She looked at him with wide eyes, then began to laugh. She covered her mouth her hand, chuckling away.
"You're such a.... boy," she said, rolling her eyes, though she seemed more relaxed. "You idiot. Like my mother would ever let me marry you."
She shook her head.
"Don't say something so foolish," she said grinning, her usual smile on her face. "You're going to marry someone sweet someday. You're not going to want a hag around like me forever."
She looked more relaxed, as if his words seemed to take a weight off her. She reached out and messed up his hair affectionately.
"Thanks Jube," she said. "You're sweet, but you are going to marry for love."
She gave him a look that said that she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Kes?!" a voice was calling. "Jube?"
It was Robin, and he sounded worried.
"Found," she said with resignation, her shoulder's drooping. "Looks like I can't hide here any longer."
"There you are!" said Robin, his face clearly relieved as he saw them both. "Do you have any idea the worry you've caused?"
She looked apologetically at Robin, but said, "the only ones who worry about me are you and Jube."
Robin looked at Jube with a smile. "Thanks, Jube."
She stuck her tongue out at him.
"I'm not coming home," she said simply, putting her arms through one of Jube's like she was preparing not to be taken away. "I'm going to Jube's."
"Kes...," sighed Robin.
"You know where I'll be. I'm not going back until they give up this stupid idea."
She smiled at Jube as Robin threw his hands up in the air.
"Don't worry," she whispered to him. "I'll not stay long."
Robin led the way back to the village and she followed behind, releasing Jube but guesting for him to follow.
"Let's do something fun," she said, once they reached the outskirts of the village.
She looked at him carefully, realizing she'd made him worry.
"I'll be okay," she said seriously. "I don't want you to be unhappy either, Jube. One day, we won't have to listen to ignorant and stupid people. One day...."
She stared at the sky as a pair of birds flew overhead.
"One day, I'm going to fly away from this place."
She looked back to him and gave him a smile.
"What shall we do? Anything you want."