[Scene is at Vinalia's house, the morning after a social event that went well.]
* Vedran slips back into the room, his hair all wet and curly, wearing a house robe
* Aleyn is lounging and taking advantage of your bookshelf
* Aleyn glances up and smiles
* Vedran smiles back and will come sit with you
<Vedran> any good?
<Aleyn> oh... cheesy adventure stories?
<Aleyn> they're fun, though
* Aleyn sets the book aside though
<Vedran> Oh I know
<Vedran> I've read them all... more than once
* Vedran peeks to see which one
<Vedran> heh
<Vedran> that one is funny
* Aleyn nods, smiling.
<Vedran> ...did you have a good time last night?
<Aleyn> it was okay, yeah. I mean, I was still nervous, but it went pretty well, I thought?
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> what about you?
<Vedran> I was glad you were there
<Aleyn> I did enjoy my maximum one dance with you
* Vedran smiles more
<Vedran> me too
<Aleyn> ... how was it, with the others?
<Aleyn> did it go all right?
<Vedran> So far there hasn't been too much to it
<Vedran> small talk, a little dancing
* Aleyn nods.
<Vedran> There are some people on the list my father gave me that I don't think will work out
<Vedran> but a few that might, I guess
<Aleyn> you know, I probably shouldn't be as surprised as I am that there is a literal list. written down on paper and everything.
<Vedran> My father is nothing if not organized -_-
* Aleyn reaches for your hand.
<Vedran> did you have a chance to talk to any of them?
* Vedran takes it
<Aleyn> Uh, just a few.
<Aleyn> some of them seem .. nice, I guess? It's hard to judge from a few minutes of small talk.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> yeah..
<Vedran> Some of them I know a little, I guess?
<Vedran> but not well
* Aleyn nods.
<Aleyn> out of all those people, there has to be one who'll be okay, right?
<Vedran> yes
<Vedran> probably more than one, really @_@
* Aleyn nods more slowly.
<Vedran> I mean, I'd like to feel like there are options?
<Vedran> I don't know
<Aleyn> me too. I realize it's not just up to us, but ... I hope we wouldn't have just one choice.
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> so that way we can .. pick the best one? I don't know. it all sounds sort of crass :/
<Vedran> :/
<Aleyn> but you know what I mean.
<Vedran> yeah...
<Aleyn> You're right there are plenty who are probably nice, decent people who would be... good for you.
<Vedran> I hope so.
<Vedran> It makes me feel selfish though :/
<Aleyn> why?
* Vedran kisses your shoulder
<Vedran> Like I want to have my cake and eat it too?
* Aleyn draws you closer into a cuddle.
* Vedran is snuggled
<Aleyn> you deserve to be happy. I hope that I make you happy, and I hope that whoever you marry will too. Maybe in different ways, but still happy.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> I just... always thought I would... should... be able to be happy with less
<Aleyn> maybe you could. but you don't have to be.
<Vedran> maybe
<Aleyn> and I hope I'll be happy too.
* Vedran looks up from kissing your shoulder again
<Vedran> Are you not?
* Vedran asks, worried
<Aleyn> I am now, with you...
<Aleyn> I want to keep it that way.
<Vedran> me too.
<Aleyn> as much as we can, anyway...
<Vedran> I'm sorry :/
* Aleyn shakes his head.
<Aleyn> it's ... it'll be all right.
<Vedran> I don't always feel like I worry about you enough
<Aleyn> ...
<Aleyn> I don't want you to worry about me.
<Aleyn> I don't want to be a ... a burden for you.
<Vedran> Like... I can't always see past all these things in my head.
* Aleyn listens
<Vedran> You're not a burden
<Aleyn> okay.
<Vedran> But I want you to be happy
<Aleyn> well... that's what we're trying to make sure, right?
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> yes
<Aleyn> for both of us.
<Vedran> and...whoever we pick
* Aleyn nods.
<Aleyn> and whoever picks us back.
