Thunder of Thanasis Family Dinner

[Orissa]

Before she could sound a groan unbecoming of a Princess to her Queen Mother, Jensen stunned them all with the ring he presented. Orissa's stomach did all sorts of acrobatics, her chest tightened with an emotion that pricked tears at her dark eyes. The sharpest intake of breath could be heard, enough to make Nasri look her way.

"Matching jewellery. Seems you found the perfect match for Riss, Mother." He chuckled, reaching for his wine.

Orissa's cheeks heated, but she grinned at Jensen in the only way he had been able to bring out from her. "Blue is one of my favourite colours." She repeated the same words she had said the day he had shown her the Thanazite caverns.

The Queen and King looked to their only daughter for a few moments before seeing the true happiness she showed. Never had Orissa been so free with her expression and emotions with someone apart from Kaveh, but Orissa made no move to take the ring. "I would like to see it up close after dinner, if that suits you?" The Princess then looked to Danika, giving her a heartfelt thank you for now she had made both her tiara and engagement ring. Jensen had suggested she ask his twin for the tiara to be made, and now she knew why.

The ring matched the tiara in style, something she had fawned over very much after receiving the final product.

 

[Briseis]

Briseis gave a soft laugh under her breath as Danika spoke of Vhagor's age. "Perhaps even older." she mused with a smirk. "But yes, his methods are questionable, but effective, I suppose.. There's no motivation quite like facing imminent death.." she commented with a quiet look at Kaveh. It really was a wonder how this family hadn't already killed her.

Her head shook as the woman spoke of the Wall, the thought alone chilling her blood slightly. "No. Not yet.." she said, trying not to let her dread seep into her words. "I am sorry for what happened to you, Lady Danika." she offered softly. "I only hope I possess at least a spoonful of your strength of character to adapt as you have."

She listened to the Queen's story, peeking over to see the beautiful ring that Danika had made, and complimented it, though the smile she wore would once again falter as Mehren finally chirruped with his little insult. Her eyes rolled before she focused her attention once more on the plate in front of her, food she'd barely touched. It was difficult to have an appetite when dining with dickheads.

 

[Jensen]

Jensen listened with all the practised politeness of a man who had had a mother who would never stop talking. It was one of the first things his father had ever taught him; how to pay attention to a woman. You never know when they're telling you something without really saying it, and those unspoken things are more important than whatever she says at you in anger Jens.

He had, as always, been right.

"My mother was quite willing to give up her ring, Your Highness. I just... thought your daughter deserved something of her own," he smiled when his eyes returned to Orissa, dimples puncturing his cheeks and set the box down between them. Jensen was not so caught up in trying to please his future bride that he did not miss the comment by his future brother in law, however. Nor the pointed look. He cleared his throat.

"Ah... My siblings in particular are quite taken with your dragon, My Prince," he glanced to Kaveh, steering the conversation to something safer. "She is always their favourite when you fly over the farmlands."

 

[Danika]

Danika gave the Princess a subtle wink when their eyes locked, a subtle nod to the fact no thanks were needed and she had enjoyed helping her brother carve out this little piece of their engagement for them.

"It's hard," she said softly, eyes flickering back to the young woman she was seated beside. "People will tell you it will get easier, but you just learn to deal with it. The looks never stop, the whispers," her smile turned a touch sad. "But you will learn. And discovering friends along the way that will help makes all the difference," her eyes flicked up just in time to catch the other Prince's eyes, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"And when to let your dragon just set an enemy on fire," she said perhaps a little louder.

 

[Kaveh]

Kaveh stared across the table, his lips pressing to a thin line. "Yeah, never was good at first impressions. Remember Mehren-"

Djana said, breaking into the conversation before the Prince could offer some form of rebuke. Her gaze leveling at Mehren, lips parting to add to her tale before the Queen quickly launched into her complains. The Ascendant only smiling and content to keep her secret as she watched Mehren shift and settle back down in his seat.

The Prince of Rage offering his beloved a thankful smile for his brothers cowing before he turned his attention to the man at his side. "Are they?"

He asked, doing his best to control the tightness in his voice.

Keeping that rage at bay. Focusing on the good. The reason he was supposed to be here.

"We will have to stop next time." The Prince said with a smile, turning his head to gaze over towards the massive Dragon. "Rayvath enjoys attention almost as much as a tavern cat. Most people are too afraid to go near her."

