[color=#eeeeee][font=Arial, sans-serif]“I’m just saying that give this one a chance. We could do a lot worse.”[/font][/color]
[color=#eeeeee][font=Arial, sans-serif]Kaczor looked at the file in front of her, sighing gently as she rubbed the scar along her palm, an accident back in mage training, a careless knife, and a small tussle with a boy. She had presented differently then, but had still been Kaczor – she had never changed her name, felt no need to. This was the name her mother gave her, so she would keep it. It had caused quite a stir in society when she had come home, only fractionally. It had been glossed over in barely a week, which had been fantastic in her mind.[/font][/color]
[color=#eeeeee][font=Arial, sans-serif]“Set the meeting then.”[/font][/color]
[color=#eeeeee][font=Arial, sans-serif]A week later now, and Kac was sitting in a small solar, the plants within tilting towards the glass windows to gather as much light and warmth as possible there in the afternoon sunshine. Word had been sent to the family to bring the girl to the manor for a meeting, and then, Gods willing, a deal would be struck. Kaczor really shouldn’t have bothered. This one was great on paper, the best out of all of them, and try as she might have, she couldn’t find anything too damning to turn her off the prospect of later today having finally secured a wife.[/font][/color]
[color=#eeeeee][font=Arial, sans-serif]Well, as long as said woman was fine with marrying another woman, and wasn’t like the last few that had come to try and win the hand of the heir. A few men had tried too, but Kac had turned them aside just as readily as she had the women. All foppish, rude people – thinking that their place in society gave them the right to do as they pleased, when they pleased. Money only went so far – a name though. And this woman had the right name, on paper, of course.[/font][/color]
[color=#eeeeee][font=Arial, sans-serif]“Better like plants.. I’m not getting rid of the solar,” she said aloud, mainly to herse[/font][font=Arial, sans-serif]lf, as she touched the large broad leaf of the plant she stood beside.[/font][/color]
Novella had been preparing for this meeting for weeks; ever since her father decided he'd put her name in to meet Kaczor Tilani. Etiquiette refresher courses, when her stepmother slapped her she made sure to leave no evidence...
The perfect dress was picked out. The perfect hairstyle. The day of the meeting arrived and Ella spent the majority of her night preparing, gaggles of maids in and out of her chambers to prepare her hair, dress her, perfect her appearance.
Whatever she wore had to fit the amulet. Her father rejected four outfits before they finally chose the right one.
Their travel time was swift; across the city, to an elaborate estate. Ella walked quietly behind her father, hands clasped in front of her, head bowed. However, her father left her the moment he saw the head of House Tilani's husband.
And she was given no direction by either of them, as they disappeared into a study. Eyes widening, Ella tried not to panic, or cry. On one hand, it was a relief that her father was gone. On the other, she didn't know where to go—
A lot was riding on this being a match. Her father wanted her gone. But he also wanted her to be useful. And here... she'd be useful, as a spy. He'd told her, if there was no deal struck, she'd be left to the streets.
If that happened, she'd go back to the military, early. She was on leave, at current, having served for the last handful of years.
Another moment of panic, before she started walking. Looking for an open or cracked door, holding her breath as she finally found one and stepped into the room. She exhaled softly, face-to-face with a woman.
Curtsying, she lowered her gaze,[q]Are... are you Lady Kaczor?[q] Because if this wasn't her, then she'd screwed up already. She stayed in the doorway until she received verification.
Kaczor heard the words behind her and turned, wrapping the emerald green shawl around her shoulders as she did. Kaczor, please. Lady sounds so formal.
Her hand left the plant as she took a step forward, a brow raised some, as she took in the woman in front of her. Timid, that was for sure. Had to be the proposed match, there was no other reason for someone to be this dolled up and delivered to the manor. I'm certain you find this as distasteful as I do. Being treated like chattle. You must be the Lady Novella then.
Normally, the sutor would have already siddled up to her and tried to put some sort of move on her, but this one…
Timid.
Come in, this is my solar. I say mine, but it's the manors. Come hide in here with me while the [q]men try and decide our fates.[/q]
Ella's smile was small, as she bowed her head in acknowledgement of the statement. [q]Y... Sorry.[q] She tried to remain confident; but it was hard. She was very pretty, and tall and... her hands were sweating. Nerves. She should have known not to use the title; it should have been something they prepped her with! She flushed, cheeks reddening.
