Tis The Season

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## Season Upon Us

The hustle and bustle of the season was far from lost on the head of the branch family. In fact, he was in the thick of it as he and his most beloved wife ran back and forth to ensure that everything was as it should be for the upcoming festivities. Christmas time was here and it was one of the few times one might see most if not all of the Vroman's gatheirng underneath a single roof as tradition all be demanded it. Reading off a list of dishes to one of the newer chefs he made sure that she understood every word that came from his mouth. It was a headache for all involved, one he was felt he was getting too old to handle even with Carwen at his side. Sending the chef off he ran his hand through his red hair, not quite as bright and vibrant as it once was in his young, a heaviness to his eyes and lines to match the feeling made him feel a bit older than he truly was. Though the lead up was always stressful, he still looked forward to enjoying the holiday with his family, all of them for better or worse.

Seeing Carwen start to walk by, no doubt on her way to fulfill yet another task on their seemingly endless list he grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her close into a hug. "Oh my, I see I've made quite the fine catch. The catch of a lifetime in fact." He teased, both of them knowing there was still much to do but if he could not even find a moment to both love and annoy his wife then what was the point of anything in this life?

The hectic time of the holidays never allowed Carwen a moment to stand still. Even with her kid in her arms, she still put her damndest into everything she did. A part of it because it was required. And part of it was because she wanted to compensate for ever hour of christmas she had lost in the past, to make up for lost time by showing just how much she cared by putting love and thought into everything she did. Little Carwyn was starting to get a bit upset with his mommy running back and forth, feeling a bit hungry, leaving Carwen in a bit of an awkward spot. A lot of things to be done, and so little time until everyone would show up.

Her baby began to get a bit aggitated about it all, and just as Carwen thought she would have to improvise his feeding, space was offered up just enough to be able to prepare some formula for him. It wasn't that she disliked such things, as she liked the connection, but ultimately she didn't have time for it. Putting her baby in a chair, she handed the meal to him to enjoy at his own pace. Just as she was about to continue with work, her wrist was caught and her attention pulled away from the things needed to be done to be turned to the man of her life. The one man who held her heart in the palm of his hand.

"The best catch you ever made and ever will make." Carwen teased in return, turning in his embrace to pull his head down enough to offer a shortlasting kiss, placing her hands over his chest. Parting from him, she looked into his eyes, relishing the love she could see reflected in them. Even as they were approaching a later age in their lives, she remained as young as ever by appearance, while her husband matured all the while. But that was no concern in the slightest for her. He was just as handsome now as then as far as she was concerned. Every step of their lives only led her to see him with the same charm in various lightings.

Carwen was about to say something when she could hear her little boy begin to make a mess, splattering his formula all over himself. It was good he didn't wear his festive clothes yet. But there was still more needing to be done. "Charlotte! Be a sweetie and look to Carwyn and clean him up, won't you?"

The pink-scaled Calco appeared from around the corner shortly after having been called, scurrying out of her station in the kitchen to ensure everything was in order. At her command, she immediately hurried to look after the new Vroman boy. "Of course, my lady." She called back, begining to clean up Carwyn, causing him to giggle and splatter more, which only caused more work for Charlotte. Carwen had a lot of faith and confidence in the woman to let her tend to her baby like this. She found it sweet to see how much Carwyn had taken to liking her. Probably a good thing as it were.

Carwen returned her focus to Alistair again with a teasing look in her eyes and a playful smirk, tapping her hip against his pelvis. "Did you just want to snatch me away from this important work for the heck of it, or did you have something in mind to talk about?" She teased him, pecking his jawline.

Alistair leaned into his beloved's pecks with a smile on his face, feeling with each little kiss she gifted him with a chunk of stress was chipped away and replaced by the warmth they shared together. A slight giggle he let out a content sigh, "In truth? With all the lists and work my eyes have fallen upon this day I needed to cleanse my palette with something beautiful. What more beautiful a sight than you I thought? But now that I've stolen you away for a moment I want to ask how you're doing? You've the energy I know, trust me I know, but you've been running with child in arms since the moment we woke this morning." He responded, countering her neck peck with ones of his own. To any who did not know of the two for one reason or another they would look as though they were newly weds still the honeymoon phase of their relationship but no, they had been married short of three decades now and not a day went by in which the burning love in their heart for the other flickered even a bit.

"I don't even think I've gotten the chance to say I love you yet today." He added between his pecks.

She let out a soft cooing sound of love for him and his affectionate touches. "I love you too, my sweet and sexy man." She teased a bit as he reciprocated the kisses. "Well, I am as energetic as a teenager as far as I feel. Yes, there is a lot, but I have plenty of fortitude to deal with it... It is more a matter of my mind taking a bit of a beating. Almost everyone is gathering today. My dear sweet Lyn joining us for christmas at long last after so long a time absent due to her work and so much have changed in that time." Carwen sighed. "My little Gwen is all grown and have taken a wife. Osmund has grown so fond of Charlotte, which I still don't think Alice is quite over, and Triss is gonna come here with... Well, with *him*" She groaned.