 

[Orissa]

Orissa could not keep the smile off from her face, turning to look to her mother first before her father, the king. His own face broke out into a smile to see his only daughter so happy, a smile she had not used since she was much younger and still held a childlike innocence.

"Careful, Riss, you look as if you may jump right out of your seat." Even her genuine happiness rubbed off on Nasri, who chuckled and forgot about the youngest brother for a moment.

"I am not." She mumbled, reaching for her glass.

But her dark eyes lifted to watch Jensen, a feeling stirring inside her as she watched him converse with Kaveh. To see them both interact had made her nervous, but all the while worth witnessing.

Nasri placed a hand at her shoulder and leaned in to whisper at her ear. "Remember what I told you. Most arranged marriages do not end up with happiness. Keep yourself from getting your hopes up, little sister."

And then that feeling felt like a weight she could not bear. Embarrassed, almost, that she gave away so much hope so readily. The King watched as Orissa's face fell slightly, opening his mouth to say something but his Queen carried on conversation.

"And have you made a decision on whether or not you both are to take residence in one of the suites of the Palace?"

 

[Briseis]

Briseis turned to look at Danika. She didn't think she had taken to someone so quickly in her life, but the smile she offered the woman was genuine and warm, and she allowed a quiet laugh to tumble free at her not so veiled threat.

"I humbly accept and appreciate your advice, Lady Danika." she replied with a smirk.

Catching Kaveh's comment on Rayvath, Briseis glanced back at Ciraxis, who was as always, preening himself and strutting around the red dragon, trying to be noticed. "Tell that to Ciri." Briseis said with a shake of her head.

 

[Jensen]

Jensen's laugh was warm and rich.

"Truly? My siblings would treat her as such if she let them," the lieutenant did wonder from time to time if growing up surrounded by dragons made one a little less careful of how to act around them, especially the tsonye breed. They were some of the most playful after the Kesh dragons. Even Valathor who was quick to snarl at anyone who got close to him would allow the other Araelor children to use him as a climbing frame.

His hazel eyes moved to the next brother at the next question.

"I think... we will be settling at my estate," the answer was a half question and his eyes returned to Orissa. They had spoken of it before but it was another to tell the family.

 

[Danika]

Danika hid her own smile by sipping her goblet of wine.

The two conversations rejoined one another and the tension seemed to ease a little from the pavilion. At Jensen's announcement, his twin gasped. She had not really known which way her brother would sway with where the couple would choose to live, but she was pleased with the announcement.

"Oh mother will be so happy!" their father had wanted them home more to teach them the ways of the estate, but their mother adored all of her children and was eager for grandchildren. She would be thrilled to know they would be close at hand when they appeared.

 

[Kaveh]

"Oh I would be happy to." Kaveh said, letting a small smile settle on his lips as she spoke with Jensen. Shifting in his chair and leaning back a moment later, content to allow the conversation to carry on around him.

Happy, to for once not be the center of attention.

Knowing that the dinner was not about him or his wants, nor the anger which simmered in his chest.

This night belonged to Orissa, and her new beloved. He would not tarnish it with his rage. No matter his brothers needling, no matter his own turbulent mind. Kaveh forced himself to be calm, glancing quietly to his beloved not sitting far away.

Catching Djana's eye, and offering her a small smile and simple tap of his finger upon the table. A signal, that she returned in kind. The two of them sharing in a moment that none at the table could ever even be witness to.

"Ah." Kaveh said, frowning as Jensen answered.

"A shame." He said, the sorrow truthful in his voice. "But understandable."

The Prince said, turning to Jensen. "If I was marrying into a family like this, even I'd be eager to take my new bride away."

Laughter echoed from the table, including from both of his brothers.

 

[Orissa]

Orissa bushed, so furiously it showed on her tanned complexion of her cheeks. Her family looked to her, smiling and trying not to grin too widely at the bride to be. It had been obvious to them all that Orissa was enamoured with her betrothed, and that her excitement for the wedding soon to come had put a considerable cheer into her days.

She looked to Jensen, to the box for the ring he had made for her.

"I am to visit Jensen's home one day. The idea of living far from the city just... appealed to me." She said quickly, as if already defensive to her parents for her decision.

"I think it would do you some good to get away from the Palace, Ori." The King smiled, speaking before his Queen and wife could voice her worries.

"Thank you, Father." She smiled in return to him, then to her brothers either side of her as they wished her well for leaving the family confines in the Royal Palace.

She had only wished she sat beside Jensen, that she could take his hand and give it a squeeze. "Jensen? Do you mind... showing me the ring again?"