[ P ] Miss Independent

When You Feel My Heat, Look into My Eyes. It’s Where My Demons Hide

It had been a few days since his father had announced that he was to be wed. Just a few short days of his own privacy and solitude before his father had shown up at the Barracks. When the soldier came to tell him he had a visitor he’d audibly sighed. He didn’t want to deal with his father now, while he was still coming to terms that he was about to have a wife. Someone who he’d have to take care of, to be responsible for. And would likely one day leave a widow. That was a lot to get through his head in a few days.

But he’d dismissed his messenger and had slowly made his way to the entrance where his father had awaited him. Telling him that they were leaving in the next hour to travel to Edinburgh to meet with his bride to be, and her father. For their formal introduction and to likely set a date for this forced wedding. Aloy had tried to get out of it. Coming up with any excuse he could to avoid this. Delay it. But in the end he’d given in and made the trip beside his parents.

Now he sat in a Cabin on the right of his father. His Mother obediently to his fathers left. They looked like a picture perfect family, even though they were anything but that. He’d been silent the whole time they’d waited but his patience was wearing thin and his hope growing that nessa had managed to convince her father not to agree to this. That any minute they’d enter and tell his father the deal was off and to leave. But he also understood the likelihood of that was low.

”Father, I think we’ve waited long enough, maybe we should just lea-“ he had been saying when he heard the unmistakable sound of paw and nails against wood floors coming towards them. His mouth snapped shut as he realized all too quickly that it was too late to leave now. This was about to really happen and there was nothing he could do about it.


Speech
@Nox

code by claerie

You don't own me

Nox's anger simmered, an intense fire that seemed to burn through her like a spark on a dry summer day. It was so consuming that it left her feeling lightheaded. Her father was wise to let her exaust herself before dragging her along. He had taken her aside before, speaking to her in that infuriatingly calm and patronizing tone of his. He told her that there was no point in fighting it... That she should be grateful he was giving her a chance to redeem herself through marriage. The entire time he spoke, she couldn't help but imagine how much more grateful she would be if he were to choke on his own tongue and die.
Her one friend and supporter was now being used as a weapon against her. A tool for her father to use to gain her cooperation. Shamefully, she had considered risking it, shedding the liability, leaving him behind like she should've to begin with. But that idea was overtaken by guilt. Lupa had been her protector and friend since she left home, and she had a duty to protect him until he found a way to escape on his own. And she had no doubt that he would.
Besides, Lupa's life only held so much stake. She knew it and her father knew it. Maybe that was why he hadn't done anything yet. He knew she would abandon him if pressed. After all, look at what she'd done to her own sister.
As she walked, she couldn't help but drag her paws a little. Her paws glided reluctantly across the hardwood floors, stopping short behind her father. His dark shoulders hid her from view. But he took her small act of defiance, and used it to his benefit, nudging her forward and presenting her like a show horse. On the outside, she presented herself as the perfect bride-to-be, a testament to her family's lineage, with her sleek ebony fur and sharp, intelligent eyes. “My apologies for the wait Mr. and Mrs. Fallon. My daughter is ever the perfectionist, especially regarding her appearance.” Her father, ever the merchant, introduced her like he was trying to sell a broken ware. "Not an awful trait for a wife, don't you agree? As long as it's managed..." He gave them a signature smile. Initially, she made little effort to hide her discontent, her gaze settling squarely on her suitor. She examined him critically, taking in every detail. He looked about as pleased to be there as she did. At the very least, he wasn't unsightly, not that it changed her opinion of him much.
Nox could kill him.
Her father first and then her husband-to-be, or maybe reversed. He and then her father. She could lure her suitor to bed, show him the time of his life, and then...
A subtle nudge from her father brought her back from her thoughts. A smile jumped to her face, so polished and practiced that it might have appeared genuine to anyone who didn't know better. She nodded politely, a bitter taste coating her tongue. “Yes, please forgive my negligence. It won’t happen again." Standing there, she saw no way out of it now. She had to play along and bide her time. They wouldn't wed right away. There was still a window to devise a plan.

Don't tie me down cause I'd never stay

table by scarlet

When You Feel My Heat, Look into My Eyes. It’s Where My Demons Hide

Aloysius sat silently, dutifully beside his father. He knew better than to talk now. Like a scolded child. She would wait till he was expected to speak. He’d play his role as the dutiful son and soldier. The perfect husband for the perfect daughter. It wasn’t like he had much of a choice.

”That is Quite Alright Mr.Nightingale. My wife here was saying you have a lovely home. Aloïs felt sick to his stomach. His mother hadn’t said anything of the sort. In fact she was just as silent and empty as he felt. The ever dutiful wife. Pretty, complacent and Quiet. Aloïs hated that. And he fought every instinct to snicker at his father.
”indeed. It would seem she has that in common with my own Wife. Simply wonderful to hear. Isn’t that right Aloysius?” his father turned his eyes to him. Finally deeming him worthy of speaking. And suddenly Aloïs felt anxious. He didn’t care for that ideology towards women. That they were meant to be pristine and perfect.

Aloysius cleared his throat before he finally looked at Nessa. ”I don’t find that the most important trait if I’m being truthful. Willingness to be my wife is my primary focus” he spoke the only disobedience he could think of. To undermine both fathers' present.

Aloysius met her orange gaze with his own eyes of green and purple. He offered her a smile of sorrow. ”there is nothing to forgive nor is there any negligence that I’ve seen, Nessa” he shrugged. Hopeful that she’d understand that he didn’t want to be here or for her to bow to him.


Speech
@Nox

code by claerie

You don't own me

Nox's stomach churned as she endured the nauseating formalities and pleasantries exchanged between her father and her prospective father-in-law. All of it was fake and sugar-coated, and it wasn't even good, like watching two novice actors play lead roles. She spaced off, her gaze momentarily fixed on the quiet, poised woman who must have been her suitor's mother. A woman sculpted into the image of what noble society expected of her—beautiful, fragile, and subservient. Poised like a bouquet of flowers on a windowsill, torn clean of the earth and set somewhere to wilt. She was exactly the kind of woman Nox loathed. Disgusting. It wasn't fair, not to the woman and not to herself. The very idea of being molded into someone she wasn't made her rebellious fire burn even brighter.
As the conversation continued to drone on, Nox felt herself slipping away further away. Her body was present but she was somewhere else watching it all happen. For a moment she almost convinced herself that this was just a terrible dream. But then, her suitor spoke up. His words, I don’t find that the most important trait if I’m being truthful, drew her attention like a jolt of electricity. They pulled her back into her body and she blinked, as if awakening from a deep slumber.
Willingness to be my wife is my primary focus. Nox couldn't help but let out a quiet scoff, not out of skepticism but rather amusement. She wanted to tell him he was a fool. What woman aspired to be little more than a broodmare for the better part of her life? However, the fact that he didn't seem to harbor such expectations did bring a small measure of relief. The faintest smile tugged at her lips as her father gave a dry and awkward clearing of his throat.
Her father, likely sensing an opportunity to exploit a few more assets out of their pairing, politely beckoned into the study. Well then… Mr. Fallon I was hoping to work out some details. Perhaps we could discuss things in here and allow the youth to get acquainted.' Nox suppressed an eye-roll. He would bleed every last drop out of her if he could, every bit of material worth he thought she held. The negotiation was far from over, and the forthcoming discussions would determine the extent of her future sacrifices. Her focus once again landed on her supposed fiance with a shred of new interest. What was his name again? Should she even bother to learn it or just skip ahead to calling him darling and honey? No, why bother. This wasn't going to last and he was the last shred of civil hope she had to get out of it without committing a crime.

Don't tie me down cause I'd never stay

table by scarlet

When You Feel My Heat, Look into My Eyes. It’s Where My Demons Hide

Aloysius could already tell what kind of man his Father-in-law to be was. He saw his daughter and likely any woman as property, like a dollar sign was floating above their heads, much like his own father. It made him bristle inside, but his exterior stayed the same, like stone. Masking just what he thought of both fathers in this room. He glanced at his mother again, his heart ached. He hated how obedient she was,a puppet. No one should be forced to live that way. He’d never force someone to live the way his mother lived. He was wrapped in his own head that he didnt hear his fathers response. He only began to look up when nails scrapped against floor and he looked up to see the form of his father following nessa’s father, and his mother ever the graceful shadow. She still had yet to say a single word during this meeting, and he felt a lump in his throat. Suddenly being along with his future wife, it made him freeze. As the door shut behind them he took a deep breath.

“Firstly, let me Apologize for this mess we find ourselves in, this was not my idea nor at my discretion” His words were soft spoken. And all true, He still hated that this was where his life was now. He wanted to become a Colonel first. Not have a wedding to worry about or a wife to take care of. He wasn’t ready for all of that responsibility. He lifted his eyes to look at her, she truly was beautiful. Her fur was the darkest of night, blessed by the evening skies. And her eyes, were blazing orbs that stood out against her dark fur, they burned like the sun. She was ethereal sitting there across from him. Truely the most beautiful woman hed ever laid eyes on. But what caught his eye was her scars, they stood out on her body. Where men like her father would see damaged beauty, all he saw was a warrior, a survivor. It made her all the more curious to him.

“My name is Aloysius, Lieutenant Major Aloysius Fallon, but you can Call me Alois” He stood up and bowed to her. He raised himself from his bow and went back to sitting, allowing her space and a chance to speak if she so wanted to.


Speech
@Nox

code by claerie