RP:Wild and Willful

Synopsis: Tiber and Lanara are on their honeymoon, and after a painful night of discovering truth, Tiberius has a surprise reservation booked from months in advanced. The couple ends up on a bed and breakfast ranch where the people are oddly strange and strict. Tiber nearly gets heatstroke and Lanara gets shunned for being a wild and willful girl. The two blow off the establishment and steal the horses from the farmhouse because those people are nuts.

Part of the New Moon, New Motion Arc

Rynvale: Farmland

Tiber (1 of 2):: Tiberius wakes up with a slightly better mood than the previous night. Although the talk between the couple was rocky, Tiberius knew that today’s surprise would shift the atmosphere between the couple–he was sure of it. The man gets up early as he wants to go on a jog on the beach. The man had not got the chance to soak up the seafronts in a while, and after he enjoyed his morning exercise, he came to get ready to pack up for check-out. “You’ll love your surprise,” he keeps taunting the witch in a sing-song way. Plus, he still had some kissing-up to do still. “I think you might want to dress casual. Denim? Might fit the itinerary.” He is dressed in just that. Denim and a flannel despite the heat. Once the couple is ready, the man hauls their luggage down to the carriage that waits for them. In the carriage, the man makes sure that there are options for a to-go breakfast for the witch. “Mimosas in the carriage? What could go wrong?” He smirks as he is finally settled in the carriage seat and sipping on a mimosa and balancing a pastry on the other hand. A very flimsy grip, but he is getting the hang of it.

Tiber (2 of 2):: As the carriage comes to the end of the journey, the terrain becomes a little bumpier than normal as the horses are trudging through some uneven ground. The scenery turns into fields of wheat and greenery a mile more before the carriage begins to slow. A ranch sits in the distance and a large pasture with cows on one side and goats on the other. There are other penned animals: pigs, ducks, chickens, and more, but it is clear the couple makes farmland. On the ranch there are multiple barns and a large house built on the property–a beautifully crafted farmhouse that was painted white, but quaint in structure. Tiber looks at his wife, “I read an ad in the paper one day before getting married. I sent word to get it reserved right away. It’s a bed and breakfast, but you get to interact on the farm! Pet, feed, and love the animals, I imagine. I figured you’d love spending time with the animals since we don’t have ours for this trip. I imagine you probably want some animal therapy.” Tiberius grins towards his wife. Suddenly, however, a man is coming into view as he is running along beside the carriage. The man has a jaw-beard with no mustache and he is running in a very stiff way as he stares at the couple in the carriage while running without saying a word before he bolts forward to speed past the carriage. What a strange welcome.

Lanara wasn’t thrilled from the unexpected news she received about her husband yesterday, or the fact that she had been arrested and accused of shoplifting. Their evening was rocky and even though they went to sleep on speaking terms, she found herself being a little distant. It’s the last thing she wants to be on their honeymoon, so when Tiber collects their luggage and announces their departure, he finds his wife with an excited smile on her fair face. Clad in a pair of jeans, a fitted orange blouse, and ankle boots, she’s ready for whatever the day brings! They exit their room and settle into the carriage, and she nurses a mimosa in silence, as she observes all the scenery and listens to the clopping of the horses hooves hitting the ground. Tiber’s voice snaps her to attention and he will see that there isn’t any stress in her expression and that Lana looks relaxed, and more so, the further they get from the spot where they had their spat. “Awwww. You did?! That’s so thoughtful and I’m so excited! I love ducks! And calves! And I hope they have bunnies!” Will this work -all- the time, after every fight? Probably. Because the woman is -obsessed- with animals! And so she giddily begins to babble about the small farm back in Kelvar where Taly and her would go every morning to collect eggs, “Taly was terrified of the chickens, so -I- had to keep them calm, while she would gather their eggs. Well! One day, I was annoyed at my little sister and I had the hen chase her around the coop for nearly an hour, pecking at her ankles and clucking angrily! It was hilarious!” It’s also the moment she discovered that her empathic abilities worked on critters. Lana’s laughter fades when she sees a strange man racing beside their carriage, and she instinctively slides closer to Tiber, brows raised, “Who the heck is he?” Was he included in their stay? Perhaps some sort of farmhand butler? As he races -past- the horses, Lana becomes a little fearful, so she downs the rest of her mimosa. “I can’t believe you reserved this before we even tied the knot…” She’s touched, as her gaze lowers and her cheeks turn pink, as if she didn’t know that Tiberius Lowell thought of her -all- the time.