The thought of that Amen fellow spending a christmas with them sent a bit of an unnerving chill down Carwen's spine. She didn't want to dislike him. Not at all. It sounds like her sweet Triss indeed does love the man, and she wanted to be supportive of that and promote the happiness she had found with him. Even so, the stories and the things she had heard of him didn't make him sound like proper material for her precious daughter. It sounds like he really makes her happy. She couldn't judge her for that. But she could and would judge the man based on his actions and 'accomplishments'. She sighed yet again. "Am I being too harsh, my love? On Triss'... boyfriend?" She eventually got out, as if the words were foreign and hard to speak. "Am I too harsh on him when he makes our girl as happy as she is?"

Alistair seemed hesitant to answer, though he was sure that she knew as much as he did that he already knew the answer and yet searched for reasons to say or think otherwise. Alistair was no stranger to holding grudges, as Carwen and him would still find themselves arguing about Hotoke's presence among their family events. Just as they had done before today as well, and from what he has heard Amen had done far worst not only in the general sense but to his little girl as well, both Gwen and Triss in fact. But on the opposite hand he knew that Lumi was by no means an innocent little thing either.

Hell, the woman before him now had once been the terror that struck fear into the hearts of all who lived in Ashvattha and yet now the only thing he could see was his beautiful wife and the mother of his children. Perhaps that made him a hypocrite? But did that make him a bad person? Taking in a deep breath his head rolled on his shoulders from side to side. Letting out a sigh his gaze fixed itself onto Carwen once more.

"No." He stated firmly as though it were fact. "You are a momma bear worring for the safety of her cubs, it's ingrained into the very fiber of your soul and mine as well. I think it is only right to be wary of him, just as the mother bear might stop her cub from eating the poisonous purple berries no matter how sweet and juicy they may look. I won't say that we are right about him, only right to be wary."

Letting out another soft sigh his expression softened abit. "However things turn out all we can do is be there for our little girl. She is kind and beautiful but she too knows well that in exchange for those things she lacks in others... such as common sense. Quick to trust and slow to see red flags, she only wishes to enjoy every day to its fullest. We must be her safety net should she slip on this path, my love." Alistair slid his hand up her frame and down her arm before interlocking his fingers within her own.

Leaning her forehead against his chest, she did her best to find comfort in his words. "I haven't been the best at being the protective mom. I'm just scared that Triss might resent me for these thoughts and what I might or might not say to and about him. I don't want to fail anymore." She sighed, laying out her feelings on the table for him. If there was anyone in this household she could talk about absolutely anything with, it could only ever be him. "We... Should probably have a talk with him before all is said and done. See his perspectives and mindset. Either which way, there is still more to do. But thank you for listening, dear. Maybe I'll even reward you later for being so incredible at being you." She teased, squeezing his hand in hers, needing to be a bit careful to not excert so much that he might hurt her. Even as an ordinary woman, she is unnaturally strong. Taking her other free hand and cupping his cheek, she leaned up and kissed him firmly, not deepening it considering the people around them.

Parting from her love, she smiled and returned to Carwyn, thanking Charlotte for her help, sending her off to find Osmund before the gathering began to occur. The time where the family was estimated to arrive was approaching quick, and there was still things to be done. Picking up her son, steadying him with her hip as she returned to work. "I love you, Ali. And do remember: I never joke about rewarding you." She teased with a wink. Leaning up to encourage another kiss from Alistair she then proceeded with the tasks after having received it.

"Indeed you do not." He spoke under his breath as he turned to return to his duties with a quick step but weary visage upon himself, the break from it all had been pleasent but alas, there was much to still be done.

## Cold Wind and Mistletoe

In one of the many rooms of the mansion, like all the others decorated with Christmas decor, sat Osmund as swirled his glass of some redish purple liquid, a young Calco on his lap as he recounted a story. "And that's when I told him this: No, that's not how you wear a hat." He spoke in a chipper tone to both Gwen and Lumi who sat across from him on the loveseat.

Gwen sipped from her glass, the sweet taste of punch filling her mouth as her Cousin recounted his story. Lowering the glass from her lips she spoke up, "Perhaps if fought as well as you quipped you'd have fewer scars, Osmund." She shot at the man, a harsh criticism in good fun all the same.

"But fewer interesting stories, and I never would have met the mother of this charming little one." He retorted quickly, reaching down to tickle Lola's sides.

Lola giggled happily as Osmund did the 'spiderdance' over her sides and ribs. She had come to bond quite well with the man as a result of the tighter and tighter connection between him and her mom. She was very fond of him, often having to be reprimanded by her mother to not call him dad. She could never quite tell why that was a bad thing, however.

