[OOC: Er. Sorry 'bout the length. They got talkative. *Sigh* They're like that sometimes.]
Katrina and Tyroshaun exchanged a long look at Cyrus’s mention of dislike due to a magical heritage. They knew all too well what the dangers of trying to ignore mage giftsâ€"and they, for who magic had always been a central fact of their lives, the very prospect was too painful to consider. As the viscount murmured something about how he thought things were supposed to be better here than in Connlaoth, Katrina ran a hand through her hair and said rather soberly, “We were lucky enough to be spared that, with both our family’s tendency to produce mages and a rather… magic-ridden area in general.â€?
“It’s more of a fact that our magic has been the reason they’re safe more often than not, so they tend to look upon us rather… gratefully,� Tyroshaun added with actual warmth in his voice, although he winced faintly and stiffened again almost immediately, as a group of chattering teenagers passed them. He shifted a little towards his horse, as if for shielding.
“I have to say, though, that I cannot imagine trying to renounce magic,â€? Katrina continued. “It seems far too painful. …Not to mention dangerous. You have really had no training?â€? Both siblings had immediately considered the somewhat frightening prospect of untrained magic erupting. It was something their father had warned them aboutâ€"told them to try to prevent, if they could, by teaching those who had it the basics of control.
A faint, humourless sort of smile had touched Tyroshaun’s lips in the meantime. “Believe me when I say, Merdirein, that the idiocies and petty quarrels of the past are of little to no interest to me, beyond of course academically and for the sake of amusement. I know what the current state of affairs is because, remarkably, I happen to exist.� His rich baritone had once again taken on that sharp edge again, though somewhat tempered from before. “Besides which, there are two small points of language which I think need a little clarification.�
“Tyroshaun…� Katrina glanced uneasily between the two, and wondered briefly if this was how her mother had felt when her father was young, hot-headed, and almost as prone to faux-pas as his son.
He, however, ignored her. “Contempt implies a conveyance of a sense of superiority which was not a part of the conversation one way or another. Irritation is the term you were looking for, I think.â€? Of course, he didn’t realize just how his attitude tended to be taken despite the overwhelming evidence. “The second point is your use of the word friend.â€? He didn’t see Katrina rub her temple tiredly. “Friends are people you know well and can confide in. They are not, as the general population seems to define them, simply people you talk to. Seeing as I’ve talked to you a handful of times in my life, the term isn’t really applicable.â€? There was a slight lecture inflection now, a totally unconscious bad habit he’d learned from his father. Then the faint smile was back. “Other people are acquaintancesâ€"namely, those people who are not plotting your imminent demise. Those are enemies. Given that I find it highly unlikely you’ll draw a dagger and try to stab me at any point in the near future, I believe you fall under the former of the two categories. Besides,â€? he added under his breath, somewhat sulkily, “I’m not a sir. I didn’t think the ceremonial crap was worth the knighthood.â€?
Knowing that was the best that could be hoped for from her brother when he was so tense, Katrina decided to step in before Tyroshaun damaged perfectly innocent conversation any more than he already had. “That’s very kind of you to offer, my lord. Tyroshaun,� and her brother glanced at her, “just go on ahead. I’ll be perfectly fine, and if you do have business you’d best attend to it.� With a slightly grateful look Tyroshaun hesitated, then stepped forward for a brief, quiet talk. “Yes, yes, I’ll nudge you when I’m done.�
Tyroshaun nodded and stepped back, and after a moment said in a slightly more conciliatory tone, “There’s an inn, a couple of blocks downâ€"Katrina can show you. It’s a nice, quiet sort of place,â€? hence why he gravitated there, “and they have good stables. Dragging your horse along is rather difficult with all the small stalls and kiosks.â€? He was going there himself, as a matter of fact, but… if he didn’t say as much, he might have a chance to move faster. The sooner he was in his uncle’s library, the better. More hesitantly he added, “If you’re not busy afterwards, it’s also good for a quiet drink and meal, if you like.â€? It was his equivalent of an apology, and he knew he’d be far more likable himself in a less crowded setting. He kissed his sister’s cheek and nodded once to Cyrus, then quickly pulled himself free and headed off towards the inn to drop his horse off. It was so much easier to move without it.
Katrina turned back to Cyrus with an apologetic smile. “It’s nothing personal, reallyâ€"he’s just always like this.â€? Not entirely accurate, but it would suffice. “He’s much nicer once you get to know him. Assuming you do,â€? she added with a sigh. She couldn’t remember the last time her brother had made a real friend. “Still, he’s right about the horses. There are too many people to make a horse really practical."