#fenixtj

Otem approaches the hold, the obsidian warrior looks about the place, nnot with dread, but trying to understand it

Jessica's instructions are to keep the hold looking abandoned to unEnchanted eyes, and fortified (a 'hard target') to those with Glamour. Not FORBIDDING exactly, but... ready.

Inndeed, the Redcaps are at their fiercest

Otem is treated politely enough, the Nunnehi brought in.

And Jessica called for?

She is

And she arrives forthwith. "Otem." she greets him.

"Chapuleh... Countess and, Freeflame" He nods "I bring news I do not htink you will welcome but it is meant well"

A deep breath, and she nods. "You are welcome to call me Jessica, Otem. What is your news?"

"Your offer of alliance is considered, and they have a proposal. We are reluctant to yield our children or take yours, childlings are precious as you know and the distrust is still strong. However, I am to offer myself as your consort and husband"

Blink.

"I.... I know I mentioned adoption but.... later? I thought maybe a formal treaty? Mutual aid and defense? Attacking one is attacking all? Maybe.... training and combat drills together?"

"Paper is untrustworthy, that is why marriage is often used, to join common interests. We are aware you wish to rule still, so merely consort husband will do"

"How is this done? Oh yes" He starts to kneel

"No! No, please don't."

"Don't you think you and I should talk about this a little more? Do you even -want- to.... you don't really know me."

"I suppose we would learn much of each other on our wedding night, which is not atypical. You are kind, you are wise, you sometimes doubt yourself . You are a woman of few words." A beat "Your little sister annoys you, but you care for her anyway. You love both your mortal and troll mother, and have made peace with your father. You try to do right by my people , treating them as honorably as you treat your own"

Blink blink.

"I asked around" he nods

"Wow. Ok."

"It's, um, not the custom of my people to start getting to know each other on the, um, wedding night." she explains.

"Is there another man I must contest with?" He asks

"No."

"Look, would you like to come inside and talk?"

(Well, sorry if I wasn't clearer, but this is IN the hold)

ETA: "Look, would you like to sit down and talk? Have something to eat and drink?"

"As you like? I... sense ..reluctance"

"You sense correctly." she leads the way to a place they can speak, but not private-private. She asks for food and drink to be brought.

Nancy, to her surprise, brings the food and whispers in her ear "If you need to lose this 'suitor' just let me know and I'll explain how you prefer to drive without a stick and we're a thing so he'll back off"

And the troll goes a lovely deep lavender color.

"Thak you for the refreshments, Nancy." she manages.

"Yes, thank you, Nancy" Omet adds

"You're both welcome" She backs away, but within ear shot of a request

Jess busies herself with offering food and drink.

"So," Omet inquires, "What would you likee to talk of?"

"Well."

"I, um, have not asked around about you, Omet. Will you tell me of yourself?"

(Damn. it did not light up)

"What is to tell you? I'm a warrior of what your kith might call the Obsidian people.. some would call them the Itzilli which means much the same. We are one of the lost sons of the Smoking Jaguar, a terrible god to be sure. We pay a price for that, but we are fiere warriors and no strangers to sorcery. Myself? I am hardly the greatest of them, I am considered a skilled and brave warrior, and handsome by our standards."

He ponders "I enjoy music now and then, but only as a hobby"

"Listening or making it?"

"Listening yes. making it.. a little" A blush is hard to read then "I play a wind instrument"

"That's a talent I don't have."she admits "See, this is what I'm talking about. We can't just.... get married. We don't know each other, or if it would be a good match. But...."

"Do you know John Twofeather?"

"I do, he is interesting, his tribe is almost alien to me" A tilt "We cannot? It is relatively easy"

"We -shouldn't.- That is... alien to me. My people. I brought up John because he's an honored guest here, a teacher, and he is a... liason. A go-between, a peace-bringing between my people and his and hopefully yours as well."

"You wish to marry us both?" His eyes bug out

"NO!" hers do too.

"I am glad I misunderstood that"

"I don't want to marry anyone. Not right now, anyway. No! I meant, maybe your people would be open, maybe YOU would be open, to taking a post like his? Emis.... no, not calling it that."