An (Indecent? Immodest?) Proposal
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 25th February 2007
Characters: Zanie, Renner
Description: Zanie has another proposal.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 2, day 7 of Turn 4
Zanie settled cross-legged on the end of Renner's bed and settled her elbows on her knees. "If I try to say something, will you let me get to the end before you tell me it's a terrible idea?"
"All right," Renner said carefully as he set his book aside and turned to face her. Whatever it was, it sounded like it was something that required his full attention.
She took a deep breath and tried to put her thoughts in order. She'd spent a lot of time thinking this over, but was still vaguely worried that Renner was going to toss her out of his rooms in shock before she managed to finish. "I think you should marry me anyways. And then we can sleep in the same room and spend time together whenever we want without the Hall gossiping or my father trying to kill you. And we live near a Weyr, so it's not like we can't both find other people to spend time with if we need something... more physical." It all came out in a rush and she took another breath and gave him a pleading look. "Please just think about it?"
It did sound like such a nice solution. Renner liked having her close. He liked having someone he trusted with him, someone who could take the loneliness out of the nights for a while. And she was one of the few people he had ever felt this close to. The thought of having her to fall asleep with every night, snuggled up all cozy the way they did, and knowing he could feel that safe and loved every night... shards, it was tempting. "But what if you fell in love, Zanie. You might someday. And then I would just be the way."
"I love _you_, Renner." She reached out to take his hands in hers. "You understand me. You _know_ me. And I don't see why I need to be miserable because you're convinced I'm going to find someone later. What if I _never_ found anyone and missed the chance to be happy with you?"
"But you'll always _have_ me, Zanie," Renner said as he squeezed her hands gently. "What if you wanted to have a family? A _real_ family?"
She stared at Renner. "You're doing it again. If you want to say no, just _say_ it, Renner. I can handle it."
"I don't know what I want, Zanie," he murmured honestly. "It would be hard to live my life away from you, but I could never forgive myself if my being around you made you miserable. And no matter what you say, in the future, after turns of marriage to a man who can only be a friend, you might find the arrangement stifling and unbearable. And I just couldn't live with that."
Zanie shrugged and sat back from him, letting go of his hands. "I know what I want, Renner. It's up to you, now. I can leave you alone to think about it if you want. And--and I'll still be your friend if you say no."
"I do need to think on it Zanie," Renner finally replied softly. If only to help her understand that he _did_ take her feelings seriously.
"All right." She leaned forward to kiss his cheek softly. "I know it's... not a very normal thing to ask. But it would make me happy."
"I want to make you happy," he assured her, reaching out to pull her close to him. "I just need to think about it."
Last updated on the February 27th 2007