Yuki,+Magical+Girl+of+Love,+Learns+How+to+Ride+a+Planar+Stallion+(Sort+Of)

A runner will appear at the temple of Sune with a single white rose and a note for Miss Ashdown. When Yuki is able to receive the runner he will present her with the rose and a note on jasmine-scented paper in a beautiful envelope and say I am to present these to you and he will say ....from an admirer. The note will read as follows.....

Yuki, priestess of Sune, thanked the runner and slipped onto a nearby marble bench, just inside the courtyards. The envelope was heavy and of the quality of paper her father prized above all others... Breathing it in, she couldn’t help but think it...smelled like Azarius - mysterious and kind...of wealth and secrets.

She had just finished morning prayers with the other priests and priestesses in the great chapel, exiting quickly to avoid Axton and the LONG LIST of cleaning chores she was SURE he had ready for her now that he was free to wreak unholy terror on her life! NONE OF THE OTHER PRIESTESSES had to CLEAN...and SWEEP and RAKE and WEED! They could just...look...very beautiful, strum instruments, make great works of art and see to the needs of their parishioners. IT WAS ALL SO UNFAIR! She wanted to see to their guests needs too! She was a VERY good listener! REALLY she was! And she had ALL KINDS of REALLY GOOD love advice now that she’d had her heart broken AND her FIRST LOVE Confession! She was SURE she could be ALL KINDS of HELP! If only that demon Axton would just let her be the priestess she knew she could be. She could make ALL KINDS of fun love matches! But no...the citrus orchard waited. She just KNEW It.

It was in the middle of all this fuming that the runner appeared before her with the most beautiful white rose and a message. Both lifted her spirits completely! Sliding a long, elegant finger under the Chaat seal, Yuki opened the message and read...

// Thinking of you and your radiant beauty. A donation has been made in your honor to the order of Sune..... // // yours sincerely A.C. //

Blushing happily, she turned the letter over to see if her handsome friend had written more but there was nothing. “A...donation?” What...could that mean? And in her “honor”! Her blush deepened. Jumping up from the bench, she went in search of Helena to ask her what it could all mean when...a priestess stopped her and told her another runner had appeared and was waiting for her at the entrance. Changing directions, Yuki headed that way, all the while looking over her shoulder for her impossible demon master.

“I’m Priestess Yuki. What can I do for you?” She smiled as the blushing runner handed her another thick envelope scented with jasmine. Azarius. “Thank you!” Two letters from Azarius in the same morning, moments apart. SO MYSTERIOUS! Yuki leaned back against the entrance wall and slipped the seal free...

The note read as follows.

// Dear Miss Ashdown, // // I failed to ask you if you are able to ride horseback.I didn't think you were able to take lessons yet and have arranged for you and I to do this when you have the time.I think you'll love my steed he is very gentle and will treat you kindly I have ask him to be patient with you and he has assured me that you two will get along famously. Riding Horseback will be essential in Wine Country so let me know when it would be convenient for you and we shall arrange this for you. // // Yours sincerely A.C. //

Yuki re-read the letter again and laughed ruefully. It was true! Her riding skill was...ABYSMAL! Hadn’t Axton said so. And if it hadn’t been for riding behind Erevin that time, she was sure she would have been thrown off TONS! Or been run away with! Horses...! Weren’t they a bit SCARY?! So HIGH... All those muscles....with MINDS of their own! Riding a living, breathing thing... How did one come to an agreement with a beast like that? And what if she and it disagreed?! Galloping off they would go! She’d take the magic ship any day...but...even she knew she couldn’t stay the way she was...or she would become a burden to others. And, as if sent by Sune herself, here was Azarius offering her a chance to improve herself. Another...chance to become...stronger. An answer to prayer. There was no doubt in her mind that she would take him up on it! Anyway, hadn’t he said his horse was very gentle. That didn’t sound...bad at all! Gentle...was good!

