[Righteous Hand Dojo] A Thing With Feathers

[Satsumaiha]

1st of Ponutis, Winter, Era XV, Early Dusk

The candlemark had been quiet, a soporific breeze had swept the dojo, stilling the chittering birds. Snow made the trees boughs too heavy to sway and creak, and winter had stripped most the flora of leaves that could crinkle. It was a soothing silence, like the height of a perfect meditation.

Tap-Tap-Tap.

Slight as it was, the sound pinged through Veleraen's abode. It came in shy bursts, but it was persistent.

Tap-Tap-Tap.

The edge of a fan was tapping the window pane, its wooden handle held by a rose-cheeked Satsumaiha, pinched by the cold.

If she was not so properly attired, it seemed as if she would have asked if Veleraen could come out to play today. Instead she beamed through the window, and held up a fistful of herbs meant for tea, likely pruned from the Okiya's splendid gardens in late fall and dried for winter. It was a mystery whether the girl ever did anything actually pertaining to her profession, or if she was just cheap labor. In the Okiya's defense, it was difficult to teach a cripple how to dance and walk properly.
Satsumaiha waved Veleraen toward the door, moving her arms vaguely like a dancer's, and then vanished around the corner of the dwelling.

When the door opened, the girl was standing on the doorstep. She quickly extended the collection of chamomile like an awkward youth would a bouquet of flowers on a first date. Her pleased expression warmed the gesture to something endearing.
She was rather proud of herself for bringing a proper gift for her unwitting host. Bringing gifts was a tradition ingrained into the Kemite people but lack of funds made it a trace difficult. Not to mention, every other attempt had been thwarted, by either mischievous Keme'Dral or even undead.

[Lenara]

It was quiet as Lenara sat in the living room of the Righteous Hand Dojo, a cool breeze causing her to hug a blanket around her shoulders as she sat with a book on her lap. It may appear to anyone else that she was reading, since she was so focused on the book, but instead she was only trying to read, looking at the letters and words carefully and trying to figure them out. Veleraen was doing well to teach her how to read and while he was busy with various other things, she would practice as best she could. Her long raven black hair lay unbound around her shoulders, it was unusual for her to go without braiding her hair, but she was feeling particurlarly lazy that brightening. A lovely pink cherry blossom tattoo dotted her neck, cleverly hiding the slave brand she once bore, it had been Veleraen's work and while it had mostly healed, it was still a bit tender.

So focused on her book that she didn't hear the tapping at first. When the tapping persisted however, Lenara placed her book aside and got up from her chair to see what was making that noise. She set the blanket aside and walked over to window to look outside, Lenara was a bit surpised when she caught sight of a lovely cold looking girl standing outside. Who was she? From the way she was attired, Lenara would have to guess that she was a Keme'dral or something like that, something of the Kemite tradition and she was most likely there to see Veleraen.

Was she to answer the door or go and fetch Veleraen? She was unsure what to do, but another look outside at the cold looking Kemite and she decided not to leave the girl standing outside much longer. Opening the door, Lena wouldn't doubt that the girl would be surprised to see the giantess, especially if she knew Veleraen, Lenara hadn't been in Zinn'Sunn for very long and she had only been staying with Veleraen for about a month. She offered the woman a warm smile, "Serale, are you here to see Veleraen?"

[Satsumaiha]

The extended bunch of chamomile dropped unceremoniously, and the slight Keme'Dral began to blush furiously.

Satsumaiha's thoughts said: Who are you? Where's Veleraen?
But her voice managed nothing, at first.

This certainly was not who she was expecting to find at Veleraen's house.

It was one thing arriving at a friend's house unannounced, she was cautious about even that, but traipsing in on a guest, especially a pretty lady one. That was a whole different matter. Enough to send the rigidly proper Keme'Dral and Kemite into panicked flutters and labored breathing.

Satsumaiha exerted her will, and managed to only blink a few times instead of hyperventilate. Slowly, she crouched to pick up her chamomile, her slim kimono and injured leg made it a formal process. There was a seed of elegance in even this gesture, but she was only a fledgling in her craft.

When Satsumaiha straightened, she pressed her palms together and bobbed in a quick bow.

"My apologies, Miss. I did not mean to visit at an improper time."

These Kemites were sticklers for decorum, and some Keme'Dral had formality lashed into them. While Lenara may have thought little of it, Satsumaiha was inwardly reeling.

"I will return at a better time, and with notice. Forgive my inconsiderate behavior"

Another quick bow, and the girl was lifting her skirt to ease her departing steps.

