It's the first time he's been part of an "us" that he doesn't mind.
The extension of partnership in those words pleases him more than he thought they would. He watches her, closer to her now than she was before, and keeps his cup aloft as he responds.]
To becoming something better together than we were apart. To our potential. To us.
[His glass clinks gently against hers before he draws it back to drink deeply of the tea, finishing it as a symbol of his commitment to the things they've toasted.]
[ she likes the sound of that, the idea of unity. this brief conversation makes her feel a little more at ease when she thinks about the day she walks down the aisle, more spectacle than what she would prefer, yet what the public would want and be impressed by. they toast to their future and sola drinks.
setting her cup down, she reaches for a biscuit, nudging the tower of treats towards him with a little eager smile. ]
[He doesn't wish to downplay Sola's compliment, but Rilan's eyes slip down at the compliment, though his lips maintain their smile.]
Perhaps I won't do so poorly as a politician's husband then.
[Rilan does, however, reach forward to take not just one treat off the plate but two. They both go onto his plate, and he picks up one of them and takes at bite at once. They are, to no surprise, delicious, and he makes the appropriate sound of enjoyment as he takes a second bite.]
Will you tell me a little about yourself? Things that don't have to do with your work or the arrangement of our upcoming nuptials?
[ she pauses to finish her chew. her private life isn't something she often discusses with... well, anyone really. her life is her job and she has been training for this for most of her youth. ]
I am very fond of fashion, [ she admits almost shyly (almost). ] Beyond keeping up appearances for the public, I enjoy shopping and accessorizing. I also am an avid reader, even beyond what I must consume for my day to day, to keep my brain active. I admit that I do not have any exciting hobbies, but those are two things I very much enjoy.
[ she daintily takes another bite of her lemon iced biscuit. ] I did not have a typical childhood as I had been chosen amongst the other aristocratic families to attend diplomacy school.
[He does not mock her for her love of fashion and accessorizing. It's nothing he's had a particular interest in, but he appreciates how she looks now and thinks it wouldn't be a bad thing to learn something from her.
Listening with clear interest, he snacks on some of the treats on offer, tasting a second with enjoyment as he holds eye contact with her.]
I enjoy reading a great deal also. Fiction and non-fiction. I've never had any interest in fashion but I would appreciate your input if there are any trends you think I should follow.
[He wipes his hand on his napkin before pouring more tea for himself, this time sweetening it with a little sugar.]
But diplomacy school...was it a boarding school? And was it the subject matter that made it atypical or something else?
Then we will have a lot to talk about and hopefully many readings to exchange.
[ it's a heartening thought and sola brightens, briefly picturing long nights sitting by the fire, blessed peace without any work and few worries, surrounded by stacks of books. they chat, debate, exchange ideas and recommendations...
she leans back again, folding her hands in her lap. ] I attended boarding school. We were taught the usual subjects of math and sciences and literature as well as the art of debate, public speaking, political science. [ lifting a finger, she delicately brushes an errant hair away from her eyes. ] Each of us had been selected at an early age to represent our homes in the greater system.
[Boarding school is not a new concept for Rilan, having been for a few years himself. Diplomacy school is different however. The way she describes it at least falls in line with that he assumed it would be like. The manner of selection, however, is curious and new.]
A tradition, I assume? Who selects the people to attend? Were you one of a few volunteers, at least, or is the choice taken out of your hands?
[Did you choose this life? he wants to ask. Or was it the first of many choices about your life that were taken from you for the good of your people?
The matter is serious enough to leave him with a sense of unease that temporarily halts his nibbling of food and drinking sweet tea.]
Aptitude tests, [ she explains, thinking nothing of it. that is tradition and the way they have always done to ensure that they have the best representation on the galactic scale. ] I had agreed to it as well, but it is highly encouraged.
[ but she had been too young to truly understand what this would mean for however long would remain this position – presumably the rest of her life. sola has never been one to back away from a challenge, even when she was a little girl.
she holds a hand up reassuringly. ] I did not have my youth stripped from me. It was merely different from many other childhoods.
[Rilan probably still looks a little dubious about things, especially at the mention of the aptitude tests being "highly encouraged," until Sola interjects her reassurance.
It does make him wonder still how much was her choice, but considering how much better he already feels in a place that is better suited for him, perhaps it was the same for her. She showed aptitude for this, it was a calling, and she is glad to have it. It is better than feeling aimless in one's life, perhaps...
His own shortcomings are not the subject at hand, however, and Rilan merely nods, accepting her words.]
Perhaps one would call me a nerd, [ sola explains plainly with a curl of her lip, a little wry in her stone. ] I felt at ease in that environment even as a little girl. I know I could have returned at any time, but I was determined to see it through, even then.
