Kaira let out a small laugh as he offered her the rose, knowing that he would definitely be on the tail end of any teasing his sisters will throw his way with such a gesture. She twirled the stem between forefinger and thumb, careful of the soft thorns that still would pull a cut across her fingertips.
"I think this rose gives me an ease to my nerves." A smile pulled at her lips. Something wished to compel her into kissing his cheek, but said nerves kept her at his side, taking a deep breath as he lead her towards the door.
In a bid to appear more composed, she brought the soft petals to her nose and took a deep breath in. "I have never smelled a rose this lovely." She inhaled again, smiling at the delicate scent. If someone were to capture this in a oiled perfume, perhaps she would wear it daily. Or a soap made with such a fragrance... Kaira would tie this rosey aroma to this moment, being by Mabbon's side.
"Are you sure my eyes are not reddened from my earlier woes? Or perhaps my cheeks blotched from being so sniffly?" It hadn't been a gentle cry she had experienced at the Gallery, nor was she quiet and poised about it. She had felt the hands of grief, had poured out her emotions. "Honest opinion, I would hate that I did not clean up before meeting your family."
Mabbon led Kaira around to the front portico. The pillars, much like the villa itself, were made of stone. There were two lamps suspended from iron brackets that bathed the porch in warm light. Mabbon used that light to study Kaira's face, though he had no real need to.
'I don't know...' He began, unable to keep from teasing her. 'You look much the same as you normally do. Which is to say refined.' And beautiful. A voice urged him to keep that part to himself.
'I for one would like to know how you keep your hair in order. Mine has a tendency to rebel.' Running a hand through his thick black locks, Mabbon grinned, gave her a wink. 'Now, no more delaying tactics! My mother's wrath is the stuff of legends, and if she learns I kept you all to myself, there'll be hell to pay.' Shivering, he turned back to the door. Though she may have left the service for a somewhat quieter life, his mother was no soft target.
Taking hold of the black iron door knocker, Mabbon rapped it thrice before taking a step back. The spare rose he had plucked from the gardens had a nice smell to it, and he focused on its scent as they waited for a response.
When the door swung open, he was both surprised and relieved to find his father standing in the doorframe.
'Mabbon!' The tall orc welcomed his son with a scowl. 'What're you doing here? Did you not think to send someone ahead to-' He broke off. For a moment, Achilleus Dreierg stood dumbfounded, totally caught off guard by Kaira and her appearance. 'Lady Yehven?'
Smiling, Mabbon glanced at Kaira. His father's reaction was about what he had been expecting. If only Cynthia could see his face. 'Hello, father!' Stepping forward, Mabbon surprised Achilleus further by drawing him into a bear hug. His response was delayed there, too. 'I've a guest I'd like to introduce you to, though, from the sound of it, you already know who she is.'
Grinning, he beckoned Kaira closer.
'Kaira! Allow me to introduce Achilleus Dreierg, patriarch of this house.' He turned. 'Father, meet-'
'Lady Kaira Yehven, Guardian of the Stone of Faith, the Daughter of Valenntenia.' Bowing respectfully, Achilleus tried and failed to keep the awe from his voice. 'It's an honour, My Lady! Forgive me my reaction. I did not-... we did not...' Clearing his throat, he gave his wayward son a look full of reproach as he collected his thoughts.
'Please, come inside! We were just about to have dinner.'
Kaira stifled a nervous laugh with a shy smile. So many regarded her as a Lady when the Yehvens were not of noble upbringing, but it was a common honorific many choose to regard her in. There was no use in correcting the elder Dreierg male, but a kind smile and light bow of her head was enough to weather the introductions.
"Pleasure to finally meet you." Kaira's cheeks twitched from how much she was smiling as she walked through the doorway and a little ways into their home. "I have been meaning to visit, but it is much easier to part from Valenntenia when in the presence of another Guardian." Dark hazel eyes move to meet Mabbon's lilac hues. "Lucky me your son is the perfection escort."