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> ... two for one deal
* Aleyn manages a little joke
* Vedran smiles
<Vedran> I just... I can't do it again, with someone who can't be happy with me...
* Vedran hugs you a little tighter
<Aleyn> you don't have to.
<Aleyn> there are lots of choices, if some of them can't be happy with... with things the way they are, then there are other options.
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> and we're going to talk to them more first, right?
<Vedran> yes
<Aleyn> ... do you have any ideas about who you want to ... to talk to?
<Vedran> a little more casually first, and then maybe set up something else
<Aleyn> I have some thoughts, but I want to hear yours first.
<Vedran> okay
* Aleyn holds you close, reassuring.
<Vedran> I haven't had coffee yet so...
<Vedran> Maybe Derenn Doumens, Ardith Aethlin....
<Vedran> maybe Ricca Scrye?
* Aleyn lets out a sort of relieved breath that he hadn't quite known he was holding.
<Vedran> Theres a few others, maybe
<Vedran> Maybe Solan Limoges, maybe
<Vedran> I can't decide
<Aleyn> I was thinking the same. Like, exactly. And yeah, there are others who seem maybe worth talking to more, but those ones... from what I've seen at least, they seemed really promising.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> Ricca makes me a little nervous
* Vedran admits
<Aleyn> nervous how?
<Vedran> but it's just... superficial
<Vedran> once I get her talking its fine?
<Aleyn> because of.. how she looks?
* Aleyn guesses
<Vedran> yeah
<Vedran> and she's so quiet...
* Aleyn nods.
<Vedran> does that make it weird that I like her?
* Aleyn considers.
<Aleyn> well, like you said, it's superficial. Underneath, maybe you can tell she's different.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> at least I know why she made the list now :p
<Aleyn> hm?
<Aleyn> oh, because of her research?
<Vedran> yeah
<Vedran> she's really smart
<Aleyn> I almost wonder... well, I don't know. But wouldn't she be inclined to help out your father anyway?
<Aleyn> like, maybe she'd be ... on side regardless of who marries who. Maybe several of them would, really.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> I hope so
<Vedran> but her by herself is not the same as her with the support of her House.
<Aleyn> I guess that's true.
<Aleyn> I never think that far...
<Vedran> its okay
* Aleyn deposits a little kiss on your temple.
<Aleyn> I thought I would feel weird about the idea of you maybe marrying a man.
<Vedran> no, though?
<Aleyn> well, not just any man
<Aleyn> but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it might actually be okay.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> what were you worried about?
<Aleyn> uh... it sounds silly >.>
* Vedran smiles
<Vedran> tell me?
* Vedran strokes your chest
<Aleyn> <m> that if you could have cock at home you might not need me anymore.
* Aleyn says under his breath, blushing.
<Vedran> you have such a fabulous cock though
* Aleyn smiles a little at that
<Vedran> but you know I want you for more than that, right?
<Aleyn> I know. that's why I said it was silly.
<Vedran> I just wanted to make sure
* Aleyn nods
* Vedran leans over to offer you a kiss
* Aleyn kisses back
<Vedran>
<Aleyn> you have a fabulous cock too, by the way
<Vedran> oh well thank you...
* Vedran blushes a bit though
<Vedran> I could just go to the next dance pantsless?
* Aleyn grins.
<Aleyn> ah, no, we can't have hundreds of people clamouring for you.
* Vedran chuckles at that
<Aleyn> anyway... I want the best person, for all of us. and if that's a man, then great.
<Vedran> okay
<Aleyn> I just wanted you to know that doesn't make a difference for me.
<Vedran> part of me thinks it might be easier... I don't know
* Aleyn nods.
<Aleyn> well, if you feel that way, that's not something to ignore.
<Vedran> its easier to just think about talking to any of them >.>
<Aleyn> talking is a good start. it's what you'll have to do soon, after all.
<Vedran> that's what your friend said I should do, anyway
* Aleyn nods, smiling.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> just... try not to worry about the rest
<Aleyn> yeah.
<Vedran> and lots of practice
<Aleyn> when you do talk to them, how do you want to handle it? do you want me to be there?
