R'sath, Tower of Starlight - Part 4 - Lord Odestag

"I am not sure I appreciate this new, 'do whatever you want' version of my son," Dahil complained as she and her children sat in the mother's room.

Ahsch smiled at the relatively light tone she used. The complaint was genuine - he didn't need Heart Sight to know that - but it was also minor. It was a statement about the state of reality, not a request - or parental 'request,' which was often a demand - for change.

It was a expression of concern that the small, sad smile that graced Dahil's lips couldn't mask.

"At least I'm not exploring the bottom of every bottle I find," he teased, and was gratified by some real mirth transforming his mother's expression, even if just slightly. "Nor am I charging off into the deep mountains on a quest for 'adventure,' never to be seen again."

"Small favors," the elder hrafthi joked back. "I would rather you take Michlas' 'safe' option and come home... but then you are a guide in a Tier Three region..."

"To be fair, beasts are easier to predict than people," Ariin pointed out. They're also less likely to figure out how to kill you, brother, she added via Daydreamweave.

"Both are dangerous in their own ways, neither are safe," he responded. "And I'm willing to bet that people, especially people of high society, have rules and patterns they follow, just like beasts do. It's just a matter of learning and using them." He gave his sister a side-eye, _Speaking of, you should quickly figure out how you're going to tell mom that you're staying _without getting us killed; unless you've reconsidered...

I'll figure something out.

Sooner's better than later.

"Since your mind is made, we should consider how to get your things here quickly," Dahil started, but paused when her son waved away her concern.

"I brought my equipment and enough clothing to last a while," he pointed out, " and most of what's back home are sentimental items that I won't need very soon - and honestly, that I probably won't even think about for at least a few weeks, given what Michlas implied was going to be happening. I'm sure someone will insist on visiting before long, so you can just bring my things then."

"If you're sure."

"He's sure," Ariin said, smiling at her brother. "He gets this look when..."

"Bullshit, I don't have a 'sure' look," Ahsch interjected.

"No, seriously, you do, it's kind of funny actually," she insisted, grinning far too wide to be telling the truth.

"And cats fly," he retorted, rolling his eyes with a smile as he leaned back in his chair. His mother and sister began to talk about something else, and he started to consider the future, now that he decided...

Master, what is the plan? Mahat interrupted his thoughts. I thought you had decided to stay away from Kirasiel?

Do you really need me to explain?

No, but you need to - I can feel the jumble of thoughts and feelings you have about her, and it would do you some good to get that figured out.

He smiled, ever grateful that his familiar seemed to be a bit of a therapist. _Well... yes, I _had thought to keep away from her, but after this stunt and what I can only imagine is going on here, she clearly needs help. And I guess I'm feeling... responsible for her. With what happened with Phashak, and the bond, and... and in our room... I guess... it's clear she needs something, and I don't know if anyone here can - or will - give it to her. Add to that I think Phashak would be... disappointed if I let anything happen to something of 'mine,' and I just... I feel like I need to do something other than just ignore her.

And you want to make her yours.

Ahsch sighed. And I want to make her mine, he agreed. Claim her.

_Tame her. Break her. _Ahsch could feel the mischief in the pause before Mahat's next words. Breed her.

Alright, temptress, enough.

"I suppose things are going to be very different for you soon, brother," Ariin said, drawing the Dominant Mage's attention back to his family.

He shrugged. "Not immediately. Even assuming everything goes perfectly smoothly - which it sounds like it won't - I'll probably still be in the guest suites here for at least a few weeks more. Even once everything's finalized, I'll probably try to keep a low profile at first, to avoid drawing too much attention to myself. Buy a wardrobe appropriate for R'sath, maybe hire a few personal servants..." he paused briefly, considering seeing if he could take Dorin. It had barely been two days, but the other boy's quick and efficient approach was certainly helpful, and the few times Ahsch had interacted with his attendant in a less professional fashion, he'd liked what he'd seen of the person underneath the effective servant exterior. "...but nothing too big."

"What about the land?" Dahil queried, sounding more like a school teacher than a curious mother.

The boy snorted. "I barely know what to do with property, let's be honest. I mean, I'll certainly try to learn more on the topic, figure out something useful, but I think one of those aforementioned servants I'd be hiring would be to see to any land that I end up with."

"Are you..." Ariin started, then paused. Ahsch could tell his sister wanted to ask something potentially inappropriate to ask in front of their mother, and was reconsidering her question. "Are you worried about... well..."

