Comet couldn't help but feel Isra's comment about dirt was directed more at her than at James. James was a rather clean horse, but her, well, let's just say adventuring doesn't make it easy for her to keep clean. Her usually white fur was a slight brown color. "Okay!" she nodded at her renny before heading for home. It wouldn't do for both of them to be gone for such a long time since she had to go care for her siblings.

"Exit Comet to home"

James returned a few hours later, the journey to and from Pegasus one that required a chat with the Queen of Lies in the tunnel between Pegasus and Cepheus. But he'd gotten here with his stone safe and sound.

"Isra?", he called out, "I'm back! And I have the stone."

He pulled out the Olivenite and set it on the grass, standing out on the lawn like Irsa had asked. He waited patiently, ears perked forward, excited to try and recruit one of the beautiful swans as his familiar.

The snakes at her tail hissed as she emerged, her claws tapping the white marble lightly.

"HASSSLE!" "Ssstones!" "Kill it-!"

Isra herself appeared composed, and by the time she had padded over the neat lawn to meet James, the snakes had fallen silent, alertly staring toward him. Isra's eyes, flickering with their flames, ranged over the Olivenite. After a moment's study of it, she nodded. "Leave it there. That will do. A word of advice: do not aggravate my swans. Stay out of the water; I don't need a mess to clean up." The clawed digits of one forelimb extended out, covering the stone, retracting with it; and with a final glance over James, she turned to pad back inside, and away.

@James

James swallowed and nodded, nervous now. He didn't doubt should things go awry, he could easily fly away, but he was still anxious to see if he could truly make friends with the animals.

He opened his pouch and peered into it, looking at the fruit, meat, and grain inside. He'd asked Arwen to offer him some, and she'd even stuck the grain together with honey. She was really too kind, and he'd offered her some of his molt in exchange.

"Okay, James," he exhaled, "You can do this."

He approached one of the ponds with some of the animals swimming in it and stopped a few feet before the shore, setting down a stick of sweet seeds, a few assorted soft fruits, and a fillet (he had to spit and sputter after picking it up, bleh).

"Oh swans!", he called out softly, "I've brought you things, I hope you like them."

The stomach was the way to a great many people's hearts, he'd found, so swans couldn't be much different.

There were a few swans out on the water: circling, preening, their necks arched and their white feathers pristine. But James did not seem to interest them, and they drew no closer at his calls; only one or two glanced his way.

All bore an almost arrogant air: aloof, disinterested, superior. And there was a malice in it, too, the confidence borne of knowing they could shred this stranger down to strings if he misstepped. For now, there was no need; for now, they remained in the water, and he on land, where each belonged.

@James

James sighed as they didn't come closer, swishing his tail. Perhaps when he did the deed, he could call it over to eat instead? He wasn't too familiar on how the bond worked... he probably should have asked Pride beforehand.

He inhaled, breathed out, and cast the spell, stretching out his consciousness to link with one of the birds. When something happened, he opened his eyes... and there was a swan, right in front of him, staring. It honked and he startled, almost slipping and falling, before staring at the animal.

It took a few steps forward and peered at the food, nudging it with a foot before sighing and picking up the piece of meat, daintily swallowing it whole before yawning, it's neck splitting open as it grabbed the other morsels and snapped them down too. It's mouth shut, seamlessly coming back together, and it looked at James, blinking slowly.

"... Oh wow," James said, "I did it! H-hello! Oh you need a name..."

The swan honked and turned to preen it's feathers, tail shaking.

"Darling," James said, and if he could snap, he would have, "Perfect!"

Darling looked at him with a disappointed sort of expression, but it wasn't a terrible name, so she just sighed and followed him.

"Come, let's go see Tahi," he said, and took to the air, Darling quickly following, urged (politely) to do so.

She was already so finished with this damn horse.

Exit