Aniña frowned, “I don’t need you. My father needs you. There is a difference,” She sighed a little, “I’m trying to make it work for him, not you. Creceria?” She raised her eyebrow once the the word for ‘understand’ left her lips, pushing a strand of her wavy blonde hair out of her face.
Sequoia tried to process the word, inevitably giving up. There were better languages to learn. For example, the old tongues, languages fit for intellectuals. "No, I don't, because I don't entirely speak your beastly tongue. And your father is forcing us to get married to help you not him. With your mother at the mast, you would never have needed to get married. Unfortunately, your brutal internal policy got her butchered by terrorists." She wondered if that was too harsh. She couldn't muster up much of a will to apologize when Aniña was being such an asshat.
Aniña’s fists clenched, if she had her swords they’d be straight through Sequoia’s heart in a second, “Don’t you ever mention my Malia again or my hands will be around your throat quicker then you can scream. Do. You. Understand?” With each word she took a step forward to Sequioa. Her brain screamed at her to kill the other. Kill and then never have to marry.
Sequoia mentally flinched, repressing her fear the way she was always taught. She let a tense smile spread across her face "Listen, Habib Alby, we both know your dad would kill you if you so much as laid a hand on me in any way you couldn't prove was warranted. And you're not smart enough to go toe to toe with my parents." She mock pouted, hoping her logic would still make sense in Aniña’s pea-sized brain.
Aniña smirked a little, “You actually thing I’m scared of my father? He’s already laid a hand on me more times then I can count. You couldn’t even imagine the pain I’ve gone through because your parents are too busy pouring you tea. So please, dieing would be a god damn blessing.”
Sequoia glared. "Then do it and let me leave this marriage. Oh wait, you can't! Because deep inside we all fear death. Cry me a river Habib Alby we all go through problems. Your dad beats you, my parents refuse to acknowledge me unless I speak perfectly in social circles." She tilted her head to the side, exposing her neck as a challenge. "So hit me, if you really want to. I'm sure everything will go very well for you"
Aniña raised her hand to hit her but before she could do anything, a man cake walking down the hall towards them. She lowered her hand and placed it by her side slowly, “This isn’t over, Karrag.”
“So sorry I’m late ladies, shall we get this started?” Tha man said, giving them both a charming smile.
(Can I stalk the drama is killing me!!)
(Hey, I'm heading to bed after this post. Night!)
Sequoia smiled and filed away the fact that Aniña wouldn't hesitate to harm her. She would need to be more careful in the future. "Hello Kahin." She bowed her head in respect, straightening after the minute she owed him. "We would like to get this over with as soon as possible. Can you please pass me the certificate? My wife and I are eager to escape to our honeymoon location." Sequoia smiled placatingly at him, mouth curled in a crooked smile.
(Okie dokie, night!)
Aniña glared at Sequoia but didn’t utter a word about how wrong her words were.
The man’s smiled widened and he nodded, “Of course, of course. That's completely understandable. I’m sure you two will have a lovely time together away from here.” He passed Sequioa the certificate gently.
Sequoia signed it with a flourish, passing it lightly over to Aniña. She twirled the pen in her hand with a smile, tossing it to her wife to be. Her face concealed the queasiness she felt inside. She didn't really like this, handing herself over to Aniña. It felt odd. Sequoia had belonged herself for a long time, but now, in the eyes of the law at least, she suddenly didn't.
Aniña caught the pen and gave Sequoia an innocent smile before she, too signed the paper. She tried to suppress her frown as she did so, hating the sound of the pen on paper. Once that was done she smiled and handed the paper to the man.
“Congratulations, you two are now free to do as you please.”
Sequoia smiled. "Of course! Could you call in a servant to help us into the carriage? Only if it's not too much trouble, of course." She bowed respectfully again, trying not to worry about what would happen once she and Aniña were stuck together. She just hoped she'd survive being stuck in a house with her for a prolonged state of time. She'd be lucky if she came out without any scars.
(I’ve a question, are they going to hate each other the entire time or eventually fall in love?)
The man nodded and grinned, “No trouble at all, if you would like to head outside I’ll send someone right away.” He bowed his head respectfully then hurried off to find a servant.
“Ready, Karrag?” Aniña finally spoke up, giving the other a small smile.
(Well, I've been hitting the 'eventually fall in love as they learn more and more about each other' angle)
"Always. This house in the country we'll be retiring to is nearly servantless, yes? Are you sure I can exist in that wilderness? I am.. unused to such savage conditions." She examined her perfect nails, unwilling to look Aniña in the face. She hoped the house wouldn't be hopelessly understaffed, but half knew that it would. Her wife's culture was so strange.
