[Rilan waits until she's served herself before reaching for his own tea. He hasn't sweetened it yet, preferring to taste it on its own. It's light, and the citrus flavor is pleasant, but he thinks some honey wouldn't be amiss and drizzles a little in to what is left in the cup. Her response makes this conversation feel promising, and he offers her an easier smile as he nods.]
I tend more toward extreme candor normally, which is something you should keep in mind if you have any questions for me, but I'll see if I can manage both.
[There is information he needs to share with her, not just about himself but about the truth of the nature of his people, how they regard this arrangement and himself, and what that means for her. He wants to learn about her as well, of course, but he is hoping that his own willingness to speak frankly will encourage her to do the same.]
I think I'd like to start by saying that I am here not only willingly, but glad to be selected to leave Barrith and settle here on Pollux V. I have no aspirations of becoming a political power here, nor of representing my people's best interests or working on their behalf while here. Pollux V will become my home, and as my betrothed, soon to be wife, you can expect that I will instead do my best to support you, your career, and the planet you call home as best I'm able. [He pauses a beat, then adds:] I did not leave any romantic partner behind, and did not have to give up hope of finding one back home.
[For all that he starts out of the gate with clear statements with no real personal impact, his tone shifts slightly as he continues. After he takes another sip of tea.]
You should not take any of this as a sign that my loyalty is easily shifted, but rather that my own people did nothing to earn it from me in the first place. But then, I've always been an outlier among them.
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I tend more toward extreme candor normally, which is something you should keep in mind if you have any questions for me, but I'll see if I can manage both.
[There is information he needs to share with her, not just about himself but about the truth of the nature of his people, how they regard this arrangement and himself, and what that means for her. He wants to learn about her as well, of course, but he is hoping that his own willingness to speak frankly will encourage her to do the same.]
I think I'd like to start by saying that I am here not only willingly, but glad to be selected to leave Barrith and settle here on Pollux V. I have no aspirations of becoming a political power here, nor of representing my people's best interests or working on their behalf while here. Pollux V will become my home, and as my betrothed, soon to be wife, you can expect that I will instead do my best to support you, your career, and the planet you call home as best I'm able. [He pauses a beat, then adds:] I did not leave any romantic partner behind, and did not have to give up hope of finding one back home.
[For all that he starts out of the gate with clear statements with no real personal impact, his tone shifts slightly as he continues. After he takes another sip of tea.]
You should not take any of this as a sign that my loyalty is easily shifted, but rather that my own people did nothing to earn it from me in the first place. But then, I've always been an outlier among them.