Horsing around (Iris/invite)

[Mordechai]

Glancing through more of the southern Ontario farm's pictures Mordechai found a paint with the flowing feathers of a shire, but it looked to be much smaller. Clicking to the page he read the short blurb, It was a 'Gypsy' horse. Not a Romanov breed, but a style of smaller horse created by crossing smaller horses with Shires. They seemed to keep the musculature and feathers of a Shire.. but pint sized. Perfect for his kennedy. Firing off another email to the farms business division, he opened a tab to his bank, and wired forth the funds for the double purchase. His kennedy would love the equine, and most likely badger non-stop to be riding constantly.

Tapping a key on the intercom, the killer leaned back waiting for his clerical wiz, Violet to pick up the summons. "Yes boss? Whacha need?" Her voice came clearly over the intercom. She was probably one of the best employees he had, and she had been with the company since its opening day. Quoting out an address to her, the killer continued his instructions. "Just bought two horses, have a couple of the drivers grab the van, and go rent a horse trailer." He paused a second before continuing. "A big trailer. I want them at that address by nine AM tomorrow, and back here by dark." "Ummm a horse boss? Two of them? I thought you lived in an apartment. Are they house broke?" A low growl emanated from his throat. "I am taking care of it. Just make sure they are here by nightfall."

"Iris said she'd be willing to discuss boarding your horse for you."

Zodiacs words slipped into his mind followed by a phone number. Using the trick he had learned from the months he had spent training with Eskoph he called the Victorian equestrian using his mind to dial, and carry on the conversation from his end. It was sort of like a cosmic Bluetooth. Once the woman in question answered, Mordechai explained his needs, "Greetings, my name is Mordechai. I have a pair of horses arriving tomorrow night. I will require boarding for them, and care when I am not available. I will require room to oversize them, and room for training. If possible, I will require a place to set a jousting track. One is a Shire, one a gypsy cob. Can these needs be met by your establishment?" Silently he awaited his sireling's childre's answer.

[Iris von Drol]

Iris smiled slowly first from the gratitude conveyed by Zodiac's thoughts. Then it progressed and went into an uncharacteristic deep laugh. One of those unexpected and delightful ones inspired by the visual of a scenario so chaotic it would be only be funny at the end. Her sire was infamous for situations resulting in the less than planned happening. Iris was nearly always there to witness such. More often than not she also was a participant. Willing or unplanned it didn’t matter. Each experience was a gift in itself.

The killer owlet in the shrubbery in back of Pandora's Box came to mind. So did the occasion Zodiac sent Abelle Broussard on a delivery with her. All started off innocently enough and blew up into the last situations she expected to find herself in. Jousting. This concerned the young woman just as much as the owl using the broomstick as a tight rope coming at her with those eyes full of intent and destruction thanks to Ginny. Abelle sitting next to her riding through town in the coach was no picnic either.

Iris' laughter continued to fill the air between them in the dark field they stood in. Zodiac and the sport of jousting. Iris being included had her to the point her stomach was feeling tight from the laughter she found difficult to stop. She needed to do this more. Spend time with her sire and to laugh. Laugh like she was doing as she reached for the fence to brace herself as she leaned over in an attempt to stop the current fit taking place.

Mordechai. The name of the friend revealed was captured and instantly fixed in her thoughts. She slowed her laughter and braced her velvet covered arm across her tight midsection so the fingertips could curl at the firm swell of her right hip. The name and the vampire it was associated with were hardly new to her. She was called upon for her ability as a ritualist. She opened the otherwise impenetrable doors all the way to the top. Her laughter ceased and her cornflower blues went wide while the back of her hand brushed away the tears that clung to the tips of her lower lashes.

