The chatbox has been hidden for this page. It will reopen upon refresh. To hide the CBox permanently, select "Permanently Toggle Cbox" in your profile User Settings.
This chatbox is hidden. To reopen, edit your User Settings.
The sun had not even reached its zenith and already the day was uncomfortably warm. Israel's humidity was higher than that of Damascus and though the heat could get worse in his hometown, it was drier too. He swiped the back of his hand across his brow, brushing his brown hair away from his forehead. It was no longer perfect, like it had been when they'd left the inn. He had a distinctly windswept appearance that gave him a little more charm than the austere look he'd been going for. The frown he wore marred his features, though, as he squinted against the sun.
Amiti followed along after Tzephania, his father, feeling very much like a child and irritated by it. They moved through the city at a sedate, steady pace, they were going at once too fast, and too slow. Today was making him highly agitated. There were so few situations where he did not know how to comport himself but this was one of them.
He and his father were here for both the council meeting, and to meet with his prospective bride. He and Maeri of Yonita would meet for the first time, see what they thought of one another, and proceed from there. It would all be conducted in a businesslike manner, which was what he was treating it as; though even he was not ignorant that marriage was nothing like a business contract.
Every woman they passed on the street attracted his notice. Did Maeri walk the way she should, like some of these women? Quiet and demure? At quite the same casual pace he used? Or was she flighty and harried? He knew a few things about her already - that she had two sisters, that her father was deceased and that all of this was being conducted by her mother. This was unsettling, but ultimately he gave it his begrudging approval. It could not be helped. Evidently she had no man in her life to settle things like this for her and someone had to do it.
Usually, when he was walking through a city that was unfamiliar, he noted the architecture, the way the streets connected, where things were in relation to other things; not this time. Even though he didn’t want to marry for emotional reasons, he recognized that this was important, and more than that, it would ultimately shape his life completely differently than it currently was.
He was also at odds inside himself as well, battling old demons that were attempting to claw their way out of the recesses of his mind. This woman needed to be pure and innocent...but could she be? Could she really? Didn’t all women have secrets to hide? He supposed, he reflected as he walked, following Tzephania at a respectful distance, that it ultimately would come down to how well this girl projected an innocent air about herself. Perception was everything to him.
Through awnings and up short flights of stairs they went until he found himself on the doorstep of where Maeri was staying. It was now that he was glancing around, looking at where they were - how clean the outside of the home was kept. This was a good indicator of how his house with her would be. If they got that far.
“Smile,” Tzephania turned around to give his son a nice grin. “You’re so handsome when you smile.”
Because he held his father in high esteem, he did not roll his eyes. Instead, he did exactly what he was told to do and smiled. A little. It did give his face a much nicer appearance, at least.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
The sun had not even reached its zenith and already the day was uncomfortably warm. Israel's humidity was higher than that of Damascus and though the heat could get worse in his hometown, it was drier too. He swiped the back of his hand across his brow, brushing his brown hair away from his forehead. It was no longer perfect, like it had been when they'd left the inn. He had a distinctly windswept appearance that gave him a little more charm than the austere look he'd been going for. The frown he wore marred his features, though, as he squinted against the sun.
Amiti followed along after Tzephania, his father, feeling very much like a child and irritated by it. They moved through the city at a sedate, steady pace, they were going at once too fast, and too slow. Today was making him highly agitated. There were so few situations where he did not know how to comport himself but this was one of them.
He and his father were here for both the council meeting, and to meet with his prospective bride. He and Maeri of Yonita would meet for the first time, see what they thought of one another, and proceed from there. It would all be conducted in a businesslike manner, which was what he was treating it as; though even he was not ignorant that marriage was nothing like a business contract.
Every woman they passed on the street attracted his notice. Did Maeri walk the way she should, like some of these women? Quiet and demure? At quite the same casual pace he used? Or was she flighty and harried? He knew a few things about her already - that she had two sisters, that her father was deceased and that all of this was being conducted by her mother. This was unsettling, but ultimately he gave it his begrudging approval. It could not be helped. Evidently she had no man in her life to settle things like this for her and someone had to do it.
Usually, when he was walking through a city that was unfamiliar, he noted the architecture, the way the streets connected, where things were in relation to other things; not this time. Even though he didn’t want to marry for emotional reasons, he recognized that this was important, and more than that, it would ultimately shape his life completely differently than it currently was.
He was also at odds inside himself as well, battling old demons that were attempting to claw their way out of the recesses of his mind. This woman needed to be pure and innocent...but could she be? Could she really? Didn’t all women have secrets to hide? He supposed, he reflected as he walked, following Tzephania at a respectful distance, that it ultimately would come down to how well this girl projected an innocent air about herself. Perception was everything to him.
Through awnings and up short flights of stairs they went until he found himself on the doorstep of where Maeri was staying. It was now that he was glancing around, looking at where they were - how clean the outside of the home was kept. This was a good indicator of how his house with her would be. If they got that far.
“Smile,” Tzephania turned around to give his son a nice grin. “You’re so handsome when you smile.”
Because he held his father in high esteem, he did not roll his eyes. Instead, he did exactly what he was told to do and smiled. A little. It did give his face a much nicer appearance, at least.
The sun had not even reached its zenith and already the day was uncomfortably warm. Israel's humidity was higher than that of Damascus and though the heat could get worse in his hometown, it was drier too. He swiped the back of his hand across his brow, brushing his brown hair away from his forehead. It was no longer perfect, like it had been when they'd left the inn. He had a distinctly windswept appearance that gave him a little more charm than the austere look he'd been going for. The frown he wore marred his features, though, as he squinted against the sun.
Amiti followed along after Tzephania, his father, feeling very much like a child and irritated by it. They moved through the city at a sedate, steady pace, they were going at once too fast, and too slow. Today was making him highly agitated. There were so few situations where he did not know how to comport himself but this was one of them.
He and his father were here for both the council meeting, and to meet with his prospective bride. He and Maeri of Yonita would meet for the first time, see what they thought of one another, and proceed from there. It would all be conducted in a businesslike manner, which was what he was treating it as; though even he was not ignorant that marriage was nothing like a business contract.
Every woman they passed on the street attracted his notice. Did Maeri walk the way she should, like some of these women? Quiet and demure? At quite the same casual pace he used? Or was she flighty and harried? He knew a few things about her already - that she had two sisters, that her father was deceased and that all of this was being conducted by her mother. This was unsettling, but ultimately he gave it his begrudging approval. It could not be helped. Evidently she had no man in her life to settle things like this for her and someone had to do it.
Usually, when he was walking through a city that was unfamiliar, he noted the architecture, the way the streets connected, where things were in relation to other things; not this time. Even though he didn’t want to marry for emotional reasons, he recognized that this was important, and more than that, it would ultimately shape his life completely differently than it currently was.
He was also at odds inside himself as well, battling old demons that were attempting to claw their way out of the recesses of his mind. This woman needed to be pure and innocent...but could she be? Could she really? Didn’t all women have secrets to hide? He supposed, he reflected as he walked, following Tzephania at a respectful distance, that it ultimately would come down to how well this girl projected an innocent air about herself. Perception was everything to him.
Through awnings and up short flights of stairs they went until he found himself on the doorstep of where Maeri was staying. It was now that he was glancing around, looking at where they were - how clean the outside of the home was kept. This was a good indicator of how his house with her would be. If they got that far.
“Smile,” Tzephania turned around to give his son a nice grin. “You’re so handsome when you smile.”
Because he held his father in high esteem, he did not roll his eyes. Instead, he did exactly what he was told to do and smiled. A little. It did give his face a much nicer appearance, at least.
Ever since her mother had told her that they had found a match for her, Maeri had been completely ecstatic. She couldn’t believe that this was finally happening at last. Ever since she was a little girl, it had been all she had ever wanted, to be a wife and a mother. She had never expected it to happen this quickly. Neither of her older sisters was married yet. She hadn’t thought that her mother would be looking for a match for her until they had been wed. She had always worried that she would never get married, she had two older sisters who were not yet married even at their age, and she knew that she still had work to do on her housekeeping skills. Now, all of a sudden, with only a couple of days to prepare herself for the fact that she might get married soon, she was going to meet the man who was to become her husband. She couldn’t be more excited.
Maeri had spent the days since her mother had told her, frantically tearing around the house they were staying in in Israel trying to prepare to make a good impression on the man and his family who would be invited. Her dog, Rayla had followed her around, barking at the picked up excitement. To Rayla this was all just one big game, and Maeri had had to rescue more than one item that Rayla had decided was a toy when Maeri had moved it to clean. Eventually, Talora had emerged from her room to tell the dog off for barking and made Maeri put the dog outside for the rest of their stay in Israel.
Talora seemed to be in such a grumpy mood about the whole prospect of Maeri getting married. Maeri had never gotten the impression that she had a strong desire to get married, but she supposed that as the older sister she should by all rights be the first person to be married. Though she was only a half-sister, so maybe that didn’t matter anyway. She was probably just jealous of the fact that Maeri would the first of the three sisters to get married even if she was the youngest. Though she had seemed to be in a bad mood a lot lately, Maeri hoped that she hadn’t done something to inadvertently offend Talora. As much as her eldest sister could intimidate her at times, Maeri had always looked up to her and wanted her approval. However, today, Talora seemed nowhere to be found, so there was no chance to figure out what was going on with her sister, even if she would have wanted to have such a heavy conversation in the midst of this excitement.
Nedevah, on the other hand, seemed just as excited about the match as Maeri was. It was Nedevah who had helped Maeri clean the house from top to bottom in preparation for the visit. And it was Nedevah who helped her sweep the lentils and broken pottery off the floor when she accidentally knocked the jar containing them off the shelf as she was trying to dust. The morning of the meeting, Nedevah had helped Maeri to get dressed. Maeri didn’t know how it had happened, but it seemed that everything she had brought with her to Israel couldn’t possibly be grand enough to meet her future husband in. She had always favored plain colored garments. The thought of drawing any more attention to herself than she normally inevitably did, made her clothing choices more conservative than one might expect for her bubbly personality. While she might love the way that the brighter colors looked, she had no confidence that they might look good on her. But now, everything just seemed so plain. Even her new mitzpahath that she had bought only recently didn’t seem like it was good enough for meeting this man, even though just the day before she had admired the way the sheer fabric showed off the one feature she was proud of, her hair.
Despite her panicked refusal that anything in her wardrobe was acceptable, Nedevah managed to eventually talk her into her new mitzpahath, a sheer silvery grey head covering as well as a deep indigo-dyed linen robe. Although Maeri wasn’t sure that she was convinced by her sister’s insistence that she looked beautiful, she also never knew Nedevah to lie. Though she supposed it technically wasn’t lying if Nedevah actually believed that she looked pretty in spite of how horrible Maeri was sure that she looked.
Maeri’s mother had done the last minute cleaning and had prepared some food while the two girls had finished dressing. With her aunt away from the house, presumably conducting business of some sort or another, and Talora nowhere to be found, the three women waited for the man and his family to arrive. While both her mother and sister sat waiting quietly. Maeri couldn’t sit still. Instead, she paced back and forth, a million thoughts racing through her head. What was he like? What did he do for a job? Did he already have another wife or even children? Would he like her dog? Would he like her? She paced faster and faster, maybe instead of an exciting thing this was really a scary thing. She was snapped back to reality by her mother’s voice. “Maeri, sit down, or you’ll wear a hole in the carpet.” Maeri quickly scurried over to sit by her sister, but it wasn’t more than a few moments before she was picking at the edge of her new mitzpahath trying to pluck a few stray threads.
It wasn’t long before the arrival of visitors at the door was annoyed by the excited barking of Rayla. She came to sniff around the visitors, wagging her tail excitedly and begging for attention. She was still circling the men, yipping excitedly as Yonita arrived at the door. “Rayla, Shoo!” she gave a stern command to the dog who looked consideringly at Yonita before loping away. Yonita turned to the men. ”I apologize for our dog. Why don’t you come inside?” Yonita led the men into the house, to the room where the girls were sitting. ”Let me introduce you to my daughter, Maeri, and my sister’s daughter, Nedevah.” Maeri looked up nervously as she was introduced. ”Maeri, this is Tzephaniah, and his son, Amiti.”
”It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Maeri greeted the men, stumbling slightly over her words. She wasn’t sure how she expected to feel meeting her future husband, but this wasn’t quite what she expected. This was just like meeting any other friend of her mother’s. He looked like any other man she might see on the street of Judea. Wasn’t she supposed to feel something different about the man she might be marrying? Perhaps it was something that would come in time.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Ever since her mother had told her that they had found a match for her, Maeri had been completely ecstatic. She couldn’t believe that this was finally happening at last. Ever since she was a little girl, it had been all she had ever wanted, to be a wife and a mother. She had never expected it to happen this quickly. Neither of her older sisters was married yet. She hadn’t thought that her mother would be looking for a match for her until they had been wed. She had always worried that she would never get married, she had two older sisters who were not yet married even at their age, and she knew that she still had work to do on her housekeeping skills. Now, all of a sudden, with only a couple of days to prepare herself for the fact that she might get married soon, she was going to meet the man who was to become her husband. She couldn’t be more excited.
Maeri had spent the days since her mother had told her, frantically tearing around the house they were staying in in Israel trying to prepare to make a good impression on the man and his family who would be invited. Her dog, Rayla had followed her around, barking at the picked up excitement. To Rayla this was all just one big game, and Maeri had had to rescue more than one item that Rayla had decided was a toy when Maeri had moved it to clean. Eventually, Talora had emerged from her room to tell the dog off for barking and made Maeri put the dog outside for the rest of their stay in Israel.
