Fight the break of dawn

There was so much out in the world, Alys mused as she watched the stars flickering overhead, hidden every now and then by a passing piece of cloud, only to reappear moments later as a gentle breeze blew the tendrils away. So much that she'd never seen, that she'd never even known existed, that she might not ever have had the chance to see without the man standing beside her. Maybe that was why the beauty of the night sky had her feeling rather more emotional than she felt was strictly necessary. She was here with her best friend, the culmination of a season-long tour of Caido, and she'd never been happier. Why those feelings would bring tears to her eyes, she would never understand - but they were happy tears. She was so happy that she felt full to bursting. Alys leaned contentedly against Tal, resting her head on his shoulder as she tried to calm the emotion that threatened to swallow her whole. Who could have known that a chance encounter all those moons ago with a surly courier in a random tavern in Halo could have led to this? "Well, there's always next season," she murmured at the thought that there was more out there to see, not realizing, really, that she was inviting herself along for more travels aboard the Peregrine, not thinking that perhaps Tal would rather have some solitude, or another companion, or anything other than their lives exactly as they were in that moment. But it seemed that Tal had something to say, and Alys lifted her head from his shoulder to peer up at him in the darkness. A teasing smile appeared on her face. "I'm glad to hear that I've exceeded your expectations," she said, eyes dancing with mirth. Then, as Tal continued, she sobered. She reached out to rest a hand on his arm. "I'm really glad I came with you, too, Tal," she said, all teasing gone. Even if she didn't feel amazing, even if a faint blush mantled her cheeks at the notion that she might be anything special, she treasured the thought all the same. alys glasse