“I…” Iris began her attempt to explain she knew of the vampire but was cut short with the man introducing himself telepathically before the rest of her words could come out. She fell silent instantly as her eyes stayed upon her sire’s own. Mordechai, the woman who was considered ‘his DD’, Hagen and herself. The man was intimidatingly tall and his mate was hard to forget. The blend of her own victorian ways shared with her husband proved less than difficult. Mordechai was a gentleman and his DD was a woman of her own mind.

Iris gave the respectful pause for the man to finish his introduction then nodded as if he was right there in front of her. Her hands gathered her golden hair into a bunch of twisted waist length and quickly knotted it up into a loose french bun that likely would not last for very long. A sigh of relief found its way through the telepaths lips when Zodiac finally informed her that she had no intention of taking up the sport as she had assumed.

“I believe we have met, Sir.” Iris was nodding to her sire in a gesture to take to their saddles once again with confidence. She had no concerns for the return ride back to the farm. It would go smoothly. Anything else that could happen would require more energy than she would guess they collectively had. “I was called in to deal with a series of doors that would not submit to any ordinary key, Yes?”

Iris bounced to slide a button up vintage boot into the stirrup. Gracefully she glided an abundantly layered leg and the cloud of velvet skirting over the saddle and settled in on top of Chopin. Her long pale fingers stroked the black beast beneath her then finished with a appreciate series of pats.

“My business can meet those needs. I look forward to your arrival.” Once she finished with that thought another quickly came to her mind. What does a giant of a man claim as a fitting horse to ride? She blinked looking to her sire. They would soon find out.

[Zodiac]

The gypsy watched Iris. That look in those eyes told her she was 'talking' to another in her thoughts, so she stayed quiet. Her hand patting Dimitri's neck gently as she waited. The horse seemed tired now, but still felt like a coiled spring ready to explode at any second.

"We walk home. Dull, I know." she told the horse. She had enough racing around the landscape for one night, now she needed to get the beast home, rubbed down, fed, and back in the paddock. She snorted in her thoughts at that one. The horse had already proven the fence was not a deterrent, but a challenge to the animal. One it had conquered several times that night already with sinful ease. But she thought about it more and realized Dimitri had never jumped the fences before. Only when he had a rider did the urge seem to come to him.

When she saw her childe mounting Chopin, Zodiac clicked her tongue and nudged Dimitri gently to start walking along the road to home. "So, got yourself a new client now?" her thoughts asked Iris as Chopin kept pace with the gypsy's horse. "It's nice to see Mordie getting into new things. Expanding his horizons and all. You know, if we get dragged into this, we gonna need armor or something. Know anyone who makes that kinda stuff, cause I know I am not an 'off the rack' kind of person when it comes to battle armor. Either that or get some big pillows to tie to me so I bounce easier when I hit the ground."

She quit talking then. Zodiac gave Iris a warm smile as the pair clopped along. She had an idea now what the animal was capable of. Strong, fast and fearless. Now if she could only find a way to control the beast properly, she'd not only have a proper ride, but a partner in many situations. But that was a problem for another night to solve.

"Oh, a cow girl needs a horse...." she began to sing softly. "And a cow girl needs a fridge, to keep her bloodwine nice and cold...If she wants to keep a ridin'...along...."

[Mordechai]

Rising from his seat the killer began to pace as he listened to the female equestrian. He remembered the raid she alluded to. She and her husband had helped him, Mortll and his kennedy defeat a siren infestation. With the way the conversation had started the laconic male was preparing to tune out, sure that this was one of those females that loved the sound of her voice. He cocked one eyebrow moments later, when she succinctly answered his questions with a simple 'I can do that' type statement. Perhaps this wouldn't turn out as bad as he had first feared. As long as she was professional and truly could meet his demands, perhaps things would progress smoothly.

