Val enjoys the night splendidly. She dances with you and talks with you and gobbles up the attention.
Tan, on the other hand, seems like she feels out of place. To be certain, she's absolutely radiant, but she doesn't dance, and picks at her food, apparently having picked up on the fact that tonight is not just any ordinary night.
Val squeals with delight and jumps on you and starts kissing you, saying "Of course of course of course!"
Tan doesn't respond with words. She looks like she's thinking, then sighs and sits back in her chair without seriously committing to your question one way or the other.
*Understands Tan, knowing she would be the hard one*
"You know, I love you Tani, and I know you love me. I just wanted you to know that I was just as serious in spending my life with you as you are to me. I know that this is hard for you, so I understand."
J
"It's, not that," she responds hesitantly, "It's just that Grandfather will want to meet you. In spite of everything I went through in my youth, he was always there for me.. right up until I was exiled and even after. He never treated me as less than what he was even though I was a little insignificant half-breed girl.
"It wouldn't just mean a lot to me if he approved of you. He's really the one who should give me away if we have a ceremony."
*Brightens up and smiles*
"Well let's meet him then, I have nothing to hide, and I think I have toughened up enough to be worthy of his granddaughter." *smiles*
J
She nods. "We'll have to consider it a definite thing to do soon. Maybe tomorrow."
*grins*
"Not like I have a job to call out from. I'm sure the kids would like some adventure, and not be couped up in town. Someone will have to tell Katrina and the other offspring I am officially off the market.
*Trying to get her to smile*
J
She doesn't smile, but she answers you, "I'd like to talk about it more later."
The remainder of your night goes pleasantly, and you put Val to bed soundly.
Finally you have a minute alone with Tan, and she says to you, "I meant for just the two of us to go. It's a long journey otherwise; but, if we shortcut through the Between, we can be there in an instant."
§
I wanted to ask what you've thought of Syatan Fanilf, since we've passed 1000 posts. If you're enjoying it, we can stay a while; if you're starting to get complacent, I've got a million cataclysmic events up my sleeve to either keep you on your toes for serious or get you out of here.
((It's an interesting world, I know the characters well, but I still have no clue the actual tech level of the people, or much about their society so it's sometimes hard to gauge answers, I will stick it out for awhile, I have a vested interest to stay in one place to have my daughter grow up))
*smiles to Tani and pulls her in for a deep long kiss*
"Let me get dressed, and we'll go."
*Putting on his ninja sock, shoes, weapons*
"I'm ready."
J
Tan nods to you, also equipped herself, and pulls her hair into a low side tail (hot) to keep it out of her way. The two of you cut into the Between, and, after a brief stop to talk with Imidge, cut open the air in the right spot and jump through.
You see a lot of asian-looking people here; as a matter of fact, when you think about Tan's form and size, it makes sense as she's half "asian". However, the hair and eye colors of everyone here are different from human normals; greens, blues, reds, golds, silvers, coppers, purples, you see one indigo; and, the man seated on the stone chair at the top of the stairs here, who looks to be in his late fifties, but highly in shape, has platinum hair and eyes. His eyes fix on Tan, then he looks to you, then back to her again. Everyone here is communicating in a language that sounds like a lot of clicking of their teeth and tongues, but also seems to be somewhat dependent on their body language. The old man raises a hand, and the group goes silent and looks to him. "Leave us," he says. "Ru Tan Ya has returned, and wishes to speak with me privately."
The draconians are leaving the room, and a green haired woman stops in front of Tan, looking at her with a maladjusted but amused look. "Why, if it isn't my baby sis-"
The old one interrupts. "Out! Now!"
The pace of the draconians speeds up, and Tan's older sister continues onward. The door is shut behind them.
Tan and the old man are looking at one another, but neither have spoken a word; they seem to be sizing one another up.
*Picking up on all the details, but not the language of course, other than knowing they are communicating by body language, teeth clicking and tongue smacking. Looking at the older man, and how the others defer to her, just standing next to her quietly, but confidently, knowing that this is her area of expertise*
*Eyes the green haired women in front of Tan, sizing her up in case things go south, knowing combat is a definite possibility in this culture, for a number of things. Keeping his three tomoe Sharingan up constantly as is his custom, taking in things most people wouldn't.*
*Hears the older one chide Tan's older sister, and the rest leave, seeing how this plays out*
J
The old one finally dismisses Tan from his gaze, turns you you, and smiles.