<Vedran> I think I should talk to them alone a little first?
<Aleyn> okay.
<Vedran> I mean
<Vedran> I want you there
<Vedran> but... i'm going to have to live with...whoever
<Vedran> I need to be able to talk to them
* Aleyn nods.
<Vedran> and if it isn't going well anyway...
<Aleyn> no, that's fine. you want me ... nearby, in case?
<Vedran> yes
<Vedran> please
<Aleyn> of course.
* Aleyn snugs you close.
<Aleyn> so if they seem okay with the... the general idea, then you'll introduce me?
<Vedran> yeah
<Aleyn> okay.
<Vedran> Aleyn... will it upset you if I like them? Actually like them?
<Aleyn> like them like more than a friend?
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> I...
* Aleyn weighs his answer for a moment.
<Vedran> If you know I'm not going to leave you?
<Aleyn> I want to be the most important for you. I ... I don't mind if you like them too, as long as I know I have you.
<Aleyn> does that sound ... too clingy? :/
<Vedran> no...
<Vedran> I just...
<Vedran> I've never done this before, where I only have one person that i care for
<Aleyn> I... I trust you.
<Vedran> okay
<Vedran> thank you
<Vedran> I want to deserve that trust so badly...
<Aleyn> I know it's not the same as with Roth... because I know about it and I'll see it's okay and it won't be... lies.
* Aleyn sniffles a little.
<Vedran> it won't be
<Vedran> I promise it will never be like that
* Aleyn nods, wiping at his eyes.
* Vedran catches your hands and kisses them
<Vedran> I just wanted to be honest...
<Aleyn> I want that too.
<Aleyn> ... what would be perfect, for you? if this works out, how would you want it to be, if it was exactly right?
<Vedran> I don't know, Aleyn.
<Vedran> I've been trying not to let myself build up...expectations
* Aleyn nods
<Aleyn> I know... i understand that. but ... it's nice to have something to aim for, too.
<Vedran> Just, I think that's part of where things went wrong last time...
<Aleyn> so maybe we can find ways to get closer to it, even if it's not ever going to be completely perfect.
<Aleyn> but... okay, we don't have to talk about that now if you don't want to.
<Vedran> I want.... someone I can care for, who will let me love you
<Vedran> someone I can work with
<Vedran> what do *you* want?
* Vedran asks, looking you in the face
<Aleyn> I want us to be able to be close, to go back and forth from my house to yours, or wherever we might be... I want to feel welcome at your house, like part of the family. I want our kids to play together.
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> So I want the right person who can help that to happen.
<Aleyn> someone who will like me too, and like to have me around.
<Vedran> right
<Vedran> we're lucky - you're very likeable
* Vedran smiles
* Aleyn blushes at that, smiling back.
<Vedran> we'll be okay
<Aleyn> Would... would that be the sort of thing that would be a scandal?
<Vedran> It will matter less after I'm married
<Aleyn> oh. okay. it wouldn't be... embarrassing for people?
<Vedran> I hope not?
<Vedran> Not of they agree to it
<Aleyn> all right.
<Vedran> in time, at least, we could work up to that
* Aleyn nods.
<Vedran> without it being scandalous
* Aleyn manages a little smile.
<Vedran> its just right now, when I have hung my hat out, so to speak....
<Aleyn> it's a little easier now... having the actual list, and meeting them...
<Vedran> I'm glad
<Aleyn> reality is less scary than my imagination :p
<Vedran> tell me about it
* Vedran agrees
<Aleyn> .. are you starving for breakfast, or do you want to stay up here a little longer?
<Aleyn> I know you just had a bath, but.... >.>
<Vedran> we can stay up.... I haven't done my ritual yet ^-^
<Aleyn> oh...umm.
<Vedran> umm?
* Aleyn gets a slightly intrigued/naughty look on his face.
<Vedran> is that 'umm' you'd like to get me all dirty? >
<Aleyn> would that be okay?