Lumi sat across from them, happily admiring Osmund's handling of the little girl. She held her wife's hand in her own, fingers entwined and head leaned on her shoulder. Lumi giggled at the sight of them playing. "Surely there can be a balance between having interesting tales to tell, romance, and getting diced within an inch of your life?" She teased.

Osmund laughed at Lumi's comment, "I've little doubt there is. If you ever figure out the right balance please do let me know. For now I'll just count my blessings and see the silver lining in all of it." He chuckled, letting up on his attack on Lola's sides and letting the little one settle back down.

Gwen held Lumi's hand firmly, feeling the cold chill of the woman's head against her shoulder but her cold had become all but unnoticeable to her by now. Rather, she'd learned to enjoy it and in turn gained more appreciation for the Winter months of the year. "Lumi will strike no balance in such things. Not so long as I have a say in it, not a hair on her head will be touched much less see her diced in any way." Gwen responded, telling Osmund he'd need to figure it out on his own.

Osmund smirked, "You've really gotten her tamed haven't you, Lumi? Hardly a year ago she was a right meance, now she's just a regular meance. I must compliment you on that, doing what none of us ever could. I'd like to think my own teasing helped though, she was quick to grow possessive of you." His smirked turned to a cheeky grin, remembering how quick Gwen was to go on the defensive whenever Osmund teased Lumi about perhaps picking the wrong head of house.

"I merely did not want her to think more highly of you than she should. Such things lead to disappointment after all." Gwen bit back with a quip of her own.

Osmund let out a hearty laugh at that before he hugged Lola close to himself, letting out a sigh of content. "Perhaps, though, as much of a catch as Lumi is I still feel I got the better deal. Mine came with a pretty little princess for me to spoil after all." He spoke proudly of little Lola and the impact she'd had on his life. "Christmas is soon upon us, Lola. Are you excited to spend it with your mother and I?"

"I can't wait!" Lola exclaimed with great glee. "But I am also excited to spend it with you all! I've never celebrated with this large a family before. This is gonna be great!" she exclaimed, happy to be part of this experience. She and her mom had shared christmas experiences with some of the servants at best, but it could not be compared to a familial celebration. She had always wanted to have an extended family to have in her life, but she had never been in such a position since her mom had fled with her from Vroldafn.

She looked over to Lumi, cuddling up to Gwen and overall just looking like she was completely happy with life. "Miss Lumi? I don't think I have asked this before, but... What kind of Calco are you?"

Lumi rose her head to a more alert state, looking right at Lola with a curious look. "Whatever do you mean, dearie?"

"Well... There are different types of calco. Big tails, slender ones, different skin colors, and more. But I've never met a cold-blooded one before. You have so many different things that others do, but you are cold and you are taller than any girl I've seen. Are you some special kind of Calco?"

Osmund recognized Lumi's change of expression and for a moment he worried that little Lola might have asked a bit too much and offended the girl. However, before he could open his mouth to apologize and say something to Lola, Gwen spoke up instead.

"You're right, Lola. She's quite special, not the sort you might find in Ashvattha. She's from a nation beyond our continent beyond even places like Invicta, or Ichor. She's a princess from the nation of Ungmar." Gwen explained to the little one in as warm and soft a tone as the normally stoic girl could muster. "So she's very special but not because of those things. She has a special power you see, to bring out the best in the people she loves. That's what makes her really special."

Lumi had been about to say something, but as Gwen spoke, what else was there to say about the matter? Downplaying it would only be rude, to accept it in stride might make her seem arrogant, so what else was there than to be humbled and grateful to be perceived in such a way? "I am almost not sure how to respond to that. Thank you, love. You always make me feel warm inside this chilled body of mine." She joked a bit, genuinely feeling warmer now than just a few moments prior.

"I see! That's special, alright!" Lola replied confidently and being surrounded by an air of being impressed. Taking a few steps further, she did a curtsy as is to be expected of someone greeting high nobility. "A joy to meet you, your majesty." Lola said with a slight giggle, hardly able to hold back her excitement over talking with a supposed royalty. Not that she felt any reason to not believe her... aunt? Cousin? She had never been required to think about familial titles, so rather than ask or adress her as either, she would continue as she already had. Lumi giggled a bit at that gesture. "Arise, my lady. Someone as pretty as you should stand tall, not bending her knees." She teased a bit. "What is the best thing about the holiday to you, dear Lola?"

"First: Family. Second: Gifts. Third: Food." Lola ranked off her personal ladder of what was the most important to her.

"And do you think you've been good enough for some gifts this year? How many do you think?" Lumi continued with her questions, trying to bond a bit with the girl. She could see that the girl deep within was a bit anxious about everything happening now, but she wanted to ease those concerns. "Think mom have gotten you anything nice?"

