Invitations (Christine) - Lowrey Manor

He laughed. "Just let me know when, ma'am. I'll bring 'em over ta meet ya. They're mastiffs, so they're as big as ponies."

She chuckled.

"You've seen the monsters I deal with nightly. I think I can handle ponies."

He laughed. "That's fair. Then I'll bring 'em by whenever ya want, ma'am."

She smiled.

"My home is open to you and your lady, and the monsters, whenever you wish."

His brows rose. "Ya know who my lady is?"

She chuckled.

"No, but I would hardly leave her outside the gates when I invite you inside them."

He laughed. "That's fair. I just figured I'd warn ya, since a lot of folks wouldn't want her around. She's one of tha few open Daughters left."

She paused, obviously thinking it over.

"I would enjoy hearing her sing."

He nodded and chuckled. "I'll pass that right along. Might make her happy just ta hear that."

She nodded, as if that was settled.

"If she is amenable, I can set up a time for you both to come over for a private concert."

He looked surprised, but pleased. "I'll see what she says about it, definitely."

She smiled.

"Of course. Now, would you like to ride? I don't recommend off trail unless you can see in the dark, but I have a couple of miles of trails."

He grinned. "I'd love ta ride for a bit."

She chuckled.

"You may pick any horse but Demon."

He looked over and started to look down the line of horses. He was looking for a good sized one - he was large and didn't want to hurt the animal. When he found one, he pointed. "This one okay?"

She smiled as he came upon a speckled monster that was likely a Clydsdale cross.

"That's Marie. She's a beautiful choice. Her saddle is right there."

She pointed to a stand across from the horse he picked. Then she stepped into Demon's stall to begin saddling him.

He took his time with the new one. He let Marie smell him, speaking quietly to her in her own horsey language. Introducing himself, telling her what he was doing as he was doing it. The blanket, the saddle, everything. And he was being sure to give her a good amount of petting and affection as he did it.

She melted under her hands just like every other woman. This was a horse who fell in love easily. But she was strong and able, and had spirit.

At just about the same time he was done, Christine was done as well. She was leading Demon out with smile.

"Oh good. I knew she'd be a good match for you."

He chuckled quietly as he led Marie from the stall at a lazy pace. "She likes me, I think. Ya want a hand up?"

She smiled, grabbed the pommel, and pulled herself with ease.

"I'm a lady. Not a cripple. But thank you. Shall we?"

He grinned and effortlessly swung himself into the saddle. He gave it a moment, actually, for the horse to get used to the feel of his weight. Then he turned to the Ventrue and touched the tips of his fingers to his hat. "After you, ma'am." And yes, he looked like he belonged on horseback.

She smiled and turned to lead the way out, starting with a walk, to give the horses time to get used to them.

"So, how long have you been here in Port St. Lucie?"

With a sound from his tongue and a gentle nudge from his heels, he set off after her. Leisurely pace, but keeping up -- just a few feet behind -- his hostess. It was polite. "Almost two years now."

She definitely seemed at home in the saddle, and Demon was definitely hers. He wasn't acting up, and seemed to respond to the least little nudge.

"And you've been Primogen for that long?"

He shook his head. "We had another one, name of Tatiyana. She went by Cami. But she kept disappearin', so they wanted someone more stable. I drew tha short straw." He looked over at her and smiled. "Ya took over for Ben? Where'd he get off to?"