[ she speaks of her childhood so distantly, as if she wasn't just a girl a few years ago with her porcelain skin and cheeks newly shed of their baby fat. experience does that to you, as well as all that training in poise and communication. ]
I would have a bit of fun there, attending parties on occasion, going on dates when we had the time. I would see my family on holidays and would return to Pollux during the warm seasons. And just as well, as I would begin to greatly miss the citrus trees by then.
[It helps to hear her perspective. Rilan hasn't spoken to too many people outside of Barrithians, and what would have been more of a nightmare situation for him does not mean it was the same for her. As she speaks more, explains more, he eases into the way she thinks a bit better. More than that, he learns more of who she is. What drives her. The way her mind work.
Even touches of her pride shine through her words.]
It sounds as if your aptitude test set you up into a routine and lifestyle that suited you as much as you suited the work you were preparing to take on.
[She is young for what she does, it's true, but that just makes all that she's accomplished all the more admirable.]
Did your diplomacy school ever teach you anything to prepare you for an arrangement like ours? Or even discuss them?
[ she presses her palms against her lap, smoothing out the wrinkles from her outfit. ] Of course it was discussed, the prospect of a political marriage. It is not as common as it once was, though still not unheard of today for someone in my position. [ that was more for the ruling classes, the heads of state and their children. ] Hence – the two of us sitting here.
[ and she takes another sip of her tea, cradling the cup between her delicate hands. ]
[Rilan had been hoping to hear more from her about what she learned about political marriages, but it seems that she plans to keep that to herself for now. Or, perhaps, it matters less when they will be navigating their own marriage together.
He watches her pick up her tea cup once more, admiring the shape of her fingers and the way she moves. When asked to tell her more about himself, he falls still for a moment. Reaching up, he runs his hand through his hair, averting his gaze. It's not that he minds talking about himself, but talking about himself means also talking about his family.]
I'm the youngest of three. My parents are considered celebrated heroes on our world, for what they've done for Barrith. [For the worlds they have been instrumental in conquering and exploiting.] My older siblings and I have had a typical Barrithian education, one that matches both galaxy standards and Barrithian. We attended...additional classes that our parents said would serve us later in life when we began working with them.
Military tactics. Infiltration and undercover work. We read the journals of commanders who led successful missions on other planets, and studied the places they took over and the organizations they gained access through.
[His smile is humorless and uncomfortable.]
My teachers determined that my particular aptitude was for what essentially amounted to anthropological studies. If I hadn't refused, I would have eventually become an advisor to a military leader, someone like my parents, and followed them from planet to planet. Absorbing what I learned from the places we targeted, reviewing their plans or deep cover identities to spot weaknesses or discrepancies, things that would stand out among the local population, and act as support staff in whatever capacity was deemed necessary.
[He picks up his tea once more, and takes a sip after talking so much.]
My interest in other worlds and cultures is genuine, at least, even if my people would have preferred I use it in service of their greater good.
[ most of this aligns with what sola has read in the reports, the family, the history, the power that his parents sought. there is a reason why rilan had been chosen for this arranged marriage after all. he tells her far more than she expected, especially since sola is often someone who keeps certain cards held close to her chest.
interesting. though perhaps not entirely surprising as it was rilan who laid his cards out on the table within the first ten minutes of them meeting for tea. there's a look of quiet admiration in her eyes when she lifts her gaze from the table to really take him in. ]
There is certainly more to you than meets the eye.
[ she nods appreciatively. ]
I hope you will be able to continue your studies here. I certainly would encourage you to persue that further.
[Rilan lifts a brow, surprised by her response. For a moment, he hesitates, but only to choose his words.]
Is it your hope that I will offer the services here that I refused my people?
[His job would have been in intelligence, but Rilan has never considered himself military minded, and while he wants to support Sola and what she does, the only context he has for continuing his studies and pursuing it further is Barrith's.]
No, that was not my intent. It was merely to encourage you to pursue whatever passions you prefer. [ sola pauses, considering his first conclusion, delicately running her fingertips along the rim of her now empty cup.. ] Certainly, I cannot deny the benefits, but no, that was not my intent.
[He visibly relaxes as she denies that it was her intent, trusting that she is as honest now as she has been this afternoon. His fingers toy with the handle of his tea cup quietly a moment, before he looks back up at her.]
Thank you. I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your encouragement. It's a sore subject between my family and I.
[He does not elaborate, not wanting to share and not wanting to ruin the evening with his family baggage. There is time enough for all of that.]
While it is an interest, I may take the opportunity to explore other things as well, now that I'll have the freedom to do so.
[It would be nice to find a passion of his own. A calling that hasn't been warped by the culture of his people, and can be put to use for the good of his new home planet.]
