The stables weren’t unoccupied, and Storm, still fully satisfied, still could not help but steal a glance at the attractive woman fellating an old, swarthy man with his suit sprawled across hay. It was a spectacular sight, and the wizard wondered if that rich fool would have to invent a story of falling into straw to someone at home. Considering the late hour, it was unlikely the rotund receiver was going anywhere soon.

Can’t say I haven’t been there, but –GODS- man, clean it up. You’re not a kid.

Philomel had continued along to the horses, and found Attila to be unreceptive. This was to be expected; there weren’t more than two or three in the world that the surly steed welcomed at first blush. As if playing, the great black beast bucked his head low and butted it with some force at the Storm as he arrived, knocking him up in the air and back, no doubt smelling the woman upon him.

“Easy, boy, settle!”

With a firm word, the experienced scoundrel raised a hand, his electromagnetic abilities hooking the steel rings that hung from the horse’s bridle. The rings dutifully rose, with the stallion’s head gently rising with them. Attila calmed immediately, assured of his master. The painless demonstration left no doubt with the powerful mount who the alpha was in his relationship.

Turning, the moonlit stable lit a cool yellow-green glow upon the magician’s face as he spoke to the magnificent beauty.

“This, my dear, is Attila. He warms up slowly to most, but will learn to like you quickly. He has a lot of stubborn asshole in him, but he’s not so bad underneath it.”

Spinning on his left foot, Storm leapt with an ease and grace that completely defied his advancing age. If Attila’s back stood five feet from the ground, the wizard could easily have landed there on his feet, this with only a modest effort. Skillfully, he slid slow into the saddle, no doubt having landed hard and rendering himself temporarily sexually useless in the past. Adjusting the saddlebags to the front of the saddle, the wizard popped a few iron snaps and slid a small leather sheet backwards, the form of a human backside lightly worn.

Been a while since that seat was filled.

His mind wandered a bit, considering the only one who had ridden the horse on her first pass. Karuka was an odd lot, with bizarre abilities and a charm that enamored some and infuriated others. Regardless, she had loved him, and he loved her. When Karuka and her lovely green eyed progeny Taische O’Sheean disappeared, it had left a hole in the electromancer that none had filled since.

And she’d kick your ass for moping and dragging and feeling bad for yourself. There’s work to do and money to make. Focus on the here and now.

Smiling again, he extended a hand, one the faun certainly did not need. She was polite enough, but hopped up with an athleticism that clearly rivaled his own.