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 Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:34 pm
Mikaril smiled a sheepish smile at the apparent compromise. He supposed it would be easier on him to see Ssu's top half covered; he might be able to imagine that all of her was covered, and thus would be able to more easily focus on the objective of resting. After all, it was hard to imagine that one was in bed just to rest when they found themselves staring at the bare skin of the opposite gender. Still, the obvious happiness in Ssu's face made him feel strangely warm, and not the embarassed kind. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all, if he could keep her convinced that he needed more sleep to make up for all of the sleep he had lost.
He obediently sat down when she indicated the cushion, and he prepared to listen with more attentiveness and less panic. But as soon as the words 'Undrek' Thoz' escaped from Ssu's mouth, Mikaril felt all of the color drain from his face and he felt his body stiffen up as though it were already dead and cooling. He could hear his own voice in his head screaming 'No!!' over and over. They couldn't go there; not with Kyil on the mend and a new baby to take care of! The chances of Haellara completely forgetting them by now was the same as his being able to spit into a chasm and create the next Glimmersea. The instant she found out that they were within the city gates.......the image of burning wagons and bodies strewn about like clods of dirt filled his vision and burned his stomach. He even fancied he could see shapes just at the edge of the circle of charred wagon skeletons; shadowy ominous figures dragging him and Kyil away, another holding the baby by an ankle like a sack of meal. He could fill his insides churning, and he swallowed a hot thick lump in his throat, hoping it would block the way for any impending vomit.
The first few times he tried to speak, he couldn't make noise come out. When he finally did, it was quiet and pale-sounding, like a child who had survived a horrible ordeal. "Well we.......I came from that city. Lived in a house there. I....sought my own way when I was still young, and something....a dream or a vision, or whatever the Hell it was.... prompted me to return. My only sister had taken over the house. She's.....very vengeful and loves to cause pain. We were her prisoners for nearly a month, until we were finally able to...." He took a deep breath and looked earnestly at Ssu. "I know your circus does a lot of traveling, but I just can't take Kyil there again; he's just now getting better and if she finds us with you, she would still do whatever it took to get to us; your lives mean nothing to her. Isn't there a way you could convince the ringmistress that going to that particular city would be too dangerous right now? I can't risk you all getting hurt; I wouldn't even wish her on your healer. Besides, if Kyil knew we were there, it would do nothing for his health.....or mine. And if she knew we had a child......I've experien-..... seen what she does with children; you can't ask me to take such a risk." He knew he was once more looking like a terrified fool, but this time he felt his feelings were one hundred percent justified.
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:37 pm
Well...now...that was a reaction she had seen coming. Ssussun watched the ease she had managed to instill in Mikaril die in a heartbeat. Yes. There was a story to this male, and it was centered in this city that he so feared. His terror was so visible...she couldn't recall the last time she'd seen a male this disturbed and frightened. His tormentor had to be a real demon to have him lose his control so completely. Ssussun cupped her chin and leaned forwards to rest her elbow on her knee as she waited through the various attempts to speak he made.
When he finally did begin to put his words together Ssussun arched one white eyebrow at him. "So your not a Houseless drow huh?" Well, that wasn't something of a stretch for her to have believed. There were so many Houseless after all. Ssussun closed her eyes and thought for a few moments.
The sad fact of the matter was, she was not ready or willing to let Mikaril leave her. In fact she doubted she'd ever want him to. And that wasn't just some form of lust or possessiveness that motivated her. Though they surely did have a part to play. SO then. She needed a way to work this out. Ssussun lightly tapped her fingers upon her chin and murmured aloud in thought.
"The baby is mine. For all sakes and purposes outside this wagon, everyone assumes it is mine. I may not have carried it, but as Kyil has been with us for the time frame that he has, and seeing as the baby is a blessing, I can easily claim I did not want to be bothered with the aches and pains of birthing a baby. Not to mention the icky morning sickness and the ugly bloating. No one would want to watch a pregnant fire eater in a bikini outfit I am certain. So...with such a claim you do not have to worry about the baby being taken. I'll keep her safe." She half promised and half planned. Ssu closed her eyes as she tried to imagin in her mind the sort of steps that could be taken.