(Noice, that sounds cool)
Aniña nodded, “The house is pretty much serventless, yes. There will be a couple maids and a cook but that will be about it. I’m sure you’ll be able to survive, it is fine house with all the nesassary requirements. I will be there to assist you with anything you need.” She hated the last sentence but forced her self to say it, keeping her voice even the entire time.
Sequoia allowed herself to laugh. "Let's not say things we don't mean, Habib Alby. You wouldn't piss on me if I were burning to death." She allowed herself to feel scared. It wouldn't be difficult to fake an accident. Maybe even a death. She hoped any nefarious ideas wouldn't be able to penetrate Aniña's thick skull. Perhaps she could just lock herself in her room for the whole 3 week period.
Aniña shrugged a shoulder, squirming in her too tight dress, “Well let’s not dwell on that idea now. The carriage is probably already waiting for us.” She have Sequoia a smile before setting off down the hall.
Sequoia followed, spine impeccably straight in a way she hoped would spite Aniña even though her wife probably wouldn't even notice. When they finally reached the carriage there was a servant she recognized manning the door. "Saffron!" She cried, pulling the girl into a deep hug. Saffron had been hired to be her playmate when they were younger and they had bonded.
"It's good to see you again." Saffron's voice was muffled in Sequoia's shoulder, but her voice was as melodic as ever. They hadn't seen each other in ages, ever since Sequoia's birthday. Saffron helped her into the carriage with a grin, sending her a wink before turning to hep Aniña.
Aniña politely shook her head to the girl, “I can get in myself, thank-you, though.” She smiled sweetly at the girl before climbing in the carriage herself, sitting down across from Sequoia.
Sequoia pulled her knees to the side, not risking any contact. It also helped show her disdain for Aniña, which was a massive plus. She started out the window as the driver whipped the horses into a frenzy, watching Saffron fade into a tiny silhouette. Her last friend, gone with the wind. "Will you be consummating the marriage, Habib Alby?" She asked, wondering if she would need to concoct an escape plan
Aniña drew her gaze from the window to Sequoia, “I may, as you say be a savage but I will not force you into anything you do not what to do. If you do not want to consummate this marraige, we will not, Karrag.” She spoke truth, for once and actually kind of hoped the the other would hear it in her words.
Sequoia tilted her head slightly, a gesture of confusion she couldn't quite hide. She had thought that Aniña would take her brutally as a show of power, but her tone rang with truth. Perhaps the girl was not quite as barbaric as she seemed, despite her idiocracy and easy violence. "It's not a matter of what I want, It's a matter of what the public needs to believe. We can fake something, I'm sure." If Aniña wouldn't push the issue, then neither would she.
Aniña nodded and turned her gaze to the window, slumping back in the chair a little, “Let’s not put too much thought into it now. We’ll figure something out soon.” Even though her words were spoken firmly, they were said softer then normal. She let out a small sigh and fiddled with the silver necklace that hung from her neck.
Sequoia picked up on the softness, deciding to press her luck while her wife was quiet. "We're going to need to establish some set rules. If you have any suggestions, give them to me now." While excessive PDA wasn't needed by any means, some sense of camaraderie was. No one wanted to be ruled by people who hated each other. It signaled to any revolutionaries in the country that the rulers were divided. Weak.
Aniña shrugged a shoulder, looking back from the window to her wife, “I am fine with whatever rules you wish to set. I have no suggestions of my own currently accept for one. Please do not mention any of my family.”
Sequoia nodded. It was an easy condition to accept, though she knew she would end up breaking it once she got pissed enough. "We'll need to seem…cohesive so some measure of closeness will be needed, but in private settings, I will not accept it. You'll be free to take on as many lovers as you wish as long as you give me the same courtesy and remain discreet. Rooms are not to be entered without express permission and you are not to tamper with any items in my room if you come in."
That was all she could drill up right now. She fidgeted in her seat, aching to work off some of her boundless energy. Although she'd only been in the carriage for a few seconds, she wanted to run around. This was going to be a long ride.
Aniña nodded her understand but did not say more. Her hand remained on her necklace as she stared out the window.
It was around three hours later of continuous country side until the carriage drove up to the doors of the manor, a servant opening the door for them both to step out.
Sequoia walked confidently out of the carriage, all but strutting into her temporary home. It was…cold. To say the least. It was made of some kind of harsh stone that sucked all the life out of the place. "Have bedroom been assigned, or will the servants help us pack them later?"
“Everything of yours has been taken to the first room on the second floor to the right. Feel free to change things around in the room as you please.” Aniña said, waving her hand idly to the staircase.