#kit:rhys

[thornsxcrowns]

who: James & Rhys | @ofcaeriw

where: Lord Austen's Archery Competition

They had not seen Rhys since nearly running him down in Hyde park. Prior to Whistledown, they had been very much looking forward to competing against him at the Archery.

Then, of course, Tobias's past had forced them to reassess their attendance.

Still, James could not resist approaching Rhys when they saw him standing alone near the archery field. "A tip for you!" James said, clapping as a competitor's arrow imbedded itself into the target with a satisfying thunk, "If you want to guess the winner, I always find it can be more useful to watch the faces of the people getting ready to take their shot. See who wants it the most. It can be rather fun, trying to guess who needs the money, or who has their eye on a princess's hand!"

They turned to face Rhys properly, offering a short bow "I hope you do not mind me introducing myself - Mr James Liu. I believe you are acquainted with my cousin? She bid me to look out for a Welshman who had challenged her to a round of archery. Unfortunately the latest gossip has prevented her attendance, but she thought I may accept the challenge in her absence?"

[thornsxcrowns]

"Bananas! Really?!" It was a luxury even the Thorne family would struggle to afford, she herself had tried them only a few times. "I traveled to China with my mother once, to meet her side of the family, bananas were far easier to get there - and cheaper." but she had so much she had wanted to try in her time there, and a very limited amount of time to do it in. Was it appropriate to admit this may be a luxury beyond her and her family, or was she supposed to pretend there was nothing they could not afford?

"I shall have to see if we can source any, although I suspect if we can the horses may be bottom of the list to enjoy them." Still, pleasing shadow would be worth it!

She could not help but preen at the praise. She was certain many in the Ton would find her lacking on many fronts, without the refinement that came from years with the nobility, but when it came to horses, both training and riding them, she felt confident in her abilities. "I appreciate it, particularly from an expert. Do you work exclusively for the Royal Ascot?"

Kit's expression became more serious, a slightly far away look in her eyes. It often happened when she spoke of her father - the result of a dissonance she had not yet resolved. "I do feel some responsibility, I think, to keep his memory alive. It feels strange to be making such an important debut in the Ton without him."

Her smile returned at Rhys's offer, "That would be lovely!"

He could not help but join the lady in her laughter as he feigned a mock offence. “So in one day I’ve managed to insult a fine horse?” Rhys had never considered that his hands would smell of apples, only hay and sweat. “Between you and me, I think the best treats to give them are bananas, but my food budget doesn’t always stretch that far.” They had been a rare and brilliant treat, more so on race days, but Rhys couldn’t convince the stable manager to add them to the budget. 

Rhys��s eyes never left Shadow’s form, and it was impeccable. He almost missed the lady’s words as he was too consumed in his silent evaluation. “There’s no embarrassment, and from the condition of him, you should be proud of yourself.” Few knew how to truly look after a horse, and clearly this lady was among them. “Besides, you controlled your horse well enough and didn’t grip your knees or yank the reins.” The way she handled the horse was better than most jockeys. Rhys did wonder how she would fare against the Royal Ascot’s riders. 

His expression grew gentler as the silent evaluation was completed. “Many just want an obedient horse, not a partnership, but that’s what makes the best of riders.” The same could be said for these marriage partnerships. Many just wanted an obedient, silent partner, but Rhys couldn’t see the benefit or joy in that. “I don’t think so,” Rhys said quietly, carefully. “It just means you want him to have mattered to others and not just yourself.” Rhys had not known a loss like that.  The closest he was to a person was his uncle, but it had been years since he had spoken to him. If he were to have lost him, Rhys knew his world would come crashing down. “If you give me a few minutes, I can fetch my own horse. We can see how they fare against each other.”

[thornsxcrowns]

"That may be your problem!" Kit said with a laugh. "Shadow loves a treat. and he always seems rather disgruntled if he thinks I have been feeding with other horses. If he can smell apples upon your hands he may have taken it as an extremely personal slight!" It was certainly a nicer idea than accepting that perhaps she was not as accomplished horseperson has she had thought.

"So you are telling me I have embarrassed myself on a horse in front of an expert?" Her laugh was partway between self deprecating and genuine. "It takes a certain talent to embarrass oneself so completely." His smile is warm in a way which makes it very easy for her to feel at ease, "A smart choice, horses make far more enjoyable companions."

She watched, impressed, as Rhys handled her horse, his experience evident. "Too many people want horses to be easy - an accessory that bends to their whims. My father was never like that. He felt you needed to work with them, to respect them the same way you would the humans you work with. He told me to worry less about breaking them, and more about finding a common goal with them." She smiled at Shadow as she spoke "I hope so, it would be nice to know there are others who miss him... Is that terrible of me? To hope another is grieving."

Horses and their care had been second nature to Rhys. There had been times when he felt as if he knew the creatures better than he knew himself, their temperaments included. “Maybe it’s the apples I sneak them, but normally they’re a little more affectionate in their greetings.” Rhys took a moment to observe the horse, his job coming to the forefront of his mind. Its gaskins and forearms looked strong and healthy. It was clear this was a well-looked-after and much-loved horse. “I’m a stable hand and trainer at the Royal Ascot,” he said with a prideful smile. “I’ve probably spent more hours with them than I have humans.” Rhys laughed to himself at the thought. Even though it was true, he could still charm either beast.