"My House, and make no mistake Ril. We do not call ourselves House Laz'erou just because it sounds snappy, is not some merchants caravan that can be raided. Inside the city we are just as on guard as out in the wilds. This House your worried about would have to be prepared for a all out House War to contend with us, and I promise you we are just as prepared as any stone set House." Ssussun's eyes opened and she glanced around her wagon slowly. "No House would go to war without better intelligence about their supposed target. We're a unknown. Unknown strength and skill, and better yet, unknown allies. Still...the Ringleader would not like the possibility of a battle over a pair of males that aren't even part of the House." Ssussun frowned for a moment, then she turned to look at Kyil, and then back at Mikaril.
"Just what is your standing with this House? What is your position? Are you run away slaves or something?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:51 pm
"Houseless? No....well, yes, I am now. I stopped being a part of that house when I left that city, though it may not be seen that way by certain individuals....." Mikaril let it end there; he supposed it was pretty self-explanatory. He bet that there were plenty of males who were abused by their female relatives and sought to better themselves by running away. What he supposed was few and far between was the male that actually made it very far. He had managed to evade Haellara's grip ever since they had left Undrek'Thoz; he was not about to go walking back into that city and therefore back into her hands. And there was no way in the abyss that he was going to drag an entire circus down with him, especially this female whom he was just starting to really like.
He listened and gnawed his lip as Ssu stated with that cool air of finality the supposed relationship between herself and the child, little Mikkyila. He did not try to protest; he knew it would do no good, and besides, what she said had a measure of logic and a promise of safety. If Ssu claimed Mikkyila as hers, then there would be no reason for Haellara to mess with her, that is if she remained ignorant of the fact that her long-lost brother and the drow who had force-fed her a love potion was travelling with that very same circus. He nodded finally, willing himself to believe that if all Hell broke loose, at least the child would be safe. At least a small part of him and Kyil would live on, even if they were to be destined to die.
Mikaril blinked suddenly, quite taken aback. "A......House war?" He had not thought lowly of the circus folk, but he had been unaware that they possessed such strength and demanded such respect. To him, a House had always been a place of solid, unmoving stone, where the most powerful of drow sat behind closed doors and ward spells, plotting and conspiring against other houses and relying on their solid fortress to aid in their protection. A travelling House seemed vulnerable, and yet he could immedaitely see the merit. He had learned early on just how easily he could increase his chances of survival by being a moving target. A moving House would be quite hard to fight against, considering they were not limited to just one building. And a House that was used to traveling in the Wilds would automatically have an advantage as opposed to a house led by someone like Haellara who had never set foot in the Wilds. He found himself mumbling, "She wouldn't want to risk a House dispute, not unless she was sure she could win. Still, she has a history of rashness when her way is concerned."
Hearing Ssu's question, he took a deep breath and tried to steady himself. He actually found that closing his eyes helped, closing everything out and having the back of his own eyelids to play out the images that danced in his mind like cackling little demons. "I'm the brother of the current matron. My sister killed our mother and took over when I was away. From the day I was born I was the bottom-most male because I was the youngest, and Haellara was encouraged to use us in any way she saw fit, so long as we were not physically impaired. I learned......that there are many things one can live through. Poor Kyil was just an innocent bystander, brought into my world of pain because he refused to leave me. She restarted her practices with me and purchased Kyil from his mistress. Before we escaped, I tricked Haellara into burning his ownership papers. Kyil is now free to go where he chooses, and I denounced my house, although as far as Haellara is concerned, I will always be hers, simply because she wills it."
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:51 pm
Ssussun listened intently to what Mikaril was giving her to work with. She was going to make this work. There was no way she could convince the Ringmistress to miss out on a lucrative stop in this city, just because of these males. The obvious suggestion would be to keep them locked up for the weeks they were there. Ssu was not certain Mikaril or Kyil would be able to handle that. It would be too much like being trapped, and Kyil was bound to want to get moving around now that he was no longer pregnant.
"I doubt many matrons would risk a war they were not certain they could win. Not many are foolish enough to underestimate us. I mean, we even have a dragon." Ssu soothingly reassured Mikaril before he lowered his lids and began to inform her.
