At the explanation of the events that had transpired to place them in holy matrimony, Mali turned his eye onto Ori, raising a dark eyebrow in bemusement. At the very least, Mali had only himself to blame for his predicament; it was a far different thing to have this whole debacle thrust upon you against your will.
"Pretty funny prank there, Little Brother." he said, his tone dry enough to where it was difficult to tell if he genuinely thought it was funny or he was chiding. Mali sat back on the bench with a sigh of his own, rubbing at his chin as he considered the whole matter.
With a clearer understanding, and a much clearer head, it was far easier to think all of this mess through. It wasn't as if he could just walk away right here and now, not without putting his studies in danger. But, and here was the crucial bit: he was a foreigner, and not exactly the marriage material that this poor girl might have hoped for even if this had been her choice. Or her family might have hoped for, for that matter.
Which might make this whole thing easier. Clearly, no parties present would want this union to continue after the alloted time period. All he had to do was sit tight and play nice for a year, which, if he was honest, he had been intending on doing anyway, only his prior plans had been sans wife. After that, he would disappear into the wind, Risa could go about her life, and neither of them would have to speak of this to anyone ever again.
Like, ever, ever again.
Mali cleared his throat, then, and seemed to choose his words carefully.
"I am... admittedly, none too clear on the details of this particular custom, but I think it is entirely safe to assume that we've gotten a bit of a bad lot this round. I do, however, have extensive studies to complete. So here's my proposal: you two help me understand what I need to complete my research, and I will do my damnedest not to leave so much as a footprint on my way out."
He looked over at Risa, then, who looked so terribly shaken that if Mali had been a better person he might have felt sorry for her.
"Deal?" He held out his hand to her then, in the custom of such things.