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[an_evening_star]

"In the town of Simcock-Under-Hill, Tristran and Yvaine had an encounter with a goblin press-gang that might have ended unhappily, with Tristran spending the rest of his life fighting the goblins' endless wars beneath the earth, had it not been for Yvaine's quick thinking and her sharp tongue."

-- Stardust, p.247

"I think," he announces almost tentatively, sometime after they've begun traveling forward again, returning securely back to trees and sun and open air. "That I forgot just how scary you are."

The star has his jacket settled rather securely atop her shoulders and a grin that would likely be better suited upon the face of a rather ruthless and victorious general of war spread brigthly across her lips, chin tilted at an altogether too jaunty angle and limping steps brisk and entirely satisfied.

"They were being unreasonable," she chimes back at him, far more cheerful than the situation should really warrant.

Comments

[tristranthorn]

"In any case, you managed to save me from what could possibly be a very dark, goblin-filled future," Tristran says gratefully, pushing back a branch to avoid it flinging into his face.

"So thank you."

It's been a fortnight or so since they left Perdita, and though the lingering feeling of Awkward never disappeared, he is faring far better (well, sometimes, anyway) knowing that soon he will be in Wall again -- and joined once more with Victoria Forester, of course.

[an_evening_star]

"You are very welcome," Yvaine replies primly, casting her gaze back over her shoulder.

The star, on the other hand, has just been very persistently ignoring the way that he avoids her at certain moments - which one would imagine to be much harder seeing as they were traveling together. Imagine being the keyword, as they both have a tendency toward being exceedingly accomplished at avoidance.

But right now? Right now she is exceedingly pleased with herself and he is not going to ruin her good mood no matter what he does.

She pauses for a moment, waiting just long enough to snag his arm and smile disarmingly.

"Now, about that tally ..."

[tristranthorn]

Tristran raises an eyebrow, very firmly ignoring the fact that she is hanging onto his arm and she's smiling.

"What tally?"

[an_evening_star]

She's is not hanging - Yvaine absolutely does not hang in any way, shape, or form. She's ... using him as a human walking-stick.

"The Tally of Who Has Saved Who's Ass," comes the answer, accompanied by audible Capitalization.

A pause, "Of course."

[tristranthorn]

"I...see."

Pause.

"So what are we currently at, then?"

[an_evening_star]

"Tied, I think."

Her nose wrinkles a moment in consideration and the fingers hooked on his arm tap a light, offhand rhythm.

"Though yours might count a bit more," she allows. "It did have a certain element of mortal peril that mine lacked."

[tristranthorn]

Tristran chuckles at that.

"Then I suppose you'll just have to, as you say, 'save my ass' a couple more times to make up for it."

They pass through a series of low-branched trees, their leaves making it difficult to walk without bending down a bit (otherwise be hit in the face by foliage).

[an_evening_star]

"I'll just do better next time," she says, stifling a laugh and pulling her hair over her shoulder to keep it from getting tangled. "I'm sure we'll find some more near-death experiences soon enough, they seem to be rather common."

She unbends easily enough, turning to regard him seriously before she blinks.

And blinks again.

And very promptly catches a giggle between her fingers.

[tristranthorn]

"That's true," he replies, attempting to duck beneath the sea of green. "We do seem to be destined for an assortment of doom."

They make it out of the trees and into a clearing. And that is when he sees Yvaine. Giggling. Possibly at him.

"What's so funny?" he asks, looking at her with a curious expression on his face.

[an_evening_star]

"You've got -" a tree attached to you?

The thought only makes her press her hand over her mouth again, eyes bright over her fingers - free hand making a vague, waving motion toward him for a few moments before she's able to swallow and nod in a far more contained manner.

No reason to be undignified, Yvaine.

She steps in front of him, reaching forward to pluck a leaf from his hair and twirling it in front of his nose, "Your hair is getting long."

[tristranthorn]

"Hmm, it is, isn't it?" he says with a lopsided smile, hand instinctively going to his head (all while trying not to blush too much). "It has been months since I've had it cut."