"I've been the bestest girl all year! But I don't know what or how many. We don't have so much to spare. A lot of money goes to mommy getting better."

"Better? What is wrong with her?"

"She has scale... Pa, what was it called again?" Lola asked Osmund, hoping he might be able to help her explain it further.

Osmund scratched the back of his head, it wasn't really something he liked talking about and he was sure that Charlotte didn't like to discuss it so publically either. But with Lola mentioning there was something wrong with her mother he needed to clear the air lest the worry she had some far worse disease than it actually was. "Scale Rot, sweetie." He reminded Lola before looking up to Lumi and Gwen. "Charlotte suffers from scale rot. It is as it sounds and it is quite painful for her at times, treatment soothes the pain but it isn't curable." He explained to the two women with a somber look on his face.

Gwen herself remained silent, she wasn't good at comforting others. Though she had made progress she had by no means become some arbiter of empathy. She felt for the situation her cousin's beloved found herself in but had not the words to express it in a way that would not sound like pity.

Osmund smiled again, shaking his head. "It's not something you all need to worry your heads about. Char is a strong woman and Lola and I do our best to comfort her when it is at its worst. It only makes her all the more beautiful in my eyes." He tried to lighten the situation.

Lumi seemed concerned about the whole ordeal. "Sounds painful, alright. If it is something that is causing her distress and pain, then maybe I could be of assistance with it? It would need a bit of a trade, but I could cure her from her pain." She suggested, making an offer she thought to be a fair one, one to stop the agony. This caused Lola to look with curiosity and confusion at Osmund. She was clearly confused by the prospect of being able to cure her mom when everything and everyone had confirmed to her that it couldn't be done.

Osmund patted little Lola on the head to tell her that all was well. Lumi's prospect was a tempting one, but not one that he could see himself accepting outright and more over he didn't know how Charlotte might feel about the idea. Surely the idea of being cured would excite her, but at what cost of course was the big question.

"I thought you were done with those sorts of things? Not to say this isn't a good cause, it just took me by surprise for you to make such an offer." Gwen spoke up, placing a hand over Lumi's.

Osmund looked to Gwen and then to Lumi, "I... Uh, I'm not against the idea. But what sort of trade are we talking about here? I mean, I'd give just about anything to help Char. But I know there are things she'd be mad at me for trading even if it meant helping her." Osmund responded hesitantly before looking down to little Lola.

"It's like aunty Gwen said, Lumi is special. There are medicines and magic from her country that might be able to help where ours won't. It's a big world after all but nothing comes for free. We're just talking about price, like how we pay your mom to help us out." He tried to explain to her in the most easy to understand way possible.

"Any trade we can agree to being good enough. I was gonna suggest you two have a baby together at some point as my exchange, but that is all up in the air. I hope you can trust me when I say that I am not here to trick or lie, merely help. I'm sure we can think of something mutually beneficial for all parties involved if you take me up on the offer. And if nothing else, you can always just say no to anything I say." Lumi spoke with a genuine smile, trying to ease the situation.

Lola could hardly keep the grin back. "So... You can really help my mommy? Mom will be so excited! I am excited!" She cheered jubilantly.

"I know what I said, but... I like Charlotte. It aches me to know what she is going through. It will be clean if she agrees. No tricks or any Loa stipulents. Just a fair and honest deal if she wants to." Lumi whispered to Gwen in an attempt to ease whatever concerns she might have.

"It isn't as though I expect you to go playing tricks or giving raw deals." Gwen shook her head as she whispered back to Lumi.

Osmund covered Lola's ears so that the little one would not hear what he has to say. "I plan to ask for Charlotte's hand tomorrow, in the morning I've a ring wrapped for her that she will open and I will ask. Perhaps we could make some deal revolving that? I will promise to make it he most romantic and extravagant proposal you have ever seen and in exchange you will cure my beloved Charlotte?" He asked, unsure how Lumi's powers worked or if promising to do something he already planned to do would work. There also seemed to be a bit of danger to this one, as what if she had seen a more romantic and extravagant proposal? Would the deal simply not work?

Lola tried to pry his hands off of her ears as Lumi replied. "That would be a very hard thing to accomplish. I've seen a lot of things in my time. Many impressive gestures of love. But maybe if we shift the goalpost? Charlotte is a reserved woman, yes? Not much for blatant and sightly displays of affection? Promise me that you can make her act out, on her own, in such a romantic and loving way that it is irrefutable that she is happy. Just as you put on a show, make her do the same." Lumi said happily. "That is something I'd certainly like to see. And to trade with a Loa, it must be something both parties want. So? Think you can make her express herself in front of the family?"

