[028] OOM - I of VII - The Road Goes Ever On

[tristranthorn]

The travel never seems to end, and already they've done so much of it.

Which, really, should mean that they are experts at this - with very little complaint and a whole lot of knowledge of what to do in all seasons and weather situations.

But while it can be said to be true that they know quite a lot about the weather and how to adapt to all its faces, the complaining bit hasn't changed too much. Occasionally, Tristran would get a little irritated with the lack of proper food to be found, and Yvaine would mutter about how uncomfortable the twigs sticking into her back are and how much better beds and soft pillows would be in comparison.

However, when everything is said and done, they actually (secretly) enjoy it all: the traveling, the alone-time, the utter freedom from any and all responsibility. They are hardly ever recognized in towns for who they truly are - sometimes not even when they reveal their names - and the ability to move about as they please is fun, leaving very little time to mope about.

When Tristran set off from the Thorn farm and household so many months ago to seek a fallen star, he never imagined that he would be here today with her, loving her and running away from his responsibility to govern an entire kingdom as a royal.

Comments

[an_evening_star]

The smile widens, flashing just the slightest bit triumphantly, and she stays obediently silent.

Story-time is for listening, after all.

[tristranthorn]

"And I was rather foolishly infatuated with Victoria," he continues, shaking his head and letting out another breath.

"I had come to the conclusion that it might be a good idea to ... stage a duel with some of the other boys. I would come out looking like the winner - and thus, I would undoubtedly impress her." He scratches his head. "Only, it didn't quite turn out that way.

"I was a highly uncoordinated fourteen-year-old boy, and in the end, the boys decided that it would be a lot more fun if the duel was for real."

He shrugs.

"Let us just say, I lost quite epically, and could not show myself before her for many a month."

[an_evening_star]

She laughs.

(Of course she laughs - she wouldn't be herself otherwise, and he knew that long before he got into this relationship.)

But it's quiet and there's some subtle, charmed squeak behind it - terribly girly and she'd never admit to it under pain of death, but it's there - eyes crinkled and bright and very blue over the tops of her fingers.

"That wasn't terribly honorable of them," she returns, grip tightening around his hand just in case he decides to run off again.

[tristranthorn]

"Mum didn't think so either," he says, his own hand squeezing her fingers slightly. "She boxed my ears for quite some time, scolding me for my stupidity while she cleaned some of my cuts and bruises."

Luckily all of that had changed when he learned how to wield a real sword.

[an_evening_star]

Yvaine tilts her head, eyes narrowed and expression terribly thoughtful - going so far as to tap a finger against her chin and hum briefly.

A firm nod.

"It probably would have worked."

[tristranthorn]

He slowly steals a glance in her direction from his side before a smile begins to cross his face.

Finally, he shakes his head.

"No, I am glad you will never have to see that. I was quite more of a moron than I am now."

[an_evening_star]

She grins widely, bumping him with her hip.

"Is that even possible, dear?"

And isn't that the most convincing innocent-face you've ever seen?

[tristranthorn]

No. No, it is not. We are not convinced. At all.

Tristran doesn't answer, choosing instead to roll his eyes and shake his head with a wry smile.

Ah, Yvaine. Always knows how to cheer someone up, that girl.

[an_evening_star]

The star laughs again and she really can't be blamed for rocking upward onto her toes the next time he glances over and planting her lips against his firmly, tangling her fingers in his collar until she's properly breathless, before smoothing out the material primly and starting forward again with sure steps.

If there's any cheerful whistling, it's surely your imagination.

Brightly, "Coming?"

[tristranthorn]

Well, then.

Staring after her a little foolishly, Tristran eventually comes to grips with reality, and when he does, the only thing he can manage is a nod.

"Yes, of course."

Colour him impressed.

[an_evening_star]

'Impressed' is a rather interesting shade. It suits him.

"Thank you for the story," she chimes, her own smile just the slightest bit crooked.

[tristranthorn]

"Not one of my best moments," he says, "but I suppose in the end, it hardly matters anymore."

Especially now that he's a hotshot hero with a star for a girlfriend and a kingdom he's currently shirking responsibility for. A far cry from the timid, shy and entirely dorky farmboy who never fit in with anyone because he was, simply put: weird.

[an_evening_star]

Well, technically - if one were to bend the truth just the slightest bit - they're touring their kingdom. Getting to know the land.

It's very responsible!

"None of those boys have been given sword-fighting lessons by pirate captains either, dear," she points out.

[tristranthorn]

"Very true," he says in agreement, the grin spreading across his face. "I highly doubt they've improved their skill since then, either."

Not like they would have needed to anyway. They weren't dealing with monsters and witches and things of that nature.

He looks a little more pleased with himself. "We've done quite a lot, haven't we?"

[an_evening_star]

They were, however, dealing with teenage girls hunting for marriage proposals - something which Yvaine feels is probably equally horrifying, all things considered.

She smiles, "I think we've done a rather good job of it too."

[tristranthorn]

Well, when it came to the better looking boys, it could be considered rather horrifying.

(Feeding time at the zoo, y/y?)

"Yes, considering," he says with a confident nod. "We're both still in one piece - so far."

Wouldn't want to go about dooming themselves again.

[an_evening_star]

The star casts a suspicious glance right, then left, then quickly upward (just in case) before letting out a laugh.

"So far," she agrees. "It's almost surprising."

[tristranthorn]

"Mm."

No more shall be said upon this, lest they jinx themselves.

In any case, Tristran feels far better now, a lot less embarrassed about his past endeavours as a teenaged boy.

[an_evening_star]

They don't have terribly much in the way of self-preservation instincts, do they?

It's a good thing they're cute.

They continue on in comfortable silence - or something vaguely resembling silence, but with a whole lot more of the liberal peppering of sarcastic comments and childish poking and prodding.

After some time has passed, the star blinks up at him, voice wryly amused, "You couldn't have picked the shortcut, Prince Charming?"

[tristranthorn]

"Perhaps if you'd asked me," he says with an apologetic shrug. "In any case, we're almost there."

His directional instinct says so.

He glances ahead. "Yes. Once we hit that crest, we should sight the town over it."

And then beds! Marvelous beds! And food!

[an_evening_star]

"I'll have to remember that for the next time then."

Note to Self: Boyfriend's directional instinct needs more explicit instructions.

Got it.

She perks up at the last bit though, grinning again, "Your stomach shall be well pleased, then."

[tristranthorn]

He beams.

"Indeed it will," he agrees as he attempts to pull his thoughts away from the very things pertaining to his stomach.



Moments later, guided by their desire for the comforts of civilization, the two of them manage to get over the crest in the hill to the very town Tristran mentioned previously.

"Ah - there it is." The glee is made obvious in his voice.

[an_evening_star]

She rolls her eyes indulgently - reclaiming his arm as they make their way downhill and decidedly not using him as anything even vaguely resembling a human-shaped support beam.

(Hills may or may not be worse than stairs. She cannot quite decide.)

The smile curls up crookedly, "And what sort of pie do you imagine will be in-season then?"

[tristranthorn]

He laughs, his hand resting firmly over hers while she holds onto his arm. She might not be using him for support, but he is certainly offering himself up for such a role.

It wouldn't do for the star to go falling flat on her face or anything, after all.

"Oh, don't you get me started on a discussion of pie," he says teasingly. "At this moment, I could go for just about anything - in season or not."

[an_evening_star]

He could totally laugh at her if she did. She'd only sulk a little, really.

"You really need to find yourself a more reliable food source, dear," she remarks, her own voice teasing and vaguely sing-song. "You are far too excited about meals."