stormandwind | INBOX: lastvoyages

[Tris freezes for a fraction of a second before answering.]

I told her that I'm not willing to become a Saturnyn and risk losing my magic before she had the chance.

Not, you understand, that I'm ready to make any commitment of the sort even if I were willing.

[He fixes her with a very serious gaze.]

No, I would not ask that of you. I do not even desire that of you. You know that, right? I do not look at you and wish you to be anything other than as you are.

[That gets him a very small smile in return.]

I didn't think you would, after everything else we've talked about. The reason I gave your mother is my reason for refusing. I wasn't mentioning any of yours.

[He can stand up to his mother for himself.]

[He grins back at her toothily. Blunt-toothily.]

It is oddly thrilling, the idea of you standing up to her. But respectfully.

I'm stubborn enough that it shouldn't surprise you.

I told her she ought to think about what she would want if you brought her a deal, but I'll let you give your opinions. You can stand up to her in your own right when need be.

Yes. Of course I can. Certainly.

[Which is what the lady says when she doth protest too much.]

[Tris shifts, frees a hand, and rests it on his cheek.]

You will.

[He already made that decision, and she trusts that he can maintain the resolve for it.]

[He tips his face into her hand; kisses her palm.]

Have you ever disagreed with Rosethorn?

Rarely outright. I did some reckless things that she and Lark had forbidden me to do when I was younger. All of us kids did. We've argued occasionally, of course. I give in if she's right. Not if she isn't.

Did you meet Lark while she was here?

[He removes his head from her hand and shakes it no.]

I was occupied with your brother. I found him a little overly cocky, but alright.

What reckless things did you do?

[Stories!]

[Tris stifles a laugh at Francesco calling anyone overly cocky, but the corners of her mouth hint at it anyway.

Her answer to the question is more serious, though.]

Fighting pirates was the biggest. That, and helping Briar save Rosethorn's life. We also stopped a forest fire, but our teachers helped with that because Daja was trapped by it. No arguments from them.

How could it be reckless to save her life? That is necessary.

Necessary if she were still alive. [Reckless because she wasn't.]

Briar threw his magic after Rosethorn's when she died, and we all grabbed onto him when he followed. It should have killed every one of us. We were the first to survive that sort of attempt, and it only worked because my siblings and I are tied together in our minds and our magic.

Lark loves Rosethorn, but she'd ordered us not to even think of trying it.

But that is family. That is what family does: anything for one another.

I suppose so. [A tiny smile, which fades quickly. Tris is willing to do anything for her family, but she isn't always comfortable with the reverse.]

Daja's deal is for me. I'm the reason she's here.

[He inches closer to her.]

What does that...mean?

I'll be hurt shortly after I go back to my own world.

Daja hasn't said how badly, but obviously badly enough that even the best healers' magic can't fix it quickly. The empress of Namorn wants to keep all four of us there, especially Sandry, and everyone sees me as the greatest threat.

[The first one to attack, in other words.]

Empresses don't generally like being told 'no.' We'll need to leave right away if we want to see home again.

[His shoulders relax. Hurt is not killed.]

You are formidable, they are correct in that.

[He strokes her shoulder tenderly.]

I am sure she, and you, will prevail.

[Tris sighs and slides an arm around him, doing her own inching closer as she admits:]

I just don't like knowing it's coming. And I don't like being the reason she's on the Barge.

[She's bad at accepting any sort of help, even from people she loves, especially for something this big.]

But she is here by her choice.

[He cranes his neck to look at her, while unwilling to move away.]

Do you not like it here?

I don't.

I'm not going anywhere. I have Erskine to consider, first of all. But I miss home and everyone there. I'm tired of being cut off from most of my magic. I don't like how often people get hurt or feel powerless here.

[And it's been a hard few months.]

I may not like the Barge, but I care very much about some of the people on board.

[Tris pulls him in for a kiss to punctuate that.]

[He meets her lips eagerly.]

I am pleased to hear that.

[He murmurs this against her face, rubbing his cheek against hers.]

You are clearly cared for.

I'm getting that impression.

[She kisses his cheek and trails a few more kisses along his jawline toward his neck.]

Thank you for being so clear about it.

I consider it a great privilege. But not only I: you have your family here, and you are quite popular. I have also been told of women's only evenings where ice cream is eaten and I am envious.

[Lobsters love ice cream.]

[Tris laughs against the side of Francesco's neck.]

I'll bring you ice cream next time I visit. Do you have a preference of flavor?

INBOX: lastvoyages

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