[Lenara]

The reaction Lenara recieved from the Kemite girl was surprising to say the least, had Lena said something wrong? She watched as the bundle of chamomile fell to the ground and for some reason, the Keme'Dral was blushing. Lenara was puzzled about her behavior, had she frightened the girl? It was hard to say that Lenara was all that imposing, but who knew with humans? The smile that had touched her lip fell to a confused frown as she watched the Kemite pretty much panic right in front of her and for a moment, she almost spoke, wanting to know what was wrong so she could help fix it.

Did Satsu think she had walked in on something? Such a thought cause Lenara to blush as well, never could the young girl be more wrong. She and Veleraen were....well she wasn't exactly sure what they were, it was hard to tell since they avoided each other at times.

Another possible explanation could have been that the Kemite, looking quite young, had a crush on Veleraen and didn't like finding an unknown giantess there without an explanation, yet another reason for a blush to stain her cheeks. I had settled in for a nice quiet brightening...

Lenara could not find her voice for the longest time, all she could do was watch the gracefully injured Kemite retrieve her fallen bundle. Lenara arched a brow when the girl gave a bit of a wobbly bow, most likely due to her injured foot or ankle and apologized for visiting, though how it was improper, Lena didn't know. "No no, you seem to be mistaken Miss."

She sighed as another apology came and the Kemite turned to leave. Lenara had apparently handled this all wrong and she was sure that Vel wouldn't be happy if Lena scared away one of his friends. "It's no an improper time at all, I promise. Please don't leave." Her voice was slightly pleading, a worried look touching her gentle blue eyes, almost terrified that she had somehow messed things up without her knowledge. I only answered the door!

"I'll run and get Vel now if you want, please come in out of the cold." She stepped out of the way so the girl could come inside, if she chose to do so. Ever the pleasing slave girl in citizens clothing, she hated to have people upset or uncomfortable around her.

[Veleraen]

To have seen such an event happening, well, Veleraen wasn't truly that perceptive. He hadn't considered how Satsumaiha would have reacted to seeing Lenara in his home and in doing so, something very awkward and offsetting transpired at the doorstep to his home.

The Knight had been around the back of the dojo doing some maintenance along the sides and roof areas, making sure there were no leaks or cracks in the walls. He had circled around the side of the dojo when he heard voices coming from the front. "It sounds like...like Lenara and someone else..." Not once had he thought it was Satsumaiha but as he got closer, he heard her voice clear as day and his eyes widened slightly. "Oh dear..."

Stepping out from his 'hiding spot', Veleraen came around the side and towards the front to see Satsumaiha hobbling down the steps with a bag of herbs in her hand and Lenara standing there looking somewhat disgruntled, embarrassed and ashamed at the same time. "Poor Lenara...poor Satsu!" He wasn't sure what to say first as the Giant looked upon the pair like two abandoned dogs who looked like they'd just had their first fight on the rough streets of Zinn'sunn.

"Satsumaiha!" Veleraen exclaimed as he finally spoke up, a slight tint of red to his cheeks as well, as he was a little embarrassed at the fact that she had found out about Lenara before he had told her about Lenara. The pair of Giant's relationship wasn't exactly defined yet but he could only assume the worst as Satsu must have been running multiple scenarios in her head.

"Please, please, don't go. I am glad to see you here..." Veleraen looked over to Lenara with a look of uncertainty. He wasn't blaming Lenara for anything, she hadn't done anything wrong. He was just curious as to what was going on. Hopefully Lenara didn't get any ideas in her head either.

"I see you met Lenara." He gave a faint smile to Satsumaiha, one that probably wouldn't get him anywhere with the young girl. She was the protective and attached sort, one that clung easily and didn't let go. He could see this being a problem with Lenara now in the mix.

"Come inside Satsumaiha. I see you brought some herbs for tea? Perhaps we can all have some?" The Knight wasn't exactly sure what else to say to the two women on his front doorstep except attempt a compromise. He could see in both their auras something was amiss but he wasn't able to fully read them yet.

"Please?" The Giant's tone was a rare one, as he usually didn't have to persuade Satsumaiha to do anything as they usually got alone rather well. It was one of those delicate times where questions would be asked and Veleraen would need to give some answers to those questions. Perhaps a little tea would calm some frayed nerves.

