[PRP] Marriage of Convenience (Rå x Canicah)

[tuesdayscat]

Buffy_the_Bloody

He had had very little intention of marrying since the death of his first; she had been of convenience, and the resulting litter had been overtly… underwhelming. Dottì'stryk had been a possibility for greatness, had she not been born a she. Her desires to be a Reaver were disappointingly stubborn in the face of their new warlord, and Rå had very little interest in assisting her efforts.

No, his new concern lay with his most recent domestic endeavor. He had been shackled with a wife; a pretty thing, younger than his daughter and younger even still than him. She was a bauble, for the time being, but her parents had seemed keen in securing her a marriage. What better than a Captain, so long as the warlord was taken? Rå had been amenable to the agreement only so far as he had tired of dealing directly with his thralls. It was a woman's work and he despised it so much so he had thought to leave it to his most recent acquisition, but putting such responsibilities in the paws of a thrall would be a poor consideration.

So no, a wife would do.

His steps carried him now to the front of his den where he expected she would be waiting; his new pretty little freeborn wife.  

[Buffy_the_Bloody]

tuesdayscat

Life had certainly changed a lot lately. Her life had been thrown all around like tumbleweeds in a storm. She wondered if her storm was finally over, and she would finally be able to move on and continue with life. She still spoke with Finna regularly, though it had been some time since she had laid eyes on her friend. She had been speaking through Finna's bird, and she had kept that secret close to her chest. No one knew she spoke to Finna, not even her own parents.

She was lucky her dreams had never been to be a Reaver. She was far too doting for that. She couldn't take things from others, though she knew that if she admitted that to mother.. Melinoe would likely be very upset. So that was another secret she had been keeping deep in her heart.

She was married now, and that was certainly a change. It was new, and she wasn't sure what was expected of her. She knew her mother would never marry her to someone cruel, and so she was hopeful that she would be taken care of here.

She sat in this new den, looking around at the unfamiliar scene. She was waiting for her new husband.. And her anxiety was making her heart pound through her chest.  

[tuesdayscat]

Buffy_the_Bloody

Rå cared very little for a secret friendship; what his new wife did in his absence while he raided was her own prerogative so long as his home and thralls were in order upon his return. She would come to understand this in time, but he had little concern for liasons with a bird and secret messages passed between her and another female. Males? Perhaps, but he would take up such an issue with the offender by tooth and claw before reasserting his dominance in the home. There was only so much fault to lie with the female in such matters, after all.

He also could care even less for what she thought of his lifestyle. So long as she kept thralls in line and did not go about freeing them willy-nilly behind his back, he considered her personality flaws her own. As things went, he was not looking forward to discussing things with this new wife. He had expected her to know everything, but she was young and that alone was enough to warn him. So far as he was aware, he was her first husband and no track record or experience left his assurances wanting. So much for an easy transition.

When his gold eyes found her sitting in his den, his brows lowered and he grunted to himself: unsure whether he was pleased or disappointed by her presence. It meant speaking; it meant awkward introductions and the thought exhausted him. He sighed then, a heavy heave that lifted and shook his mane before he sat a few feet from her; his gaze trailed over her, taking her in with an expression that betrayed nothing. Gods, he hated unnecessary talking.  

[Buffy_the_Bloody]

tuesdayscat

Since Finna had been exiled, she had found herself much quieter than she had originally been. She had been shown that the world wasn't safe, no matter who you are. If Finna had been in danger, being the Ex-Warlord's granddaughter.. She could only imagine what could happen to her if she upset the wrong person. She was anxious about her new husband, but she was thankful for the protection he offered.

She had seen him, before mother had shown her to him before they had been wed. She had a vision of his face, and she had known a great change was coming. She could only assume this was the change..

When he came to the front of the den, she stood quickly, and her eyes met his. She wasn't sure if he was the type to like a truly submissive girl. But she was a bold one, even if she was quiet. Her golden eyes locked in on his, and she found herself wondering what his story was. She hadn't been told much about him.

What did she say now? She gulped when he sat, and she noticed they were both sitting in this awkward silence. Neither able to figure out where to start.

"Good evening, Husband." She started off with. Though the term husband was definitely a foreign word on her lips. She had never been in love, never been with a male. She had no experience with this at all.  

[tuesdayscat]

Buffy_the_Bloody

Rå would be anxious if he were made aware that his new wife had had visions of him. Ohahira – no, Tyst, he had named her – also had visions of him, so she said, and that had unnerved him enough that another vision would give him pause. Canicah had nothing to fear from him physically, at least not so far as a beating were concerned, but he would level anyone she claimed did not show her that same courtesy.

All the same, she was going to have to grow a backbone to control thralls. He would not bring back spineless jellies often, she had to learn to use tooth and claw at least to dominate them. She did meet his eyes, and that was enough to reassure him she was not completely passive.

His own golden gaze flipped away for a moment to look over his den before returning his attention to her in order to gruffly growl, "Wife." It was not meant to sound cruel or abrupt, but he did so despise words. "How do you like your new home?" His words were thunder, rolling around his cavernous ribcage before erupting from plush lips loath to form the letters. He supposed conversation would not be so bad. She was obvious not his Tyst, she needed instruction and reassurance. She was still young enough to be allowed that much.  

