(Untitled)

[an_evening_star]

The star opens her eyes.

Okay, so that's not precisely true.

To be entirely honest, the star does not so much open her eyes as flutter them in a rather useless manner. Though, really, she has aspirations of opening them, so it really should count

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[tristranthorn]

Unfortunately - or perhaps, fortunately - for Yvaine, Tristran is still slumped on the other side of her, caught between the world of unconsciousness and dreaming.

He doesn't make a sound or any sort of movement.

[nosequels]

The leader smiles serenely at the couple, seemingly taking the moment to calculate their worth.

"Your wife is quite right," he says patiently. "Of course, we're not trying to make your lives miserable, no. We're doing you a great service."

[an_evening_star]

The star blinks - a bit thrown by the statement - and her shoulders stiffen, pressing back against Tristran's.

"And what service would that be?"

We're all pretty sure that Fed-Ex doesn't exist yet.

[tristranthorn]

"Indeed?"

Tristran would very much like to know what this service is, too.

[nosequels]

"Free travel," a voice pipes in from somewhere outside the door.

There's a following chorus of laughter.

"Room 'n board," another voice suggests.

[tristranthorn]

Right.

See this face? Totally not amused. Not in the least.

In fact, Tristran is looking downright annoyed by all of this jesting.

And he would really rather if these bloody birdbrains just let them go.

[an_evening_star]

Yeah, Yvaine is somehow doubting that suggestion is going to go over very well - even the second time around.

Or especially the second time around.

"And where would we be traveling to?" she star inquires, head canting slightly.

[nosequels]

"Say, missus - do you like surprises?"

The vulture leader raises both eyebrows suggestively. (Not that kind of suggestive.)

[an_evening_star]

Well, thank gods for small mercies.

"I cannot say that I am overly fond of them," she replies primly, head held high.

She's rather convincingly royal every so often. Usually, however, at the most unhelpful of times.

"Unless you would care to surprise me by letting us go. It would be most appreciated."

[nosequels]

The vultures, including their leader, start laughing in squawky tones; it's rather irritating, really.

"The missus has humour!" one of them says. "No, no. This trip is a surprise. You'll see. It's a good one too. Right, fellas?"

Several of the others continue chuckling and chortling.

[tristranthorn]

Tristran is totally not amused.

And if he lived in an age where comic books existed, he'd be wishing he could suddenly turn into the Incredible Hulk, because there are some bird-asses he would very much like to kick right now.

As it is, the poor king-to-be shifts his torso as best he can under the strain of the ropes and says, "Look. Whatever you want - just take it. But let us go."

[nosequels]

"See," the leader gestures, clawed fingers spreading and feathers fanning out in front of him. "Yeh ain't really worth much to us here - at least, not half as much as you are there."

He shrugs.

"So it's a matter of the gettin' to there first."

A beat.

"Before you start your bartering, m'Lord."

[tristranthorn]

"What?"

He swallows, downing his nerves, his anger and everything else.

"Where are you taking us, exactly?"

[nosequels]

"Why, home Sir."

His head inclines sharply, motion fluid but angle almost unnatural.

"One would think you'd be a bit more grateful, yeah?"

[tristranthorn]

"Home?" he repeats, running locations through his head.

Why would they return to Wall - ohshi-

"Surely you don't mean -"

Okay, so this is the last place he wanted to go back to? Even moreso, now that he has a feeling he knows what these vultures want.

He starts to struggle against his bindings once more, this time with a little more desperation.

[an_evening_star]

Okay, that's really not helping.

Really.

It's kind of just tightening things and making her wrists sting like a bitch.

"Ow," she points out helpfully in a hushed undertone.