Talora seemed to be in such a grumpy mood about the whole prospect of Maeri getting married. Maeri had never gotten the impression that she had a strong desire to get married, but she supposed that as the older sister she should by all rights be the first person to be married. Though she was only a half-sister, so maybe that didn’t matter anyway. She was probably just jealous of the fact that Maeri would the first of the three sisters to get married even if she was the youngest. Though she had seemed to be in a bad mood a lot lately, Maeri hoped that she hadn’t done something to inadvertently offend Talora. As much as her eldest sister could intimidate her at times, Maeri had always looked up to her and wanted her approval. However, today, Talora seemed nowhere to be found, so there was no chance to figure out what was going on with her sister, even if she would have wanted to have such a heavy conversation in the midst of this excitement.
Nedevah, on the other hand, seemed just as excited about the match as Maeri was. It was Nedevah who had helped Maeri clean the house from top to bottom in preparation for the visit. And it was Nedevah who helped her sweep the lentils and broken pottery off the floor when she accidentally knocked the jar containing them off the shelf as she was trying to dust. The morning of the meeting, Nedevah had helped Maeri to get dressed. Maeri didn’t know how it had happened, but it seemed that everything she had brought with her to Israel couldn’t possibly be grand enough to meet her future husband in. She had always favored plain colored garments. The thought of drawing any more attention to herself than she normally inevitably did, made her clothing choices more conservative than one might expect for her bubbly personality. While she might love the way that the brighter colors looked, she had no confidence that they might look good on her. But now, everything just seemed so plain. Even her new mitzpahath that she had bought only recently didn’t seem like it was good enough for meeting this man, even though just the day before she had admired the way the sheer fabric showed off the one feature she was proud of, her hair.
Despite her panicked refusal that anything in her wardrobe was acceptable, Nedevah managed to eventually talk her into her new mitzpahath, a sheer silvery grey head covering as well as a deep indigo-dyed linen robe. Although Maeri wasn’t sure that she was convinced by her sister’s insistence that she looked beautiful, she also never knew Nedevah to lie. Though she supposed it technically wasn’t lying if Nedevah actually believed that she looked pretty in spite of how horrible Maeri was sure that she looked.
Maeri’s mother had done the last minute cleaning and had prepared some food while the two girls had finished dressing. With her aunt away from the house, presumably conducting business of some sort or another, and Talora nowhere to be found, the three women waited for the man and his family to arrive. While both her mother and sister sat waiting quietly. Maeri couldn’t sit still. Instead, she paced back and forth, a million thoughts racing through her head. What was he like? What did he do for a job? Did he already have another wife or even children? Would he like her dog? Would he like her? She paced faster and faster, maybe instead of an exciting thing this was really a scary thing. She was snapped back to reality by her mother’s voice. “Maeri, sit down, or you’ll wear a hole in the carpet.” Maeri quickly scurried over to sit by her sister, but it wasn’t more than a few moments before she was picking at the edge of her new mitzpahath trying to pluck a few stray threads.
It wasn’t long before the arrival of visitors at the door was annoyed by the excited barking of Rayla. She came to sniff around the visitors, wagging her tail excitedly and begging for attention. She was still circling the men, yipping excitedly as Yonita arrived at the door. “Rayla, Shoo!” she gave a stern command to the dog who looked consideringly at Yonita before loping away. Yonita turned to the men. ”I apologize for our dog. Why don’t you come inside?” Yonita led the men into the house, to the room where the girls were sitting. ”Let me introduce you to my daughter, Maeri, and my sister’s daughter, Nedevah.” Maeri looked up nervously as she was introduced. ”Maeri, this is Tzephaniah, and his son, Amiti.”
”It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Maeri greeted the men, stumbling slightly over her words. She wasn’t sure how she expected to feel meeting her future husband, but this wasn’t quite what she expected. This was just like meeting any other friend of her mother’s. He looked like any other man she might see on the street of Judea. Wasn’t she supposed to feel something different about the man she might be marrying? Perhaps it was something that would come in time.
Ever since her mother had told her that they had found a match for her, Maeri had been completely ecstatic. She couldn’t believe that this was finally happening at last. Ever since she was a little girl, it had been all she had ever wanted, to be a wife and a mother. She had never expected it to happen this quickly. Neither of her older sisters was married yet. She hadn’t thought that her mother would be looking for a match for her until they had been wed. She had always worried that she would never get married, she had two older sisters who were not yet married even at their age, and she knew that she still had work to do on her housekeeping skills. Now, all of a sudden, with only a couple of days to prepare herself for the fact that she might get married soon, she was going to meet the man who was to become her husband. She couldn’t be more excited.
Maeri had spent the days since her mother had told her, frantically tearing around the house they were staying in in Israel trying to prepare to make a good impression on the man and his family who would be invited. Her dog, Rayla had followed her around, barking at the picked up excitement. To Rayla this was all just one big game, and Maeri had had to rescue more than one item that Rayla had decided was a toy when Maeri had moved it to clean. Eventually, Talora had emerged from her room to tell the dog off for barking and made Maeri put the dog outside for the rest of their stay in Israel.
Talora seemed to be in such a grumpy mood about the whole prospect of Maeri getting married. Maeri had never gotten the impression that she had a strong desire to get married, but she supposed that as the older sister she should by all rights be the first person to be married. Though she was only a half-sister, so maybe that didn’t matter anyway. She was probably just jealous of the fact that Maeri would the first of the three sisters to get married even if she was the youngest. Though she had seemed to be in a bad mood a lot lately, Maeri hoped that she hadn’t done something to inadvertently offend Talora. As much as her eldest sister could intimidate her at times, Maeri had always looked up to her and wanted her approval. However, today, Talora seemed nowhere to be found, so there was no chance to figure out what was going on with her sister, even if she would have wanted to have such a heavy conversation in the midst of this excitement.
Nedevah, on the other hand, seemed just as excited about the match as Maeri was. It was Nedevah who had helped Maeri clean the house from top to bottom in preparation for the visit. And it was Nedevah who helped her sweep the lentils and broken pottery off the floor when she accidentally knocked the jar containing them off the shelf as she was trying to dust. The morning of the meeting, Nedevah had helped Maeri to get dressed. Maeri didn’t know how it had happened, but it seemed that everything she had brought with her to Israel couldn’t possibly be grand enough to meet her future husband in. She had always favored plain colored garments. The thought of drawing any more attention to herself than she normally inevitably did, made her clothing choices more conservative than one might expect for her bubbly personality. While she might love the way that the brighter colors looked, she had no confidence that they might look good on her. But now, everything just seemed so plain. Even her new mitzpahath that she had bought only recently didn’t seem like it was good enough for meeting this man, even though just the day before she had admired the way the sheer fabric showed off the one feature she was proud of, her hair.
Despite her panicked refusal that anything in her wardrobe was acceptable, Nedevah managed to eventually talk her into her new mitzpahath, a sheer silvery grey head covering as well as a deep indigo-dyed linen robe. Although Maeri wasn’t sure that she was convinced by her sister’s insistence that she looked beautiful, she also never knew Nedevah to lie. Though she supposed it technically wasn’t lying if Nedevah actually believed that she looked pretty in spite of how horrible Maeri was sure that she looked.
Maeri’s mother had done the last minute cleaning and had prepared some food while the two girls had finished dressing. With her aunt away from the house, presumably conducting business of some sort or another, and Talora nowhere to be found, the three women waited for the man and his family to arrive. While both her mother and sister sat waiting quietly. Maeri couldn’t sit still. Instead, she paced back and forth, a million thoughts racing through her head. What was he like? What did he do for a job? Did he already have another wife or even children? Would he like her dog? Would he like her? She paced faster and faster, maybe instead of an exciting thing this was really a scary thing. She was snapped back to reality by her mother’s voice. “Maeri, sit down, or you’ll wear a hole in the carpet.” Maeri quickly scurried over to sit by her sister, but it wasn’t more than a few moments before she was picking at the edge of her new mitzpahath trying to pluck a few stray threads.
It wasn’t long before the arrival of visitors at the door was annoyed by the excited barking of Rayla. She came to sniff around the visitors, wagging her tail excitedly and begging for attention. She was still circling the men, yipping excitedly as Yonita arrived at the door. “Rayla, Shoo!” she gave a stern command to the dog who looked consideringly at Yonita before loping away. Yonita turned to the men. ”I apologize for our dog. Why don’t you come inside?” Yonita led the men into the house, to the room where the girls were sitting. ”Let me introduce you to my daughter, Maeri, and my sister’s daughter, Nedevah.” Maeri looked up nervously as she was introduced. ”Maeri, this is Tzephaniah, and his son, Amiti.”
”It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Maeri greeted the men, stumbling slightly over her words. She wasn’t sure how she expected to feel meeting her future husband, but this wasn’t quite what she expected. This was just like meeting any other friend of her mother’s. He looked like any other man she might see on the street of Judea. Wasn’t she supposed to feel something different about the man she might be marrying? Perhaps it was something that would come in time.
They did not have long to wait at the door but with his father’s knock came the immediate repercussion of yapping. Amiti turned, his eyes sweeping around for the source, only to land on a young dog, bounding toward them. Tzephania gave the dog a long look and then glanced at his son, who was also trying to figure out how to deal with the situation. On the one hand, they could ignore the dog and just hope it would go away. On the other hand, they could shoo it and risk angering the mistress of the house for possibly being rude to an overly favored pet. And then, of course, there was the matter of possibly being bitten, which would take this visit in a direction that no one wanted it to go.
Tzephania eventually just stared at the door but Amiti kept looking at the bouncing, yapping mutt. There were no hackles and the tail was wagging back and forth so hard that the animal’s butt was wiggling its whole body. Glancing up one way and then the other on the street, he bent down and was just about to give the dog the merest pat on the head to get it to shut up when the door opened. Amiti instantly jerked his hand back and straightened up, which made the now slighted dog that much more insistent and he danced up on Amiti’s leg, planting two perfect paw prints onto his robes.
Amiti closed his eyes and sighed through his nose. Perfect.
He had not personally met Yonita but she was a handsome woman. Feminine without being strikingly so. She had the sort of look about her that put his internal armor up immediately. There was an intelligent cunning to her, or at least he perceived one, that made him question what kind of family his father had decided to ally themselves with. Keeping his exterior calm and collected, as best he could manage with two paw prints on him, he followed the other two into the cooler interior of the house.
Because it was quite literally his job to appear to feel what he did not, he smiled a little as he nodded his head toward the girls when Yonita introduced them. They stood for a moment until bid to sit down and then he settled beside his father, across for Maeri. He was trying to gauge her without staring. This meant that he’d look at her, smile a very little, and then look elsewhere until he could reasonably swing his gaze back to her to assess her again without seeming rude. It was hard to do and he was left with very little impression, except that she was young and pretty, but that was all. The young part was fine. The pretty part he’d learn to deal with.
It was stupid but he’d kind of hoped she’d be plain. Less of a target for other people.
“And you,” Amiti said, noting the tremor in her voice and ignoring it. Nerves, likely. He did not look at her sister beyond giving her a nod right at the first of the meeting so as not to be rude. This business was for Maeri only and he wasn’t getting married to satisfy a lust within himself. Or, that’s at least what he liked to tell himself any time he found thoughts drifting towards an impure direction; a place he rarely allowed them to go.
Tzephania glanced at his son and gave him a tight smile and raised his eyebrows. Amiti looked back and then breathed in, in sudden remembrance. Right. From within his robes, he withdrew a small leather pouch and placed it on the floor between them so that she could reach it from where she sat. “This is for you.” A nicety that his father had deemed indispensable to this negotiation. Inside she would find a thin, silver bracelet. It was discrete and not really meant to draw attention. He kept his gaze on the ground near her, rather than at her face. He didn’t really know what to feel about having to give someone he did not know a gift he was not sure they would even want.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
They did not have long to wait at the door but with his father’s knock came the immediate repercussion of yapping. Amiti turned, his eyes sweeping around for the source, only to land on a young dog, bounding toward them. Tzephania gave the dog a long look and then glanced at his son, who was also trying to figure out how to deal with the situation. On the one hand, they could ignore the dog and just hope it would go away. On the other hand, they could shoo it and risk angering the mistress of the house for possibly being rude to an overly favored pet. And then, of course, there was the matter of possibly being bitten, which would take this visit in a direction that no one wanted it to go.
Tzephania eventually just stared at the door but Amiti kept looking at the bouncing, yapping mutt. There were no hackles and the tail was wagging back and forth so hard that the animal’s butt was wiggling its whole body. Glancing up one way and then the other on the street, he bent down and was just about to give the dog the merest pat on the head to get it to shut up when the door opened. Amiti instantly jerked his hand back and straightened up, which made the now slighted dog that much more insistent and he danced up on Amiti’s leg, planting two perfect paw prints onto his robes.
Amiti closed his eyes and sighed through his nose. Perfect.
He had not personally met Yonita but she was a handsome woman. Feminine without being strikingly so. She had the sort of look about her that put his internal armor up immediately. There was an intelligent cunning to her, or at least he perceived one, that made him question what kind of family his father had decided to ally themselves with. Keeping his exterior calm and collected, as best he could manage with two paw prints on him, he followed the other two into the cooler interior of the house.
Because it was quite literally his job to appear to feel what he did not, he smiled a little as he nodded his head toward the girls when Yonita introduced them. They stood for a moment until bid to sit down and then he settled beside his father, across for Maeri. He was trying to gauge her without staring. This meant that he’d look at her, smile a very little, and then look elsewhere until he could reasonably swing his gaze back to her to assess her again without seeming rude. It was hard to do and he was left with very little impression, except that she was young and pretty, but that was all. The young part was fine. The pretty part he’d learn to deal with.
It was stupid but he’d kind of hoped she’d be plain. Less of a target for other people.
“And you,” Amiti said, noting the tremor in her voice and ignoring it. Nerves, likely. He did not look at her sister beyond giving her a nod right at the first of the meeting so as not to be rude. This business was for Maeri only and he wasn’t getting married to satisfy a lust within himself. Or, that’s at least what he liked to tell himself any time he found thoughts drifting towards an impure direction; a place he rarely allowed them to go.
