Just a Business Transaction [M]

[DragonSong]

At his acquiescence, Jeremiah smiled and inclined his head slightly, then offered his arm to Lina as she stood from her chair, eyes slightly downcast.

He strode away from the table, Lina clinging to his arm, chattering loudly about how lovely the ceremony had been and how happy he was to see her safely wed, blah blah blah. His hands moved all the while he talked— seemingly a nervous habit, or perhaps he was simply expressive.

Lina knew the code for what it was, and each smile and nod from her was a silent recognition of an order received.

Three months until the first pickup.

Send letters every week. Use code.

Watch your back.

Give him what he wants.

Through a tight smile, Lina laughed as her "father" began guiding her back to the table and her own fingers flashed in short, sharp thieves' cant. If I'd wanted to whore myself I would have stayed in Zantaric. Jeremiah scowled at her, but she just smiled and nodded as she took her seat again. "I understand, Father," she murmured. "I will do everything I can to ensure the honor of our family."

[Juno]

Niran kept a watchful eye on the pair as they circled the room, finding it a little odd that her father had not stepped out with her to speak in private as the noble had expected. Perhaps he was just the sort that always needed to be moving around, but what snippets of conversation he caught didn't seem like any sort of private matter and for that he was a little peeved that he'd been interrupted for it. Still, he supposed he could allow her father the harmless indulgence of her company without complaint.

Once she had returned and seemed settled in her seat he looked up to catch Jeremiah's eye with a polite nod and smile. "Thank you for entrusting her to us. She'll be well taken care of here," he assured him, offering out his hand. "I'm sorry that we didn't meet sooner, sir."

[DragonSong]

As Lina dropped her eyes to her lap, Jeremiah took the offered hand with a smile. “Oh, don’t worry about that, lad. I’m just glad she’ll be safe here.”

He touched Alinora’s shoulder again and she tensed slightly, then looked up with a smile of her own. “Yes, I am as well,” she murmured, fiddling absently with her skirts under the table.

[Juno]

He'd noticed the way his wife was fidgeting, a twinge of concern surfacing for her nerves even as he nodded politely in agreement. The way Jeremiah had said safe... It left Niran wondering if his bride was in some sort of danger in her homeland. Or perhaps there was some other concern he should have been aware of like illness or injury that she needed rest for.

A crease formed along his brow as he thought on it but he could say nothing at the table. He would have to ask her later once they had privacy again. "Lina," he prompted gently, trying for a smile to mask it. "If you are not opposed... Shall we go make our rounds now?"

[DragonSong]

She glanced up at him, just slightly taken aback, but smiled quickly. "Oh. Yes, I'm ready," she assured with a slight nod.

Once again she reached for his hand beneath the table, seeking the comfort of familiarity-- to what small extent it existed between them.

[Juno]

It surprised him that she reached for him again, but Niran did not deny her. Turning his hand to take her own, he offered her an encouraging smile and tried to ignore the way her father hovered.

"Please excuse us, then," he dismissed softly, moving to stand and help her up along with him. Leading her a little ways down the table, though, he couldn't help but whisper to her again. "Are you feeling well? Is this all too much for you?"

[DragonSong]

"Oh-- Oh yes, I'm fine!" Lina smiled brightly and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, pressing gently against his side. "I suppose I'm a little tired, but that's only to be expected, really."

Her smile softened and she lowered her voice slightly to add, "Don't worry about me, really. Your family must all be so excited to congratulate you. Just enjoy yourself, Niran." She hesitated just slightly over his name, realizing that she'd never actually said it aloud before, not to him.

[Juno]

With Lina's blessing he walked her through the hall to meet with the rest of his family and friends. Weaving through the rows of tables was easy enough, but he felt a little awkward every time they were congratulated and given well wishes. How could anyone really say that they looked happy together?

Some particularly overzealous aunts even declared they were perfect for one another. The rest were hardly any better. They would have strong children. She seemed like she came from a nice family, a good bloodline. They glowed for one another. Really? He knew he was quite taken with her beauty on the surface, but many seemed to have forgotten their marriage was arranged. It reminded him of why he generally avoided such gatherings and preferred to stay away from the bustle of the main family home.

He understood they were probably just hoping for the best, though, but it all seemed rather shallow when very few in the room could say they even knew Niran all that well, let alone his bride. She seemed lovely but he could only hope for the best, hope they were truly compatible once they'd taken the time to get to know one another.

By the end of the evening he was very relieved to be standing in the main hall with Lina saying their goodbyes to each guest as they filed out into the cool night air, spilling into their carriages to return home. Family that would be staying at Teren and Lise's manor had already moved on to retire to their own quarters having already said their farewells.

