tushanshu_logs | MANDORALLEN OPEN POST

Characters: Mandorallen, CT, Yelena, and whoever else!
Date: anytime during the landfall event
Location: Mainland OR Tu Vishan!
Situation: Mandorallen is making some expeditions onto the mainland, making sure people stay safe. Feel free to run into him on the mainland, or somewhere on the turtle, if that suits your fancy.
Warnings/Rating: Warning for probable mindless violence on Mandorallen's part.

[ Mandorallen has never been a man much for insatiable curiosity. Few men of his kind are. There's a lot to be said for the Arends, but imagination has never much been their strong suit. Still, the mysterious allure of the mainland isn't the only thing that's drawn foreigners to it; for Mandorallen, the draw isn't the promise of uncharted lands, but rather the safety of the people. The kedan have spread plenty of warnings about the dangers of the mainland, about its hostile environment, and Mandorallen knows well that there are many foreigners on the island who have little means of defending themselves.

That he finds his familiar steed, clad all in armor and bearing the crest of Vo Mandor, is a pleasant surprise. This place is strange, indeed, but Mandorallen doesn't dwell too long on the mystery of it. He's seen plenty of strange things in his own relatively short lifetime, and he isn't likely to question it. He's just glad to have his horse back.

Of course, the mainland holds potent dangers, even for someone as recklessly courageous and competent with a blade as Mandorallen is, but he's far less concerned for his safety than he is for anyone else's. ]

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[ Mandorallen was more than happy to offer his services as an escort to Yelena when he found out she was curious about the mainland -- he's found solace and something pleasant in her company, and though Mandorallen is trying to be more careful about making snap judgments from Steph's careful but emphatic lessons, she's just so very small. He's polite enough not to voice it to her directly, but he can't help but be concerned about her safety. He's ventured into the hostile mainland already himself; he couldn't in good conscience let Yelena go alone, if he could help it.

He meets her near the place where Tu Vishan meets the mainland, dismounting from his charger with a series of small but audible clanks. He doesn't have his full suit of plate mail here, but his chainmail suit and broadsword will have to do for now. He smiles at her, laying one mailed hand on the horse's neck. ]

Good morrow, my lady. Art thou prepared for our journey?

[Yelena's already been on the mainland twice since Tu Vishan came alongside it. When mentioning she wanted to go back, Mandorallen had offered to escort, there had been no reason to say no. Having Annabeth at her back had been easy, they'd been in tune with each other, and she assumed that it would be almost as simple to go with Mandorallen.

She arrives at the appointed spot right on time, and there's no hiding her widened eyes when she gets a good look at what's awaiting her. Mandorallen in his armor. With a giant sword. And a horse.]

I am, of course...you didn't tell me you had a horse. Where did you get it?

[They're precious in Ixia, and moreso here in Keeliai.]

[ Mandorallen looks at her mildly, obviously not getting the fuss over his horse. Sure, he's glad to have his charger back, but...it's a horse. What's the big fuss? Then again, he knows that beasts of burden are also relatively rare here on Tu Vishan. He smiles down at her with an incline of his head that suggests a shrug. ]

Ah, but this is not just any horse, my lady. He is my steed, from mine own world. I found him by chance, wandering in the mainland, looking for water. It doth seem as divine providence, does it not?

[ He pats the horse's armored neck with a faint clink, beaming. Okay so Mandorallen missed his horse. ]

It should make our journey somewhat more comfortable, I hope.

[Even more incredible. He found his horse on the mainland. Yelena approaches until she's standing beside it, and tentatively reaches out to let the horse catch her scent. Then, she lays a hand at it's cheek--odd, she feels...something...when she does, but Yelena just draws her hand back.]

He's beautiful. We'll have him carry our things?

[Yelena hefts her bag over her shoulder, staff in her other hand. The concept of riding his horse hasn't occurred to her.]

[ The horse snorts softly, nosing gently against Yelena as she pulls her hand away. Mandorallen looks at her with eyebrows slightly raised, blinking. ]

He can bear much more than such a simple load, my lady. Better that he carry our weight and let us preserve our strength for some more worthy endeavor, methinks.

[Something seems to stir within her, but Yelena is far more distracted by his mention of them riding.

Her eyes widen ever so slightly more as she looks over at him. She can't quite contain the brief surge of excitement.]

I've never ridden a horse before. He can carry us both?

[ He actually beams a little bit with pride YES HIS HORSE IS PRETTY GREAT ]

With ease, my lady. He is accustomed to bearing the full weight of mine armor, but in its absence -- well, if thou wouldst forgive my saying so, thou art rather slight, and should cause him no undue discomfort.

[His good spirits are catching, and Yelena smiles more broadly.]

So long as you don't mind teaching me, I'll try it. How...how would we do it?

[Because it occurs to her that they'll have to ride one in front of the other, likely.]

[ For a moment, Mandorallen merely blinks. ]

Teach? My lady, there is nothing to teach. Thou canst ride at the rear, and all thou must do is hold fast.

[She thought there were things like techniques and stuff but if she just needs to sit and hold on then awesome.]

If that's all there is to it, then alright, that works for me. You get on first?

[ Mandorallen nods and takes the time to secure their things before he hoists himself easily onto the charger, his mail suit clanging a little as he moves. When he's seated comfortably in the saddle, he extends a hand down to her. ]

Here, take my hand. I can give thee a lift most easily.

[She watches him get settled into place and when he offers her a hand, approaches. Yelena hesitates only a split second before putting her hand in his and hopping up as he begins to lift her up. It's not a graceful movement, but she's atop the horse soon enough.

The newness of the experience is a little exhilarating. She can feel the horse beneath her, and Mandorallen in front of her, and she can see so much more from this perspective. Her lips quirk into a smile.]

So this is what it's like to be tall.

MANDORALLEN OPEN POST

FOR YELENA

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