A fine day for horseback riding. ((For i_paladin))

[chiron_survivor]

Adia is full of nervous energy as she waits outside of the Nexus inn for Paladin. She is mostly excited, but it has been a long time since she has ridden a horse. Her riding boots and helmet are long gone, lost along with everything else when Leonis was destroyed. She is wearing her regular boots and jeans, along with a sweater and her heavy wool coat. She didn't bother with a scarf, worried the fluttering might startle or distract the horse. Paladin did say that he was sassy.

Shifting her weight from foot to foot, she pulls out her PINpoint for the hundredth time and checks for messages. The innkeeper was happy enough to play go-between, printing out Adia's electronic messages and transcribing anything that Paladin wanted to write back in return. It's how they were able to plan their get-together. But Adia checks anyway. Plans can change, after all.

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[i_paladin]

Despite coming from a world full of magic this is easily the nicest inn rooms Paladin has stayed in. For one, and this is a pretty huge one: there is running water. Bless the staff who helped her settle in, clearly this wasn't the first time they've had to show a guest how a shower worked, or how the lights turned off and on (without magic) but Paladin appreciates their patience none the less. Including the innkeeper who did a very fine job of passing messages back and forth between Adia and Paladin.

The electronic terminal that sent and received messages was just too much for the Tiefling to handle first time around, maybe later, baby steps here. But there is no forgetting the appointment and the promise for the ride on the horse with no name.

Paladin does not keep Adia waiting long, from around the corner of the building comes the shadow steed with the silent steps and the smoke mane and tail, looking well rested and not nearly as grumpy as before. When Adia first met him it had been a long day for everyone involved.

Out of her armor, Paladin is dressed rather smartly, boots, slacks and white button down shirt including jacket. Over it all is her hooded cloak. "Hello!" Is the call. "I hope I've not kept you long, Ms. Adia."

[chiron_survivor]

"Hi, Paladin." She smiles warmly, tucking her PINpoint away. "You both look nice." Paladin manages to still cut a rather striking appearance, despite being in more casual clothes. It makes Adia long for her riding gear. "No, I've only been here a short while. And, um... just Adia is fine." She appreciates the formality, but it's not necessary.

[i_paladin]

"As do you, the color of your coat certainly suits you. The prince made sure he had a very thorough brushing before our date, he insisted, and I am but his humble servant." For reference doesn't talk but just gives off this sort of attitude, real or imagined, Paladin just goes with it.

They stop next to Adia and the steed stretches his neck forward to give her another good sniff, just making sure this is the same woman from last time. "Adia then, excuse me, I am still getting used to things. I am sure this is not a surprise to you but I was delighted by the accommodations. Hot water for days."

[chiron_survivor]

Adia smiles shyly at the compliment. She wears the coat because it protects her from the ever-present chill on New Caprica, but it's nice to hear that it has other positive attributes. If only she could keep it as clean as she wanted. "Prince is not a bad horse name, actually." She offers the horse the back of her hand to sniff if he needs more evidence, and a a small petting on the side of his neck, if he'll allow it.

"It's okay," she says quickly. "I'm glad you like the Inn. Yes, hot running water is fantastic. Did you find everything else okay?" Paladin is adjusting amazingly well, but new technology will always take some getting used to.

[i_paladin]

Paladin can't help but smile. It's always nice to see a pretty woman smile, no matter what the reality she is from. Sincere compliments are one of the nicest ways to make a person's day. "Do you think?" Paladin regards the horse under the name 'Price.' It's not bad. "The bonus is that one can refer to him as The Prince and get everyone slightly confused." Since royalty is actually a thing in her world.

Prince of course allows for the pets, finally he is with someone with an ounce of horse sense about them.

"So far, yes." Blue eyes narrow thoughtfully as Paladin revisits the past. "There are things I have not quite come to understand but I am wild about the break fast options the inn provides. The french toast sticks are a particular favorite, I was unfamiliar with them before now, and they do bacon quite well, crispy, which I like." Paladin could talk about food forever, just heads up.