Tiber (1 of 2):: Tiber was enjoying the tales of young Lanara and her sister Talyara. He is nodding and trying to be attentive as possible, as he was still trying to make amends. However, the Catalian then makes eye contact with the man bolting forward. The strange man wears a pair of overalls and a dusty, cream shirt to match the ‘farmers’ aesthetic. “Uh,” Tiber watches the man sprint off to cut through a cornfield to beat the carriage. “Not really sure who that was. Maybe an emergency on the farm…?” The Catalian glances at his wife with curiosity. How would she know? This was Tiber’s reservation. The man downs the rest of his mimosa, as well before smiling towards the Kelvarian. He gently brushes a strand from her face. “Of course. It’s going to be great. It’s agrotourism!” The carriage, eventually, comes closer to the farmhouse where the strange man stands waiting near the porch step. “Ah, velcome, velcome!” The man throws his arms up in excitement. “Two visitors! I’z been a vhile since we’ve had such magnifizent company! Are you Mister Lowell? We’ve had your reservation for almost a month! I’m brother Shneckle, so zey call me on zese grounds! Please, please, step out, step out!”

Tiber (2 of 2):: A small cant is given from Tiberius as he stares at the man from the carriage door. “Uh, yes, I am he,” Tiber shifts his eyes to Lanara back to Shneckle. Tiber takes the initiative to step out first before turning to Lanara. “And this is Lanara. My wife.” Tiber smiles charmingly at the Kelvarian. Shneckle looks at the two of them with a wide grin. “Ah, zhe newly veds!” The man then plants a kiss on Tiber’s cheek and leans to attempt to kiss Lanara’s cheek in that ‘warm welcome’. “You have zhe lover’s suite! Let me show you to your room!” The awkward, enthusiastic Shneckle turns and carries on. The farmer does not offer to carry their luggage like a bellhop would, instead he runs off. Physically runs. Still in that stiff awkward bolt. Tiber looks at Lanara with a ‘heh’. “Looks like I’ll grab the bags, yeah?” Tiber would then retrieve their luggage in both hands before following Shneckle to their suite. He turns around to back pedal in case Lanara has her doubts. Tiber was trying to make the most of it. “He’s enthusiastic. Everyone loves an enthusiastic greeter, right?”

Lanara (Post 1 of 2) Lanara smiles sweetly and leans in to place a kiss to Tiber’s lips, inhaling the scent of his cologne as it mingles with her perfume, as they both glance out the carriage window. “Agrotourism?” Is that a legitimate term? She seems to be buying it, even if it’s not, and she laughs as Tiber isn’t sure who that weird person is, either! Once the carriage comes to a halt, Lana looks reluctant to step outside, because something is very off about that individual. A part of her wants to tug Tiber’s shirt and keep him inside the carriage, perhaps be whisked back to the -other- bed and breakfast. But then she thinks about -Karen- the stupid woman that wanted to purchase one night with her -husband- and that’s what has the witch springing out the door. She looks around, her gaze trailing from the beautiful farm house, to the stables, a few barns, and a magnificent silo. The corn field reminds her of the time they got lost in the corn maze and she nearly forgets that they are being ogled by the olympian sprinter. “Uh. Thanks, Brother Speckles.” He suffers from some sort of mental deformity, she’s certain of it. Where’s the rest of the family? Why did Tiber reserve a place so far from a police station or healer’s clinic?!

