, and the hearty smile is enough to improve the young man's mood. At the compliment, all Loras can do is smile and bow his head, flattered by the words. Even if they're said simply to a horse. ]

I suppose a normal horse won't do for a man of your size. He's very handsome. Have you taken him out, yet?

[ He reaches behind him to pat the animal's nose once more. Though then he shifts a little and laughs more. It's his turn to look at bit embarrassed. ]

I've not... [ He wants to. He really really wants to. There's just one minor problem. ] You're right about the normal horses. No normal horse would be able to handle me, and my armor, and my hammer. They don't have horses this size where I'm from and really, no one even rides horses anymore. And even if they did, I'm more heavy infantry than cavalry. [ What he's trying to say, but is to ashamed to admit, is that he's a knight who has never ridden a horse in his life. ]

[ Oh. Loras almost laughs, because, much like how Rein doesn't know how to use a sword, it's funny for a knight to not know how to ride. Instead, he raises his eyebrows, and he steps forward cautiously enough to pat the immense animal on the snout. ]

It's easy. [ Or, to Loras it is. But he's been riding since he was old enough to, and it's second nature. ] If you and your mount trust one another, then half the work is done for you.

[ The huge white horse gives a little nudge back when he's pet. He seems to like it. ] So you say, but I'll have you know that were I am from, we don't travel by horses. That is a thing of the long ago past. I've only really ever seen horses at a distance or in images. This is the first time I've ever been so close to one.

[ He's not embarrassed to admit this. ] But I think he has a trustworthy face. And I won't let him down. I already figured out one of his secrets. [ He grins. ] I gave him some of the fruits I had picked from the jungle this morning.

[ Only some. The rest, Reinhardt gave away. There were still hungry women and children. He could go without. And now he has one more belly to fill and it's even bigger than his. ] Do you know...they gave me armor for him too. But...I should probably learn how to ride without all my gear or his...keep property damage to a minimum when I fall off. [ After all, it occurred to him that Loras has yet to see him fully armored. ]

[ Despite his weariness, Loras smiles. It's hard not to be in good spirits around the old man. ]

Perhaps I can teach you. It's the least I can do, you've been so kind to me these last months. [ It's a kindness that Loras won't forget, and he believes in returning generosity. ] Though I'm not sure I could show you, on Granti.

That? Loras, you know that you don't have to worry about that! I do that because I want to and because you're a good man. [ Not that he's not kind to everyone, but Loras is a special case. Mostly because it's been so long since he's had this sort of friendship with a fellow knight. And even better, because Loras is the real deal. ] And I'll continue to do it even if you didn't want to teach me.

I'm glad you do though. [ Then he laughs a little because he looks back to his horse ] Don't think you could climb on? [ Reinhardt doesn't know if HE can climb on, mostly because he doesn't know how to do that either. ] Don't worry. I'd lift you up there. I wouldn't even tell a soul I picked you up.

Would I be able to reach the stirrups? [ His question is accompanied by another laugh. Loras certainly has no worries about being hoisted up, and he's confident enough in his abilities - even though it's been a bit of time - that he could handle the massive horse. ]

You'll be a proper rider in no time, I'm sure of it.

[ Reinhardt barks in laughter at the question. It's definitely a problem. ] Likely not. But there's only one thing for it! Grow taller, Ser Loras! [ He's teasing. He thinks Loras is the perfect size. He knows he's overly large. ]

But since you have such faith in me, I promise I'll be a good student to you. We can probably rent you out a horse to show me and I'll work hard not to shame you. And even harder not to shame Grani. He deserves a capable knight.

I think Grani was made for you.

[ After all. Look at Reinhardt.

But renting a horse - Loras hadn't thought about it. Now that he's joining the Knightryder's, getting a horse may not be too hard. He should be practicing, after all. ]

I'll have you know, in Westeros, I'm one of the tall ones. Thank you kindly.

[ His booming laughter is something the horse is going to have to get used to. Right now, it's not and he gets an annoyed whinny and a nudge from behind when he lets out a loud guffaw. He understands that Loras probably is tall for his people. Reinhardt still finds the idea delightful.] One of the few things in this world that is. But I was hoping that maybe you would grow and maybe I could get some nice clothing out of it when I borrowed all of yours! But I suppose I'll just be happy with the lessons on how to ride him and deal with my poor wardrobe on my own.

[ He snorts. ] Even if I were to grow taller, I can't imagine I'd grow broad enough. Though I've no doubt you'd be a fine vision in green and gold brocade.

[ Loras looks back to the horse, patting its muzzle to ease it's annoyance. It truly is a lovely specimen. ]

Or blue. I've always been fond of blues.

silver white winters that melt into spring (open catch all)

iv with some of the other numbers thrown in for good measure

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