Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Elves of All Kinds (1x1)

Raeliel looked at him for a moment as he asked the question. "Well...I do many things. In my town, I would oversee some of the official business, held meetings, aided some of the villagers with tasks they might have had...Basic things." She didn't really know what to say about it all. "But I'm far more interested in what you do in your village." She finished her fruit and sipped from her drink, watching him carefully.

"Your routine is what I will need to adapt to, after all. It is necessary for me to listen and learn it. So if you tell me about it, it'd be more of a help to adjust." She wasn't looking forward to the marriage either. They were so sloppy, so stupid, and so ridiculous!

"Well... It is a bit varied what you can do here, I suppose." Saelhil swirled his river wine around in his goblet for a few moments, conjuring up what he wished to say next, and how. "We are a very communal village. Everyone helps everyone, to put it simply. Besides chores around the house, there is not that much to do that you would enjoy. Mostly things in nature." He paused. "You do know what nature is, do you not? Dirt, bugs, plants. That sort of thing." He smiled cheerfully at her, and Talainna giggled quietly at her brother's comment.

Saelhil chuckled slightly but waited for Raeliel to answer, while Talainna rested her head against his shoulder and chewed a bit of the fruit. He usually wasn't snarky like that, but he couldn't help himself, with all he things he had heard about the village to the north.

Raeliel narrowed her eyes as he spoke of what nature is. "I certainly do. But I suppose it's not so obvious to someone like you. Indoor plumbing must be an absolute wonder in your eyes." If he was going to be snarky, she was going to be snarky back! She stood up, setting her glass down. "I am ready to go on that walk through your trib-- I mean, village." Yes, he was going to pay for that 'nature' comment.

"Will Talainna come with us or shall it simply be us on our own?" She waited quietly after that and simply stood there. She didn't want to sit on those pathetic pillows anymore. It felt like a filthy harem.

Saelhil quirkier a brow. His grin turned into a broad smirk, and he stood up with Talainna. He watched her. "Well which would you prefer, Lady Raeliel? Talainna usually is with me always, but if you would like to spend time alone, I will not object." He glanced down at his sister, then quietly tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

"But," he added after a moment, "I nor anyone else will be responsible for the dirtying of your clothes, or of your hair, or of your skin. My sincerest apologies of any of those tragedies befall you on our little... tour."

Raeliel looked at him and lifted a brow. "Is she going to be with you on our wedding night, then? I wouldn't be surprised." She walked past him. "Leave your sister here. She will live for a half hour without her precious brother." She smoothed a hand over her clothes. "These are my riding clothes, Saelhil. They are meant to be dirtied. I would not have worn them for riding a horse otherwise."

She waited for him in the doorway, since he would have to lead her. She was not looking forward to this. He was a pain, and a jerk. And he had a major sister complex.

Saelhil simply smiled. "As you wish, m'lady." He glanced at his sister, patted her on the head and murmured something, then went to the door. "This way, m'lady." He took a breath and led Raeliel out the door, out of the house without another word.

After a bit of walking on the road, Saelhil folded his hands neatly behind his back. "Where would you like to see first? The village itself is rather boring, but we could visit the lake, or perhaps the fields, or I could teach you how to get around in the forest, though I highly doubt you would like the latter."

Raeliel followed him out of the house and walked with him, listening. "I don't mind seeing the village first. From there, we can go to the other places." She glanced at him. "You are quite eager to keep me away from the village. Are you hiding something? Or perhaps you are ashamed. Your villagers do wear clothes, don't they? I don't believe my father would send me to a tribe of nude bodies."

She paused for a few moments, then reigned in the snarkiness. "...Your father seems kind." she said calmly. She looked around, and waited until they reached the village to say anything else. She decided she needed to stop being so rude. She was in his territory, not hers. She wouldn't be happy if he insulted her home.

(Just letting you know I'm going to bed now, I'll respond tomorrow morning before work! )

"No, no, I assure you that everyone is dressed here. No one will care if you go around in the nude, though." Saelhil glanced briefly back at her, then looked ahead as he decided where to lead her.

At her comment, Saelhil paused. "Thank you. That is why he is the leader of the village, after all." He looked briefly back at her. "Unlike most villages, our leaders earn their places in the community. In your terms, just because you are the child of a nobleman doesn't mean that you will get anymore respect that the poorest man." He watched as a few children ran by, a litter of young puppies chasing after them.

{Goodnight! Sorry I wasn't on yesterday or much today; I was visiting some friends. I'll be here tomorrow!)

(It's fine! )

Raeliel frowned slightly as he mentioned her going in the nude. "My town raised me to only bare myself to my husband and no other." she stated calmly. She listened as he mentioned his father and the position of leader, here. "...I see." That was confusing.

When the children suddenly ran by with the puppies, Raeliel jumped slightly and stared at the spectacle, aghast. She would NEVER get away with playing with puppies when SHE was a child! "Don't those children have chores to do??"