The night was almost over, Mordechai could sense the coming dawn with amazing precision. It was as though he had his own internal atomic clock tracking the sun. The rays of the sun no longer bothered him, and he often spent part to most of the day at his shop. His presence during the day had increased the shops earnings ratio, and silenced a few that thought that because of his size, attitude, and nocturnal habits, he must be a vampire. Showing up in the shop after daybreak or before dusk killed those Hollywood inspired theories. He would need his rest today though, as the 'morrow promised to be a full night. Taking his seat once more he looked over his desk then slowly rotated, studying the implements of modern warfare that studded his office walls. Slowly the single revolution brought him back to face his desk. Opening a folder with a mouse click he started a series of .mp4 and .avi files playing in a random order as he used his other hand to click the buttons of his intercom. "Violet, let the day crew know I will be here if needed, but not to disturb unless there is an emergency, or the boys on the run have trouble." Releasing the button he did not wait for an answer, instead clicking the small red button, that locked his intercom, from all but one other set, and left a red light showing on that one. A 'do not bug me' light. Then closing his eyes he stilled his heart and respirations as he listened to the sound of hooves beating, and clashing armor coming softly from the speakers of his computer.

The silent inhalation of breath, as the slow quiet thud of a heart began, marked the setting sun. Mordechai's eyes opened instantly, his every sense aware. He was greeted by the silence of his office, even the screen of his comp was in sleep mode. Reaching out with his mind he accessed his company's software, entered a password, then slipped into the dispatch and transportation department. A quick scan of the GPS tracking software showed his crew returning, just entering the southern borders of the city. The killer had obtained the address for Iris's farm in Cherrydale from a quick search, and reaching for the phone laying on his desk, and quickly texted it to the driver, then rose and stretched. Out through the shop, then around to the back where he kept the Judge stored when he was in residence here. A glance around, then his outline began to shimmer. the seven foot one inch killer left into the air, morphing easily into a seven foot wing spanned eagle that rose quickly on powerful strokes of its wings.

The harpy rose quickly as it sped north west across the city, powerful wings accelerating the bird to a cruising speed of fifty miles an hour. In just a few minutes the eagle reached the Thornvale farms, circling overhead until he found the one he was looking for. The huge harpy eagle dropped to a tall oak near the perimeter of the farm, talons the size of a bear's paws grasp an upper branch as his eyes scanned the farm. It appeared well cared for, and the livestock that was visible seemed healthy and content. The eagle's head cocked to the side as a rumbling reached his ears. Small feathers surrounding his ears trapped and funneled the sound waves to him, and recognizing the sound of his delivery van, he launched into the air coasting to the front gates, shifting as he approached the ground. Raising a hand towards the truck, the killer telepathically texted the phone number Zodiac had given him. "I have arrived"

[Iris von Drol]

Winter night kissed the charming home leaving a frosted frame around each shimmering tall cut-away bay window of the Queen Anne style house that served as a base for two of Iris' several business. Snowflakes drifted recklessly with each flying behind another to a path that appeared to skate over the steeply pitched and unique front facing gables. The asymmetrical facade stood out from the wrap around porch that took the unprepared to the darkest and rarely seen route to the back of the house. That is where it was far too easy for the unsuspecting and uninvited to suddenly disappear. No warning signs were offered and no excuses were given.

The wind was bitingly sharp to anything that would value it's warmth and crisp to the lungs that had no choice but to draw it in. This was nothing that would bother the victorian inspired telepath who shared the place with her husband. Iris von Drol was lost in time it would seem and Hagen, her beloved, was quite comfortable having her there with him. The two were equally eccentric and elusive in their ways and it suited them well.

The scene that surrounded Iris was nothing short of the expected if you knew her well. Few truly did. A small ball of white fur skittered over the recently installed white oak hardwood flooring in her second story shop. The albino ferret was still in his red satin ribbon finery at the neck and chasing the sparkling ball that rolled beneath the piano bench she was seated on. A tap of the vintage leather that covered her foot sent the sapphire ball towards the other side of the massive open room. The ‘Once Upon a Time’ inlay stood out as the white tail crossed over the flight of black birds that carried the eyes viewing the ornate font work to the east corner of the shop.