An hour or two later, a message would arrive for Lord Chaat at the Vastel estate... On elegant temple paper, smelling of citrus and herbs. It read:

// Dear Azarius, // // Thank you so much for your gifts to Sune and to me! The rose is very beautiful and smells gloriously! I was having a trying morning avoiding the more...ah...tiresome aspects of my duties and your letters saved me, brightening all! As always, Azarius is very kind! //

// Thank you so much for offering me the opportunity to improve my riding. It is my duty as a priestess of Sune to warn you that, if you are to accept me as your student, I have MUCH need of improvement! Growing up in the city of Waterdeep, riding was never a skill I much needed since everything I ever needed was so close. I’m afraid our party has suffered for my lack of training and I would very much like to become someone who does not impose on others! So yes! I would very much like to take you up on your offer to teach me how to ride. Thank you so much!!! //

// In exchange, I will make a packed lunch for the two of us? It’s the least I can do after everything you’ve done for me. And, I can assure you, we will both need to keep our strengths up if you are to teach and I am to learn. //

// I shall come tomorrow after morning prayers? Or at whichever time you are able! // // Thank you Azarius for helping me to become stronger! // // yuki // // PS. You DID say your horse is VERY gentle, right? *doodled, sweating kitty face* //

The next morning, Yuki, priestess of Sune arrived at the Vastel estate wearing her very best riding gear, most likely conjured up by that miraculous ribbon of hers, and carrying a large reed picnicking basket...filled with all kinds of cakes and goodies and little sandwiches. Standing outside the main gate, she couldn’t help but look up and marvel at the great estate of the Vastel family... And feel a little sad too... For all this...all of it...would have belonged to her good and precious friend Gregori Vastel...if only...he hadn’t died saving his lover... Thinking of it like that...her eyes pricked...with unshed tears. Really...could the will of the gods be any more opaque...for what purpose could the death of such a man...serve...l

It was a warm and sunny day when Yuki, the fair and beautiful priestess of love, came calling at the doors of the Vastel Estate. Azarius had been so engrossed in research that he had almost forgot the date........no no no....he thought, not date but appointment to train for horseback riding. He must keep his feelings for her in check. It was a problem for him. She was just so infectious with joy and happiness and beauty....gods but she was beautiful thought Azarius. He was a man of discipline though and he promised to let her dictate the terms of their relationship and so he would, but deep down he would always hold out hope that she would find him a man of quality and worthy of love.

Azarius went to the receiving room at the front of the mansion where Yuki would no doubt be waiting for him after she was shown in by the servants. Azarius rounded the corner from the winding staircase full of large family portraits, past the giant ornate standing vases and statues moving effortlessly across the exquisite marbled floor to what he thought would be a disheveled priestess in grimy robes.The handsome Scion stopped abruptly with a look of surprise playing across his face as beams of dappled sunlight coming in through the high long stained glass windows moved across his angelic features making him look unearthly and disturbingly beautiful. “Why Miss Ashdown you have riding clothes.” Azarius paused and let his magnetic and engaging mismatched eyes look her up and down.

“AZARIUS!” Yuki’s smile was radiant as she turned to greet him, “Of course! Priestess robes are very impractical for riding! Right?”

“Gaston will be disappointed I was sure we would have to head to Leonardo's for a fitting. Well I’d better send a runner to inform him that we won’t be coming. Just one moment my lady whilst I arrange a message,” said Azarius, holding up one hand that had a riding crop in it.

Yuki arched an elegant eyebrow at the riding crop as a curious smile played across her lush lips. He’d said the horse was...gentle. Would they really need something as corporal as a crop? She began to feel a little nervous...

A runner appeared as if on command and after a brief exchange of words the runner was off with a perfectly penned message to his appointed rounds.

“Ah Gaston! He's NOT here?!! I REALLY expected him to be here too. How is he...” Yuki laughed, seeing the look on her friend's face, “Ah sorry Azarius! I’m not disappointed at all with your company! Forgive me. Forgive me! It seems I’m used to seeing the two of you together since you’re such good friends! Please be sure to give him my ‘Hiyas!””

Azarius flowed across the floor to Yuki taking her hand and kissing the back of it and said, “I see you've brought something with you perhaps for lunch? How thoughtful you are shall I inform the kitchens to stop preparations for this afternoon’s repast or shall we add your contribution the the lunch they were planning for us at the field house later this afternoon in the orchards?

“Y...Yes... I...well...if you’d rather but! I really did make an effort!” Yuki patted the basket confidently, “I didn’t burn A SINGLE THING... ... ... this time...!” She beamed! “And it TOOK FOREVER to cut out heart shaped sandwiches. You do like heart shaped sandwiches, don’t you Azarius!? I mean...who doesn’t!” She chatted away happily to him..about all the things she’d brought along with her. “But not snacking til afterwards!”