Kaira then turned to look at Achilleus, "I apologise for my abrupt presence. It just happened to work out in our favour. I hope I am not putting you and your family out by being here."
Down the hall, someone entered from an adjacent room, head down and cradling a cat. She was younger, and looked alike Mabbon. The orcish features only added to her beauty, and Kaira paused.
"Father if we delay dinner another fiv—" She brought her eyes up, the same lilac as her brother, and stared at Kaira for a moment before recognition lit up in her face. "K... Kaira... that's, you're the Guardian."
This earned another smile born of her own humbling. "A friend of Guardian Dreierg." Was the best thing she could respond with, bow fidgeting with the rose Mabbon had given her. "One of your sisters, Mabbs?" Kaira turned to him, smiling but showing him she was fine. The nerves still there, but this had not been too bad of a start.
'Yeah.' Mabbon nodded. 'Calandra. The cat's name is Maggs, and they both enjoy scritches behind the ear.' Grins split half-orc faces as Calandra -or Cal for short- welcomed Kaira with a well-practised curtsy. 'It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. We've only ever witnessed you from afar, you see!' Cal smiled shyly, her cheeks colouring.
Sensing a familiar presence, the tortoiseshell cradled in his sister's arms leapt down to investigate Mabbs and the strange woman he had brought home with him.
Looking up at them both, eyes wide, pupils slit in feral interest, Maggs meowed loudly, demanding pets.
'I assume ma has prepared enough food to feed a small army?' It wasn't a question. Not really. Squatting down, Mabbon scooped Maggs into his arms. Cats were skittish creatures. Shows of affection were all well and good, but only when they wanted it. Lucky, then, that Maggs didn't fight back when Mabbon started in on his ministrations. 'Kaira? Would you like to hold him?'
Smiling, the Guardian of Darkness two-stepped his way closer, arms swinging, holding Maggs like the fur-baby he was.
'Mmm, yes. Enough for leftovers.' Achilleus growled, his tone softening now that they had a guest. 'I shall let her know you are home. You three...' He sighed. 'Just don't dawdle, all right? Or it'll be all our heads!' Turning on his heel, the tall orc walked deeper into the villa. Cal, on the other hand, scooched closer.
'Spur of the moment thing, huh?' Leaning in, she began to tickle Maggs's belly. 'Do you have any pets, Lad-... Kaira?' Calandra smiled. 'You seem to have won him over already. And I'm not talking about the cat!'
Kaira cooed at Maggs, happy to give the affection to the feline still in Mabbon's arms. "Gorgeous boy!" She grinned before nodding and smiling at Achilleus. Kaira's hands did not stop scratching beneath Maggs' chin, even as Cal came to rub the exposed belly. Her words brought a blush to her cheeks, and Kaira had to bite her cheeks to keep from grinning.
"Mabbon and I have been friends for a couple of years." Of course, his family would know that given how receptive they were to her sudden appearance. The invitations to their family home begun after Kaira and Mabbon ran into each other one night and got tea from the oldest tea house in Old Town. "I am just glad to still run into him when he is in Valenntenia." And how she enjoyed every time they spent together to catch up, to hear about his travels. She did that with a great many of the other Guardians, who were not held prisoner from their Stone and could travel beyond this city.
"I... did not have a pleasant afternoon, and Mabbon thought to invite me to dinner in hopes to lift my spirits. And I think this handsome boy is succeeding!" Kaira cooed again, pouting as the cat began to lick her hand with his coarse tongue. "I used to have a fox when I was younger. A friend of mine gifted me her and once she passed, the fox too became ill." And she asked the Carvyres to give her a good place to rest in her finals days. Kaira could not bring herself to watch another thing die before her eyes. She glanced up and exchanged a look with Mabbon.
"Perhaps we should see to dinner. I would love to meet your mother." She smiled, turning to Cal also.