Yes, he had told her that this matron was his sister. She had not known if the sister had been adopted, and she really had been hoping for that. Ah well...some things aren't always so simple. "It sounds like a typical House really. She's not so special." Ssussun murmured with a faint smile to her lips. Her eyes drifted to Kyil, and she considered the situation. "Hmm. If such is the case...and there are no more papers to prove Kyil belongs to her. I'll lay claim to him as my servant. He owes me now for the ride and care. We can say the baby was part of the pact. My protection and he gave me a heir. It'll work nicely. None will be able to contest his place as my male. Not that anyone is yet anyways." But what about Mikaril? Ssussun glance at him and tapped a finger to her cheek.
It was like a flash of light flared in her eyes, and a smile bloomed upon her lips. Ssussun's back straitened as she stumbled upon the most wonderful of thoughts. Yes...Yes! This would be perfect! With a happy little giggle Ssussun rose and moved to her dresser. She opened her jewelry box and pawed around within for a moment. Ril. Give me your left hand. I have the most brilliant idea." She eagerly ordered as she plucked through a mess of earrings and necklaces, rings and hair pieces that he had left around for her.
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:09 pm
Mikaril opened his eyes after he spoke, letting the ghoulish images flee from his eyes and back into his mind. No sense in looking like he was going to combust right then and there and make Ssu wonder if she had taken on a male that was borderline insane. He doubted he could fool her anyway. He had a feeling somehow that there was little Ssu could do to convince the Ringmistress to overlook Undrek'Thoz; where there was coin to be had, they would surely go, and to Hell with the feelings of a couple of males who weren't even technically a part of their circus-House.
He blinked in utter astonishment then. "A dragon? You mean a real.....not the one that tamer was playing around with surely, unless it can grow bigger...." Haellara may love to torment as many two-legged foes as she could fit onto her rack, but for as long as he had known her, she had always treaded with care where animals were concerned. Perhaps it was her thinking of them as less than rational, thinking beings, and therefore much less predictable than she would like. At any case, if she heard that a dragon, no mere unthinking beast but a real dragon, possessing of cunning and cleverness that rivaled her own, she just might reconsider, even if she did know that he and Kyil were there.
Mikaril nodded his understanding at Ssu's analysis. Yes, his was a typical enough family situation. There had been a time or two in the past where he had wondered if he ever really had the right to be so skittish and dwelling on his past torments, when surely hundreds of thousands of drow males were scattered throughout the Underdark feeling the same things and probably worse. Not only that, but they were bottling it up and continuing to take it, remaining in their houses as though being beaten and tormented within an inch of dying altogether was something too trivial to think on too much.
He nodded slowly, feeling his spirits lift a little. Since Haellara no longer had any tangible claim to Kyil, and Ssu could lay claim to him through the child, that made Kyil as safe as he could ever be in that city. Of course, there would be no such claim to him; he was still tied to Haellara by blood, and there didn't seem to be anything they could do about it. Well, as long as Kyil and Mikkyila were to survive, he would be happy. And Ssu he was certain stood more of a chance of holding Kyil back and preventing him from following should Mikaril actually become re-captured. He looked at Ssu as she appeared to study him and knew that the wheels in her head were turning, trying to figure out a way to save him. He felt a small flush creep up into his cheeks; first he had been getting used to someone in general giving a damn about him, and here now was a FEMALE caring enough to plot to keep him alive and well in a city where his head would probably fetch a price big enough to buy that entire section.
He watched as her eyes seemed to suddenly light up, and stared after her in complete bewilderment as Ssu rose and walked over to her dresser, where she proceeded to rummage around among the jewelry. Was she going to try and pass him off as a female? When she asked him to hold out his hand, he complied, thinking he was to receive a magical ring that would aid in the tramsformation. "I think I know what your plan is, and I think it migh work, but there might be some other things we need to do to make it seem more......genuine. And you might have to show me how to act properly."
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:38 pm
"Well...it's technically dragonkin." Ssussun would speak as she pawed through her jewelry box. "It's tame enough, well trained, and intelligent. It's just rather young. We couldn't get away with a real actual dragon you know. No city would let us in if we had something that dangerous along! But the dragon will grow bigger in time. I mean, it's still pretty young. Even still, it's dangerous enough to make some monsters give us berth in he wilds. haven't you noticed that when we do draw attention it's just larger mobs?"
Chuckleing softly Ssussun plucked a golden band from her box. he turned it about in her fingers and inspected it's plain surface. She turned as Mikaril came to stand near her. "You do?" She asked with a small hint of surprise. he had picked up on it too? Perhaps the ring gave it away? Still...as Mikaril would seem so...accepting of her plan, she could not help but smile widely at him.
"Wonderful! I was worried you'd be resistant to the whole idea. Then I'd have to spend hours talking you around to it and calming you down." She laughingly spoke as she reached to take Mikarils left hand. With a happy little hum, she slipped the golden ring over his ring finger and nodded with approval. "Well of course! I'm so happy that your really open to this. Let's see...sleeping in the same bed clearly will be the first step. Ah! I know! I'll inform the Ringleader of our union and we'll have a bit of a ceremony here. That way everyone in the circus will know, and when or if your sister starts to ask around, she'll get the unpleasant news that your not reclaimable now." Ssussun smiled brightly at Mikaril. "And don't worry about acting properly. Your just fine as you are. You'll be a fine husband."
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:07 pm
Mikaril nodded and smiled in spite of himself. "I suppose you're right; I'm certain that a place like Brundag would refuse to let you in if you had a fully-grown dragon; it's supposed to retain calm, after all, and something like that would certainly be frowned upon, no matter how much traffic you would bring in." Often he had wondered how Haellara's violent nature always seemed to negate the effect of the Blackened Fist's calming aura. She certainly never seemed calm to him, not in all her life. He supposed that was what came from being the only potential heiress to the house.
He nodded slowly, perplexed by Ssu's surprised reaction. Granted, he had never played a female before, but he was certain he would be able to manage a fair rendition, given a little time and practice. His brother had even said he had 'one of those faces'. Was she worried about his hair? He knew plenty of females who wore their hair short, and he wouldn't mind her styling it to make it look a little more feminine, if that was what it took to keep them all safe. He tried to smile a little more convincingly at Ssu, finding himself rather delighted to see such a happy smile directed at him.
"Calming me down?" Mikaril tilted his head, still happy but now even more confused. Again, why would she suppose he would react so strongly to the whole arrangement? He looked down at the ring and waited expectantly for his hand to become slender, perhaps to have long nails grow out. It would all be an illusion, of course, but surely he would be able to see it happening before his own eyes. But as his hand remained the same, save for the gold band, and when he did not feel the tingle of magic settling upon him like a shroud, he looked up at Ssu with an even more confused look on his face, which only deepened at her excited words. "In the same-.......union.....ceremony?"
But at the last words, Mikaril's eyes bulged and he nearly choked on his own tongue. "H-husband??? But......but. I thought....." He looked down with huge eyes at the ring on his finger, now seeming to glint in the meager light and mock him. "I didn't know you meant to take me." He looked up at Ssu with renewed earnest. "Oh Ssu.....you don't have to do that. I'm not......I wouldn't make a good husband for you. You should have someone who can return your love and give you as many female children as you could want. I.....haven't even gotten as far as a bedroom, and I'm not sure I can. Even to save me.....you would be getting a very bad deal."
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:57 pm
Ssu took a moment longer then, to dig through her jewelry box until she found a ring that sort of matched the one she had given to Mikaril. Slipping it onto her own hand, she wiggled her fingers as if admireing the ring set there. "I never thought I'd actually be doing this...but you know. Your not a bad male to be doing it with." She remarked as she dropped her hand.
"Yes. A union ceremony! I'll bet there will even be gifts. Ah! And we must have matching outfits! I prefer crimson, but you look pretty good in green. I wonder if the two colors can look good together. Hmmm..." Ssussun lifted a hand to lightly tap at her lips. As she was pondering what sort of wedding garments would look good on the pair of them, she listened to Mikaril as he stumbled over his words. How darling... She brought her dreamy gaze to focus on him however.
"So?" She asked him with a small tilt of her head. "The Ringmistress is not going to deviate from the plans for one male. Mikky and Kyil will both be protected,a s they are part of the circus now. So all that remains is making you a part. And since you can't just be claimed, my marrying you will make you a part of the circus. It's perfect. I can protect and keep all of you. Besides, plenty of females marry males for far worse reasons. Love doesn't even factor into it."
