When Shooting Star and Silver Fox again board a ship, it is not the Firebrand. Those goodbyes have all been said, and now they embark upon a Central Kingdom ship specially sent to bring them to the coast off the Capitol City. Just the thought makes Estel chilly, so she puts on her warmest clothes. #ShootingStar#Pangaea
"Oh, I should probably warn you that you may meet my little sister in the Capitol City, eventually. She has also been an ambassador to the Imperial Court, being a princess from the matriarchy to the north," Silver Fox says casually at this point. "But you're not a prince?" Shooting Star asks. "No, I'm just a wealthy member of the minor nobility, although I'm something of a hero to the northern Hill folk." "Right. Perhaps you could draw me a chart of your relatives and all of their aliases."
She mentions her increasing fear of being caught by pirates, fishing at night, and of her initial crazy plan of catching a smuggler and forcing him to tell her all his secrets so that she could blend in with the local booze-runners. (See second doll in this gallery: httpwww.dolldivine.com/Game-of-Thrones/SaralynArati-2949027) This, interestingly enough, is the disreputable looking boatswain's mate from the Firebrand, and his name, ironically, is Rod, meaning 'noble' in the town language.
Over the days that follow, Estel tells Silver Fox first about her childhood, and how it came about that she, a girl, went to sea at all. (See first doll in this gallery: httpwww.dolldivine.com/Other-Stuff/SaralynArati-2948971) Silver Fox talks a little about his youth in the house of his father, the evil sorcerer, and having to hide his magic, but mainly he lets Shooting Star relive her past. She touches only lightly on the pain of her own father's death, dwelling on finances instead.
Silver Fox considers kissing her, then considers the naked weapon in her lap. "Those beads in your hair should make a big hit at the Imperial Court. I really like them, too," he says instead. "You may not recognize the attitude that I've previously assumed. I played a bored and world weary courtier to disguise my double life..." "As the Sword of Justice?" grins Estel. "Well, yes. Incidentally, you did promise to tell me how you became known as Shooting Star. Is now a good time for you?"
They sit on deck together, Shooting Star with her sword rather obviously across her knees. "I hear you plan to marry me," she says conversationally. "Just when were you going to let me know?" "I thought," Silver Fox begins in his most reasonable tone, "that you might appreciate a little time to adjust to being ambassador first. Then, if you could go home alone without missing me even a little bit, I might as well give up hope." "My name means hope." "And?" he prompts. "Don't give me up."
