[IC] Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

[Lala Kitty]

Surprisingly, River didn't seem to be quite as thrilled about Emera's plan as she thought he would be. He was all for a bit of trickery here & there to light a fire under his brother, but trifling with the will of the gods was no laughing matter. Emera could put herself in serious danger by trying to pull off a stunt like that.

"I'm not so sure about that," River sighed softly before standing & approaching Emera, "I'm not sure what your Gods are like, but mine certainly wouldn't take kindly to being used to justify a means, no matter how noble your cause. For your insolence, your Gods could render Sylvia barren, or worse, kill off one of our loved ones. I would ask you to reconsider, Emera."

Approaching the elf, River gently wrapped his arms around her & hugged her cheek to his chest. He hoped she didn't take his advice the wrong way, for he was simply worried that she would get herself in over her head, or make promises that were impossible to keep. Her heart was in the wrong place, but she couldn't just pretend that the gods said something they didn't.

"I suggest that we actually go to this temple for prayer," River suggested to Emera as he leaned back again, "If anything arises, Aranhil & Sylvia will be the first to know; does that sound good? I think the fact that you are making such a strong effort will light up Sylvia's efforts to seduce my brother into their marriage bed, & I will, of course, encourage my brother to be more bold."

[Tiger]

Emera wrinkled up her nose. "I'd rather go pray to your gods." She answered with a deep frown. She did not like the idea of bringing him to see her gods. Not if they did not have to. "I think your gods are more likely to answer, in any case." She almost wished that he had not let her go. That was not something she could say to him, however. Instead, she turned away from him. She stepped over to where she had dropped her needlework, and gently took it into her hands. "River? Do you truly think it is necessary to sleep with your spouse to have a happy marriage?" Her voice was soft, unsure of what he thought.

She sat down, trying to think of reasons why Sylvia would not be abed with Aranhil already. Suddenly her eyes went wide. "River! Tell me, quickly. Did you and your brother ever make a child pact?" She asked in a rush. "When Sylvia and I were children, we swore before her gods that we would not get with child until we both could. She did it so that I would not be scared of having a bastard of my own. If you and your brother made something of the like, perhaps he is reluctant because you are unable to-" She blushed deeply. "I mean, not willing...or perhaps...."

Emera had no doubts that, should she offer, River would not take her to bed. She knew quite well that he would get her with child in an instant, should she let him. She also knew that Aranhil was aware of her reluctance to let his brother do as he pleased to her. "I wouldn't wish to be the reason Sylvia could not be granted a child." She whispered softly, her cheeks bright red. "Maybe I'm not right for you, River.....I know you're free, and wild. But I'd have you in a cage, just to be happy myself. Perhaps you would feel better with another woman."

[Lala Kitty]

With a bit of a scowl, River dragged himself to his feet & lumbered over to where Emera was, currently in the middle of one of her little crises. The women knew exactly how to drive him nuts sometimes, it was unreal how much she assumed he would be "better off" without her. Why did she think that she wasn't capable of pleasing him? He used to sleep with so many women because he was bored & not ready to rest his heart on one woman.

"Emera, you're not a cage, a chain, or a gnat for me to swat away," the dragon said sternly, "You are my woman, & the only one I want in the slightest. Yes, I would love to take you to bed with me, but it's worth waiting for your permission. Now stop complaining before I kiss you senseless; I already warned you that once I got your permission to love you that I would never let you wiggle free, remember?"

With a slow, easy smile, River wrapped his arms around Emera & pulled her into his warmth & height. he gently rubbed his hand over the back of her neck & kissed her forehead, keeping the woman squeezed against him to calm her. The elf woman could be a real pain from time to time, but River shocked himself by even enjoying her stubborn side, & almost reveling in it.

[Tiger]

Emera flushed deeply, trying to squirm out of his hold. "Stop that. You're just a guy. Guys never know what's good for them. Woman know that, not you men!" She protested as she tried to free herself from his grasp. Why did he have to be so strong? She loved that on any other day, but right now, she wouldn't mind breaking free. "Don't you dare try to kiss me. You know I forget how to argue with you when you do that! Don't distract me. I have to break up with you before I forget that it's better for you!"

