Evan let out a chuckle as Ronnie’s hesitation, to trust that he was agreeing with her in a genuine manner, became apparent. He supposed it was only natural given the nature of their relationship thus far. “I assure you, I’m genuinely agreeing with you,” said he, as he turned to grin at her. He nodded some as he listened to Ronnie speak, and he couldn’t help but wonder if what she was saying had a deeper meaning behind it all. “Yeah, definitely,” agreed Evan, deciding that perhaps posing the inquiry would be a gesture for another time.
“So let me get this straight,” said Evan, mouth torn in a wide grin. “You’re going to kick my butt to the Underworld, resurrect me, and then kick me back there again?,” said Evan, unable to suppress a hearty laugh. He shrugged at Ronnie’s suggestion of a plan where they both didn’t take a plunge for imminent death. He pursed his lips and curved them in a thoughtful gesture, clearly, in a sarcastic manner. “Hmm, that is a pretty good suggestion. I guess we’ll work towards ‘not dying’ then, since you’re so keen on it.“
Soon the stables were in sight and Evan could almost feel the sudden apprehension in the air as the duo approached the Pegasuses. He wondered if he should interject with any true words of wisdom and console at this point. Here they both were about to actually embark on this nerve-wrecking, new experience, and he could tell, Ronnie’s anxiety was tangible.
"My pleasure,” replied Evan, with a cheeky grin. He was not at all surprised when Ronnie immediately said that she would not be going with Euphranor for the ride. Evan made a mock disappointed face. “Oh, that’s a pity. He’s really the most amiable creature of the lot. I’m sure he would’ve loved to make sure you had a great first time in the skies,” said Evan and shrugging some. “Oh he or she will like me,” said he with cocky confidence. “For starters, calling the Pegasus ‘it’ will probably not win you much points with them. Just a tip, Swan.” Evan winked at her as he said that last bit.
They were now at the door of the stables, and Ronnie was about to take the lead and step in the stables, probably for the first time, Evan wasn’t sure. As the two walked in, Evan stayed one step behind her as they stared down the long corridor-like space that separated two rows of stalls that housed several Pegasuses on each side. Of course, these areas weren’t as confined as they otherwise would be in the mortal world where the horses weren’t winged. Pegasuses lived more lavishly in their spaces with ample space should they choose to extend their wings or rear on their hind legs. They had troughs of water though Evan was aware that the bales of hay weren’t exactly part of the Pegasuses diet. They were probably just for munching on, but the real food, Evan was sure, must’ve been something else.
“Hmmm, you’re in luck. Looks like Euphranor’s all tired out. There he is, right there,” said Evan, lowering his voice to a whisper as he approached one particular stall where a brown Pegasus lay curled up with his wings tucked in, and its beautiful head resting on the cushion-soft hay that covered the floors of his stall. “Well,” said Evan as he turned away from Euphranor to give him his privacy, and extended his arms motioning to the vast space of the stables. “Take your pick. Walk around, if you’d like, see which one you identify with.”
Ronnie’s slight smile turned into a bright grin when Evan let her know that he was in fact agreeing her. “Well then, it’s good to know that ya got some sense,” she hums, her tone teasing as she gives him a playful wink. He seems to want to ask about her insight when it came to the idea of soulmates, and how people that held this view of the world being something beautiful were going to get a hard reality check, but he hold back on it, and she’s grateful. She’s sure she’s not ready in the slightest to talk about what made her feel that way. Actually, Ronnie was fairly sure that she was never going to be ready to explain that, so she lets the subject drop once he’s agreed with her view.
“Yes, thats exactly what I’m sayin’,” she says, trying to keep a straight face even as Evan laughed. She couldn’t though, her full lips stretching into a smile, a laugh escaping her mouth, her head shaking as she swats his arm. “I’m serious! Stop laughin’!” The words were meant to be serious, though they were spoken through giggles before she could compose herself. His sarcasm at her suggestion that they not die made her roll her eyes, Ronnie having to ignore all urges to shove him ‘playfully’ to the side, knowing it would most likely piss him off, and while she would be glad to get out of riding the Pegasus, she wasn’t keen on dealing with the look Anna would give her, plus she just didn’t feel like pissing him off.
As they made their way closer to the stables, Ronnie fought the wave of nausea making a lump form right at the back of her throat. She absently rubbed her palms against her shorts, her palms suddenly sweaty with nerves. Ronnie hated this feeling of distress. While it wasn’t the absolute worse feeling in the world, it was deeply unpleasant, but she wasn’t going to back down.
