A series of 2:44 a.m.s, brushing my teeth in front of the computer and nearly falling asleep in front of it... I have eyebags but we have fish... and FLUFF!
Cheers, and thanks for all the support through this. Happy reading, and the reviews and reviewers are just wonderful. Jess: thinking about my punishment for writing Legacy. BlankNed: I rather hope it's marriage and then puppies. First, ahem, for moral reasons (though I reckon it's a bit late for that). Second, because even though it's Ankh-Morpork it must be a little hard finding a dress made for, say, five? ;;
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The full moon had shrouded itself sufficiently for Angua to walk on two legs outside. She could have done with four, though – Cheery had really wanted someone other than Grandfather Stronginthenostril to finish the beer, and after five or six rounds it didn't taste like carrots anymore...
"Blusjdken... hgtrr'uz... ni'mnths... schjrantuw," said Carrot slowly and clearly, for the umpteenth time.
"Blusjdken actress nimuntha shruntow," Angua giggled. "Dwarvish is easy!"
"You're not tired of this, Angua?"
"Tired? Oh, noooo," said Angua gleefully, "I just had so much fun... did you know that skunkfish have a higher pitch than foxfish when you throw them against a hollow wooden door?"
"No, I didn't," Carrot replied with genuine interest.
They had reached Mrs. Cake's establishment. Angua fumbled for her keys and unlocked the front door slowly, leaning against it slightly to keep it open, looking at Carrot expectantly. Carrot cleared his throat, looking at Angua expectantly.
"Good night, Carrot. Oh, right," Angua said dazedly, "I'm sorry I said... said my Dwarvish with a funny accent in front of your parents, Carrot."
"It's alright. Mum's been wanting to practice her standard insult vengeance for years. You know, I think you two really hit it off."
Angua laughed. "No, my head's still on! Isn't it!"
Carrot just stood, looking at her with an expression best be described as wonder. Then without warning, he put his arms around her and kissed her tenderly. It was a while before Angua pulled away, face an inch from his, breathing slowly.
"It doesn't matter what my parents think, Angua. At least, not as much as what I think." He gave her a kindly look. "Why the puzzlement?"
"You didn't say good night first," Angua explained, eyes wide, "And you didn't check to see if anyone else-"
"It's my birthday, Angua," Carrot smiled, and kissed her again. And again. And again.
The door closed firmly behind them.
It was a very happy birthday.
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The Society of Fascinating and Unusual Fish wishes me to raise further awareness of some of their members, in particular the ghostfish, whose lugubrious existence is widely speculated but mostly denied. We know they are innocent and practice peaceful meditation, but the People's Brotherhood feel that the ghostfish go against the Upheld Values of truth, tolerance and forbearance. Occasionally the arms of those holding the placards of the Values tired of Upholding them, and that is when we at the Society smuggle quantities of ghostfish into Ankh-Morpork using mule-drawn container wagons.
We appeal to you today, gentle reader, in the hopes that you will henceforth continue to support the Society and its causes, triads and brothers-in-law. War is not peace! Freedom is not slavery! Pleading ignorance is futile!
On the other hand, you'd probably much rather read more about Carrot and Angua.
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The morning after...
Angua opened her eyes slowly. Carrot was absent-mindedly running his fingers through her hair and gazing out the window with a faraway look in his eyes. It was a glorious late morning. She tried to suppress a yawn, unsuccessfully.
Carrot turned, and the way he looked at her sent a thrill down her spine. "Good morning, Angua," he said, completely unaware of the effect the sight of him undressed and sitting in bed had on her. She felt her heart jump. "Did you sleep well?"
Oh, absolutely... "My head... throbbs," Angua said distractedly.
Carrot nodded. "Dwarf beer," he laughed. "Remember last night?"
She cuddled up next to him. "I remember. Happy birthday... oh! I didn't get you a birthday present, Carrot!"
"It doesn't matter," Carrot said with a funny smile, "I got you something. My mum brought it down, actually..."
Kneeling beside her, he slid something onto her ring finger.
Angua was struck speechless.
To break what he thought was an awkward silence, Carrot said, "It's just a diamond ring. Dwarves tend to prefer gold, but I thought you... you know... Of course, you don't have to... well, I mean... the offer's there."
Angua still couldn't say anything.
"You do know I love you," Carrot murmured.
Angua leaned on his shoulder, taking his hand in hers. He is so good, she thought to herself. I didn't think it would work out, but he just won't let himself let me down...
"Yes," she said softly, "I do."
--
end.
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Done. I know there's a huge mistake – Vimes couldn't have read Carrot's letter if it were in Dwarfish, but deedahdeedahdeedah...
P.S. Should be back before too long with one about Valentine's Day – especially if you tell me if you liked this one, or someone bakes me chocolate cheesecake. What did you think of it in the previous chapter anyhow?