She had a feeling that her protests were worthless. Why would he let her go, if he was able to keep her for himself. She groaned softly and gave up, sinking into his warm chest. "I hate you." She mumbled, though they both knew she didn't mean it. "I don't understand you, River. You could have a princess. If you wooed ether of Sylvia's sisters, you know they would take you. Or the vampires. Their strength is almost as legendary as that of the dragons. Their princess would be a worthy bride for you. I heard that a new one recently claimed a place among the royal family. She's only suppose to be a hundred and three years old. And I had heard that she is very beautiful. They said she's likely not even of human origin. That she had arrived from another country with one of the lords of the court. Neither of them would say where he found her, or when she was changed."

The elven lands had bordered upon the vampire's territory for years. For a long time, garlic and steaks had been very popular items to buy, grow, or make. However, eventually, they had worked out a deal. The vampires could have free passage through to the human lands, if they left the elves alone. "You would like her, River." She murmured as she closed her eyes. She smiled a bit and squeezed him a bit tighter. She loved being in his arms. "You smell good."

Looking up at him, Emera started to smile. "Would you like to travel with me to go see their country?"

[Lala Kitty]

"No," River grunted impatiently as Emera began to squirm again, trying to talk her way out of the intimacy the two of them shared. He understood that she was nervous, but damn, that woman had too many insecurities for her own good.

"I don't want anymore princesses in my life, you are more than enough to keep me satisfied," River continued softly as his arms trapped Emera in a firm embrace, pressing their bodies tightly together to block out her incessant worries while he went about seducing her into his favour. She could struggle as much as she wanted, but it wouldn't stop River's gentle kisses & doting.

"Do you think my years of experience would lie?" River asked Emera as he gently knocked her chin up with his index finger, "I've met enough girls to last a lifetime, & no one else has turned my head like you have. & that's not gonna change...."

[Tiger]

Emera kissed him gently. She couldn't help it, he was right there, and it was just too easy. She reached up and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "I think you still haven't gotten me in bed, and your male pride won't let you leave me until you do." She purred back. Sometimes, she was certain she had him all figured out. Usually, though, she was hoping that he would prove her wrong. He didn't just want to sleep with her, did he?

"I think," She whispered as her lips moved across his jaw. "You find me to be different than anyone you've met before." She almost couldn't believe herself. Her hands moved on their own accord, touching his shirt gently, and searching for the easiest way to get it off of him. "I think people see me as a conquest, and you would not want them to say you turned from one." She nipped at his neck gently, trying to keep her own desires in check. She hadn't realized how badly she wished to see him shirtless.

Pulling away from her young prince, she looked up to meet his eyes. She could hardly catch her own breath. "I think I'm not so sure I care any more. But I do know something." Very gently, she kissed him one more time, then stepped away.

"I know I am going to see the vampires." She smiled at him and took one more kiss. "Your people don't have an alliance with them. I've been studying the politics of your court, you know." She looked very pleased with herself. "Your country is at war with almost the whole rest of the world. Sylvia is sure to find that out. And she will not want to bring children into a world with so many dangers. We are going to go make peace with every single land that you hate. So, pack a bag, River. If you want to stay with me, you've got to come with me."

[Lala Kitty]

Riber rolled his eyes as Emera insisted that she was just a challenge to River, & she would only have value for as long as she still had her virginity. Even after he said he would wait until she wed him, she was still going on about this? What an impossible woman.

"Emera, I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but you're flattering yourself," River grumbled under his breath, "Men are more simple than you think. I've never worked so hard for a woman's affection before simply because I didn't want to. If a woman turned me down in the past, I was happy enough to find another woman willing to give me what I wanted; & believe me, I have been turned down before."

& then she was going on, talking about taking him to the vampires' kingdom, saying he would have to make peace with them somehow. Finally over his limit, River wrapped an arm & dragged Emera to her bed, tossing her back onto it. River followed immediately after, towering over her & effectively trapping her under him.

"Emera, don't test my patience," he growled, "There isn't a damn thing I can do about relations with other countries, only my brother & his appointed ambassadors have that power. & really, what's so hard for you to believe that I want you to be mine for the rest of our lives? Do you trust me that little that you think any girl with a pretty face could turn my attention from you?"

[Tiger]

"You're a prince!" Emera protested from under him. She squirmed against him, trying not to read too deeply into what he'd just done. She struggled, panting with the effort of it. he was too damn strong for her, though. And she was in a dress. A dress that was trapped by his knees. She tried to bring one of her legs up, to help fight free. The resulting rip left her frozen, though. She could feel cool air on her outer thigh, and it wasn't something she was use to. "Ri-river?" She squeaked. "My dress."