Lanara (Post 2 of 2) Normally Lanara doesn’t mind a bit of affection from friends and family, however, she -does- mind when a stranger forces it on her and her husband. Once Speckles kisses Tiber on the cheek and then moves on to kiss her, Lana remains smiling, and brings her foot forcefully down on the top of the man's foot, while dodging the assault from his lips. He won’t be running anytime soon, she thinks, as she feigns an apology, “Oops! Sorry! I seem to have restless legs after the long journey.” If he dares to try and hug or kiss her, she will up the ante, perhaps with a throat punch. Speckles doesn’t seem to be too bothered by the fact that his foot is throbbing, because he bolts off in the opposite direction and leaves them standing there with all of their luggage. “Um… How will we know which room is ours?” Do they have other couples staying here? Is there more than one suite? Lana lowers her voice and offers to grab a bag or two, “Tiber… Tell me the truth. Was he one of your clients? Why did he kiss you? I've never seen two men kiss before!” She hasn’t, not that she’s known many gay men, but the few she knew had never kissed in public. Did Tiber escort Speckles?! Was this entire honeymoon going to be circling his past lover?! He swore he didn’t know this man!

Tiber looks exasperated for a moment at Lanara’s questioning. “I never escorted any men, Lanara. Drop it, already!” The man frowns and hands her a bag before shaking his head. The thought of the strange, foreign man kissing his cheek in greeting makes him slightly chuckle. “Listen, I don’t know no Shmeckle, Speckles–Shneck? Gah, but sometimes people use it in other lands for a form of greeting. Perhaps that was his culture?” The linguist would know, right? Tiber scratches his head with a loose finger. “Come on, babe. Give it a chance. They got horse-riding!” Tiber leans in to kiss Lanara reassuringly before staring at her intently. Give it a chance. That look in his eye that this will repair what was broken, right? If Lanara agrees, Tiber enters the farmhouse, and a front desk sits and a different man stands. Same facial structure as Shneckle, but a man without a beard. He stands stoic and he does not make eye contact. A bell sits on his counter that says ‘Ring Me’. Brother Shneckle is out of sight, and Tiberius has no idea where Shneckle went in the farmhouse. “Hi, sir. Have you seen a Shneckle…? He was leading us to our room?” Tiber asks. The man behind the counter does not answer. Instead, he remains contactless. “Hello?” Tiber asks. Amber eyes trace towards the bell before the Catalian hesitantly reaches out to ‘ding’ it. Finally, the stoic man glances to Tiber and smirks. “That’s more like it! Velcome! Can I help you?” Tiber looks flat gazed at the man behind the counter. There is an ‘are you serious’ type of look on Tiber’s face. Suddenly the sound of running echoes from the ceiling above. “Never mind,” Tiber throws a hand before hauling the luggage upstairs where Shneckle is waiting at a random door. “For ze couple!” The man opens it and lo and behold there are two twin beds with a nightstand between them. Tiber crinkles his nose. “But we’re married?” Shneckle then frowns at Tiber. “A woman must not disturb a man. He must get his full rest for a hard day of work.” Shneckle shakes his finger. “But! Speaking of work! Let us get ze itinerary for your day and night stay!” Tiber looks at Lanara with a tight, and apologetic look. “It’s one night, right?” Tiber looks back at the witch before lowering the bags.

Lanara flinches when Tiber tells her to ‘drop it’ because some things aren’t that easily forgotten, and for a moment it looks as though she’s going to start crying. Instead, she accepts the bag from husband and listens to him describe how in other parts of the world it’s normal for men to kiss each other in greeting. She’s mentally wondering just how different things in Catal were, and how many men Tiber may have kissed in his life. Thankfully, the thought of horseback riding cheers her up and she returns the kiss, eager to move on with the day. The bellhop just stands there like some mannequin and so Lana nudges Tiber to tap the bell, wondering if perhaps the man is in some sort of trance. Like flipping a switch he springs into action and she blinks, unable to figure out what is going on in this strange place. Muttering beneath her breath, she follows Tiber up the stairs, “I think they are all inbred. Did you notice they all look alike? Maybe they share a brain and only one can function at a time, that’s why the one guy runs and the other stands stoic. They are conserving energy.” She’s -ranting- by the time they see that they will be sleeping apart, and Lana rounds on the butler, “Look Father Sparkles, it’s great and all that you think only men work and that women temptresses must be obedient. However, we are -newlyweds- and I will do whatever I please with my husband, be it on the floor, against the wall, or even on one of those beds.” She’s about to snap, but the look in Tiber’s gaze stills her, and she bites her lip to keep from offending the man any further. It’s not his fault that he’s brainless and inbred, after all. “Wait. You said -he- has a hard day's work! Do we have different itineraries?” So much for playing with farm animals all day! The strange man leaves to get their schedules and Lana picks the bed on the left, where she sits at the edge and peers out the window. At least it’s not barred shut or painted black, that’s a start. “We can move the beds together when they go to sleep.” It seems that she’s willing to give it a shot, because she doesn’t want to ruin their honeymoon with her mood.