[chiron_survivor]

Adia doesn't always know what to do with compliments, but Paladin's simple, friendly delivery has her at ease. "You can talk about him when he isn't around for maximum confusion... is there an actual prince, then? On your world?"

Her pets are gentle without being timid, once she's confident that the horse is comfortable around her. "You are a handsome boy," she tells the horse in a soft, fond voice, enjoying the feel of his fur under her fingers. "Very handsome."

"Oh, I'm glad you liked the food. If you get a chance, you should eat at the Crossroads Cafe. It's very nice and welcoming to newcomers." The owner has hosted two events that Adia has attended and she'd like to repay his generosity by sending more customers his way.

[i_paladin]

"In some regions there are, or at least that's what they call themselves. Of course what they actually are are thugs in very nice clothing." There may or may not have been a disagreement over card play a number of years ago that colors her opinion: but that doesn't make it any less true.

Paladin pretends not to notice when the horse side steps closer to the brunette who clearly has manners and a sense of taste.

"Crossroads Cafe, I most certainly will, thank you for the suggestion. So far I have been very impressed with the friendliness of this place. I almost don't know what to do with it." It was a little too nice, it was jarring to the point where she wasn't entirely sure if it was actually off putting or she was paranoid. "But we did not come here to talk about my tastes." Paladin motions to the steed.

"Would you like a hand up?"

[chiron_survivor]

Adia frowns a little at Paladin's description. She is not a fan of authority figures who use intimidation and violence to stay in power. "I don't think you should name your horse Prince, then. He deserves a better name than that." She loses her frown immediately when the horse sidles closer to her. "Good boy," she says with a soft smile.

"It's strange to be the recipient of so much generosity," Adia agrees. "I try not to take it for granted." Not anymore, anyway. There's something rueful in her expression, as if she's had her faith in the Nexus tested recently. But she's happy to let it drop when Paladin reminds her of the horseback riding. She's happy to let drop the topic of food, too; all she's eaten today was a reconstituted meal and some nutritional broth. Not nearly as good as french toast and crisp bacon.

"Right here?" Well, Paladin did ride her horse through the Plaza and nobody complained. Aside from a pedestrian or two, there doesn't seem to be any traffic at the moment. "Um... sure, I could use a hand. It's been a while since I've had to hoist myself into a saddle." She'll wait for Paladin to move into position before putting one foot into a stirrup and then hopping up, but she only ends up needing a little assistance. She's able to swing her other leg over like a pro, old but not forgotten muscle memory taking over.

[i_paladin]

"Well then, we continue on our search for a suitable name for this noble steed." Not all quests are wrapped up in a day, and they still have plenty of time on their hands to figure it out.

When Adia has her foot in the stirrup Paladin will help with the foot up and over. Idly Paladin dusts her hands off after the act and offers a smile up at the young woman on the horse. "You strike a lovely figure on that animal, Adia." As for riding on the streets of the Nexus? Why not?

"We'll stay to one side, I'm sure that will be perfectly acceptable. How does it feel?"

[chiron_survivor]

Adia still prefers Shadow, as cliched as it is, but there is plenty of time to decide. The horse doesn't seem to be suffering from a lack of a name, anyway.

The extra bit of assistance gets her settled into the saddle easily. "Thanks," she says to Paladin, both for the help and the compliment, the latter somewhat awkwardly. By contrast, her posture is relaxed and self-assured, all those years of riding coming back to her like no time has passed at all. "It feels fine," she says, taking the reins in one hand. She laughs softly. "I haven't been this tall in a long time."

She peers down at Paladin. "You don't mind walking alongside? I'll keep him going slow." It doesn't even occur to her to worry whether she can control this horse or not. He isn't giving her any trouble.

[i_paladin]

"I most certainly don't mind walking along side," hands slip into the pockets of Paladin's trousers in order to keep the chill of the day from them. "I am happy to walk, and if you are comfortable, and we get to some place more open you can really let loose if you'd like."

That was the general plan anyway, sometimes things go according to plan and other times the day takes hold and shows you just how completely out of your control everything is. Regardless, they should have a nice time.

When she is settled Paladin will start walking forward, the horse, Shadow seems more than okay with all of this.