Prelude Op.28 No.4 was nearing its tragic and yet inspiring end as the last notes flowed from the disciplined depression of Iris' pale fingertips to the ivory keys of the piano beneath the young woman's hands. Her heart was nearly awake once more with the ache of despair that flowed from each respite of silence that left the listener lingering for the finality of one more note to echo from the grand piano. Her cornflower blue child like gaze tangled with the halt of her fingertips as they hovered over the keys, her mind masterful in its count waiting until that moment when the listener could bear the silence no more. The release of the pain that inspired the creation of the piece moved her as well to submit her fingers downward bowing to the keys in reverence for what only Chopin himself could leave behind. The bittersweet legacy to be more than one who simply sits at a piano with a sheet of music. Before her there was none to seek guidance from. She read each note from within, feeling it as it went to its final key and note then gone leaving the lonely wake of silence. This was how it always ended. Just as powerful and inspiring as it had began.

A few moments pass and it is then that those pale fingers withdraw and the wide deep eyes register the voice of the expected Mordechai. Iris lifted gently from the seat and gathered her layers of charcoal velvet that were held tightly about her curves with pearl and silver buttons. The line was simple from neck to floor. The tight wrap was perfect for the new year ahead. Dark, plain and yet bold in its statement. She had not compromised anything about her as the last of the year slipped into history.

"Welcome, Sir." Iris gave her greeting telepathically to the giant of a man that was easily seen from the windows she passed on her way downstairs . No images of jousting had crossed her mind for the moment. She was focused solely on getting the man and his magnificent beasts the expected accommodations she was able to provide. "Please have your driver head northeast once you are through the gates. The stables should be easy to see. I shall meet you there.”

Iris reached for her matching plumed hat and her gloves in the entry of the first floor. each was of the same rich velvet as her attire.The winter full length riding coat covered her petite shoulders after the length of her arms alternately wiggled through. Her blood was cold but for appearances sake she could not risk that the driver responsible for delivering the horses was of their kind. Clothed as any human would be with reasonable layer she set out the front doors of the house and made the short walk to the glowing horse stables to wait for the horses and Mordechai.

At the last minute Iris figured it would be a wonderful idea to invite her Sire over from the mystics farm next door to witness the new arrivals. “Pardon my intrusion if it is such.” Her mind reached out to Zodiac in thought. “Mordechai has arrived. Please join us if you have the time.”

Iris stood patiently waiting with her eyes fixed on the darkness that spread across the farm around her. Flickering firelight was the only aid in navigating the human eyes courtesy of the countless lanterns lined the interior of the property. Even in a blizzard it was enough light to guide one seeking shelter rather easily.

[Zodiac]

The return to her property was slow, but uneventful. Parting company with Iris at the entrance to her place, Dimitri seemed quite content to walk along and the gypsy had no desires to go on another uncontrolled mad dash in the night by encouraging him to move faster. After tending to the horse's needs, she bathed and settled down for a long sleep as the sun began to assert itself on the horizon.

* * *

The next night found her engaging in one of her few favorite pastimes. Outside the beginnings of snow was asserting itself, dusting the land softly. It was nothing compared to what would come in the true depths of winter, but no one could deny winter had come to Harper Rock now. After tending to her charges needs and assuring herself her business matters were well in hand, she laid on the floor in front of the glowing fireplace. An old tome of traditional witchcraft she had purchased in an auction was open before her. She sipped her 'breakfast' as she read, occasionally taking notes on a point of interest. In a few hours she would motivate herself enough to get properly dressed and head back to town, but for now the silly pajamas and floppy slippers more than suited her needs. Ginny laid on a pillow doing her best impression of a sphinx as she dozed nearby.

“Mordechai has arrived. Please join us if you have the time.”

The soft voice touched her thoughts. The girl got up and walked to the window and peered out into the darkness. Her ears caught the sounds of a truck rumbling along and she saw a glimpse of headlights turning onto the road that lead to her childe's place.