[q]I go, uhm, I go by Ella. Please.[q] She nodded slightly, chewing her lip as she tried not to dance from foot-to-foot. [q]And... yes, this practice is outdated.[q] It was not her place to say such a thing, but the only one here had said it first.
Once she's given permission to enter, she straightens from her curtsy, thankful because her knees had begun to hurt. She's quiet, as she enters the solar, finding a seat that's not too close to her potential suitor.
She's quiet, breathing a little too fast. And when she thinks the other woman isn't looking, she hides her hands under her legs, to keep from tapping her fingers. [q]It's very nice to meet you...[q] She trailed off near the end of the sentence. Small talk wasn't something she was accustomed too.
[q]Is it? Nice, I mean.[q] It was small talk and Kac shouldn't tease the other woman so, but it wasn't a matter of if, but when, this marriage would most likely take place at this time. Their fathers were already off sealing their fates. And if Kaczor knew her parents, they'd probably be swept off for an immediate ceremony, to not allow her time to run Ella off. She noted the way Ella sat, before leaning against the inner circle of the solar, the marble behind her stark white in comparison to her sun darkened skin. [q]You're being sold to my family. Married to me. And I'm not the nicest person ever. So, is it really nice?[q]
Something about the situation had her irritated, far more than she should be. Maybe it was how timid Ella was. She had expected another spoiled brat, honestly, and here was someone that wasn't rising to the verbal bait, nor engaging back, but continuing to be…
Composed.
It made Kaczor look like an asshole, and she knew it. Maybe later, when her blood wasn't boiling so badly at the absurdity of this poor girl being brought to her like this, no chaperone, no maid to show her in. And of all of the girls, and boys, that had been brought before Kaczor, Ella seemed to be the only one that didn't immediately demand something.
Food, drink, a better seat, her undivided attention. No. She made cordial small talk, and only entered Kac's domain once she had acknowledged her. [q]It's not meant to be a trick question. Even if I sound like an ass for it. Better for you to know my faults now before they settle the books behind closed doors. So to speak. Do you have any questions? Any reason why I shouldn't stop them?[q]
Ella's mouth was dry, as the other woman levelled with her. Really levelled. She was quiet, considering her words. [q]I... am useless, to my family. No magic,[q] she bit her lip, as if that was the worst thing she could say. It wasn't; the Tilani's knew she had no magic.
If they didn't like that, she'd not be here. [q]And I... I want to make my family proud. And marrying who they tell me to...[q] She chewed the inside of her cheek. [q]...will make them proud of me.[q] Ella couldn't help but stammer through the words. The other was demanding frank honesty, something that she'd never dealt with from another woman of similar wealth and status.
[q]So please, don't stop them. It's the only way for me to be useful.[q] She sniffed, quietly. She had no military record, not under her birth name. A well-known fixture in the military, because she did not wear her amulet when serving. But she wasn't allowed to claim that identity.
She's quiet, for a moment. And then, cautiously, [q]What is your favorite plant?[q] She glanced around the solar, curious. [q]You said this is your space... so you must have a favorite.[q] Anything to take the conversation away from herself.
Oh, that was unexpected. Honesty. That was refreshing. And unexpected. [q]Magic doesn't matter to me. I have more than enough that a spouse of mine wouldn't need to be gifted.[q]
And that was the truth on her part. She didn't really care if her spouse had magic. But, well, the question about her favorite flower. [q]Roses.[q]
It was simple enough. Roses were hermaphrodites. And it fit her. In a certain light. Maybe she'll be able to return Ella's honesty one day with honesty of her own. [q]They bloom in even the most harsh environment, and remain fragrant even after their death. Silly, I know.[q]
Now that.. that they'd had some hard questions and some soft questions, Kaczor folded her arms over her chest, nodding once. [q]Do you have a favorite? There's a large garden in the townhouse, if you think you'd like to try your hand at growing something I can have half the solar there cleared for your own personal use.[q]
This was easier. Nothing personal, focused on what would come after then. [q]And the town house has two master suites. I don't suppose you would want to share a room right away, after all. I know I feel more comfortable with the idea of separate bedrooms for a while, at least.[q]
Much easier. They both seemed to be level headed, and accepted that this was what both their families wanted. As children, and Kac supposed, eldest children, it was their duty to marry and carry out lines. She's never been so jealous of her younger brother as in that exact moment.
