Live and Learn

[Max452]

Romulus pointed at Aradan. "That! Was not friendly behavior!" He seethed. "I saw those moves he was trying to do!" He gruffed out. "Those were far from 'just friends' lines and more toward lustful actions! I won't tolerate it! I'll cut him up, reall good, okay, Teza Mae? It'll just take a second. No one will treat my baby with disrespect." He motioned to march over to Aradan, but noticed his daughter's grip finally. "Teza Mae?" His eyes glanced at his daughter, confusion evident in his eyes as he noticed her near tears. "Do you not want me to hurt him?" He was utterly confused now and the anger was half gone in his eyes.

[Tismri]

Teza Mae tightened her grip on her father as he tried to move toward Aradan, feeling fearful. She didn't want him to hurt Aradan.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said to him. Lustful actions? What had Aradan been doing? All she could remember was him holding her in order to steady himself during the flight. But...since he mentioned it, a small part of Teza Mae hoped he might have been right. Maybe Aradan did see something in her? Of course, it didn't matter now. She was probably never going to see him again thanks to her father. She shook her head violently at his last question.
"Why would I want you to hurt him?" she asked. "I just...I...Why are you ruining everything?!" The tears suddenly burst forth and she ran away, sobbing. Garrus flew back from her shoulder and caught his claws through the back of her tunic, clinging to her there as he looked back between the four figures being left behind.
Teza Mae! Caedus called after her, concerned. Her actions left him even more confused than Rom's. He almost went after her, but decided against it, still worried that Rom might do something rash toward the young Rider.

[Max452]

Romulus stared after his daughter in surprise. "I'm an idiot!" He realized his stupid reaction and quickly understood his daughter's own reaction to his. "Caedus, I think I just ruined Teza Mae's date." Rom groaned. That meant his daughter was growing up! He glanced over to Aradan and Veryan. He groaned again. He would have to go apologize, and then go and track down Teza Mae.

Rom approached Aradan and Veryan and failed not in noticing the boy tense. "I apologize, Argetlam for ruining your time with one another."
Aradan eyed Teza Mae's father with caution, but saw the sincerity in the man's eyes. "It's all right." What else was he suppose to say? He wouldn't dare say that he was just a crazy father that attacked people for no reason.
"I assumed some things and well, my temper got the better of me. I shall introduce myself properly, I am Teza Mae's father, Romulus Kingsley."
"A pleasure, sir. I am Aradan and this is Veryan." The Rider gestured to Veryan and Rom inclined a respectful head at the dragon.
He seems sane to me. Veryan commented to Aradan. Aradan refrained from rolling his eyes.
"To show how regretful I am, please, join our family for dinner tonight. Teza Mae will enjoy your company and it will allow us to know each other once more." Romulus invited the Rider, thinking that Aradan and his daughter were already courting.
"It will be my honor, sir." Aradan replied and glanced over to where Teza Mae ran off. He wondered what had happened to make her run off so and wanted to go after her. Romulus noticed his gaze and spoke quickly.
"I'll speak with my daughter...I must apologize to her as well. We will see you tonight at twilight, yes?"
"Yes, sir. We will be there."
"Very good." Romulus bid him farewell and turned to track down his daughter. I'll be back, Caedus. I'm going to track Teza Mae. Rom informed the tourquoise dragon before running off after his daughter.

A few minutes later, Romulus managed to track down his daughter; he recognized her tracks anywhere and followed her to her current location.
"Teza Mae?" He approached her cautiously, knowing that she had ever right to be angry with him. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize that I interrupted something...I just thought...well, I assumed the worse..." He began his apology as he approached his tear stained daughter.

[Tismri]