Tiber (1 of 2):: Tiberius cannot contain his laughter at that point when Lanara makes her observation. He thinks on it when he stands there questioning the bed. Lanara also makes Tiber grin when Lanara tells Shneckles the what-for about their relationship. Towards Lanara, Shneckles parts his mouth in an oh-shape of realization. “Oh! You need zhe baby maker blanket. I see. I see. Zhis is no ordinary visit, I see! Getting started already after zhe vedding? Zhat’s how my vife Olgi and I vere vhen ve vere married. I bless you for choosing us for your special evening!” Shneckle then disappears entirely for the schedule. Tiber is wide-eyed at this point, and his eyes shift over to Lanara. “We can move the beds together, but that guy is nuts… Will we even make it a full night with these weirdos?” Tiber is realizing that the reservation may be a mistake, but before he go any further, Shneckle comes back to the room with a woman. Olgi, it might appear. A little blonde woman with a very slicked back bun. The woman also wears a long dress that is very modest compared to Lanara’s very casual attire. The blonde woman looks at Lanara up and down in scrutinizing, judgy silence.

Tiber (2 of 2):: Shneckle clears his throat. “May I present you, your day. First, Mr. Lowell vill start off in the fields loading zhe finest hay in all of Rynvale. Mr. Lowell will also help feed zhe animals. Vhile Mr. Lowell helps around zhe farm, Mrs. Lowell vill attend zhe very finest sewing circle with my wife and daughter. Zhen Mrs. Lowell vill vork in the kitchen using zhe great ingredients from our very garden! Ve vill all meet eat once Mrs. Lowell has rung zhe cowbell! Zhen, you vill take zhe two ponies: Sugar Pie and Honey Bun on their evening trots around zhe farm! You’ll zee vonderful sights. Very vonderful!” Pause and big breath. “ Zhen, you will hear zhe great tale of Rynvale Farms and how ve came to find such a place in zis place called Lithrydel!” Shneckles looks very enthusiastic and looks at the newlyweds. “Any questions before ve start our day?”

Lanara (Post 1 of 2) Lanara nearly faints upon hearing about the baby blanket and she’s wondering -why- it’s so special! Did someone actually give birth on the fabric? And they want Tiber and Lana to make love on said blanket?! The witch, at this point, is -fine- with sleeping apart, if it means they don’t have to touch some gross blanket. She is growing pale by the time Olgi steps into the room and the two women stare at each other and silently judge, though Olgi is far more reserved whereas Lana’s lips part and it looks as though she’s about to make another comment involving inbreds. Scneckle is blathering on about how Tiber has to load hay and feed the animals and the witch eyes her husband with envy. -She- will gladly trade places if it means seeing animals and getting away from these strange individuals! However, when Lana’s itinerary is given, she tries to feign enthusiasm for Tiber’s sake as he did plan this adventure. He meant it to be romantic, right? Did he want space? Is that what this is about? Different schedules, sleeping apart? She frowns, but when the three of them look her way, she forces a grin on her face, “I don’t know about you, but I cannot -wait- until I can ring the cowbell! Yay! I’m so honored to have that position!”

Lanara (Post 2 of 2) After the newlyweds part ways, Lanara follows Olgi into a spacious sitting room, where there are six other women. One girl is about Lana’s age, and she assumes this is Shneckles daughter, as they look alike, but then again -everyone- on this farm looks alike! She takes a seat in a rocking chair at the girl's side and tries to engage her in conversation but she’s rudely shushed! “Wha-?” Sewing in silence?! How is this even a thing?! The other women all stare at Lana’s exposed arms and the v-neck blouse she’s wearing, as though she’s wearing a bikini, and the elderly woman in the corner clicks her tongue and shakes her head. “Do you have a problem, Grandma?” All six women, along with Olgi, lift a finger to their lips to shush the unwanted newcomer and Lana feels her cheeks turning red. The dirty looks and constant shushing seems to work on the witch, because she picks up the needle and thread and looks at it as though it's a three headed cow. Sensing that she’s new to this, Olgi sits beside Lana and silently shows her how to sew, making it look rather easy. It’s -not- easy, and the witch is in a hurry to get this over with, so by the time she has even an inch of a scarf sewed, it’s covered in crimson. She had pricked her fingers so many times that she lost count, but she tries to keep up with the others and act like it’s no big deal. How long does this sewing session even last?! It seems like the entire day passes by, before Olgi sets her needlework down and coaxes the women to the washroom where they can clean up before making dinner.

