Later Means Now, Now Means Forever

Log Info

• Title: Later Means Now, Now Means Forever

• Emitter: Ravenstongue

• Characters: Ravenstongue, Telamon

• Summary: Ravenstongue and Telamon go to the courthouse to make good on their drunken idea of signing a betrothal certificate in order to prevent Ravenstongue's father from betrothing her to more people without her consent. Her stepmother, Lady Ainasse, is there, and she unnerves Ravenstongue with a mere glare as they deal with an overtalkative and bored clerk. The certificate is signed and Lady Ainasse follows them out of the courthouse--but before she can even threaten them, Ravenstongue manages to charm the superior mage and tells her to leave her and Telamon alone. Telamon calms Ravenstongue down as they walk to the site where they first kissed--and he proposes to her 'formally' there. The couple agree to post an announcement in the Tribune specifically to spite Ravenstongue's father. Most important of all: Pothy approves.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Dramatis Personae =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-    
Ravenstongue         5'0"     99 Lb      Half-Elf          Female    Short half-elf girl with violet eyes and black hair.                       
Telamon              5'6"     140 Lb     Half-Elf          Male      A platinum-blond half-sil man with dancing dark eyes 
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The courtroom is quiet. It's a Kesenday, so naturally nobody wants to work before the alluring promise of freedom that the weekend brings. A number of officials are hard at work (or pretending to work) otherwise, filing papers and seeing to clerical matters, but otherwise, it's quiet.

A blonde elf woman waits in the lobby. She has an expression of bored disgust on her face to the point where her physiognomy could be described as carved for such contempt. She is dressed in a long blue gown. A band of emeralds that match the color of her eyes hangs from her neck.

Ravenstongue enters the building, dressed in a nice wool purple gown that makes her comfortable for the weather. Pothy, of course, is riding on her shoulder, but her eyes are only for the man whose hand she holds as she walks. "Well, we're really doing this, huh?" she asks with a smile.

For his part, Telamon has opted for a black and silver doublet with black hose, half boots, and his usual cloak slung around his shoulders. Looking more like a minor noble than anything else, his hand is caught in Raven's and he smiles back at her. "Not too late to back out, and try and find a better deal," he teases. His eyes twinkling. "We'll get the betrothal signed, then I think a formal proposal is in order. You deserve it, 'Lana."

He tucks her hand into his elbow, treating her like the queen of his heart that she is. "Now, where the devils do we go for those contracts. I swear they rearrange this place every two months..."

GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+12: (19)+12: 31
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Perception: (7)+4: 11

Ravenstongue grins brightly at Telamon, drawing herself close to Telamon as he pulls her inward. "Let me think about it--hmm... Where could I possibly find anyone who cares for me as much as you do and is willing to accept my odd lineage..."

She leans in and kisses him on the cheek playfully. "Mmm, I can't think of anywhere to go. No where I'd care to go and no one else I'd rather do this with." She's sober now, of course, but it's still a giddying experience, even if this isn't the formal proposal in Telamon's eyes.

She is unaware of the blonde woman turning her emerald gaze onto the feytouched half-elf. The elf glares at her deeply as her hand goes to rest on her lower abdomen.

It is only a glare. For now.

GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (6)+11: 17
GAME: Telamon rolls bluff: (18)+13: 31

Telamon is completely distracted for a few moments by Raven's teasing and the kiss on the cheek, and laughs softly. It's a cheerful sound, the sound spring might make if it'd hurry up and get here. "Ah, here we go. Down this hall, third door." He gestures at the wooden board that shows what offices are where. "Let's go, 'Lana. I'm thinking of springing for an announcement in the Tribune, just to show off."

He's completely oblivious to the blonde woman glaring at his lady -- or so it seems. As the pair walk down the hall, Telamon begins to gesture in the subtle patterns of handspeech. << Don't turn around, but I just saw Lady Ainasse back there. She looked like someone had fed her a lemon. >>

The woman does not follow them. The only thing of her that does is her disgusted glare that bores into the back of Raven's head.

Ravenstongue giggles happily as she walks with him, still holding onto him happily. But then she catches Telamon's hand signals and her eyes go wide. Once they're a bit further down the hall, Ravenstongue signs back, << Are you sure that was her? Was she looking at me specifically? Gods, are we even safe? >>

Her arm wrapped around his already is beginning to shake. Pothy, meanwhile, croaks, "I'll do it again," mimicking a dwarven voice that is almost certainly promising a threat.

"No shakes now, darling." Telamon's voice is soothing, as if comforting his lady's nerves. But his fingers move in deft patterns, and his expression betrays nothing. << Pretty sure. She glared at you fairly obviously. I wonder why though. >>

He leads Raven through the door to the marriage licenses and betrothal contracts office, smiling broadly at the clerk. "Good day! I have returned, as I promised! And you didn't even believe she existed!"

GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (6)+11: 17
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Perception: (10)+4: 14

<< I wonder if she's here on my father's behalf, >> Ravenstongue signs back. But she tries to give a nice big smile as they approach the clerk. "Ahh, what are you telling people about me, Tel?" she asks, smiling.

The clerk smiles... and then looks confused. "Ahhh, err... Huh. Sorry, I thought I heard something odd just... now. Betrothal contract, yes?"

Telamon can't talk any more, now that he's speaking to the clerk. "Yes, sir. We will be formalizing things with the priests soon enough, but I believe a proper contract is called for in these affairs." He reaches into his pouch, removing some documentation he had drawn up. "Telamon Atlon, and my lady is Cor'lana Lúpecyll."

The clerk nods, taking the documentation when it's handed to him. "Alright. Well, easy enough, I can have that paperwork ready for you in just a few moments," he says, a magic quill already beginning to write away.

The sound of footsteps come down the hall. Ravenstongue looks over at Telamon with a hint of worry in her face. << If it's her, what do we do? >> she signs, taking the moment while the clerk is distracted supervising the quill's handiwork to sign. << What if she comes in here to object to this document? And... What if she gets violent? >>

Telamon smiles broadly at the clerk, radiating good cheer. "I'll let you to it. Gods know, I've done enough scribework that you don't need me looking over your shoulder." He turns to regard Raven with a calm gaze.

His fingers dance, elegant. Calm. << Violent? In the middle of the Alexandrian courthouse? She's not the wife of the Lord Mayor. Besides, she'll do nothing to jeopardize her quickened child. >> He pauses, looking thoughtful. << If she comes in and objects, let me talk. You're nervous. This might be an opportunity to unravel why your father is playing these games. >>

The footsteps come closer.

Ravenstongue squirms a tiny bit. Her eyes dart over to the betrothal document's creation, a certain pleading look in her eyes. It's clear she's interested in being out of here as quickly as possible, courthouse or no courthouse.

A figure passes by the doorway, a man of human build. The footsteps go with him as he walks past the door, and Ravenstongue lets out a large sigh of relief. "Worried for nothing," she mumbles, although there are little tears in her eyes.

"Alright! It's all ready to go," the clerk cheerfully says, taking the finished document and its sister for filing purposes. He holds out another magic quill and the two documents. "I'll simply need you two to sign on both and then you will be ready to go. One's for you to keep, the other stays with me here."

Telamon reviews both copies, before nodding. "Excellent, sir." He picks up the quill, and signs his name to each one with a flourish. Then he slides both copies over to Raven, along with the quill. "Has it been very busy today? Usually it's quieter on most Kesendays, from what I've seen." He tosses a glance back at the human walking past the doorway. "Seems like there's a few more people here today."

"Oh, that's Sam," the clerk replies as he peers past Telamon to look at the human as he passes. "He's kind of the handyman around here. The artifice we use here sometimes breaks and it's a big ol' problem when it does, so he's usually occupied with maintenance. Been pretty quiet in here, though--I think you're the third couple I've had today walk in? Lady Melise of the Meontraed family came in with two of her six daughters and their beaus, believe it or not." It's not terribly comely of a clerk to gossip, but the guy seems bored and looking for something to do--or is simply desperate for conversation. After all, it's just him here.

Ravenstongue signs her name on both documents. Her signature is a practiced one that hasn't had much usage, so it's a bit stilted, but still aesthetically pleasing. She smiles, handing the filing copy back to the clerk.

"Alright! You're both all set," the clerk says, popping open a filing cabinet and finding an appropriate folder to slot in the new document. The sense of organization is somewhat arcane, and not in the magical sort--gods know where he knows things go, but he seems to know.

Telamon checks his copy of the contract again, before tucking it away. "Lady Melise? Truly? I'd heard the Meonstraed family was going through a rough patch, but if they've secured two husbands, well... perhaps things are turning around for them. One can only hope." He's nothing if not gracious, and he does mean it.

"Alright then. Shall we go, 'Lana?" He offers his elbow to Raven with a smile. "There's still a few things to be done today."

"Myeah, Lady Melise seemed all outta sorts. Had to destroy a marriage contract that my coworker had processed the other day because it turned out it was an unauthorized body double that came in, not the actual lady! Proxy signings are a thing you can do, but you gotta have writing and more documentation for that--not really done unless something prevents the couple from being here in person. Not that I'd ever betrothe my own young son to an adult woman--kinda creepy if you ask me--but like you said, rough patch." The clerk is happy to talk. "Well, look at me ramblin' on. You two go have fun."