[chiron_survivor]

"All right." Adia taps the horse with her heels to let him know it's time to move, keeping the reins loose. She'll pull back if he gets fresh and goes too fast. Right now she's simply enjoying being on a horse again, and for all his shadowy, magical quality, riding him isn't any different from riding a regular horse. "We can head towards the Wilds, there's some open space before you hit the forest. It's not too far."

The Nexus is rather predictable in its unpredictability. Adia has her PINpoint, though, and Paladin is with her. She feels about as safe as she usually does. "Does your world have any other modes of transportation besides horses?"

[i_paladin]

"Lead on," Adia knows this place far better than Paladin does and quite honestly that should be remedied. Taking shelter in a location, even off and on over time, means that you should get to know the ins and outs of it: the places the people. What to avoid and what to embrace.

Paladin has been remiss in this duty. In their defense the bed at the inn was incredibly comfortable and it had been a long ride.

The walk is nice, the weather cool but beautiful and this is a fine way to stretch the legs. "With magic users in abundance there is always the possibility for any type of transportation but the reliable, common ways to move about is by horse and of course by ship. The roads, while unguarded are still relatively well maintained around bigger towns."

And suddenly the Tiefling remembers: "I once heard of people getting around on a flying carpet. Great wizards left behind many wonderful and terrible things."

[chiron_survivor]

Adia has been doing more exploring lately; the coverage of the anti-violence field is spotty in the Wilds, but she has at least made it to the forest a few times. Having spent so long on a ship, and now a barren planet, she misses nature. "The Nexus is huge," she tells Paladin. "I'm not sure it even has boundaries, except that if you walk long enough, you probably end up somewhere else."

She keeps the horse at an easy pace, for both Paladin's benefit and her own. She knows she'll end up sore and bruised if she doesn't start out slow. "You're probably see a lot of different kind of transportations in the Nexus. A flying carpet is new to me, though... people used cars, where I'm from. it's a wheeled vehicle that's self-powered."

[i_paladin]

"So if I cared to, I could walk through the Nexus and get to the place you hail from? Or you from where I hail from?" Not that either would really want to swap, though Adia might get a kick out Rensford and the various surrounding lands: it's quite beautiful.

The pace is perfect but if Adia was to go faster Paladin would probably be able to keep up. The Tiefling wouldn't run unless it was incredibly important to do so though. "A car," interesting. Blue eyes narrow in thought "A self powered mode of transportation must be quite efficient. There is no need to stop and water it every few hours."

Unlike someone around here on four legs.

[chiron_survivor]

"I don't know if you'd be able to get to my universe," Adia muses, the roll of the horse's gait putting her in a contemplative mood. "The portal I first passed through was on a ship. Not even my ship, but one we had relocated to, once we joined the rest of the fleet. I only used it a couple of times before I got myself a PINpoint." She looks down at Paladin thoughtfully. "If I wandered in the wrong direction I could end up in your world, but I'd probably notice the portal first."

She smiles a little at the comparison. "You do need to refuel it every so often. Either by recharging its battery, or in the case of a lot of Earths I've heard about, using fossil fuels." Adia doesn't normally think of other cultures as backwards, but she doesn't understood why anyone would bother with a limited, environmentally damaging fuel source. "And they have lots of mechanized bits that can break down. A horse is more reliable."

[i_paladin]

"A ship! Ah yes, you told me before, it was a spaceship, yes?" A nod of the dark head thoughtfully like Paladin knows what a goddamn spaceship actually is. It sounds fantastic regardless. There is a lot that she is catching up on, portals, spaceships, PINpoint. Though portals are not unfamiliar in her line of work. "What is a PINpoint? A transportation device?"

That is the one she is least familiar with, at least at this point: give it time more out of this world stuff will pop up in conversation.

Or think that jobs harvesting those finite materials are something worth investing in. Because. You know, they won't ever go away. "Is that so?" The words are drawn out like Adia might be wrong. Paladin regards horse who looks over to meet the Tefling's gaze knowingly. There you go again, that gaze says. Being so wrong about everything.

