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Csuri's expression went from somewhat empathetic to ticked off really quickly with Vikram's choice of words. "First off, I don't know who the ******** you think you're talking to using my name like that. Second, I make lots of things worse, but it's cute that you don't think so." She rolled her eyes, glad that at least their conversation wasn't painfully depressive anymore. And sure, they'd still have to deal with his family, probably, but maybe she could convince him to just let her go home, then call her when it was over. Maybe she could send an SOS to Hes to fake an emergency? The main characters did that in the book she'd been reading... maybe it'd work here too?

Instead, she huffed when Vikram said they faced everything together. "I dunno, I don't remember you spending countless hours in the library with me." Her words were sharp, but there was an unmistakable glint of a smile on her lips. Her hand was reclaimed, but this time she didn't try to pull it away. Instead, she followed after Vikram, looking concerned as he pointed out more and more rooms around his gigantic house. Eventually they stopped and he said that his room was still styled by a teenage boy. "I'm sure it's... fine." But was it? She'd never been in a teenage boy's bedroom before. Maybe it'd be a disaster? But judging by the rest of the house, it was probably at least somewhat tidy.

Walking in, she looked around the room. It was mostly Quidditch pennants and posters of bands she hadn't heard of. He had a bed easily three times the size of her single bed, plus a telly that took up much of one of the walls. There was a large closet and a couple dressers, leading her to wonder how many clothes he actually owned. She also noted a fancy bookshelf, but instead of books, they were.... cases? Maybe to movies? Something like that, probably. "It's definitely very... you. And very different from my room," which she was never, ever going to let him see. His room was the size of half of her house, and she felt rather insecure about her own way of living when in such a space. Her free hand slid back up, the girl moving to chew on her nails while she tried to think of something more helpful to say.

As she studied every aspect of Vikram's room, Csuri generated more questions than answers. She was debating on asking a few before Vikram spoke up, showing a picture of the two of them in Germany. "I have a copy too. Framed and all. It sits on my bookshelf," She didn't want him to get too cocky, after all. He was very much still in trouble. Of course, the idiot was still grinning, despite her maintained frown. Way too much had happened over these last few minutes and she wasn't exactly sure how to process it all. He'd claimed his family was dramatic on their own merit, but she wasn't sure if he'd just said that to try and make her feel like less of an invasive problem.

Just as she was about to ask if she should just go home, a new sound distracted her attention. As soon as the door opened, Csuri looked a little excited, seeing the majestic puffball that was Vikram's cat, King. The cat hopped on the bed and immediately lounged for a nap, so Csuri stepped over to sit on the bed. "Oh hush. I've definitely had long days where all I want to do is nap." Like today, for example. She pet his warm fur while Vikram offered to let her stay with him. "If everything goes good," he said, earning an eye roll. "And what if it doesn't, Vik? What if they continue thinking I'm just a problem, ruining the family? Because I can't..." Csuri hesitated, her gaze dropping away from him as she turned her head.

"I can't do it again...."

Despite wanting to be left alone a good majority of the time, Csuri leaned into her idiot boyfriend when he wrapped his arms around her. Somehow he'd managed to figure out how to stop her spirals. He said that he was sure everything would be fine in the end, though she rolled her eyes at the thought. "Yea he is!" she huffed in agreement, before glancing over to see his dumb little smirk. She resumed petting King while he said they'd gone to the States to visit a family friend, then he'd crashed a go kart into a Mercedes. Those were like... super expensive, from her knowledge (or lack thereof) about cars. Apparently Vikram had gotten lambasted for half an hour because his family would have to repair everything. He even added that his Father had threatened to not speak with him until the payment was repaid. Yikes.

Her gaze locked on his for a second before she whipped her focus on the door. Oh boy, it was his Mother. She.... called Csuri "sweetheart"? Was that a normal thing for people to call strangers? She asked if they should set her a plate, so Csuri looked over at Vikram. Honestly, she was still hoping to leave! But Vikram gave the opposite answer, so instead the blonde nodded awkwardly. Would this nightmare never end?! Once the door was closed, Vikram continued to provide the moral of his story. It ended up being that his Father was quick to fly off the handle, while equally quick to entirely forget the situations. Joy. "I have to take it too hard. I'm the cause! But..." she huffed, trying to bring herself back out of the spiral. "I guess we can see how dinner goes, okay? But I reserve the right to leave if things get too weird." That would have to be her stipulation, even if she wanted to try to somewhat get to know these people. After all, she'd gotten herself tangled in their family.

After Vikram agreed she could run away if things got super awkward, he took her hand and led her to a nice dining room. She wasn't sure whether to be worried or grateful that Vik's Father had decided not to join them. His mother seemed nice enough, if a bit pushy about learning facts about Csuri. Thankfully, she had no idea what she wanted to do for work, but she came up with a quick answer that she perhaps wanted to work in culinary somewhere. It seemed to work, since the woman started talking about owning a bakery. Right, Csuri knew that, from one of the conversations Vik had had with that little kid that liked to follow him around. Csuri was much more excited to talk about her grades, since she'd worked her a** off to earn them.

Once dinner was over, Csuri was taken on a tour of the house, ending in a fancy sunroom. But there was perhaps the best thing to see! Vikram had a whole litter of kittens in there!! After getting to snuggle them (and maybe having a teary breakdown or two), they walked back to Vikram's room. He asked her to stay there for a while, so he could get stuff "sorted out", and she could get to know the family. That... sounded like hell, honestly. But she made it known she was only doing it for the kittens, even if that wasn't quite true. Returning home, she explained the situation, then packed up her suitcase with enough to last her a couple weeks. She also had to manage to pack all her hair-care stuff, since that was half a suitcase on its own. Thank gods for magic, right?

