How I Wonder (Nice, Giovan)

Giovan held Nice's gaze for just a second longer than usual, a tiny indicator that her momentarily troubled expression had not gone unseen. He still smiled though, more softly than before, as if grateful for her concern, and then their conversation moved easily along.

"Let's hope those iron powers of his are still as effective at protecting small, adventurous children as they were in the past," he chuckled, and gave Nix a small nudge in the ribs. In response, she picked up her pace and started to open her wings hopefully, letting the cool air stream through her feathers.

"I think these two ready for some action," Giovan remarked now, giving a fond, appraising look to both pegasi. He glanced at Nice again, his smile this time one of simple, genuine anticipation. He never got tired of this. "Shall we go for a flight, Nice?"

PATS YOU A LOT HAHA SHHH IT'S OK))

Giovan's grin widened a notch and he gave Nix another nudge. Needing no more encouragement than that, she surged forwards as if leaping into a gallop but never met the ground - her wings beat down, caught the wind and then lifted both her and her rider smoothly into the air.

The grass of the field fell swiftly away to give them a view of neatly trimmed treetops and palace roofs instead. Giovan kept his eyes mostly forward though until they were high enough for Nix to settle into a easy glide, wings and tail angled slightly so that they looped back around in a gentle circle. Smile still wide on his face, he looked to see where Nice and Alaric were.

SCREAMS TOO AND BURIES SELF ))

Giovan laughed too, a sound that carried despite the wind, and cast his gaze down to the sprawling buildings and gardens beneath them. They made graceful patterns even from this view, as if the architects long ago had designed to it please the eyes of both those in the sky and those on the ground.

"Everything looks calmer when you take a step back," he agreed, and lapsed into an easy silence for a moment as he savoured the flight. The winter sun was finally climbing into the sky, soaking the clouds around it with brilliant colour. Almost to himself, he remarked, "I've always wondered if this is a little how the elves see things - far away and unchanging."

Giovan smiled easily in return to Nice, though his eyes were watchful and his chuckle soft. "Early morning is the time to be scattered," he remarked simply, and turned his face to the warmth of the sun again. "That's why I like to go flying when I can. It's a good way to air out the mind."

Nix beat her wings a little to regain some altitude and then settled back into her smooth glide. As the end of the palace grounds approached beneath them, she banked her wings to turn them around and Giovan let her guide them. "I'm glad to be a human though," he declared suddenly, with a matter-of-fact kind of cheer. "As pretty as things look from far away, it's more fulfilling being up close." He grinned at Nice again and rubbed the back of Nix's neck affectionately. "There's nothing like being able to touch something with your own hands, is there?"

CLUTCHES MY HEART AT NICE ))

Giovan laughed outright in agreement at Nice's history of boldness. Up close and personal indeed, with more than a few things - or people - that could have gotten her into trouble. They were good memories though, and he smiled to recall them.

At her next words, he turned his head towards her too and smiled a different smile in return. There was just as much fondness in it as before, but also a gentle gravity now as he acknowledged what she spoke of. "Yes," he said simply, an unconditional acceptance of the promise. He would. And she would as well. He had unwavering faith in that.

His smile brightened for a moment and he faced the wind again as he said, clearly and sincerely, "You give me strength, Nice. Thank you."

Giovan's gaze stayed ahead, simple and easy, while Nice was silent. When he saw her head turn from the corner of his eye though, he turned as well to meet her look - or, well, as much of it as she could give. His smile widened just that little bit more at her apparent awkwardness and for a moment, he was simply a grandfather regarding his child affectionately.

Then Nix banked her wings to make another turn - they had reached this end of the palace gardens too - and he put his eyes ahead again to steer her back towards the stables. Two flights around the palace were probably enough - or as much as he could afford - for this busy day. The sun was climbing well over the mountains now and the light that reached through the clouds was touching the palace with life. Guards emerged for their early morning practice, servants scuttled to ready breakfast and the feasts for the day ahead.

"It's probably about time for me to get back inside," he remarked, the long years of practice keeping most of the reluctance out of his tone. It was such a lovely morning to fly, but there were things to be done. He cast Nice a grin and sideways glance. "Before my officials start fretting over their otherwise perfect itineraries."

Giovan let out a hearty laugh at that. "Poor Marise is going to become an expert at being kidnapped at this rate," he replied humorously, and widened his grin a notch too. "But fine - just make sure you're the one carrying Vinicio into the sunset, not the other way around."

He nudged Nix lightly in the ribs and she immediately folded her wings to tip into a dive - not an overly daring one, lest the palace servants below overreact, but enough of one to feel the rush and the thrill. The upwards quirk of Giovan's eyebrows - a wordless invitation to join the dive - was the last gesture he managed to direct at Nice before he and his pegasus plunged downwards.