"I'm sure I can. I know she might seem reserved in front of the family but Charlotte is a passionate woman, I know she won't be able to hold herself back, not about this." He responded, finally letting Lola pry away his hands as he reached over to offer his hand to Lumi to shake.

"You've got yourself a deal." He told her as she took his hand into her own.

Seeing Lola's confusion he smiled at the little one, "I'm sorry about that. But we were talking about some gifts I got your mommy. I want them to be a surprise to you as well." He said as he picked Lola up and sit her back down into his lap. He hugged the girl tightly and a tear welled in his eye, "Your mother will be okay, Lola. I'll make sure of it. She won't hurt anymore after tomorrow."

"Well... Okay then. papa. If you say so." She spoke, feeling hesitant to believe it after simply seeing them shake hands.

Lumi shuffled up to Gwen as she clung to her arm. "This should be good. I can't wait to see that happy face on her and the relaxed shoulders she always have stiffened." Lumi said giddily. When was it we could expect her to show up, again?"

"Indeed." Gwen responded, still unsure how to feel about Lumi making the deal. On one hand she felt happy for Charlotte and Osmund but on the other she didn't like the idea of Lumi going back on her word regarding leaving such things in the past. Despite her inner conflict she knew better than to stir up a scene during such a festive time of year and as such she simply leaned her head to rest if against Lumi's.

"Charlotte asked to help with the festivities, which is why Osmund has been left to watch over Lola. Frankly, I don't think she knows what she got herself into. Christmas is the most hectic time of year to be either head of family or staff. I only hope she is keeping up well, I don't look forward to when I take over such duties. I'd rather attend a thousand meetings. But at least I'll have you to suffer alongside now."

## Guests of Honor

Triss nigh skipped down the street despite Amen's efforts to get her to be more cautious of the ice on the road. But nothing could stop the excitment of the young woman. Triss wore a festive dress, a red one that reached down to her knees ending on both arms, collar, and bottom with fluffy white cloud-like poofs. White and green knee-high socks contrasted the dress only for red pointed shoes to bring it back to its original color pattern.

"We're almost there. It's been so long since I've been back home! Everyone said they missed having me there last year and this year I get to bring you to show off!" She spoke, her feet easily skating on the ice with a grace uncommon for the normally clumsy and dim woman. Though she looked back to Amen with every word she spoke the fact of the matter was that the man was hidden from her view by the pile of gifts he was carrying. She'd gotten something for all of her closest family members, even Gwen though it was Amen that seemed to carry the burden of her generosity.

As they reached the mansion Triss used both arms to push open the large doors that lead into the large foyer. A large circular red carpet partly covered the checker-board tile floor that made up the room. In the middle of that carpet was a massive decorated tree under which sat well over a hundred gifts, perhaps even nearing five hundred. The Vroman family was indeed large as even a glance at their family tree would show.

"We're home!" Triss let out a loud greeting though there were few in sight, namely staff running about with all manner of things on their to do lists.

Even so, a familiar face appeared near the stairs on the second floor. A head of dulled red hair she would recognize anywhere as her one and only father.

"Daddy!" She waved to him the moment she noticed the figure.

"Triss! You've finally arrived." He spoke, turning to wave someone else over that neither she or Amen could see before he began to head down the stairs.

Triss met the man half way and threw her arms around him. "Daddy, I'm home!" She cheered before Alistair wrapped his arms around her.

"That you are, Sweetheart. Welcome home." The man said before he noticed the tall darkskinned Amen standing with gifts in hand.

"Feel free to sit those amongst the other gifts under the tree, Amen. I promise they'll be safe there."

"Thank you for your mercy, sir." Amen spoke as he took careful steps to reach the christmas tree and place out the numerous gifts across the floor. Arranging them in a pretty good assortment to align colors and thematics to fit in, he sure seems to have a good eye for estetics. One of many talents he had yet to express since his new freedom from his duties and obligations of Hetep.

Easily the tallest man of them all, he felt a bit self conscious whenever he needed to hunch a slight bit just to fit past their doorways and entrances, but most in particular, he felt a bit like the odd man out with him standing taller than anyone else. His golden eyes scanned the decour and marveled at the countless colors that somehow didn't clash and still made him feel a sensation of festivity he had never known before in his life. "More paper than wood and fir..." He came to the conclusion as he looked upon the massive tree and the gifts beneath and around.

Walking back out to his beloved and lord Alistair, he found Carwen standing there now too, Triss' beloved parents there to welcome her home. Amen smiled at the sight, only to reel a bit once he saw Carwen looking at him, her eyes seemingly soft and sweet, but he could feel the radiating malcontent in them. Trying to pass it off as just a bit of shivers from the cold he had yet to get used to. "Amen. Welcome to our home. We have been looking forward to hosting you for christmas. Least you could do for us after having robbed us of our little sweetie for so long." Carwen tease as she pinched her daughter's cheeks before pulling her into another hug.

