Uptown Girl
(Song by Billy Joel)
Pairing: Tunstall/Sabine

Uptown girl
She's been living in her uptown world
I bet she never had a back street guy
I bet her mama never told her why

Tunstall had fallen head over heels in love. Literally. As she hooked her arm around his neck, as her strong leg twisted around his, and as she angrily jerked him to the floor, he realized he'd found the One.

I'm gonna try for an uptown girl
She's been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now she's looking for a downtown man
That's what I am

What was it that drew her to the Lower City? It certainly wasn't the smell. Sabine sniffed as she strolled down the street. It had to be the excitement. The air here was as intoxicating as a ride through the northern hills. The atmosphere was charged with energy, and with danger. Not at all like that stuffy palace. Suddenly, she stopped as she caught a whiff of dogwood and pine. Now therewas a nice smell. She spotted the source. Mattes Tunstall, Senior Dog, a Hillman if she ever saw one. He leaned against a scale; cool as a cat, watching her. She'd nearly walked into him. Mayhap it wasn't just the atmosphere that drew her here.

And when she knows what
She wants from her time
And when she wakes up
And makes up her mind…

"Your pearly teeth shine like beacons of maidenly…" Joreth was off, reciting another one of his poems. Sabine resisted the urge to roll her eyes. This was his third dirge of the week—and it was only Tuesday! Her mind drifted, her eyes glazed over. Joreth mistook her gaze for one of enrapture, and he started his next verse with renewed enthusiasm.

'I could be out drinking with the Dogs right now.' She sighed. That was another mistake. Now Joreth thought she was swooning. He drew closer, took one of her hands in his.

'I could be with Mattes right now.' Sabine shivered. She could imagine his biting comments, his witty evaluation of Joreth's poetry. Gods, had Mattes ever written poetry for anyone? She resolved to ask him later that evening.

In the end, Sabine kissed Joreth, just to shut him up. Afterwards, she resisted the urge to wipe her lips clean. The loaner had breath like rotten fish. She would have much preferred to kiss a dog.

She resolved to do so later that evening.

She'll see I'm not so tough
Just because
I'm in love with an uptown girl
You know I've seen her in her uptown world
She's getting tired of her high class toys
And all her presents from her uptown boys
She's got a choice

The din of drunks and doxies filled the tavern. Sabine sat amongst her noble friends, trying to keep her mouth shut. Her lips were pressed together tightly, her jaw clenched. They were discussing slavery again. She raised her jack, pried her lips apart only to take a deep swill, and then she sent a silent prayer to the Goddess.

"Lady, might I have a moment of your time?" Mattes looked oddly stiff; he was being formal, polite. In the presence of all her knightly comrades, he had to be. Her year-mates were uptight scuts; Ainsley in particular. He liked to make a show of putting common folk in their place. Sabine bit back a scowl. She didn't truly belong to this group.

She stood, gathering her height and frame to their best advantage. She towered over the seated knights, though her smile dazzled and her voice was soft. "Excuse me, gentlemen, but I have some unfinished business with this Dog."

The knights grumbled as she left; half of them were determined to woo her. She tossed her head at the thought. All they wanted was a suitable and strong vessel to carry their precious unborn heirs.

Mattes brought her out into the street, it was dark and chill. She took a deep, refreshing gulp of cold air; it soothed her temper much better than the ale had.

Mattes gaze sent a tingling warmth through her body. "Now," He rumbled, "let's find somewhere to finish that business we started on Beltane."

Uptown girl
You know I cant afford to buy her pearls
But maybe someday when my ship comes in
Shell understand what kind of guy I've been
And then Ill win

Mattes let out a frustrated grunt as he passed through the jewelry stalls. It was fine stuff they had in Common; unfortunately, he lived in the real world—the Lower City. He touched the fire opal in his chest pocket. It was uncut, but even so…

Once he was off duty, once he had escaped a suspicious Goodwin, he found himself in front of Berryman's office.

And when she's walking
She's looking so fine
And when she's talking
She'll say that she's mine

Sabine in a dress looked very different from Sabine in armor. Tunstall had spent hours trying to decide which Sabine he liked better—and he'd settled for Sabine in nothing. Yes, that was perfect.

But today, she wore a dress; she even rode side-saddle as her pretty mare pranced alongside the chargers. Right now, Mattes reminded himself he was just another face in the crowd, another mumper for the nobles to pity. He turned away from the parade, ready to head home. He hated it when Goodwin was right.

A flash of light caught his eye; he blinked as he searched for the source. Sabine was toying with her necklace, a silver chain with a very familiar fire opal. She shot him an impish grin and waved.

She'll say I'm not so tough
Just because
I'm in love
With and uptown girl
She's been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now she's looking for a downtown man
That's what I am

Uptown girl
She's my uptown girl
You know I'm in love
With an uptown girl

My uptown girl
Don't you know I'm in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl
Don't you know I'm in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl