Once her father — and Kazcor's — were gone, Ella visibly relaxed. She shifted her weight, studying the solar quietly, as Kazcor spoke. [q]I... no, uhm. I'm okay to go home, I was just... afraid they hadn't settled things.[q] She murmured, flashing an anxious smile toward the other woman.
[q]I wouldn't... mind, marrying sooner. I'm not fond of my stepmother. Nor is she of me.[q] She explained, as politely as she could without snubbing the woman in question.
Quiet, she reached to stroke the leaves of a nearby plant, and exhaled softly. [q]I'm sorry for causing trouble.[q] Her father had no intention of inviting them to dinner, until Kazcor had noted how she'd balked at her father's appearance.
That would earn her a beating, when she got home. But she couldn't admit that to the woman beside of her.
[q]Then I guess we’ll have to endeavor to make that happen. I think we’re both amenable to this, right? I see no reason why we should put it off at all. We’ve already discussed having separate sleeping arrangements until we’re more comfortable with one another, so this shouldn’t really be a big deal.[q] She waved a hand gently as she came to stand next to Ella, looking at the plant in question. A large monstera plant. Broad leaves that tore themselves open as they grew. Fitting. The transformation into it’s larger self always left marks. Witness marks, to the passing of time, and the effort of growth.
[q]And if she’s not fond of you, I can’t imagine that she would balk at you moving straight into my home even before the wedding. There will be abundant planning and decisions that need to take place, so you might as well just stay. It would be no problem for me, nor my house lady, she’s rather used to having to deal with me setting my mind on something, and then being completely set against the original idea the next morning. We just need to have it seem like your father’s idea to have you just.. Not leave.[q]
She bit into the meat of her thumb a moment, finding the temporary pain good for focusing her thoughts. [q]I feel we should be married by the end of this week. Oh but there’s oh so much planning, and we’ll need to have you fitted for a dress too. Or a nice suit if you so desire to wear one.[q] Her mind in motion, she rang the bell to call her lady in, and when the older woman popped her head into the solar, Kaczor was already in motion. [q]Sari, please go home now and prepare my old study for Lady Ella. I intend on having her come there with me tonight?[q]
She turned and looked back to Ella, the question of tonight left entirely up to her.
Ella was reminded, that no matter how nice Kazcor seemed, she was part of a business arrangement. She marvelled at the way the other woman took charge; if she wasn't so certain that she'd been introduced to a woman, she might wonder if Kazcor was really a man is disguise. She's never seen a woman with so much confidence — even the heads of the Houses that were female rarely were this outspoken.
...and it only intrigued her further.
As of this moment, she's not considered her true purpose for being sold off in marriage; to topple the family she's married into so that her father and his family can rise in rank.
She gave a quiet nod of agreement. [q]If you mention how much planning, he might suggest that I stay so as to not inconvienance his family.[q] She'd slipped up, and she didn't realize it until she'd said it. Not 'her' family, but 'his'.
When the older woman popped her head into the solar, and Kazcor addressed her by... title and nickname, Novella's cheeks flushed. And she dipped her head in a quick nod of agreement, still tracing the marks that covered the monstera plant's leaves.
Only when the lady had left, did she speak, [q]I understand that this is... just business between our families. But... thank you for being so kind.[q] Her father used to threaten to wed her to men with domestic violence raps, when she was younger. Anything to make her want to be perfect; to be deserving of a kinder spouse.
[q]Yes, tonight,[q] she finally saw the agreement there, and then tacked on, [q]and then take the house staff to Lady Ella’s home and pack up her things and being them to the manor house. She won’t be returning to her father’s house anymore.[q] When Sari had left, she returned to her finance’s side, a slight incline of her head as she watched Ella’s face.