'I think that would be wise, yes.' Setting Maggs down, Mabbon followed after Cal as she led them through to the dining room. Brushing a few stray cat hairs from his shirt, the half-orc turned to smile reassuringly at Kaira. Though they spoke relatively often, he had never once heard tell of her pet fox. Her connection to the Carvyre family was another matter.
Striding into the dining room, Mabbon was pleased to find the doors to the patio thrown wide open, revealing the vineyards his family owned.
The city loomed beyond, broad and imposing, beautifully outlined by the last vestiges of sunlight. The Tower, that massive edifice of stone and mortar, dominated the surrounding scenery, like a landmark to eclipse all landmarks. 'Not bad, huh?' He smiled, pulling out a chair for Kaira. Achilleus had already settled into his own at the head of the table, and Calandra wasn't long in taking her place either.
He heard the faintest noise behind him. Spinning, he just about managed to get his arms up in time to intercept the blur hurtling towards him. 'Mabbs!' Calliope shouted in his ear as she drove him a step backwards into the chair meant for Kaira. 'Big brother! Oh, how I've missed you!' Grinning, and just a touch winded, Mabbon returned his littlest sister's hug twofold.
'Cali,' he said, fighting to catch his breath. 'Aren't you a bit... old to still be ambushing me like this?'
Grinning, Calliope took a step back. Of the same height as Kaira, and just as fair, the dark-haired half-orc shook her head, no. Out of all of his sisters, she was the one he felt closest to. Spirited, kind, she was a force to be reckoned with. Mind you, the same thing could be said of most Dreiergs.
Glancing at Kaira, Cali walked over to give the Faith Guardian a hug of her own.
'Hello!' She welcomed her. 'It's so good to finally meet you! Love the dress!' Holding Kaira at arm's length, Cali nodded, smiled. 'Please, sit! Mum's going to be positively thrilled that you've-'
'Dinner's up!' Flinching, Mabbon span to find his mother hurrying in from the kitchen, a huge steaming pot held out before her. Placing it down on a mat in the middle of the table, the she-elf peeled her hands out of the thick mittens she had used to carry the pot over.
'Lady Kaira!' Dipping her head in recognition, Carissa Dreierg smiled wide as she rounded the table to draw the Guardian into a hug. 'By the Ancients, aren't you a sight for sore eyes! All these months, I was beginning to think you would never accept my invites.' Laughing, she let go to fix her son with an appreciative look.
'This one promised me he would try and speak with you, when next he was in the city. Suffice to say, it appears as if he succeeded.' Feeling his face grow warm, Mabbon rubbed the back of his neck. 'You really are the picture of Valenntenian beauty, my dear. Gods, how lucky I am to finally-'
The Dreiergs were proving to be an affectionate lot, but Kaira felt the family upbringing, the love they all had for each other. She felt her Stone warm, embracing Mabbon's mother with the widest smile on her face. Kaira ignored the aches for her own mother, could feel that familiar presence behind her, but Kaira turned to look at Mabbon and left it unsaid. Thank you.
Her hand squeezed him arm as she moved to take the seat he pulled out for her, turning to look around the table with a sense of slight overwhelming. His sisters had taken their seats, both of them glancing between Kaira and Mabbon as they left one seat free for their brother: beside their special guest.
"I only wished I had come to visit sooner." She called out, eyes following Carissa to the kitchen. "You have a beautiful home. Lovely view of Valenntenia too!" She could see the Tower, where her grandfather possibly was convening with other Somners. She had chambers there too, and so would Mabbon. The Guardians were always given a place to stay. Some had wondered why she chose to sleep in a half collapsed old House of Blessings, and not even in the Yehven home in one of the more enviable streets of Old Town.
"Are you staying the night, Kaira?" Asked Cal with a hint of smugness.
Kaira let out a soft laugh, accepting the bread basket from Achilleus and helped herself to a still warm roll. "Oh... I do not know... we really didn't think this through." She answered sheephishly, now handing the bread basket to Mabbon to her side. "I would hate to be a trouble for you all, so I suppose I should make my way back home after dinner."