Saelhil checked the sky for a moment. "They've most likely already finished their morning chores," he said with a slight shrug. "Anyways, they really are doing something, by keeping those puppies entertained. One of the men found the litter abandoned while a hunting party was out. Their mother was found dead nearby... She had eaten some poisonous mushrooms. So he brought them back with the proposition of training the pups to become hunting dogs, but they are too young to learn anything and are just trouble if left to their own devices." He smiled slightly and continued walking.

"You are not afraid of animals, are you?" he asked. His voice actually sounded curious, not at all rude this time. "Because we have plenty of them living in the forest, and even some that manage to get themselves into the village."

Raeliel listened to him. "Hmm. I suppose that's true, then." She walked along with him, looking around curiously. She couldn't argue what he said, but she still felt like it was improper to just chase puppies around like that. Then again, it seemed like nothing was proper here. His question earned a few moments of consideration. "I have ridden horses, we had hunting dogs and hawks at my town as well... I am not afraid of them. I just think they should be well-trained and not jump all over a person."

She knew this wasn't going to end well. They were just so different. Was she really about to dedicate the rest of her life to this man? She sighed a little and simply kept walking. She'd had duties to fulfill for her whole life. This was her biggest duty. She couldn't avoid it.

"Hmm." Saelhil was silent for a long while, but he suddenly gestured to the village itself. "What would you like to know about the village? There isn't anything... fancy here. The well is in the center of the village. Every family has their own home, and usually arrangements are made for a new home for couples who will be married, but if one spouse dies, the living spouse can choose to leave the home to return to their family.

"Animals are usually kept outside, but some people keep birds or cats inside. There are no formal shops here, because everyone provides for everyone else. Our survival is a group effort." He gave her a quick side glance. "It may seem strange to you, but it makes perfect sense to work together."

Raeliel listened as he spoke. It did seem very strange to her. "Will we get a new home, Saelhil?" Or would he really just remain living with his father and sister? That would be very improper. "I don't understand what formal shops have to do with obstructing survival. Don't you people take any pride in your trade? How do you buy anything if you don't sell anything?" It didn't make any sense to her at all. "People work together in a formal shop too, you know. It can't just be run by one person, it takes several."

She sighed. Hopefully she would be able to bring some class to these dingy, dirty elves. No formal shops? It was ridiculous! Next thing she'd probably see would be women and men running around with leaves for clothes!

"It's difficult to explain to an outsider," Saelhil said after a moment. "It is the way our village has been for generations. But... I do believe I heard something about creating trade connections between your village and mine." He paused, then decided to address her first question.

"Yes, we will get a new home. My father ordered it to be built when he first received conformation of our betrothal." He nodded slightly. "...You needn't worry about sleeping with me, though, if you do not wish. It is rather sudden, and I realize you most likely feel uncomfortable with the idea."

Raeliel listened to him, nodding slightly. "Trade would be good." She'd be able to get this little town a bit more civilized. When he answered her question of where they would live, and mentioned sleeping with him, she gave a shrug. "My father told me I will bear you good, strong children. He just never specified when." Eugh. Just thinking about it was unpleasant to her, even if they didn't have to do it right away. It needed to happen sooner or later, but she would rather it be MUCH later rather than sooner.

"What about you? Don't you feel uncomfortable?" Probably not. He'd probably had lovers before. The town was just ludicrous enough that she would believe it. After all, they ate on a low table and sat on cushions! They didn't even really sit, they lounged! It was very improper.

Saelhil sighed slightly at the mention of children. "Yes, I would rather not sleep with you." He smoothed his hair back, his hand lingering on the tip of one of his ears before dropping. He smiled weakly. "To be honest, I was planning on telling my father that I wanted to marry Mirwen... She lives on the edge of the village. But he informed me of our betrothal before I could mention anything."

He was telling the truth, too. Saelhil had fallen in love with the girl, and she loved him in return. She was his first love, and it was so hard to tell her, but he had a duty to fulfill, no matter how much he loathed it.

Raeliel grew quiet as he admitted that he was in love with someone else. "I always knew father would choose who I married, whether in my own village or not. I never let myself get attached." That was all she said of it. She just kept walking with him, looking around at the village. She didn't slouch when she walked. She stood straight, her posture perfect, even as she walked. Her hands were clasped together in front of her as she walked.

She didn't say anything else. She just let him take her on a tour. She wasn't sure if she wanted to go past the village, though. A whole trip through the forest and fields with him....well, it did not seem pleasant.

"How terrible for you..." Saelhil kept walking through the village, often pointing things out but never truly making anymore conversation.

Eventually, the sun began to set. Saelhil began leading Raeliel back towards the house, now silent. He was beginning to realize how boring his life would be from now on with her. She seemed so... horrible.