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo The Next Morning oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

When morning broke, Csuri was not at all surprised to wake up to Vikram putting on exercise clothes. She said she would just hang out, but about a minute after he left, she ended up in a sprint to the nearest bathroom. Vikram's sister, Fatima, found her and helped with a few natural remedies to help with nausea. They ended up taking tea in the sunroom, where his Mother joined them. The girls spent a while talking about Vikram's attempts at exploiting greatness (including climbing all four of the main towers at Hogwarts). It ended up being.... fun? Sorta?

Following that, Fatima led Csuri to the personal library, earning a bit of joy from the teen. It took Csuri about two minutes to find a really fancy looking book and plop down in one of the comfy chairs in the library. Ah yes, the big perk to dating a rich nerd. Books! Maybe she'd have to invite Alice over, if only to share this library with someone else who would truly appreciate it. Sure, it was weird that Vikram was.... gone? Probably? But hey, at least she could read a book to pass the time.

Csuri opted to send a text over to Alice, adding in a few pictures of the library. If nothing else, she'd be super excited once she noticed the messages. From there, she resumed the book, not noticing (or caring) if various Bhattacharyyas popped in to make sure she hadn't left. This book was really good! It was just as she was halfway through the rather epic climax that Fatima appeared, asking to take her away from the book. The teen complained, wanting to finish the book. She couldn't leave it mid-chapter! That was practically blasphemy. But at Fatima's insistence, Csuri put a bookmark in place, then stood.

Following along the older girl, Csuri looked around as they walked. It didn't take long for Csuri to realize they were headed back to the sunroom. That meant she could see the kittens again! She ran a hand through her messy curls, wishing (not for the first time) that her hair was less insane. When they stepped into the room, she was immediately disappointed that the kitten pen was moved. Her curiosity, however, was piqued when she noticed Vikram there, all dressed up. What... was he planning? She hadn't packed any formal clothes! If he wanted to go out somewhere fancy, she'd have to go home (again) to get something nicer to wear. Somehow, he'd given her a list of specifics for when they went to Germany, but he somehow managed to forget that sort of stuff now?!

Csuri looked over at Vikram, wondering what was on his mind. He looked... well, she wasn't really sure. It wasn't an emotion she'd seen before. Maybe he was plotting something? She usually tried to avoid his weird plots. That was more Moon's... job? Of course, he then made eye contact with her and broke out into the goofy smile of his. Well, he was definitely up to something. Now she just had to figure out what. "Hey Vik," she responded in kind. He was definitely up to something.

She was about to ask what he was thinking when he started talking... or perhaps "rambling" was a better word. He reiterated their last few weeks, from finding out they were expecting to learning about his engagement. He did add that he wasn't engaged anymore, so Csuri lifted an eyebrow. Aaaaand now he was talking about marriage... again. Except this time he said he wasn't joking, and that he still very much wanted that. Oh boy. He knelt down, this time offering a ring. Oh... boy. Several thoughts circulated all at once. She stepped over, silver eyes regarding him.

The ring he had was a soft rose gold, adorned with amethysts. Wasn't it usually traditional to use a diamond? Maybe he'd found one with Csuri's favorite stone as the centerpiece instead? It would be just his luck. She realized that he was still waiting on an answer. If she said no, she'd spare herself some worry later, but she'd probably rip Vikram's heart out through his teeth. If she said yes... she'd be tied into him and his family forever. Well, she already was, but now it'd be legal too. If she said yes, she'd be forever unable to carry out her independence or to avoid people. She'd be trading her last name for his, but wasn't it just... another change? And it wasn't like they'd have to get married tomorrow, right? She could push that part off while also making Vikram feel better? She glanced back at him, a nervous smile in place.

"I'd like that."

Looking between Vikram and their interlinked hands, Csuri immediately wished she'd had more time to formulate a better answer. She was pulled against Vikram's form, and he planted a kiss on her lips. Okay. This was way too much close contact for the day. Her face fell to a glare when applause sounded behind her. "Is your entire ******** family here for this?" she whispered in a hiss. No way was she about to let her weird emotions be broadcast for virtual strangers. She jumped when a hand was set on her shoulder, looking at it before looking back at Vikram.

His Father, Arjun, spoke up, saying they had to start planning the wedding... now. To host it sometime in the next five...ish months. No. That was too much. There was way, way too much to do, and somehow all of their timeline was centered on this freaking baby. "We don't... have to do that. There really doesn't need to be a deadline. We can always like.... sign the papers at the Ministry or something. No need for anything insane on my count." They definitely seemed too eager to host a big party, which would mean that she'd have to deal with people.

Dealing with the five people comprising the Bhattacharyya family was already too many people for her! Of course, she was immediately pulled into a hug by Chanda, and literally the second that the woman released her, Fatima gave her a hug as well. Thankfully, Kavi kept his distance, just giving his brother an awkward hand shake. She pulled on her hair, tilting her head back to stare up at the ceiling for a second before Vikram spoke up. He offered to bring her back to his room, earning a huff.

"No! I ..... ugh." She let out a heavy exhale before looking at this. "How much of a show do I need to prepare for." Her words were tense, spoken just past gritted teeth. She didn't want to just become a tool to use in photo-ops again. She especially didn't want that to happen with a family she didn't even know. But worse, she felt a little betrayed. Vikram knew how much she detested parties or even just mildly large crowds. She brought up her free hand, gnawing on her nails as she so often did.