Beyond Time (closed)

[KieranSoares]

It was a bit later in the morning that she was woken when Ballas rose and stretched luxuriously with a huge yawn before nuzzling into her neck with a soft growl. Then he padded off the bed and plodded off down the hall.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan stretched when Ballas woke and left the room. She yawned and looked around the space, taking in her new yet still familiar surroundings. The room around her was an insight into Ashien's world, but she felt wrong in intruding on his peace. Standing from the bed, she scooped up his robe and placed it back around her body, exiting the room to head towards the artist's studio.

"I think you'll be my subject today, Ballas." Dylan said with a smile, her fingers pushing through his thick, soft fur as she started to arrange her paints and brushes.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ballas rumbled happily at her attention and plopped down on the floor in front of the unlit hearth, simply waiting for her to do as she pleased with him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan smiled as she gathered her items and made her way towards him, sitting cross legged in front of the great tiger as she started to sketch. He was a beautiful boy, she thought to herself as she did a quick outline of his great head and then started on his body.

"You're a good boy." Dylan said softly as she continued to draw, focused solely on her subject at hand.

 

[KieranSoares]

The great tiger's tail swished every so often to brush by her leg, but always retuned to its original position. He yawned hugely, and rumbled and purred away happily. It was while she was drawing that she noticed he no longer had his purple cloth collar, but instead a leather collar that was much hardier and was embossed with his name. And a small charm of iron in the shape of a great oak hung from it. She knew it as the crest of Darkwood, and the crest of Ashien's line. It'd been lost around 1700 when Ashien's line came to an end, but Lord Jennings' grandfather had rediscovered it and made it the Jennings' crest as they'd come into the ownership of Darkwood with Dylan's great-great-grandfather.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan reached out and touched the tree on Ballas's collar, a smile touching her lips as the shining piece metal slipped from her fingers and swung free yet again. It was like she had always been destined to be there at Darkwood Manor.

"What do you think?" She asked Ballas, turning her sketch so that he see what she'd been working on. "Of course, I intend to paint it as well. Then I think I'll hang it somewhere so that I can always enjoy it."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ballas grumbled and rumbled away, rising to come lay against her side. He lifted a huge paw, setting it on her leg and nuzzling his head under her arm with a soft growl. He grunted and nuzzled, willing her to scratch his ears.

It was minutes later that Van entered bringing a tray with breakfast for her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're spoiled rotten." Dylan said with a grin, scratching behind his ears as he asked. "But you're such a handsome boy how can I say no?"

She glanced up as Van entered the room with a tray of breakfast for her. "Thank you, Van." She said softly, knowing that he could hear the pleased tone in her voice.

 

[KieranSoares]

Van smiled in return to her softly, "I'd never imagined that you would really come here." He chuckled and it was all he said even as he motioned the great tiger away so he too could get his breakfast.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I never imagined that I would be here either." She said with a smile as she reached up and took the tray from Van. "How are you going to explain this to John? Surely he'll miss me before I come back."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He's already called to check on you. He took the excuse that you were off across the grounds drawing, and I told him you'd be going on a camping trip to Islay. That will cover you a while, but you'll have to figure out an excuse for the last week before the full moon." Van shook his head. "Troublesome, all you Jennings and Ghis."

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan laughed softly and took a bite of her toast, letting out a little sigh. "Just tell him I ran away. He'd probably believe that too." She commented, knowing that Van would never do that to John.

 

[KieranSoares]

"He's... suspicious. And worried. He told me he was afraid he made the wrong decision, or that he'd hurt you." Van sipped his own cup of tea. "I'd wager that he'll bury himself in his new hobby when he gets back."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He didn't hurt me, Van. It was a mutual decision." Dylan said softly, hating the fact that John was doubting things. "Tell him that I'll talk to him when I return home."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Perhaps it wouldn't be too bad to tell him where you really went. At least then he wouldn't worry as much," Van suggested, but then shook his head at himself. "Ignore me, I'm an idiot... I'll talk with him when he comes back."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He might believe you if you told him where I really was." Dylan said softly, looking up towards Van as he promised to talk to John for her. "He's still my best friend, Van. I think he deserves much more than what we're giving him."

 

[KieranSoares]

Van nodded, "I'll tell him, then. Don't worry about him, I'll take care of him and the Manor." Van turned to head to the door but he paused. "Oh... If you're interested, the horses need their exercise, I'm sure they'd love a rider like you." He smiled kindly and made his way out.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan laughed softly as Van left the room. "If I had some clothes, perhaps I'd consider it. I don't think Ashien would like me riding his horses in his robe."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I laid some out on your bed, dear," Van called back to her and went on his way. He'd retrieved a pair of jeans and shirt and a long-sleeve plaid over-shirt from her time, and along with them were her shoes and whatnot else.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you, Van." She called out as he continued on his way and she finished her breakfast in peace.

When she was done, she left the trey where Van would find it before she went to dress. She was just buttoning up her shirt when she heard the familiar rumble of a purring tiger. She turned and saw Ballas lazing about on a lush Persian rug and she grinned.

"Want to go on a ride with me?" She asked him, enjoying his company.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ballas was right up on his paws at the word 'go', and he padded quickly down the hall and toward the doors. Sitting back on his haunches, he lifted a big paw to the door and looked back at her with big eyes, begging to go outside.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I suppose that's a yes." Dylan teased, scratching his ears as she opened the door for him to let him outside to run.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ballas took off like a shot, his powerful body stretching in his long strides, then contracting to propel himself hard forward. He was an incredible beast. He circled back round to her, sliding to a halt at her side with his chest heaving with excitement.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan was in awe as Ballas ran like the wild beast he was. It was a beautiful sight, she thought to herself as he circled back around and stopped in front of her with that large heaving chest.

"Show off." Dylan commented with a smile as she reached to scratch behind his ears. "Alright. Take me to the stables."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ballas scampered through the snow before her, far ahead before doubling back to her, forward far again, and back, over and over. He was so incredibly excited, having another person around to play and run with. The stables were kingly for their time, they vaguely reminded Dylan of something from a Lord of the Rings movie in her time actually. There were three beautiful horses, all stallions, and Dylan seemed to catch the eye and curiosity of one whose stall sign named him as Hane. He was a dark chestnut with a white stripe down his face and around his mouth and four white socks. His mane was nearly black and quite long, and his tail was the same. He snorted, sticking his head out of the stall to inspect her. He was completely unbothered by Ballas' presence.