Ssussun shrugged her shoulders and glanced at the folded up bed. "Oh. I'm sure we'll get as far as the bed at least. I'm not marrying you to force you to have relations with me or children Mikaril. If it makes you feel better, just think of the marriage as a pretend one. To keep you safe from your sister." Ssussun formed a happy grin upon her face, and she reached out to cup Mikarils' face. "And any deal that keeps you with me longer is a good one Ril. Your a good husband already."
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:54 pm
Mikaril almost couldn't believe what he was hearing. How could Ssu possibly not care whether or not he, the one whom she wanted for a husband, could do the things expected of him, even if it was mostly for the benefit of keeping him safe from his sister? He found a bit of his disbelief fading as Ssu went on about matching clothes. "Actually, those two colors can be quite complimentary-" He blinked and shook his head hard; what the Hell was he thinking?? He couldn't do this! Ssu knew how tense he got when she so much as patted his shoulder; what made her think he would last a minute performing what he thought of as husbandly duties?
Still.....when it all came down to it, as Ssu was currently telling him, it was all for the sake of them being protected. Kyil had risked so much in the past to protect him, to be there when he needed him. He would be a loathsome coward and no friend at all to Kyil if he shied away from something like this if the outcome was complete protection. Besides, he had to admit, if it had to be a female, he could have done SO much worse than Ssu. She had already seemed to establish the fact that she wanted to wait until he was ready to respond to her before she made such a move, and they had been with her for a good while now, and he had yet to feel so much as a slap that left a mark, much less a halfway decent beating. And he knew that she really did care for him, even if she said that what she felt was not love. If he could actually find himself safe around her, it was certainly close enough, whatever it was.
"A...pretend marriage?" Yes, he could probably see it like that. After all, it really was just for the sake of protection and pretenses, much like how he and Kyil had played master and servant, to keep up pretenses and to deter suspicion. If he could just remember that it was solely for that reason.......perhaps he would be able to keep his head. Still, he purely hated the very idea of going back to Undrek'Thoz, and he was certain that if Haellara found out that he and Kyil were there with a traveling circus house, she would do something to at least cause them harm; it may not be direct, but he was certain it would come somehow. He vowed that for the entire duration of their stay in that city, he would sample both Kyil's and Ssussun's food and drink. He wasn't taking ANY chances.
He blinked as he felt his face being cupped; she DID love to do that. "I...I am? How? I mean.....I haven't really done anything husband....ly. Have I?" He hoped that she would give a good answer; as far as he knew a husband existed for much the same reason as a patron; to be submissive, take punishment and help the matron make children. But Ssu's ideas might be very different; it would be really helpful to know just what it was that this female, so out of the ordinary, wanted from him exactly.
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:29 pm
Well, since Mikaril seemed open to the idea of red and green together, she'd plan their outfits accordingly. "Hmm. I love feathers, so we'll trim your outfit with red feathers. Do you have any thing your particular to that I could use for my wedding dress?" Ssussun asked as she turned to look up and down the wagon searchingly. There were so many costumes in then circus, she was positive they'd find something if they looked for it. While she mused, Mikaril stammered. It was cute at times, the way she could shock him so. "Yes. A pretend marriage." She assured him. Well..pretend to him perhaps. She had to remind herself not to try and jump on him once things were settled publicly. Even if it was her right, she'd only make him think she was trapping him.
She gently removed her hands from Mikaril's face, but only so she could move them down to rest on his shoulders. He was so..cute in this strange innocence! So wide eyed and easily startled by her words. She just wanted to kiss the breath out of him. "Ril...you have a gentleness and loyalty that is so rare to find in a male. I feel safe around you. I know your not just taking shameless advantage of me. Using me to suit your own needs." She paused then and glanced over at Kyil. Her red gaze wavering between jealousy and longing. "You do it for him. You try so hard. I'm no blind fool. I know your scared of me, but you stay for his sake. I suppose there are few females that would see that as anything other then a means to control you." Ssussun turned her gaze back to Mikaril and she forced a faint smile to her lips. "I like it though. It is a quality I wish I could see in more males. Your...soft Mikaril...and that does something to me..." She paused and removed one of her hands from Mikarils shoulder to press it to her chest. her voice dropped to a hushed tone. "I feel a...pain. But one that does not feel so terrible. I can't explain what it is, but it makes me...I don't know...I want to keep you safe, away from this sister of yours and anyone else that would take you away from me."
