second first choice (video)

[wingsister]

[The image on the screen ripples, almost as if whoever is using it is interfacing with the Network via a reflection in water. A white (grey?) horse is looking down and although she doesn't open her mouth, one can still hear the voice of a middle-aged woman. Specifically, a bossy, maiden auntly sort of woman.]

:Attention: my rider is missing. He's a young human who answers to the name of Shou and unfortunately, I was back to being a normal horse when last I saw him, so if he told me where he was going, I wasn't able to understand him.:

[The horse sighs.]

:This is awkward to admit, but I seem to have spent what felt like a long time not being able to think properly or communicate. If anyone could fill me in as to what I have missed, I would be very much obliged.:

Comments

[notbloody]

[For a moment, she just barks excitedly before it turns into words, her tail wagging.]

You're a horse!

[wingsister]

:And you're a dog. Hello.:

[A strangely familiar dog, actually.]

:Didn't I meet you and your human during the affair with the big pink snake?:

[notbloody]

Yes!

You are back!

[She remembers the horse. And the ferret. And the cat. And...] There are two birds, too! But one was a human and the other isn't really a bird anymore.

[wingsister]

:... do you mean Torin? Is he still here? He turned into a very small gryphon, I remember.:

[Video]

[radiantchicken]

Areonwen!

[He is so excited. And not at all tiny anymore.]

It's me, Torin!

Re: [Video]

[wingsister]

:Torin! You're so big and human-shaped!:

[She sounds pretty excited too. Not surprising, really, since Torin was one of her best friends on the Network.]

[Video]

[radiantchicken]

I know! I was very surprised when it happened, though I think the men I was fighting at the time were even more surprised.

[He sounds pleased with himself at that.]

How have you been?

Re: [Video]

[wingsister]

:Unable to think, unable to talk, and unable to understand the grave nature of everything that has been going on. Looking back on it, it was awful. I'm very much glad to be back.:

[Then she blinks.]

:You look like a tervardi, you know.:

[Video]

[oncedevil]

[Horse? Well, that's weird. However, everything is weird anymore so you know what? Talking horse, cool, awesome.]

Do I know you?

[She's a very familiar looking horse. Squint.]

Shou's out of the echo boundaries right now, family stuff. You want me to shoot him a message? I'll have to be vague, don't wanna panic the poor guy.

Re: [Video]

[wingsister]

:You do seem familiar.:

[Like perhaps one of Shou's dates who he takes out to meet his horse?]

:But yes, that would be good. Let him know that Areonwen misses him and that I would like to see him as soon as I may.:

[Video]

[oncedevil]

[He's thinking about it, it's not like he's met many horses or anything. Really just the one.]

Are you Shou's horse?

[That would make sense, gosh he really needs to pay better attention to things.]

I'll do that, like I said he's out of the echo boundary so he might not remember you right away.

NOW WITH THE RIGHT JOURNAL

[wingsister]

[Her mental voice is very dry.]

:I did say he as my rider.:

[video]

[ruleorserve]

[Well, that's not the sort of thing one sees (hears?) every day. Still, it doesn't take long before Emil gets over that first moment of surprise.]

I can't say that I know your... rider. But if he's still here I can't imagine he wouldn't show up sooner or later.

Re: [video]

[wingsister]

:I've been told he's outside of the echo boundaries.:

[video]

[ruleorserve]

I'm sorry to hear it. Do you know if he intends to return?

Re: [video]

[wingsister]

:I think so? I hope so.:

[Voice]

[espigeonage]

[he doesn't like to show his face on the network. Julien's voice is much the same, if less energetic and enthusiastic.]

Oh- you're back! Wow. Been a while, Areonwen.

Re: [Voice]

[wingsister]

:Julien! Yes, it has. A very long while.:

[espigeonage]

Right. Huh.

...what was it like, going off-network?

[bythewaves]

Talking horse! [ EEEEEEE ] I mean. Um. Hi! I'm sorry, I don't think I know anyone called Shou, but if you could provide me with a description I could probably help look?

[wingsister]

:I'm not so much talking as using MindSpeech over the network, but yes. And Shou is of the human breed I think is called Japanese. I'd estimate his age to be seven, if he were a stallion, but I think you humans must age slower. He bought me that long ago, so he must be older than seven. His eyes are blue and his mane is yellow. He enjoys mating.:

[bythewaves]

What's mindspeech? Like telepath? [ TELEPATHIC HORSE EEEEEEEE ]

Blue eyes, and blonde hair... but he's Japanese? Does he die his hair? Ah... I mean, does he put colour in his hair? [ CHOKE SPUTTER ] Ahhhh I think he would probably prefer not to mention that last!

[ghostly_heiress]

Shou?

You're Shou's horse?

[wingsister]

:Yes. My name is Areonwen and I've been Shou's horse for a very long time.:

[More than five years is long when you're a horse.]

[ghostly_heiress]

Oh wow.

Well, if it's the same Shou, he's in Japan on business last I heard.