"Hah, are you so sure I would?" Loki teased back, eyebrow raising playfully. If needed, they'd simply take their time. He'd keep a close eye on her stamina as they played 'tourist'.
Moving through the hallways of Valaskjalf, past courtyards--Christine would have her first surprise as they came to a set of great gates. A pair of horses were held by grooms, saddled and ready to be worn. "Do you ride? I planned for us to go far from the palace."
"Perhaps. I might also simply tease you about being a child were you to pout." Loki pointed out. "Will you be comfortable riding on your own? These are good mares, calm of temperament but fierce in defense--not that I think we'll need it. I'd thought to take us a distance from here."
"Alright. You'll be riding Dagrun," Loki moved to take her over to one of the mares, the lighter coated one. "And I'll be on Hulda. We needn't go faster than a light canter at best." Petting Dagrun's neck lightly, fondly, he offered Christine a soft smile. "Do you want help up?"
Loki murmured some words in Asgardian to the horse, who whuffled and butt her nose against his chest. Then he moved to help, holding his hands together so she could step up, and step closer into the saddle. "Dagrun will take good care of you. I doubt we'll have any trouble, but if needed--she'll run. Just hold on."
She would hear plenty of Asgardian that day. Not that Loki didn't speak to her in Asgardian already. He had a fondness for teasing her in the language, keeping her guessing as to what he'd said exactly though it had all sounded very sweet. "I do intend to keep you from that, and myself as well. It's over-rated really." In English, teasing her still, with a soft smile as he made sure she was settled before heading over to Hulda and mounting himself.
Leading the way, they headed further away from the palace in almost the opposite direction from Himinbjorg and the rainbow bridge. Heading through what was clearly a city, though the roads weren't like Earth roads. Easily navigated, as they weren't the only ones who used horses. Dagrun had an easy gait, following Hulda's lead and whickering softly on occasion. Their pace was a somewhat swift walk, making decent time.
Where possible, Loki moved to ride next to her, pointing out things she might find interesting. He wasn't an unfamiliar sight, and the reception was better than might be expected. He was a prince, but more importantly--he had shown where his allegiance was, and helped save Asgard and it's people, ultimately, from Hela. He was charming, but aloof, when addressed and introduced Christine a few times as "Dr. Palmer" when she might have questions.
It was clear they were heading for the edges of the city and further out however, towards what mountains Asgard did have. It would still take a long time before they reached them however, and Loki had no intention they go that far. Once they were on less populated areas, he urged Hulda into a light trot, Dagrun following suit. It wasn't that there was no one this far out, but it soon became clear it was farmland. Their ultimate destination, though Loki hadn't filled Christine in yet, was an inn and tavern for traders along the way.
Christine is infinitely fascinated in the scenery and the town they pass through. So many elements look incredibly familiar, but then something completely alien will appear and she will be reminded that she is on a different world.
She would have never expected to be able to see such a place; even after realizing it was possible.
It was obvious Loki was being his public self when they were in places they could be spotted. Though he was nothing if not polite to her.
When they make it out to the countryside she finds herself enjoying the trot, it seems her riding lessons during her youth still remained to some degree.
It was all farmland now, although soon enough it seemed that she could see a larger building along the side of the road. Stables, along with what seemed like a large house at first. A wooden sign hung though, as they got closer, with a classic longboat--save for the fact that it had a wagon-pulling it. Loki moved back to a walk on Hulda, and let himself drop back to join Christine. "That's the Longboat's Haul, a Traveler's inn along this route. We can have lunch there, or simply stable our horses and hike a bit out for a picnic and return to the inn for drinks."
"Lunch sounds nice." The ride had been lovely so far, the scenery was all so different from what she was used to. Christine was really thrilled to get to explore Asgard.
"Then lunch it is." Loki said; someone was clearly watching the roads because as they got closer, a stable-hand came out to meet them. Dismounting, Loki moved to help Christine do the same. "We're planning to stay for a few hours before we'll leave. See to it that our ladies are fed and cared for." Speaking to the stablehand, who nodded and moved to start leading the mares away.
Loki offered his arm to Christine, as he headed for the doors. She could hear a soft din of chatter from within the building. Everything was worn, but clean and as polished as it could be as this tavern did a good business.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2022-06-06 10:01 am (UTC)Moving through the hallways of Valaskjalf, past courtyards--Christine would have her first surprise as they came to a set of great gates. A pair of horses were held by grooms, saddled and ready to be worn. "Do you ride? I planned for us to go far from the palace."
no subject
Date: 2022-06-08 09:58 pm (UTC)The walk isn't terrible. The horses come as a surprise though.
"Not since I was a teenager. But I'm not entirely unfamiliar."
no subject
Date: 2022-06-08 10:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-08 10:53 pm (UTC)"I think I will manage." She nods, it's a bit like riding a bicycle; just one that could kill you if it wanted to.
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Date: 2022-06-08 11:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-08 11:16 pm (UTC)"Yes, please." She's athletic, but rather short and unlikely to be able to mount a horse on her own.
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Date: 2022-06-08 11:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-14 08:13 pm (UTC)She uses his hands to mount the horse. She still remembers the basics.
"I'll do my best to not die."
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Date: 2022-06-15 04:20 am (UTC)Leading the way, they headed further away from the palace in almost the opposite direction from Himinbjorg and the rainbow bridge. Heading through what was clearly a city, though the roads weren't like Earth roads. Easily navigated, as they weren't the only ones who used horses. Dagrun had an easy gait, following Hulda's lead and whickering softly on occasion. Their pace was a somewhat swift walk, making decent time.
Where possible, Loki moved to ride next to her, pointing out things she might find interesting. He wasn't an unfamiliar sight, and the reception was better than might be expected. He was a prince, but more importantly--he had shown where his allegiance was, and helped save Asgard and it's people, ultimately, from Hela. He was charming, but aloof, when addressed and introduced Christine a few times as "Dr. Palmer" when she might have questions.
It was clear they were heading for the edges of the city and further out however, towards what mountains Asgard did have. It would still take a long time before they reached them however, and Loki had no intention they go that far. Once they were on less populated areas, he urged Hulda into a light trot, Dagrun following suit. It wasn't that there was no one this far out, but it soon became clear it was farmland. Their ultimate destination, though Loki hadn't filled Christine in yet, was an inn and tavern for traders along the way.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-19 08:13 pm (UTC)She would have never expected to be able to see such a place; even after realizing it was possible.
It was obvious Loki was being his public self when they were in places they could be spotted. Though he was nothing if not polite to her.
When they make it out to the countryside she finds herself enjoying the trot, it seems her riding lessons during her youth still remained to some degree.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-24 08:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-09-03 09:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-09-04 03:26 pm (UTC)Loki offered his arm to Christine, as he headed for the doors. She could hear a soft din of chatter from within the building. Everything was worn, but clean and as polished as it could be as this tavern did a good business.