She tilted her head, as Kaczor declared that she had enough magic for the both of them. The more they talked... like this, honestly, the less anxious Ella was.
And then, she learned about the others favorite flower. And she smiled, as if she'd just been told a secret. [q]All roses? Or... there's so many colors.[q] She bit her lip, shaking her head. [q]Not silly at all. Roses are plants that survive.[q] What could this woman, in this perfect family, possibly have survived? She couldn't help but wonder.
Her hands had moved to rest in her lap, less tense. And before she could think of another topic, her companion had spoken, asking in kind... and offering her something in return. Ella was quiet, pondering what she might say in response.
[q]I like taraxacum,[q] she flushed as she said it, [q]Dandelions. They have so many medicinal properties, grow almost anywhere and... they're often overlooked, and unwanted.[q] She glanced down at her hands, [q]But they're also wild and free.[q] A quiet admittance, that left her trailing into silence.
The topic of shared rooms seemed to make the other nervous, though it only showed in the repetition and assurance of the fact she'd prefer separate rooms, at first. [q]I, I appreciate the offer. Separate bedrooms sounds perfect,[q] she nodded, flashing a slight smile.
The woman before her was giving her more choices than she knew what to do with. Options... [q]Thank you.[q]
After another moment, Ella's fingers tapped against her leg. [q]I...[q] She needed to phrase her question, and her mind kept blanking. [q]Uhm. Are children... something that you want one day?[q] There are many ways for two of the same sex to have children; that's not what her question is about. But rather does Kaczor want children.
[q]Good, I'll make sure that the secondary suite is suitably arranged for you, maybe.. allow some dandelions to grow in the window box.[q] So it was a bit of a tease, but honestly, having the back and forth, making plans, it was… calming. Kaczor felt calm about this for the first time since she had been told to basically shut up and allow this one to happen.
[q]The rooms are conjoined, so if you need anything in the middle of the night, or where something to happen, I would be there the moment you'd need to handle any magic.[q] Her lips fell into a semi-smile, not a full one, but it wasn't a fake one either, the corners of her eyes slightly creased, one a bit closed more than the other. It was something that had always been somewhat of a trademark for her – her smile made one eye almost fully close, to where it looked somewhat like a cheeky wink. It was, what it was, androgen features, trying to find a way to rest that didn't look horrible. It had always been a part of her face. Even before she'd had her chin reshaped to be softer, less square.
[q]I'm not sure I'd thank me yet, I'm a hell of a person to be around in the mornings.[q] Then again, she did enjoy mornings, she just was more an nightowl. [q]I like to do the majority of my work in the quiet hours of the evening. So I can enjoy the afternoon light more.[q]
When Ella asked about children, Kaczor paused, wondering if she could even trust the woman enough to reveal all of herself to her. And try as she did to want to be able to, there was something there that kept her from speaking truly in that moment. [q]We'll be expected to produce an heir, so I expect at least one. Did you want more than that? I'm not opposed to more children outside of what we're obligated to produce to satisfy our arrangement, but I would have to insist you carry them. And they be loved. No shipping them off to boarding school, or shoving them in a quiet wing of the manor with a nanny, but being actual parents. I know for those in our standings, that's not really a familiar thing. To not be pawned off on school, or the nannies. But it is something I'm quite adamant about.[q]
Kaczor blinked. She had been more honest in that moment that she had intended to be, she hadn't expected it to be such a intricate part of her own feelings on the entire arrangement. There would be no children if they could not be loved and cared for by their actual parents.
Kaczor would willingly let both lines die with them if that couldn't be agreed upon, she realized, moving over to the bench Ella sat on and sitting down next to her, shoulders slightly rounded, even if it was hard to seem smaller in her six foot frame. [q]I hope that's not too terribly shocking for you, my brother and I were quite blessed that our parents had a more active style of parenting than many of my peers in school. Blessed. And at times cursed too.[q]
That winky-smile returned then, as she paused. [q]Will you want companion animals? I feel a House isn't complete without a few hounds, and some mousers.[q]
Ella flushed, and smiled down at her lap as the other teased her about dandelions. She listened, knowing that the rooms were connected, should she need anything, made her feel a bit better. Not like she was to be wed and then shut up in a room, forgotten about.