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:59 pm
Seeing as it was apparently to be a pretend marriage, Mikaril saw no harm in giving his input to the charade. "Well....feathers are always nice, and fur if you can ever find it. I suppose when it comes to not having to constantly be on edge and alert, soft things can be very nice." He found himself smiling a little sheepishly as he imagined himself in anything with feathers; Kyil would probably either be laughing good-humoredly or be jealous. How nice it felt to not have to genuinely worry about jealousy; his friend was so unlike other drow, and would never even consider doing anything to him out of jealousy. He looked over at Kyil's sleeping form with fondness; whatever had he done before he had met him?
He felt Ssu's touch on his shoulders and did his absolute best to keep his own body steady and firm. He shook his head a little in denial at her words. "I'm not...." He wanted to continue, to say the usual spiel of how he wasn't gentle or soft, he only valued what he had come to see as more precious than what he was used to hlding close and protecting. But he realized that it wouldn't make much difference to Ssu; unlike most drow, she seemed to see right through his usual defenses. Of course, he didn't exactly make it difficult for her, breaking down and telling her things that he only told Kyil, or even nobody else. He lowered his eyes and mumbled. "I do try, and it never seems to be enough. He's done so much for me since I've met him, shown me kindness and friendship, things I would never have thought were possible in our world. And yes, I was scared of you at first, but......" He raised his eyes again, willing himself to give Ssu an honest, steady gaze. "I think with each passing, day, it lessens a little. Because you're right; there are plenty of females who would use my love of Kyil to do things to me; one already has. But you don't; instead you choose to keep us both safe, and earn our trust rather than demand our servitude."
Mikaril watched with curiousity as Ssu spoke of a pain. He caused her......pain? "I don't mean to cause you any sort of pain, even if it doesn't feel terrible. But I think I might know what you feel. I feel something similar whenever I think Kyil could be in any sort of trouble; when he was with me during a heist where we sacked a whole magic shop and almost got ambushed by thugs, and when we were in Undrek'Thoz last; I felt it so often it was part of a routine; I might have thought myself dead or numb if it wasn't there. It's what Kyil has been showing me from the moment we first met, and I think now I understand just how that wine bottle worked. We may not have been the right gender pair, but the feelings were there, and it worked anyway." He cleared his throat and smiled a small smile at Ssu. "I don't want to discourage you from feeling it, because my instinct tells me it might be good for you, like a cleansing of sorts. But I can't help but be afraid that in your willingness to protect me, you might put yourself in harm's way, like everybody else I've ever cared about."
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:43 pm
Ssussun dropped her hands to her sides and gave a small uncertain shrug of her shoulders. "I am not certain exactly what your relationship is based on Ril. But I know it's something very special." She met his eyes with curiosity. He was making a brave effort. She could see that so easily when they were alone..and when she was not worried about someone seeing her act so silly.
"Yes...well. Let's not spread this whole earning trust thing around." She teased with a small laughing note to her voice. "And do not worry about the pain thing. I am sure it will go away over time. I'm pretty sure it's like..some kind of mild jealousy or possessiveness. You know how we females are." She jested easily despite Mikaril's earnest words. She found her cheeks warming up for some reason and she cleared her throat
"Ril. Don't worry about the whole danger thing. Life itself is dangerous. If not for you, then for some other reason. I'm very capable and I have some pretty good powers. I will take care of myself. Trust in that. Now..." She paused and put on her brightest smile.
"I need to go tell the Ring mistress of our union and set up a ceremony. We'll do it while we are here in this city. It seems sort of fitting, seeing as how it was here that I first got you don't you think?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:32 pm
Certain that he looked like an overgrown drow child so eager to please the highest ranking female, Mikaril nodded his head eagerly and with a smile. He knew that Ssu wouldn't want to be seen as the trusting sort; obviously the reason his innocence and lack of malicious hunger for a bit of flesh must mean that she felt herself in a veritable sea of circus males who thought exactly that. If word got out of any supposed tenderness, they would be all over her like predatory spiders on a newborn mouse. His brother had warned him against that very thing, and yet when he had met Kyil, he was so quick to toss that aside and offer the poor male some compassion. He thought it was the best decision he had ever made.