In some moments in every person's life, at some point you meet a person who, judging solely by their smile, you can tell, this is a good person.
He stands from his chair ti his full 6'5", and walks in a stately manner down the steps. He sounds to be wearing some sort of chainmail beneath his clothing. He has a broadsword at his hip.
"It's about time," he says as if quoting something, and chuckles good naturedly. "I have long been waiting for little Tan Ya to settle down, at least a little bit. Her lifestyle has long made my heart ache for her to find someone to give her a firm hand."
"Grandfather," Tan mumbles, looking embarrassed.
"I am Ru Hen Ri, but I allow those of other races unaccustomed to our ways call me Henry."
*Nods his head to Hen*
*smiles*
"It is good to meet you Ru Hun Ri, I am Jhiaxus, Disciple of Odin. I do not think it was my firm hand that has settled Tan Ya, at least not at first. She has a way of inspiring toughness out of those around her, and I wouldn't be who I am today without her efforts."
*looks at Tani and smiles*
J
Henry answers you, "Disciple of Odin? It has been a long time since I have heard from him. He never calls, you know."
Tan doesn't seem to understand his statement, either.
"If you were a spineless coward, Tan Ya would as soon kill you as look at you. I know each of my grandchildren very well, and she would not have the time of day for you if she did not think you could keep her in line."
Tan is blushing furiously, and says, "Grandfather, stop it. You'll give him ideas."
"What of it? If it were not for all the 'ideas' your many times great grandmother and I had, would you be standing here today?
"I thought not. It is a pleasure to meet you, Jhiaxus of Odin. Never once has Tan Ya brought a man to meet me, so if I may ask, have you planned for the ceremony yet?"
*smiles to Hen Ri*
"Actually, he has never spoken to me either, an enemy who knew me in my first world called me that. I figured if after meeting me, and having my reputation proceeding me, then I should take the name, since eventually he will speak to me."
*grins*
"No I think not, Tan Ya, had a good amount of time to see who I was, and what I was about before she revealed her true self to me.
*grins deeper at that comment*
"She is the perfect size for a noogie I must admit". *Makes the noogie hand to Tan Ya for her reaction* "For the head, a headlock is needed, it's fun."
*produces the ring*
"I believe Tan Ya made me wait for her answer, depending on your approval. As for a ceremony, well I don't have family, and Val doesn't have family, we have friends here. Tan Ya, is the one with the family, although she told me of the complication. I think the plans for the ceremony depend on all that."
J
"Complication?" He gives her a somewhat severe look.
"I want you to give me away, Grandfather."
His look softens, though he looks as if he understands the full gravity of the situation. "Oh, that will be no complication. Of course I will perform my part; shall I send an escort to accompany your party here?"
*Following Tani's lead even though not mentioning Val is sorta hanging there*
"I thought the being cast out was the complication, but I suppose that could be one as well. Tan Ya has explained that she is not welcome here, and there is animosity, I know those are concerns."
J
Henry nods. "The subtleties of the situation were not lost on me. It is a fact that Tan Ya has since leaving been longed for in her return to the Draconian people. Her sister will be on her best behavior; I shall see to it as part of my responsibility. It will be a ceremony, both in welcoming Tan Ya back to the Draconian people, and celebrating her union with a husband."
*Looks at Tani to see if she is ok with all of this*
"Well we are here, It's up to Tan Ya how long we wait, how long it takes for people to know. I'm flexible, I don't have a job in the world. In either case I think this *takes the ring out of the case, and slides it on her left ring finger*, belongs there."
J
Tan looks at it on her finger, then says to you, "Thank you. The sooner the better, in my mind."
*Grins*
"Well I will need to take a trip back and get a wedding ring, a woman get's both, it's part of the deal. I will need to pick up one for me as well."
J
Henry asks again if you'll be needing an escort for your group to travel here.
Tan nods to you and accompanies you. Once the two of you are in the Between, she says to you, "Red isn't really my color," and smiles. She does seem happy for it, though; probably warding off the evil eye.
The two of you return to the moment you left.
*To Hen Ri*
"I think we should be fine, just have to rally the troops, kids and all."