She squirmed again, trying to cover her leg. The dress just ripped a little more. Unable to fight back physically, she returned to words. "Get off me, you oaf! My dress is ripped, and this isn't decent! Of course I don't expect you to stay with me. You're a prince, did you forget that?" She could feel her tears starting to build up, and she desperately wanted to hold them back. "And I'm a bastard. Maybe it would have worked out if my parents had been wed. And if my dad hadn't tried to kill Sylvia. And if I had a higher social standing. But they weren't, he did, and I don't."

She planted her hands on his chest to push him back. She couldn't bring herself to do it, though. Her hands dropped down, and she looked away. "You're going to leave me, River. Eventually it'll get to be too much for you. I know I'm always leaving those stupid handkerchiefs for you, but it's just a joke! It's not like we can get married. You deserve a proper princess. Not me."

[Lala Kitty]

Smiling down at his stubborn lover, River refused to give her the satisfaction of warding him off with her insults & excuses & kept her trapped beneath him. If she wanted to tell him that he was being inappropriate, she shouldn't have been inviting him alone to her room every day since they arrived at the Elven kingdom.

"Oh Emera," River hushed her gently, "My dear, sweet Lirimaer. I can marry anyone I like, even a stubborn woman like you. Dragons aren't necessarily placed into power through blood to begin with; my great grandfather was a general before he overthrew the current king at the time for being a corrupt, spineless coward."

Sitting upward, River decided to make her feel less closed in & pulled her onto his lap, idly sliding his fingers over the sliver of skin that was exposed due to the rip in her dress; he had to get her back for her meanness, after all. His grip around her waist was solid, but ultimately, she could pull away if she truly wanted; they both knew that he was pushy, but she always had a final say in what she did with her body.

"Why do you think I haven't married you already?" River asked gently as his wandering hand moved up & tucked strands behind Emera's ear, "Think carefully, Lirimaer. You've been studying Dragon law, right?"

[Tiger]

Emera shivered at his touch. She let his hand stay where it was, though. She hated to admit it, but she almost liked the way it felt against her skin. She sunk into his chest, defeated. He never fought, but he always won. "Not that law." She muttered sullenly. "I've been studying the ones that apply to me. Not your stupid marriage laws." She still felt sulky, and she refused to be easy. "It's not like we're going to get married."

The young elf sunk into her beloved's chest and closed her eyes. She didn't want him to ever let go of her. "Stop touching me." She demanded, even as her own hands wrapped around his waist and drew him tighter to her. "And don't you dare think about kissing me." She wanted him more and more every day. Which is why she had to let him go now. "You do too have to marry a princess. Stop telling your silly lies."

Nestled against him, Emera felt so safe. "We are too going to go do something important. You can just tell Aranhil to make you a stupid ambassador. We're going, and we are making the vampires your friends." She insisted firmly. "You call me stubborn, but you haven't seen half of it. Now shut up." She kissed him gently to lessen the sting of her words. "Sorry, shut up, handsome."

Pulling out of his arms, Emera got to her feet. "Help me find a dress, River! We should go make our travel arrangements. Oh, damn it!" She caught sight of herself in a mirror. "I look like a mess! My hair'll have to be redone, and this dress...." She sighed. "I liked this one..." reluctant to throw it out, she decided she'd do what she could to repair it. She was handy with a needle and thread. "You'll have to step out while I dress, though. And cover your eyes, you shouldn't see so much of my leg."

[Lala Kitty]

River was quiet as Emera pried herself from his arms, not liking the emptiness he felt without her there. When had she become something so precious on his life; why did he feel like he needed her as much as he needed wings to fly?

Sliding from Emera's bed, River moved behind the woman as she continued to be difficult & check her appearance in the mirror. She complained too much for her own good, he sometimes felt like she was going to work herself into a stroke over the simplest of things. River's hands moved up to the amulet around his neck & he pulled it off, carelessly discarding the expensive jewel that hung from the cord. In its place he put his royal ring, knowing it would be too large for his lover's finger.

River leaned in & gently kissed Emera's cheek before laying the cord around her neck, his ring hanging just before her. Perhaps giving her his special treasure would placate her for now; he knew she wouldn't be completely at ease until they said their vows, but this would have to do until then.

"Emera, I can't wed you yet because Aranhil hasn't had a son with his wife," River explained gently, although his voice was almost frighteningly serious, "According to law, the first male heir to produce a son inherits the throne; I have too much respect for my brother to contest him for the throne, nor do I ever intend to be king; I'd much rather spend my days spoiling my wife & children."