Tzephania glanced at his son and gave him a tight smile and raised his eyebrows. Amiti looked back and then breathed in, in sudden remembrance. Right. From within his robes, he withdrew a small leather pouch and placed it on the floor between them so that she could reach it from where she sat. “This is for you.” A nicety that his father had deemed indispensable to this negotiation. Inside she would find a thin, silver bracelet. It was discrete and not really meant to draw attention. He kept his gaze on the ground near her, rather than at her face. He didn’t really know what to feel about having to give someone he did not know a gift he was not sure they would even want.
They did not have long to wait at the door but with his father’s knock came the immediate repercussion of yapping. Amiti turned, his eyes sweeping around for the source, only to land on a young dog, bounding toward them. Tzephania gave the dog a long look and then glanced at his son, who was also trying to figure out how to deal with the situation. On the one hand, they could ignore the dog and just hope it would go away. On the other hand, they could shoo it and risk angering the mistress of the house for possibly being rude to an overly favored pet. And then, of course, there was the matter of possibly being bitten, which would take this visit in a direction that no one wanted it to go.
Tzephania eventually just stared at the door but Amiti kept looking at the bouncing, yapping mutt. There were no hackles and the tail was wagging back and forth so hard that the animal’s butt was wiggling its whole body. Glancing up one way and then the other on the street, he bent down and was just about to give the dog the merest pat on the head to get it to shut up when the door opened. Amiti instantly jerked his hand back and straightened up, which made the now slighted dog that much more insistent and he danced up on Amiti’s leg, planting two perfect paw prints onto his robes.
Amiti closed his eyes and sighed through his nose. Perfect.
He had not personally met Yonita but she was a handsome woman. Feminine without being strikingly so. She had the sort of look about her that put his internal armor up immediately. There was an intelligent cunning to her, or at least he perceived one, that made him question what kind of family his father had decided to ally themselves with. Keeping his exterior calm and collected, as best he could manage with two paw prints on him, he followed the other two into the cooler interior of the house.
Because it was quite literally his job to appear to feel what he did not, he smiled a little as he nodded his head toward the girls when Yonita introduced them. They stood for a moment until bid to sit down and then he settled beside his father, across for Maeri. He was trying to gauge her without staring. This meant that he’d look at her, smile a very little, and then look elsewhere until he could reasonably swing his gaze back to her to assess her again without seeming rude. It was hard to do and he was left with very little impression, except that she was young and pretty, but that was all. The young part was fine. The pretty part he’d learn to deal with.
It was stupid but he’d kind of hoped she’d be plain. Less of a target for other people.
“And you,” Amiti said, noting the tremor in her voice and ignoring it. Nerves, likely. He did not look at her sister beyond giving her a nod right at the first of the meeting so as not to be rude. This business was for Maeri only and he wasn’t getting married to satisfy a lust within himself. Or, that’s at least what he liked to tell himself any time he found thoughts drifting towards an impure direction; a place he rarely allowed them to go.
Tzephania glanced at his son and gave him a tight smile and raised his eyebrows. Amiti looked back and then breathed in, in sudden remembrance. Right. From within his robes, he withdrew a small leather pouch and placed it on the floor between them so that she could reach it from where she sat. “This is for you.” A nicety that his father had deemed indispensable to this negotiation. Inside she would find a thin, silver bracelet. It was discrete and not really meant to draw attention. He kept his gaze on the ground near her, rather than at her face. He didn’t really know what to feel about having to give someone he did not know a gift he was not sure they would even want.
Maeri had always thought that meeting her future husband would be something special and almost magical. Yet, this meeting with Amiti had been very ordinary, and not the wonderful milestone that she had expected. She didn’t know what exactly she had expected it to be like, but certainly not this. They were all sitting around awkwardly, and Amiti would barely even meet her eye. She wondered if she had done something to offend him already that he could barely bring himself to look at her. She glanced over at her sister for support, and Nedevah gave her an encouraging smile in return. She knew Nedevah had said that she looked lovely in what she had chosen, but maybe she had made the wrong choice. Maybe he didn’t like indigo and she had ruined the whole thing by picking the wrong robe and making a bad impression. She began fidgeting with the edge of her mitpahath, trying to determine what she could have possibly done to offend him.
This train of thought was interrupted by Amiti speaking to her and offering her a gift. Her face lit up, she loved presents of all kinds. It was such a thoughtful surprise. She must have been imagining that he disliked her if he had brought a present for her. Maeri reached for the small leather pouch, eagerly opening it to see what he had brought her. She could imagine any number of pretty items that could be inside the bag and it turned out that she wasn’t disappointed. She turned the bag upside down emptying it into the palm of her left hand. The thin silver bracelet slid out of the bag onto her hand, and then promptly slipped through her fingers and onto the floor. She dropped the leather bag as she fumbled to try and catch the bracelet before it hit the ground, but she wasn’t fast enough.
Maeri’s eyes lit up at the sight of the delicate silver bracelet. ”It’s so beautiful! she proclaimed, reaching to pick the silver chain up off the ground. She twirled it in the light admiring it as it glimmered and shone. The awkward silence broken, Maeri’s thoughts tumbled out of her mouth without her even pausing to think. ”I don’t think I’ve ever owned something so beautiful. Except for the ring I bought last summer, but I lost it somewhere….Or at least I haven’t seen it in a while.” Maeri stared off trying to remember where she had last seen that ring. It had a gorgeous blue stone set into it and now that Maeri had remembered she owned it, she missed the piece of jewelry very much. She’d have to look for it when she returned home.
Yonita cleared her throat a bit, shooting a pointed look at Maeri and expertly redirecting the conversation. ”Nedevah, can you fetch our guests some refreshments. I’m sure they would appreciate some food while we talk.” Maeri’s sister nodded and went to fetch the food and drink that had been prepared earlier that day. Maeri knew in that moment that she had spoken too much, and looked down, focusing instead on attempting to fasten the bracelet around her wrist, succeeding after a few fumbling tries. While Maeri was occupied with the bracelet, Yonita redirected her attention towards the men. “Amiti, what do you do for a living? I’m sure Maeri would be eager to hear about your business.” Maeri opened her mouth to add her agreement to her mother’s words, but promptly shut it again at another stern look from her mother. Maeri hoped that she hadn’t already managed to ruin things with Amiti, but she also knew her mother knew what she was doing when it came to negotiations. Maeri went back to fidgeting with the edge of her mitzpahath. Far from managing to rid the edge of the stray threads, she had identified earlier, the hem only seemed to be sprouting more loose threads due to Maeri’s attentions.,
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Maeri had always thought that meeting her future husband would be something special and almost magical. Yet, this meeting with Amiti had been very ordinary, and not the wonderful milestone that she had expected. She didn’t know what exactly she had expected it to be like, but certainly not this. They were all sitting around awkwardly, and Amiti would barely even meet her eye. She wondered if she had done something to offend him already that he could barely bring himself to look at her. She glanced over at her sister for support, and Nedevah gave her an encouraging smile in return. She knew Nedevah had said that she looked lovely in what she had chosen, but maybe she had made the wrong choice. Maybe he didn’t like indigo and she had ruined the whole thing by picking the wrong robe and making a bad impression. She began fidgeting with the edge of her mitpahath, trying to determine what she could have possibly done to offend him.
This train of thought was interrupted by Amiti speaking to her and offering her a gift. Her face lit up, she loved presents of all kinds. It was such a thoughtful surprise. She must have been imagining that he disliked her if he had brought a present for her. Maeri reached for the small leather pouch, eagerly opening it to see what he had brought her. She could imagine any number of pretty items that could be inside the bag and it turned out that she wasn’t disappointed. She turned the bag upside down emptying it into the palm of her left hand. The thin silver bracelet slid out of the bag onto her hand, and then promptly slipped through her fingers and onto the floor. She dropped the leather bag as she fumbled to try and catch the bracelet before it hit the ground, but she wasn’t fast enough.
Maeri’s eyes lit up at the sight of the delicate silver bracelet. ”It’s so beautiful! she proclaimed, reaching to pick the silver chain up off the ground. She twirled it in the light admiring it as it glimmered and shone. The awkward silence broken, Maeri’s thoughts tumbled out of her mouth without her even pausing to think. ”I don’t think I’ve ever owned something so beautiful. Except for the ring I bought last summer, but I lost it somewhere….Or at least I haven’t seen it in a while.” Maeri stared off trying to remember where she had last seen that ring. It had a gorgeous blue stone set into it and now that Maeri had remembered she owned it, she missed the piece of jewelry very much. She’d have to look for it when she returned home.
Yonita cleared her throat a bit, shooting a pointed look at Maeri and expertly redirecting the conversation. ”Nedevah, can you fetch our guests some refreshments. I’m sure they would appreciate some food while we talk.” Maeri’s sister nodded and went to fetch the food and drink that had been prepared earlier that day. Maeri knew in that moment that she had spoken too much, and looked down, focusing instead on attempting to fasten the bracelet around her wrist, succeeding after a few fumbling tries. While Maeri was occupied with the bracelet, Yonita redirected her attention towards the men. “Amiti, what do you do for a living? I’m sure Maeri would be eager to hear about your business.” Maeri opened her mouth to add her agreement to her mother’s words, but promptly shut it again at another stern look from her mother. Maeri hoped that she hadn’t already managed to ruin things with Amiti, but she also knew her mother knew what she was doing when it came to negotiations. Maeri went back to fidgeting with the edge of her mitzpahath. Far from managing to rid the edge of the stray threads, she had identified earlier, the hem only seemed to be sprouting more loose threads due to Maeri’s attentions.,
Maeri had always thought that meeting her future husband would be something special and almost magical. Yet, this meeting with Amiti had been very ordinary, and not the wonderful milestone that she had expected. She didn’t know what exactly she had expected it to be like, but certainly not this. They were all sitting around awkwardly, and Amiti would barely even meet her eye. She wondered if she had done something to offend him already that he could barely bring himself to look at her. She glanced over at her sister for support, and Nedevah gave her an encouraging smile in return. She knew Nedevah had said that she looked lovely in what she had chosen, but maybe she had made the wrong choice. Maybe he didn’t like indigo and she had ruined the whole thing by picking the wrong robe and making a bad impression. She began fidgeting with the edge of her mitpahath, trying to determine what she could have possibly done to offend him.
This train of thought was interrupted by Amiti speaking to her and offering her a gift. Her face lit up, she loved presents of all kinds. It was such a thoughtful surprise. She must have been imagining that he disliked her if he had brought a present for her. Maeri reached for the small leather pouch, eagerly opening it to see what he had brought her. She could imagine any number of pretty items that could be inside the bag and it turned out that she wasn’t disappointed. She turned the bag upside down emptying it into the palm of her left hand. The thin silver bracelet slid out of the bag onto her hand, and then promptly slipped through her fingers and onto the floor. She dropped the leather bag as she fumbled to try and catch the bracelet before it hit the ground, but she wasn’t fast enough.
Maeri’s eyes lit up at the sight of the delicate silver bracelet. ”It’s so beautiful! she proclaimed, reaching to pick the silver chain up off the ground. She twirled it in the light admiring it as it glimmered and shone. The awkward silence broken, Maeri’s thoughts tumbled out of her mouth without her even pausing to think. ”I don’t think I’ve ever owned something so beautiful. Except for the ring I bought last summer, but I lost it somewhere….Or at least I haven’t seen it in a while.” Maeri stared off trying to remember where she had last seen that ring. It had a gorgeous blue stone set into it and now that Maeri had remembered she owned it, she missed the piece of jewelry very much. She’d have to look for it when she returned home.
Yonita cleared her throat a bit, shooting a pointed look at Maeri and expertly redirecting the conversation. ”Nedevah, can you fetch our guests some refreshments. I’m sure they would appreciate some food while we talk.” Maeri’s sister nodded and went to fetch the food and drink that had been prepared earlier that day. Maeri knew in that moment that she had spoken too much, and looked down, focusing instead on attempting to fasten the bracelet around her wrist, succeeding after a few fumbling tries. While Maeri was occupied with the bracelet, Yonita redirected her attention towards the men. “Amiti, what do you do for a living? I’m sure Maeri would be eager to hear about your business.” Maeri opened her mouth to add her agreement to her mother’s words, but promptly shut it again at another stern look from her mother. Maeri hoped that she hadn’t already managed to ruin things with Amiti, but she also knew her mother knew what she was doing when it came to negotiations. Maeri went back to fidgeting with the edge of her mitzpahath. Far from managing to rid the edge of the stray threads, she had identified earlier, the hem only seemed to be sprouting more loose threads due to Maeri’s attentions.,
Right at first, he was glad to see that she was excited about the gift. He glanced at his father in a silent ‘thank you’ for the idea. Obviously he wanted to make a good impression upon his future wife and did not want to start the marriage off on the wrong foot by having her angry or disappointed. Such things had happened to friends of his and he was not eager to experience the same thing. As much as he wanted to keep his future spouse at arm’s length, he knew this wasn’t actually possible. They’d be sharing the same bed, in the same room, and the same house. They needed to be able to at least get along at home, if they were going to present a unified front in public.
He shouldn’t have felt the least bit awkward handing her a gift. He gave the men he knew or their wives or daughters gifts all the time. This one, though, had more significance. It was the same in theory, he’d told himself. A gift to secure good relations. That’s what gifts were for. However, this was for someone who was going to be more to him than a passing acquaintance that he was going to see every so often.
So when she dropped it, he reached out like he was going to help her with it but withdrew his hand, regretting the action. She was an adult. Of course she did not need help getting a little thing like this. He smiled a very little, pleased to see that she liked it alright and expecting that she would then carefully place it back into the bag and set it to the side. Decorum.
Only she was a little too fascinated with it. His gaze flicked to her mother and then back to her as she gushed over the simple chain, ending in musing about a ring and trailing off, her gaze seeming like it was unfocused. Amiti shifted, wondering if she was too preoccupied with her appearance. Of course he was more than able to provide for her but there was no way in heaven or on earth that she could reasonably expect rings and bracelets to be a regular thing...did she? He glanced at his father who’d opened his mouth to reassure Amiti but Yonita beat everyone to it. Amiti, looking at his father, missed the pointed look that Yonita shot her daughter.