"Yes but if things break you can repair them! With horses it is much more difficult, and they bite." Suck it, steed.

"Are there cars and spaceships in this place?"

[chiron_survivor]

"Yes, a spaceship. We lived on them for over a year, but... it wasn't so bad, really. My position on the Chiron was supposed to be for nearly that long, anyway. We just didn't get any shore leave."

"More like a teleportation device. You can get anywhere with it, if you have the location's coordinates." She reaches into her pocket to retrieve her PINpoint; the horse misinterprets her hand movement as an opportunity to move into a trot, but a quick tug of the reins gets him back into line. More carefully, she pulls out what looks like a stopwatch on steroids and shows it to Paladin. "You can also send messages to people, even across worlds. I try to keep mine with me all the time. Do you see the bright red button? It takes me immediately back to the Plaza."

Adia laughs softly at the wordless exchange between Paladin and beast. "Well, I suppose that's true... I've never been bit by a horse, but I kept away from the ornery ones at the stable where I learned to ride." She smiles fondly at the horse she is currently on. "He has a pretty good temperament, Paladin. He'd probably try to get away with more if he could, but he's not giving me any real trouble."

"Definitely cars... I can't actually think of a time I saw a spaceship, but they must be around here, too." She's not counting the blue police box that makes the strange sound when it appears and disappears in the Plaza.

[i_paladin]

There is a lot to get a handle on here, she is still working on the whole spaceship thing which sort of makes sense but also not? The general principle is easy enough to get ones head around, it's the details that get the most silence for Paladin. In the end it hardly matters: the likelihood of ever stepping for on a spaceship is incredibly low.

Looking up from the thoughts about spaceships not only because her attention is drawn there by the hand movement but because Steed takes the wheel. When he stops a hand will rest against his flank as the Tiefling examines the little device. "It looks very small to be so powerful! The convenience is immense, it certainly makes sense to have such a thing. When the need arises I can move from one spot to another quickly but it is much, much more limited." Like thirty feet limited but it still counts.

Horse gets a few pets and a light pat, he is a good horse indeed. "We shall see when you have all of the open space to ride him. How old were you when you first began to ride?"

As for Paladin? She is suddenly all about that car life: seeing one, riding in one, it calls to the adventurous spirit within.

[chiron_survivor]

Adia interprets Paladin's silence easily enough. "It's a lot like a sea-faring ship. Probably more so than other spaceships I've heard about." Just don't try to jump overboard. "I can try to find you a picture of one, if you're interested."

She waits until Paladin is done looking over her PINpoint before tucking it away again. The horse resumes his slow, steady pace. "Do you mean you can do full-on teleportation, or do you mean you move really fast?" Either way, that's super impressive.

"My nana signed me up for lessons at age six, but that was mostly sitting on a pony while an instructor led me around. I don't think I started riding unassisted until I was about eight or so. The lessons were kind of expensive, so I only took them in the summer." She thinks back on those times fondly, but with a touch of guilt, as well. "It was a totally unnecessary thing to learn, but I begged my parents like crazy. I didn't even enter any riding competitions, I just rode for fun."

Adia would say that riding in a car gets old fast, especially when you're stuck in traffic, but it's likely she'll get the opportunity in the Nexus if she asks around enough. None are on the street today, however, not even as they get further away from the city center. No one appears to be driving in the direction of the grassy area that Adia is headed towards.

[i_paladin]

"I must admit," Paladin says after the offer for the picture. "I was slow in working through the necessity of a ship that floated through space: the comparison is easier for me to comprehend. I would very much like a picture, thank you!" Now just wait until that picture is something other than a sketch: ka-boom!

"Teleportation, it is quite useful in tricky spots," there is an eye narrow in the voice. "More often than not it's in combat, but I suppose it would be very helpful if one was mistakenly detained by local authorities. That doesn't happen as often as it used to." Because the Tiefling is spending less and less time at the cards table and more and more time getting hit by evil things.