[Satsumaiha]

It was too much all at once. The little Kemite was teetering between staying and going and now she had two giants talking to her, both of which were periodically using something a little louder then their "indoor voices" to get her attention. This would have been nothing between Lenara and Veleraen, but Satsumaiha was trying to maintain a polite expression while being inadvertantly yelled at. At least the content was friendly if the volume was not.

Her eyes flitted between the two giants as she craned her neck to see.

Satsumaiha looked up at Veleraen with a slim smile and suitable bow. His final "Please" would have convinced her to jump off a roof, nonethless stay for tea. When it came to her adopted brother, she truly did not require much convincing.

When nervous, Satsumaiha reverted to formality, adopting all the characteristic Keme'Dral gestures of respectful glances and gentle tones. (Which was a more graceful reaction then bursting into feathers and flying away.)

"Such kind invitations."
Well, she seemed quite non-plussed now, how could Veleraen think she felt uncomfortable when she had composed herself with such fluid poise?
"I hope the brightening finds you well..."
Even her tone was that familiar sweet peal, soothing as a flower's fragrance.
"...Sir Veleraen."

Oh. The title. He was in trouble. He didn't need to read an aura to figure that one out.

Satsumaiha did not miss a cue now that she had awakened her manners. She turned to face the giantess, her average features made uncommonly pleasant by a friendly smile.

"Miss Lenara, I am Satsumaiha, a Dyma from the Golden Petal Okiya. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."

She turned her attentions to both.
"I would greatly enjoy sharing tea with you, Miss Lenara, if you have the time."
Abandoning a tall pair of wooden zoris in the entryway, Satsumaiha minced into the house. She seemed slight before, and had now lost three or four inches after abandoning her shoes.

As she looked up at Lenara, there was a briefly admiring warmth to the girl's amber gaze. She softly spoke over her shoulder and through her hair, still plaited with two gold feathers at her temple. One of which Lenara would immediately recognize as belonging to a certain bird of prey.

"Your friend is very pretty, Sir Veleraen."

A comment likely born of childish admiration instead of a will to embarrass, however, it could still have the same effect.

[Lenara]

Lenara was in near panic at that moment, afraid that she had frightened off the girl, even if it hadn't been her intentions to do so. She couldn't bring herself to understand just what had upset the Kemite girl, she could see that their were emotions bubbling underneath her cool exterior and blushing cheeks, which only served to confusing her further. She was afraid that her invititation to come inside would be ignored and perhaps it would have been if Veleraen hadn't jumped in at that moment. She hadn't noticed him come in, her attention being soley placed upon the Kemite.

His exclamation surprised her and she jumped a bit, the volume just a bit loud for even her. She took a step back, her eyes down on the floorboards as though she was ready to be scolded. Perhaps it had been wrong for her to answer the door, she didn't know. She saw the look of uncertainty, but she wasn't about to do or say anything at that moment, she would let Vel do his begging to keep the girl there, who was she? Why hadn't Veleraen told her about the Kemite?

It was odd how such an instance could cause Lenara to revert back to her slave roots, her eyes kept on the floor in respect of Satsu and Veleraen, though she was a bit irritated with Veleraen for inadvertantly putting her in the situation. No it wasn't his fault, but if Lena had known about Satsu, she would have been able to go and retrieve him right away....gods, men were dense.

Lenara was surprised to hear Satsu sounding so pleasant and agreeable as opposed to earlier when she had been close to panicking. Apparently the tone in his voice had convinced her to stay. Lenara looked up slowly, as though testing the waters to see if it was alright for her to move or speak.

There was a friendly smile on the Kemite's face now as she regarded Lenara, which still confused her, but also helped to relax her a bit. She offered an unsure smile back, though her eyes were not meeting hers, more looking down, Vel would be able to understand just why. At least Lena hadn't cried, though she probably would have if the Dyma wouldn't have stayed. "Of course Miss Satsumaiha."

Lenara was still having a hard time adjusting in Zinn'Sunn, still caught between being a citizen of Zinn'Sunn and a former slave with former slave habits. She watched Satsu enter, a slight smile on her face as she took note of the girl's appearance. What exactly was a Dyma? Lenara didn't know these things but she felt it wasn't her right to ask, not after she had apparently insulted the girl somehow. She felt her cheeks burn as she was complimented, she still wasn't used to them and doubted them every time she heard them, but she didn't argue, just looked at Vel as though asking for a bit of help. "Should I make the tea then Veleraen?"

[Veleraen]

Were the gods so cruel that brightening? It was the right proportions of embarrassment, surprise and perhaps a little mixture of jealousy and a pinch of just 'plain awkward' that was brewing into the most powerful but silent storm known to mankind.

