Abel (
reliantnav) wrote in
marlowemuses2018-02-14 09:27 am
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Chains to bind our heart
Abel doesn't often attend his father's courts.
He is proud of what his father has built, using diplomacy to unite the factions of their once-city into a united and productive society. With that stability, they have some hope of achieving civilization once again, and Abel will have the relative freedom to pursue his research and projects. His father dismisses all Abel's work as 'tinkering' and tries to shift his focus instead toward leadership and politics.
The latest project will convince him. Abel's sure of it. He's almost finished the design for a water reclamation system that will provide their city with large quantities of fresh, drinkable water, enough to start rebuilding the system of running water that runs through the city.
So he isn't paying all that much attention to the court and their visitor--some diplomat or warlord from a neighboring city?--until he hears his father say:
"And my son Abel's hand in marriage to seal the bargain."
Abel's head whips up fast, staring at his father and their visitor in shock.
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He isn't gobsmacked when the arrangement is brought up in the court. He stands stone faced just behind his father. There was the rumor this could happen, but he didn't think it actually would. But, when they walked into the room and Praxis saw him sitting there...well, there was no other option to really think about. Throughout the meeting, his eyes rarely strayed from Abel. It's only a few times Praxis has actually been to this colony, but he's seen Abel before. He's not someone easily missed. He'd asked about him. Knew just a few things. Not as much as he wanted.
He feels somewhat guilty, since it seems Abel didn't know about this. Not enough to stop himself from lifting his fist to his breast and taking a knee in obeisance. This is his duty to take seriously. It could have been much worse. When he rises, his father has clasped arms with Abel's, sealing the deal more than any signature would.
"We accept," he says. And, just like that Praxis's life changes.
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There was no mention of Abel's strategic value, and that feels like the worst betrayal. His father doesn't even realize Abel's strategic value. He's selling him off solely on the basis of his birth and his pretty face.
It takes everything in Abel to restrain himself from publicly refusing the union. He doesn't want to test his father's willingness to have him dragged off.
He contents himself with glaring at his future husband.
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Meeting effectively over, Praxis makes his way over to Abel. Might as well try to forge some sort of connection before the documents are signed and a ceremony follows to have them be wed. It feels awkward and strange. Praxis knows that nothing he says will make the situation any easier, but he feels the need to say something.
"I take it you didn't know anything about this, either?" again, he tries for a slight smile. His arm lifts, hand extended to offer a firm greeting. "Sorry...that we had to meet like this. I'm Praxis."
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He wets his lips, feeling a little nervous though he does squash it down as best as he can. No need to get all stupid about this. "I guess they had other plans they didn't feel like sharing."
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