“Ah, but back to the riding lessons shall we head out to the family orchards to see about improving our equestrian skill set?” Azarius will escort Miss Ashdown through the beautiful but somewhat empty mansion through the large kitchens and out back to where an open carriage awaits them. Azarius opened the door for Miss Ashdown and then escorted her in and closed the door behind him. “Driver,” said Azarius, “To the orchards, if you please.” And with that they were off.

The carriage was comfortable and opulent, even for just a little trek into the orchards. Yuki was beginning to wonder if Gregori’s family owned anything that wasn’t over the top...rich. The velvet seats were comfortable and she couldn’t help but run her fingers over them happily... It really was like a dream...this kind of life. These types of expectations! It was true, wasn’t it? Those born to wealth and power really did live very different lives from the rest of us.

Azarius said, “I thought the orchards would be a good test for our riding skills and there is a beautiful old field house there next to a large pond where I thought we would take lunch.” As the carriage rolled on through the Vastel grounds Azarius told Miss Ashdown light hearted tales and fables he'd picked up in his countless hours of reading until the carriage neared their destination. The carriage rolled to a stop short of their goal causing Azarius to pause in mid story and look about. “Oh look!” said Azarius, peering over the side of the carriage as Yuki joined him side by side. “OH!” Yuki exclaimed, leaning a little further out of the carriage window. The air filled with the scent of jasmine as it had before when she was near Azarius and there was a warm gentle breeze flowing between them. It was heady and sweet and her heart seemed to skip a beat at his closeness. Goddess! How was it possible to be so...beautiful. It was like he wasn’t even human...but divine. And so close. WHY WAS HE SO CLOSE!!??! Oh Goddess! She couldn’t get used to this! Her heart. It wasn’t. She knew it wasn’t but...why couldn’t she move away?! Azarius guided Miss Ashdown’s attention down his well muscled arm past his pointing finger to the sight of a proud couple of magnificent geese crossing the carriages path with a family of 7 little yellow fuzzy goslings in tow. “Aren't they lovely.” said Azarius.

“YES,” she agreed with a happy laugh, grateful to be distracted by something other than his handsome face, “They’re....SO CUTE!!! Look at the little one. He's padding along so awkwardly. Poor little thing! It looks like he was just woken up from a nap!”

After a few moments and many peeps and a few loving but firm honks the family was out of harm’s way and into the water for they were indeed close to the field house by now.

“I just love nature don't you,” said Azarius meeting Miss Ashdown’s gaze staring deep into her eyes with those strange magnetic pupils, their faces so very close now, searching her eyes, trying to peer into her soul, as if looking for the answer to some unanswered question. Her heart began to...pound. Why...was he looking at her like THAT! Was he...WAS HE...going to try...try to....KISS HER?!!!! Azarius slowly blinked his eyes and licked his perfect lips. But leaning out of the carriage window, their faces were so close together. OH GODDESS!!!! SHE WASN’T PREPARED FOR 'THAT' AT ALL!!!!! I MEAN!!! HER FIRST KISS! THERE’S NO WAY!! It had to be with someone SHE LOVED! LOVED! She...She...couldn’t! I mean... This was AZARIUS!!! They were FRIENDS! FRIENDS! She’d...already told him...told him her heart wasn’t...wasn’t... GODDESS! WHY WERE HIS EYES LOOKING AT HER LIFE THAT!! She needed to calm...down. SHE WAS A PRIESTESS OF SUNE! This should be NO SWEAT! Azarius will swallow hard look at Yuki and say, “It occurs to me that maybe it is you that are being tested dear lady for what greater gift could a priestess of Sune give another but one of unconditional love?”

“Un...conditional...?” Her voice trailed off, as if not catching his meaning exactly. Why...wasn’t she breathing. Sorcerers...were... SORCERERS WERE SCARY!!!!! SHE WOULD NEVER, EVER UNDERESTIMATE THEIR CHARISMA AGAIN!!!! I mean... ONE LOOK into HER EYES AND ONE COULD make a SWEET, INNOCENT, VIRTUOUS girl do ALMOST ANYTHING!!!!! SCARY!!! She had to... Had to...look away... Glance....somewhere else...somewhere other than THOSE...eyes... Suddenly shaking himself, as if waking from a dream, he said, “My but I'm parched how about a little wine?” and he produced a bottle from nowhere. “Just a scoach before we get started shall we?” And the wine was poured into glasses that also came out of nowhere and a seminal vintage was sampled much to the delight of all.