River affectionately nuzzled Emera's shoulder & wrapped his arms tightly around her, hoping he had finally convinced her to stop worrying. He absolutely hated to see her so sure that she wasn't enough for him, bit even she had to know that he would eventually draw a line. Some days, he felt ready to give her what she said she wanted & leave her be, but he knew how much it would destroy them both.

"I will go with you to the vampires' territory, but no more talk of making peace," River ordered, turning Emera to face him now, "I was taught how to fight wars, not end conflicts peacefully. Once you meet a couple of vampires, you'll understand why I'm not comfortable around them."

[Tiger]

Emera reached up, shyly wrapping her hand around his ring. It wasn't an official engagement, but it did make her feel a lot better. "But you've slept with woman before." She'd heard the one he'd had in his room when they first met. She had good lungs. "What if they had given you a son? Is it not the same? Bastards don't count, do they." She knew how that went. As a bastard, she couldn't inherit anything from her parents. When they died, their things would go to legitimate children, if they had any. If not, it would return to the government. Whatever she could make for herself, she could have. But that was it. Bastards were not friends of the elven society.

"I could give you a daughter. Would a daughter be worth anything to you?" She inquired curiously. She didn't think a daughter could rise to succession, but she actually was not completely sure about that. She doubted, though, that if she had a daughter, her beloved would be exceptionally excited. She knew they valued sons more, and she was sure for his first child, he would want a son.

"And what about bastard children? If we were to have a child out of wedlock, would that little one challenge your brother's children for the throne? Would a bastard girl stand as much of a chance as a son born within wedlock?" She shook her head, not understanding at all. "I would never want to be a queen. I don't think I'd ever want to be a princess, ether. So many rules, and details. I don't know how Sylvia has handled it."

Sinking back into River's chest, the young elf sighed. "River, why won't you try for peace? Don't you want your children to be safe?" She looked up at him, starting to blush. "They might be my children, too. I don't want to have children that are just going to be sent off to die in a war." She hated the thought of losing her children. "For that matter, I don't want them participating in your stupid rite of passage, ether. I've read about that one. Children DIE during it!" Tender hearted little Emera couldn't stand the thought of loosing a child.

She stood up and crossed over to her wardrobe. Selecting a dress of sea green, she laid it upon the bed. "Shoo, River. I have to change. It's not proper for you to be in here while I dress. We can go for a walk and start preparing for our trip once I have dressed."

[Lala Kitty]

River remained silent as Emera ranted about their future children & why they possibly could or couldn't do. He hated I admit it, but she worried way too much about... well, everything. Leaning into Emera, River kissed her cheek affectionately before giving her some privacy to change. Emera was absolutely bonkers if he thought we was going to make peace with blood suckers, however.

For now, River went to his own room to write a response to Aranhil, & maybe lecture his elder brother some more. For a man who had no issues with breaking hearts in the past, his elder brother sure was having issues bedding the woman he was going to be spending the rest of his life with.

[Tiger]

Aranhil sighed as he reread his brother's letter. He was getting tired of people nagging him to just get laid already. Why was it such a problem that he wanted to wait? He just didn't understand it. Crumpling up the offending piece of paper, he threw it into the fire. "Stupid thing." He mumbled to himself. "Why can't they just mind their own business?" He stood up from his desk and turned, casting a glance at his bed. Just because his wife wasn't in it didn't mean that they had any right to shove their noses in.

He made his way down the hall, casting a glance around for his wife. By the time he reached her room, he had determined that she was not in the hall, and no one else was going to bother him. Knocking firmly he called, "Sylvia, I'm stepping in." He usually just announced himself, and the entered during the day. He saw no reason why he could not enter if he pleased. She was his wife, so they should have no secrets. And he didn't think she'd have a reason to be undressing in the middle of the day.

He stepped into the room and glanced over it to locate her. "I'm going to send my brother a letter and tell him to stay out of our bed, or I'll make sure he can't have fun in his own." He muttered angrily. "And that if he still insists on annoying me, I'm going to have your maid brought back here, and he has to stay with the elves for the next century!"

I almost forgot. Aranhil then merrily road his segway off a cliff.

[Lala Kitty]

Sylvia jumped as her husband came into the room, resisting the urge to giggle at her husband's angry response to River's cajoling & insistence. At the same time, she couldn't help but be a bit angry at River herself, closing her letter to Emera & sliding it away from herself. She was having enough issues trying to seduce her husband with absolutely no experience, & River came in to muddle things further but solidifying Aranhil's resolve to not bed her.