[q]Can’t have either of us being a nuisance to him anymore, right? So much easier to just cut all ties with him now. This is tradition. You leave his protection to mine, and it’s only right that I immediately see about your comfort and safety. And he can’t argue with this, if he does it will make him look like an asshole.[q] Kaczor had, after all, heard the language used, witnessed the body language there, and pressed forwards with her plans. And no man would every be able to tell her otherwise because if it came right down to the wire – Kaczor was prepared to live miserably if it meant getting his family’s voice, and standing back in order. And.. family mean her new wife as well. Once that was sealed.
But Kaczor’s mind wouldn;t let her let Ella leave at this point. Too many red flags, too many warnings screaming in her mind that it would be hell if she did, so she wouldn;t. It was as simple as that. [q]It may be business, Ella, but that doesn’t mean we have to be callous to one another. If love never happens for us, it never happens, but I won’t have you being miserable, or feeling like you’re beholden to someone when you’re your own person. Besides, it means we can be friends instead, if love never happens for us, and sometimes I find that makes a much more meaningful relationship than lovers, don’t you think?[q]
Novella chewed the inside of her cheek, [q]There is not... much traditional about us.[q] She gestured between the two of them. [q]Lower Houses are most apt to allow same-sex marriages.[q] It was accepted throughout the country; but uncommon for a High House to allow it.
She flushed, at how outspoken she'd stated it, and cleared her throat. [q]I think...[q] She listened to the other woman, pondered what she might respond. [q]...you're much too kind.[q] She chuckled awkwardly, and stepped towards the closed door.
[q]I think that we'll be good friends, regardless of whether love finds its way into our arrangement.[q] She flashed a shy smile, [q]So this wedding...[q] It'd be a standard ceremony, public and perfect, she was sure. [q]...a week from tonight?[q] It was a short time-period to plan everything.
[q]I've never attended a High House's ceremony before.[q] They were new money, and new money ceremonies were flashy and outrageous. Old money though...
Kaczor looked to Ella for a moment, and then giggled, raising a hand to her mouth to cover it, but the giggle had already started. [q]No, you’re absolutely right, there isn’t going to be much traditional about the two of us, is there? And same-sex marriages in a Higher house, yes, I know, unconventional, but my family has always been a bit.. Progressive.[q] She smiled widely, and inclined her head once again, feeling.. Odd when Ella moved away, towards the door. Did the woman want to escape? Kaczor turned so that she was facing the door, and her back was to the rest of the solar, making sure that she didn’t block the door, if Ella needed to bolt.
It was scary, all of it. At least, Kaczor felt like it may be scary, to someone who wasn’t her. She had known since birth that one day she would be married off, and perhaps have to father a child or two along the way, but that wasn’t something that she worried about. It was a part of life as a High House family. Love didn’t figure into many marriages, but it didn’t mean they had to be at odds with one another. [q]I’m really not that kind at all, Ella.[q]
But the woman wanted to keep her thoughts a secret, and so Kaczor didn;t press any harder. She wouldn’t like if it was done to her, so, that was that. [q]I do too. And if, over time, love develops, I will be happy with that as well. I want us comfortable with one another, equal in the task of raising the children when they come along. United. To do that, we have to be one another’s best friend, even without romantic love, there will be love felt, between you and I. I.. I meant romantic love earlier, of course. I should have been more specific. It’s not everyday one gets to spend a few minutes with their betrothed to be, completely honest with one another.[q]
That smile. Oh, it had been shy, fast, and gone almost as soon as it was there, but it stopped his breath for a moment, before she reminded herself how to breathe again. [q]If you wished it, we could go to the family altar right now and have it formalized before tonight’s dinner even happened. No need for a huge party, we can certainly keep it between us and an impartial witness if you would like it.[q]
Novella flushed when the other woman giggled at her. But then, Kaczor was agreeing with her that there was nothing traditional about them. Hearing that the Tilani family was progressive pleased her. If she was to have children, she'd want them to be able to be who they wanted to be without fear of punishment.
She turned to study Kazcor, as the other declared that she wasn't really kind at all. But before she can reaffirm that Kazcor's quite kind, the conversation shifted. Moved ahead.
