[027] OOM - Meet the Parents

[tristranthorn]

As every good traveler knows, there must be a destination for which to head towards - otherwise, there is aimless wandering which makes for wasted time, wasted resources, and a more or less miserable time.

But as any good observer knows, Tristran and Yvaine do not follow rules whatsoever.

So the two companions - still terribly (and pathetically) in love - are doing exactly what good travelers do not: they are wandering aimlessly, wasting time and resources. Whether they are having a miserable time remains to be seen, though it is unlikely that they are even able to follow that part of the rule, anyway.

"You know," Tristran starts thoughtfully, turning to glance at the star, "it has come to my attention that you haven't met my family yet."

Why this thought suddenly springs up in the young man's mind is a mystery, but now that it has taken precedence in the forefront of his thoughts, he believes it important not to let it go.

"Before we left, I told my father about you," he continues. "And I am positive that my mother - my other mother - and my sister want to meet you too. What do you think?"

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[nosequels.livejournal.com]

There's the rising sound of voices from somewhere behind the door - voices doing some rising, even.

"-- already married, Daddy. Married. And you still won't even let me go out on a date."

Well, to be entirely honest, only one of the voices is doing any real rising - but it's doing an impressive job of it nonetheless.

"I am going to wind up an old maid and it is going to be all your fault."

[tristranthorn]

He smiles to himself as he approaches the old house, looking exactly as it had before he left.

Well, it is obvious enough that his family are at home.

He raises his hand to knock on the door.

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you are completely unfair!"

Footsteps now - quiet at first, but slowly louder.

"And as you can tell," another voice replies, lower and hiding it's amusement much less successfully than it likely intends to. "I'm utterly devastated for you, dear - but, the door."

A frustrated huff, one that would very nearly be a shriek if that wasn't entirely unladylike and even more likely to lose her argument for her before she's even able to properly plead her case.

"But Daddy!"

The low voice is laughing outright now. "Door, Louisa."

[tristranthorn]

Tristran knocks again, and waits.

It is too late now to wait until their argument is finished. Besides, he is more or less used to Louisa's whines.

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"You're just going to answer it? Suppose that they heard us! Oh, if that is Bobby Robinson I am going to be furious with you, Daddy!"

Really, now. No consideration for her future at all.

"They heard regardless of whether or not I answer the door, Louisa."

And answer the door he does, swinging it open easily (and with, admittedly, no regard whatsoever to his daughter's future courting) arms crossed and one eyebrow arced lazily.

"Ah," a slow smile spreads its way back across the man's lips. It is, he might admit, something of a surprise. "Back already, Tristran?"

[tristranthorn]

"Hullo, father," he says with a slightly shy smile.

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

He grins back, letting the door open the rest of the way and stepping back.

"Miss us that much, did you?"

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

A blond head pokes its way around the hall - shy for a moment before she catches sight of who, exactly, is standing there and straightens, hands on her hips and lips pursing.

"Oh," she sighs. "It's just you."

[tristranthorn]

"Yes, it's just me," Tristran says with a bit of a laugh. "Nice to see you too, Louisa."

He steps into the house, taking in a breath. Everything is so familiar, it gives him a pang in his chest.

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"Well," she grins back at him. "Then I am not particularly worried about the sort of impression I am making. You're already unimpressed."

The grin widens and her arms fold over her chest, moving forward, "And if you're feeling terribly misty, Tristran, I can call Mum in for you."

Dunstan tugs the end of her hair when she comes to a stop at his side.

"I'd tell you not to tease your brother, but I'd sound far too much like your mum."

[tristranthorn]

Tristran laughs again. He's really missed his family, all things considered.

"I suppose that all of you have been doing well, then?" he asks, grinning.

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"We have been doing very well," Dunstan returns.

A shrug - he feels like a gossip, but it's mostly relevant, he supposes.

"Miss Forrester - well, no longer Miss Forrester, I suppose. Either way, as you may have overheard, the former Miss Forrester is married - and expecting, if I'm not mistaken."

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"And Daddy still refuses to acknowledge the fact that I am grown up."

She glares pointedly.

"Even you have," a sudden noise, turning back to her father abruptly. "You let Tristran --"

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

One golden curl gets itself tugged mildly - in warning - once again, and Dunstan continues easily.

"And how is your girl, Tristran?"

[tristranthorn]

He grins.

"Ah, that - actually, is why I am here," he says cheerfully, walking further into the house, peering at things as though he is looking at them for the first time.

"Where's mum? I'd like for her to be here too."

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"Oh!" she flashes a suddenly bright grin.

"Are we getting married too? Am I allowed to get a new dress if we are? Oh - a fancy one, one with laces."

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"Louisa," another low laugh. "Fetch your mother."

Because he's certainly not doing it.

"Fine, fine," and she's off, down the hall - but not before leaning back into the room with a final. "Remember, Tristran - laces."

[tristranthorn]

He nods, trying to hold in his laughter, but not doing a very good job of it.

"I am afraid it isn't such big news as that," Tristran says, turning back to his father with a slight shrug. "Big news, indeed, but none like marriage."

The thought sends a wave of heat to rise in his face, starting from his neck.

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"For shame," he quirks another grin in his son's direction. "Now you'll crush all of her dreams, Tristran."

No wedding means no new dresses - and new dresses means no reason to look astoundingly attractive in public. (Public where Bobby Robinson might be.)

"Though my poor wallet does thank you for the moment."

[tristranthorn]

"Then I welcome your wallet," Tristran says, grinning a little bashfully.

Still, marriage. A wedding. It is certainly a daunting thought. He wonders how Yvaine might feel about that. It isn't particularly anything they've discussed in any detail whatsoever.

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"Breathe, Tristran."

A laugh, and he settles himself down into one of the chairs in the sitting room, very clearly amused.

"No need to be mentally planning a wedding on your sister's behalf."

[tristranthorn]

He shakes his head.

"Oh, no. No, no. Nothing like that," he says, going to join his father in one of the chairs opposite from him. "It is still a big step for me, though."

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"Getting good at those, aren't you?"

And then the sound of footsteps once more and not-so-quietly whispering female voices. Or, a not-so-quietly whispering female voice, really.

"Dresses, mum. You would have to let me, you know. If there were, for instance. Not that there is, but I'm just saying."

The one that replies is just naturally quiet, "You'll have to talk to your father about that, dear."

[tristranthorn]

He sees them as they enter the room, and a fresh wave of affection goes out to his mum - the woman who took care of him all these years with a fair level of caution and weariness that he didn't understand until now.

"Hullo, mum," he greets, rising to his feet.

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"Oh, hello there, Tristran. Now, aren't you looking very handsome - all this sun does you well," she steps forward into the room - arms very neatly, and very tightly around him, dismissing her daughter's continued case-making with a mild.

"Behave, Louisa."

Dunstan grins smugly from his seat.

"And you too, dear," she steps back enough to glance around Tristran's shoulder (and straighten his lapel). "Sometimes you are worse than the children."