[Buffy_the_Bloody]

tuesdayscat

She had heard he had a few thralls. She wasn't sure quite how many, or if there was even more than one. But she knew he had at least one. Momma had told her wives were in charge of taking care of all thralls. Except her.. Her mother, Melinoe, absolutely refused to care for Hinoko's thrall. Cani often wondered why. Though daddy had said that Jezebeth was Melinoe's sister. Cani wasn't sure how true it was, she wasn't about to ask momma..

His words were firm, and strong. They held no malevolence, but they were intimidating if you weren't used to the tone. She was lucky her father had the same way of speaking.

"It's lovely." She said, noting how it could really use a female's touch. It was a very manly den, pelts and doo-dad's everywhere. But she would take care of it, as was expected of her. So it was lovely just the same.

"It's a fine den. I feel lucky to have been so well taken care of." She said. She was speaking rather formally, though she was trying not to. She had just began wondering what it was about her that had made him want to marry her. Perhaps she was just pretty. That was possible.  

[tuesdayscat]

Buffy_the_Bloody

He was surprised at the small twinge of relief that accompanied her response. Since when did he care what others thought of his living quarters? He didn't – at least not consciously – so he was not about to start now just because some chit had been bounded to he and his. She was simply a new addition, and though she was no thrall, she was not about to start governing his livelihood or invoking feelings either.

His face reflected that determination for a moment; his lips turned down in a deep frown and his brows furrowing in consternation. Stupid females and their stupid wiles. Black magic – you did not even know when it was being worked.

Shifting his weight from one paw to the other slightly, he observed her for a moment through sparking eyes. Yes, he had thralls, though he supposed she need only deal with Tyst. Tyst had any others associated with him well enough in hand that he rarely had to bother as is, and he had never cared enough to keep his thralls close to home. They were generally communal but Tyst… Tyst had been special, sent to him by a seer. If any he had ever brought home had held promise for bettering their station, Tyst would be first of them.

He lifted his gaze to stare at a corner of the den as he spoke, "It is simple; easy to care for." He did not mean to sound humble by any means, so he frowned and added, "No flowers. Ever." That made it sound more instructive at least.  

[Buffy_the_Bloody]

tuesdayscat

.

She hadn't been the type to talk about feelings much. Not even with Finna. She had just been a strong girl, and that was all she could be. She had to defend her secret, and that took a lot of effort on her part. Her visions came with splitting headaches that made it rather impossible to keep hidden. Sometimes she would be in her den for days. She worried that might affect her work, and she was scared that Ra would get angry.

"It is. I forsee no problems caring for your den." She said with a nod. She felt.. weird, and she wasn't sure if this was her den too. Was it her den? If she was his wife? She liked to think that it was, since it was her home, but she wasn't about to assume. Then he added no flowers, and a smile touched her lips.

"No flowers. I'm not fond of them myself." She said honestly. Flowers made her sneeze, and she had never been sure just why. So she had just avoided them.

"Maybe I can go hunt for pelts to place around here." She said, looking around. There were plenty of pelts, but maybe she could wow him with a really nice one.. To show that she meant to be the best wife she could.

"It would keep us warm in the evenings too." She added, and then wanted to blush. Would he even be the type to let her lie with him at nights? She was afraid of being alone, and she hoped.. Oh she hoped.. That he would be okay with such a request.  

[tuesdayscat]

Buffy_the_Bloody

Feelings were the bane of Rå's existence. Typically they marred more strategic, logical decisions that were otherwise committed in err when marred by emotion. He would be glad not to be directly confronted about such weakness if or when they reared their ugly little heads, and if his new wife thought she might nurture that side of him purposefully, she was in for a rude awakening.

Unless, of course, these feelings bloomed naturally and without any effort on either of their parts – then, well, how could he blame her for them? Not that he would address them either; oh, no, he would squash them and continue on in his life. The life of a reaver held no room for tears, fears and laughter. He had a job to do until his bones or his blood said otherwise. He made a gruff noise in the back of his throat, agreeing with her assessment that there would be no problem but also expressing his pleasure at her apparent abilities to handle the situation. Belatedly, he corrected, "Our den."

But it was his; why did he care if she saw it as her own? He supposed it made more sense for her to care for something that was hers as well, but he preferred her to think of the place as his first. It had been his first.

He never was good with change, least of all where women were concerned.

No flowers – that was good, but pelts were better. He nodded again, brisk enough to disturb his thick mane before swinging his gold eyes back to her. She was younger than his daughter, and that made it a little difficult to think of her as much more than a cub. Wonderful – what had he been shackled into? He observed her quietly for a moment before speaking, "Tyst, my thrall, will be able to get whatever you need." He would lie with her, if only because he could not see putting her elsewhere.  

