A Long Distance Misunderstanding (Private)

[Jodias Safri]

Time Stamp: Early Afternoon of the 16th Brightening of Imperos, Summer of Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XI Post Fractum.

Newly arrived from Riparia, Jodias had little knowledge of Frigid River. He didn't even know who the Thane was. Truth be told, he was blissfully unaware of such a fact - if he had realised that the Thane was none other than Pirvan Kaldres, the very man whom Jodias had demanded ransom from in exchange for the safety of his cousin Roslynn Kaldres, the Arakmatian would have stayed far, far away from the city.

Gently guiding Arauka Fea by her reigns, Jodias reached what he supposed to be the main street of Frigid River. He stopped to look both ways, unsure of which direction to take. Eventually, he turned right, unconsciously heading in the general direction of the mercantile district.

It wasn't long before Jodias had stopped to watch those around him going about their everyday business. He wagered he would need to find a tavern to provide him with some rest, but that could wait until closer to darkening. For the time being, he was enjoying the freedom of simply exploring.

[Cassidy Al'lende]

A lady, perched on her very own steed- was giving soft whimpers of displeasure. "Minuel" she cried, "I do not like riding. I do not like horses. Why must you force me" Minuel, her main guard had heard enough of this certain woman's complains. "M'lady," he said sternly, "Any, and every thane should be well aware on the ways of riding. It is proper." Cassidy rolled her silvery eyes. "Like I follow proper," the blonde muttered and tightened her fingers around the reigns. The horse she was beneath was a docile one, who tread at a slow pace and provided Cassidy security, however the lady was nearly flailing. "I -will- not!" She decided suddenly. Minuel regarded her with amusement. "No? We're awfully far from our resting place, and you'd ruin your shoes."

Cassidy looked down at her pearly white slippers. "That is very true," she sighed, "Oh, very well, Minuel. You win. How much longer must I practice?" the word was like ice off her tongue. "Just until up this last street, My lady," He consoled.

And so the couple went forward, Minuel's ebony eyes flashing across suspiciously. As snobby as this certain thane was-- he was protective over her wellfare and did not hesistate to show his power as he rode with the troublesome elf. She, was having trouble with urging the horse down- until finally she crossed her arms and waited for Minue's instructions. "Use your heels, woman!" he teased and when she did so- the horse moved forward.

"Blasted beast," she growled, and whether she spoke of the horse or Minuel, we did not know.

[Jodias Safri]

Jodias continued to sit idly in his saddle observing those around him, until he realised - courtesy of an extremely irate vegetable stall owner - that having his stationary mare in the middle of the road was potentially detrimental to the nearby businesses.

Apologising for such a grave error of judgment, Jodias guided Arauka Fea onwards and out of the way. As he reached the entrance to an adjoining street, the Arakmatian was struck by a sight he'd not seen before. A woman - no, a lady - was flailing her arms from atop a horse as if it was running away out of control. Except it wasn't. In fact, it was barely moving at all.

As much as he knew it wasn't fair, Jodias found himself struggling to stifle the laughter that such a humorous sight brought about. Truth be told, he himself hadn't been very good in a saddle the first time he'd tried, but the sight of someone, who he assumed was used to displaying elegance, appearing so completely out of control only served to make Jodias laugh all the more.

From where he was at the end of the street, Jodias had neglected to think of the repercussions of being caught doing what he was doing. He was enjoying himself far too much to be thinking of consequences.

[Cassidy Al'lende]

Cassidy was not pleased. Not please in the -least- bit. Her brow furrowed slightly as she looked yonder the large man seated in his own saddle beside her, but to a man who looked suspiciously like a to-be lover of hers. Oh, and she could detect those shaking shoulders, a result of laughter any day. Her lips pursed angrily, and her grasp on the reigns tightened irritably as she ceased her horse's movement, (as minimal as it was already.) "Oh, what courage that man has!" She muttered coldly and motioned for Minuel to stop also.

"I have a mere word to say to a very certain gentleman. Excuse me, Minuel." And she looked down from the horse like a woman with a mission- except she didn't quite think her grace would reflect that. Drat! So with courage that she did not obtain for specifically horse-back-riding, she climbed down from it, wiped her satin dresses and went for Jodias.

"Do you find something humorous, Kaldres?" Cassidy spat- her features flared and cheeks rosy from her exertion. But when she found that it was not Pirvan, but a different man, her hands still rest lazily on her hips... "Oh." She scoffed, "Well, do you?"

[Jodias Safri]

Jodias was finding the scene before him to be profoundly humorous. That was, however, only until he was discovered by the target of his mockery. The thief had been laughing much louder than he'd realised.