When he looked back, Nedevah was getting up to do as she was told and gather refreshments. Yonita asked the sensible question of what he and his family did. A safe topic. “I’m a senator in Damascas,” he said, watching Maeri fiddling with the bracelet. “We do not have a business in the trader sense,” he said. “But I teach the boys that the rabbis feel are more gifted towards politics. Not that we do much with Greek philosophy,” he added quickly, trying to assure them both that he wasn’t that far off the rails.
His gaze was attracted by her fingers as she fidgeted with her mitzpahath. At first he was going to tell her that she need not keep messing with it, that the hem was going to fray, but it was too late. She had already done the damage. This did not worry him, though. He took it as a good sign that she was nervous. That meant she was still pure. That was an extra important trait. He wanted nothing resembling his mother. Obviously his father had failed to see the warning signs, but he, the son, was on the watch for them and would not miss one.
So far, Maeri had presented herself as a girl who, while not perfect, was not dismissable for minor flaws. At the moment, he was still willing to proceed and didn’t feel like having another search launched. This one had been fatiguing enough. That’d had to wade through a few offers that were not in any way suitable.
“Do you have a lot of jewelry?” he asked tentatively. What he didn’t want to do was come across as rude, but he was checking if she was a little too preoccupied with it.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Right at first, he was glad to see that she was excited about the gift. He glanced at his father in a silent ‘thank you’ for the idea. Obviously he wanted to make a good impression upon his future wife and did not want to start the marriage off on the wrong foot by having her angry or disappointed. Such things had happened to friends of his and he was not eager to experience the same thing. As much as he wanted to keep his future spouse at arm’s length, he knew this wasn’t actually possible. They’d be sharing the same bed, in the same room, and the same house. They needed to be able to at least get along at home, if they were going to present a unified front in public.
He shouldn’t have felt the least bit awkward handing her a gift. He gave the men he knew or their wives or daughters gifts all the time. This one, though, had more significance. It was the same in theory, he’d told himself. A gift to secure good relations. That’s what gifts were for. However, this was for someone who was going to be more to him than a passing acquaintance that he was going to see every so often.
So when she dropped it, he reached out like he was going to help her with it but withdrew his hand, regretting the action. She was an adult. Of course she did not need help getting a little thing like this. He smiled a very little, pleased to see that she liked it alright and expecting that she would then carefully place it back into the bag and set it to the side. Decorum.
Only she was a little too fascinated with it. His gaze flicked to her mother and then back to her as she gushed over the simple chain, ending in musing about a ring and trailing off, her gaze seeming like it was unfocused. Amiti shifted, wondering if she was too preoccupied with her appearance. Of course he was more than able to provide for her but there was no way in heaven or on earth that she could reasonably expect rings and bracelets to be a regular thing...did she? He glanced at his father who’d opened his mouth to reassure Amiti but Yonita beat everyone to it. Amiti, looking at his father, missed the pointed look that Yonita shot her daughter.
When he looked back, Nedevah was getting up to do as she was told and gather refreshments. Yonita asked the sensible question of what he and his family did. A safe topic. “I’m a senator in Damascas,” he said, watching Maeri fiddling with the bracelet. “We do not have a business in the trader sense,” he said. “But I teach the boys that the rabbis feel are more gifted towards politics. Not that we do much with Greek philosophy,” he added quickly, trying to assure them both that he wasn’t that far off the rails.
His gaze was attracted by her fingers as she fidgeted with her mitzpahath. At first he was going to tell her that she need not keep messing with it, that the hem was going to fray, but it was too late. She had already done the damage. This did not worry him, though. He took it as a good sign that she was nervous. That meant she was still pure. That was an extra important trait. He wanted nothing resembling his mother. Obviously his father had failed to see the warning signs, but he, the son, was on the watch for them and would not miss one.
So far, Maeri had presented herself as a girl who, while not perfect, was not dismissable for minor flaws. At the moment, he was still willing to proceed and didn’t feel like having another search launched. This one had been fatiguing enough. That’d had to wade through a few offers that were not in any way suitable.
“Do you have a lot of jewelry?” he asked tentatively. What he didn’t want to do was come across as rude, but he was checking if she was a little too preoccupied with it.
Right at first, he was glad to see that she was excited about the gift. He glanced at his father in a silent ‘thank you’ for the idea. Obviously he wanted to make a good impression upon his future wife and did not want to start the marriage off on the wrong foot by having her angry or disappointed. Such things had happened to friends of his and he was not eager to experience the same thing. As much as he wanted to keep his future spouse at arm’s length, he knew this wasn’t actually possible. They’d be sharing the same bed, in the same room, and the same house. They needed to be able to at least get along at home, if they were going to present a unified front in public.
He shouldn’t have felt the least bit awkward handing her a gift. He gave the men he knew or their wives or daughters gifts all the time. This one, though, had more significance. It was the same in theory, he’d told himself. A gift to secure good relations. That’s what gifts were for. However, this was for someone who was going to be more to him than a passing acquaintance that he was going to see every so often.
So when she dropped it, he reached out like he was going to help her with it but withdrew his hand, regretting the action. She was an adult. Of course she did not need help getting a little thing like this. He smiled a very little, pleased to see that she liked it alright and expecting that she would then carefully place it back into the bag and set it to the side. Decorum.
Only she was a little too fascinated with it. His gaze flicked to her mother and then back to her as she gushed over the simple chain, ending in musing about a ring and trailing off, her gaze seeming like it was unfocused. Amiti shifted, wondering if she was too preoccupied with her appearance. Of course he was more than able to provide for her but there was no way in heaven or on earth that she could reasonably expect rings and bracelets to be a regular thing...did she? He glanced at his father who’d opened his mouth to reassure Amiti but Yonita beat everyone to it. Amiti, looking at his father, missed the pointed look that Yonita shot her daughter.
When he looked back, Nedevah was getting up to do as she was told and gather refreshments. Yonita asked the sensible question of what he and his family did. A safe topic. “I’m a senator in Damascas,” he said, watching Maeri fiddling with the bracelet. “We do not have a business in the trader sense,” he said. “But I teach the boys that the rabbis feel are more gifted towards politics. Not that we do much with Greek philosophy,” he added quickly, trying to assure them both that he wasn’t that far off the rails.
His gaze was attracted by her fingers as she fidgeted with her mitzpahath. At first he was going to tell her that she need not keep messing with it, that the hem was going to fray, but it was too late. She had already done the damage. This did not worry him, though. He took it as a good sign that she was nervous. That meant she was still pure. That was an extra important trait. He wanted nothing resembling his mother. Obviously his father had failed to see the warning signs, but he, the son, was on the watch for them and would not miss one.
So far, Maeri had presented herself as a girl who, while not perfect, was not dismissable for minor flaws. At the moment, he was still willing to proceed and didn’t feel like having another search launched. This one had been fatiguing enough. That’d had to wade through a few offers that were not in any way suitable.
“Do you have a lot of jewelry?” he asked tentatively. What he didn’t want to do was come across as rude, but he was checking if she was a little too preoccupied with it.
Maeri’s gaze followed Nedevah out of the room she went to fetch the food that had been prepared especially for this meeting, but she was quickly drawn back in by her mother asking what Amiti did for a living. Maeri listened to his answer intently. She knew that what her husband did would define her life from then on out, though as long as he made enough of a living to provide for her and their children, then she knew she’d be happy enough with whatever husband God decided to provide. She smiled a bit at his answer. A politician, that was such an interesting job, she’d not had much exposure to job herself. As much as her mother and aunt now spoke for their family, politics was something that was left to the men. What did catch her attention was his work instructing the young boys of his city in his profession.
“So you’re a teacher?” she asked, a smile lighting up her face. It was a good indicator that he would make a good father. Having many children was something that Maeri looked forward too most in marriage, and someone who knew how to handle children would surely know how to successfully parent them. “I’ve always wanted to work with children.” She fidgeted with the bracelet now around her wrist and looked down.“But I’m the youngest, so there were never any children to help out with.” She looked back up at Amiti, wanting badly to make a good impression. “That’s not to say I wouldn’t be good at it. I’m sure I’d make a great mother as I like children so much.” She looked back at her mother for help unsure if she was making a complete fool of herself as she continued talking.
Luckily, Amiti had rescued her by asking if she had much jewelry. Maeri looked down smiling at her new bracelet as it shimmered catching the light. “No...not much,” she answered hesitantly. While it was true that she did like having jewelry, it was rare that she bought it for herself. Any jewelry that the bought on impulse at the market often ended up gifted to her sisters, her mother or her aunt. It always looked so pretty in light of day at the shop, but by the time she brought it home and tried it on….well…. She just wasn’t sure that she was doing the jewelry and justice. It always looked so much better on her older and more glamorous sisters. It was an odd question that Amiti had asked. Suddenly it occurred to her that perhaps it wasn’t so much a question as an insinuation. Perhaps he didn’t think she’d been properly grateful for the gift. “Thank you so much for the bracelet. I’ll always treasure it.”
It was then that Nedevah returned with the food, a tray full of sliced bread, honey, figs and goat cheese that was placed on a small low table near where they were all sitting. The bread she had made herself yesterday. Her mother had thought it would be a good opportunity to show off her cooking skills to her prospective husband. In truth, the bread that Nedevah had gone to fetch was her third batch. The other two were perfectly serviceable bread and would be eaten by the family, but neither was particularly good bread. With the first, she had been too impatient and hadn’t left the bread to rise for long enough, and it turned out dense and chewy. The second she had left in the oven too long, and the bottom crust had come out burnt. By the time she was on the third batch, she was being thoroughly supervised by Nedevah to make sure that she didn’t make any mistakes. With Nedevah to keep her on task, the final bread had turned out soft and delicious.
Yonita turned to Nedevah and thanked her before turning back to the guests. “Gentlemen, I hope this is satisfactory. Maeri made the bread herself just yesterday.” Maeri smiled a bit nervously at the mention of her baking, returning to loosening the threads at the corner of her mitzpahath. She’d never had anyone judging her cooking before, at least not with such high stakes.,
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Maeri’s gaze followed Nedevah out of the room she went to fetch the food that had been prepared especially for this meeting, but she was quickly drawn back in by her mother asking what Amiti did for a living. Maeri listened to his answer intently. She knew that what her husband did would define her life from then on out, though as long as he made enough of a living to provide for her and their children, then she knew she’d be happy enough with whatever husband God decided to provide. She smiled a bit at his answer. A politician, that was such an interesting job, she’d not had much exposure to job herself. As much as her mother and aunt now spoke for their family, politics was something that was left to the men. What did catch her attention was his work instructing the young boys of his city in his profession.
“So you’re a teacher?” she asked, a smile lighting up her face. It was a good indicator that he would make a good father. Having many children was something that Maeri looked forward too most in marriage, and someone who knew how to handle children would surely know how to successfully parent them. “I’ve always wanted to work with children.” She fidgeted with the bracelet now around her wrist and looked down.“But I’m the youngest, so there were never any children to help out with.” She looked back up at Amiti, wanting badly to make a good impression. “That’s not to say I wouldn’t be good at it. I’m sure I’d make a great mother as I like children so much.” She looked back at her mother for help unsure if she was making a complete fool of herself as she continued talking.
Luckily, Amiti had rescued her by asking if she had much jewelry. Maeri looked down smiling at her new bracelet as it shimmered catching the light. “No...not much,” she answered hesitantly. While it was true that she did like having jewelry, it was rare that she bought it for herself. Any jewelry that the bought on impulse at the market often ended up gifted to her sisters, her mother or her aunt. It always looked so pretty in light of day at the shop, but by the time she brought it home and tried it on….well…. She just wasn’t sure that she was doing the jewelry and justice. It always looked so much better on her older and more glamorous sisters. It was an odd question that Amiti had asked. Suddenly it occurred to her that perhaps it wasn’t so much a question as an insinuation. Perhaps he didn’t think she’d been properly grateful for the gift. “Thank you so much for the bracelet. I’ll always treasure it.”
It was then that Nedevah returned with the food, a tray full of sliced bread, honey, figs and goat cheese that was placed on a small low table near where they were all sitting. The bread she had made herself yesterday. Her mother had thought it would be a good opportunity to show off her cooking skills to her prospective husband. In truth, the bread that Nedevah had gone to fetch was her third batch. The other two were perfectly serviceable bread and would be eaten by the family, but neither was particularly good bread. With the first, she had been too impatient and hadn’t left the bread to rise for long enough, and it turned out dense and chewy. The second she had left in the oven too long, and the bottom crust had come out burnt. By the time she was on the third batch, she was being thoroughly supervised by Nedevah to make sure that she didn’t make any mistakes. With Nedevah to keep her on task, the final bread had turned out soft and delicious.
Yonita turned to Nedevah and thanked her before turning back to the guests. “Gentlemen, I hope this is satisfactory. Maeri made the bread herself just yesterday.” Maeri smiled a bit nervously at the mention of her baking, returning to loosening the threads at the corner of her mitzpahath. She’d never had anyone judging her cooking before, at least not with such high stakes.,
Maeri’s gaze followed Nedevah out of the room she went to fetch the food that had been prepared especially for this meeting, but she was quickly drawn back in by her mother asking what Amiti did for a living. Maeri listened to his answer intently. She knew that what her husband did would define her life from then on out, though as long as he made enough of a living to provide for her and their children, then she knew she’d be happy enough with whatever husband God decided to provide. She smiled a bit at his answer. A politician, that was such an interesting job, she’d not had much exposure to job herself. As much as her mother and aunt now spoke for their family, politics was something that was left to the men. What did catch her attention was his work instructing the young boys of his city in his profession.