"In the dark?!" Cal gasped.
"Well Mabbs can---"
"He could, but it would be so late! Isn't that right Mum?" Cal silenced her sister with a look; wide eyes and an expression that said it all. Work with me!
"Oh, of course you will stay, Lady Kaira! Have Mabbon show you the guest room later. You girls can help set it up, and we can draw a bath for you if you wish." Carissa loaded the table with even more dishes, rounding the table to place a hand on Kaira's shoulder.
"We truly insist, Guardian Yehven." Achilleus smiled, nodding to his wife, who smoothed Kaira's hand behind her shoulders to keep the long locks from spilling onto the dinner table. It was something her mother used to do, and Kaira could not help but turn her head to watch the woman take her seat.
"Thank you." She knew there was no way she would win this argument. Her dark hazel eyes fell on Mabbon, staring at him a moment before warming him with a smile. "I am glad to have come this night."
Mabbon helped himself to a fresh roll as the women talked amongst themselves. His sisters kept looking at him in between conversing with Kaira, as if by bringing her here, he was enacting some masterstroke in a long, thought-out plan. If only they knew the half of it, he mused, passing the basket across to Cali. She smiled at him as their eyes met, and he felt himself blushing from embarrassment.
At least his father had the good graces not to tease him.
'And we are glad to have you among us!' Placing down the last dish on the table, Carissa made to sit at the other end of the table from her husband. Though the Dreiergs made a point of hosting as many as they could, they were not ones for clutter. 'We sit together, as a family should.' Old words, he had heard them so many times he'd lost count.
Of course, Mabbon found the sentiment sweet, and he could not begrudge his mother the opportunity to catch up with her family after a busy day spent amongst the orchards and runways of the vineyard.
'Help yourselves!' Sat at the head of the table, Achilleus was the first to do just that, helping himself to a portion of grilled cheese and roasted vegetables as the others hummed and hawed over what to choose first. 'I'd recommend the myma,' whispered Mabbon, meeting Kaira's warm hazel eyes with his own. 'And don't feel like you need to be stingy with your portions. I wasn't kidding when I said ma makes enough to feed a small army.'
'I heard that!'
'It's true, though!' Cali spoke up from across the table. 'We once invited a few of the neighbouring families over for dinner. Nothing special, just finger-food, stuff like that. Anyways, a week later they all come back to, and I quote: "see how we were getting on!"'Cali snorted, and out of the corner of his eye, Mabbon saw his father stifle a smirk. 'Come the morn, our larder was so empty, even the rats had reason to complain.'
Ducking the tea towel thrown at her head, Cali straightened to share a grin with Kaira and Mabbon.
'Quite a memorable night though, was it not?'
'Was it? I can't remember.'
'As I recall, you were dancing around the firepit singing some rather crude songs come midnight,' said Achilleus, quick to remind his one and only son of the time he had made a fool of himself in front of the entire family.
'Oh, don't give me that! The only reason you remember so well is because you were up there singing along with me.' Mabbon grinned. 'As a matter of fact, mother was, too... if my memory serves.'
'I have no idea what you're talking about,' said Carissa, feigning ignorance, and making the girls giggle.
Kaira laughed softly, and helped herself to the assortment before her. It was easy for her to get lost in the conversation going on, quietly eating small bites of the food on her plate. Seeing Mabbon speak with his sisters made her feel warm, comforted. To a point she could not help but keep looking to him with softness.
She was so engrossed with him, his sisters, her food, to miss the knowing smile Carissa wore, sharing a glance with her husband at the opposite end of the table.
"Oh, I would love to hear you sing." Kaira grinned. She knew some songs, but did not have the voice to carry it with ease. As a child, she was quite the angel voiced, but singing hymns had been swapped for reciting prayers. "But I will spare you this night, as long as you promise to delight me of your voice in the future."