Caedus kept a careful eye on Rom during the interaction between him and the young male Rider. He was cautious for his bond's mate to do something unpredictable again. However, Rom seemed truly repentant. He relaxed only after the two finished speaking.
I will return to Tenel Ka, he informed Rom as he went off after Teza Mae. He turned again to the young man and dragon. I apologize for his behavior. He tends to be protective of Teza Mae. I advise you to take care of her. The last statement was given in a friendly but meaningful way. I will see you two later this evening, then. Until then, may the wind be at your back. He spread his wings and returned to the courtyard where he'd left Tenel Ka, and related to her everything that had happened.
~~~~~
Teza Mae sat clutching Garrus close to her, while the hatchling chirpped in sympathy.
"I don't understand; why did he go all berzerk?" she asked the dragon. She wasn't expecting an answer, and didn't receive one. She just sat crying to herself until she heard the sound of her father's familiar footsteps. She didn't look at him until after he started speaking. His apology sounded sincere enough.
"It...it's okay, Daddy," she told him. "I just wish I could have explained things more before you met him." She sniffled and rubbed her sleeve against her eyes to dry them.

[Max452]

"Oh, come here." He sat down next to Teza Mae as she wiped the tears away. "Can you forgive your crazy Father?" He asked her as he wrapped an arm around her. "I just, well, you're my precious daughter and I overreacted when I saw how close you two were." He explained to her. "To make it up to you, I invited him for dinner tonight and he accepted. He seems like a polite boy; I can see your interest in him." Rom revealed his small opinion of the boy. He'll have a more define opinion after dinner.

***
Aradan glanced at the dragon, confused a bit at his words. Aye, dragon, I understand. Teza Mae is an important girl. Aradan affirmed. May your teeth stay sharp, elder dragon! Veryan respectfully called out as he watched in awe as Caedus flew off.

"Well, today was very eventful." Aradan commented to Veryan.
Yes. Are Ismalians all like that? Veryan asked, thinking of Romulus.
I do not know; I only ever met Teza Mae and Jason and they both seem very sane to me. Aradan replied.
Teza Mae is very nice, isn't she? Veryan asked, inspecting his talons.
Aye, she is. Why do you state the obvious? Aradan asked, curious at why Veryan was shielding something from him.
No reason. The dragon replied, chuckled, and took flight. Let's go prepare for dinner. I think that nice blue tunic will do.
But that's what I wear when I'm meeting the elven court.
You're eating with royality tonight, Aradan. You must look your best. Besides, I have a feeling you need to make a good impression on the family.
But why?
Do you really not get it? Veryan asked, amused.
No...
Well, until you understand your own emotions and the situation today, then, I think you will.
That's not giving me a straight answer!
Two-leggeds...such odd creatures with odd emotions...
Aradan just huffed, confused and annoyed with Veryan's cryptic speech.

[Tismri]

Teza Mae nodded and leaned closer to her father when he put his arm around her.
"I forgive you," she told him. She looked down at the hatchling in her lap, who was sniffing her father with curiousity. She smiled as he explained his behavior, knowing it was because he loved her. But then, at his next statement, she pulled away, her eyes wide.
"I...you...he...WHAT?!" she asked, the emotions on her face ranging from shock to glee to horror. Her father...and invited Aradan...to dinner? With all of them? And Aradan had accepted? So many scenarios played out in her mind of how the night might go. She glanced up at the sky to see what time it was. "Oh! I have to get ready! I...he...oooh!!!!" She jumped up, planting a quick "hello" kiss on her father's cheek before rushing off to her room. She set Garrus on her bed and rumaged desperately through her wardrobe for something suitable to wear. She had mostly tunics, as for the most part she shunned dresses. However, deep inside, she found a long lavendar dress that would probably work. She shed her clothes quickly, throwing them unintentionally over the poor hatchling, and changed into the dress. Then she looked around wildly for shoes, earrings, her hairbrush, and necklace, and everything else she might need to look her best tonight. She wished she'd thought to find her mother first so she could get advice on how to look pretty.

[Max452]

Romulus blinked after his daughter left him. "Did I do something wrong?" He asked aloud to himself. Sometimes, he didn't understand his daughter. He let out a breath, got up and went to inform his wife of the expected company...and maybe really get punished for his impromptu behavior today.

***
Aradan stood in front of his mirror, gazing at his reflection. Must I really wear this? Aradan asked. He stared at the elegant blue tunic and the silk black pants her wore. I feel more comfortable in just a tunic and leggings. This feels too much. Aradan complained to his dragon.
Yes, it is necessary! You must present yourself as a proper Rider and representative of your race. Veryan replied, peeking in through the window.
I feel funny. He adjusted his tunic. Besides, what is there to impress? They're royalty; I have no place in their circle. Sure, my father was friends with Queen Arya, but besides that, I dread the politics of the court. I much prefer roaming about. Aradan stated.
Nonsense. You can't act that way around them; be proper for once.
"Blah!" Aradan made a disgruntled expression to fit his disgruntled noise as he continued to finish dressing himself for dinner in a few hours.

OOC: Shall we wait until Trinn comes on so we have the whole family here for dinner?

[Tismri]

Teza Mae paced the room a bit, trying to make her steps more steady and graceful. She felt as if she was going to trip and break her ankle at any moment.
How does she do it? she wondered, thinking of her mother. In the palace, Tenel Ka wore these horrid, tall, strappy things nearly every day and managed to walk around, or even sometime run in them. When she finally felt confidant enough, she stood in front of her full-length mirror, looking at herself critically. She'd brushed out her hair and put it up in a bit more of an elegant style than her normal ponytail. Her dress was so long, even with the added height of the shoes it was nearly brushing the floor. She had a dainty silver bracelet on her left wrist, teardrop shaped earrings, and a silver chain adorned with an emerald cut in such a way as to resemble on of their legendary magical ones.
"What do you think?" she asked Garrus, worried about how she looked. She was sure something she was wearing didn't match, and the slightest thing might make Aradan think less of her. The hatchling chirpped up encouragingly, but then looked out the window. Teza Mae gasped as she realized that she was running late to dinner. "Come on!" she said, picking up the tiny dragon and placing him on his usual position of her shoulder before she went out to join her family for dinner.
~~~~~
Tenel Ka kept a close eye on Rom the entire day after Caedus informed her of his behavior. She had been surprised and even a little cross with him the entire time, though she decided that there was no real harm done. She did accuse him of embarrassing their daughter and the poor boy. However, she was a bit anxious to meet Aradan. She wondered what sort of young man might catch her Teza Mae's fancy. One similar to her father, of that Tenel Ka had little doubt.
She waited near the table for their children and their guest to arrive; she hoped the night would go well. So long as Romulus could remain civil, she had hope.