“So you’re a teacher?” she asked, a smile lighting up her face. It was a good indicator that he would make a good father. Having many children was something that Maeri looked forward too most in marriage, and someone who knew how to handle children would surely know how to successfully parent them. “I’ve always wanted to work with children.” She fidgeted with the bracelet now around her wrist and looked down.“But I’m the youngest, so there were never any children to help out with.” She looked back up at Amiti, wanting badly to make a good impression. “That’s not to say I wouldn’t be good at it. I’m sure I’d make a great mother as I like children so much.” She looked back at her mother for help unsure if she was making a complete fool of herself as she continued talking.
Luckily, Amiti had rescued her by asking if she had much jewelry. Maeri looked down smiling at her new bracelet as it shimmered catching the light. “No...not much,” she answered hesitantly. While it was true that she did like having jewelry, it was rare that she bought it for herself. Any jewelry that the bought on impulse at the market often ended up gifted to her sisters, her mother or her aunt. It always looked so pretty in light of day at the shop, but by the time she brought it home and tried it on….well…. She just wasn’t sure that she was doing the jewelry and justice. It always looked so much better on her older and more glamorous sisters. It was an odd question that Amiti had asked. Suddenly it occurred to her that perhaps it wasn’t so much a question as an insinuation. Perhaps he didn’t think she’d been properly grateful for the gift. “Thank you so much for the bracelet. I’ll always treasure it.”
It was then that Nedevah returned with the food, a tray full of sliced bread, honey, figs and goat cheese that was placed on a small low table near where they were all sitting. The bread she had made herself yesterday. Her mother had thought it would be a good opportunity to show off her cooking skills to her prospective husband. In truth, the bread that Nedevah had gone to fetch was her third batch. The other two were perfectly serviceable bread and would be eaten by the family, but neither was particularly good bread. With the first, she had been too impatient and hadn’t left the bread to rise for long enough, and it turned out dense and chewy. The second she had left in the oven too long, and the bottom crust had come out burnt. By the time she was on the third batch, she was being thoroughly supervised by Nedevah to make sure that she didn’t make any mistakes. With Nedevah to keep her on task, the final bread had turned out soft and delicious.
Yonita turned to Nedevah and thanked her before turning back to the guests. “Gentlemen, I hope this is satisfactory. Maeri made the bread herself just yesterday.” Maeri smiled a bit nervously at the mention of her baking, returning to loosening the threads at the corner of her mitzpahath. She’d never had anyone judging her cooking before, at least not with such high stakes.,
He wanted to correct her that he was really more of a tutor than a formal teacher but he didn’t. Firstly, he, himself, had used the word ‘teach’ and secondly, he didn’t know her at all and wanted to make a good impression. That meant that if she said the sky was green, he’d have to live with it. Agree? No, but he could let things go, at least on the surface. Her mistake wasn’t even an offense, but it did make him realize that he was probably going to have to say exactly what he meant from now on. Women did tend to jump to conclusions and it was his fault that she’d made the wrong assumption. Obviously she wasn’t overly clever. This was no fault of her own.
What he did like, though, and his father also, was that she liked children. That was a good sign, though he couldn’t recall ever meeting a woman who did not like children. There were, of course, the more harried mothers, but Maeri didn’t seem like she would be one of those. She also did not appear to be overbearing and horrible. The last thing that he or any of his family would want was an overbearing wife who would stand at the door and demand things of him for the neighborhood and God to see. That would be shameful.
While not quiet, she was seeming harmless and that was fine. However, to him, it seemed like she was saying she wanted to work with the boys he tutored and he wanted to immediately adjust that expectation. “They’re not really children. They’re older youths…” There. That should do it. That would show her that clearly her field of experience did not qualify her to bother coming around his study when the boys were present.
He was saved by answering any of the other children questions or observations by her again saying that she liked the gift, and by the addition of the food being brought. His father was just as ill at ease as he was, having to sit there and be mostly silent as the prospective couple felt out some sort of mutual understanding. Amiti was not a lust filled man and did not look on Nedevah with anything other than a relieved look and a nod when she set the food down.
Tzephaniah was first to taste the bread, followed by Amiti who raised his eyebrows and nodded as he ate. He held up his portion and praised her moderately for it with a “This is more than adequate,” and then looking at his father he said, “Extremely satisfactory.” The bread was just fine. For some reason, though, he couldn’t quite bring himself to give it terribly high praise. Not only did he not want to lie, but he didn’t overly love giving women a huge lift to their pride. It seemed wrong somehow. However, he didn’t want to hurt people’s feelings. So he looked directly at Maeri and said, “I hope many such breads will be made at my house in future.” That was as bold as he was willing to be.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
He wanted to correct her that he was really more of a tutor than a formal teacher but he didn’t. Firstly, he, himself, had used the word ‘teach’ and secondly, he didn’t know her at all and wanted to make a good impression. That meant that if she said the sky was green, he’d have to live with it. Agree? No, but he could let things go, at least on the surface. Her mistake wasn’t even an offense, but it did make him realize that he was probably going to have to say exactly what he meant from now on. Women did tend to jump to conclusions and it was his fault that she’d made the wrong assumption. Obviously she wasn’t overly clever. This was no fault of her own.
What he did like, though, and his father also, was that she liked children. That was a good sign, though he couldn’t recall ever meeting a woman who did not like children. There were, of course, the more harried mothers, but Maeri didn’t seem like she would be one of those. She also did not appear to be overbearing and horrible. The last thing that he or any of his family would want was an overbearing wife who would stand at the door and demand things of him for the neighborhood and God to see. That would be shameful.
While not quiet, she was seeming harmless and that was fine. However, to him, it seemed like she was saying she wanted to work with the boys he tutored and he wanted to immediately adjust that expectation. “They’re not really children. They’re older youths…” There. That should do it. That would show her that clearly her field of experience did not qualify her to bother coming around his study when the boys were present.
He was saved by answering any of the other children questions or observations by her again saying that she liked the gift, and by the addition of the food being brought. His father was just as ill at ease as he was, having to sit there and be mostly silent as the prospective couple felt out some sort of mutual understanding. Amiti was not a lust filled man and did not look on Nedevah with anything other than a relieved look and a nod when she set the food down.
Tzephaniah was first to taste the bread, followed by Amiti who raised his eyebrows and nodded as he ate. He held up his portion and praised her moderately for it with a “This is more than adequate,” and then looking at his father he said, “Extremely satisfactory.” The bread was just fine. For some reason, though, he couldn’t quite bring himself to give it terribly high praise. Not only did he not want to lie, but he didn’t overly love giving women a huge lift to their pride. It seemed wrong somehow. However, he didn’t want to hurt people’s feelings. So he looked directly at Maeri and said, “I hope many such breads will be made at my house in future.” That was as bold as he was willing to be.
He wanted to correct her that he was really more of a tutor than a formal teacher but he didn’t. Firstly, he, himself, had used the word ‘teach’ and secondly, he didn’t know her at all and wanted to make a good impression. That meant that if she said the sky was green, he’d have to live with it. Agree? No, but he could let things go, at least on the surface. Her mistake wasn’t even an offense, but it did make him realize that he was probably going to have to say exactly what he meant from now on. Women did tend to jump to conclusions and it was his fault that she’d made the wrong assumption. Obviously she wasn’t overly clever. This was no fault of her own.
What he did like, though, and his father also, was that she liked children. That was a good sign, though he couldn’t recall ever meeting a woman who did not like children. There were, of course, the more harried mothers, but Maeri didn’t seem like she would be one of those. She also did not appear to be overbearing and horrible. The last thing that he or any of his family would want was an overbearing wife who would stand at the door and demand things of him for the neighborhood and God to see. That would be shameful.
While not quiet, she was seeming harmless and that was fine. However, to him, it seemed like she was saying she wanted to work with the boys he tutored and he wanted to immediately adjust that expectation. “They’re not really children. They’re older youths…” There. That should do it. That would show her that clearly her field of experience did not qualify her to bother coming around his study when the boys were present.
He was saved by answering any of the other children questions or observations by her again saying that she liked the gift, and by the addition of the food being brought. His father was just as ill at ease as he was, having to sit there and be mostly silent as the prospective couple felt out some sort of mutual understanding. Amiti was not a lust filled man and did not look on Nedevah with anything other than a relieved look and a nod when she set the food down.
Tzephaniah was first to taste the bread, followed by Amiti who raised his eyebrows and nodded as he ate. He held up his portion and praised her moderately for it with a “This is more than adequate,” and then looking at his father he said, “Extremely satisfactory.” The bread was just fine. For some reason, though, he couldn’t quite bring himself to give it terribly high praise. Not only did he not want to lie, but he didn’t overly love giving women a huge lift to their pride. It seemed wrong somehow. However, he didn’t want to hurt people’s feelings. So he looked directly at Maeri and said, “I hope many such breads will be made at my house in future.” That was as bold as he was willing to be.
Maeri couldn’t help but feel a bit like she was being scolded as Amiti informed her that his students weren’t actually children. How was she supposed to have known that without him telling her? Maybe he expected her to know more about what his profession was beforehand. Was it expected that she would have asked after him more before he came over? Well, that ship had long since sailed, so she could only salvage things as best as she could from here on out. She hoped she hadn’t already ruined it completely.
Luckily, she was saved by her sister returning with the food. She longed to grab some food to stuff into her mouth just to keep herself busy and so she couldn’t put her foot into her mouth yet again. But she knew that as a guest she needed to wait until the others had been offered food first. She watched as Amiti took the bread that she had made herself. She was almost holding her breath waiting for his reaction. His initial reaction seemed impenetrable to Maeri. She couldn’t tell whether or not he liked it or disliked it. When he spoke, then she was certain he had disliked it. Of course the tone sounded complimentary, but the words said everything. He couldn’t even bring himself to say that he liked the bread. And it was the best bread that she had made in a long time.
Maeri’s face fell as she looked down at the floor, pulling at the loose threads on the edge of her mitpahath. She quickly grabbed a slice of the bread herself and shoved it into her mouth so she couldn’t be expected to respond to his comments on the bread. Maybe he felt sorry for her, as he did eventually say that he hoped she’d be able to make more bread in the future, but she wasn’t sure that he actually meant it. Maeri hated the way it felt when people felt sorry for her. She was perfectly capable of taking care of this herself. She wouldn’t give him another reason to pity her. So what did she have to do to salvage this meeting?
Maeri looked around, trying to think of a topic of conversation that they might be able to connect on. Then, Maeri’s eyes caught on a paw print on the edge of Amiti’s robe. Maeri grinned broadly as she realized exactly what it was she could talk about. ”Do you have a dog?” Maeri asked excitedly, pleased with herself to have come up with a topic that they had in common. Before even waiting for an answer, Maeri continued. ”I have a dog too. Her name’s Rayla. Do you want to meet her?” Again Maeri didn’t wait for an answer before scampering out of the room, in search of her dog. Yonita glanced at the two men apologetically.
Maeri went quickly to the front door to find Rayla. Glancing to her left, she found the dog curled up sleepily just outside. Her head popped up inquisitively, as Maeri went outside. ”Hi Rayla!” Maeri said excitedly, in the tone one would use to talk to a small child. ”You wanna come in and say hi to Amiti? Do you girl?” At the cheerful tone of voice, Rayla scrambled to her feet. ”Come on girl. Let’s go inside.” Maeri held the door open, as Rayla ran excitedly inside. The puppy sniffed excitedly at the ground, following the smell of the unfamiliar men into the room. Maeri could barely keep up as Rayla ran forward barking excitedly when she found the men she had been tracking. Maeri stumbled in a few paces behind the dog. ”Quiet Rayla. They are guests, they’re allowed to be here.”
Maeri turned back to Amiti grinning broadly. ”This is my dog, Rayla. Isn’t she adorable?” She hoped he might be impressed by her dog at least. Rayla pranced happily in front of the guests, her tail wagging excitedly. She then flopped on her back offering up her belly for tummy rubs. Maeri grinned at the dog’s bold antics. ”It’s ok if you want to pet her. She’s very friendly.”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Maeri couldn’t help but feel a bit like she was being scolded as Amiti informed her that his students weren’t actually children. How was she supposed to have known that without him telling her? Maybe he expected her to know more about what his profession was beforehand. Was it expected that she would have asked after him more before he came over? Well, that ship had long since sailed, so she could only salvage things as best as she could from here on out. She hoped she hadn’t already ruined it completely.
Luckily, she was saved by her sister returning with the food. She longed to grab some food to stuff into her mouth just to keep herself busy and so she couldn’t put her foot into her mouth yet again. But she knew that as a guest she needed to wait until the others had been offered food first. She watched as Amiti took the bread that she had made herself. She was almost holding her breath waiting for his reaction. His initial reaction seemed impenetrable to Maeri. She couldn’t tell whether or not he liked it or disliked it. When he spoke, then she was certain he had disliked it. Of course the tone sounded complimentary, but the words said everything. He couldn’t even bring himself to say that he liked the bread. And it was the best bread that she had made in a long time.
Maeri’s face fell as she looked down at the floor, pulling at the loose threads on the edge of her mitpahath. She quickly grabbed a slice of the bread herself and shoved it into her mouth so she couldn’t be expected to respond to his comments on the bread. Maybe he felt sorry for her, as he did eventually say that he hoped she’d be able to make more bread in the future, but she wasn’t sure that he actually meant it. Maeri hated the way it felt when people felt sorry for her. She was perfectly capable of taking care of this herself. She wouldn’t give him another reason to pity her. So what did she have to do to salvage this meeting?
Maeri looked around, trying to think of a topic of conversation that they might be able to connect on. Then, Maeri’s eyes caught on a paw print on the edge of Amiti’s robe. Maeri grinned broadly as she realized exactly what it was she could talk about. ”Do you have a dog?” Maeri asked excitedly, pleased with herself to have come up with a topic that they had in common. Before even waiting for an answer, Maeri continued. ”I have a dog too. Her name’s Rayla. Do you want to meet her?” Again Maeri didn’t wait for an answer before scampering out of the room, in search of her dog. Yonita glanced at the two men apologetically.