He watched on in frozen shock as the lady climbed down from her horse and started her march towards him by foot. A quick note of the muddy ground was enough for Jodias to realise just how angry the woman undoubtedly was. But it was the mention of the word 'Kaldres' that really threw him. Roslynn Kaldres had, unbeknownst to her, been his hostage. Her cousin Pirvan, however, knew all too well what had happened - it was he who had paid the ransom, after all.

Quickly looking over both shoulders, Jodias half expected to see someone who looked familiar to Roslynn standing behind him. After all, he didn't know what face to put to the name of Pirvan Kaldres. Cassidy was next to Arauka Fea by the time Jodias realised there was nobody behind him, and the thief looked on in horror as the woman - who only now appeared decidedly attractive - continued her tirade.

"Uh..."

Jodias was momentarily caught completely speechless. Regardless of the woman's physical appearance, her anger seemed to be all too real. The Arakmatian wished for the ground to swallow him whole.

"I beg your pardon, milady," he started in his usual polite manner, but regret was etched all over his face. "I mean no offence, but if you want me to be completely honest with you, then I am compelled to say 'yes'."

Jodias leaned slightly back, fearing the worst. He was clearly apologetic, but he dreaded what awful response the lady had in mind.

[Cassidy Al'lende]

She considered this for a moment, her eyes blazing silver. Lips pursed before she slowly, coldly murmured "If you meant no offense, you would have lied, sir- and declared that you had not laughed." Her eyes flowed over her appearance and her head lifted regally. "Sometimes it is not best to tell the truth, you should consider that." Minuel came closer and narrowed his black eyes at Jodias.

"What are your intentions, sir?" He rumbled from beside Cassidy.

Cassidy however, merely lifted a hand; her eyes still on Jodias' and said, "Nevermind that. We are concluded. Unless," she lifted a golden brow, "He finds more to his amusement?"

Her bright eyes challenged him, pondering if he questioned her authority.

[Jodias Safri]

Jodias watched in shock as Cassidy reacted in such an angry manner. It should have been expected, he supposed - some people didn't enjoy being mock in public, after all. Even with that in mind, though, Jodias couldn't comprehend why she had responded so strongly. Perhaps she was someone of power? Jodias could have sworn he was the one in the mud and she was the one atop the horse - her tone of voice seemed to indicate that she thought that were the case.

"Again I apologise, milady," the Arakmatian responded, in his typically polite tone. "I find it much easier to remain honest with others and myself. I have no intentions of leading anyone astray."

Jodias acknowledged Minuel's arrival with a slight nod, but quickly returned his attention to the attractive woman whose feet were covered in mud.

"Please allow me to repay you for my grievous error, milady. Perhaps if I were to teach you how to ride a horse properly? That way no-one would ever laugh at you again."

[Cassidy Al'lende]

Cassidy smiled. Sweetly even as she measured Jodias. Her head was tilted at a warm angle, the sun dancing along the golden curls beneath her bonnet. Silence passed between them, but Jodias could rest with self-assurance, as she'd obviously lost her anger. Cassidy turned to look at Minuel, mouthed something to him and he also smiled. When the temptress twisted to return her sapphire gaze to Jodias she gazed at Jodias.

But it was no longer a gaze. It was a challenge, her eyes locking with his, power radiating from those fiery orbs, and the silver flecks which brightened those very eyes gleamed. Perhaps Jodias mistook her expression, because no longer were her lips pursed in interest- but amusement. Cold amusement.

"You." She began, " want to teach me a lady to ride?" It did not end there, and she prounouced each syllable frigidly, "You." She gave a short laugh, "Want me to even associate with a peasant?" The Al'lende shook her head in bemused bewilderment, "Who do you think I am? Do you remember seeing me at your dirty dinner table each night?" Cassidy spat, and Minuel's smile also never wavered.

"Must I repeat myself?" Cassidy angrily continued, "I do not care if you tell the truth to anyone. Truth just may get you in the gaol, sir" She mocked.

[Jodias Safri]

Jodias grinned incredulously at Cassidy. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on him. A lady - in name, but certainly not in nature - was standing in the mud trying to tell the Arakmatian that he, atop a fine horse, was a peasant.

"You are most grievously mistaken, milady. I am no peasant. However, I can't expect you to know such things."

Arauka Fea whinnied slightly, detecting easily the tension between her rider and the muddy stranger.

"At least let me know your name, milady, so that I may correct my error in a more formal manner at a later date."

Jodias couldn't help but think that his meeting with Cassidy was about to end all too abruptly. Admittedly, knowing who she was would help him avoid any further confrontations, but he had been serious when he'd said he wanted to apologise in a formal manner.