Tiber (1 of 2):: Tiber also looks very pale at the thought of ‘babymaking’, although it was not possible for Lanara to bear children, he was still pale at the thought. He is also silently cringing on the choice of stay. The ad strictly said, ‘Beautiful ranch bed and breakfast. Work with us to find a comfortable stay! Tour our grounds from sewing to milking to planting and more! You won’t regret it!’ This ad truly blew. Tiber mentally was on the same page as Lanara of not wanting to touch her since the thought of a blanket was in the mix. Was it already used? It seemed like a tradition here of some sort. How could this place be so booked out and there were no other guests besides them? The itinerary is given and Tiber grits his teeth hard until he turns to Lanara who has a plastered grin. This was not good. She was not enjoying herself. Maybe he should have rented a beach house. That was safer. Why did he not? “Wonderful,” Tiber retorts back to his wife in that fake enthusiasm. Might as well be cordial guests, right?

Tiber (2 of 2):: Once they part ways, Tiber follows outside into the blazing sun where he follows the men to a tall stack of bales. “Ve must get zhis done before the sun begins to set. Ve do not want zhe animals to grow hungry or zhe horses legs to get antsy.” Tiber quirks a brow at Shneckle. The man behind the counter with the bell and another boy probably in his late teens come up. There are only four men? For this whole stack? “Let’s go!” The men line up and Tiber stares as Shneckle is pointing to the last spot where Tiber will place the bales. One by one the men pass the bales. They move through a line throughout the field. No water. Just pure sun. “I’z a cleanse, Lowell! A cleanse from the sun above! Ve are zankful once the food is prepped from our beloved vives and daughters!” They are delusional, especially because in their line they are all grunting the same in a sing-song fashion. Tiber is dying from dehydration. Bale after bale. At this point, Tiber’s flannel is wrapped around his head to stop the sweat, and all that is left is a dingy t-shirt on his torso with a solid amount of sweat marks. Armpits and chest. Finally the last hay bale is waiting and Tiber throws it up on the stack. “We’re done!” Tiber exclaims. Shneckle then butts in. “Zhe animals, Lowell. Zhen the girls call us for dinner!” Beat. “Can I have water?” Tiber asks. “Zhe cleanse, Lowell. Zhe -cleanse-!"

Lanara (Post 1 of 2) Lanara is ushered into the kitchen where she is expected to peel about sixty potatoes, all by herself, with bloody fingertips that still haven’t healed. She lifts her wounded hands and tries to get out of this task, but Olgi shakes her head, “If you don’t work, you don’t eat, and neither will your husband. Everyone does their share here, Mrs. Lowell. Don’t worry, we will rinse the potatoes before we boil them, so none of your germs will end up in our supper.” She lowers her voice but the condescending tone remains, “You -do- know how to skin spuds, right?” Lana meets her gaze with a glare as she picks up a peeler and a potato and angrily begins to remove the skin, overhearing one of the ladies making a nasty comment, “She’s very pretty but she will make a terrible wife! She can’t sew and she complains about cooking! What’s next, she can’t ring the cowbell?!” All the women burst into a fit of giggles, as Lana continues peeling the potatoes and pretends not to hear them, “I bet I can ring your neck though…” She whispers beneath her breath, before growing lost in the sound of the peeler pressing against the potatoes, until the last one is finally finished. Shneckle’s daughter comes to collect the potatoes to wash them and complains about some remaining skins, and when Lana rolls her eyes, the girl has the audacity to fire back, “Look Mrs. Lowell, we are just trying to help you to be the woman that your husband expects you to be! You can roll your eyes and hem and haw all you please, but where is that going to get you, hm? Divorced? Replaced? Why do you think Mr. Lowell booked this place?! It’s so we can teach you to be obedient and to learn your place, at his side!” She smiles, as though she believes her speech will do some good to this godless witch, before she wanders off.