[ though it was not apparent in what she has read and memorized about him, it can be parsed out through his comments here and there. perhaps they can dive into that another time, whenever he's ready. it seems as if he is ready to finds ways to settle into his new life here and sola will make sure he will be as comfortable as possible. ]
And I will support that. [ they will be watched and sola knows that he will be met with some scrutiny, but it's starting to sound like they will be able to play their cards right. ] I hope you will come to enjoy being here.
[Rilan's diplomatic explanation brings a similarly diplomatic response from Sola. While he intends to do his best to become a friend and Ally to Sola, and feels he's made some headway to opening lines of communication and the idea that trust could be between them, it feels safe to sometimes hide behind what is both plain speaking and still carefully phrased.
He does not want to get into fussing and word wrangling on the first meeting with his intended, and he is grateful for her political instincts that allow them both to sidestep that.]
I appreciate that, Sola, and have little doubt that I will enjoy and appreciate being here. On this planet, and with you.
[He doesn't like to lean hard on wording and phrasing like this, finding it elegant but a little stiff for his tastes in the long-term. He picks up his cup to take another sip, finds it empty, and laughs a little at himself as he shows it to her.]
I was more absorbed in our conversation than I realized. I think I'll take it as a good sign for the future.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
It's the first time he's been part of an "us" that he doesn't mind.
The extension of partnership in those words pleases him more than he thought they would. He watches her, closer to her now than she was before, and keeps his cup aloft as he responds.]
To becoming something better together than we were apart. To our potential. To us.
[His glass clinks gently against hers before he draws it back to drink deeply of the tea, finishing it as a symbol of his commitment to the things they've toasted.]
no subject
setting her cup down, she reaches for a biscuit, nudging the tower of treats towards him with a little eager smile. ]
That was lovely, Rilan.
no subject
Perhaps I won't do so poorly as a politician's husband then.
[Rilan does, however, reach forward to take not just one treat off the plate but two. They both go onto his plate, and he picks up one of them and takes at bite at once. They are, to no surprise, delicious, and he makes the appropriate sound of enjoyment as he takes a second bite.]
Will you tell me a little about yourself? Things that don't have to do with your work or the arrangement of our upcoming nuptials?
no subject
[ she pauses to finish her chew. her private life isn't something she often discusses with... well, anyone really. her life is her job and she has been training for this for most of her youth. ]
I am very fond of fashion, [ she admits almost shyly (almost). ] Beyond keeping up appearances for the public, I enjoy shopping and accessorizing. I also am an avid reader, even beyond what I must consume for my day to day, to keep my brain active. I admit that I do not have any exciting hobbies, but those are two things I very much enjoy.
[ she daintily takes another bite of her lemon iced biscuit. ] I did not have a typical childhood as I had been chosen amongst the other aristocratic families to attend diplomacy school.
no subject
Listening with clear interest, he snacks on some of the treats on offer, tasting a second with enjoyment as he holds eye contact with her.]
I enjoy reading a great deal also. Fiction and non-fiction. I've never had any interest in fashion but I would appreciate your input if there are any trends you think I should follow.
[He wipes his hand on his napkin before pouring more tea for himself, this time sweetening it with a little sugar.]
But diplomacy school...was it a boarding school? And was it the subject matter that made it atypical or something else?
no subject
[ it's a heartening thought and sola brightens, briefly picturing long nights sitting by the fire, blessed peace without any work and few worries, surrounded by stacks of books. they chat, debate, exchange ideas and recommendations...
she leans back again, folding her hands in her lap. ] I attended boarding school. We were taught the usual subjects of math and sciences and literature as well as the art of debate, public speaking, political science. [ lifting a finger, she delicately brushes an errant hair away from her eyes. ] Each of us had been selected at an early age to represent our homes in the greater system.
no subject
A tradition, I assume? Who selects the people to attend? Were you one of a few volunteers, at least, or is the choice taken out of your hands?
[Did you choose this life? he wants to ask. Or was it the first of many choices about your life that were taken from you for the good of your people?
The matter is serious enough to leave him with a sense of unease that temporarily halts his nibbling of food and drinking sweet tea.]
no subject
[ but she had been too young to truly understand what this would mean for however long would remain this position – presumably the rest of her life. sola has never been one to back away from a challenge, even when she was a little girl.
she holds a hand up reassuringly. ] I did not have my youth stripped from me. It was merely different from many other childhoods.
no subject
It does make him wonder still how much was her choice, but considering how much better he already feels in a place that is better suited for him, perhaps it was the same for her. She showed aptitude for this, it was a calling, and she is glad to have it. It is better than feeling aimless in one's life, perhaps...
His own shortcomings are not the subject at hand, however, and Rilan merely nods, accepting her words.]
