[029] OOM - IV of VII - The plot, as always, must thicken

[tristranthorn]

It isn't very long (by normal standards, anyway) until the vultures return to the brig where Tristran and Yvaine are kept in captivity.

To Tristran, however, it feels as though he's been here in the same bloody position (his legs and arms aching, his nose itchy, his wrists stinging) for nearly three decades.

Conversation was made between the star and the half-faerie man, but even that became a little tiring when each Escape Plan was very soon promptly vetoed by the other. Not to mention, as the hours passed, so did the quality of their plans.

Generally workable, smart and clever plans soon filtered off into a series of silly, amusing 'What If' situations.

Take, for example:

"What if a flying pig crashed into the side of the ship wearing horse-shoes with blades underneath them that could cut through our ropes?"

"Why a pig?" asks Yvaine.

Which only garnered the answer from Tristran: "Because after the pig freed us, we could eat it. I'm starving."

And that only got the roll of eyes from the star.

Typical.

Comments

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

The vulture closest to Tristran hastily grabs at his hair, forcing his head upwards.

"All right. Go ahead then, yeah? Say what you gotta say."

[tristranthorn]

Tristran's eyes remain closed as part of the whole 'Play Dead' plan he has been quickly improvising in his head.

But ow.

He hardly thinks these bloody birds have to tug on his hair so tightly.

[an_evening_star]

She swallows the displeased hiss and does her best to sound convincing and not at all murderous, "You will turn around, yes?"

Yvaine thinks - in some far-off and often neglected corner of her mind - that, perhaps, sometime in the future, she should try to act more like a lady if she wishes to be treated as one.

This, however, is not that sometime.

"After all," she adds, and the metal of the knife is heavy between her breasts. "It will hardly take a moment and is only polite."

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

The lot of them roll their eyes before they let go of her with an unnecessarily harsh shove.

"Try anythin' funny, and we'll just have to tell the boss you died of fright."

"Couldn't answer questions 'cause you died of fright!" one of them repeats, laughing.

"Can't we do that anyway?"

They don't exactly turn around, but they do wait by the door, cackling amongst themselves, congratulating them on their jokes.

[tristranthorn]

At least they have let go of his scalp.

He lets his head loll limply once more, but his eyes are open now, and they stealthily take in the situation.

[an_evening_star]

Okay, so she's going to have to be careful about this.

And quick.

And - and, okay, seeing if he's okay is entirely more important. She can think while checking.

She kneels carefully, voice quiet and fingers bracing lightly atop his legs, tracing soothing circles, "Hello, dear."

[tristranthorn]

Tristran, beneath the now dried blood, sweat and grime and general dislike for this situation, manages to smile a bit at the sound of her voice.

"Yvaine," he murmurs, his own voice especially low. "Don't let them take you."

[an_evening_star]

"I do not think that is going to be negotiable," she laughs, one set of fingers reaching up to gingerly sweep one bloody temple.

She's pretty certain that she's just about exhausted their patience for her as it is.

Quietly, "You are going to have to tell me when they aren't looking."

[tristranthorn]

Very slowly and very carefully, he turns his gaze upwards to look at her, slightly questioning.

If Yvaine has a plan, he's all for it. It would certainly beat any non!plan he has.

He shifts his glance towards the door where the three vultures seem to be occupied, making further quips about killing the star 'by accident'.

"They're occupied," he tells her anxiously.

[an_evening_star]

"Good."

The star swallows, breathes out another (slightly tremulous) laugh, and leans forward - further into his space - as one hand makes a careful path upward.

"You going to give me that kiss you owe me now?"

Her fingers catch at the hilt of her dagger, pausing for a (heartbeat) moment before tugging it out and slipping it behind his back in one quick (not nervous, not shaking) motion.

[tristranthorn]

His fingers grasp the hilt of Yvaine's dagger as soon as she manages to get it to him at about the same time his eyes widen very briefly.

Because, whoa. Well played, Yvaine. Well played.

"I'd make some terribly ill-humoured joke about bondage, but it hardly seems the time," he says wryly, tilting his head to be at level with hers.

Then, his lips find hers and with everything he could express into the kiss, he does.

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

Okay.

We're getting kind of bored over here.

"A'right already," a voice calls out harshly, a set of footsteps making its way over. "Thinkin' we're just about out of time now, Lady."

[an_evening_star]

Yeah, yeah - we're coming.

"See you later, Prince Charming," she grins against his lips, as a hand curls around her shoulder. "Don't miss me too much."

[tristranthorn]

He manages to hide the dagger behind his hands rather well as the vultures approach to take the star away.

He nods, even managing a smile for her while his heart thunders loudly. His blood runs cold with the fear of leaving her in the hands (or wings - or whatever it is) of their kidnappers.

"If anything happens to her -" he threatens, looking straight at the gathered birds, but whatever he might have said is promptly cut off with another blow to the face.

[nosequels.livejournal.com]

"Ahhh, shuddap."

There are further snickers as they pull the star along towards the door.