"He means well, Hallaer," Sylvia placated Aranhil, standing at her desk & moving to walk closer, "Your brother is a very... passionate person. I believe we worries the excitement between us will die if we wait too long to consummate our marriage."

There was a bit of hopefulness in Sylvia's voice that she knew fell deaf on her husband's ears, for it had since their marriage; she could drop hints as much as she liked, but Aranhil never caught on, or at least, he didn't seem to. For someone so brilliant & tactical, he had issues with catching on to Sylvia's painfully obvious invitations to finally share the same bed. Aranhil had never asked her why she ran off during their picnic, & it didn't seem like he was going to. It worked just as well, because she wasn't sure how to answer him. He'd probably assumed she had something to see to, or that she'd grown bored of waiting for him.

Sylvia tripped over her segway, & was unfortunately unable to ride off the cliff with Aranhil.

[Tiger]

Aranhil looked confused. "I would hope that it would die." He answered bluntly. "Excitement means unpredictability, and I would rather know what to expect. I don't like not knowing what will happen next." He told her honestly. He didn't understand why she seemed to think it was bad for excitement to die. "I would much rather be able to plan when we have children, and what we intend to do for the day. It makes it much easier to deal with situations, and to handle unexpected intrusions."

"Speaking of which, my brother mentioned that Emera has gotten it into her mind to go adventuring. I have forbidden them from leaving the country, but I'm worried my letter will arrive too late. He did not mention which land they intended to travel to, just that she was determined to go make allies. Where would you think Emera would be most likely to go? I figured she would attempt to meet with the humans. The elves have a strained relation with the humans, and we dragons have a bitter one. But they are the least dangerous of our enemies. Although, it might be more likely she would go to the faeries. I know that you elves have a long standing peace with them. Personally, I think they make a nice snack."

Aranhil is disappointed that his wife could not join him. He's written a letter to River asking him to throw Sylvia and the segway off the cliff.

[Lala Kitty]

"I have no clue," Sylvia replied, trying to quell her growing annoyance with her husband, "Perhaps Emera is trying to kill the excitement between them. I would bet on vampires if that's what she's doing."

Sylvia went to her boudoir & gently ran her fingers over an old comb she'd had for ages, passing it through her hair to calm herself down. There was no reason to be angry at Aranhil, but he was starting to get under her skin. Was he really content with a boring, predictable life & not finding her exciting anymore? Aranhil barely had physical contact with Sylvia anymore, even the kisses on her forehead & the quick hugs seemed to be coming to a halt; at this rate, they were going to be so emotionally distant, she would want nothing to do with him.

That was starting to scare Sylvia a bit, her growing distaste for her own husband. She didn't want to stand in the front lines of a war, but having some unpredictability could be fun. She wasn't one for stuffy schedules & overbearing rules, & she certainly didn't like not being affectionate with the man she loved. Elves were so much freer & open with their emotions, & she knew Aranhil would be less willing to fawn over her than an elf, but he seemed almost content with them being strangers that birthed children & went to public functions together; what a horrifying notion for an Elf.

"I'd love to chat more, but I have an appointment with your mother & sister, Hallaer," Sylvia announced almost dismissively as she put her comb back down, "Your mother wants to discuss planning for the upcoming harvest festival, she said she'd like to incorporate Elven traditions this year."

Sylvia gave Aranhil a small, polite nod & went to exit her room. She didn't bother getting too close to him, for the fear that he may eventually deny her of affection altogether one day. The elf knew that the queen didn't care for her, but maybe she would help Slyvia with the growing rift between her & Aranhil, for his happiness, if nothing else.

[Tiger]

Aranhil frowned. He didn't care for how she had suddenly turned flippant. "Now wait just a minute!" He followed her out into the hall and grabbed onto his wife's wrist. Mindful of how delicate she was, particularly by dragon standards, he held loosely. "I am your husband and king. You can't just walk out like that!" He protested. Spotting Hoppy deciding to go explore the castle, he groaned. "Not you too!"

The dragon released his wife's wrist and snatched up the rabbit. "I told you, the servants find you, you're going to be stew. Wife, come." He ordered. He turned and walked back into their bedroom, Hoppy in his arms. "I don't understand what has gotten into you. You were so doting when we first got married, you never left the room without asking permission. Or at least making up for it with a kiss. I'm just not alright with this change in attitude."