Ravenstongue nods, her mood improving now that the contract is in the filing cabinets and they've just heard verbal confirmation the previous marriage contract was destroyed. She takes his elbow, wrapping her arm around it, and holds it tightly. "Let's go," she says firmly.

Telamon smiles, and touches his free hand to his brow. "Good day, sir. Enjoy your weekend when you get to it." He leads Raven out of the office, with just the hint of a swagger. Once outside the office, his fingers begin their dance again as he watches. << Interesting. Very interesting. I do hope things work out for Lady Melise, though. >>

His eyes scan ahead, looking for Lady Ainasse as the pair walk down the hall. "I wonder..." he muses thoughtfully aloud.

No Lady Ainasse in sight. The previously identified Sam appears to not be around either, having gone deeper into the courthouse.

Ravenstongue sighs in relief as she sees there's not a single haughty elf noblewoman in sight. "We did it," she says, looking up at Telamon with eyes that threaten to really spill over with tears from the sheer tension of the situation. "I thought she was going to appear and mess everything up somehow. She can use magic--she was the one who cast the rite to identify the messengers Grandfather was sending to harass me--so I was... You know."

She shakes her head, looking away from Telamon as they walk. "I thought I was over freezing up and worrying about all of that in my head," she says sadly. "I thought I'd... grown up, healed, whatever you want to call it. But I just kept picturing every bad scenario I could in my head."

Telamon walks Raven out of the courthouse, before speaking. "You've had to go through so much, 'Lana. Don't feel bad for being shaken. I'm... curious as to why she was here today though. And she made no attempt to intercept us, or interfere." His brow furrows. "Very odd. And dangerous. While the rich and powerful can throw their weight around, acting too overtly makes waves."

He focuses, recalling what he saw. The glare, the caress of her lower belly. "I wonder if she's concerned that any inheritance is endangered by you. But then, why would Glorenacil recognize you? I... hm. Wait."

He looks at Raven. "Here's a thought. We've been assuming that your father and his wife have been in accord. What if they're not?"

GAME: Ravenstongue casts Charm Person. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+12: (3)+12: 15 (Ainasse will save, fails)

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Lady Ainasse walks out from behind the half-elf couple, a shimmer of magic flowing off her form. Her arms fold under her chest as she looks at them.

Ravenstongue stops dead in her tracks, her arm squeezing tightly around him. She bites her lip hard, her free hand immediately flickering out as she turns to Lady Ainasse and weaves a spell. "I want you to fuck off," Ravenstongue says, her eyes and face consumed now in a snarl. "Leave me and Telamon alone. Tell my father to take a long walk off a short pier before he messes with me again."

...And Lady Ainasse's body goes slack. She wordlessly turns away and starts walking. "Right. Sorry to have bothered you," she says, almost apologetically.

Telamon had already started to lift his hands before Raven beats him to the punch. He waits for Ainasse to walk off, before saying, "She's going to be monumentally pissed when that wears off, you know." His voice isn't reproachful in the slightest, merely stating fact. "This is starting to get out of hand, though."

He firmly puts his arm around Raven and starts walking away from the direction Ainasse went. "I just don't get it. The whole thing seems... out of proportion to what's going on. You'd think he would be happy to just pretend you didn't exist and focus on Ainasse and his child."

"I don't care if she's pissed or not," Raven replies with a huff, still holding close to Telamon. "It was already out of hand the moment that she and my father decided I was an inconvenience when I never asked to be born in the first place. And I'm done with wishing I was never born," she says, her hands shaking as the last phrase flows out of her completely unbidden, driven out of her by the adrenaline of the situation.

"I have reasons to live now. I have so many more happy moments in my life to live. That baby isn't my sibling. That woman isn't anything to me. And my father's not a father, just a deadbeat pretending to be nobility," Ravenstongue rants. The words continue to just spill out of her, hot and angry tears flowing down her cheeks. "So let them try me. I'm not going to be pushed around any more."

The two walk across the paths, down into the gardens, and down to the river shore. A sudden shock of recognition might break Raven's anger; this is where they shared their first kiss. "I completely agree," he replies calmly. Turning her to face him, and gently wiping away her tears with a gentle touch. "If they want to stop, fine. But if they want a war..." His eyes glint. "They'll get one."

He takes a deep breath, then smiles. "You know where we are, right?" His expression is slightly impish -- the 'sneaky little boy' aspect of him that occasionally pops out now and then.

Telamon's gambit works. Ravenstongue looks up and takes in their environs--more importantly, the man in front of her. The river is calm today, the winter wind not so chilly as it had been on that day. Even Pothy tip-taps on her shoulder as he recognizes the place--although there's no mislaid picnic basket by the shore containing abandoned sandwiches for him, he flies down to it anyway to root down there.