* Vedran nods, and moves to kiss you
* Vedran slips back into the room, his hair all wet and curly, wearing a house robe
* Aleyn is lounging and taking advantage of your bookshelf
* Aleyn glances up and smiles
* Vedran smiles back and will come sit with you
<Vedran> any good?
<Aleyn> oh... cheesy adventure stories?
<Aleyn> they're fun, though
* Aleyn sets the book aside though
<Vedran> Oh I know
<Vedran> I've read them all... more than once
* Vedran peeks to see which one
<Vedran> heh
<Vedran> that one is funny
* Aleyn nods, smiling.
<Vedran> ...did you have a good time last night?
<Aleyn> it was okay, yeah. I mean, I was still nervous, but it went pretty well, I thought?
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> what about you?
<Vedran> I was glad you were there
<Aleyn> I did enjoy my maximum one dance with you
* Vedran smiles more
<Vedran> me too
<Aleyn> ... how was it, with the others?
<Aleyn> did it go all right?
<Vedran> So far there hasn't been too much to it
<Vedran> small talk, a little dancing
* Aleyn nods.
<Vedran> There are some people on the list my father gave me that I don't think will work out
<Vedran> but a few that might, I guess
<Aleyn> you know, I probably shouldn't be as surprised as I am that there is a literal list. written down on paper and everything.
<Vedran> My father is nothing if not organized -_-
* Aleyn reaches for your hand.
<Vedran> did you have a chance to talk to any of them?
* Vedran takes it
<Aleyn> Uh, just a few.
<Aleyn> some of them seem .. nice, I guess? It's hard to judge from a few minutes of small talk.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> yeah..
<Vedran> Some of them I know a little, I guess?
<Vedran> but not well
* Aleyn nods.
<Aleyn> out of all those people, there has to be one who'll be okay, right?
<Vedran> yes
<Vedran> probably more than one, really @_@
* Aleyn nods more slowly.
<Vedran> I mean, I'd like to feel like there are options?
<Vedran> I don't know
<Aleyn> me too. I realize it's not just up to us, but ... I hope we wouldn't have just one choice.
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> so that way we can .. pick the best one? I don't know. it all sounds sort of crass :/
<Vedran> :/
<Aleyn> but you know what I mean.
<Vedran> yeah...
<Aleyn> You're right there are plenty who are probably nice, decent people who would be... good for you.
<Vedran> I hope so.
<Vedran> It makes me feel selfish though :/
<Aleyn> why?
* Vedran kisses your shoulder
<Vedran> Like I want to have my cake and eat it too?
* Aleyn draws you closer into a cuddle.
* Vedran is snuggled
<Aleyn> you deserve to be happy. I hope that I make you happy, and I hope that whoever you marry will too. Maybe in different ways, but still happy.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> I just... always thought I would... should... be able to be happy with less
<Aleyn> maybe you could. but you don't have to be.
<Vedran> maybe
<Aleyn> and I hope I'll be happy too.
* Vedran looks up from kissing your shoulder again
<Vedran> Are you not?
* Vedran asks, worried
<Aleyn> I am now, with you...
<Aleyn> I want to keep it that way.
<Vedran> me too.
<Aleyn> as much as we can, anyway...
<Vedran> I'm sorry :/
* Aleyn shakes his head.
<Aleyn> it's ... it'll be all right.
<Vedran> I don't always feel like I worry about you enough
<Aleyn> ...
<Aleyn> I don't want you to worry about me.
<Aleyn> I don't want to be a ... a burden for you.
<Vedran> Like... I can't always see past all these things in my head.
* Aleyn listens
<Vedran> You're not a burden
<Aleyn> okay.
<Vedran> But I want you to be happy
<Aleyn> well... that's what we're trying to make sure, right?
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> yes
<Aleyn> for both of us.
<Vedran> and...whoever we pick
* Aleyn nods.
<Aleyn> and whoever picks us back.
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> ... two for one deal
* Aleyn manages a little joke
* Vedran smiles
<Vedran> I just... I can't do it again, with someone who can't be happy with me...
