[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]

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."

[tristranthorn]

If he was anything like Yvaine, perhaps he would shamelessly find amusement from such a thing, but Tristran's just far too polite for that.

There is more laughter.

"I don't suppose light and darkness would suit my tastes?" he inquires curiously and amusedly.

[an_evening_star]

"That would depend entirely on your tastes," she returns easily, before she pauses to actually consider the whole concept. "I am not exactly certain how it would translate at all."

If it would translate, even.

"I mean, midnight is hardly similar to apple pie."

[tristranthorn]

He shakes his head.

"No, I suppose not," he agrees, raising an eyebrow. "Somehow midnight doesn't sound very tasty. And I suppose you would know, too - having tasted both your own food and mine."

[an_evening_star]

"Oh no, midnight is lovely," she explains and takes the time to sound just a little gleefully overenthusiastic. "But only right at that exact moment."

She shimmers vaguely, free hand gesturing.

"Right then everything is perfectly still, like it is just waiting to start up again. It tastes like -" she pauses, considering. "Well, it doesn't really taste so much as it feels like - like anticipation, perhaps."

[tristranthorn]

"That does sound nice," he muses thoughtfully, but whether it feels like anticipation and all that good stuff, it still doesn't sound like it would very much use to him. To, you know, fill his stomach.

Alas. There are simply some things they cannot share, and food choices is one of them.

They are now nearing the town itself, with small houses and shops and cobblestone roads coming into view.

[an_evening_star]

"In theory," the star laughs and prods his side with one set of fingers. "Pie, I suppose, will have to suffice."

It has variety going for it. Clever foodstuffs, really.

She tilts her head, considering.

"It is certainly larger than Fulkeston."

[tristranthorn]

He nods.

"It is, at that," he says in agreement. "But let us hope they are not looking for bards of any sort. I don't feel like repeating that series of events."

Because too many infatuated maidens? Yeah. Not cool. Plus, there was that whole fight between them - and that is the last thing he wants to repeat.

"Shall we?"

[an_evening_star]

"Hardly," she agrees, voice sharp-edged for just a moment, and she (not at all possessively) tugs herself a bit closer before the usual contact-tingle makes her smile.

Said infatuated maidens missed their chance by a long-shot.

"Lead on then, Prince Charming."

[tristranthorn]

Well, Tristran is certainly glad about that. He could live (quite happily, really) without any other maidens.

"The inn should be around somewhere," he says thoughtfully as they enter the town. "There ought to be a big sign."

Around them, people are moving, weaving in and out of places, between other people and the like. Some are dragging wagons and wheelbarrows; others simply seem to be out for a stroll.

It takes a little bit of getting used to, but it's kind of a welcome change to the trees and plains and vastness of nature.

[an_evening_star]

The noise of it is a bit sudden - all the voices and the closing of doors, opening of windows - but the town is simple enough, no bright Fair-lights or fantastical carts selling spells.

The inn, when they find it, is equally simple. Wooden sign with some colorfully plumed bird and a front door with swinging hinges that makes the star grin.

"No Slaughtered Princes," she says. "Somehow that's a comforting notion."

This isn't at all because she still hasn't returned the owner's key. (Really.)

[tristranthorn]

He laughs.

"Yes, it's quite a bit different from the place near Wall," he says, glancing around, taking the atmosphere in. "Let us get a room and a table in the tavern. Being amongst the smells of food is making me ravenous."

And off they go towards the innkeeper's desk.