*In the Inbetween*
"What color you want? It's not like I couldn't transmute the stones to whatever color you want and be the rarest stones in existence. I also noticed you left out the Val part, and I was following your lead on that. I'm cool with it, but she's going to want to know why she's getting married second. I know she loves you and loves me, so it's more of a, it doesn't matter who married who first, we are all together."
*If she had colors she wanted, will transmute it in the morning, I'm sure Tani and I will be using our nighttime well.*
J
Tan tells you, "It's completely normal among the Draconian people to have ceremonies where there are two or five or ten brides; sometimes it can get a litte confusing when women marry more than one man, but they do allow it from time to time when all parties concerned (and in some circumstances there can be a lot of them) are in agreement. Grandfather doesn't mind so much if everyone's happy, but if he gets the slightest idea that someone isn't, he'll have a problem; trust me, no one wants to make Grandfather angry."
She says she doesn't have a favorite color in mind, but the blush on her face exposes her lie.
*Nods and smiles*
"Good, so we'll get the wedding rings, get the kids packed up and ready for a extended trip and we will use zippers to get there. Oh and you can't lie to me Tani, you have a color, out with it."
J
She says, "Really, I don't have a favorite color. I'm not lying."
Noogies!!!!!
"Okay, fine, fine stop!" She breaks free.
"I like.. in gemstones, I like aquamarine, topaz, amethyst, and pink sapphire best. Not in any particular order."
*grins and puts his noogie hand back to regular mode*
"I will transmute the gemstones to Pink Sapphires, a rare gemstone. I think I will get Diamonds and Sapphires in mine, simple band, have them in the inner ridge with a raised outer edge."
*smiles and kisses her*
J
She kisses you as well.
"It's just, I feel like rubies are so, well, I don't know, fiery, and bold, of which I'm not either. Am I? Do you think I am?"
The two of you spend a very active night together.
The morning comes.
*smiles*
"You can get fired up both in lovemaking and combat, but most of the time, you are a gorgeous, sensitive, and good natured woman. I wouldn't have it any other way."
*Leave the girls in charge of rounding up the kids, getting them ready, will let Val in on the plans, and location*
*Transmute the Gems, Get the Wedding rings and then back to Draconian lands*
*Once there I will tell our friends via The Inbetween about the wedding*
J
Which friends are you telling?
*Davids group, Imidge and the Black Ninja, Mark, Tan's Kids, The Pirate, Jef, and the one who watched over the kids and Val when we took on Claude*
J
The Eldest Black Ninja politely decline.
David is excited, and tells you that he's going to tell the entire world and their moms to come.
Cap'n Dread says congratulations and he'll try to make an appearance.
Jef refuses to believe you. You're pretty sure he's messing with you.
Ken smiles and tells you he wouldn't miss it.
Chase acknowledges you; you aren't sure what his intentions are, but Mia assures both of them will be there.
Jenn and Scott also agree to come, as do Darla, Tetsume, Iliria, Katrina and James.
*Nods to Imidge*
"I had to offer" *smiles*
*groans* "Oh Lord, this might turn out bad
*makes mental note to wear ninja sock under tux*
*smiles to Jef* "Well come and see for yourself."
*get back tired after all the traveling*
"Ok missions accomplished. Well aside from formal clothing, so back out to get that for us, I'm sure Tan and Val will be dress shopping."
J
*Nods to chase* "Thanks Mia, look forward to seeing you there."
*To the rest of the kids* "Thanks for coming."
You find a tux for yourself; no reason not to purchase one.
Are you going to let the women purchase their own dresses?
*Nods*
"I will come with them to dole out the moolah, and to give opinions."
J
Val gets a traditional white gown with long sleeves, a veil, and a modest neckline.
Tan does not want traditional, or white. "White is the color of innocence, and I'm not about to start pretending to be something I'm not. Maybe... a light blue." Her tastes also seem to run towards something more revealing than what Val chose, but not so immodest for the occasion as to raise an eyebrow.
*looks at Val*
"Very elegant."
*To Tani*
"Get what you want, this is your wedding too, you pick something you like and I will undoubtably like it as well."
J
Badabing, badabang, badabump.
Ahem. I said, "Bump."
That's better.
She picks one. She fills it out very nicely, and her eyes twinkle when you tell her so.
Looks like it's about time for you to journey to the Draconian Tower.
"Your both looking radiant, we have our rings, in the right colors, let's get packed, and the kids ready to go."
J