[video] UN: danslalune

[riderofcharlemagne]

[The camera is rather shaky at the start of the video, through unfamiliarity with the technology. It soon straightens out to being somewhat stable, and Astolfo comes into view.]

Hey, everyone! Guess what!

[He's breathless with excitement, going faster than his words can really keep up.]

Astolfo airlines is noooooooow OPEN!!

[With a dramatic flair, he quickly turns the camera to show a Hippogriff, stabled and calm. Off-camera, Astolfo's voice can still be heard, though in a hushed whisper:]

Come on, do the thing!

[After a moment, the beast spreads its wings out, and lets out a cry similar to that of an eagle. Astolfo then turns the camera back on himself, absolutely beaming.]

Come down to the stables if you want to meet him! I promise his friendliness on my worth as a Rider!

[Which may not be much, depending on who you ask.]

Comments

[riderofcharlemagne]

Ah, well, if you have griffins [Emphasis on that 'i'...] and you have horses, you have all the ingredients you need for a hippogriff.

[thoroff]

I, uh, see.

[She would have been perfectly content to never have to imagine such a union, but alas, here we are...]

[riderofcharlemagne]

That's what I mean by "not meant to exist".

[And now you know.]

[thoroff]

... Fair enough.

[Now she knows, indeed, and with that, she'll just go ahead and turn her attention back to the creature in question. In an inadvertent mirror of their first meeting, she asks:]

Can I pet him?

[riderofcharlemagne]

Go ahead! He's really soft.

[Though, perhaps, more importantly: not likely to bite.]

[thoroff]

[With a smile, Wren gently reaches out to touch and softly stroke the hippogriff's plumage.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

[The Hippogriff makes a noise, somewhere between a purr and a chirp.]

I think he likes you.

[thoroff]

[A delighted little laugh escapes from Wren at the sound. She's just going to keep with the petting, then!]

I'm glad to hear that! The feeling is certainly mutual.

[riderofcharlemagne]

We’d be in a spot of trouble if he didn’t like you, considering you’ll probably be seeing each other often.

[He chuckles.]

Careful you don’t become his favourite instead of me, I’ll get jealous.

[thoroff]

I'll try not to steal his heart away, but I can make no promises.

[riderofcharlemagne]

If you do, I could never forgive you.

[He says this jokingly, with a dramatic point.]

[thoroff]

[She laughs and raises her hands in a faux-placating gesture.]

Alright, alright, I'll be careful.

[riderofcharlemagne]

Or else I'll steal away your Pegasus' heart in return!

[A highly improbable event, but a guy can try.]

[thoroff]

Honestly, I'd just be impressed if you managed that.

[riderofcharlemagne]

That unlikely, huh?

[thoroff]

Once a pegasus has formed a bond with a rider there's precious little that can shake it. They've been known to be passed down from mother to daughter, but that's just further proof of their fierce loyalty.

[Yes, specifically mother to daughter, not parent to child.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

I can respect that.

[Loyalty is a trait that he values, being one stick with someone to the end once they've earned his allegiance.]

They're not too fond of men, I take it?

[thoroff]

Oh, yes, that's right. They only accept women as riders. A tame pegasus will take male passengers if its rider wills it, but good luck even getting anywhere near a wild one without getting kicked.

[riderofcharlemagne]

Understandable. It's funny, though, in my world the most famous Pegasus riders were men.

[thoroff]

Oh, really?

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He nods.]

Though I can't say I've ever met him, and people aren't always like they are in myths.

[thoroff]

That's... interesting.

[Read: weird. No one tell her about Fates.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

His name was Perseus, and another Pegasus rider was also Bellerophon, a man too.

[He shrugs.]

Different worlds, different Pegasus attitudes.

[thoroff]

I suppose so. It's hardly the strangest difference I've heard. You know some realms don't even have horses, let alone pegasi?

[riderofcharlemagne]

I know, right?! It's so messed up.

[They're the hardest animals to describe to someone who doesn't know what they are!]