He shook his head and set the rabbit down on the bed. "I know that you are angry I dismissed your chamber maid, but I told you what the reasons for that were. She's teaching you things that you have no need to be concerned about, and she's not acting as a refined lady should. She's teaching you bad manners, and about cornergirls and ankle dancers." He sighed, "And I wish you didn't need to know what ether of those were!"

Cornergirls was the politer term for a prostitute. The girls would stand on the corner and catch business there. Prostitution was illegal, so many times the girls stood on the corners outside where the dancers worked, and sold rooms in the upstairs. Each place had their own symbol for if they were selling prostitutes or not that night. Interested men would approach, and the girl would lead him to wherever she sold herself, or would direct them to a coworker. Ankle dancers referenced the wrappings that the girls wore on their ankles, which made their dancing legal. Often, they were just the cover for the prostitution ring.

"Sit on the bed, wife. We have to talk." Aranhil informed Sophia, giving her a dismissive glance. "And advert your eyes. I have to change for training." He had been meeting with an important lord earlier. Now that the talks were done, though, he had to change from his silks and velvets and into the clothes he wore to practice fighting. "I assure you, I will have a new maid for you by the end of this week."

[Lala Kitty]

Sylvia could feel her anger starting to rise now, her body growing stiff as Aranhil asked her, no, ordered her to go back to her room with him. She was annoyed that he suddenly had this delusion that she was ever anything but compliant & respectful towards him, just because she didn't address him like she was another servant; just what did dragons teach their sons about women?

Instead of dwelling on her frustration, Sylvia tried to focus on Aranhil's statement that he wanted to have a discussion. Had he realized what had been happening between them as well? Sylvia eas hopeful, at least until Aranhil told her to look away as he dressed. Finally, she had enough, standing with her eyes narrowed.

"I've had just about enough of this," Syvlia announced, "There is absolutely nothing wrong with excitement, Aranhil, nor is there anything wrong with a husband & wife seeing each other nude. Bodies are beautiful & natural, absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. I can't keep taking your culture into account for nothing in return, or keep following your orders like a servant; that isn't how marriage works."

Sylvia stalked to her door & swung it open, still bristling with anger. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd gotten so angry at someone. It was like her husband had been doing the exact opposite of what she wanted for the past few days, & she just couldn't take it anymore, not quietly.

"By the way," Sulvia announced at the door before turning on her heel, "I hate wearing shoes. It's completely stupid that I have to squeeze into them because some weirdo is attracted to feet."

The bedroom door slammed shut & Sylvia stalked away from her room, fuming as she went to meet the queen & Cendres to plan the festival. Hopefully she's be able to relax while she was this the other two women.

[Tiger]

"SYLVIA!"

Aranhil jerked the door back open, absolutely fuming. Unfortunately, she'd caught him with his pants down. Literally. He'd dropped his drawers as soon as he thought her back was turned. His initial reaction had been to turn around to catch her. This resulted in him hilariously spinning his arms about like a windmill while he crashed to the floor. The Jack and the beanstalk's giant style. Except with a bit less 'fe fi fo fum'ing. The prince scrambled to his feet, red faced with embarrassment. He hadn't done that since he was four, and his mother caught him peeing behind the barracks.

Bursting out into the hall (with his pants properly laced around his waste) he groaned. Sylvia was no where to be seen. He stopped and closed his eyes, drawing in a long breath. He had to be relaxed. He was a prince, he couldn't let his anger get ahold of him. He was not River, and she was not Emera. He couldn't just screw her and pretend their fights were over with. Calmly, he walked down the hall, going to find his wife.

He located her locked between Cendres, and his mother. Cendres had eaten too much sugar. He could tell by the way she was bouncing, squeaking, and making overly exaggerated movements. His mother was....his mother. Really, he was saving his wife. Truly, he had to do her a kindness. He walked over, interrupting their conversation.

"Pardon me, mother. Excuse me, Cendres. Sylvia." he smiled at her, and kissed her forehead. "First of all, it is NOT weird to be attracted to feet." He informed her with a smile. "Second, your body may be beautiful and natural. But there is nothing beautiful about mine. I'm not a female." He laughed softly, sounding to all the world like he'd just told the best joke in the world. Cendres looked very worried about that laugh. "Third, I'm going to carry you out of this room like a sack of flour if you don't walk with me right this second because I refuse to yell at you in front of people."