Lanara (Post 2 of 2) An hour or so later dinner is ready and it looks and smells so delicious that even Lanara can’t complain. A large turkey sits at the center of the dining room table, surrounded by corn bread, various vegetables, salads, mashed potatoes, and other mouthwatering sides. It seems that the table is set for twelve, and Lana counts a few times on her fingers, wondering who else she hasn’t met. Her mind trails to Tiberius and she wonders if this is truly what he desires in a mate, someone to be his keeper, to mother him at all times. Lana has some maternal instincts and she enjoys cooking and helping around the house, but they were going to have to throw out sewing and hours of silence every day. She’s lost in thought, staring into space, and Olgi and Shneckle’s daughter clears her throat and gives Lana a dirty look, “It’s time to ring the bell. Do I have to do that for you or can you handle it?” Dinah, the farmer's daughter, whose name Lana still hasn’t gotten, is rather upset because it’s usually -her- honor to ring the bell! The witch is escorted to the front porch where she’s expected to ring this large bell, and Lana turns to Dinah and sneers, “So, is Shneckle your father, uncle, or both?” She cannot and will not let this snobbish puritan get away with treating her like she’s nothing, and it seems that Dinah is thinking the same thing. The bell tolls, but not because Lana is ringing it to call the men in for dinner, no, it’s because Dinah shoved Lana and the witch shoved her back! They are in a screaming and shoving match by the time Olgi arrives and pulls them both by the ear back into the house, “You ladies better behave! Take your seats and stop this nonsense! The men will be here any moment!” Lana slumps into a chair, chastised, and stares at her empty plate, wishing it was tomorrow’s breakfast instead of tonight's dinner.

Tiber (1 of 2):: On the other end of things, Tiber swears he has no more liquid in his body anymore because the perspiration is not flowing. Causing his body to overheat. His mouth feels like cotton. Through a haze he sees a pig who is snorting and rolling innocently through the mud to cool himself off. Tiber goes over and shovels some chow for the pig to munch on. The pig looks content and happy and Tiber swears he can almost live through this pig. The cool mud on the pig’s skin. Who would not want that? Tiber almost kneels down before he is chastised by the teen boy. “What? Farm labor too much for you city boy?” Tiber glares at the boy. What kind of bed and breakfast was this? Obviously this was a hot spot for one second and then people realized that these people were crazy. Tiber almost fumes in that moment before waltzing to the next animal to feed. A cow. A cow who is so startled that is bucks back against Tiber’s chest. The blonde man falls back and he almost looks defeated and his chest throbs. Then, there was a ding. Ding ding. It’s a short call and there is some snippiness he can hear in the background. He tilts his chin back to see the girls standing on the porch in the distance. Lanara looks upset. Regrets. This place was hell.

Tiber (2 of 2):: Shneckle eventually comes into Tiber’s view. “Ay, got knocked by zhe lady, ay?” Lady? “Zhis cow has a temper.” Is what Shneckle was really getting across before helping Tiber up. Tiber slowly saunters to the farmhouse covered in dirt, sweat, and paleness. He walks around and sits by Lanara. His head is low because he can barely think. It takes all of his might to glance at her. Her fingers. “What happened to you?” He dares to ask, but the family is shushing them as it is time to say the blessing. “We bid our zhanks to zhe Gods above to grow us zhis food in vhich ve love.” Shneckle says simply before looking at the couple. “You may eat. Zhen zhe horses need walked. Feel free to use zhat as time to yourselves.” The family then begin to ravage through their food. Mostly in… disgust. They were like animals.