She glanced towards Kaczor, and couldn't help but mirror the energy; an almost full smile creeping across her face. [q]I'm used to odd hours,[q] she was used to military hours, but she couldn't admit that. How often had she gone without sleep? How often had her bedtime been 75 hours prior? She was a bit of an insomniac, when it came down to it, military or not.
Talk turned to children, and Ella waited. And when asked if she wanted children, the other woman stated they were expected to have at least one. And she thought that was it... But then, came more. Kaczor insisted that she carry any child they produced—a strange request; considering Ella assumed this family wanted more magic, like many of the other families in the nation.
But... her betrothed-to-be had stated already that she carried enough magic and didn't care about that. There was so much more to what the other wanted, expected, hoped for.
The children that they had had to be loved, no boarding school or nanny. And before she could respond, still contemplating the best way to respond, the woman had moved to settle next to her.
[q]I... would like a few children.[q] She wanted to have more than one because she had grown up unloved, by even her own. And she couldn't imagine how being an only child might be when born into it... but when forced to be an only child because of differences, it was horrible.
She cleared her throat, and adjusted how she was sitting so that she could study the others features, she was closer now. Close enough to admire. [q]It sounds like your sibling and yourself were raised differently than myself. I never enjoyed... my schooling, I was away so much that I do not really know my father.[q] She admitted, under her breath. It's not something she should have admitted. But it'd seem they're both over-sharing.
And then talk shifted to animals, and Kaczor was looking at her with that smile, again. [q]I was never allowed pets... but I enjoyed the idea of pets.[q] She'd seen animals, of course, and had trained to handle K-9 units in the military. But those hadn't been pets; dogs bred to kill with an order.
Ella drifted into quiet, as familiar footsteps caught her attention. She straightened in her seat, and inhaled quietly. Her father wasn't alone, and as the door creaked, she lowered her gaze to the ground.
She was animated, as she talked, and it captured Kaczor's attention, and then the words kept her more attentive. And then the shift in demeanor has Kaczor standing and putting herself bodily between Ella and the opening door.
Someone coming made the other woman shrink back from where she sat – and thst bothered Kaczor a lot. So much so that she washing before she realized what was happening. It made her pause as she thought about it – the few minutes they had been sitting talking had been some or the more enjoyable minutes of her life. She had moved to protect what was being threatened. That was all, she tried to convince herself, even as her father stepped through the door with Ella's father.
[q]Kaczor, you and the lady Novella getting along here?[q]
She took a step back and went to put a light hand on Ella's shoulder. [q]Just fine father, we had a lovely chat the past few minutes, my, I didn't expect the two of you to be done quite so quick.[q]
Kac smiled widely, even as her mind turned over a hundred and one ways to filet the other man that made Ella shrink like that.
Novella frowned when the other woman put herself between the now-opened door and where she sat. Though her frown dissipated before Kaczor had moved to rest a hand on her shoulder; her father was searching her features. And she forced a tight smile.
And her smile strained as her father spoke, [q]We must return home in time for dinner.[q] That was a lie; she hadn't made dinner before they'd left. And she didn't eat dinner with them.
[q]Of course...[q] She murmured, moving to stand. Curtsying to both Kazcor and the other's father, [q]It was very nice to meet you, Kaczor.[q] She held the curtsy for a moment, before her father cleared his throat and she flinched.
She wanted to ask—had they struck a deal? But she knows if she asks, he'll see her as ungrateful. So, she's quiet, moving towards the men, hands clasped in front of herself. Her father's aim is to get her away from the Tilani's, before she ruins the deal he'd just made. Before they realize what a mistake she was.
Ella paused in the doorway of the solar, and glanced over her shoulder, [q]I hope to see you again.[q] Stalling.
[q]Why would you be leaving so soon, if it was a successful negotiation, stay for dinner here.[q] Kaczor asked as she went to stop Ella from leaving. The entire shift in demeanor had her insides clench in fear that if Ella’s father was allowed to take the woman from the house, then Kaczor may not know if she would be safe or not. In her gut, she felt it, and turned her eyes to her father for help.