Tell me more?
no subject
[ she speaks of her childhood so distantly, as if she wasn't just a girl a few years ago with her porcelain skin and cheeks newly shed of their baby fat. experience does that to you, as well as all that training in poise and communication. ]
I would have a bit of fun there, attending parties on occasion, going on dates when we had the time. I would see my family on holidays and would return to Pollux during the warm seasons. And just as well, as I would begin to greatly miss the citrus trees by then.
no subject
Even touches of her pride shine through her words.]
It sounds as if your aptitude test set you up into a routine and lifestyle that suited you as much as you suited the work you were preparing to take on.
[She is young for what she does, it's true, but that just makes all that she's accomplished all the more admirable.]
Did your diplomacy school ever teach you anything to prepare you for an arrangement like ours? Or even discuss them?
no subject
[ she presses her palms against her lap, smoothing out the wrinkles from her outfit. ] Of course it was discussed, the prospect of a political marriage. It is not as common as it once was, though still not unheard of today for someone in my position. [ that was more for the ruling classes, the heads of state and their children. ] Hence – the two of us sitting here.
[ and she takes another sip of her tea, cradling the cup between her delicate hands. ]
Tell me more about you. Please.
no subject
He watches her pick up her tea cup once more, admiring the shape of her fingers and the way she moves. When asked to tell her more about himself, he falls still for a moment. Reaching up, he runs his hand through his hair, averting his gaze. It's not that he minds talking about himself, but talking about himself means also talking about his family.]
I'm the youngest of three. My parents are considered celebrated heroes on our world, for what they've done for Barrith. [For the worlds they have been instrumental in conquering and exploiting.] My older siblings and I have had a typical Barrithian education, one that matches both galaxy standards and Barrithian. We attended...additional classes that our parents said would serve us later in life when we began working with them.
Military tactics. Infiltration and undercover work. We read the journals of commanders who led successful missions on other planets, and studied the places they took over and the organizations they gained access through.
[His smile is humorless and uncomfortable.]
My teachers determined that my particular aptitude was for what essentially amounted to anthropological studies. If I hadn't refused, I would have eventually become an advisor to a military leader, someone like my parents, and followed them from planet to planet. Absorbing what I learned from the places we targeted, reviewing their plans or deep cover identities to spot weaknesses or discrepancies, things that would stand out among the local population, and act as support staff in whatever capacity was deemed necessary.
[He picks up his tea once more, and takes a sip after talking so much.]
My interest in other worlds and cultures is genuine, at least, even if my people would have preferred I use it in service of their greater good.
no subject
interesting. though perhaps not entirely surprising as it was rilan who laid his cards out on the table within the first ten minutes of them meeting for tea. there's a look of quiet admiration in her eyes when she lifts her gaze from the table to really take him in. ]
There is certainly more to you than meets the eye.
[ she nods appreciatively. ]
I hope you will be able to continue your studies here. I certainly would encourage you to persue that further.
no subject
Is it your hope that I will offer the services here that I refused my people?
[His job would have been in intelligence, but Rilan has never considered himself military minded, and while he wants to support Sola and what she does, the only context he has for continuing his studies and pursuing it further is Barrith's.]
no subject
No, that was not my intent. It was merely to encourage you to pursue whatever passions you prefer. [ sola pauses, considering his first conclusion, delicately running her fingertips along the rim of her now empty cup.. ] Certainly, I cannot deny the benefits, but no, that was not my intent.
no subject
Thank you. I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your encouragement. It's a sore subject between my family and I.
[He does not elaborate, not wanting to share and not wanting to ruin the evening with his family baggage. There is time enough for all of that.]
While it is an interest, I may take the opportunity to explore other things as well, now that I'll have the freedom to do so.
[It would be nice to find a passion of his own. A calling that hasn't been warped by the culture of his people, and can be put to use for the good of his new home planet.]
no subject
[ though it was not apparent in what she has read and memorized about him, it can be parsed out through his comments here and there. perhaps they can dive into that another time, whenever he's ready. it seems as if he is ready to finds ways to settle into his new life here and sola will make sure he will be as comfortable as possible. ]
And I will support that. [ they will be watched and sola knows that he will be met with some scrutiny, but it's starting to sound like they will be able to play their cards right. ] I hope you will come to enjoy being here.
no subject
He does not want to get into fussing and word wrangling on the first meeting with his intended, and he is grateful for her political instincts that allow them both to sidestep that.]
I appreciate that, Sola, and have little doubt that I will enjoy and appreciate being here. On this planet, and with you.
[He doesn't like to lean hard on wording and phrasing like this, finding it elegant but a little stiff for his tastes in the long-term. He picks up his cup to take another sip, finds it empty, and laughs a little at himself as he shows it to her.]
I was more absorbed in our conversation than I realized. I think I'll take it as a good sign for the future.