Lanara lifts her head when the men enter and she blanches when she sees the sight of her devilishly handsome husband. He is covered in dirt and debris, sweat stains line his undershirt, he’s pale, and it’s obvious that he has been doing strenuous physical labor. It seems that he’s not having much fun, either, and she hopes it’s a sign that he doesn’t expect the whole ‘obedient’ wife thing they have going on at this hell house. Lana softly whispers, “It doesn’t matter…” It’s no surprise that she’s shushed again, and that they are expected to eat dinner in silence. The food looks tasty and she’s hungry, but the witch cannot bring herself to take a single bite, because they only thanked the Gods, and have left out her beloved Goddess. She sips a little iced tea and finds even that hard to swallow, but she perks up when dinner is finally over. Lana prepares to grab her dish but Olgi glares and snatches it from her hand, “We’ll handle cleaning the dishes, you’ve already done enough. Go walk the horses and you can have dessert when you get back.” She’s angry at Lana and Dinah’s earlier squabble, and because Tiberius picked the -worst- and most disobedient of wives. Olgi looks at Tiber and narrows her eyes, “You should consider leaving Mrs. Lowell with us for at least six months, but I can’t guarantee we will be able to do much. She’s a wild and willful girl.” Lana could care less about the insults, as she takes Tiber’s hand and tries to pull him towards the doors, “Let’s go to the stables. Anywhere is better than here.”

Tiber frowns when they are shushed. Tiber would make it a goal to tend to his wife in privacy when they get the chance. He, however, grabs the water automatically to down every last drop. Following the iced tea. No alcohol in this house, that’s for sure. The man looks over to Lanara who is not eating, and although he is famished, he feels it is wrong to eat without the witch. So fasting it was. Even if the leg of turkey sits on his plate heartily. Eventually Tiber watches the interaction between Lanara and Olgi which gives him the gist on how it went for her. Clearly this couple did not belong in this household. Tiber keeps a very stiff expression towards Olgi, “Yeah a -consideration-. And really, I think you probably think deep down in your stiff brain that you could also be as wild as her. A better personality, I'd say. So thanks, but no thanks.” Olgi scoffs and Shneckle does not mind because men have the clear voice in the farmhouse. Tiber gladly accepts Lanara’s hand and they wander outside and across the field. “Holy,” insert a large Catalian curse word here, “What a faulty ad. I’m so sorry.” Tiber looks exasperated in that sweat-stained shirt. By now, his flannel is wrapped around his waist. Eventually they make it to the stables where Sugar Pie and Honey Bunch linger. The horses seem excited and friendly, so Tiber lifts a friendly weak hand out in order to stroke the creatures. “This is more my speed.” The other strong hand reaches out towards his wife’s. He lifts it up and kisses her damaged fingertips. “I’m the worst husband.” He concludes with a stern nod of his head. “Can I offer you a lift?” He jolts his chin towards the horse to help her get up on the back if she needs it. If not, he would move to get on Sugar Pie.

Lanara feels bad that Tiber didn’t eat something and she’s concerned with how much he’s drinking, as though Shneckle had deprived him of water after working all day in the hot sun. If she had any fight left in her, Lana would hex the entire family, but she knows that Tiber -wanted- this day to be special. As he speaks to Olgi, she wonders if perhaps he didn’t know what he had signed them up for, and she purses her lush lips and falls deep into thought. She hears his apology but doesn’t speak until they get to the stables, and her mood instantly lifts when she sees the sweet horses. “Hi, little babies. How are you today?” She searches for some treats, but it seems the stables are out of sugar cubes and oatcakes, so they have to settle for some ordinary grain and hay. Lana bets these horses never had a treat in their entire lives and this saddens her so much that Tiber’s kiss upon her battered fingers breaks that dam. “We are going to free them. We will take them for a ride and return them, so that nothing is amiss. But, before we leave tomorrow? We will free them, do you understand?” Her voice is a little shaky, because she can tell that Honey Bunch wasn’t sweet and calm when she had first arrived at this place. “They beat the sassiness out of them, I can feel it. And they don’t have any treats, either!” Lana climbs onto Honey’s back and waits for Tiber to do the same with Sugar, “I’m just relieved that this isn’t what you imagined. They had me thinking you signed me up so they could torture me into submission. I had to be silent -all- day, sewing with these old biddies that disproved of my appearance, then I had to peel about a hundred potatoes with my still bleeding fingers and listen to them all hurl insults my way. Finally, the cowbell moment, which wasn’t as epic as it sounds, because things turned physical between me and Smuckers’ psychotic daughter.” She shakes her head as the horses exit the barn and make their way past the house, “It looks like you didn’t have a great day, either. I’m sorry, babe… I tried to make the best of it, but there’s no way I’m ever going to be one of those women.” She laughs, as chocolate locks with amber, “You’re not the worst husband, I promise, but I don’t think our honeymoon is off to a great start considering yesterday and today.”