Veleraen had failed to mention Satsumaiha to Lenara mainly because he was so busy with teaching and helping Lenara, Satsumaiha had been kind of left alone in the background. He hated to admit it but it was true. The young Kemedral was busy being at the Golden Petal Okiya in her teachings and lessons. They both had their separate lives, he just hadn't mentioned her in passing, as he'd been wrapped up in life itself. The Knight had a lot of things on his mind, one of which included fighting a powerful Jorelite warrior. Now he was wishing he had mentioned Satsu's name to Lenara. Perhaps such a debacle could have been avoided altogether.

The Knight's volumne exceeded normal boundaries and Veleraen soon realized how harsh he could have sounded and immediately toned his voice down a notch. His deep pitch became much lower and as soon as Satsumaiha dropped back into formality mode, an irking suspicion started to form inside his mind. Then the title came. Veleraen could only let out a small sigh of resentment, not towards anyone but himself and a slight roll of the eyes as neither of the women were looking at him.

"Please don't do this Satsumaiha..."

He knew Satsumaiha was making him pay and it was just the beginning. He'd been around the young Kemite girl long enough to know when she was behaviing oddly or in an agitated manner and this was one of those times.

Poor, poor Lenara. Like a frightened puppy dog she retreated into the dojo's entryway, unsure of what to do with the situation. Just by observing her posture and eye movements, Veleraen knew she had been placed into a very awkward position, as it was seeming to become a very embedded tradition in their growing friendship. Veleraen heart just dropped to the pit of his stomach as both Satsumaiha and Lenara were both agitated to various states, one calm and collected, the other on edge and rather embarrassed. Either way, things were not looking good and the Knight felt he needed to smoothe things over.

It was going to be hard to win Satsumaiha over to his side. Perhaps she would get used to the fact that Lenara was going to be around for a while. Discovering for the first time that having an adopted sister was rather rough at times, Veleraen wasn't sure what to do with himself; just yet anyways. He was usually able to muddle through these kinds of situations. Usually...

Then came another unexpected jab.

Satsumaiha, very uncharacteristically complimented Lenara in front of Veleraen. Normally she was a stickler for formalities in these sort of situations. She was getting payback in her own little way and Veleraen could feel that vibe coming through, even if Lenara was totally oblivious to it. Trying to put on a happy face for all, Veleraen walked up behind Satsumaiha and Lenara, putting a hand on the small of Lenara's back but for a brief moment as he gave her a slight nod in regards to the tea. He didn't want to make a big deal out of tea, but somehow he felt Satsumaiha might insist on making it herself.

"Thank you...Satsumaiha. You are quite generous in your words." He gave a respectful head nod, playing the formality game with her for the time being. Veleraen hadn't truly seen this side of her before and he was unsure of what to expect next. Leading them both into the kitchen, it was a modest room, chairs and a large table, all giant sized. Veleraen ceremoniously offered Satsumaiha a hand if she wished to have a seat at the table or even on the edge of it if she do desired.

Veleraen was like a chicken in a coop with a fox in it. He wasn't sure where to go or what to say, except that danger was around every corner. "How do I turn this down a notch..."

"I guess I should introduce you both formally to each other...Lenara, this is Satsumaiha. I met her many, many months ago here in Zinn'sunn, she is an extremely close friend, she is like my sister." He gave a wry smile, trying to appeal to the young girl's sensitive side, albeit it probably wouldn't work. "And Satsumaiha, this is Lenara. She's been staying here for about a month now with me. We met in Laroo River Park and I've been helping her get on her feet." It was tragically awkward. Veleraen put his hands behind his back as he shuffled towards the table a little and took a seat and then stood up again, almost forgetting something.

"I need some water...Would either of you ladies like some? I mean, for the tea...Water for the tea...Yes...Yes we need water for the tea..." Veleraen's large frame turned and hurried for the rear exit as he went to go fetch some water for their tea. His face was burning hot and he didn't know why. His nerves were becoming frayed and his heart was beating to a tune only a improperly instructed minstrel could play. Why was there so much tension in the air that brightening? The situation that he was in...was it truly so bad? Okay, so that question really didn't require an answer.

Coming back in quickly enough, Veleraen set the water down and let Lenara work her magic. She was the tea whiz and while the Knight was sure he could make it himself, he put that trust into the capable hands of the Giantess. He gave Lenara an apologetic look as he handed her the water, trying to tell her he was truly sorry for putting her in such a position. Gods he hated himself. Even after trying to communicate silently to her, his heart still felt like lead. The undying love he had for both women was too much for him, sisterly love and a secret love were too heavy for one compartment to handle.