As if released from a spell, Yuki reached for her glass, “OH! YES PLEASE!” And took a long, fortifying drink. NOTE TO SELF, she mused, DO NOT LOOK INTO AZARIUS’ EYES! Or ALL...WILL BE LOST!! She couldn’t help but think that learning to ride might be harder than...she first thought.

The carriage rolled to a stop shortly thereafter and Azarius and Yuki disembarked for the field house, an old barrelhouse for storage but kept up well. It had a quaint old charm about it.Yuki looked around.....”Um Azarius, I don't see any horses around to ride?”

“Ah I was wondering when you would notice that.” he said with a sly grin. “Observe,” he said pointing just down that row of trees in the Apple Orchard.

Yuki, practically bursting with curiousity, laughed, “What...are you planning?! I...I’m not good with surprises you know! It’s so hard to NOT KNOW!”

Azarius made a gesture and a gave a most unearthly whistle that seemed to echo through the planes. It was beautiful...but the sound sent tremors down her spine as if...it wasn’t quite...natural. Magical... Definitely not...a normal whistle in any shape or form. What was the sorcerer...doing?

Far down the row of trees that Azarius had drawn attention to a mist began to roil up and the air grew cooler. As the mist thickened the sound of hoofbeats could be heard in the distance and perhaps the whinny of a horse? Yuki stepped behind the sorcerer for protection, “...A...zar...ius....?” And he could hear the uncertainty in her voice. The mist rolled in closer and the sound of hoofbeats grew louder until a beautiful Black Stallion appeared out of the mist thundering to a stop just short of Azarius and gave a loud whinny pawing a hoof at the ground. Yuki’s beautiful blue eyes were wide with wonder... “...a...mazing!”

Azarius went over to the Stallion and stroked its long muzzle and said, “Shadowmere this is the young lady I told you about.” The stallion looked at Yuki and nodded. Uncertain as to what the proper greeting was to a magical horse, Yuki waved with a shy, awed smile, “Hiyas!” Azarius continued, “She is in dire need of riding lessons would you like to help her out?” The stallion and Azarius looked at Yuki and and the stallion whinnied and pawed a hoof at the ground twice. Azarius Laughed shaking out his blond hair in the sun and said, “See..... I told you he'd like you.” The priestess looked back and forth between Azarius and the great stallion, uncertainly “A...Are...you...su..sure?” I would tell you his real name but i don't think I can pronounce it but he is a real horse in every way I assure you......just from another plane....I think you two are going to get along famously.I will teach you what I know of riding but if at anytime you feel like taking a pause just say his name I have given you and he will stop.” Yuki nodded then stopped, “W...Wait! You want me to get on...NOW?!!” She squealed as Azarius boosted her up onto the great beasts back, “...A...ZARIUS! You’re...SURE, he’s...GENTLE, right?! I mean...He’s...Oh Goddess, it’s HIGH up here!” The merchant prince chuckled and began giving her careful, straightforward instructions on her form...and seat. And after awhile, she seemed to laugh a little more and relax her hold on the the great stallions reins. “THIS is....ACTUALLY kind of FUN! Wait! Wait do you mean by trotting FASTER?! Ah! Ah! Wait Wait!....” Yuki squealed as the horse took off at a faster gait, much to Azarius’ amusement.

And so...the afternoon will pass and lessons will be taught and learned there will be a pause for lunch at the field house. Azarius will find what Yuki has prepared delightful and compliment her many times on her efforts. The air will be warm and a lovely breeze will flow through the orchard which is alive with insect life buzzing about and small woodland creatures going about their business. There had been a blanket in the carriage and he had laid it out carefully in the middle of the great orchards. The air was filled with the scent of apple and citrus blossoms, blooming late into the Spring. Yuki wondered if there was some preservation magic upon them... Chatting away happily, the priestess laid out a carefully prepared picnic lunch of heart-shaped sandwiches, raw vegetables, bread and cheese... Azarius prepared the wine and, with a triumphant laugh, Yuki pulled out a beautifully decorated miniature cake, just the right size for three or four people! “I’m very good at cakes! This one has strawberries and cream between the layers!” She sighed happily, “Yum!” She began a hum a song...as she prepared a plate for him and herself...and the young lord...was suddenly struck by how beautiful her sweet voice was. He’d never heard Yuki sing before though he’d heard Gregori mention it once...or twice. The song stopped as she handed him his plate, “Here, Azarius...” And he hesitated taking it. “Azarius?”