His smile wavered a little bit, and he felt a flush of his own creeping up into his face. "I didn't mean to make it sound as though you were weak or anything. I just....if you knew what she was capable of doing, what she HAS done, you might understand why I think of her as untouchable and undeafeatable sometimes, which I guess is silly considering that if she really was impossible to go up against, Kyil and I would still be there." It was so easy to say it was silly, but he would never forget what had happened there. It occured to him suddenly that perhaps one of the reasons Kyil had been so frightened and uneasy during his time carrying the child was due partially to what he had experienced back in his House. Even if he knew that a bottle of wine had been the cause, he supposed it could feel a little like the utmost violation. Poor Kyil....
He shook himself back to the present and nodded at Ssu. "I think that would be a good idea; the sooner the better. That way it can be established for a good while before we reach the next city. I just feel as though it will be a lot more stable of a claim than if it was newly staked right before we arrived, or even inside the city." That and if they got married in Undrek'Thoz, there was too big of a chance that Haellara might catch wind of a wedding and watch just for the Hell of it, recognizing him and at the very least disturbing the ceremony. And he did have some especially fond memories here in Eryndlyn. "You do that, and I'll wait here. I think......I think I might just rest a bit myself; I need some time to gather my thoughts and quiet my head. All this is just......overwhelming."
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:31 pm
Ssussun lightly placed a hand upon her hip, and she spoke with a soft reassuring tone. "Ril, love. I'm a female that has traveled the wilds all my life. I've seen so many different cities, and I've seen the most cruel assortment of actions. I know your terrified of your sister. As a male it's understandable. But from a females viewpoint...she's nothing special. I will keep you both safe, and you'll see. We will breeze through that city, and when we leave neither you nor Kyil will be any worse for wear. Aside from your nerves I am sure." With her reassurance set, Ssussun winked one of her amber red eyes at her husband to be.
"Mmm. So eager huh? It's rare to find a groom without cold feet. hee! I guess that must say something about me then!" Sssu reached a hand up to flick her hair as if flirting "I'll go set everything in motion Ril. Just you wait here! Maybe we can get it all done today even! We'll make it a joint celebration. Our marriage and Mikkyila's welcoming party all in one!" With a happy little giggle she turned and lightly bounced her way out of the wagon.
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 8:01 pm
Cold feet? Mikaril just shrugged his shoulders and let Ssu think that was what was it was. In reality, he just wanted it set in stone before they ever set foot in Undrek'Thoz. He knew that he would be a bundle of pure nerves as it was without going through a ceremony there. Besides, he no longer saw it as his home city; there would be no special significance there. He nodded a little at the idea of it being today. "As long as Kyil is well enough to come too; I would want him to be there." Goddess! All this and he hadn't even let Kyil know! What would his friend say? Would he be happy that there was a plan being put in motion to protect all three of them from the city that they were about to embark for? Or would he be worried for Mikaril's sake, for his getting into a bonding that would inexplicably tie him to a female who did not make secret her plans for him?
When Ssu had departed, Mikaril got up from the trunk seat and moved to Ssu's bed, where he noiselessly flopped down on his front and stared blankly to the side at the wall across the way. He should be happy that this was happening......why did he feel as though a weight had been put on his chest? He knew he was still worried about the trip to that hated city, but he thought that it was mostly due to the fact that he would be tied to a female once more, and he still harbored the old fear that came from such a state. Ssu was kind now, but suppose he never really got over his fear of being with a female; would she lose patience with him and in her frustration start being more like the way he expected possessive females to be? Had this time spent together really been enough time to know the female that he was pledging himself to? Deep down, a voice was telling him that Ssu wasn't like that, and he believed it.....so why did the fear continue to cling to him?
Letting out a long sigh, Mikaril let his eyes close, welcoming the sleep that settled over him like a blanket. He really was tired, and he would need all the sleep he could get in order to have enough wits about him to tell Kyil what he had gotten himself into when they both woke up.
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