Though he did not see his wife's eyes he knew from the way that Amen had reeled in so hardly a noticeable manner that their eyes had met and Carwen had allowed some of her discontent to leak through. In response he wrapped an arm around Carwen's shoulder in hopes to settle her down, the man had only just arrived after all and this was the first time they were seeing their youngest daughter in nigh two years.

"Indeed, Welcome. Sorry if you found it rude that I did not say so earlier, I'm afraid I was simply distracted by my little girl home once again. Welcome to the Vroman estate. It would seem your first visit has come at our busiest time of the year. All the same, feel free to enjoy the festivities. The dining hall is full of drinks and snacks dinner will be around six. Though if you feel so inclined feel free to save your hunger for tomorrow, Christmas dinner will be a feast fit not only for a king but a king of kings." The man boasted, clearly holding a great deal of pride in the events of the holiday.

He then turned his attention toward Triss, reaching over with his other arm to hug two of the four most important women in his life. "As for you, I would love nothing more than to stay here and catch up. Your mother and I are eager to hear everything that you have to tell us. But as you know the holidays are busy and that means so are your mother and I. Later tonight though, our ears will be yours to talk off to your heart's content." Alistair leaned in to press a kiss to the top of Triss' head before letting go of her.

"My love, my sweet, my world and everything in it, should we get back to work and let Triss settle back into her home in peace?" He asked Carwen, not wanting to drag her off if she had more to say though he hoped that she would save her less than kind feelings for a later time. Though should she not he would stand by her side through the whole of it. He'd promised to do so when he placed a ring upon her finger after all.

Carwen nodded with a happy disposition, or so it would seem. "It seems only fair. Better not drag them through the torment of the dirty work when they have only now arrived." She agreed, looking to Triss and Amen. "Enjoy yourselves in the meantime, kids. Maybe show off some of those good old Vroman traditions to your king, Triss?" She suggested with a wink to her daughter.

As soon as they were out of their audible presence, Carwen finally spoke up. "I think I messed up. Are my feelings towards the man that obvious? I just looked at him and he jumped like a spooked rabbit." SHe lamented, unsure of what to do or feel to make things easier. She wanted to give him a chance, a real one, but she still found it hard to do so as it would seem.

"You are the Divine Bitch, The Light that Collapses Stars, The Shining Horror, the very Earth trembles at your presence, Love. Did I not find all of those things about you such a turn on I might even shake in my boots. But more terrifying than all of that, you're Triss' mother, it's no wonder you sent a chill up his spine. I've no doubt that he is desperate to earn our approval. You must remember, my dearest, he may be a King but in this house he is simply our daughter's boyfriend. I don't think you messed up, more than likely you simply reminded him of that fact." Alistair held Carwen's hand as they walked, a warm smile on his face as he spoke to her, trying to comfort her and her worries.

Carwen steadily smiled wider as her husband spoke to her. He were always able to bring out the best feelings in her and make her the best version of herself. She would never stop loving him for that. Sighing, she spoke, "What did I ever do to deserve a man like you? Thank you, darling. I suppose that you are right. A woman must assert her authority in her own household!" She confidently and playfully proclaimed as she continued arm in arm with her love. "We will still need to have that talk with him later. If he thought my look was cold, my words will be a blizzard to the poor man." She joked, playing up the scenario in a playful manner to help her cope with the dread she would have otherwise felt towards the prospect.

Meanwhile, Amen approached his precious and pulled her in close to a hug. A gesture to show off as much love and affection as it was to try and calm his nerves. His power was formidable, but nowhere near what he had been back in Hetep, and thus he knew all too well that he wouldn't have a chance if Carwen decided to step up to him. It was foolish to think like that, but with years of battle behind his back by now, he was cautious to say the least. "Triss-darling? What are these traditions they speak of? Anything you'd like to show me? Or maybe do now that we... You are back home?"

Triss brough a finger to her chin in though, the mansion was massive, there was a lot she would like to show him from the library to the garden but as for traditions she needed to think a bit. "We're home,' She corrected him first. "You're more than just a guest, you're my boyfriend and one day you'll be my husband. That makes you basically like... future family? Which is basically the same thing as right now family isn't it?" She asked but did not really expect or wait for a response.

"As for traditions, Mom and Dad used to sip at their favorite wine for Christmas but they do that all the time really so I think they just use Christmas as an excuse. But they do this really cute thing where they interlock their arms when they drink it so we can do that if you want? But in terms of drinks I was thinking more like hot chocolate, ya know? It was a bit chilly on the way here." She kept going before it seemed like a light bulb appeared above her head.

"Oh! I should show you my room! That's where we'll be sleeping tonight anyway. That's also where they probably put the luggage we sent ahead of us." She nodded her head as she pulled his arm. "I'll show you my room and we can get settled in, then we can go do other stuff. I'll let you meet my grandparents too, they're around here somewhere for sure." She spoke excitedly, pulling on the man who could stop her with the slightest resistence if he so desired.