Without a reply, she wandered to her bedroom and got herself dressed. Layering herself to ward off the chills. So many like her could shrug off the cold as if it was nothing, but the unpredictable quirks of what had pushed her and others she knew into vampirism did not bless her to be able to stand outside in lingerie on a negative 40 degree night like some could (and did sometimes)

Fluffy snow boots and her white fur trimmed hooded cloak in place, She went downstairs and selected her 'walking staff' that hid a katana beneath the frills and slipped on her mittens. "Coming?" she asked the large black cat that had followed her down to the foyer. The cat rubbed against her ankles and sat by the door as if waiting on her.

The cold bit her nose as soon as the door opened. Zodiac stood adjusting herself as she considered her options. Riding Dimitri was totally out of the question, but she did not feel like driving either while the use of her powers seemed trivial for such a short trip so she walked to the rear of her house and began to follow a foot path that made a straight line to Iris's place. The bits of snow and mist made seeing a bit off for most, so she reluctantly pulled one of her hands free from a mitten and focused her thoughts. A small point of light began to grow in her palm as she summoned Illumination to cut through the gloom, then held her hand up over her head as she began to walk. The sounds of her feet crunching the dead leaves as well as Ginny's progress the only sound to be heard along the way. She found the gate they had set in the fencing to allow them both easy passage to each others place and entered.

She wondered what they would think of the bouncing ball of light making its way to where they stood near the stable. A winter Willow the Wisp perhaps? Once she reached where the lights at Iris' place cut the gloom away she extinguished her glowing light.

"Blessings to all," she smiled as she hugged Iris and Mordie in turn as she tried not to shivver.

[Mordechai]

Mordechai stood silently, flurries drifting around, seemingly afraid to actually land on his person. The oilskin duster and stetson were plenty of armor against the elements, but as he stood there alone before the truck, it was as if they were not needed. Turning slowly, he once more scanned the area, this time with the night vision of a vampire, there were still no threats, just a path of old style lanterns lighting the way towards the stables in the distance. As Ms von Drol's voice slipped inside him giving him the necessary instructions, and permission to proceed, he motioned to the van. Hunching up his shoulders he tipped the stetson lower, and began pacing out the drive to the stables, with the van and trailer following close behind him. The flicker of the lanterns created an eerie light, the shadow of the killer leaping and twisting about him as he passed one to the next.

He had progressed almost half way to the stables when the sound of a closing door turned his head towards the frost decorated Queen Anne farm house. A small figure bundled in dark nineteenth century riding clothes was headed on an intercept course across the yard. Lengthening his stride slightly he matched the smaller figures so that they would meet at the lit stables. The van had no problem following him, but at this slow speed you could here a hesitant lugging to the motor, as if it were hauling a quite heavy load in the livestock trailer that it towed. Much more than if it were just delivering a pair of horses. It was but a few moments till they met up, and as the van slipped by him to the entrance, Mordechai extended a bear sized paw to the woman before him. "Ms. von Drol, I am Mordechai, I did once before have the pleasure of meeting you, but at that time we were pressed for time, and the niceties of civilized culture were bypassed for expediency. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance once more."

The introductions completed the killer turned towards the trailer, pausing as he saw yet another diminutive figure crossing through the flurries, her way lit by a small ball of light. This one was easily recognized as his favorite among the many that his sire had bled and turned. "Greetings Madam Zo" rumbled from between his lips as he waited for, and accepted the hug that he knew was coming. He gently returned it, taking care that he did no damage, before turning once more to the trailer. His men had wasted no time while he got the preliminary greetings accomplished, and had opened the doors and lowered the ramp to the trailer. Even as he approached, they were leading the first out, a small, but sturdy and well muscled cob, with a vibrant black and white paint scheme gracing his hide, complemented by long flowing obsidian high lighted, white mane and tail. Graceful feathering adorned the white boots of his lower legs.

