One Between the Stars

Chapter 13

When Carson had first come to the Gallivanter's convention, several years ago, he had been overwhelmed by it. All the people and the events and the hype had been like nothing he'd ever experienced before, certainly not like anything back at home. But instead of being consumed, it had fueled Carson's senses, his systems overloading in a way that felt like coming alive again. He had missed the last few years, but now it seemed as though the convention was welcoming him back with open arms.

Arthre knew the way around, but it was Carson who knew the convention inside and out. He knew every booth and store and each secret event or where to get the best food. One of Carson's trades was in mastering chaos, and this was where he found the biggest beast to navigate. Apparently, Arthre didn't feel the same way, because he became increasingly annoyed with every stop and detour.

"We're never going to get there if he don't hurry." The squire stood with his arms crossed, a peeved expression that brought joy to Carson marking his face. "Must we really stop for snacks now?"

"They charge twice as much in the stadium," Carson explained, moving up the the line for the food vendor. "And besides, you can't find exotic cuisine anywhere but at the booths around here."

Arthre muttered something that Carson was sure would be hilarious if said louder, if only to himself.

Ionia gave a sudden squawk of annoyance as someone pushed past her. She glared at the figure darting out of the way: a tall woman with hair in the most unusual style that made her look rather like she had two moons stuck on either side of her head. Carson chuckled at her and the princess's glare shifted to him.

"Well, it was bound to happen, with you gawking at everything," he said. "You look as though you might try to eat this planet with your eyes."

She said nothing but stared at him with some cross between surprised shock and manic anger.

Finally they reached the front of the line and a short, round woman with three eyes asked them what they would like. Carson scrutinized the menu above her head. "Let's see..." he proceeded to order three different things, all in the largest size, and a frozen blended drink. He turned to the other two. "What do you guys want?"

Arthre simply looked up at the menu, apparent disgust on his face, and Ionia seemed baffled by it, as though she had never seen this kind of food before. Which she probably hadn't.

"Very well then," Carson turned back to the woman. "She'll have the same thing, and he'll have a kid's meal."

As they headed away with a ticket to wait for their food, Arthre sputtering about the kids meal and Ionia still silent, Carson mulled over in his mind the plans for the day. He hadn't been to this convention in some time, for reasons he didn't want to get into, but he tried to keep his spirits up and enjoy the event for what it was. After all, it was a big place; surely no one would find him here. But his mind kept wandering to the last time he had come here, a few years ago, and the horrible thing that had happened...

"Do you always find joy in tormenting your poor squire?"

"Huh?" Carson was ripped from his thoughts. Ionia was looking at him, her brows furrowed together. He couldn't read her face. Odd, as most people, princesses especially, weren't that closed off to him. "Oh, Art? Nah, he's fine."

"He seemed pretty upset earlier," she mused, as if pondering a pet that got annoyed when you pulled at its tail.

"Yeah, he hates it when I make jokes about how young he is." He couldn't help smiling evilly at the squire as he went to retrieve their food. Arthre was sixteen, which wasn't that young, but still far younger than most in the business of gallivanting.