And then, she's still processing how the other woman had stammered over defining the types of love in their relationship-to-be, only to hear Kazcor offer to skip the public event and do something private.
Tonight, even.
Ella had really done a poor job at hiding her fear of her father; if she was being offered a marriage ceremony tonight, to remove her entirely from her birth family's care. [q]I... I think getting married tonight might, uhm, raise questions?[q] In a typical relationship, it'd only raise the question of: was the woman pregnant?
She wasn't sure what kind of questions it'd raise between two women, though. [q]We should... do a week.[q] What she doesn't say is 'just in case you decide you don't want me.'
[q]That is also very true, and in our society it would mean something to hide. Clever.[q] She smiled gently as she sat back down on the bench there in the solar, crossing her legs as her barefoot pointed at the floor. She was slender, lanky, but she happened to be quite broad, so she knew how to make herself smaller, less intimidating. She hated coming across as intimidating to someone she wasn’t trying to intimidate. [q]A week it is then. But I won’t have you going back there. You’re mine to be, I want to spend time getting to know you over the next week. And we should certainly start that right away. You may find a snore, or have a quite boring life and want to run away before it’s all said and done.[q]
She folded her hands on her lap then, and thought. [q]Would you like to be shown to a room to freshen up before dinner? Or a tour of my parent’s manor? No sense in sitting in here among the plants the entire time, unless you like it in here. I do, it’s one of the few places I feel I can hide in and not feel like someone will come to find me until I want to be found.[q] Honestly, the solar had been a Gods-send for her during her youth. She had spent a lot of time digging in the soil, and taking cuttings to try and grow in a wooden box on her window ledge, always to fail. They needed the constant sunlight of where the solar was in the house, rather than the late afternoon that her childhood window got. [q]Oh, Gods, where are my manners, I’ve not offered you a drink or a snack, you must be sitting here going [q]where’s my snack, it’s late afternoon already, do these people not have tea[q], or something else equally as horrid. This may be why I run everyone off so quickly.[q] That smile was back, the one eye closed – a genuine one. Kaczor knew exactly why all the rest had been run off.
All the rest had brought haughtiness and rudeness. And that was something he couldn;t stand when it came to his family. Be mean to him, but the family? Never. She would kill for her family. It was something she had grown up knowing, from the beginning. Should something have happened to her mother, father, or little brother, Kaczor felt it would have been very easy for her to become something horrid – she knew she would be capable of killing when it came to the family. There would be no hesitation in her. Nothing was more sacred to her than her family. And she would be it’s protector, no matter what. It was as simple as that. Her father was growing in years, her mother was not voiceless, but more muted in the Senate. No, it would fall to Kaczor now, and if that meant taking Ella in too, then that’s what it meant. She would let anyone hurt his family. Not now, not ever, and she would go to her grave in a heart beat, if it meant that they were all safe, and secure for as long as they lived.
And it was the genuineness that Ella had presented that had it’s hooks in Kaczor. She seemed authentic, her true self there, in the solar with her. Kaczor didn’t get a sense that there was something being hidden from her, that Ella was true. And Kaczor liked to think that she was a great judge of character. Yes. Kaczor was sure of it. This was the right steps to take, secure the alliance for their families with the wedding, make sure that Ella was taken care of from here on out – she was marrying into the Tilani’s after all, she was as Tilani now – and never had to deal with her previous family. [q]Do you want this wedding in a week to be more.. Dresses and cakes, and a party for families, or would you rather have it be just our parents and siblings and the registers? Since we’re to be an unconventional couple, I think we’d be forgiven forgoing a huge affair.[q]
The shier woman's lips pulled into another quick smile; not at all bothered by how possessive Kazcor was coming across. If anything... it was a blessing in disguise. And only further reminded her of some of the men she'd interacted with. The other had crossed her legs, made herself appear smaller, and the fleeting smile left Ella's mouth. She didn't like that; and realized after a quick glance around that it was because of her.