Turning to the women his low voice ground out, "This one is for my kennedy, it is to be a present for her." He glanced at the ground for a moment, then raised his eyes once more to the females. "She is a blessing upon me, and I wish to show gratitude." Slipping a simple knot into the harness rope, Mordechai tied off the fourteen and three hand gelding to a nearby ring, gently stroking one massive hand down its mane and over its back as he towered above it. Satisfied that it was calm, and as well mannered as its breeders had said, the killer turned and once more entered the trailer. The sound of a stamped hoof, was accompanied by a rocking of the trailer. It was obvious to those outside, that some great weight had been shifted inside. The rocking continued as the sound of iron shod hoofs driving into the trailer's floor came nearer to the door. Mordechai finally exited the trailer, followed by a coal black stallion with four feathered boots, and a wide white blaze. Perhaps the most stunning aspect of this particular horse, was that on top of the twenty three hundred pounds of well placed muscle, the proud stallion's head was easily higher than the stetson on the head of seven foot one inch vampire leading it out into the snow. Turning his head to face the massive stallion behind him, Mordechai offered a small cube of sugar to him, then rubbed affectionately at its muzzle. "They say he is eighteen and two at the withers. I am assuming Leviathan's appetite may be slightly more than your other boarders. Be sure to send a revised cost estimate to my office"

[Iris von Drol]

Iris was rubbing her gloved hands out of a slowly fading habit more than feeling the negative effects of the cold that was enveloping her as she stood outside the stables. The man that moved in the distance grew quickly in stature as he stepped towards the place she had already arrived. She watched him closely through the snowflakes that floated in random spirals around her face. A random sweep of her hand knocked most off their course leaving a few stray ones to stick to her lips and her pale cheeks. Her head tilted to adjust her firmly held chin eventually craning upward to the dark sky with his progression. Once he was in front of her her eyes widened. Mordechai appeared to have reached a new height if that was possible or perhaps she had not observed him enough to appreciate his true size. It was a rather busy event the last time they shared physical space. A ritualist was not one to move much beyond one alter to another. She hardly was needed to raise weapon to those that tried to keep them from advancing. Her lips parted just enough so that the shine of her teeth appeared but their points conservatively and respectfully remained hidden.

“Sir.” Her gloved hands reached out to take in the weighted greeting of the hand that easily overshadowed both of her own. The man was impressive all the more as the brief contact was made. The black plume at the side of her small but perfectly perched hat danced as she dipped her head once in respect to the one she was welcoming. “It is indeed a pleasure to meet once again. Please feel free to call me Iris.”

The large hand was gone quick and replaced with weightlessness of her own in the air. Each went to her hips and dusted off the accumulating flakes that collected at her curves. The van and the trailer appeared nearly out of realistic proportion compared to Mordechai as he made his way back to where both were at a stop. He had not reached them when he paused. Her lips lifted into a smile that more often than not found its way to her face when seeing the one who gave her another purpose beyond death. Zodiac had made her way over from her neighboring farm. Now his size was easy to reference as the winter wrapped mystic gave the massive man as much of an embrace as her petite arms could. Iris stepped a few feet forward then stood still once more waiting for her sire.

“Welcome back.” Iris was reserved and did not engage in public embracing but always made the exception for Zo. Her arms wrapped gently and her lips pressed quickly at her sire’s cheek as she released her from the embrace. Her hand slid down to the mystic’s and squeezed once then released it as well in a final greeting. “I am glad to have you here. I do expect it will be impressive.”

Iris nodded to the movement of the men with Mordechai at the trailer. The door opened and the ramps were dropped. The anticipation filled Iris at seeing what the stetson wearing giant would claim as a worthy horse to carry him like a knight into battle or the honorable joust. Dimitri was the largest horse she worked with. What would appear would likely make the spirited one that gave both females waiting trouble seem like a miniature.

