A/N: Admittedly the first scene is inspired by the "Valentino is a star" deleted scene. Though I adapted it for our nonverbal version.
I do enjoy the idea of Sol being multi-talented in the way of parlor tricks. These are random things he's picked up along the way from the time he's been around. Kind of in a "Groundhog Day" kind of way, but nothing like playing the piano or sculpting...more like juggling and whistling bawdy tunes.
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"You really think this is going to work?"
Sol glanced over at Asha. She was anxious, which was natural given the circumstance. They didn't have a lot of time. Thanks to Dahlia's general knowledge, and their observance of the knights' march, they had determined that there was a tiny five-minute lull. One precious moment where the armored host was sparse enough to escape.
The changing of the guard at dusk.
It was a tedious thing to arrange a plan for such a tight window, one that the magician was still currently sweating over. Though shoving Valentino through the grate by his rump was probably another reason for her tension. The goat in question had never looked so displeased, but even he knew to keep quiet in times such as these. His little eyes fixed the star with such a glare he had to look away to keep from laughing.
"I've never been in an era where a flying goat wasn't a hit. Except for Hannibal...he really wasn't a fan of the whole-"
"Not to cut off the history lesson, but I am shoving a goat through a fairly narrow space. I could really use the help," she stood on her toes for emphasis. For as tall as she was, she still couldn't push the stardust laden animal all the way through.
"Oh, yeah!" the star moved. Standing behind her, he reached over. One last shove and Valentino spilled out into the world beyond.
She could feel the boy press against her. Her heart fluttered. Fighting the heat that scorched her cheeks, she banished her daydreams with a shake of her head. No matter how charged the air felt around her, or how much the warmth of his body thrilled, now was not the time for fantasies. Especially ones that would never come true. The last thought hit her like cold water. Snapping back to the present, she ducked beneath the boy's reaching arms. Pushing herself against the damp cellar wall, the inches between them were agonizing. Steadying her nerves, the spell rose soft through the air.
"Nim."
Valentino floated up. Way past the view of the grate and toward the guards...hopefully. At this point he was at the mercy of the wind.
"Alright," she muttered, not daring to look at the star, "What now?"
"HEY EVERYBODY LOOK AT ME!"
The girl jumped. His voice was so loud! It vaulted over her and crashed into the sunlight. Spinning through the air, it drifted in tandem with the rapidly ascending goat. Had he lost it? They didn't need to be any more conspicuous than they already were! Now they had given away their position. Valentino would only be a glaring, bleating, beacon. What did he think he was doing-
Her head swung around and found him motionless. His golden eyes bright with laughter and his voice traveling further and further away. All the while, not a muscle twitched on his face.
"I'M THE STAR!"
A shout answered. Then a rallying cry, accented by a load of calling and cursing. Heavy footfalls came upon them, all clanking metal and brusque words. Asha panicked, pressed herself against the wall to hide, but Sol was quicker. He pushed her deeper into the shadows, folding over her in that narrow corner. Close, but not touching. There was barely a breath of distance between them. The cacophony clamored above. Following after the "star" that drifted far and away from the house.
YOU ARE READING
Of Stardust and Wishes (A Wish Rewrite)
Hayran Kurgu"Salvē!" The golden specter repeated. She was in shock. That had to be it. All that tossing around in the water must have shaken her insides around enough to make her see things. She blinked a few times, but he was still there, looking even more con...