It was all Niran could do to remain poised, the exhaustion of being under constant surveillance for so long tugging at him fiercely as he shook hands and exchanged brief pecks with his loved-ones. He watched Lina out of the corner of his eye, quietly marvelling at how well she'd handled their evening. At least on the outside.

[DragonSong]

Lina was a perfect model of courtesy and ladylike behavior, demurring when appropriate and offering charming comments or answers to questions when asked, but for the most part she simply let Niran do the talking. It was better for her to observe, at least this first day or so.

She noticed when his energy started to flag, and honestly she couldn't blame him for it. Outside of her slowly forming persona, she was rather exhausted herself. Half because it seemed like the "correct" thing to do and half...just because she wanted to, she reached out and took his hand as they bid his family goodbye, easily hiding their clasped fingers behind a fold of her skirt as she stood close to his side.

"I don't know about you, but I think I'll be ready for a warm bath and a good night's rest fairly soon," she murmured in between polite well wishes and fond farewells, glancing up at her new husband sidelong.

[Juno]

He was grateful for the small bit of contact she kept, the warmth of her hand against his own keeping him grounded and alert. At the very least he was certain Lina would become his rock at such events, her presence at his side alone a comfort even though they did not yet know each other well. It was encouraging at least that she'd made it through their evening without incident, that she'd remained polite and poised. As she whispered to him, though, he realized she was probably just as tired as he was if not more so for her travels.

"You read my mind," he sighed, lips twitching into a half-smile for her at a lull between their guests, his hand lightly squeezing at her own. "I suppose you wouldn't want to share the bath tonight, though. You can go first once we're done here, and I'll join you for bed."

Niran flushed a bit as he realized what he was saying to her. They would be sharing a bed every night now. He was certain that hadn't really happened since his childhood, his rooms had been his own for as long as he could remember. Now suddenly it would be theirs instead of his and he was certainly not opposed, but...it was a change. It would be different.

[DragonSong]

Lina's cheeks flushed scarlet and she dropped her eyes. More than the bed, it was then mention of sharing a bath that had her blushing. You wouldn't want to share the bath tonight. Tonight. Meaning it would be expected of her other nights?

Well, we are married. I suppose I should get used to it.

Taking a sharp breath, she lifted her eyes and smiled at him. "That sounds lovely, thank you," she murmured. "I, um...I believe some of my things have already been moved to your chambers. I apologize, I don't mean to...trespass upon your space."

[Juno]

Niran's smile faltered a bit as he noticed the way it took her a moment to compose herself. Perhaps he shouldn't have said such things to her, maybe it had been wrong to imply what might be shared in their marriage. Or at least shared so soon. In an instant she was back with him, though, that same demure smile shining up at him that he couldn't help but feel happy to see.

"No apologies for that, Lina," he scolded lightly, waving his free hand dismissively in the direction of the staircase. "My chambers- No, any space that is mine in any of our homes... Starting today they are ours.

"Please don't feel you are intruding," he continued, rubbing the pad of his thumb in light circles against her wrist. "You're more than welcome to get settled and comfortable with your things. This is as much my home as yours, I only hope everything is to your liking."

[DragonSong]

"Well...thank you." She smiled again. Glancing around to check and see if anyone was paying them any particular attention, she raised their joined hands and pressed a quick, soft kiss to the inside of his wrist, eyes sparkling up at him when she dropped their hands again.

As the last of their guests seemed to be filtering out, she finally stepped back from him. "I will ask after a bath, then. I shall see you in your-- our chambers later this evening?"

[Juno]

The brief kiss had lingered, somehow leaving a pleasant tingling along the skin she had touched. He was intrigued how they'd gone the whole evening without a whisper of her emotions being visible to him. Perhaps she was having mixed thoughts about the whole thing, but he did wonder if she was unhappy or nervous and just good at masking it.

Niran turned as she left him, gesturing vaguely up the stairs. "Yes, you remember your way around?" he asked, taking a half-step closer and ready to lead the way if she needed help. He also needed a change of clothes for his own bath, but if she was uncomfortable with him following he supposed he could sneak into the bedroom while she was busy washing up further inside. Gods, he was seriously pondering sneaking into his bedroom to avoid upsetting his wife.

[DragonSong]

Lina almost laughed, her lips quirking up into a playful sort of grin as she began to decipher his expression and hesitation. "I believe I do...though if you'd rather escort me, I certainly don't mind," she said softly, giving his hand a soft squeeze before letting go.

She turned toward the stairs and got the eye of one last departing guest-- Jeremiah. Their gazes locked and held, and he nodded quickly, once. Smile never slipping, the new Lady Lowth dipped her head to him in turn before glancing back at Niran over her shoulder.