"Your grandfather is quite the crooner, if I remember correctly. Sung that beautiful song at your father's, uh, service." Achilleus tread carefully, even as Kaira smiled at him. She was a lovely young woman, one that dealt with so much grief, but it was hard not to smile back as her Stone filled the table with a calming presence. "How is Arran? We should have him over one night!"
"Oh, yes!" Carissa silenced the girls, hopeful at this prospect. "The Dreiergs and the Yehvens!"
Kaira dropped her hands to her lap, fidgeting. She was unaware of doing so, but it kept her able to keep up with the conversation. "Grandfather is well. He has started hiring some people to help fix up the home my parents bought." And left in her name. After all she went through, she did not want to return to the home and be alone. The idea of selling it came to mind many times. "But yes, I am sure he would be delighted to join. After all, he does love Valenntenian lemons paired with roast chicken!" The Guardian had helped herself on a larger portion of it on her plate, and the flavours themselves made her want to eat more than her fill.
The Dreiergs and the Yehvens! The thought made him smile. Tucking into his food, Mabbon kept an ear turned to the conversation happening about the table. The scrape and clatter of eating utensils, the soft tittering as his sisters whispered to each other.
And why was his mother looking at him like that, as if... expecting something?
'I promise to try and delight you of my voice,' he said, playing his gaze across the people sitting around the table. 'I'm not much of a talker. Nor can I sing all that well-'
'Oh, come off it, Mabbs!'
'I can't! Not compared to you or Cynthia! Where is she, anyway?' Diverting the conversation away from himself, Mabbon speared a meatball with the end of his fork before popping it into his mouth. The spices were enough to make his eyes water. 'She's in the city,' answered Achilleus. 'I believe she's staying at her partner's place in Old Town. A real fine manse, not far from where I believe your new home is situated, Lady Kaira.'
Mabbon nodded. He knew the place -and his sister's partner- well enough to have dropped in, once or twice. 'Shame she couldn't make it,' he commented, his hands shooting up as Carissa directed a stare towards him. I don't mean nothin' by it! they seemed to say.
'Perhaps we could go out on the terrace later?' Cali suggested, diffusing the tension. 'These spring nights are temperate enough, are they not? When it's clear... you can see the moonlight dancing upon the waves.' She smiled, picturing it.
'The view really is quite beautiful!' Mabbon admitted, glancing at Kaira sidelong.
"Old Town is a lovely place to live!" She agreed before placing the fork full of food into her mouth and began chewing, listening to the Dreiergs.
"Oh! You can see the water from here?" Of course, there were almost overlooking, but Kaira had been distracted by something else on the way over. She turned to meet Mabbon's gaze, a warming smile spreading on her face.
"Well, you cannot deny that they both make a handsome couple." Carissa stated simply, going for a drink of wine. "We have kept telling Mabbon to find a nice girl, but I guess it is obvious why he has not bothered to look for one when you are just in Valenntenia, Kaira!"
A flush rose to her cheeks, and Kaira smiled widely, laughing off her nerves. "You sound like you hear the gossip of the mothers of Old Town."
Both of Mabbon's sisters cracked up in laughter, hands banging against the table. Even Achilleus let out a laugh as Carissa continued through the noise. "It's just, you both looking at each other like that reminds me of your parents. We served with your father in the Vanguard, and let me tell you! He was always finidng an excuse to stare at your mother!"
'As was half of Valenntenia,' said Achilleus, a wan smile enhancing the pain behind his eyes. Blinking, he glanced at Mabbon, his smile changing in an instant. 'But as my dear wife says, you two certainly make for a handsome couple!'
Oh, Ancients! Not you too!
Coughing, his ears burning, Mabbon pretended not to hear his sisters' laughter as he sipped at his wine. 'Who do you think started said gossip?' He asked Kaira, an amused grin tugging at his lips. The happier he got, the more prominent his orcish features became; the underbite, his fangs, the paleness of his skin. In that moment, despite his family's teasing, he couldn't help but feel like they had given voice to his feelings.
