The Làidir Household

As if in answer to Moon's question a guard opens the gate. He stares at Mihael a bit wide eyed and another went off to the house. The guard snaps a salute and say formally.

"Master Mihael, sir you are home."

Mihael nods at the man grinning and returning the salute.

"I am! It's good to see you Wallace, how are things holding up?"

The guard Mihael identified as Wallace gestures to indicate Mihael and Moon should continue on.

"We've been well, the king has return and already reforged An Dli. I assume you heard? And who is the young lady with you, young master?"

Mihael nodded to Wallace's question as he takes Moon by the arm and escorts her toward the house.

"I had Wallace and this is Moonflower Twowinds, my Fiancee."

At these words Wallace's eyes open so wide it seemed they might fall from his head. He splutters and stammers and Mihael laughs as he walks Moon into the main hall. A group of servants are waiting for them and they grab the couples bags and barrage Mihale with similar questions to Wallace's. At being told Moon was his faincee they all had the same comical overreaction. A few questioned if Moon was touched in the head, one of the Maids wants to know how she pulled it off, still others ask her to confirm Mihale's proclamation.

"Mihael! You're home."



An older woman with long white hair descends the stairs. She is slim with a willowy frame and delicate features. Her face is smooth and nearly unlined, though there are a few around her eyes from. The family resemblance to Mihale is obvious and surprisingly she looks a bit like Moon. Though the younger woman had a more... curvaceous figure. 

"Mother!"

Mihael greets the woman with a broad grin, sweeping her into his arms. The woman lets out an indignant little gasp, though she soon smiles and returns the embrace warmly. After a moment the man gasps and releases her, pointing his mother toward Moon.

"Mother, I would like to introduce you to Moonflower Twowinds. My fiancee, Moon this Anastasia my mother."

Anastasia's reaction is near identical to the servants. Her eyes bulge and her mouth opens. However, she recovers far quicker and within a moment she has moved in. The older woman, who is quite a bit shorter than Moon, takes Moon by the chin and looks at her. She seems to be inspecting the younger woman and then declares voice stern. 

"My son leaves home for almost two years and we don't hear a word from him. Now that he's returned I find that not only has he met a woman of unknown birth and origin, but that they are engaged to be wed. All I can say is... How did you manage to get my idiot son to notice you? I thought he would die without ever looking at a woman."

The older woman's voice turns teasing at the end and she lets out a little bark of laughter. Then Anastasia pulls Moon into a tight embrace.

"It is good to meet you dear. I am sorry for anything my son might have inadvertently inflicted on you. I know he can be a bit... careless."

"Mother!"

Mihael protest with a blush as Anastasia poke fun at him. He notices the look in Moon's eyes and returns it. The older woman smiles catching the look between the young couple. It appeared as though her son was very much in love, as was his soon to be bride. She was absolutely thrilled. Ushering the two out of the room she declares.

"All right to the solar you two. I want to hear everything."

They are practically pushed through the winding hallways of the manor. They come to a room in the back that is dominated by a rounded window. There are two love seats facing each other a small table between them. Tea and biscuits have already been set out by the servants. Mihael sits down in one love seat, pulling Moon down to sit next to him. Anastasia sits across and says with authority.

"Mihael you have been gone for two years. Tell me everything that's happened to you."

Mihael raises his hands in surronder, but before he gets into his story he has something to ask.

"I will mother, but where is father?"

"He is at the guard house, seeing to your men's training. Just like you asked him to, now enough stalling."

Mihael rolls his eyes and sighs, the effect somewhat ruined by his smile. He then gets into his story. He met Moon a little more than a year into his travels, so he starts with what happened after he left Alban. His first step was Gauldin which was mostly uneventful, outside of helping to defend a small town from an orc attack. After Gauldin turned up nothing, he had traveled to Katahshima. The land was in the midst of a civil war and apparently he had fought in a few battles before leaving for the mainland. On the mainland he had gotten roped into helping a group of hunters take down a wyvern.

"And after the hunt I heard some men talking in the tavern. They spoke of a powerful magical blade in a wood to the north. So that is where I headed next. It was there I met Moon..."

He trails off to look lovingly at her. Also to see if she'd like to take over, since he'd been speaking non stop for about an hour.

"You poor dear."

Anastasia seemed genuinely sorrowful to hear of Moon's tribulations leading to her meeting with Mihael. Still as Moon continued to speak Anastasia's expression turn to one of happy pride. She is clear pleased to hear that her son had save the woman. Both from the ogre and from despair. Once their story is complete Anastasia, at Mihael's insistance, speaks of the coming of Sir Averin. A story Mihael listen to with an almost wistful look on his face. He is sad he wasn't able to help his king, but also he knows that if he hadn't left he wouldn't have met Moon. He squeezes her hand, she was more important than the quest.

"Well now, you two need a bath."