[Satsumaiha]

When Veleraen copied her nervous habit of formality, Satsumaiha tilted her head slightly. Perhaps that was how he behaved normally with company, but something told her there was more to it. They were all flustered in their own ways, yet the Kemite wore the feeling with a little more aplomb.

Satsumaiha gingerly managed to sit in a chair, but not without a little assistance. The furniture was quite literally giant-sized. From her tall perch she listened to a more detailed introduction of Lenara. Even when Veleraen explained the connection, Satsumaiha was only marginally less confused. A slight smile touched her mouth when he introduced her with sentimental terms, though. The Kemite was not so hard to win over. It had taken her Uncle eras to sap up her goodwill. Selling her to the Okiya had been the crowning blow, but that had only made her indifferent to him.

The Knight was likely worrying more than necessary. Any other participant would have prolonged the awkward tension for the sheer comic effect. His fumbling was a sight to behold. Satsumaiha had to cover her mouth with her hand to hide the silent giggle as he sputtered over something as straightforward as fetching water.

While she did not wish to prolong the stilted air, the curious girl had a few inquiries up her kimono sleeve. Questions that Kemites viewed as traditional, but were sure to make even Veleraen blush from toes to braid.

The giants were side by side over the stove, and Satsumaiha was stranded on her tall chair. Veleraen was right, she did want to make the tea. It was a Kemite's drink and her obligation as an unheralded guest. Part of her wondered if she had been seated there by design. That almost made her frown, as Veleraen was unfairly using his height against her.

Satsumaiha breathed in and out, releasing this thought. Torek would be sad to see her behaving ungraciously. As Lena continued with the tea, Veleraen came back to the table.
Her face lifted towards him, modeling that discrete bud sized smile the Keme'Dral were famous for. It was disconcerting to see something so inscrutable on her face.
Then, welcome as air after swimming, a happy thought began to glow through her features, warming and imbuing life into them. The little thing was about to laugh at him!

She bit her lip to keep from grinning. Gods it was easy to forget she really was only fourteen or so. Impish tendencies were still moderately permissable. They were just surprising considering her steady temperament.

Trying to spare him more trouble, as entertaining as it was, Satsumaiha began to trace letters on the tabletop. Following her hand was the only way to discern what she meant to express. The design was made several times should he have missed the gesture.

ALL IS WELL. SMILE.

Satsumaiha folded her hands in her lap and cheerily left it at that.

[Lenara]

Lenara still wasn't sure just what she was doing around the Kemite, Veleraen thankfully accepted the compliment for her, since she didn't know just what to say to the girl. She wasn't afraid of the Kemite, she was just nervous around the young woman, mostly because she hadn't been expecting it. She was thankful when she was given a menial task, it helped her to focus on something else. She waited for Veleraen to get her water, though he chose instead to formally introduce the two of them now. She listened as Veleraen explained his relationship to the young girl, it had to be nice to have a younger adopted sister. Now why couldn't he have said it earlier?

When he introduced Lenara to Satsu, whether it was because she was intent on seeing what he saw her as or because she was just listening carefully, but she noticed that he hadn't said what she was. She didn't hear the word friend in his sentence and this irked her. Was she not to be considered a friend as well? She looked away to hide the hurt in her eyes, this only caused more confusion in their relationship. "Nice to meet you Satsumaiha. It's nice to meet another friend of Veleraen. I'm a friend of his as well." I think....

It took Vel long enough to realize that they needed water for tea and using it as an escape, he ran out to retrieve it. Lenara was mostly silent as she waited for the water to be brought back. This had been an odd brightening for her, she didn't mind meeting Satsu, she liked her so far, though she barely knew her. She wondered how Satsumaiha and Veleraen had met, but that was a question better saved for later when she wasn't feeling so aggravated at Vel for putting her in this situation.

When he returned with the water, she took the water and chose not to look at him as she did, not wanting to look the giant in the eyes, not allowing him to silently apoligzing because she didn't want that at the moment. She was offended and yet she wasn't sure if she should be, gods how he confused her. She set to the task of making the tea, trying to take her mind off the current situation. She sighed softly as she got the three cups out for the tea and poured out the tea, enjoying the fragrant smell and allowing it to calm her down a bit.

