anemoi | ITP: So the Emperor Nero, King Arthur, and the Holy Grail gather on a farm....

WHO: Nero, Arturia, and Irisviel
WHAT: Irisviel is going to teach the "twins" how to ride horseback.
WHERE: A farm.
WARNING: Irisviel is teaching Nero and Arturia how to ride a horse. Does this really need any more warning than that?

Arturia looked around the farm Irisviel had taken her and her sister to, wondering just how she'd gotten into this. Sure, Irisviel was excited by the thought and riding horseback seemed exciting. Between the way Irisviel rode and with how her sister acted about the prospect once they realized they'd both been offered the lessons, Arturia found herself unable to have second thoughts about it.

Horseback riding would be a useful skill to have.

And it did seem like fun.

And the horses seemed friendly enough.

And, Arturia couldn't help thinking this, going that fast seemed exciting.

Once they were in the stables to choose the horses they would ride, she turned to Irisviel to ask, "How long did it take you to learn to ride?"

[Tagging order: Irisviel -> Nero -> Arturia]

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"Nero!" Arturia cried as her sister's mount sped off. Arturia, acting on instinct, had Gwenivere go after her.

This was.... this was amazing. Such a rush of adrenaline she could hear her heart pounding in her ears and the feel of the wind rushing passed her made her cry out with excitement despite herself. Gwenivere was a good horse, she went in the direction she'd been instructed and she was slowly closing the gap between herself and Nero.

Now how does one stop?

Irisviel was so proud that her lesson were so effective with them. She was a bit worried that it would have been hard for them, but being able to watch them enjoy the wind and the pleasure of riding!

"Nero! Arturia!" She waved a hand as she ordered her horse to match with them, and since her skills were ~~horrible~~ a bit superior, the speed of her horse soon caught up with them. "You two are doing it so well! How does it feeel?"

She laughed happily, even forgetting to tell them how to stop.

"It feels wondrous! Like all the gods and all the sylphs fly by my side! This is the very soul of divinity!" Nero leaned low over Seneca, gripping the mare's sides with her knees. Laughter became Nero; she laughed joyously, speeding across the farm with all the cheer of childhood in her breast.

...she had forgotten why she wanted to stop.

"There! I mean to jump that fence!" She gestured up ahead. The sign had something about 'advanced course,' but how bad could it really be?

Not bad at all. At least, that's how she saw it as they approached the fence. Now that she wasn't quite as startled, she was feeling.... competitive. Her sister meant to jump that fence, did she? And Irisviel would join them?

"Not if I get there first!" she shouted, leaning low over her own steed and gripping tight to the reins. If Nero thought she could outdo her she had another thing coming.

Well now, who knew Arturia had a competitive side to her?

The girls were having so much fun that Irisviel giggled happily at that. Not everyday she got the chance to do this, or maybe she was used to it but she couldn't remember... In any case, she was so happy today. Sharing this moment with both girls was really amazing for her.

"To jump, you need to smack his side in the correct tiiiime!! He will understand that you want to jump!" The girl shouted to the girls in a fair way. "You can do it! Nero! Arturia!"

She preferred to cheer them from behind and jump later. Her poor horse was grateful for that.

Nero encourages Seneca to greater speeds, matching Arturia. Her dear, beloved sister meant to challenge her? Nero may be a tolerant, forbearing, and self-sacrificing soul of the utmost purity, but could not stand! She sped toward it, crouching by the sweating Seneca's mane. Come now. Come now. Just a little closer.

JUMP! she thought. Seneca grapsed her thoughts.

Airborne.

She had air.

Magnifico.

Arturia had air at the same time and both of them leapt the fence in almost perfect synchronicity. This was magnificent! And it appeared they were on a track now--one that would have a very interesting shape from the air!

"Sister!" she called, deciding to drop the pretense of concern. Irisviel was a kind soul and this was her sister. Why shouldn't she be allowed to have fun every now and then.

"Let us race thrice around this track and see who is the better horsewoman," she called and looked back to Irisviel, "What say you?"

Irisviel clapped her hands together at both of jumps, amazed of how fast they learned. They looked so happy and entertained that she felt really pleased with it. She followed them with a jump, a normal one since the poor horse just wants to die already.

"Ah, that sounds lovely. Let's us do our best then!" She relied with a giggle. A healthy competition sounded like a good idea.

This is to be truly free! All questions of stopping had vanished from Nero's mind as she charged the next jump, neck and neck with Arturia. The course ahead seemed more grueling, but Nero had no doubt in her skills, leaned over Senerca's galloping form. Just a little more, o divine steed! And then, she flew again--!

ITP: So the Emperor Nero, King Arthur, and the Holy Grail gather on a farm....

One if we're lucky.

Let's aim for half-year!

This convo: quoted next to "undue optimism" in the encyclopedia.

With all three of our pictures right under it.

sounds legit. I mean I play the optimistic here!!

I'm the irrepressible cynic.

And I guess that makes me the moderately realistic one.

perfect combination

royal flush of philosophy