He smiled at his sister. "Of course I am. I mean, I have a lot to learn, staying here, and with what Michlas has implied about the situation, I'll have a lot of work to do there. Plus with Kir... Lady Celes being... well, Lady Celes, there's a lot to work on there too. To add another, more... shall we say, constant relationship to have to manage with all that? Yeah, I'm worried." He looked down pensively at the table as he added, And yes, I'm worried about how Dominant's Tithe will work with all of this... and I certainly worry how we'll all get along. You two are most important to me, and if things go well, you won't be alone there, but I hope you believe me when I say you will always be most important.

We know, Master, Mahat reassured him.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but... I trust you, brother. Master. I guess I just had hoped that if you were ever to marry someone, it would... maybe be me first, not some... arranged, 'political' thing.

Dahil sighed. "I know you said you wanted to help, and to 'do the right thing,' but... are you sure about this? Marriage? That's a big change, and far from an easy one, especially with it essentially being an arranged one."

Ahsch sighed as well. "Am I sure? Not really. But given... a lot about what's happened between Lady Celes and I... I _am _sure that it's the right thing. Even if it's hard."

His mother let out a long breath, then gave another small smile. "Then I guess I should just say 'good luck' to you... and congratulations."

Later that same evening, Ahsch was back in Michlas' office, sharing another working meal with the man as the sun slowly burned its way down the sky. Unlike lunch, he was there without his mother and sister, though Mahat and Dorin were present - the former because she literally couldn't not be privy to what was happening, and the latter after Ahsch had asked about keeping on his attendant once the marriage had gone through and the Armsmaster had agreed that it could be done."So," the hrafthi said between bites, "you said that you had a bachelorette in mind, but you would have to check on a few things and maybe pull some strings..."

Michlas smiled in amusement. "Eager to hear about your future betrothed?"

"Could we skip the teasing? Mother gave me enough of that, once she got used to the idea."

The man laughed, then nodded. "Well, I did some checking, and had to pull one or two strings, but Lord Odestag is..."

"Wait, 'Lord?' I thought..." Ahsch paused at the Armsmaster's raised hand.

"Avery Odestag is a... well, she's a character, to say the least. She goes by 'Lord' mostly to annoy the more straight-laced in R'sath."

"Sounds like fun," Mahat called from where she lounged in an easy chair in the corner.

"The other part of that is her father designated her the heir to House Odestag - which is actually another reason to marry her, as any other eligible bachelorette wouldn't be able to provide you with much through marriage, but since you'll be marrying the Lord and Head of House Odestag, you will be entitled to a fair portion of the House's holdings, as well as the ear of the Lord herself."

"That's... a good point. But what is she like, aside from - apparently - a terror on some nobles."

"Well, to start with the less redeeming things - she likes her drink a lot, though she's not what most would call unpleasant when drunk. She's not particularly proper, and can be rather crass in her humor - though it is actually a sense of humor, unlike what far too many royals tend to have. Depending on your personal opinions, she is a bit of a... let's just say she has a reputation for 'loving' more people than she should, and causing no small number of minor scandals along the way. To that end, if you expect her to marry you and be with you and only you, keep in mind she is the Lord and Head of House Odestag, and knowing what I know about her, she will take that title and the privileges that come with it to their logical - and occasionally ridiculous - ****, including having her own harem.

"On the other hand, she is generally well-regarded in court despite her... unique proclivities; and those who know her personally tend to agree that she is very pleasant to be around. She is charismatic and charming when she needs - or wants - to be, and is an excellent duelist and a remarkable dancer. We know she has a unique Innate Spell - or several - but she keeps those as well-kept secrets; besides that, she is a very competent illusionist, both in and outside combat." Almost as an aside to himself, the Armsmaster muttered, "You would not believe the number of times I've had to deal with the fallout of one of her... illusory pranks."

In his regular tone, he continued. "House Odestag itself is a middling royal family, that has focused for decades on automata and constructs - to little gain. The one truly unique advancement they've made was a one-off instance of an automata named 'Butler' seeming to gain a soul. Ordelia - Avery's father's mother - who had created the automata, was either unable or unwilling to repeat the accomplishment. At this point the family is of middling status mostly due to their ties to House Celes, rather than on their own merits as a House."

There was a pregnant pause, Michlas considering something. "Related to Avery being Lord Odestag, rather than Lady... when she was young - I believe nine or ten years old - younger brother died unexpectedly. We're not sure what happened, but it was sudden... and it's possible his mother, Fauna Odestag, was involved, as there was considerable tension between her, her husband Pavil, and Avery - who is Pavil's child by another, unknown woman - before Fauna left and Avery was named Pavil's one true heir."

Ahsch stared for a long moment. "So... mommy issues. Got it."

Michlas snorted. "Yes, but don't let her hear you say that."

The hrafthi chuckled too, then asked, "So, when do I meet her?"