Maeri went quickly to the front door to find Rayla. Glancing to her left, she found the dog curled up sleepily just outside. Her head popped up inquisitively, as Maeri went outside. ”Hi Rayla!” Maeri said excitedly, in the tone one would use to talk to a small child. ”You wanna come in and say hi to Amiti? Do you girl?” At the cheerful tone of voice, Rayla scrambled to her feet. ”Come on girl. Let’s go inside.” Maeri held the door open, as Rayla ran excitedly inside. The puppy sniffed excitedly at the ground, following the smell of the unfamiliar men into the room. Maeri could barely keep up as Rayla ran forward barking excitedly when she found the men she had been tracking. Maeri stumbled in a few paces behind the dog. ”Quiet Rayla. They are guests, they’re allowed to be here.”
Maeri turned back to Amiti grinning broadly. ”This is my dog, Rayla. Isn’t she adorable?” She hoped he might be impressed by her dog at least. Rayla pranced happily in front of the guests, her tail wagging excitedly. She then flopped on her back offering up her belly for tummy rubs. Maeri grinned at the dog’s bold antics. ”It’s ok if you want to pet her. She’s very friendly.”
Maeri couldn’t help but feel a bit like she was being scolded as Amiti informed her that his students weren’t actually children. How was she supposed to have known that without him telling her? Maybe he expected her to know more about what his profession was beforehand. Was it expected that she would have asked after him more before he came over? Well, that ship had long since sailed, so she could only salvage things as best as she could from here on out. She hoped she hadn’t already ruined it completely.
Luckily, she was saved by her sister returning with the food. She longed to grab some food to stuff into her mouth just to keep herself busy and so she couldn’t put her foot into her mouth yet again. But she knew that as a guest she needed to wait until the others had been offered food first. She watched as Amiti took the bread that she had made herself. She was almost holding her breath waiting for his reaction. His initial reaction seemed impenetrable to Maeri. She couldn’t tell whether or not he liked it or disliked it. When he spoke, then she was certain he had disliked it. Of course the tone sounded complimentary, but the words said everything. He couldn’t even bring himself to say that he liked the bread. And it was the best bread that she had made in a long time.
Maeri’s face fell as she looked down at the floor, pulling at the loose threads on the edge of her mitpahath. She quickly grabbed a slice of the bread herself and shoved it into her mouth so she couldn’t be expected to respond to his comments on the bread. Maybe he felt sorry for her, as he did eventually say that he hoped she’d be able to make more bread in the future, but she wasn’t sure that he actually meant it. Maeri hated the way it felt when people felt sorry for her. She was perfectly capable of taking care of this herself. She wouldn’t give him another reason to pity her. So what did she have to do to salvage this meeting?
Maeri looked around, trying to think of a topic of conversation that they might be able to connect on. Then, Maeri’s eyes caught on a paw print on the edge of Amiti’s robe. Maeri grinned broadly as she realized exactly what it was she could talk about. ”Do you have a dog?” Maeri asked excitedly, pleased with herself to have come up with a topic that they had in common. Before even waiting for an answer, Maeri continued. ”I have a dog too. Her name’s Rayla. Do you want to meet her?” Again Maeri didn’t wait for an answer before scampering out of the room, in search of her dog. Yonita glanced at the two men apologetically.
Maeri went quickly to the front door to find Rayla. Glancing to her left, she found the dog curled up sleepily just outside. Her head popped up inquisitively, as Maeri went outside. ”Hi Rayla!” Maeri said excitedly, in the tone one would use to talk to a small child. ”You wanna come in and say hi to Amiti? Do you girl?” At the cheerful tone of voice, Rayla scrambled to her feet. ”Come on girl. Let’s go inside.” Maeri held the door open, as Rayla ran excitedly inside. The puppy sniffed excitedly at the ground, following the smell of the unfamiliar men into the room. Maeri could barely keep up as Rayla ran forward barking excitedly when she found the men she had been tracking. Maeri stumbled in a few paces behind the dog. ”Quiet Rayla. They are guests, they’re allowed to be here.”
Maeri turned back to Amiti grinning broadly. ”This is my dog, Rayla. Isn’t she adorable?” She hoped he might be impressed by her dog at least. Rayla pranced happily in front of the guests, her tail wagging excitedly. She then flopped on her back offering up her belly for tummy rubs. Maeri grinned at the dog’s bold antics. ”It’s ok if you want to pet her. She’s very friendly.”
He saw the error he’d made the second the words were out of his mouth. Her bright little face fell into a mess of complete mortification. The pink in her cheeks was so brilliant that he felt it seeping into his own as though her mood had somehow swept across the floor and into himself. His careful calculation about how much praise to give had rebounded back on him hard enough to make him see his error. This wasn’t a time to be reserved and yet he couldn’t bring himself to actually compliment her now. Especially not now. It would ring worse than false.
Unlike Maeri, he resisted looking to his father to fix it. He didn’t have to. He knew that his father was sitting every bit as awkwardly as he was, trying his best not to make the situation worse. Amiti’s deep brown eyes followed Maeri’s hand as she snatched up bread and stuffed it in her mouth. That was a bad sign.
Shifting, he thought the example a good one, but he chose to make sure he couldn’t answer anything by drinking deeply from one of the cups brought. It was new wine and left a pleasant tang in his mouth that he couldn't enjoy. The mood was tense but he decided this was only because they did not know each other. It was their first meeting and there was quite a bit riding on the outcome.
But the silence lingered. He was still trying to come up with something to ask or talk about - maybe mention anything about what the future would be but he felt this was presumptive and boring. She would not wish to hear of such things and he did not want to speak about them with so many witnesses anyway. Politics were easier to talk about. He had no problems holding his own in a room full of shouting, angry people, but then, he knew the talking points. It was painfully clear now that he had not adequately prepared. If there was a next meeting, he would be sure to study talking points, and therefore avoid the long stints of awkward silence that they were enduring now. Yes. He would be better next time. She was probably thinking him stupid at the moment.
She was looking around and obviously wanting to say something. Of course she would not be so foolish as to say the exact thing on her mind - "I beg your pardon?" He blinked, caught off guard. "I…" Dog? Why did she suddenly want to know if he had a...ah. She’d noticed. He glanced down and looked down at the perfect paw prints on his clothes and felt himself going pink again. Of course she’d noticed. How could she not? And now what did they all think. That he was incapable of coming here in clean clothes, appearing presentable. All his plans were going up in smoke before his eyes and -
“Wait, what?” he watched her get up and belatedly understood her to be going to get her dog. She’d been talking and he hadn’t been listening. All of this was so out of character for him. Usually he was cool under pressure and fully able to handle anything but this wife business had him rattled. He was out of his depth and he merely glanced at her mother and his father as he watched the place where she’d disappeared out of the house. They did not have long to wait.
The dog from before, the one who’d left the imprint of herself on his clothes bounded into the room. His father looked a little aghast but Rayla was so happy and sweet, that he settled a bit. The dog flopped down in front of them, wiggling and panting, waiting belly up for attention. Amiti smiled to himself and shook his head. “So your name is Rayla,” he half chided. “No,” he finally looked at Maeri while petting the dog absently. “I do not own a dog. Your Rayla and I met briefly outside before we came in. I assure you I was perfectly clean before the incident.”
He looked away from her then and smiled down at Rayla.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
He saw the error he’d made the second the words were out of his mouth. Her bright little face fell into a mess of complete mortification. The pink in her cheeks was so brilliant that he felt it seeping into his own as though her mood had somehow swept across the floor and into himself. His careful calculation about how much praise to give had rebounded back on him hard enough to make him see his error. This wasn’t a time to be reserved and yet he couldn’t bring himself to actually compliment her now. Especially not now. It would ring worse than false.
Unlike Maeri, he resisted looking to his father to fix it. He didn’t have to. He knew that his father was sitting every bit as awkwardly as he was, trying his best not to make the situation worse. Amiti’s deep brown eyes followed Maeri’s hand as she snatched up bread and stuffed it in her mouth. That was a bad sign.
Shifting, he thought the example a good one, but he chose to make sure he couldn’t answer anything by drinking deeply from one of the cups brought. It was new wine and left a pleasant tang in his mouth that he couldn't enjoy. The mood was tense but he decided this was only because they did not know each other. It was their first meeting and there was quite a bit riding on the outcome.
But the silence lingered. He was still trying to come up with something to ask or talk about - maybe mention anything about what the future would be but he felt this was presumptive and boring. She would not wish to hear of such things and he did not want to speak about them with so many witnesses anyway. Politics were easier to talk about. He had no problems holding his own in a room full of shouting, angry people, but then, he knew the talking points. It was painfully clear now that he had not adequately prepared. If there was a next meeting, he would be sure to study talking points, and therefore avoid the long stints of awkward silence that they were enduring now. Yes. He would be better next time. She was probably thinking him stupid at the moment.
She was looking around and obviously wanting to say something. Of course she would not be so foolish as to say the exact thing on her mind - "I beg your pardon?" He blinked, caught off guard. "I…" Dog? Why did she suddenly want to know if he had a...ah. She’d noticed. He glanced down and looked down at the perfect paw prints on his clothes and felt himself going pink again. Of course she’d noticed. How could she not? And now what did they all think. That he was incapable of coming here in clean clothes, appearing presentable. All his plans were going up in smoke before his eyes and -
“Wait, what?” he watched her get up and belatedly understood her to be going to get her dog. She’d been talking and he hadn’t been listening. All of this was so out of character for him. Usually he was cool under pressure and fully able to handle anything but this wife business had him rattled. He was out of his depth and he merely glanced at her mother and his father as he watched the place where she’d disappeared out of the house. They did not have long to wait.
The dog from before, the one who’d left the imprint of herself on his clothes bounded into the room. His father looked a little aghast but Rayla was so happy and sweet, that he settled a bit. The dog flopped down in front of them, wiggling and panting, waiting belly up for attention. Amiti smiled to himself and shook his head. “So your name is Rayla,” he half chided. “No,” he finally looked at Maeri while petting the dog absently. “I do not own a dog. Your Rayla and I met briefly outside before we came in. I assure you I was perfectly clean before the incident.”
He looked away from her then and smiled down at Rayla.
He saw the error he’d made the second the words were out of his mouth. Her bright little face fell into a mess of complete mortification. The pink in her cheeks was so brilliant that he felt it seeping into his own as though her mood had somehow swept across the floor and into himself. His careful calculation about how much praise to give had rebounded back on him hard enough to make him see his error. This wasn’t a time to be reserved and yet he couldn’t bring himself to actually compliment her now. Especially not now. It would ring worse than false.
Unlike Maeri, he resisted looking to his father to fix it. He didn’t have to. He knew that his father was sitting every bit as awkwardly as he was, trying his best not to make the situation worse. Amiti’s deep brown eyes followed Maeri’s hand as she snatched up bread and stuffed it in her mouth. That was a bad sign.
Shifting, he thought the example a good one, but he chose to make sure he couldn’t answer anything by drinking deeply from one of the cups brought. It was new wine and left a pleasant tang in his mouth that he couldn't enjoy. The mood was tense but he decided this was only because they did not know each other. It was their first meeting and there was quite a bit riding on the outcome.
But the silence lingered. He was still trying to come up with something to ask or talk about - maybe mention anything about what the future would be but he felt this was presumptive and boring. She would not wish to hear of such things and he did not want to speak about them with so many witnesses anyway. Politics were easier to talk about. He had no problems holding his own in a room full of shouting, angry people, but then, he knew the talking points. It was painfully clear now that he had not adequately prepared. If there was a next meeting, he would be sure to study talking points, and therefore avoid the long stints of awkward silence that they were enduring now. Yes. He would be better next time. She was probably thinking him stupid at the moment.
She was looking around and obviously wanting to say something. Of course she would not be so foolish as to say the exact thing on her mind - "I beg your pardon?" He blinked, caught off guard. "I…" Dog? Why did she suddenly want to know if he had a...ah. She’d noticed. He glanced down and looked down at the perfect paw prints on his clothes and felt himself going pink again. Of course she’d noticed. How could she not? And now what did they all think. That he was incapable of coming here in clean clothes, appearing presentable. All his plans were going up in smoke before his eyes and -
“Wait, what?” he watched her get up and belatedly understood her to be going to get her dog. She’d been talking and he hadn’t been listening. All of this was so out of character for him. Usually he was cool under pressure and fully able to handle anything but this wife business had him rattled. He was out of his depth and he merely glanced at her mother and his father as he watched the place where she’d disappeared out of the house. They did not have long to wait.
The dog from before, the one who’d left the imprint of herself on his clothes bounded into the room. His father looked a little aghast but Rayla was so happy and sweet, that he settled a bit. The dog flopped down in front of them, wiggling and panting, waiting belly up for attention. Amiti smiled to himself and shook his head. “So your name is Rayla,” he half chided. “No,” he finally looked at Maeri while petting the dog absently. “I do not own a dog. Your Rayla and I met briefly outside before we came in. I assure you I was perfectly clean before the incident.”
He looked away from her then and smiled down at Rayla.
Maeri couldn’t help but smile as she watched Amiti petting her dog, a smile on his face while she returned to her seat. It was the first indication she had that he actually could smile. That was quite a relief, while she didn’t think she’d mind a man who was very serious, she didn’t think she could handle a man who couldn’t find some joy in life. That was what she enjoyed most in life anyway, seeking out the things that make her happy. Still, it had turned out that she had made an error yet again.
Amiti didn’t own a dog after all. Maeri’s almost frantically cheerful attitude when she had figured out she might have something in common with Amiti began to fade, almost wilting under Amiti’s words. ”I’m sorry Rayla ruined your shirt. I can wash it for you if you wish.” Maeri wasn’t sure if that was an acceptable solution for Amiti, but it was the best she could do to make up for her shortfall. She looked down at Rayla who had happily curled up on the floor at Amiti’s feet as he pet her. Maeri wished that the dog was in petting distance from her, at the very least it would be something to occupy her hands.