[Max452]

"So, I made sure I placed my sword somewhere where I won't be tempted to use it" Romulus told his wife proudly. Now bow, that's a different matter... Romulus thought to himself as he went to wait by his wife. "I still think Teza Mae is too young to be courted.." Rom muttered to his wife.

***
Aradan and Veryan arrived promptly to the Ismalian home. Aradan gave Veryan a forlorn wave as the black dragon went off to hunt for his own meal. Why can't you come again?
The King-man invited you to dinner, not me, therefore, I have to fend for myself Go on, you'll be fine. Veryan gave Aradan's back a push to the door. I'll see you after. The dragon launched himself toward the Mountains. Letting out a breath, Aradan went to knock on the door.

[Tismri]

Tenel Ka smiled at her husband's statement, giving him a quick kiss to show her approval.
"Well, I am proud of you," she told him. "After that initial fiasco, you have been handling this situation very well, I think." She thought of her children. They were fourteen already. Tenel Ka could see her daughter growing into womanhood more and more each day. And now she was a Rider to boot. "You cannot keep her a child forever, Romulus," she told him. "If not now, when? She has been living mostly on her own here in Bromsland, and now she is a Rider. I believe she is capable of making her own decisions." She turned her head when she heard a knock at the door. "Well now, that must be him," she said, moving to the door. She opened it with a graceful smile of greeting.
"Hello," she told the boy when she saw him. He seemed a bit older than her daughter, and moved with a fluid grace that reminded her of elves. "You must be Aradan. I am Teza Mae's mother, Tenel Ka."

[Max452]

Aradan gave a polite smile and bow to the Queen Mother as she opened the door and introduced herself. "Good evening, ma'am. I am Aradan, Rider of Veryan and son of Faolan. It is a pleasure to meet you." He rose from his bow and was then directed inside by Romulus.

Time passed seemlingly slowly for Aradan has he ate dinner with the family. They were quite simple compared to his idea of royal dinners, but then again, he only had ever attended the elven feasts only once or twice and they were just simply overdone, in his opinion. Despite this, the young half elf felt he was a bit overdressed for the dinner - even though Teza Mae looked like she was ready to attend a royal ball. He idly wondered if this was how she was all the time. Aradan couldn't help but think how sad that would be; he much prefered the wild life. He absently tugged on his tunic more than once during dinner, wishing he was in his normal tunic and leggings.

Dinner continued onward, and though the family resonated a very strong homely appeal, Aradan still felt uncomfortable most of the time. Though, once in awhile, he would feel less tense as he shared about his home and life. The reason of discomfort was that halfway through the dinner, Aradan was under the impression that King Romulus expected that he was courting Teza Mae. It was the fatherly counsel and the way he spoke that made Aradan think this way, and that made Aradan nervous - had he agreed to being Teza Mae's betrothed when he agreed to come to dinner? That thought terrified him! He didn't want to be married! He wanted to live free in the comforts of nature with Veryan! He never thought of being married! Especially an arranged marriage! Aradan was panicking, but kept a calm composure during the remainder of the dinner. How was he going to tell the King that he wasn't marrying Teza Mae?!

"Ah, well, why don't you two go out in the patio; the stars are nicely out tonight. We'll clean up in here." Romulus told Teza Mae and Aradan and then looked at Jason with a pointed look, that could simply be interrupted as "Leave your sister alone!"