"Are you coming, husband?"

[Juno]

"Ah..."

Should he? Niran desperately wanted to help her feel comfortable in her new home and he was certain that wasn't going to happen easily if he tailed her everywhere she went. He let her take a few steps ahead as he pondered it, though the oddly quiet interaction between father and daughter caught his eye and distracted him from his train of thought for a moment.

The lack of emotion between them... It seemed strange for a final farewell among family when she would now be so far from home. Perhaps they had already said their emotional goodbyes before her arrival, but it did strike him as odd.

"Sure, sure," he finally mumbled, casting Jeremiah an unintentionally curious look as he hurried to catch up to Lina. Almost automatically he rejoined his hand with her own, nervous but eager as he mounted the stairs to lead her back through the quiet hall to his -no their- chambers.

The butterflies in his stomach only fluttered harder as he crossed the threshold into the main room, eyeing the door to the bath before looking to her expectantly. "I'll just...get some night clothes and wash up downstairs so you have some privacy," he offered. "The bath is just through there, our mage keeps the water hot."

[DragonSong]

Lina nodded as he indicated the bath, offering up yet another smile. "Thank you, Niran." She made a point to say his name, trying to familiarize herself with the feel of it on her tongue.

As she turned to the door tot he bath, her eyes lit on his jacket and her veil, laid over the back of a chair. She smiled a bit almost despite herself and moved forward to gather them up, folding them carefully before laying them on top of a nearby bureau.

That done, she cast another quick smile toward her husband-- gods, that would take some getting used to-- and slipped through into the bath. 

[Juno]

With a loose plan in mind he relaxed enough to go about putting it into action, crossing the room to pluck up what he needed from his own bureau and make a quick exit. After such a bustling day the manor felt almost eerily quiet as he made his way back down the hall to the stairs, the muffled sound of conversation behind closed doors his only companion.

Ducking into a free bath in the guest wing Niran took his time divesting himself of the rest of his formal wedding clothes he'd all but been forced to wear for the day. As he stepped in to soak in the steaming water he gently freed the hair at his temples from the neat braidwork that had kept it tidy all day. Now he shook out his locks to their full length with a deep, satisfied hum before sinking to submerge himself for as long as he could manage to comfortably hold his breath.

[DragonSong]

The bath was divine, or close to it, and Lina took as much time as seemed reasonable simply soaking in the hot water. She picked the carefully coiled braids from her hair and allowed the chestnut wave to cascade freely down her back.

She wasn't quite sure how much later it was when she finally emerged, thoroughly scrubbed and slightly damp. She'd left a dressing gown just beside the bath and slipped it on, tying it loosely around her waist before stepping back into the main bedchamber.

Well. It seemed there was nothing left to do but wait for her husband.

Give him what he wants, Jeremiah had said.

What did Niran want? Normally she was rather good at working that out about a person, and quickly too, but with him...

Perhaps she simply needed a bit more time.

With a soft sigh, Lina settled herself on the bed, drawing her hair over one shoulder and carding her fingers through it absently. She allowed the dressing gown to slip artfully down off her shoulder, glancing at the door out of the corner of her eye.

It never hurt to be prepared.

[Juno]

In his absence Niran had lost himself in his thoughts, mostly wondering how in the world he was supposed to get to know his wife without being overbearing. He assumed it best to try to befriend and woo her as he might have if they'd been courting, but...they weren't courting. Things were suddenly very real and very permanent. It probably wouldn't serve him well to be distant with the woman who'd already been so affectionate even while among their gathered families.

By the time Niran emerged he was no closer to figuring any of it out, the darkness of night through the windows making it clear to him that it was late despite the well-lit hall and stairs. He'd probably spent a bit too long in his lounging. Dressed in loose trousers and an unadorned tunic that cut a subtle V across his chest he padded his way up the stairs and down the hall to once again stand before the door to their rooms.

He paused for a moment there, hearing nothing from within and wondering if she'd gone to sleep without him. He didn't want to disturb her...but sleeping out in the hallway wasn't exactly an option he wanted to entertain. Shifting the clothes draped over his arm he entered as quietly as he could, carefully closing the door behind himself before turning to catch sight of her perched on the bed.

His stilled in surprise, eyes darkening slightly as they swept over her. He lingered on the exposed flesh of her shoulder and the gentle swell of her breast just below before he caught himself. Distractedly forcing a small smile the noble crossed to his bureau again to put his things away.

"Your hair down looks lovely as well," he murmured in greeting, turning to press a knee into the bed but not quite climbing up. It felt off...uncomfortable. She was on his normal side after all. "Was the bath to your liking?"