But Maeri was determined she was going to get this meeting right eventually. She wracked her brain for what she knew about one was supposed to know about one’s husband before they were married. She knew that they were supposed to be deciding if they would be a good match, though she did trust her mother wouldn’t pick a man who she thought wouldn’t make her happy. He did like dogs, that was something interesting enough. Maybe if she just asked a question without jumping to conclusions. Maeri nodded a bit to herself, concluding that that had been the problem. She needed to listen better to what he was saying.
Well, she wanted the topic to be happier, and she wasn’t going to be able to do that if she didn’t know what made him happy. ”So what do you do for fun?” Maeri asked. It didn’t seem like there was a likely way for that question to backfire on her.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Maeri couldn’t help but smile as she watched Amiti petting her dog, a smile on his face while she returned to her seat. It was the first indication she had that he actually could smile. That was quite a relief, while she didn’t think she’d mind a man who was very serious, she didn’t think she could handle a man who couldn’t find some joy in life. That was what she enjoyed most in life anyway, seeking out the things that make her happy. Still, it had turned out that she had made an error yet again.
Amiti didn’t own a dog after all. Maeri’s almost frantically cheerful attitude when she had figured out she might have something in common with Amiti began to fade, almost wilting under Amiti’s words. ”I’m sorry Rayla ruined your shirt. I can wash it for you if you wish.” Maeri wasn’t sure if that was an acceptable solution for Amiti, but it was the best she could do to make up for her shortfall. She looked down at Rayla who had happily curled up on the floor at Amiti’s feet as he pet her. Maeri wished that the dog was in petting distance from her, at the very least it would be something to occupy her hands.
But Maeri was determined she was going to get this meeting right eventually. She wracked her brain for what she knew about one was supposed to know about one’s husband before they were married. She knew that they were supposed to be deciding if they would be a good match, though she did trust her mother wouldn’t pick a man who she thought wouldn’t make her happy. He did like dogs, that was something interesting enough. Maybe if she just asked a question without jumping to conclusions. Maeri nodded a bit to herself, concluding that that had been the problem. She needed to listen better to what he was saying.
Well, she wanted the topic to be happier, and she wasn’t going to be able to do that if she didn’t know what made him happy. ”So what do you do for fun?” Maeri asked. It didn’t seem like there was a likely way for that question to backfire on her.
Maeri couldn’t help but smile as she watched Amiti petting her dog, a smile on his face while she returned to her seat. It was the first indication she had that he actually could smile. That was quite a relief, while she didn’t think she’d mind a man who was very serious, she didn’t think she could handle a man who couldn’t find some joy in life. That was what she enjoyed most in life anyway, seeking out the things that make her happy. Still, it had turned out that she had made an error yet again.
Amiti didn’t own a dog after all. Maeri’s almost frantically cheerful attitude when she had figured out she might have something in common with Amiti began to fade, almost wilting under Amiti’s words. ”I’m sorry Rayla ruined your shirt. I can wash it for you if you wish.” Maeri wasn’t sure if that was an acceptable solution for Amiti, but it was the best she could do to make up for her shortfall. She looked down at Rayla who had happily curled up on the floor at Amiti’s feet as he pet her. Maeri wished that the dog was in petting distance from her, at the very least it would be something to occupy her hands.
But Maeri was determined she was going to get this meeting right eventually. She wracked her brain for what she knew about one was supposed to know about one’s husband before they were married. She knew that they were supposed to be deciding if they would be a good match, though she did trust her mother wouldn’t pick a man who she thought wouldn’t make her happy. He did like dogs, that was something interesting enough. Maybe if she just asked a question without jumping to conclusions. Maeri nodded a bit to herself, concluding that that had been the problem. She needed to listen better to what he was saying.
Well, she wanted the topic to be happier, and she wasn’t going to be able to do that if she didn’t know what made him happy. ”So what do you do for fun?” Maeri asked. It didn’t seem like there was a likely way for that question to backfire on her.
He could not read her thoughts, nor did he perceive that she was disappointed in him. This was for the best. If he’d had any hint that he was not performing perfectly, to everyone’s satisfaction, that would have made his own standards of behavior that much higher and likely rendered him unwilling to speak at all. For, that was the problem. His words were getting him into trouble, even though he was choosing them with extreme care. For Maeri, however, they seemed to be coming across a little more harshly than he meant them.
While her face went through the multitude of emotional changes, he was busy petting her dog and left to marvel that a creature that had been so exuberant three seconds ago, was willing to curl up right beside him and be still enough for pettings. He did look up when she asked if he would like his robes washed. He was a bit taken aback by the offer, mainly because it would take quite a while and he hadn’t brought anything to change into, but the offer was a nice gesture anyway. “No, that won’t be necessary.”
He’d trudge through town with paw prints. Hopefully no one would point at him.
When she asked what he did for fun, he had to think about it a second. Unlike her, he did not seek out fun or hobbies every single day. He did what was needed. Only when obligations were seen to and finished, did he indulge in a past time. Usually, though, that was on Fridays.
“I…” he paused, unsure if an Egyptian game would sink him in their estimation or not. “I play Senet. With my brothers.” Gesturing to Tzephaniah, he half smiled and said, “My father does not appreciate the game. But,” he held up a finger, “I also like Mancala. And I have that one too.” What he did not tell them was that he really, really liked gambling. That was something he really enjoyed but rarely dabbled in. Most of the time he’d gamble with his brothers for something. A few times he’d gone to places of less repute and gambled there, but, not for a long time. The older he got, the more people knew him, the less safe it was to be seen doing anything less than above all reproach.
“What do you like to do?” He was curious about this. She was such an expressive little person that he couldn’t imagine her shut up, being bored in a kitchen all day. She had to do something.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
He could not read her thoughts, nor did he perceive that she was disappointed in him. This was for the best. If he’d had any hint that he was not performing perfectly, to everyone’s satisfaction, that would have made his own standards of behavior that much higher and likely rendered him unwilling to speak at all. For, that was the problem. His words were getting him into trouble, even though he was choosing them with extreme care. For Maeri, however, they seemed to be coming across a little more harshly than he meant them.
While her face went through the multitude of emotional changes, he was busy petting her dog and left to marvel that a creature that had been so exuberant three seconds ago, was willing to curl up right beside him and be still enough for pettings. He did look up when she asked if he would like his robes washed. He was a bit taken aback by the offer, mainly because it would take quite a while and he hadn’t brought anything to change into, but the offer was a nice gesture anyway. “No, that won’t be necessary.”
He’d trudge through town with paw prints. Hopefully no one would point at him.
When she asked what he did for fun, he had to think about it a second. Unlike her, he did not seek out fun or hobbies every single day. He did what was needed. Only when obligations were seen to and finished, did he indulge in a past time. Usually, though, that was on Fridays.
“I…” he paused, unsure if an Egyptian game would sink him in their estimation or not. “I play Senet. With my brothers.” Gesturing to Tzephaniah, he half smiled and said, “My father does not appreciate the game. But,” he held up a finger, “I also like Mancala. And I have that one too.” What he did not tell them was that he really, really liked gambling. That was something he really enjoyed but rarely dabbled in. Most of the time he’d gamble with his brothers for something. A few times he’d gone to places of less repute and gambled there, but, not for a long time. The older he got, the more people knew him, the less safe it was to be seen doing anything less than above all reproach.
“What do you like to do?” He was curious about this. She was such an expressive little person that he couldn’t imagine her shut up, being bored in a kitchen all day. She had to do something.
He could not read her thoughts, nor did he perceive that she was disappointed in him. This was for the best. If he’d had any hint that he was not performing perfectly, to everyone’s satisfaction, that would have made his own standards of behavior that much higher and likely rendered him unwilling to speak at all. For, that was the problem. His words were getting him into trouble, even though he was choosing them with extreme care. For Maeri, however, they seemed to be coming across a little more harshly than he meant them.
While her face went through the multitude of emotional changes, he was busy petting her dog and left to marvel that a creature that had been so exuberant three seconds ago, was willing to curl up right beside him and be still enough for pettings. He did look up when she asked if he would like his robes washed. He was a bit taken aback by the offer, mainly because it would take quite a while and he hadn’t brought anything to change into, but the offer was a nice gesture anyway. “No, that won’t be necessary.”
He’d trudge through town with paw prints. Hopefully no one would point at him.
When she asked what he did for fun, he had to think about it a second. Unlike her, he did not seek out fun or hobbies every single day. He did what was needed. Only when obligations were seen to and finished, did he indulge in a past time. Usually, though, that was on Fridays.
“I…” he paused, unsure if an Egyptian game would sink him in their estimation or not. “I play Senet. With my brothers.” Gesturing to Tzephaniah, he half smiled and said, “My father does not appreciate the game. But,” he held up a finger, “I also like Mancala. And I have that one too.” What he did not tell them was that he really, really liked gambling. That was something he really enjoyed but rarely dabbled in. Most of the time he’d gamble with his brothers for something. A few times he’d gone to places of less repute and gambled there, but, not for a long time. The older he got, the more people knew him, the less safe it was to be seen doing anything less than above all reproach.
“What do you like to do?” He was curious about this. She was such an expressive little person that he couldn’t imagine her shut up, being bored in a kitchen all day. She had to do something.
Maeri was relieved that Amiti had not taken her up on the offer to wash his clothes. While it was a nice gesture, she knew it would take a while for it to clean his clothes, and of course, there was the matter of him having to get dressed in her house, and there was nothing about that that would be appropriate for someone who might be a future spouse. She was only lucky that he didn’t consider that possibility and think that she was being horribly inappropriate.
The transition to a more appropriate topic appeared to go well though, and Maeri grinned a bit as he mentioned that he enjoyed strategy board games. While Maeri wasn’t that good at those kinds of games, it was certainly preferable that Amiti’s tastes tended towards more sedate entertainment, instead of being like some men who liked to go out drinking. Of course, if he did like that sort of thing, was he going to admit it right now in front of the very parents who were trying to arrange their marriage?
Thankfully, Maeri was distracted from that train of thought as Amiti asked about her own interests. This was her favorite subject and an easy thing to talk about. The thing was, it was a very difficult question to answer, there were so many things she was interested in. “Well, I’ve been trying painting recently,” Maeri started, but then stopped. She hadn’t really been able to produce anything that she would be willing to share. Would he ask her to? It was a lot harder than it had looked and she was starting to grow frustrated with the process. “But I also had some ideas for maybe weaving patterns into cloth? I saw some people doing it in the market and I think that if I could get the right kind of loom, then I could try to weave like animal patterns into the fabric.” Maeri smiled at the thought. Yes, perhaps it was a bit ambitious, but...she saw someone else doing it in front of everyone. Surely, it wouldn’t be that hard to learn.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Maeri was relieved that Amiti had not taken her up on the offer to wash his clothes. While it was a nice gesture, she knew it would take a while for it to clean his clothes, and of course, there was the matter of him having to get dressed in her house, and there was nothing about that that would be appropriate for someone who might be a future spouse. She was only lucky that he didn’t consider that possibility and think that she was being horribly inappropriate.
The transition to a more appropriate topic appeared to go well though, and Maeri grinned a bit as he mentioned that he enjoyed strategy board games. While Maeri wasn’t that good at those kinds of games, it was certainly preferable that Amiti’s tastes tended towards more sedate entertainment, instead of being like some men who liked to go out drinking. Of course, if he did like that sort of thing, was he going to admit it right now in front of the very parents who were trying to arrange their marriage?
Thankfully, Maeri was distracted from that train of thought as Amiti asked about her own interests. This was her favorite subject and an easy thing to talk about. The thing was, it was a very difficult question to answer, there were so many things she was interested in. “Well, I’ve been trying painting recently,” Maeri started, but then stopped. She hadn’t really been able to produce anything that she would be willing to share. Would he ask her to? It was a lot harder than it had looked and she was starting to grow frustrated with the process. “But I also had some ideas for maybe weaving patterns into cloth? I saw some people doing it in the market and I think that if I could get the right kind of loom, then I could try to weave like animal patterns into the fabric.” Maeri smiled at the thought. Yes, perhaps it was a bit ambitious, but...she saw someone else doing it in front of everyone. Surely, it wouldn’t be that hard to learn.
Maeri was relieved that Amiti had not taken her up on the offer to wash his clothes. While it was a nice gesture, she knew it would take a while for it to clean his clothes, and of course, there was the matter of him having to get dressed in her house, and there was nothing about that that would be appropriate for someone who might be a future spouse. She was only lucky that he didn’t consider that possibility and think that she was being horribly inappropriate.
The transition to a more appropriate topic appeared to go well though, and Maeri grinned a bit as he mentioned that he enjoyed strategy board games. While Maeri wasn’t that good at those kinds of games, it was certainly preferable that Amiti’s tastes tended towards more sedate entertainment, instead of being like some men who liked to go out drinking. Of course, if he did like that sort of thing, was he going to admit it right now in front of the very parents who were trying to arrange their marriage?
Thankfully, Maeri was distracted from that train of thought as Amiti asked about her own interests. This was her favorite subject and an easy thing to talk about. The thing was, it was a very difficult question to answer, there were so many things she was interested in. “Well, I’ve been trying painting recently,” Maeri started, but then stopped. She hadn’t really been able to produce anything that she would be willing to share. Would he ask her to? It was a lot harder than it had looked and she was starting to grow frustrated with the process. “But I also had some ideas for maybe weaving patterns into cloth? I saw some people doing it in the market and I think that if I could get the right kind of loom, then I could try to weave like animal patterns into the fabric.” Maeri smiled at the thought. Yes, perhaps it was a bit ambitious, but...she saw someone else doing it in front of everyone. Surely, it wouldn’t be that hard to learn.