First horse to appear was an intended gift for his kennedy. The sound of that and his mention of her being a blessing inspired a brief and knowing smile from the young telepaths lips. It was a wonderful mention seldom heard. It was so easy for many to bypass the etiquette of referring to a mate with respectful regard when the one mentioned was absent. Iris tracked the beauty with Mordechai in the lead. Kennedy would hopefully be as taken with this impressive gift as one should be. She waited until Mordechai was content with where the ring would keep it secure before approaching and giving the horse a firm caress at the neck as she briefly glanced over its still form and its hooves.

“A lady will be very lucky.” Iris announced with a series of pats then stepped back to Zodiac’s side. “I am very interested in what will come next.”

The trailer that Mordechai had all but disappeared into began a slow bobbing then rocking as the sounds of heavy steps of vampire and beast made their way out into the open air. Iris held the air in her lungs that she did not need out of last second suspense. That is when her eyes widened with the approach of the two towards the stable. Now the stetson resting on the jousting enthusiast was finally topped by the height of his worthy steed. Iris immediately thought of how she would handle such a creature. It was massive. Her jaw dropped followed by her lips mouthing “Oh my” as she looked to Zodiac for her expression. Surely she would find this horse as impressive as she did if not even more so. Iris was left speechless as Mordechai fed Leviathan a sugar cube. She nodded without a word as he pointed out the chance the amount the horse beside him would require more feed than average. Iris looked straight up to take in its full size. She would be making quick adjustments to open up two stalls giving Leviathan the room one of his size would need.

“Certainly, Sir.” Iris found her voice as her hand reached high to give a brush of her gloved hand to the dark shoulder closest to her. It was beyond anything she had expected. “I must say I am speechless.”

[Zodiac]

Oh what were the odds? One in ten? A hundred? A thousand? Her cheeks were sucking up the cold like sponges, making her shivver despite her clothing, and here stood Mordie and Iris like it was a balmy spring day. One of her original childers (now gone from this place) once tried to console her about her 'condition'. "You're just special is all."

She never wanted to be this damn special. That much was certain.

She hugged them both and took a place beside Iris as Mordie and his crew began to unload his selections. Despite feeling cold, she was curious what her friend had finally decided upon and the images of him jousting still amused (and terrified) her thoughts. Ginny paused and rubbed around the giant's and Iris' ankles before deciding on a better vantage point of the scene and jumping up onto the railing of the waiting stalls and perching herself.

When the first horse emerged, the mystic wondered for a second if Mordechai's sense of perspective had gone wonky till he explained the painted horse was for Kenny. She joined Iris in inspecting the animal. Slipping her hands from her mittens, she petted his nose as she looked into his eyes.

"Oh, you gonna be a good boy, aren't you?" she was smiling now. Ginny walked the railing as if wanting to give her own opinion of the animal and she laughed softly as cat and horse sniffed each other. "I bet Mordechai hopes Kenny does a re-enactment of 'Lady Godiva' or something." her thoughts laughed. He was a beautiful one.

When the trailer began to shake she froze with one hand still on the animal. She knew the giant was big but not enough to rock a trailer with a horse in it like that. Her eyes grew wider as what the killer considered a horse slowly emerged following it's new owner.

"What........the........"

Her eyes went to Iris who was straining to look up at the beast. "Take it easy, dear one. You'll get a nose bleed looking up like that." she thought in private as she backed out of the animal's way. The childhood joke 'Be careful or someone will step on you' came back with a vengeance. This horse could do exactly that if she wasn't careful. She grabbed Iris by her sleeve and yanked to get her attentions. "He said he was getting a horse, not a god damned Trojan Horse! Thing is big enough to hide a dozen paladins inside of it. Lock your doors cause at sunrise it will open up and they will get out and cut our throats in our sleep." she jested nervously. Dimitri was a pony compared to this thing. She had never been near anything alive as massive as this magnificent mountain of horseflesh before and she would swear she felt the animal's steps in her feet. Suddenly, the gypsy witch was unnerved by the experience happening before her.