Damn. She'd need to work on that. [q]You couldn't possibly have a boring life,[q] she stated, as she settled on the bench next to her fiancee. [q]But you might snore. That could be a problem...[q] She chuckled quietly, and tapped her fingers against the seat.
Kazcor was doing that thing, where she talked too quickly, it almost seemed like an anxious tick, but no matter how closely Ella looked at the Tilani female, she couldn't find anything that indicated anxiety. So perhaps, she was just used to speaking quickly. That wasn't uncommon among women in their circle. Talking quickly to be heard, so that a man couldn't shut you up.
[q]Oh, I don't mind. I, uhm, normally cook for my family. I enjoy it, there's something soothing about sorting the ingredients out into the right amounts and creating something edible from it.[q] It was a practical alchemy, she supposed. One glance at Kazcor eased her anxiety, because she was grinning, and Ella giggled, shaking her head.
[q]A tour would be nice, though.[q] She admitted, finally. And then she chewed the tip of her thumb, as Kazcor asked what kind of wedding she'd prefer. [q]Uhm... It would please my stepmother and her children to attend a large, old money soiree.[q] But the look on her face said she wanted anything but that. [q]I'm not certain that she'll come to... anything smaller.[q] She wasn't certain her father would, either. But she couldn't paint him in a worse light.
[q]Do you enjoy cooking? Sari cooks most of the meals at the townhouse, but if you want to try your hand at them, I’d be happy to play tester for you.[q] She offered, picking up that it might be something her fiance liked, from the way she phrased it, she turned slightly towards the smaller woman as she spoke, giving Ella her full attention. The giggle was adorable, it made Ella’s features soften, not look as sad, and it tugged harder at Kaczor’s insides. The more they sat there and talked, the more she liked the woman. A good feeling. Away from her father, the woman seemed to bloom in front of her. And Kaczor wanted to see more of it, more of that smile.
She finally stood, and offered a hand to Ella, to help her stand up, intent on tucking her arm on her own, so she could take her around for the tour. [q]Of course. Some families aren’t happy enough with the engagement, they have to have the recognition that goes with it.[q] As she tucked Ella’s hand into the crook of her arm, Kaczor took the lead in showing Ella from the solar, and towards the library first. It was her favorite growing up, well, besides the Solar, so of course it was going to be where Kac wanted to show her first. The library, the solar, the garden, and the gallery. [q]It’ll be fulfilling, but a bit boring, touching back some. I patron the arts, so there are galleries and studios I go and visit, and sometimes sit for. Some artists like to occasionally gift a painting or statue of the patron so I have a nice room for those. They’re embarrassing to me, but as a gift, I keep them and display them to my guests. After all, the artists I know like the extra recognition that can come from a viewing in a patrons home.[q]
She walked slow, knowing the height difference between them left her stride longer than most women’s, so she made sure not to make it to where Ella had to jog to keep up. [q]And writers and poets..[q], she explained, as she opened the door to the library. [q]Some of the books in here were commissioned directly, but it’s boring. Let me show you my favorite, it’s… crude mind you, but in my youth I was very interested in the naked form. So this is my favorite..[q] She pulled a book of art out, all pencil and graphite and charcoal composites of the naked form, both male and female, through out various different poses. [q]Artists will have a live model at times, for important works, but ones like this, it’s nice to look at because it’s obvious they’re warm up sketches, meaning they had someone there in studio, posing for them. A book like this is good reference too, for someone trying their hand at art. No one likes to sit for someone just starting out, so how is an artist to learn? A reference book like this is invaluable.[q]
She beamed as Kazcor agreed to play taster for her, if she cooked for them. As Kazcor stood, and offered her hand to Ella, accepting and standing. When the other woman tucked her hand into the crook of her arm, Ella said nothing but noted it.
It was such a masculine move. The woman leading her on a tour was an enigma, more than anything. Feminine and masculine all at the same time. [q]Mmm. I would like something smaller, but... I guess, if I'm marrying into an older family, there will be more important events than my own wedding. I should get used to it.[q] She shrugged, and drifted into silence.
