2024

KARANTHIR:
Well look at this. Are we enjoying some quality time together?

ORRIE:

Yup.

FIN:
Why don’t you join us?

KARANTHIR:
Only if you cease playing with that contraption of yours. Seriously Fin,
I believe you’ve cleared out the entire house with that racket.

FIN:
You don’t know what real music is. Cammeo said I’m much improved.

KARANTHIR:
Cammeo’s entirely too polite.

ORRIE:

Hey Brynie - were you outside playing with Patience?

BRYNIE:
I’m not playing with her, I’m helping to take care of her.

FIN:
Patience? What’s he talking about? 

KARANTHIR:
Patience is Tahariel’s horse. She arrived a few days ago. The
little monster has barely left her side - it’s been wonderful.
Honestly dear brother, where have you been? 

BRYNIE:
She’s a great horse too, but she’s lonely. Fin can I have a horse?

FIN:

Brynie, a horse is very expensive, and a big responsibility.

BRYNIE:
I know but Karanthir can help pay for it. He’s got a job now.

KARANTHIR:
Excuse me? 

BRYNIE:
Well you can and you know it.

KARANTHIR:
I’ll have you know the purpose of my income 

is not for your benefit! I mean really!

BRYNIE:
Oh c’mon Fin. I want a horse so bad. Please?

ORRIE:
Get him a horse. Then I can ride it too.
That be  good. C’mon Fin. Please?

FIN:
The two of you better knock it off right now

BRYNIE:
But don’t you think having a horse would teach me responsibility? 

FIN:

You’re already taking care of a horse.

BRYNIE:
But it’s not mine, it’s Tahariel’s. She’s so lucky. She gets 

to have Patience and Albert.

FIN:
Albert?

KARANTHIR:

Yes, surely you’ve met Albert the cat.

FIN:
We have a cat?

ORRIE:
Yup. He likes sleeping on Harmonia’s lap.

BRYNIE:
He’s not actually sleeping.

ORRIE:
He looks like he’s sleeping.

BRYNIE:

No, he’s actually watching Tahariel.

KARANTHIR:
Is that so?

BRYNIE:
Yes, he’s a magic cat.

ORRIE:
A magic cat - unbelievable!

FIN:
Brynie, I wish you wouldn’t make up stories like that.

BRYNIE:
But it’s true. Albert told me so. And what’s so unusual about 

a magic cat anyway? Aless has a magic owl who 

visits us. Isn’t that right Orrie?

ORRIE:
Yup. I like Agnes. She’s here now. Wanna go say hi?

BRYNIE:
OK. 

BRYNIE:
… And Fin, I’ll find way to get a horse. You’ll see. 

Brynie and Orrie leave.

FIN:
Aless has an owl?

KARANTHIR:

Of course he does. Really Fin, sometimes it’s as if you don’t 

live with us at all. You really need to take more of 

an interest in what goes on around here.

FIN:
Do you think Brynie’s really talking to that cat?

KARANTHIR:
Why not? Orrie can see things we can’t. Besides, the little 

monster’s always had a way with animals. 

FIN:
That’s true. He sure does love them. 

Maybe we should have him tested? 

KARANTHIR:
Only if it interests him. I don’t think he wants to go to Magick
School. He’d miss his friends. I do think you should reconsider
your position on his getting a horse. 

FIN:

You want him to have a horse?

KARANTHIR:
I do, and I’m willing to help with the expense 

- but only under the condition that you never tell him so. 

FIN:
Look at you - sticking up for Brynie.

KARANTHIR:
Don’t be ridiculous. I’m offering for the sole purpose of keeping him
out in the barn rather than in here with us. Besides, Orrie would love it.

FIN:
I guess I could talk to Tahariel about finding us a horse,

but only if he does well in school this semester.

KARANTHIR:
Must you always be such a killjoy? 

KARANTHIR:
… Oh no - are you about to play that thing again? 

FIN:
I am.

KARANTHIR:
Then it’s time for me to make my exit. Tah.

FIN:
A horse - it couldn’t be something smaller, like a hamster.