likeroaringlions | (no subject)

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Right. Does he need to take anything home with him from Milliways? ...Can he take anything home with him from Milliways? What is there that won't draw attention? Well--the fan for his mother, the rabbitskins from Shephard. They'd been bought with home use in mind. Can he take a football? No. A stoneware bottle of that good red wine? Yes. The picture of Jamie from the fair? After a moment's pause, he stuffs that into the small sack he's packing.

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"Christ, they'd have a priest in to be sure you'd no been switched with a fairy."

William lifts his head to look at Jamie. "So what's the news about that? Seems like it's on?"

Jamie makes a face. "It's only wee bairns they do that to, and only in stories."

He scuffs his foot against the floor and shrugs again. "Ach, I hardly know-- one day it's yes and the next it's no-- you'll have warning enough when it happens. Livingston and your father want to leave time for every family in Scotland to come-- and to bring gifts."

Edited 2016-10-22 21:52 (UTC)

He props himself up on his elbows. "Of course I'll come. And bring gifts. You'll have a hunt, aye? --How old is she? Not some ten-year-old child?" He'd almost been set up in a marriage like that himself, but the girl had died. Bit of a relief really.

"Don't know," Jamie says. He hasn't paid much attention even to the little they bothered to tell him. It frankly doesn't matter: he'll do as he's told, whoever she is. "You're no watching, though. I'm no having that, everybody hanging about to see what goes on."

"All the old men will fuss. How're we to know it's the king's own bairn if we don't keep an eye on things? If it was good enough for your father and his father... I'm joking, man! I'll throw anyone out that tries it. Leave you in a bit of peace. --Unless you ask for help. You know, pointers, a bit of advice."

"I'll no be needing any help from the likes of you," Jamie says with a snort. "I know what to do." (basically)

"Aye right. Know all about it, you do." He glances at Jamie. "--Have you--?"

Jamie feels his face going a bit hot. "Have I what?"

"'Have I what?' Has he what! --You know..."

His face goes a little redder. "I've told you I haveny-- don't you think you'd know about it?"

William's face suddenly goes red as well. Which hardly ever happens. "All right, all right. I'm just-- anyway, who's to say you haven't pulled some pretty girl here in Milliways?"

"Ha!" (why does he think of ursula oh god no stop why) "I wouldny trust-- she might be a witch or something."

"Ehhh, that might be fun! Witchcraft in the bedroom...!"

"More for you, then, I'm no risking it."

William flops back with an annoyed grunt. "No, you're right, this place is..." Is something.

"It's no so bad," Jamie says, and he mostly means it. "You think you'll be able to get here from anyplace but Stirling?"

"I hope so." It's been on his mind. For one thing, he's told Jim he'd help with his telescope project. Which...he hasn't mentioned to Jamie. And probably won't. "I'll try every fucking door in Threave, see if they take me here."

Jamie snorts. "Oh, aye, that willny seem strange."

"I'll just tell them one of the bairns lost a dolly or something. I'm a good big brother, looking for it, right?"

"That's the sort of thing you get up to when you're off home, then?" Jamie laughs. "Claiming you're raiding, fighting, but really..."

"Really it's all just babies spitting up on my shoulder, and me teaching the weans their letters, aye."

That's...totally how it is. Yes.

Jamie laughs. "I canny picture you teaching wee bairns their letters!"

"Can you no? A is for Arsehole, B is for Bastard Englishmen, C is for--"

"Right, alright then." His laughter fades, and he's quiet a moment. It seems silly to bid any kind of farewell, given that it seems very likely they'll just meet here again. So he just says, "Well, good luck, then."

"Thanks."

William sits up, also quiet, looking at Jamie's face. "Well. I'll be seeing you at your wedding, if I don't see you before then."