(Untitled)

[an_evening_star]

The inn, as it turns out, is rather terribly simple. Small and quiet and with a constant, steady stream of people that - while nowhere up to Milliways standards (the star has a feeling that she has been spoiled irrevocably) - are more than interesting enough to watch. The doors swing open regularly and the performer, seated far to one side with

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[tristranthorn]

Tristran is far too busy to pay any attention to anything else but the delicious meal set before him.

It's a wonder the poor boy doesn't blow up like Jiffy Pop, eating as much as he does.

[an_evening_star]

The star is relatively used to being ignored in favor of various mealtimes (breakfast in particular) so her eyebrow merely quirks bemusedly, tapping her fingertip along the rim of her glass thoughtfully.

It's moments like this when one has to make their own entertainment.

[tristranthorn]

"Where do you think we ought to go to next?" Tristran asks, once he's swallowed a bite of his toast with fresh juice.

"I mean, in a generally away-from-Stormhold direction."

[an_evening_star]

The star laughs at that, dips her fingers into the water, and flicks them easily in his direction.

"Generally," she agrees, blinking overly innocent eyes. "And possibly left."

[tristranthorn]

He instinctively flinches away from the sprinkle of water, grinning.

"We'll need some sort of destination. I'm not sure we can go on wandering without some person of my mother's guard finding us and demanding that we go back for some reason or another."

[an_evening_star]

"Well," she allows, elbows up on the tabletop and folding her hands over one another, peering diplomatically at him over the backs of them. "I have been thinking."

This is usually a good point for wise people to run in the other direction.

[tristranthorn]

Unfortunately, Tristran hasn't quite wracked up the wisdom points just yet.

He wipes his mouth and waits for her to continue.

[an_evening_star]

"I don't actually know terribly much about the political system - or what, exactly, we'll be expected to do in regards to it," the star begins, lips pursing just behind her fingers. "But I was thinking that it would, perhaps, not be entirely inadvisable to -"

She waves a hand, gesturing vaguely.

"To travel in a more politically-minded way."

(Now don't freak out, dear.)

[tristranthorn]

There will be plenty of time to freak out once he's fully understood Yvaine's intentions.

He waits a little longer, wishing he had something to occupy the time between his waiting and the words that come out of his mouth.

Then finally, "What are you saying, exactly?"

[an_evening_star]

The star, on the other hand, occupies the given time by swinging her legs slightly and chewing on the end of her thumb.

It's not nearly satisfying enough to make waiting a terribly easy thing to do.

She's trying to do this gently.

"I cannot say that I am certain exactly," she offers. "But - there are neighboring kingdoms, and one would imagine that it could hardly hurt to - at the very least - observe."

[tristranthorn]

His expression is clearly that of: 'Uh ... huh.'

He doesn't want to go! And he would whine such a thing aloud if he were the sort.

He wants to shirk this whole royal kingly business for as long as humanly (or half-humanly) as possible. And Yvaine certainly isn't helping such matters.

"Since when did you turn so positively towards politics?"

[an_evening_star]

"I am hardly saying that we storm the palace and demand to take our rightful places as Lord and Lady of Whatchamacallit," she replies immediately, hands up placatingly.

She doesn't even roll her eyes a little bit.

It's terribly impressive.

"I am just saying that it could not hurt to have some vague idea of what one would need to do - and who else is doing it."

[tristranthorn]

"Yes," he agrees, as far as he can anyway. "I think that's a good and valid idea. But - so soon? Right now? I mean, we won't be ... going back to Stormhold for a little while yet. That won't have to be a concern of ours for now."

Why ruin their current fun? He likes his unofficial 'honeymoon' time!

In other words: You know who I think could handle a problem like that?
- Who?
- Future!Tristran and Future!Yvaine.
- Totally. Let's let those guys handle it.

[an_evening_star]

The star blinks and her lips twitch, twist to the side briefly in an expression that rather resembles the one on a child's face when they are well aware that they are being humored.

A breath in and another one out, shoulders relaxing with the exhale.

"I am not saying that at all," her voice is even, mild and pleasant and very damn gentle. "Nor am I concerned. I am merely stating that we know absolutely nothing about something that will, inevitably, become very terribly important and it might be best to have some mild sort of basis to go on."

[tristranthorn]

"But not now," Tristran presses. He will not back down, damn it! He still wants his happy fun-time!

Responsibility and running kingdoms are for suckers.

(And highly qualified, born-and-bred ruler types. Which, he? Is definitely not. He was born out of wedlock at a fair. And then raised on a farm. He cleaned up horse manure, for goodness sake!)

[an_evening_star]

Her fingers twitch convulsively and hastily reach forward to wrap themselves (rather tightly, to be completely honest) around her water glass

She is not ruling out happy fun-time, damn it! It is just - she is -

... she is calm. Serene, even.

It takes a couple moments, but she manages to reign herself in rather neatly - or something relatively close enough to it - and the words are nothing short of entirely reasonable, "What part of the suggestion is so objectionable?"