Because Kazcor was leading them to the library, and talking about how life with her would be boring, but also exciting. [q]You... sit for the artists?[q] And she had artwork from these sessions in a room of her home... on display for guests? That made her blush darken, and she laughed quietly. [q]I could never... imagine someone wishing to create artwork of myself.[q] She admitted.
She was grateful that her fiancee walked slower, accommodating her height and stride. [q]Oh![q] The favored book was shown with care; composites of the naked form in different poses and genders, all before the blush could fade from her face. [q]You're... really passionate about art, aren't you?[q] She inquired, peering up at her companion.
It was kind of cute, how passionate she talked about enjoying art, poetry, writing. [q]I don't know much about art... but it might be interesting to learn.[q]
[q]I think artists and writers are the last great truth tellers in our society. In the Senate we try and have a voice, to speak truths into existence there, for the betterment of all, but an artist or a poet might be able to craft something much more passionate than an impassioned speech can give. Our voices are more and more becoming less, to the more outspoken and extreme, so those who would caution progression, or even just moderatism are being drown out and overshadowed by those who want to be… scandalous. Over the top. So it comes back to the arts and sciences to be the places of truth, when politics fail us.[q] It was something Kaczor was passionate about. [q]And I have sat, in the past, and I did somewhat more recently, but that work is not yet on display. We can tour the gallery too, if you like.[q]
It might be a good chance for Ella to learn Kaczor’s biggest secret so she could still run if she wanted to. [q]I find myself passionate about the things I care for the most. Can’t seem to shut off the want to talk and gush about them, honestly.[q] That blush, and laugh – Gods help her, she was going to be the death of her, and Kaczor could already tell. This was what she had been warned about. Finding someone that complemented a life so easily, so completely, that it would be effortless to be one’s self around them. She paused before she gently touched a finger tip to Ella’s reddened nose tip, making a soft sound as she did so, and grinning. [q]You’re red.. If I was a cruder person, I’d think you were trying to flirt with me, Lady Ella. Saying you don;t know a lot about art, inviting me to talk passionately about it. I will if you let me.[q]
Kaczor leaned in some, so that she was able to whisper to the smaller woman. [q]And any time you want to learn about art, just say the word and I’ll whisk you off to some of the artists I know and ask them to tell you anything you want to know, and if that isn’t something you’d like, I’ll learn it myself so I can teach you.[q] She hadn’t meant to to be so flirty, so heavy handed as offer. But already, Kaczor found herself wanting to give to Ella, everything she asked for. Oh, how foolish she’d feel later, but for now, Kaczor was going to enjoy the blush that rose in her finance’s cheeks, making those lips of her redder, brighter, swollen. A kiss.
Kaczor realized she wanted to kiss the other woman, with flushed cheeks, there wanting to know more about her favorite things. It was like she had been sent by the Gods as an apology for all the suitors before being… not her type. [q]In a few hours time together, Lady Ella, I think you’ve bewitched me a little.[q]
Novella listened, dark eyes sweeping over Kazcor's face, as the other mentioned touring... the gallery that displayed artwork of her? And Ella shook her head, giggling softly, [q]N... No, I'd hate to embarrass you.[q] Besides... eventually she'd have to see this woman naked—or would she? She still hadn't quite figured out how two women would come to have a child, at least... not one that would count as an heir for their marriage.
What would consummating this marriage be like? She flushed, at the same time that Kazcor touched the tip of her nose and leaned in to whisper to her. She'd blame her blush on the proximity of her fiancee. And then the words that followed such closeness, made her giggle softly, nervously. [q]O... oh. Thank you. If art is something that you are passionate about, I would... would like to learn more about it.[q]
Ella flashed an anxious, but honest smile to the other woman, [q]Have... Have I?[q] She whispered, letting her gaze wander across Kazcor's features. She couldn't help the way her gaze lingered on the others mouth, her own teeth fiddled with her lower lip.