"That sounds like a wonderful memory! You didn't own a horse, yes? There was one at the stables you went to?" If so, that's interesting: that even in a world like Adia's not everyone could afford a horse. "I am curious about your family but I am unsure if it's too sensitive a topic to speak about, Adia, so I would understand if you would not like to talk about them." Paladin tilts her head up to gaze at the woman on the horse, leaving an unspoken offer at the end of the sentence. If she would like to speak, Paladin would like to hear.

[chiron_survivor]

"You're welcome." Now Adia only needs to find a working printer... she'll probably have better luck in the Nexus than on her own world.

There's a small amount of relief in Adia's expression; fighting evil is one thing, but she doesn't like the idea of Paladin getting in trouble with local authorities, especially if they are those corrupt princes that she spoke of earlier. "Does it take a lot of effort to do? How many times can you teleport in a row?" She thinks about the PINpoint in her pocket. "I'm not sure how my PINpoint works, but it is technology-based. Our ships use a form of teleportation to travel long distances, but it's much more hazardous."

"No, I didn't own a horse, although I did ask for one for my birthday every year." A horse is an impractical purchase when you already own two cars and your daughter only rides during summer vacation.

She looks down at Paladin, surprised and touched at how respectfully her query of interest is phrased. "No, it's... it's okay. I don't mind talking about my family." She still grieves their loss, but it is a simple grief, uncomplicated by mixed feelings; her parents were good parents, and she loved them dearly. She's not sure where to start, though. "What would you like to know about them?"

[i_paladin]

"Not a lot of effort, the magic I possess stems from my relationship," small bitter taste in her mouth. "With the god or the gods I - act on behalf of." More bitterness. It is a miserable thing to be on a path, to have access to such power but to be beholden to the deities that grant it. "As it stands I could perform the spell twice in a day, after that I would be spent."

Spell slots, they're a real thing.

"Going such far distances through," Paladin makes a motion with their hand to the general atmosphere because who knows what space is actually made up of. "Has to be extremely difficult, you don't know what you'll run into." So the Tiefling will take their 30 feet and be happy with it.

The idea of a small Adia asking for a horse every year for a birthday makes her smile. "That is very sweet," because children with wants and wishes are.

Paladin's tact comes from a number of encounters with traumatized people which, unsurprisingly, happens quite a lot in her world. "As long as you don't mind," if that changes so will the topic. "What were they like you have told me their professions but what else? It sounds like you were very close with them."

[chiron_survivor]

"Oh..." She looks down at Paladin briefly, unsure if offering her condolences would be appropriate in this sort of situation. "We don't have magic, where I'm from. And our gods..." There is a bit of bitterness in her own words, "Well, if they're real, they aren't paying us much attention one way or another."

"Yes, exactly." For someone unfamiliar with space travel, Paladin seems to understand its physical limitations well enough. "It takes a huge amount of calculating power to make sure each jump -- ah, what we call it when the ship teleports -- to be safe. Otherwise you could end up in the middle of an asteroid field or worse. It's even harder when you have to coordinate the entire fleet. We've had some close calls."

"My parents didn't think it was so sweet," she laughs. "At least I had the sense to ask for a horse and not a pony."

"Yeah, we were close." She smiles sadly. "I was an only child, and my extended family lived a little too far to see daily, so it was just the three of us most of the time. We did everything together. My parents had flexible work hours so I didn't need day care or a babysitter, unless they were going out at night... they were kind of an odd couple, I guess. My mom was taller than my dad and more educated in some ways, but they loved one another very much."

[i_paladin]

"If one was a bit more cynical they might argue that the less attention from the gods one gets the better off they are," just putting that out there. "In my world they have great power, I have often heard their voice or felt their presence. As graciously as they give their strength they can take it away if you displease them." For a moment Paladin pauses and then continues.

"Often people see their power only in healing or a blessing for their land, but the strength of their smite is awesome to behold. I find much satisfaction in it." There is almost a gleeful tone in Paladin's voice: it might be the first time she sounds like she looks, wicked.

Paladin makes a note to ask about asteroids later.

A slight shake of her dark head to shake free the previous smitting thoughts that she entertained. "It sounds very nice, being able to see and spend time with your parents, being very close to them. Did they teach you as well? You mentioned that they were educated."