* Vedran hugs you a little tighter
<Aleyn> you don't have to.
<Aleyn> there are lots of choices, if some of them can't be happy with... with things the way they are, then there are other options.
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> and we're going to talk to them more first, right?
<Vedran> yes
<Aleyn> ... do you have any ideas about who you want to ... to talk to?
<Vedran> a little more casually first, and then maybe set up something else
<Aleyn> I have some thoughts, but I want to hear yours first.
<Vedran> okay
* Aleyn holds you close, reassuring.
<Vedran> I haven't had coffee yet so...
<Vedran> Maybe Derenn Doumens, Ardith Aethlin....
<Vedran> maybe Ricca Scrye?
* Aleyn lets out a sort of relieved breath that he hadn't quite known he was holding.
<Vedran> Theres a few others, maybe
<Vedran> Maybe Solan Limoges, maybe
<Vedran> I can't decide
<Aleyn> I was thinking the same. Like, exactly. And yeah, there are others who seem maybe worth talking to more, but those ones... from what I've seen at least, they seemed really promising.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> Ricca makes me a little nervous
* Vedran admits
<Aleyn> nervous how?
<Vedran> but it's just... superficial
<Vedran> once I get her talking its fine?
<Aleyn> because of.. how she looks?
* Aleyn guesses
<Vedran> yeah
<Vedran> and she's so quiet...
* Aleyn nods.
<Vedran> does that make it weird that I like her?
* Aleyn considers.
<Aleyn> well, like you said, it's superficial. Underneath, maybe you can tell she's different.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> at least I know why she made the list now :p
<Aleyn> hm?
<Aleyn> oh, because of her research?
<Vedran> yeah
<Vedran> she's really smart
<Aleyn> I almost wonder... well, I don't know. But wouldn't she be inclined to help out your father anyway?
<Aleyn> like, maybe she'd be ... on side regardless of who marries who. Maybe several of them would, really.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> I hope so
<Vedran> but her by herself is not the same as her with the support of her House.
<Aleyn> I guess that's true.
<Aleyn> I never think that far...
<Vedran> its okay
* Aleyn deposits a little kiss on your temple.
<Aleyn> I thought I would feel weird about the idea of you maybe marrying a man.
<Vedran> no, though?
<Aleyn> well, not just any man
<Aleyn> but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it might actually be okay.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> what were you worried about?
<Aleyn> uh... it sounds silly >.>
* Vedran smiles
<Vedran> tell me?
* Vedran strokes your chest
<Aleyn> <m> that if you could have cock at home you might not need me anymore.
* Aleyn says under his breath, blushing.
<Vedran> you have such a fabulous cock though
* Aleyn smiles a little at that
<Vedran> but you know I want you for more than that, right?
<Aleyn> I know. that's why I said it was silly.
<Vedran> I just wanted to make sure
* Aleyn nods
* Vedran leans over to offer you a kiss
* Aleyn kisses back
<Vedran>
<Aleyn> you have a fabulous cock too, by the way
<Vedran> oh well thank you...
* Vedran blushes a bit though
<Vedran> I could just go to the next dance pantsless?
* Aleyn grins.
<Aleyn> ah, no, we can't have hundreds of people clamouring for you.
* Vedran chuckles at that
<Aleyn> anyway... I want the best person, for all of us. and if that's a man, then great.
<Vedran> okay
<Aleyn> I just wanted you to know that doesn't make a difference for me.
<Vedran> part of me thinks it might be easier... I don't know
* Aleyn nods.
<Aleyn> well, if you feel that way, that's not something to ignore.
<Vedran> its easier to just think about talking to any of them >.>
<Aleyn> talking is a good start. it's what you'll have to do soon, after all.
<Vedran> that's what your friend said I should do, anyway
* Aleyn nods, smiling.
* Vedran nods
<Vedran> just... try not to worry about the rest
<Aleyn> yeah.
<Vedran> and lots of practice
<Aleyn> when you do talk to them, how do you want to handle it? do you want me to be there?