Tiber can feel the ease that hits Lanara in this moment. Animals were home to her. “This is what I wanted,” he looks at Sugar Pie as he brushes the face of the horse who is trotting in delight. Attention then turns as Lanara says they are going to free them after their night at the bed and breakfast. Eyes cast towards the farmhouse. The empath goes on about the abuse of the horses which causes him to remain like a stone. Quiet. Ashamed that they even came to support this farmland. As she climbs on the back, he follows suit after he gains the trust of Sugar. The horses begin to slowly walk the path they normally walk. The same old scenery. “Yeah, no. I basically thought this place was a petting zoo that you could stay at.” As the witch goes on about her day, he rolls his head back in that exasperated look. How could they do that to her? “These people are nuts. I’m glad I didn’t eat the potatoes. No offense,” he looks at his wife’s bleeding fingers. As they walk towards the sunset, he stares forward. “You’re amazing, by the way. I’m sorry this has been such a blow of a honeymoon,” he shakes his head. “Gods these women are sticklers and the men? Where’s the balance?” He shrugs at his own opinion. “My day wasn’t great either. I thought I was going to croak over. I thought I needed a clinic visit. No water. Can you believe they think that it’s a cleanse to not have water? It’s like cherishing the fact you can’t have a drink to make you realize that… water is amazing? Which I guess makes you appreciate, I admit, but… do you know how much we had to stack today with bales?” The man shakes his head. Amber eyes stare towards the sun and a hand reaches to stroke the mane of the horse below him. She comments on their honeymoon as well, and he keeps staring forward. “Then let’s change it,” he says as he stares forward a beat. He then looks at her. “We don’t have to wait until morning. Let’s steal the horses now. Find a spontaneous place for the night. I can smuggle our luggage tomorrow. But… you can’t bear the thought of these horses being treated, nor can I bear the thought of you being miserable through the night. Besides, I can’t think of the tale of how this place came to be.” Pause. “So let’s just… go…” He stares forward again. “Let’s be what they claim you to be… wild.”

Lanara (Post 1 of 2) Lanara pats Honey’s neck, feeling a spot where a whip lashed against her and dug into her flesh, and she massages the area as the horse leads her across a beautiful field. The sun is setting and they should be turning back in a few moments, but she doesn’t want to go back to that wretched place. She frowns as Tiber recants his day and she shakes her head, “I think they are cultists! They all look alike and they have these strange visions of how men and women should behave. There’s no free will or personality. Everything is just work, and a relationship should never feel like work.” Even when they’re at their worst, Tiber and Lana always have a good time, and they never feel like they have to invest time or waste energy on each other. Because they love each other, entirely. “I’m sorry that your day wasn’t all that great either…” She looks away and is just about to tug on the reins to turn back the way they had come when her husbands words stop her, and a brilliant smile appears on her face, “I. Fracking. Love. You.”

Lanara (Post 2 of 2) With a gentle kick to Honey’s side, she pushes the horse into a canter and then into a mad run, as they clear the field and the next field and the field after that. Sugar is right behind Honey, until the couple is even at each other's side, and Lana shouts over the sound of their hooves, “Let’s go! We can find a spot to set up camp and just be ourselves and have fun. We will drop these two off at a farm faraway where they will be well cared for, and we will rename them!” Sugar Pie and Honey Bunch are far too docile for what these horses will become, so Lana thinks on their names as they ride for the next few hours, until the past is behind them. Their luggage is forgotten by this point, as they can just buy new, and nothing valuable was left behind. At long last they come to a desolate beach on the edge of the island, where they dismount from the horses, and fall into each other's arms. Lana’s hair is windswept and her cheeks are red from the wind, while Tiber’s a little sunburnt from a day outdoors without water, yet they never looked so happy. They laugh and revel at their rebellious natures and spend the night enjoying each others company, before they cuddle up beneath the stars and prepare to fall asleep. Lana kisses Tiber and proudly renames the horses, “Wild and Willful… Just like us.”