She set the cup in front of Satsumaiha and offered the girl a smile while she avoided Vel's gaze altogether. Choosing to stand near the stove to drink her tea.

[Veleraen]

It almost felt like he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Satsumaiha had 'discovered' Lenara and now for some reason he felt as though he had to explain something to the young Kemite girl but in reality it was...was what it was. There was nothing that could rid his life of Lenara now. She was too deeply entrenched in his life to simply forget about because Satsumaiha may or may not have approved of the Giantess.

Veleraen might have overreacted at the whole situation at hand, but it was his initial impression that had brought him this far. Lenara had answered the door, scared Satsumaiha away, most likely surprising his adopted sister as a new woman was in his life now. Veleraen had not told Satsu about Lenara at all, most of it slipping from his mind within his busy daily schedule. Nevertheless he felt like he was going to suffer for it.

Satsumaiha was helped up to the table with Veleraen's large hands and not offering the task to Satsumaiha might have been rude but she surely would not have been able to reach or complete the task without some help anyways due to the scale of furniture and layout of the kitchen itself. The Knight thought he was doing her a favour and as her host, he felt it necessary to let Lenara make the tea instead. Perhaps conflicting ideologies on tea making were battling it out for supremacy but Veleraen had no intention of deceiving the poor girl by stranding her at the table.

As he introduced the both of them, the Knight hadn't realized it at first, but he had failed to mention Lenara's relationship to him. It was a personal slip of the tongue, maybe almost an unconscious slip as he really wanted to say 'girlfriend' or 'mate' but neither sounded rather appropriate, nor were they a reality, yet he felt it was necessary to introduce her as something 'other than a friend' but he could not. Instead, he replaced that with nothing and simply introduced her at Lenara and as the Giantess responded quaintly to Satsumaiha, Veleraen's mind hit a brick wall as he realized his mistake.

He could sense that she had been hurt by not being introduced as a friend of his and instantly his heart dropped to his stomach. As Veleraen exited quite nervously out the door, his chin dropped to his chest as he knew what was happening: The world as he knew it was starting to fall around him. Situations such as this, muchless any sort of social interaction was quite a challenge for the Titan. Being somewhat handicapped in that area meant he was at a bit of a disadvantage. He didn't consider some things that others might have and in doing so, it had resulted in an unpleasant silence that was starting to settle upon the kitchen.

As he returned with the water, he gave it to Lenara and noticed she wasn't looking at him. A bad sign to say the least. The beautiful Giantess had started to make it a habit to look the Knight in the eye but now she avoided him altogether. Veleraen could feel her subtle anger just by her body language and it made his chest tighten as he didn't like to see her frustrated or saddened. It made his heart weep as well and while he didn't like it, he would take it in stride, as he knew Lenara was a sensitive creature of habit.

Turning away, Veleraen sat back down at the table and watched as Satsumaiha traced her fingers in the table. At first Veleraen didn't see the pattern but as Lenara was making the tea, he picked up on it after watching her do it for a while and looked at Satsumaiha with a look of confusion. "All is well? Surely her behaviour does not agree with her feelings..." Sure the young girl was kind and courteous but Veleraen felt something deep down there were still things that a young girl could not handle, despite her maturity. It might have been exposed rather soon and things could hit the fan.

Lenara set out the tea but didn't give one to Veleraen and the Giant sat idly as the Giantess stood by the stove and Satsumaiha was upon her chair, a warm cup in front of her. He would have gotten up and gotten his own cup of tea but he decided not to, not with the intention to wait until Lenara served it to him but with the fact that he just didn't feel like having tea at that moment. His stomach was turning inside out and he couldn't keep his mind off Lenara's anger towards him, however subtle it might have been. The Knight wanted to take her into the other room and explain to her why he hadn't introduced her as a friend but he couldn't in front of Satsumaiha. It just would not have been polite to do so in front of a guest and an adopted sister.

All might have been well but Veleraen surely could not feel that way as he watched the cheery faced Kemite sip at her tea. The Knight didn't even attempt to make eye contact with Lenara as he knew what would happen. Instead he sat there, hands neatly folded over one another across the surface of the table. He was unsure of where or how to proceed and so he said and did nothing except wait. The Titan didn't know what to do anymore. Women surely were too complicated to be apart of his life with their subtle nuances and their ever changing moods. Even in younger years they were fickle and with that youth came the lack of understanding. Veleraen hoped Satsu's maturity covered for her lack of information upon Lenara's presence here at the dojo and that she didn't get any assumptions locked into her head.