“Do you need help, Princess?” Damian strode up beside Kamryn. “Have you decided whom you’re going with yet? I’d implore you to meet the others while you’re still here.”
"If you are able to, it would be appreciated. Kamryn smiled
“Of course.” Damian made his way next to the large horse and kneeled down next to it, cupping his hands in preparation to boost her up. “Whenever you’re ready, Princess.”
Pine watched Lotus touch a locket but said nothing. Other carriages didn't make way for them, something Pine wasn't used to. They were almost in the middle of the city by now and there were a lot of people in the way.
Lotus let her hand fall into her lap and looked over to Pine. They were moving quite slowly, "Seems like we'll be stuck here for a while."
Kamryn let him boost her up and got comfortable on her horse. "Thank you Damian." She said
“The pleasure was mine.” Damian stood up, dusting off his clothing and smoothing out his hair. “I must be off now, but I wish you the best.” He smiled before returning to Quintus. Okay, yeah, he knew he probably should have tried to dazzle a few other princesses to hinder his brothers, but he also got an unexpected vibe from Catori. As much as he hated his brothers, he would have to hope they would sabotage each other while he won the crown.
“Ready to leave, Catori?” Damian got himself settled again, sitting patiently in his saddle.
"As I'll ever be." Catori responded jokingly.
“We’re off!” Damian’s announced, spurring Quintus forward. The duo were obviously a bit overexcited, although Damian was doing his best to hide it. Quintus almost immediately burst into a cantor, causing Damian to lurch forward and get a face full of mane. “Hey! Whoa!” He pulled back on the reins, spitting out hair. “Gross.”
”My mane is clean! And I thought you wanted to gets there as fast as possible!” Quintus turned his head to eye Damian.
“I do! But we’d both be exhausted. You’re supposed to walk.” The prince shot back, arguing with his horse. The two shared a second of eye contact before Quintus looked away in a huff.
”You’re no fun.”
Catori laughed, Asterin following at a regulated pace. "What if you two go for another ride after we get there? That way both of you can have fun?"
(How many characters are there? I see only 4, counting me)
”I like her.” Quintus neighed, finally walking. Damian rolled his eyes at Quintus.
“That sounds lovely. Would you and Asterin like to come with us? Or would you like to hold off answering in case you need a after dealing my pestering for hours on end?” The prince smirked, growing a bit more playfully in nature as they began to put distance between themselves and the palace.
"Time will tell." Asterin replied as Catori scratched behind his ears.
"I guess we'll just have to see." She shot him a smile.
Damian nodded, a bit amused. “Fair enough.” He paused for several moments. He was hoping to save any questioning about himself until later, but they would be riding for awhile. He might as well get it over with. “Is there anything you’d like to know about me and my family?”
Catori thought for a few moments, tongue peeking out in her habitual tick before she shook her head. "I can't honestly think of anything, off the top of my head. I would like to get to know you better, on our own time though."
Damian’s cheeks turned a smidgeon pink when he spotted Catori’s tongue again. He nodded, somewhat relieved that he didn’t have to answer serious questions at the moment. “You said you wanted to start an herb garden…” He started, trailing off a little awkwardly. So maybe he wasn’t the best at the more relaxed, non-diplomatic type of conversation, but he was going to try at least. He owed Catori that. “I uh… do you mind if we have basil?”
"If it's a good herb, it's in!" She said excitedly, clapping her hands together. "I won't grow any herbs with bad connotations though."
“Bad connotations?” Damian looked over at her curiously.
"Ones traditionally used for bad things, or in poisons." An odd look crossed her face, but it was gone soon as you could blink. "I try to stick with positive ones."
Damian nodded inquisitively, biting the inside of his cheek. “You can preapprove everything I grow. Unfortunately I’m not sufficiently educated on the art of poison making.” He smiled gently, allowing the lie to slip through his lips. A small whistled seemed to escape through his teeth, a tick when he felt uncomfortable lying.
(I’m going to see a play rn so I’ll be gone for around 2 hours!)
((A'ight!
Catori raised an eyebrow, but though it best not to mention anything. "I don't need to preapprove, Damian. I just…ask that we don't grow anything bad, I guess." It was said a bit awkwardly.
Damian picked up on the shift in tone, seeming to clam up a bit. “I’d rather you did, just to be safe.” He replied, growing quieter. It unnerved him that she seemed to pick up on his lie so quickly.
((Guess who was looking up symbolisms of herbs and made a discovery.
"I-if you're sure then. What about chamomile, for prosperity?" It was an attempt to alleviate the awkwardness, and she paired it with a soft smile.
((I’m at intermission now! Glad you made a discovery😂))
“I’d like that.” Damian cracked a smile, closing his eyes to enjoy the soft breeze. “I must admit, I know more about growing plants then their meanings. Maybe you could teach me?”
((Were you aware that Basil is a plant common for invoking love and prosperity?
"Oh, I would love to!" She looked over at him, smiling softly at the sight of him looking so peaceful. "It's always fun knowing what a flower or herb means. You can even make bouquets of flowers that signify how you feel about or view the person you're giving them to."
((I was not aware! I just like the smell of basil lmao))
Damian pondered this for a moment, considering this new information. “Interesting. I suppose I didn’t consider that. Is this important to your culture? Or is it an interest of yours?” He opened his eyes again, looking around at the scenery as they drew close to the edge of the city.
"A bit of both maybe? I come from a line of witches, so there's that…" She trailed off, looking up at the sky. "And plants have always been interesting."
“Forgive me for stereotyping, but I assumed as a pyromancer you had little interest in what is of little threat to you.” Damian bowed his head for a moment. “I suppose it is my own fault for basing my prior knowledge of pyrokinesis upon my brothers as they are…” He halted, for a moment, struggling to find the right words. “The complete and total opposite of you, for which I am relieved.”
"It's fine, I can see why you might think that." Catori laughed lightly. "Not that it quite matters, but plants definitely can be a threat. Anything can, if used right."
“You are astonishingly intelligent.” Damian commented, his eyes sparkling. “I assume education is also very important to your culture.”
"I-er-" She looked away, face heating up. "Something like that."