But he sort of likes it this way. Makes him look ... like he's been places, done things, experienced life.

[an_evening_star]

"Might want to remove the rest of the tree while your hand is there," she reminds him, tapping the leaf against his nose and then letting her hand drop. "Though it does have a certain appeal. Very natural, Prince Charming."

The star starts forward once more - slowly, of course, and a bit crookedly (but she's getting used to that) - smiling to herself.

She kind of likes it that way too, really. If she were one for admitting that sort of thing.

[tristranthorn]

He runs a hand through his hair to get rid of the rest of the leaves - and ooh, Yvaine, you missed it -- quickly catching up to the star.

He dashes forward a few steps so he is once more walking alongside her.

[an_evening_star]

She glances over quickly and grins - still missed one - readjusting his jacket about her shoulders and blinking ahead of them vaguely. This whole not having any idea where she is thing is really getting old.

"Where are we going?" she asks. "Now, I mean. Ahead of course and in a vaguely Wall-ish direction, but what are we heading for?"

[tristranthorn]

"A place to rest," answers Tristran, reddening only very slightly (it's barely noticeable, really).

"We've been through a lot. I thought perhaps it would be a good idea to rest ourselves for a while. And there are no doors anywhere that might open to Milliways, either."

[an_evening_star]

"No need to baby me, Prince Charming."

She smiles anyway, glittering slightly (just about as barely noticeable as the flush across his face, really), good mood still rather firmly in place.

"I'm a big tough girl," she quips, one arm raises in an approximation of a flex. "I can walk on my own now and everything."

[tristranthorn]

"Of course," Tristran says with a very knowing nod. (It is very convincing.)

"I meant myself as well. I'm afraid I'm not as tough as you are."

Why yes, Tristran has learned how to tease.

[an_evening_star]

So he has. She's so very proud.

He gains himself a sly glance, slow and amused, out of the corner of her eye - before she takes his arm again. (Not because walking is taxing for her in any way, of course, just because he might be in need of assistance.)

"Ah, then we must rest," she concedes. "Wouldn't want to inflict any permanent damage upon your fine, delicate self."

[tristranthorn]

Tristran laughs. "Of course not."

He lets her take his arm, because...well, what is he going to do? Pull away from her? They're friends. So...yes.

Friends can...do that sort of thing.

Except friends shouldn't be blushing this much either.

Huh.

"Even if we find a nice clearing," he says, clearing his throat. "We could set up a fire, or something."

[an_evening_star]

He stiffens (again!) and she frowns, stiffening herself reflexively and stepping back a bit, tugging the ends of her hair between her fingers. She doesn't have to be nice - in fact, she doesn't even like being nice.

All things considered, she's not even certain if she's even any good at it. (It's not precisely the sort of thing one just asks.)

"You may have your jacket back," she mumbles by way of explanation, slinging it easily off of her shoulders and offering it back to him. "Thank you for it, I suppose."

[tristranthorn]

You'll have to cut him a little slack, Yvaine. The poor boy doesn't really know what's going on inside his head.

"Oh? You're okay, then?" Tristran inquires, taking his jacket back anyway. He drapes it over his arm. "...You're welcome."

[an_evening_star]

But he's being confusing - and she's already confused. Or, perhaps, not so much confused as immensely frustrated with herself. But still.

"It's warmer here," she replies, voice brightening a bit and smiling tentatively once more. "And not quite so drippy."

[tristranthorn]

He's only being confusing because that's the only thing he knows right now. It's sad, really.

Tristran nods. "Yes, and I am glad for it. It certainly beats anything underground."

[an_evening_star]

Well, he should quit that. Immediately.

"They only wanted you because you were taller than them anyhow," she adds solemnly, eyes the only indication of her amusement. "You would present an unfair advantage to other goblin armies."

[tristranthorn]

If he could, he would. If things were as simple as they could be, he would only be thinking of Victoria Forester.

But things are a little more complicated than that.

"And I believe that is the first and only time I've ever wanted to be short," Tristran says with a half-laugh.