a good cause

Lionel wasn't the largest horse enthusiast out there, not that he hated them. No, the man could never find it in himself to hate any animal. But he simply didn't have that much to do with them. A horse was hardly needed in his line of work, after all. He stepped forward. His icy blue eyes gazed over the horses she had housed here. He knew that this place was a sanctuary for them. Which was something that Lionel really did find inspiring. So much so that he made a mental note, that the moment he returned to the city. He should swing by the bank, and issue a large donation. For it surely was deserved. Lionel stopped when he reached the center of the building. And called out to the woman he was looking for, "Zoey?" He called. His voice echoing off the walls. He was here to check up on her, in effect. It had been awhile since he had last seen her. But also here had stopped by for other reasons. One's he hoped, she could help him with.

He had called out for her, but didn't get a response right away. The man placed his hands around his back as she walked through the stables. It was a very quaint and modestly built, but he had to admit it had a lot of charm. One of the horses stole his attention, he didn't know why. The animal wasn't anything special, but. Somehow he was drawn to it. Lionel walked towards the pen the animal was housed in and gentle patted the side of its neck. He whispered softly to steed, who seemed all too interested in him. Even trying to eat his clothes. But Lionel didn't mind it and merely chuckled quietly. Just then he heard his name echo through the barn, and when he turned to the origin of the sound. He saw Zoey. Lionel stepped away from the animal, but before he could do much else. The woman embraced him. The action was sudden, and so Lionel didn't really know what to do at first. So he just blinked in surprise, standing still like a block of wood. But his icy demeanor quickly melted away. As he retuned, the affectionate gesture, gently wrapping his arms around his sister-in-law. It was short, however, since they soon parted from one another. And when they did, Lionel was back to the upright way he usually held himself. He listened to her speak and nodded when she offered to go outside for a bit. A small and rare smile crept on his face as he gestured for her to go first. "But of course, after you, my lady." He said, his voice soft. He wouldn't mind the change of scenery, but he also didn't mind staying here. The smell, or the way she looked. Didn't bother him at all.

When they stepped outside, Lionel let his sister-in-law walk ahead of him. Quietly following in her wake, with his hands behind his back. Zoey decided to lead him near a paddock, where several horses were stationed. He watched the creatures, for a few moments. While the woman was dusting some hay off her clothing. His eyes found hers again, when he heard her speak. Lionel nodded. "I just wanted to check up on you." He said, while he shot her a short, reassuring smile. It had been the truth, he did truly want to see her. It had been so long, after all. But he would also be lying if he told her, that that was the only reason he had come all this way. But before he could give them to her. She asked him if he was ashore long. Lionel shook his head. "Not terribly long." He did spend perhaps a few days longer than she should have at the Grimadli estate, but nothing outrageous. Lionel always thought it the very height of good manners to knew exactly when to leave. No one wanted a quest who; overstayed their welcome. "I hope my brother is well, I'm planning on visiting him at that university he's been teaching at." He looked at her then, asking with his eyes if that would be a good idea. Since he really couldn't tell; his brother was, and probably always will be; an enigma to him. Lionel sighed, as she moved his gaze away from the woman in front of him. And onto the horses in the field again. "There is also something else, I'd like to ask of you Zoey."