Mr. Prior nodded slowly, taking a moment to consider that with a sigh. He gave a tired smile that made him look older. Exhausted. F "Yes, well, that might be a while then, hm?" He nodded, crossing his arms. He had gray eyes like his daughter's, but his were less fierce. More calm. Peaceful. F "Alright then. But under no circumstances do you or your men come near my wife or daughter unless strictly nescessary. Understood?" He asked quietly, lowering his voice so Kate couldn't eavesdrop, which she had been doing very intently. His tone was dangerous. Like that of a protective father, as one would expect.

He was doing his best to not look like he was staring at her father, he was mostly surveying. Trying to memorize the face. For no particular reason. He tipped his head down slightly, he was just abliygle threatening. "Yes sir. Hopefully we won't be here too much more often than at night, we'll try to stay out of your way." He offered, his tone hadn't changed a beat despite the slightly unnerving protective father.

Mr. Prior cleared his throat and went right back to how he was, nodding. F "Right. Well, we do supper at about 7, so if you expect food, that's when you get it. You need it later, talk about it with Kate, I suppose." He nodded, much more accommodating than his daughter. At the mention of her name, Kate hopped down from the table, which she had finally finished cleaning, and walked into the kitchen again. "You're upstairs. This way." She nodded, turning on her heel and walking up one staircase that lead up to a nice upper floor. Once she emerged from the staircase, his room was the farthest to the left. She opened the door and gestured him in. "It's a guest room, should be everything you need. Anything else I can help you with, your highness?" She asked sarcastically, maybe the slightest bit of playfulness returning.

"Alright, thank you sir." He smiled slightly, slight dimples in his pearly smile. He turned on his heel, seeing Kate, he tipped his head to Mr. Prior. He moved off to follow Kate. He hopped two stairs at a time to keep up. He glanced around, you'd think with such a big house they'd have room. But he really couldn't blame her for being defensive. "No, thank you. Miss Prior. You have a lovely home." He had a slight smile, stepping in and glancing around. He sat the bag down on the floor. Mildly excited to change. He had the day off at the moment.

Kate shuffled a little uncomfortably at the comment. He was supposed to be bitter and ornery, easy to hate. He... wasn't turning out like that. "Thank you, I suppose. Bye for now, Lieutenant Thatcher." She nodded, turning on her heel and trotting down the stairs to toss her bucket of water and sponge. She had already done her farm work for the day, so the rest of her day was free. She was quick to head to the barn, Lucifer at her heels again. She was in a large, blood bay stallions stall, quiet. She was sitting against the door, scratching Aristotle's face as he nuzzled her arms, Lucifer laying at her side with his head in her lap. This was her classic hide out, a nice place to go when avoiding something or someone. A good place to think.

He walks about and starts baby talking the horse in 3, 2-))

He squinted at her use of his name. He walked for her to leave, shut the door and switched into simple clothes. Dark brown cargo-lookin pants and a tan shirt, the sleeves were rolled up because the forearm section was ripped up. He also switched out of the weird slippers he had to wear and into boots. He had a whole new figure, slimmer, less red, tan armed. He walked out, down the stairs and out the door. Avoiding sight for whomever he could. He walked casually to the barn, his bay roan was right on the end, the tack splayed over the stall. And his men's horses were inside from there. He stepped up to his haltered horse. He had a very mixed breed look. He was large, muscly and on the leaner looking side but that was just ..how he looked. Standing between 16 and 17 hands high. A big gelding, who was mostly thoroughbred and draft of somekind. He met him at the stall, straight in for love. His horse didn't mind at all. "Hello my pretty boy," his voice was higher pitched and far gentler than the rougher, taut voice he used to speak professionally. "How are you my baby Zeph?" He kissed his horse's nose, smiing. Unaware of her presence.

Kate was in her happy place, vaguely giving Aristotle kisses on the muzzle when he got close enough. Eventually, Aristotle perked up at the sound of footsteps. So did Lucifer. Kate tilted her head, not alarmed by the sound. She raised her eyebrows in surprise at the sound that carried down the halls. She silently stood, leaning lightly against the stall and tilting her head at the man with a smile she just couldn't manage to wipe away. He was... it was... too adorable. She laid her head on her hands, tilting her head at him. Maybe this redcoat wasn't... horrible.

He was completely distracted by his horse's face, that was currently hitting him because Zephyr knew where he hit the treats. He rolled his eyes. "Fiine. You can have one, then you have to stop beating me up," he said in the sternest voice he could muster with the tone he was using. He pulled a sugar cube out of his pocket, slipping it under his nose. Zeph was not ready to accept just one. Tossing his head right into Sam's. "Auh- god," he took a step back with his head back, holding the stall door. "My feelings, Zeph, they're so hurt." He said pitifully, rubbing his cheek. He tasted a little blood. "Oh you made me bite my cheek." He snickered, petting Zeph refuardless. He glanced around the barn- noticing her finally. He quietly cursed, taking a step onto the other side of his horse's head to see her better, his face flushed a bit red.

Kate flashed him an amused smile as he finally noticed her, promptly vaulting the stall door and walking toward him. "You're a lot more pleasant without your jacket on, Lieutenant. Easier on the eyes, too." She teased, stepping toward Zephyr carefully and gently stroking the horse's muzzle. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a half of a carrot, offering it to Zephyr and and continuing to stroke his muzzle with the other hand. "Handsome boy, aren't you?" She murmured, her voice raising to a higher pitch in turn. She had to make him feel at least... slightly less embarrassed.

He tilted his head down, a hand on the stall and one stoking Zeph. The bay had his nose on her, prancing his feet. He greedily munched the carrots, his ear perked at the sound of her baby voice, one of the first times he'd heard it most likely. Sam watched her quietly, his horse liked her so he decided she was at least a little okay. "It is a lot more pleasant without the jacket, miss. I prefer not standing out like the sun." His voice settled evenly and smooth, though now he was a little nervous.