Rhys didn’t hesitate to take the bridle, not before giving the horse’s muzzle a quick pet. He laughed at the description of the lady’s horse, purely for how often he had described his own like that. “Mine is spirited, but he was a dream to train.” Rhys said, not meaning to sound boastful. Llŷr was his pride and joy; he raised him since Rhys’s own eighteenth birthday and refused to sell him, even when times were hard. “Your father sounds like he was a wise man.” Rhys offered her a sympathetic smile. “I’ve seen too many horses be broken at the whims of men.” The same could be said for people, but that was another conversation. “They are emotional creatures; he probably grieves him as you do.”

[thornsxcrowns]

Kit was pleasantly surprised. The man kept a cool head, even when he was nearly trampled by a rather large horse. There were not many people who could smile so easily after such an occurrence. "Not your usual way?" She repeated, returning his grin, "It sounds like you ride! You are far more comfortable around Shadow than most!" The horse stomped one of his hooves at the sound of his name, as if showing off for the stranger.

Kit stepped back, allowing him to take the bridle. "Spirited is a good word for him, and perhaps kinder than he deserves." She said this with love, Shadow was a great horse. The spirit a small price to pay for his power and speed. "It became obvious very early that he would not be completely tamed. My father said we would always have to work with him, not command him. Although his behavior has worsened since my father died. Perhaps it is my own projection but it is almost as if he mourns him."

You could tell a lot from a person and how they treated their horses. Most of the ladies in London didn’t do anything but have a gentle side-saddled ride while promenading, but they missed out on so many things. From the wind in your hair to the thrill of going full speed on a horse across an open field.  He stood with an unhurried ease as the horse came barreling towards him, stepping out of the way just in time. “There’s no harm done,” he said with a crooked grin as he looked over the horse and rider. “But it’s not my usual way of being greeted by a horse.” 

Rhys stepped forward, his hands steady as he reached for the bridle. He could calm most horses, no matter their temperament; some just needed that extra time. “You’ve got a spirited horse; is it safe to assume that was a nightmare to train?” He glanced from the horse to its rider, his gaze amused but still respectful. Efficiently, Rhys checked over the horse, patting the horse's flank as he did so. Thankfully, there were no injuries, and the horse had put weight on its hooves. 

[thornsxcrowns]

James returned Rhys's sly grin, becoming more comfortable as it became less likely someone would call them out on the charade. "Aye, very similar" they joked, eyes scanning to ensure no one was listening too carefully to their conversation. It would not do to become careless, not if they hoped this would be the first of many times they would be able to be James in broader society. "We learnt how to use a bow together, so I would not be at all surprised if people think we have a near identical style! She is a far better shot than I, however. Perhaps the best shot I have seen." It was a surprising benefit of a disguise, being able to tongue in cheek boast about yourself "If I fail miserably today, I think we should all assume she would have fared much better!"

Their eyes followed Rhys's nod, finding the man in the top hat. "I think you're right, an unusual amount of sweat on the brow, for a man simply here to compete for fun. If he wins, I recon he'll ask for the money. Makes you wonder what he needs it for!" Although if he needed money, marrying the princess would be one way to get it. "Surely the Queen cannot mean to go through with the offer of one of her children's hands in marriage! What will she do if the winner isn't up to her standards? It is an awfully risky offer."

Laughing at Rhys's cruel reminder of their meeting in the park, James shook his hand, the masculine gesture feeling unfamiliar, but right. They took a moment to inspect the bows, selecting one whose weight felt familiar. Their first attempt glanced off the bottom of the target, aimed well but without enough power to embed itself "Only fair that we let the first one be a write off!" They said, "Everyone needs a chance to warmup!" They pulled back once more, smiling happily when they heard the thunk of a successful shot.

All around them, everyone was lining up. Servants and lords alike were all competing in one competition, but the prize they all sought was different. Rhys knew the prize he wanted. A favour from the queen, something that could change his life, but he had no chance in hell. He was lost in all thoughts of this when he heard someone else beside him. He blinked for a second, taking in the figure beside him before his mouth slowly curved into a grin. “Your cousin shares similar strategies, I’m guessing?” Rhys’s grin was mischievous as he observed Kit’s ‘cousin.’ It was a bold move to turn up to an event you had been banned from, but he wasn’t one to give up this ruse. “What about that man in the top hat with the purple trim?” He asked, nodding in the man’s direction. “He looks like high society, but I think he’s desperate for the prize.”

Rhys held out his hand for James to shake. “It’s an honour to meet you, James.” He smiled, looking around at the others attending. “I’m sorry your cousin couldn’t join, but I’d take that challenge with you as long as you don’t run me over with a horse.” He offered the man a wink, walking over to the bows. Archery wasn’t something Rhys was comfortable with, but he could never resist a challenge. “I think you should go first, since you’ve already been observing others.” And anything Rhys could shoot at would be in no hurry. His talents were best with horses, not with arrows.