"Uh, sure, I don't think that could be a problem..." Aradan replied, feeling more nervous. What was this father trying to do!? He had regarded Teza Mae as a friend this morning and now it seemed he was supposedly courting her! He would have to get clarification from the Princess and soon! Aradan rose from his seat and waited for Teza Mae to point out where the patio was.

[Tismri]

When Teza Mae finally came down to dinner, she still felt as if she wasn't dressed right. Everything still felt out of place; she would much rather have been in her normal tunic and leggings. But attending dinner, with her family...and with Aradan present, left her feeling as if she needed to look her best. Although she still felt anything but.
The princess eyed the guest carefully when she came down. He was looking quite handsome in his blue tunic, much finer than what he normally wore. She felt her heart flutter lightly for a moment before she took her seat at the table.
All through dinner, she felt a sort of ominous sense of discomfort growing. Somehow, somewhere, there was a miscommunication, and she couldn't quite see what it was. Her parents, herself, and Aradan all seemed to be in different pages, which left her feeling oddly awkward through the whole ordeal. However, she listened with keen interest whenever Aradan seemed to relax enough to speak of his home life. The elven community intrigued her. They were so different from humans.
She glanced up at her father when he encouraged her and Aradan to go out to the patio alone. It finally dawned on her then what he was thinking. Somehow, he had gained the assumption that Aradan was actually courting her! How did that happen? She stood and made her way outside with Aradan, closing the door behind her. She felt thoroughly embarrassed now. Was there any way she could possibly salvage even a friendship with him after everything that had just happened?
She stood with him in silence for a moment or two, trying to think of something to say. She put her hands to her face, taking a deep breath.
"Oy...this is so bloody awkward," she finally stated.

[Max452]

Aradan followed Teza Mae outside. It was a bit brisk, but Aradan didn't mind it. He stood in awkward silence as he placed a hand on the railing before him. His eyes were directed outward, enjoying or more rather, wishing he was out in the wild than here. The silent tension was aggravating as Aradan hadn't a clue on how to discuss with Teza Mae that he wasn't interested in marriage. Finally she spoke and Aradan turned to her with a blink. He didn't know what to make of her comment, as he wasn't sure how she felt about this supposed arrangement - was she awkward because he was awkward or was she awkard because, perhaps, she too had realized what her father had assumed. Not knowing what to say, he simply let out the first word that came to his mind. "Yup." He adjusted his tunic again, pulling at it uncomfortably. "Um, Teza Mae...does...your...father...think...that...we're....together?" He asked her, feeling the tension grow with each word.

[Tismri]

Teza Mae stared up at the sky for a moment, the stars looked back down like so many pale eyes. The night air was pleasantly cool to her, and she knew that back home there would be snow falling by now. She was momentarily homesick, but at the same time knew that there was no other place she would rather be right now.
She lowered her gaze to the woods before her, staring into their depths as brief memories of hunting trips--some with her whole family and some just her and Dad--flitted across her mind. She missed those days sometimes, very much missed the close relationship she'd always had with her father. Being so far away for so long had seemed to have taken a toll between them. She'd never felt as if there was so much miscommunicated between the two of them.
She hesitated a few moments at Aradan's question, thinking about it. "I'm pretty sure that's what he thinks, yes," she said, burying her reddening face in her hands. "Shards, this is so humiliating." She glanced back at Aradan, feeling her heart squeeze when she thought of the words she was about to say. "I would understand perfectly if you never even want to see me again. I mean, this night's been embarrassing enough for us both." She rather hoped it wouldn't come to that with him, though. This fiasco may have ruined any chance of him seeing her in a romantic light, but she hoped they could at least be friends still...

[Max452]

"Oh." Aradan blinked as he processed Teza Mae's confirmation. This was even more awkward now. He glanced back into the drifting darkness, wondering how to make King Romulus understand that he wasn't with his daughter. Aradan's head snapped over to Teza Mae at her declaration. "What? Why wouldn't I want to be your friend? It's just a misunderstanding, honestly, I'm a bit surprised that your father thinks that I am courting you, after all, I'm not a Prince or of nobility." He tugged on his shirt. "Quite the opposite really," He told her as he glanced out into the foothills. "I much prefer being out there." He gestured with his head toward the woods. "Where you can just enjoy nature and be free..." His voice grew quieter as he thought about it. "I must sound silly...." He glanced over to her elegant dress, thinking that she wouldn't understand what he meant. She was a noble, pampered to live indoors. "...I have no place in the courts of royality, but that doesn't mean, I don't want to be your friend." He added hastily, not wanting to sound insincere or rude.