<Vedran> I think I should talk to them alone a little first?
<Aleyn> okay.
<Vedran> I mean
<Vedran> I want you there
<Vedran> but... i'm going to have to live with...whoever
<Vedran> I need to be able to talk to them
* Aleyn nods.
<Vedran> and if it isn't going well anyway...
<Aleyn> no, that's fine. you want me ... nearby, in case?
<Vedran> yes
<Vedran> please
<Aleyn> of course.
* Aleyn snugs you close.
<Aleyn> so if they seem okay with the... the general idea, then you'll introduce me?
<Vedran> yeah
<Aleyn> okay.
<Vedran> Aleyn... will it upset you if I like them? Actually like them?
<Aleyn> like them like more than a friend?
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> I...
* Aleyn weighs his answer for a moment.
<Vedran> If you know I'm not going to leave you?
<Aleyn> I want to be the most important for you. I ... I don't mind if you like them too, as long as I know I have you.
<Aleyn> does that sound ... too clingy? :/
<Vedran> no...
<Vedran> I just...
<Vedran> I've never done this before, where I only have one person that i care for
<Aleyn> I... I trust you.
<Vedran> okay
<Vedran> thank you
<Vedran> I want to deserve that trust so badly...
<Aleyn> I know it's not the same as with Roth... because I know about it and I'll see it's okay and it won't be... lies.
* Aleyn sniffles a little.
<Vedran> it won't be
<Vedran> I promise it will never be like that
* Aleyn nods, wiping at his eyes.
* Vedran catches your hands and kisses them
<Vedran> I just wanted to be honest...
<Aleyn> I want that too.
<Aleyn> ... what would be perfect, for you? if this works out, how would you want it to be, if it was exactly right?
<Vedran> I don't know, Aleyn.
<Vedran> I've been trying not to let myself build up...expectations
* Aleyn nods
<Aleyn> I know... i understand that. but ... it's nice to have something to aim for, too.
<Vedran> Just, I think that's part of where things went wrong last time...
<Aleyn> so maybe we can find ways to get closer to it, even if it's not ever going to be completely perfect.
<Aleyn> but... okay, we don't have to talk about that now if you don't want to.
<Vedran> I want.... someone I can care for, who will let me love you
<Vedran> someone I can work with
<Vedran> what do *you* want?
* Vedran asks, looking you in the face
<Aleyn> I want us to be able to be close, to go back and forth from my house to yours, or wherever we might be... I want to feel welcome at your house, like part of the family. I want our kids to play together.
* Vedran nods
<Aleyn> So I want the right person who can help that to happen.
<Aleyn> someone who will like me too, and like to have me around.
<Vedran> right
<Vedran> we're lucky - you're very likeable
* Vedran smiles
* Aleyn blushes at that, smiling back.
<Vedran> we'll be okay
<Aleyn> Would... would that be the sort of thing that would be a scandal?
<Vedran> It will matter less after I'm married
<Aleyn> oh. okay. it wouldn't be... embarrassing for people?
<Vedran> I hope not?
<Vedran> Not of they agree to it
<Aleyn> all right.
<Vedran> in time, at least, we could work up to that
* Aleyn nods.
<Vedran> without it being scandalous
* Aleyn manages a little smile.
<Vedran> its just right now, when I have hung my hat out, so to speak....
<Aleyn> it's a little easier now... having the actual list, and meeting them...
<Vedran> I'm glad
<Aleyn> reality is less scary than my imagination :p
<Vedran> tell me about it
* Vedran agrees
<Aleyn> .. are you starving for breakfast, or do you want to stay up here a little longer?
<Aleyn> I know you just had a bath, but.... >.>
<Vedran> we can stay up.... I haven't done my ritual yet ^-^
<Aleyn> oh...umm.
<Vedran> umm?
* Aleyn gets a slightly intrigued/naughty look on his face.
<Vedran> is that 'umm' you'd like to get me all dirty? >
<Aleyn> would that be okay?
* Vedran nods, and moves to kiss you