Odd, how it had taken him this long to accept them for what they were.
You do not deserve happiness, the devil-voice reminded him, she will not make you happy. A lie. Kaira had already taken great strides towards proving just that. Still, the Stone of Darkness -of Doubt and Fear- tried to convince him otherwise, pushing, prodding at his mind in ways he found uncomfortable. He could feel Kaira's Stone pulsing, offsetting the effects of his own, dampening, dissuading further attempts at manipulation.
Was it her presence he was grateful of, or her Stone's?
'My apologies, Kaira,' he said, abashed. 'My parents like to remind us they're ex-Vanguard, and excellent ambushers to boot!' The way his mother had dropped this on them, out of the blue, was proof enough. 'Didn't you pull the same stunt with Cynthia when she first introduced Iason to us?' Achilleus snorted.
'Maybe,' he chuckled, 'maybe not.'
'That's a "yes,"'whispered Calandra, her grin as toothy as her brother's though no less pleasant. 'Okay! Enough teasing! Let's eat before the food goes cold.'
It felt different coming from Carissa with her way of making it known she thought the Guardians made a fine pair. It didn't fill her with dread and embarrassment like the other Old Town mothers trying to set her up with their own sons, but in fact, made her feel welcomed into their family already. Such a thought filled her with a warmth, her fire still burning when stoked with every smile and word directed her way from Mabbon.
Kaira did not seem to mind when his sisters whispered amongst themselves at how lovely the Faith Guardian would look in a wedding dress, entirely too caught up with talk about the Vanguard with the older Dreiergs and Mabbon.
But dinner had been enjoyed, and Kaira was being shown the terrace by Mabbon while they others insisted on cleaning up after themselves. They would have a moment to themselves before the rest of the family would come out with wine and light grazing foods, somehow still able to stomach more things after the dinner they just had.
"Girls, go see if the guest room is ready." Carissa shooed them away, making not so subtle gestures towards the two Guardians standing closely together and looking out to the view of the sea.
Mabbon's parents retreated also, pretending there was dessert to be dished out, but Kaira would not be surprised if there had been dessert prepared.
"I like them, your family." Kaira murmured to him, quietly as if someone may overhear. "I see where you get all your charm from." Her tone was not teasing, but the smile that graced her was one of the easiest smiles she had worn in a long while.
'Like father, like son.' Chuffed at the compliment, Mabbon directed Kaira to a seat whilst he got a fire going. The nights out here could grow cold if the wind was up, and the half-orc knew he would be a poor host indeed if he allowed his guest to freeze.
Piling logs and a few bits of kindling into the raised copper bowl, Mabbon set to striking up a flame.
The sound of cicadas and the distant crash of waves on the shore underscored his work. He had spent many a night watching the waves and the warm glow of the city and its magnificent tower, as a kid. He was grown, now, but still the old habit called to him like a long-lost friend.
The fire came alive in his hands. Nursing it to a healthy size, Mabbon wiped his hands clean, then, made to sit beside Kaira. 'Scooch over,' he said, laughing at the look on her face. 'I know. Food so good, you can't stop thinking about it.' Carissa had made them all partake heartily of the meal she had spent hours preparing. And now they were both stuffed and happy. Some more than others.
'Y'know, I've been meaning to ask you something...'
Kaira moved over to give him space, but noticeably close to him as she smiled at him. The fire provided a warmth, but he was even warmer.
"Ask me what?" She asked softly, almost closing her eyes from how full she was and the gentle sounds of waves ceashing below set quite the ambience. Of course, she had reason to keep her dark hazel eyes on the stunning view, and Valenntenia behind him.
"You going to ask how me how I haven't run back to Valenntenia after having dinner with your family? Well..." She grinned, "it certainly helped that I had you here for company."
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