Ginny meowed a greeting (or was it a challenge?) to the monster horse and played the sniff game with it. Leviathan? Yeah, that fit. Might as well call him Godzilla while they were at it. "I think you going to have to get Lugosi a back hoe to help him clean up after this guy once he is done digesting his breakfast." she whispered to Iris' thoughts as she took another step backwards. She looked at Mordechai and smiled while waving.

"Nice one, dude." she managed to send to him, while thinking to herself. "What's next? Mordie gets a delusion of being Hannibal and tries his hand at war elephants?" Suddenly, she wasn't cold anymore. She was too freaked out to notice.

[Mordechai]

Turning the stallion he led to face the two petite females, Mordechai reached up to scrub the wide forehead with his knuckles. "Leviathan, meet Zodiac and Iris. Iris will be boarding and feeding you, you will behave for her, wont you?" To those that knew the killer, they might have noticed something slightly different as he spoke to the massive Shire stallion at his shoulder. There was a quiet gentleness in his words and action that was never apparent in his ordinary demeanor. Stepping forward Mordechai led Leviathan closer to the women as he reached one hand out towards the diminutive gypsy with the purple tinted hair, bundled up against the cold. "This one is Zodiac, but I, and I think you as well can, call her Zo." Turning slightly towards the nineteenth century equestrian icon, he again reached out his hand, "And this one, this one is Iris von Drol." Clucking his tongue to the top of his mouth twice, he commanded "Step up" in a low calm voice, and led the Shire forward again, bringing him into the shelter of the stable. Unsure of which stall would be the mighty stallion's new home, the killer looped the harness rope to a column, and returned outside to retrieve his kennedy's Christmas.

Tho low calm voice once again was used to sooth and cajole as the smaller painted stallion was untied from the stabling ring, and was led around towards the door. Pausing as he entered he looked over his shoulder to madam von Drol, "If you could point out their assigned stalls Madam, I will set them to rights so that they may retire for the eve. I will also require one bale and a small measure of steamed oats to reward them and settle them in to new surroundings" Continuing into the stable Mordechai tied off the as yet unnamed little cob across the aisle from Leviathan. Turning to face the door he stayed back a bit to allow the women space to enter. "I will also be summoning my kennedy to see her present, I do hope that it will not offend." The killers mind rummaged through his memories, "I believe I saw your surname on a saddlery in the 8th Dimension.. I shall be requiring two full sets of Western style tack, one for each. Duplicates of the incidentals would be appreciated." Raising his voice slightly, he released his men and sent them on their way before continuing. " I will also need to work with someone on a custom jousting saddle. We will base it on a western saddle, but with more prominent, raised pommel and high angle tall cantle. The pommel will not need a horn." Sighing he closed his eyes, usually he left communication on this scale to others, but this was personal, and he must do it himself. Reaching out with his mind, he touched that of his kennedy, "I shall summon in eight minutes, you will need boots, jeans, and coat. Merry Christmas" Opening his eyes he once again took in the two females. "I will also require the work of someone with forging experience, to you employ one such as that to assist the farrier? I will make it worth both your whiles."

Seven and one half minutes had passed, as Mordechai turned and stepped deeper into the stable, Turning his back on the women for a moment he held out his arms and closed his eyes. The clock in his head finished the count, and a rare smile graced his face as he felt the comforting familiar weight of his kennedy in his arms. Turning, he reluctantly lowered her to the ground, inhaling her lavender scent as her body slid across his. For the first time that night, a true smile lit his face, making it all the way to his mismatched eyes. When he was sure she had stable footing he led her forward, "Ladies, this is my kennedy, kennedy, you know Zo, and this is her childe Mz Iris van Drol. She will be helping me care for our latest acquisitions." Turning her slightly towards the Gypsy cob, he continued. "And this is yours, Merry Christmas"