Jono gets bored...

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Note: takes place about a week after the group gets back from New York, August 1 if you would.

Going outside hadn't probably been the best of ideas, but Jono's imagination had failed him and he hadn't been able to think of doing anything else. At least the sun was out of his eyes now with the sunglasses he'd bought from New York. He loitered along, warily avoiding any place that looked like someone else might happen by it.

Paige was out for her morning ride, her living patterns at the point where you could use them as a decent clock. Reining Nemesis around, she pushed him into a secure canter towards one of the jumps she’d set up. Letting out a gleeful whoop at the top, fist in the air, she spotted someone with dark hair at the end of her circuit. Avoiding the other jumps with a quick tug she made her way in that direction at a walk.

Jono stopped at the sight of the horse, wondering if he should just turn and walk away. Then he realized who was riding the blasted thing and stayed put.

Paige grinned as she recognized him, pulling Nem to a quick stop just before the fence. “Hey there, Jono. What are you doing so far from your room?”

"Trying to avoid people," he replied flatly, but she had to notice he wasn't attempting to avoid her at the moment.

“Good for you, broadening your horizons and trying new things,” she teased gently, smoothing a hand over Nem’s shoulder as he shifted.

Jono took an involuntary step back at the horse's movement and looked at it with distaste. "My horizons were looking fine before you parked that beast in front of me."

Paige couldn’t help but grin a little wider. “I’m getting this sneaky suspicion that the city boy ain’t too fond of horsies.”

"What, really?" the tone of Jono's projected thought was biting. "I've got a cowboy hat and a pink horsie, what's there not to love?"

“Hey hey, you know you love that hat.” She gave him a soft look, tilting her head. “Besides, being afraid of things isn’t a bad thing, you know. I promise not to tell. It’ll just be our little secret and everyone else will just assume that you are being totally out of character and having a sullen day.”

"Ha," Jono rolled his eyes behind the sunglasses and because he couldn't think of anything else to do with his hands he stuck them into his pockets. "I'm not afraid," he said. "Just... wary. It could bite."

Paige didn’t argue Jono’s statement of being unafraid and moved onto something she could debate. “Nem will only bite if you’re cheeky, like hiding apples on him. I think you’re pretty safe. Unless there’s something you’d like to tell me?” She grinned at him with a little of her own cheek.

"You mean is this an apple in my pocket or am I just happy to see you?" Jono deadpanned, then paused for a moment, actually hearing the words he'd said.

Covering a giggle with her hand, Paige tried not to blush. “Jono! I never considered you the sort. Tsk.”

"I'm constantly surprising," Jono turned abruptly on his heels and started striding away. "I've had enough of fresh air."

“Sure my wonderful company isn’t enough incentive for you to delay your dramatic exit for a bit?” she asked innocently.

"I don't know," he kept walking away, but his words formed clearly in Paige's mind. "Maybe if you put that beast of yours away."

Paige snorted, speaking just loud enough so that he could hear her, even at his distance, but not without a little bit of effort. "I'm not straining my voice over this." She circled Nemesis around, tossing over her shoulder, "I'm going to put out Nem, but I have to get his tack off and wash it up. It should be about ten minutes. Up to you, but I'd like your company, at least afterwards," before heading for the other padlock.

"Fine. Whatever," the words reached her, but she could tell he was agreeing.

Paige smiled brightly at him in thanks and disappeared behind the barn, returning with one less horse and drying off her hands on her fresh jeans.

“Now, that wasn’t so hard, now was it?” she said, when she came within earshot, hopping over the fence.

"I suffered so," Jono had pushed the sunglasses up into his hair and was squinting at her.

Paige pulled her hair out of her ponytail, shaking it loose and smiled. “You were very brave. I’ll be sure to make it up to you.”

Jono shrugged a bit and the sunglasses fell down with the movement. "Is it hot today?" he asked, almost uncertain.

“Well, for me it’s not, but you’re from rainy England. I’m sure you’re melting, especially in that jacket of yours.” She resisted fingering one of the buttons on it. “Would you prefer to go inside? Or at least find some shade?”

"The heat's no bother," Jono shrugged. "I don't really seem react to it anymore."

“Good then,” Paige replied, her regular, optimistic self. “Means we can stay out.” She pulled off the sweater she’d put on over a t-shirt for the morning chill and wrapped it about her waist. “So, what are we going to do, Mr. Starsmore? I said I’d make the wait up to you.”

“I don’t know.”

Paige smiled. “Well, I’m sure we’ll think of something.”

OOC: Argh. Can't backdate non-personal journals. Sorry.