[Buffy_the_Bloody]

tuesdayscat

When he corrected her, informing her that this was her den as well, she released the breath she was unaware she had been holding. She was relieved to hear that, as it meant that she could be comfortable here. Not that it was an automatic feeling, but it was something she could work towards. She nodded, understanding. She was unsure of how to react around him, though mother had said to obey him. Sure Cani was good at that, but what if her personality offended him. Surely mother wouldn't have been okay with her being married to someone mean. He didn't seem mean. Mostly closed off.

"Whatever I need?" She asked. She was unaware of what thralls really did. Perhaps she was sheltered. Her mother had been furious the one time she had snuck out to see Aunt Jez.. who just so happened to be her father's thrall. Though mother treated her worse than father ever had.

Then she smiled. She was good at something, and hunting happened to be one of those somethings. Sure the meals were rather small, as she was still too little to take down bigger prey. But she was good, mainly because she was a quick little thing.

"Do you have a favorite meal?" She asked, her voice lifting a bit. Perhaps she could win him over iwth food. Mother always said a way to a man's heart was through his stomach.  

[tuesdayscat]

Buffy_the_Bloody

Rå was growing increasingly impatient with this scenario. He was not a lion well accustomed to awkward conversations that could not be finished by a push, shove, or swipe of claw. The tension had no clear end, and his hair was beginning to stand as his tail lashed his dark flanks. She was pleasant enough, but he was unused to pleasant. His ears flicked self-consciously before pinning against his skull, gaze darting towards the entrance to the den as if seeking a way out.

"Whatever you need." He repeated, swinging his eyes towards her again as a brow lifted. Was there an echo? Did he need to explain thralls to her? How was she supposed to take care of his den and meet his needs? He halted his thoughts, careful not to let any of his impatience show on his dark face lest she take it as reason to fear him.

When she smiled, his shoulders relaxed a little and he exhaled a little heavily. She was a pretty slip of a thing, he continued to reassure himself with that much, and she seemed – at the very least – eager to please. Perhaps this would all work out in the end. At her inquiry, he let his gold eyes look her over briefly before replying as his legs unfolded and he made to stand.

"Hare." That seemed as if it might be easy enough for her to catch on her own; giraffe, after all, would be pushing it.  

[Buffy_the_Bloody]

tuesdayscat

She noticed he was growing antsy, and she tried not to let it look like she had noticed. She supposed that he was just not the type that liked talking, though the conversation was kind of awkward anyway. She wasn't sure why he had wanted her as a wife, but she hoped it was because he liked her. Even if only a little. She smiled softly, and nodded at his words.

She would have to meet this thrall to see what she was like. Perhaps she would be friendly, and Canicah would have a friend. She could even help with some of the work maybe. When she wasn't tending to her new husband's needs.

"I shall catch a fine hare." She said with a chuckle. She was a decent huntress, and hares were relatively easy to catch if you could match their speed. It took outwitting them, rather than trying to tire them. That rarely happened.

"Thank you." She said, her eyes ticking up towards him bravely. She held confidence in those eyes. Even if her words were soft, she was no pushover. She was a good girl, and she did what had to be done. But she would not allow herself to let someoen walk all over her.

"I look forward to our life together." She said with a grin.  

[tuesdayscat]

Buffy_the_Bloody

Tyst was probably anything but friendly, and it was no small amount of guilt that he realized that might be an issue here. He did not need his thrall lording over or pushing around his new mate, whether intentionally or otherwise; and he supposed the young lioness would have need of a friend. He made mental note to procure her one on his next raid. Perhaps he could find a pleasant, quiet lioness younger even than this chit. His lips turned down further in a frown at the thought, it felt as if he were considering it an errand instead of a raid.

Her chuckle drew his attention back to her and his golden eyes flared for a moment, wondering if she was laughing at him even as the corners of his own mouth drew up in a cautious, confused smirk. Gods, he felt like a juvenile all over again with the prettiest freeborn at the bonfire. The smirk disappeared as he realized this and he made a low noise in the back of his throat.

He took in the confidence her eyes promised, squinting an eye at her before nodding gruffly. "You're welcome." He was talking too much, he knew – for him, at least. His daughter – his daughter that was older than his new mate – would have made comment already, he knew, just to get under his skin for some perceived earlier slight against her. He shifted his weight, but her final comment called the conversation to an end for him, maybe not intentionally. Drawing himself up, he looked at her for a moment.

And then decided he was, indeed, done with the conversation. Hauling himself to a standing position, he glowered down at his paws for a moment before muttering, "As do I, and then awkwardly bumping his head against her shoulder as he wound past her to make his way back outside. He would go find his party and plan their raid, or he would bring home a new skin for her wedding present, it depended where his paws carried him.  

[Buffy_the_Bloody]

tuesdayscat

So sorry for my absence! Would you like to RP them so more?

When he left, she felt herself smiling. He was so blunt, and he wasn't very social. But she was kind of thankful for that. She didn't have to answer all sorts of questions about herself.. Or explain that her best friend was the granddaughter of the ex-warlord. No, this was better. She learned about him, and he was just happy to end the conversation.

"I can be a good wife. I know I can." She said to herself. She wasn't sure what being a wife entailed, but she would figure it out. She longed for acceptance, and right now, she long to be accepted, maybe even loved, by this lion she now called her husband.

-End-