Anastasia declare with authority ushering them both up again. She splits the couple up, leaving Mihael in the hands of some servants. Anastasia, personally escorts Moon to one of the mansions bathing chambers, where a servant is filling a tub.

"We used to have a magical warming system for bath water. That was before the civil war, when all the mages where called from such... Frivolous uses. Hopefully now that the king is back we can get magic for better living again. I recognize the need, but it would be nice."

A few maids get to work striping down Moon, despite any protests, and soon the woman is forced into a tub of warm soapy water. Asastasia leaves to attend to other things. The servants would remain outside and when Moon was ready they would help her get dressed. Braiding her hair and providing a stately gown that was a bit tight, but otherwise a good fit.

The maids where a bit put off by Moon's behavior. Used to dealing with nobility, Moon's near feral reactions were almost frightening. Still they were professionals and the preserved. Once she was clean and dressed appropriately, at least by their estimation, they lead Moon to Mihael's room. His suite of rooms within the manor where almost a house onto themselves. With an attached bathroom, sitting room, study, and private dining chamber. Mihael was lounging on a sofa, reading over a report, when Moon entered.

Her husband to be, looks up and sucks in a breath. Despite not enjoying the process of being stuffed into the dress, it did wonders to compliment her figure. The pale silver gown accentuated her curves while retaining modesty. Mihael had received similar treatment, his hair had been trimmed back, his face clean shaven, and his clothing far cleaner and better pressed than it had been in a while. He looked like a noble now not the wandering knight, though his grin remained unchanged. He stands and steps forward sweeping her into his arms.

"You look amazing!"

Mihael seemed a tad concerned when Moon stumbled. A concern that grew deeper at her words. Without a seconds thought he scoops her up. Lifting her offer her feet, supporting her legs with one arm, the other wrapped around her shoulders. He carries over to the sofa and sits down on it, moon now nestled in his lap. This was much better, it was like the nights they had spent by the campfire now.

"It may not be you Moon and you don't have to like wearing dresses for me. Though I would appreciate it if you wore at least one other. It is traditional for the bride to wear a dress on her wedding day."

Mihael nuzzles Moon back taking a deep breath, enjoying her scent. She smelled of soap, perfume, and something wild, something distinctly her. He listens to her complain about the extravagant dress a small smile on his lips. Apparently Moon wasn't one for fashion, which didn't bother him much. His father was a practical man and had raised him to be similar. His mother though liked the trappings of high society. Anastasia was a kind woman though and she wouldn't be upset to learn Moon didn't like dresses. Though his mother would likely be disappointed, she had always wanted a daughter to spoil and play dress up with.

"You will have to take to Mother about that Moon. I am afraid we won't have much say in our own wedding. My mother does so enjoy the theatrics of ceremonies. She also has a habit of getting her way in the end. I mean she managed to marry an unknown Katashiman warrior, despite her fathers wishes."

"I'm not sure. I told mother as soon as possible, but that can be nebulous with nobility. Earliest will be end of the month, latest would be three."

Mihael answered as he stared down at her. He tried and failed to not stare at her cleavage. The dress had a modest neckline, but from his angle it displayed her most magnificently. Especially since the dress was made for a smaller woman so it clung to Moon rather tightly.

"You know you might like a dress more if it was tailored to you."

He coughs a little as he says this, worried Moon might be mad. However, though she had noticed his looks she didn't seem upset. No the way her hands roamed his body, she definitly wasn't upset. The kiss was returned with passion and he murmured back into her lips.

"Oh? What advantages? We have a few hours before dinner so I'm your captive audience until then..."

<Fade back in.>

Mihael had been forced to admit that Moon had found a definitive advantage to the dress. They had quite a bit of fun and still looked mostly presentable. They were a bit... rumbled around the edges, but hopefully no one would notice. After her demonstration they had laid together on the couch. Enjoying being safe and comfortable, enjoying being home and most of all just enjoying being together. It was a few hours later that a knock came at the door. The head of the household William opened it with Mihael's permission.

"Master Mihael, dinner is ready if you and Mistress Two-Winds would care to join."

With that William departed. Mihael gets to his feet with a groan, taking Moon's hand in his before heading off toward the dining room. A relatively simple meal is spread out along the table. Prime ribe roast, with mashed potatoes, spring greens, and some bread. For nobility it was a relatively simple and small meal. Anastasia was already and seated alongside a stern faced Katashiman man. He had narrow eyes, a hawk nose, and his hair graying hair was set in a top not. The man rises and a smile cracks the stone of his face.

"My son."

The man says as he embraces Mihael.

"Father."

Mihael replies as he returns the embrace warmly. Breaking it the young knight turns to Moon.

"Father this is Moonflower Two-Winds, my fiancee. Moon, my father Hirotashi."

The older man gives Moon a respectful bow.

"It is nice to meet you, Ms. Two-Winds. I have heard your tale from Anastasia. I welcome you to our house and I forward to welcomng you into our family soon."