“Which...song was that?”

She blushed a brilliant pink, “W...Was I...singing!? Oh how embarrassing!” She touched the back of her hand to her cheek.

The sorcerer shook his head, “Humming. What was it?”

Yuki set his plate down in front of him and tucked her legs behind her, sitting perfectly in the warm late Spring afternoon, “Ah...!” She covered her lips with her fingers, “Ah Azarius! Do you really want to know?!”

He nodded and she glanced away embarrassed, “It’s...a song I learned as an acolyte. One of my mother’s favourites! It’s a...'warning' actually!”

He looked at her curiously, “Do tell.”

She laughed, “IT IS! A warning...” And her eyes turned coquettish, “...to all ‘fair and...tender’ ladies COURTED by...HANDSOME And MYSTERIOUS Men who would STEAL their hearts and virtue!” She stuck her tongue out at him and took a bite of the cake, ignoring her sandwiches.

He laughed and shook his head, “Indeed?! Well. You must sing it now?”

“Sing it?” Yuki gulped.

He nodded.

“...For you?”

He smiled.

“Really, I’m NO BARD, Azarius!!!”

“I’ve...heard otherwise.”

“For shame! Putting a lady on the spot! And it's such a...SAD song too!”

He leaned back and folded his hands, waiting.

“OH FINE! Fine! For you! As...As a THANK YOU...for the riding lessons....” She smiled....and cleared her throat, “...don’t laugh! I MEAN IT!” And she cleared her throat again...and began to sing...in a surprisingly...sweet, high, beautiful, teasing...voice...

// “Come all you Fair....and Ten....der Ladies... // // Take warning hoooooow...you court...your men.” //

Her eyes danced mischievously.

// “They’re...like a staaaar... // // On a cloud...dy morning... // // First. They’ll appear... // // And then...they’re gone...” //

// “They’ll tell to yooooou.... //

She shrugged prettily, hamming up the performance!

// SOME loving...story... // // They’ll SWEAR to yoooou... //

She’ll cross her lovely hands across her heart.

// That THEIR LOVE is TRUE! //

She crossed her arms and looked at him admonishingly, wagging a finger at him teasingly.

// “Straight away they’ll go.... // // And they’ll Court...some other... //

She’ll extend her hands outwards and look up to the clear blue skies...

// THAT’S....the 'Love'...they had for yooooou... //

She tilted her head slightly to look knowingly at him, her eyes, a performer’s...

// OH Don’t you Remember... // // Our Days...of courting? //

Her sweet..voice grew soft...and entreating...

// You told me...then... // // That you LOVED me...BEST //

She shook her beautiful head, tendrils slipping down her neck...

// You could make...me believe... // // By the...FIRE of your...ARDOUR... // // THA...AT...the SUN....RO...OSE..in the WEST... //

And her voice....beautiful and honest and true....rose and soared and danced over the melody...humming and trilling until it trailed off quietly with an apologetic laugh, “Oh Azarius! I can’t seem to remember the rest! It’s been too long! THERE!” She was blushing. “Do not ask me for more!” And she rose up from the blanket and swept into a deep parody of a bard’s bow! “Such a sad song! We should sing a baudier one! A funnier one!! Have you heard of The Tailor of Amberly Street?" She seemed to stop and look suddenly up. The sun was hanging lower in the afternoon sky.

"Oh! OH!?!! Is the sun REALLY that LOW! Oh Azarius! I MUST GO! How did THAT happen?! I’m so sorry but I MUST! I have evening duties! And I must help Mynta lead vespers! And I promised I'd be back by late afternoon!” She kneeled down before the basket and started dumping things unceremoniously into it, “Thank you! I’ve had the best time! And you’re the best teacher! Azarius is ALWAYS so kind. We should come here again with the others! Wouldn't Wren and Maly love this place! All of them!" She closed the lid on the basket and stood up, dusting the grass from her lap, "I must tell Mister Gregori that I have visited his orchards and describe for him how lovely they are! Thank you! I feel...less afraid of horses now too! Well...planar ones, anyway!” And she chatted on like this together with him as they made their way to the carriage and back to the Vastel estate. She left immediately with a joyful wave, rushing as if the Devil himself was on her heels to reach the Temple of Sune...in time. “Thank you Azarius!!!! LET’S DO THIS AGAIN!!! WITH EVERYONE!!!! BYE!!!!”

(SONG: [|__http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HifL71zHaE__] )