“Painting?” he looked to his father and his father nodded, pleased. This was good. Someone who was creative had the ability to occupy themselves and did not need constant companionship. While he did need a wife, Amiti himself was not lonely. He was not marrying to fulfill any personal need for company. Books and daily trips to the temple satisfied his notions of a full and fulfilling life. However, the Torah did say that man did need a wife, so a wife he would have.
The weaving was even better. His father was the one who nodded more excitedly at this and mentioned that it was a good thing that she had those abilities. Tzephania praised Maeri’s mother for raising such an industrious daughter. Amiti could already see where his father was going with this. If they had someone who could weave in the family, then they needn’t bother with buying robes. She could just make all their clothes from now on. While Amiti didn’t plan on using her quite that way, his father certainly did. Why else have a daughter in law? She’d make their clothes, provide grandchildren, cook, clean. All, of course, with the help of servants, but still. She would add immensely.
“I’d like to see your paintings, if you’d care to show me sometime?” Amiti said. He was still petting Rayla, albeit a little absently. The conversation went on, interrupted by eating and also by natural lulls. It eventually came back around to what would be expected if the marriage went forward.
“We would be attending nearly every social event,” Amiti was saying. “You would be seen as an extension of myself and it would be beneficial if you were able to convince the wives of some of my peers to see things in a certain view point. You seem to be friendly and I think you might have the ability to charm them. It’s been said by some that women are their husband’s ears and they might tell you things their husbands won’t admit to me.”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
“Painting?” he looked to his father and his father nodded, pleased. This was good. Someone who was creative had the ability to occupy themselves and did not need constant companionship. While he did need a wife, Amiti himself was not lonely. He was not marrying to fulfill any personal need for company. Books and daily trips to the temple satisfied his notions of a full and fulfilling life. However, the Torah did say that man did need a wife, so a wife he would have.
The weaving was even better. His father was the one who nodded more excitedly at this and mentioned that it was a good thing that she had those abilities. Tzephania praised Maeri’s mother for raising such an industrious daughter. Amiti could already see where his father was going with this. If they had someone who could weave in the family, then they needn’t bother with buying robes. She could just make all their clothes from now on. While Amiti didn’t plan on using her quite that way, his father certainly did. Why else have a daughter in law? She’d make their clothes, provide grandchildren, cook, clean. All, of course, with the help of servants, but still. She would add immensely.
“I’d like to see your paintings, if you’d care to show me sometime?” Amiti said. He was still petting Rayla, albeit a little absently. The conversation went on, interrupted by eating and also by natural lulls. It eventually came back around to what would be expected if the marriage went forward.
“We would be attending nearly every social event,” Amiti was saying. “You would be seen as an extension of myself and it would be beneficial if you were able to convince the wives of some of my peers to see things in a certain view point. You seem to be friendly and I think you might have the ability to charm them. It’s been said by some that women are their husband’s ears and they might tell you things their husbands won’t admit to me.”
“Painting?” he looked to his father and his father nodded, pleased. This was good. Someone who was creative had the ability to occupy themselves and did not need constant companionship. While he did need a wife, Amiti himself was not lonely. He was not marrying to fulfill any personal need for company. Books and daily trips to the temple satisfied his notions of a full and fulfilling life. However, the Torah did say that man did need a wife, so a wife he would have.
The weaving was even better. His father was the one who nodded more excitedly at this and mentioned that it was a good thing that she had those abilities. Tzephania praised Maeri’s mother for raising such an industrious daughter. Amiti could already see where his father was going with this. If they had someone who could weave in the family, then they needn’t bother with buying robes. She could just make all their clothes from now on. While Amiti didn’t plan on using her quite that way, his father certainly did. Why else have a daughter in law? She’d make their clothes, provide grandchildren, cook, clean. All, of course, with the help of servants, but still. She would add immensely.
“I’d like to see your paintings, if you’d care to show me sometime?” Amiti said. He was still petting Rayla, albeit a little absently. The conversation went on, interrupted by eating and also by natural lulls. It eventually came back around to what would be expected if the marriage went forward.
“We would be attending nearly every social event,” Amiti was saying. “You would be seen as an extension of myself and it would be beneficial if you were able to convince the wives of some of my peers to see things in a certain view point. You seem to be friendly and I think you might have the ability to charm them. It’s been said by some that women are their husband’s ears and they might tell you things their husbands won’t admit to me.”
While Maeri was glad to hear that Amiti was interested in her paintings, but she had to admit that she didn’t have anything that she was proud to share with this man who she was trying to make a good impression on. Still, she smiled and nodded a bit at his request, though inside she hoped that the request was just polite and not something he planned on following through on. She might have been interested in learning to paint, but she had yet to produce anything that looked even close to what she was actually trying to produce. Clearly she wasn’t actually talented enough to produce paintings that anyone would actually want to see.
Fortunately, the conversation moved on to more mundane topics. Maeri mostly allowed her mother to take control of the situation while she kept herself occupied with the snacks that had been provided, hoping to reduce her opportunity to put her foot in her mouth. Then the topic turned to what Amiti would expect of her as a wife.
Maeri smiled as he mentioned her attending social events. That sounded like it would be such a glamorous life, going to events with her husband, talking to all the important wives. She couldn’t wait until she was someone that sophisticated and important herself. “Of course. That would be so exciting!” Maeri’s mind automatically went to the nice clothing that she would need to purchase in order to keep up appearances. For a moment her confidence that she could do what Amiti was asking of her faltered. Since when was she able to be the kind of person who was capable of keeping up appearances? But her unfailing optimism managed to pull her through, with only a momentary change of expression marking her worrying thought.
If Amiti thought that she was capable of talking to the other wives and helping him out, surely she’d be able to do that job. Besides, she was sure it would be different once she was married. Being a wife seemed to give a person a certain sort of confidence. “I’m sure I’d be able to talk to the other women for you. And of course, I’d tell you anything that I hear. There is no reason for secrets between a husband and a wife.” Perhaps it was a naive thing to say, but Maeri didn’t see any reason that it wouldn’t be true. That’s what marriage meant, didn’t it? Being loyal to one’s spouse and making a life with them.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
While Maeri was glad to hear that Amiti was interested in her paintings, but she had to admit that she didn’t have anything that she was proud to share with this man who she was trying to make a good impression on. Still, she smiled and nodded a bit at his request, though inside she hoped that the request was just polite and not something he planned on following through on. She might have been interested in learning to paint, but she had yet to produce anything that looked even close to what she was actually trying to produce. Clearly she wasn’t actually talented enough to produce paintings that anyone would actually want to see.
Fortunately, the conversation moved on to more mundane topics. Maeri mostly allowed her mother to take control of the situation while she kept herself occupied with the snacks that had been provided, hoping to reduce her opportunity to put her foot in her mouth. Then the topic turned to what Amiti would expect of her as a wife.
Maeri smiled as he mentioned her attending social events. That sounded like it would be such a glamorous life, going to events with her husband, talking to all the important wives. She couldn’t wait until she was someone that sophisticated and important herself. “Of course. That would be so exciting!” Maeri’s mind automatically went to the nice clothing that she would need to purchase in order to keep up appearances. For a moment her confidence that she could do what Amiti was asking of her faltered. Since when was she able to be the kind of person who was capable of keeping up appearances? But her unfailing optimism managed to pull her through, with only a momentary change of expression marking her worrying thought.
If Amiti thought that she was capable of talking to the other wives and helping him out, surely she’d be able to do that job. Besides, she was sure it would be different once she was married. Being a wife seemed to give a person a certain sort of confidence. “I’m sure I’d be able to talk to the other women for you. And of course, I’d tell you anything that I hear. There is no reason for secrets between a husband and a wife.” Perhaps it was a naive thing to say, but Maeri didn’t see any reason that it wouldn’t be true. That’s what marriage meant, didn’t it? Being loyal to one’s spouse and making a life with them.
While Maeri was glad to hear that Amiti was interested in her paintings, but she had to admit that she didn’t have anything that she was proud to share with this man who she was trying to make a good impression on. Still, she smiled and nodded a bit at his request, though inside she hoped that the request was just polite and not something he planned on following through on. She might have been interested in learning to paint, but she had yet to produce anything that looked even close to what she was actually trying to produce. Clearly she wasn’t actually talented enough to produce paintings that anyone would actually want to see.
Fortunately, the conversation moved on to more mundane topics. Maeri mostly allowed her mother to take control of the situation while she kept herself occupied with the snacks that had been provided, hoping to reduce her opportunity to put her foot in her mouth. Then the topic turned to what Amiti would expect of her as a wife.
Maeri smiled as he mentioned her attending social events. That sounded like it would be such a glamorous life, going to events with her husband, talking to all the important wives. She couldn’t wait until she was someone that sophisticated and important herself. “Of course. That would be so exciting!” Maeri’s mind automatically went to the nice clothing that she would need to purchase in order to keep up appearances. For a moment her confidence that she could do what Amiti was asking of her faltered. Since when was she able to be the kind of person who was capable of keeping up appearances? But her unfailing optimism managed to pull her through, with only a momentary change of expression marking her worrying thought.
If Amiti thought that she was capable of talking to the other wives and helping him out, surely she’d be able to do that job. Besides, she was sure it would be different once she was married. Being a wife seemed to give a person a certain sort of confidence. “I’m sure I’d be able to talk to the other women for you. And of course, I’d tell you anything that I hear. There is no reason for secrets between a husband and a wife.” Perhaps it was a naive thing to say, but Maeri didn’t see any reason that it wouldn’t be true. That’s what marriage meant, didn’t it? Being loyal to one’s spouse and making a life with them.
Rayla was a happy ball of energy under his hand but she finally flipped tummy side down again, ears perked forward, listening for something no one else could hear. That momentarily drew Amiti’s eye and it was right at that moment that he realized this dog would probably be coming to his house. Joy. Well. It wasn’t going to go in his study. That was for sure. Or in the bed rooms. And he would make extra sure the thing was bathed at least twice a week. Dogs tended to be dirty and he didn’t want that in his house.
It was a good thing that Maeri seemed interested in the politics part. That had been important. He did not know all her thoughts or insecurities. He couldn’t see the draw backs that she was thinking of and her mother certainly wasn’t going to reveal all of her daughter’s failings or shortcomings to the two men. Not that Maeri was deficient, but if Amiti had known about some of her inabilities, he’d have been looking elsewhere for a wife. A pretty wife wasn’t the top of his list. A useful one was.
The meeting did not go on for much longer and by the time they were rising to leave, Amiti was fairly comfortable with this choice. His father, too, was fine with it. They could not know that one daughter was pregnant and if not married off quickly, would bring scandal to their own household by association. Ah well.
“I hope to see you again soon,” Amiti said to Maeri. He gave Rayla a final pat and then exited the home, following right behind his father.
“See?” Tzephaniah smiled at his son. “I told you that I am an excellent judge of women. I would never lead you astray. I found a good family, a good girl, and she’s pretty.”
“Thank you, abba,” Amiti said dutifully, walking down the street just a bit taller and a lot less tense than when he’d arrived. Life was going to be just fine from here on out. That much was certain.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Rayla was a happy ball of energy under his hand but she finally flipped tummy side down again, ears perked forward, listening for something no one else could hear. That momentarily drew Amiti’s eye and it was right at that moment that he realized this dog would probably be coming to his house. Joy. Well. It wasn’t going to go in his study. That was for sure. Or in the bed rooms. And he would make extra sure the thing was bathed at least twice a week. Dogs tended to be dirty and he didn’t want that in his house.
It was a good thing that Maeri seemed interested in the politics part. That had been important. He did not know all her thoughts or insecurities. He couldn’t see the draw backs that she was thinking of and her mother certainly wasn’t going to reveal all of her daughter’s failings or shortcomings to the two men. Not that Maeri was deficient, but if Amiti had known about some of her inabilities, he’d have been looking elsewhere for a wife. A pretty wife wasn’t the top of his list. A useful one was.
The meeting did not go on for much longer and by the time they were rising to leave, Amiti was fairly comfortable with this choice. His father, too, was fine with it. They could not know that one daughter was pregnant and if not married off quickly, would bring scandal to their own household by association. Ah well.
“I hope to see you again soon,” Amiti said to Maeri. He gave Rayla a final pat and then exited the home, following right behind his father.
“See?” Tzephaniah smiled at his son. “I told you that I am an excellent judge of women. I would never lead you astray. I found a good family, a good girl, and she’s pretty.”
“Thank you, abba,” Amiti said dutifully, walking down the street just a bit taller and a lot less tense than when he’d arrived. Life was going to be just fine from here on out. That much was certain.
Rayla was a happy ball of energy under his hand but she finally flipped tummy side down again, ears perked forward, listening for something no one else could hear. That momentarily drew Amiti’s eye and it was right at that moment that he realized this dog would probably be coming to his house. Joy. Well. It wasn’t going to go in his study. That was for sure. Or in the bed rooms. And he would make extra sure the thing was bathed at least twice a week. Dogs tended to be dirty and he didn’t want that in his house.
It was a good thing that Maeri seemed interested in the politics part. That had been important. He did not know all her thoughts or insecurities. He couldn’t see the draw backs that she was thinking of and her mother certainly wasn’t going to reveal all of her daughter’s failings or shortcomings to the two men. Not that Maeri was deficient, but if Amiti had known about some of her inabilities, he’d have been looking elsewhere for a wife. A pretty wife wasn’t the top of his list. A useful one was.
The meeting did not go on for much longer and by the time they were rising to leave, Amiti was fairly comfortable with this choice. His father, too, was fine with it. They could not know that one daughter was pregnant and if not married off quickly, would bring scandal to their own household by association. Ah well.
“I hope to see you again soon,” Amiti said to Maeri. He gave Rayla a final pat and then exited the home, following right behind his father.
“See?” Tzephaniah smiled at his son. “I told you that I am an excellent judge of women. I would never lead you astray. I found a good family, a good girl, and she’s pretty.”
“Thank you, abba,” Amiti said dutifully, walking down the street just a bit taller and a lot less tense than when he’d arrived. Life was going to be just fine from here on out. That much was certain.