[q]Hmm, you’re right. We should celebrate with a meal. I’ll go let the staff know we need to set the table for three more? I’m assuming Lady Novella’s mother would be sent for.[q] Kaczor’s father was sometimes slow, but he knew his daughter well enough that if she was insisting on dinner with the family, something wasn’t right. And this was the first one that she hadn’t immediately tried to run off. He may not always be as shrewd as his wife, who most likely wouldn’t have had to have Kaczor say anything at all to be picking up the body language and mannerisms, but he trusted the women in his life enough to guide him forcefully to make things happen appropriately when he may not fully understand something.
[q]Surely you’ll stay for dinner, it’s important for in-laws to know one another just as much as the couple, yes?[q] Kaczor smiled widely, and half bowed, stiff, her tall stature even more noticeable as she did. Even barefoot, she was a tall woman, and her shoulders sat above a broad back and tapered waist. She was trim, and so when she bowed, eyes still on the man’s face, it might have seemed threatening, but no, her smile was wide, but her eye was not in that cheeky wink like before.
[q]Lady Novella and I were just discussing flowers and other arrangements, there’s so much to be planned, even if you cannot stay for dinner, you must allow me to come over straight away to keep with the planning.[q] Kaczor looked to Ella, as she straighted back up, brushing the green of her shawl back down her arms and abdomen, straightening out where it had wrinkled as she had leaned. She had better shut up, she reminded herself. They were the [q]losers[q] in the arrangement, a magic-less wife. It was more the name, and the promise of her being submissive – these were all things to [q]sweeten[q] the deal. Kaczor had been alive long enough to know the hidden meaning of all this language, how to read the offer.
Too eager, and they may try and hold the other woman hostage longer. And really, she was going off a gut feeling, and body language. She could be completely mis-reading the situation.
In her gut she knew she couldn’t let that man take Ella out of the manor. She had seen that behavior, those reactions before, in school. A school mate would walk into a room and the girls would turn cold, only later to realize the why behind it. Every part of her was screaming that this was exactly a time that every woman in the room would know, and Kaczor felt it too. She was sure of it. Amazingly sure.
Ella peered up at her father, and glanced between Kazcor and the Tilani male. And as she was stopped from leaving, she took a step back, her gaze fixed on the ground. She could practically feel her father glaring daggers at her. And from the corner of her eye, she noted how he grit his teeth, tightening his jaw as he forced a smile.
[q]If you insist, only two places need to be prepared. Novella's stepmother has no interest in these proceedings.[q] The man responded, glancing at his daughter out of the corner of his eye. Insufferable girl.
When he agreed, Novella exhaled softly. It wasn't just his agreement though; it was the knowledge that they had struck a deal. She wasn't going to be thrown from the carriage because she'd failed to seem interesting.
After a moment of silence, she spoke up, [q]Has... a date been picked?[q] She inquired, quietly. She doesn't address either of the men directly; certainly she's not called her 'Father' anything but his title and name since the age of eight.
Ella moved further from her father, fingers picking at the skirt of her dress as she watched her father leave the doorway. He didn't go far, standing outside of the room, likely waiting for the other man. It was still too early for dinner; at least another hour or so.
And he didn't want to be around the insufferable girl.
Kazor’s father nodded gently and called over the butler, telling him to go ahead and set two more for the evening meal, and a room for Ella’s father to rest in in the mean time, if wanted. He had been watching the other man during the exchange, and thought he had an idea now as to why this had become an issue. [q]Honestly, with as resistant as my daughter has been to even the idea of marriage, I’d like to shove you at the altar right this moment to make sure Kaczor doesn’t run you off. She’s made it a habit of trying to run so many off.[q]
He spoke goodnaturedly, and then stepped out into the hallway to let the women have some space. He knew his wife and his daughter liked to have space to themselves, and followed along. As for Kaczor, she blew out a breath of relief as soon as the two men were gone from the room, the gears in her head spinning rapidly.[q]I’ll take us off to freshen up before the meal?[q]
She waited to see if once the men were gone if Ella’s attitude would change, if there would be hell for the assumptions, as she turned to the other woman as the door latched closed. [q]You didn’t look like you were too keen on the idea of leaving with him… I know it’s not my place, yet… but if you want, I can try and come up with some maybe tradition or other silly custom for you to have to stay here until the wedding day.[q]