Ronnie couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his gentle mocking and his ‘hint’, resisting the urge to wipe the smirk off his face. “Well I’m no child of Poseidon to translate what I’m thinkin’ to it. I think I’ll be good,” she says, unsure if that was actually how it worked, but she kept her chin up as if it were, refusing to show more nerves than she was willing for him to see. He already knew she wasn’t looking forward to this, he didn’t need to know that she was actually completely terrified.
They walked into the stables, the place somehow looking even more spacious on the inside than it did on the outside. She supposed it made sense for the Pegasus to have more room, considering the fact that they had to spread their wings at some point. It didn’t sooth her at all, though. The animals were huge, much larger than her frame standing at 5′2″. Evan points out the Pegasus he’d been talking about, saying that she was in luck, but Ronnie can’t find the words to retaliate, too focused on trying not to make it obvious to the Pegasus that she’d rather be anywhere but here. She bites her lip, glancing around and taking hesitant steps towards each stable.
She didn’t get to close to them, studying each one, not feeling any particular connection to any of them. It wasn’t until she’d reached the last stable in the back. There was a beautiful black Pegasus standing there, looking calm as ever. It had a white stripe down it’s snout. Ronnie took a cautious step closer, standing on her toes to see into the stable, the horse letting out a huff that made her jump slightly, feet falling flat back onto the floor. She bit her lip, glancing towards Evan. “Does this one like ya?”
“Finally, recognition,” said Evan dramatically, closing his eyes and tilting his head to the sky as if to thank the gods. “I hope that didn’t hurt you too much - admitting I had some sense in me.” Evan returned his gaze to Ronnie, a light smile across his face. The two demigods laughed together at the Ronnie’s idea of scheme to punish Evan if he were to let any harm befall her on their little adventure. Evan didn’t let it show, at the back of his mind, he made a mental note of how different Ronnie looked when her features contorted into a grin. He briefly remembered their first encounter at the academy. Not once would he have ever dreamed a scenario where the two would have the opportunity to share a laugh with each other, regardless of how simple and ordinary the situation was. “Okay, okay, I’m trying,” said Evan, with smiling eyes. The sight of the stables and the change in atmosphere certainly helped him settle down. His focus sharpened at Ronnie. He tried his best not to acknowledged the apprehension in the air and the fact that Ronnie’s energy seemed to have shifted. Evan knew, at this point, that acknowledging her fears would only give them more unnecessary weight. After peaking into Euphranor’s stall and remarking to Ronnie that she was in luck, as Euphranor clearly would not be accompanying them on their trip today, Evan glanced back at Ronnie, expecting witty rebuttal of sorts. When none was forthcoming, he resisted the urge to display an expression of surprise at her silence. Evan put on a small comforting smile as Ronnie bit her lip and turned away to look around the stables for a Pegasus that suited her.
Stealing another glance at Euphranor, Evan put his hands in his pockets and followed Ronnie, a couple of steps behind her. The dull thumping of sneakers on the hay-littered floor of the stables was nearly completely drowned out by the inhalation and exhalation of some of the other Pegasus that were lost in sleep. Some familiar heads still popped up above their stall gates when Evan walked by them, so he lagged behind Ronnie and stopped mid-way of the stables to stroke the head of Pegasus.
As he stroked the Pegasus head, he looked at Ronnie who had already made her way to the near end of the stables. He glanced back momentarily at the Pegasus he was stroking when he head Ronnie pose him a question. Evan gave the Pegasus one last brush by his jaw and then walked over to her, eager to see which one she had chosen. “Ah, I think his name is Kleio,” said Evan. “I’ll admit, I don’t have much experience with him but I haven’t heard any particularly bizarre stories about him.” Evan glanced at Ronnie to see how she was handling being up close with a Pegasus. “He’s certainly got nothing on Euphranor if that’s your concern,” said Evan, trying to inject some levity into their conversation. “For what its worth,” said Evan, approaching the gates of the stables, “most of the Pegasus in here aren’t fussy. They’re bound to get accustomed to a familiar face once they’ve seen you around enough. I wouldn’t be too concerned about Kleio not knowing me.” Evan checked the lock on the stall to see if it had a padlock attached, indicating the Kleio was not to be taken out of the stall for undisclosed reasons. “I’d be more concerned on whether or not he would easily get acquainted with you,” said Evan, grinning as he noticed that the stall was indeed unlocked. “And there’s only one way to find that out.” Lifting the latch and turning back to glance at Ronnie before pushing the gate inwards, he said, “What do you say?”