The rage in her eyes disappear with his brushing away of her tears as she looks up at him. "I do," she says. The smile replaces the frown. "This is where we kissed for the first time and I almost passed out because I didn't know anything about kissing."

Telamon laughs softly. "And then all you wanted to do was learn more. And I knew I wanted to do the same. With you." He looks into her eyes. "I am not a huge traditionalist. But there are some things that should be done, for the sake of the people involved. Not because 'it's tradition' or for some hoary ancestor who's long gone. But because it adds meaning to the people involved in it."

He steps back -- just a little -- and his hand smoothly dives into his bag, drawing out a small box. Opening it, he kneels down before Raven on one knee, presenting the box. "Cor'lana Lúpecyll, will you marry me?"

Inside the box is a glimmering star -- no. Three stars. A gold band, crowned with a small diamond and flanked by amethyst on either side.

Ravenstongue is stunned.

That's the simple way to put it. Her eyes look at him for a moment in complete disbelief, her eyes on him for a long moment before she even seems to think to look down at the box with the ring inside. Finally, her hands wander up to her mouth and her eyes flood up with tears again.

"Tel... Tel, I thought..." She shakes her head, a little giggle leaving her as she removes a hand from her face, revealing a wide smile. "You made it sound like you were waiting longer for the formal proposal! I know you told me--"

She shakes her head again. "Wait! Wait. Yes, of course I will!" she says, practically throwing herself at him as she just embraces him tightly on the ground, planting kisses on his cheek.

Pothy looks up at the couple from the ground, his blue eyes also becoming as wide as dinner plates as he sees what's going on. "You did it!" he cheers, mimicking Ravenstongue's voice. His tail wags up and down, celebrating for the two of them.

Telamon holds her tightly. Like he'll never let go, and in some sense he never will. "Like I said," he teases. "Some traditions are worth keeping." He kisses her soundly, and not on the cheek, hugging her close. Maybe it's cold out, but for now, he doesn't feel it.

"I wanted to make damn sure I'd... well, gotten everything in order." He takes her hand, and gently slips the ring on her finger, before kissing her hand. Glancing over at Pothy, he grins, and just hugs Raven some more. "Thanks, Pothy. I hope you understand I do want your approval."

Ravenstongue weeps for a little while--not in the sad sense of the word, just that she's simply overcome by her own joy and perhaps even bewilderment. She's smiling from ear to ear all the while, looking down at her left hand occasionally as though to check that what she's seeing is actually there. "I didn't think people cried like this for real," she eeks out. "I thought it was another sappy thing in books."

She shakes her head and returns his kiss. "You just surprise and teach me so much... Of course I'll marry you. Of course I will," she says, hugging him tightly.

Pothy flies closer to the embracing couple. "Crybaby," he says first to Ravenstongue in her voice, before he says to Telamon in his own, "Approval." He finishes it off with a solemn nod.

Telamon gently helps Raven to her feet now, brushing off any sand on her dress. "Sometimes," he says gently, "the books are right after all." Holding her close, looking at the river flowing past. "It sometimes feels like it should be a dream. Strange and wonderful. And yet every time I wake up it's with you."

After long moments, he continues, "I joked about taking out an announcement in the Tribune. Did you want me to actually do so? I know it would be a thumb in the eye of... Glorenacil." He refuses to call the man her father. "...But it's not just a decision I can make. It has to be both of us."

Ravenstongue wipes her eyes of tears that just keep coming. At least they're happy ones and not her angry/anxious tears from earlier before. "I feel the same," she says. "Every day is worth waking up for so long as you're just in my life."

At his suggestion, Ravenstongue nods firmly, even smiling a bit wickedly as he says it aloud. "Make it a full page spread. Two page, even. If we can afford it, that is. I want that asshole to see it and know I'm not his pawn in whatever game he's been playing. I want him to read it over breakfast and choke on his oats."

Who knows if the elder Lúpecyll even eats oats for breakfast, but apparently that's Ravenstongue's idea of a revenge fantasy.

"Snacks," Pothy says, as a food word has been uttered. He looks up at Telamon expectantly, as though to say, "Now you've really made it official, you need to make putting food into my mouth official, too."

Telamon laughs softly. "Alright. I'll go down to the Tribune tomorrow. I imagine they'll be happy to take our money." He squeezes her close. "But not today. I think we should go home. Together."

He laughs again at Pothy's insistent demand. "Alright, you rogue. I guess I do owe you that. I'm sure there's a bag of nuts calling your name." He suddenly looks thoughtful. "Hmm. That would make for am amusing magical item. A bag of snacks that softly calls to its owner..."

"Together," Ravenstongue says with a nod and a smile.

The river waters are calm as the half-elves return home, the chill of an oncoming winter evening speeding them along.