*Dear Heavens, first her parents and now the grandsires too? Can I just go meet the Manta again?* He thought to himself, only partially joking. "Some hot chocolate sounds like a marvelous plan. But seeing our quarters is probably even better as a start." he voiced to his beloved as she began to drag him along to where she wanted him. "Lahmi... How do I make an impression on your grandparents?"

Triss held onto his arm as they walked, up the opposite set of stairs her parents had taken up toward the second floor. "Impression? I'm sure you'll make a great impression. You're really tall and that's sure to catch their eye, and your skin is unlike most people so I'm sure that'll be interesting to them as well." She explained, seeming to not fully understand his question as in her mind the idea that anyone in their family may not like him for whatever reason never once crossed it. She loved the man and she figured her family would too, simple as.

As they made their way toward the wing of the mansion in which the majority of the family lived or stayed in when visiting with all but a few rare exceptions such as Alice's room the family members both young and old that they passed eyed Amen curiously. It was as Triss had said, many had never seen a person like him before. He was for all intents and purposes an odd man out among the family members save for Lumi though she could easily be mistaken for a Calco and more often than not was.

Passing a waitress who pushed with her a cart filled with many different snacks and beverages ordered by the family members she put in an order for hot chocolate to be brought to her room at the earliest convenince.

Eventually, they reached a room with a name plaque beside it on which her own name was written. Directly across the hall was Gwen's room, now also containing Lumi's name on the plaque with Lyn's only a room down from Triss' own.

"Now, I'll let you know that this isn't the room I grew up in the most. Mom and dad had a much more humble home in which the three of us shared a room until we got too big. But I always stayed here when we stayed at the mansion so it's basically the same thing I would think." She explained to him, producing a key from a small pocket in her dress she unlocked the door to the room and opened it.

Though she had not been in it for well over a year by this point the room had been kept clean by the staff, no dust had settled on her desk or dresser, nor were any of the stuffed animals that sat upon her made bed dusty or dirty in any way. It was just as she had remembered it as though she had been here only yesterday.

Triss invited the man in, a large bed sat against the rightside wall of the room bordering the wall of Lyn's room. Bright pink sheets and a comforter with a white bedskirt hanging down from the bottom of the mattress. The posts of the bed extended upward and affixed to them were curtains with which would block out the light from the rest of the room should she pull them down to cover the bed. Directly across from the bed was a dark oak dresser bearing the crest of the Vroman family upon it and was sure to contain all of her old clothing from before the two had left upon their journey to explore the world.

A desk in the corner of the room by the bay window sat old books note and otherwise as well as several cute shaped erasers which still sat upon the desk where she had left them. A small heater sat in the opposite corner of the room near the door, keeping the room warm and toasty. Triss seemed filled with a wave of nostalgia whens he entered the room with her beloved. Letting go of his hand she quickly made her way to the bed, throwing herself upon it and in turn sending several stuffed animals flying to the floor. A teddy bear rolling to rest at Amen's feet.

Triss kicked up her legs as she let out a laugh, giving the man quite the view for a moment before she let her legs rest and let out a sigh of content. "I didn't think it would feel this weird being back home. It's almost like I never left, the room feels like it was frozen in time. Can you believe it?" She asked him, rising to sit up on the bed and motioning for him to come over to her.

"I know it isn't the palace bedroom or even as nice as some of the hotels we stayed at, but do you think you could ever consider it home?" She asked, her tone sounding more serious now.

Amen chuckled softly as she bent down to pick up the teddy, a slight blush after the show she had given him. Walking up to his beloved, he sat himself down on the bed next to her, stroking her leg lovingly. Peering into her eyes with the softest look he could give, he smiled before putting the bear back in its place. "Lahmi, anywhere you are, my home is there." He whispered softly, raising his hand and placed his palm against her cheek and stroking it. "And I quite like pink, so the colors wouldn't be an issue. All it would take to be perfect would be a pond for my mares." He said happily as he leaned in and kissed her lips. "My place is with you, Triss. So this place is just perfect."

Triss beamed at his response, she loved the man, and he showed her why that was every time he opened his mouth.

She shifted back and forth a bit where she sat with a soft giggle as she looked up at the man. "Im sure we can find a place for the Mares, an addition to the garden though... they can be dangerous to people who aren't used to them. Alice might not be too keen to have them here... But Either way I'm sure we can figure something out! We always do, don't we?" She was always the sort to try and look on the bright side, see the silver lining somewhere even if no one else could.