Kaczor could feel the blood in her body running south as her eyes settled on Ella’s lips, watched as the reddened skin was toyed between teeth. Words before hand had left her, and all that remained was those flushed petals there, begging to be nibbled on. And as she leaned in to take that first taste of the woman she wanted to know oh so much better, she paused, and smiled, leaning back and trying to catch her breath. Timid little thing was probably being nice and going along with Kaczor, she decided, especially since Kac knew she had a larger than life personality. It really wasn’t fair to try and take a kiss like that, so soon. But her body still wanted that kiss, even as she tried to reel herself back in, and think back to the words. [q]I’m hard to embarass, little Ella. I assure you, I have no such shame about someone seeing my body naked.[q]
Was it bravado, yes. Was is only semi-true. Also yes. Kaczor was terrified that if Ella found out that she had not been completely honest about her gender? But, no, Kaczor was honest about that. She was female. She just had, male reproductive organs. Had been born a boy, raised a boy, and then Kaczor took steps to present in the fashion that was true to herself, once she had reached adult hood. There was no lie in that. Sexuality then? No, because Kaczor liked both men and women, and those who had no defined gender. So no lies there… so no lie having been told, there should be no fear in her fiancee learning that they could, and would be producing blood heirs between them. One, just to satisfy the demands of their marriage arrangement, and then the rest could be adopted, or … Kaczor wouldn’t force Ella to have more than one with her, that was for sure. She could hope, that Ella would be okay with the idea of them having several blood heirs between them. Ella had sounded like she wanted more than just one child. Would it be so bad then, for them to be able to have them in the normal fashion.
But it raised a new fear for her. And as loathe as Kaczor was to let fear drive her actions, she shied away from telling Ella outright. A tour of the gallery would make things abundantly clear, and so Kaczor would save that for last then – incase of the worst. In case that ran Ella from her. It was selfish to keep up with it for now, but Kaczor found the more and more time they spent together, that this arrangement was set in motion by the Gods. And she had faith that her non-traditional gender presentation and sexuality wouldn’t be an issue for Ella. And if it was asked of her, … well, they could always discuss Kaczor going back to presenting as a man. It wasn’t a discussion she wanted to have, but she very much wanted Ella to be the one. No one else had been able to keep her attention for longer than ten minutes, and that gave Kaczor hope that all this could work in a way that was agreeable to them both.
[q]Would you like to see the garden’s now?[q] She finally asked, taking Ella’s hand in her own once again, to instead of just having her hand rest on Kaczor’s forearm, to Kac holding Ella’s hand as they readied to move towards the garden. [q]We still have a little while before dinner..[q]
Ella's breathing stuttered, as Kazcor leaned ever-closer, like she'd kiss her— and then she... pulled away, straightened. Kazcor reaffirmed that she had no issue with someone seeing her naked body, and Ella inhaled softly. Reminding herself to breathe.
A sharper inhale, as her fiancee took her hand in hers, and asked about the gardens. Flustered, she nodded and followed. Her father wasn't going to be pleased with her; she was supposed to spy on this family, on this woman, and help her family ruin them so that they might rise to take their place...
...it felt so dishonest, though. And she'd never been certain that she could do it. She shifted her weight, lost in thought, as she trailed alongside Kazcor.
The silence had drawn long enough, that before she spoke again, they were just steps from the gardens. She was hyper-aware of her fingers, twining through Kazcor's own. [q]Are the gardens quite large?[q] She managed the question, trying to calm the heartbeat that thrashed so loudly in her ears.
Novella had begged her father to just send her back to the military; to leave her there to die in a skirmish or war. But... he'd seen a higher purpose, after receiving news that his daughter had infiltrated a rebel circle and helped the Eyes. She had what it took to be a spy.
But her target was very pretty. And very strange. And everything about Kazcor confused Ella.
But she was glad her father hadn't shipped her back to the military, or to the Eyes. Meeting Kac, having someone in her life who seemed to truly care... well, she hoped that behavior wouldn't fade after they were married.