Chuckling, he gave the tip of her nose a little poke before nodding. "My dear, you made a miracle happen back in Hetep. That alone is a testament to the idea that we make things work." He confidently spoke before leaning back and laying down on her bed, still looking at Triss with so much affection it could almost be perceived as unreal to an outsider looking in. "I love you. If you tell me to stay here with you, I will. If you were to ask me to follow you to hell, I would. You have given me everything. Least I could do is live somewhere you want us to."

"I think what happened back in Hetep was fate, I was just the... what's the word... cat- cata- fate worked through me. Yeah, you were doing what was right and the universe rewarded you for it." She explained her idea as to what exactly happened back in Hetep. She knew she wasn't very bright, and so as far as she was concerned she knew there had to have been some sort of divine intervention to have come up with such a clever idea.

Either way, thinking about it too much would only make her head hurt and so she lay down with the man, resting her head upon his chest and listening to his heartbeat. "I could live here with you, I know I could. But I have to admit our travels were a lot of fun, staying in one place for a night or two and then moving on. Seeing all manner of strange person and creature, the beauty of the world with every step we took. It was great, beyond great even, but when the time comes for us to settle down I admit I don't know where I want that to be. Maybe we've traveled so much that the idea of staying in one place has become weird to me, that's a crazy idea, huh?" Triss giggled as she listened to his heart beating in his chest.

"Life became a lot more interesting ever since I met you. In good ways and in bad ones too, but that's how life is supposed to work, right? Mom and dad don't always get along. But I see the way they look at each other, I hear how they talk to each other, there's something in that, something I don't know if I fully understand. Is that love? Do you see and hear it too with me? Or maybe they don't really see and hear it either. Maybe it's something only other people can see and hear. Maybe for people who love each other it's just the feeling in their heart? I'm probably not making a lot of sense, am I?"

Amen didn't chuckle or laugh, for it could be taken as disrespectful and condescending if he did so. Instead, he pulled her to be on top of him so he could comfortably look her in the eye, her petite frame resting on him, and as she did, he would take hold of both her hands. One was guided to his heart, and the other was simply held onto.

"You were a whole lot more than just a tool for 'fate' to act through. And while the journey's have been enlightening and fun, we both have dreams and wants that will eventually mean for us to settle down in a place. As for making sense?" He asked as he let go of her one hand to cup her cheek. "Since when has love made sense to anyone? One of your sisters are dating a glorified bat, your eldest a goddess and you have been mad enough to extend a chance to a tyranical god-king. I don't think common sensibilities apply to the idea of love. What matters most is that it is something that both feel and know is real, don't you think? Even your parents are an oddity to say the least. But what I do know is that their love is most real. I don't even know them, but by simply being in their presence for those short minutes, I could sense the bond they share together. The sort of bond that would carry them through to raise three women, all of them amazing in their own rights."

Amen spoke softly to her, placing the other hand on her waist as he fought against every urge to hug her close and kiss her with unrivaled passion. "And the most marvelous of all is right before me. And on my end, I can do nothing short of adore you for all you are. Each and every inch of you. And I sang my praises to Galeer every night for letting me have you." He finished, the hand on her hip trailing up and down her back. Giving her behind a light pat later, he spoke up once more: "You are everything I could ever have wanted, and more than I ever deserved. But what do you think? Am I perhaps nonsensible one now?" He chuckled.

Triss seemed to think for a second, it was clear that she was trying to piece together all he had said and eventually she shook her head, "I think I get it. You said we Vroman girls have weird taste in partners, you said a lot of nice things about me, about how love is mysterious, and you're right that we both have dreams that will require settling down. I know what it is like to have a mother more focused on things beyond her children and I don't want to be like that, it caused a lot of problems that I don't think are fully worked through even today. But I won't be like that, I'll take care of our babies from the moment of their birth until the end of time itself and if possible, after that too. That's right, I'm going to be the bestest mother. I'll make cute lunches for them to take to school, and I'll greet them and you when you all get home, and I'll make sure to clean behind their ears in the bath too!" She gave examples of the sorts of things she thought a good mother should do, clearly she did not know from experience given how they had grown up in their youngest years but she clearly tried her damndest and had clearly thought about it a lot.

Triss sat up so that she hovered over Amen, a hand to either side of his head, her long black hair like a curtain hanging down isolating the two before one another as the rest of the world was blocked out by the dark tendrils of hair. Triss smiled sweetly down at the man she loved and unfortunately spoke words he had heard a thousand times by now.

"I want a baby, I wannna be a mother. It could be a Christmas gift, ya know? For both of us. Mom announced she was pregnant at Christmas if I remember right, dad told me. He'd gotten her an album for all the family photos for when they finally had a baby and he was blown away when she told him that they would get to use it sooner rather than later. Doesn't that sound like an incredible story? I want something like that, don't you?" She asked, the look on her face had not changed abit but there was a new mood in the room and though she hoped otherwise, Triss had the dark feeling she already knew what he might say to her in response.