“How does a marriage work?”
Relkir glanced up from the script they were working on, not really sure how Litvir, the young Rethan member of the Twelve Anew, had managed to get in. Sure, they had knocked, and Relkir had said they could come in, but the door hadn’t opened, Litvir had just appeared.
“If I concentrate funny, I can walk through thin but solid objects… Oh. Sorry. Did the mind thing again.”
“You do that a lot…” Relkir tutted as they moved their work to one side, then leaned back, fiddling with the short dagger tied around their neck.
“I am sorry. I do not know how to stop it. I spoke to Kyr Nanik, but her mind stuff does not work the same way mine does…” Litvir frowned. “I am also sorry for not using the door. Was rude of me. I am also triply sorry for perhaps revealing the marriage thing in front of General Ritlir. I often do not know what are inside thoughts and outside thoughts.”
Relkir could tell that Litvir genuinely felt bad. “It is really not a problem, I am not upset and I accept your apologies. Gath went around showing off their proposal dagger to all the Below Twenty Generals all day yesterday anyway. Is something bothering you, Litvir?”
Litvir thought for a moment. “Actually, for once? No. I have some genuine free time. School is finished, homework is finished and my duties guarding the northern border of the universe do not start until 2000 hours. I wanted to request to spend some time with you, but it is 1840 hours and you are still working.”
“You… want to spend time with me of all people?”
“Yes.”
Relkir leaned forward. “Do you not have school friends?”
“Hah!” Litvir laughed, loudly but painfully. “Me? Having friends? Do not be silly. Who would want to be friends with a baby with fangs and wrongly coloured eyes, who does not understand social cues, talks too much and wears the same armour literally every day because I only have seven sets of armour? You can at least look past my unnatural features and my stupid questions. And you are kind enough to act as a parental guardian for me occasionally.”
“Considering who my partner is, it would be hypocritical for me to judge others based on their appearance.”
Litvir falsely laughed again, then sat down. “General Gath is big and strong and represents being big and powerful and good. I am associated with being ugly and stupid and childish. Will take me time that I do not have to be considered good. Same with you. People thought you were a slippery, sneaky snake, like a mischievous, scheming, evil Skyavok, up until other vok saw you being a hero out in the open. But all those years before, you were doing good, just no one saw it. I have the same problem. Other Twelve Anew, vok knew them, somewhat. Did good things to be worthy of divinity. I did not. I did not exist.”
Relkir didn’t respond for a moment. “You… did not come here because you wanted to. You came here because you believe I am the only person who understands you.”
Litvir tutted. “While that is true, I did come here because I wanted to. Because I wanted to learn what a marriage is, and I thought it would be best to ask the person I learned the word from. And I do not know if I can tell the rest of the Twelve Anew or not. If I asked Kyr Elkay, he would ask me why I am asking him and where I learned the word from.”
“That is very considerate of you!” Relkir smiled, trying to make Litvir feel better. “Basically, a marriage is a promise that you will love someone and be with them forever. And a wedding is where you make that promise, in front of your friends and family, then celebrate that promise.”
Litvir paused. “Is that… for anyone?”
“Well, for Rethans like us, a marriage is between two different people who are not related by blood but love each other more than anyone else.”
“Is it the same for every race?”
“No, not really. Male Vrekans can have multiple wives. Athrens have have multiple partners of any gender. I think, for Torr, it has to be one male and one female.”
“Oh…” Litvir frowned again. “That is why Kyr Aesop is always alone… So… for your wedding… what will happen? I thought you already made a promise to General Gath?”
Relkir glanced at Litvir, blinked several times, then decided to just answer Litvir’s questions, rather than press on about things Litvir may have given away without knowing. “I made a proposal. I told Gath that I want to make a promise to them. When we have the wedding, Gath and I will give each other new daggers and make a single, permanent promise to each other.”
“And there will be celebrations?”
“Yes.”
“What sort of celebrations?”
“After the ceremony, where we give each other our forever-promise daggers and make a blood oath, we tell a few stories about each other, jump into a body of water together, then dry off and have a picnic and alcohol and a bit of a party by a river or lake or beach or something. Depends on where we will get married.”
“Will there be… presents? Like… like a birthday party?”
Relkir shrugged. “We will give out little wedding favours to those who attend. And some vok may give us gifts if they want to… I do not know, make up for things they have done in the last. A Rethan wedding is often a place to end rivalries and disputes in a positive manner.”
Litvir’s eyes lit up. Literally. “Can I… can I get you a present?”
“You do not need to bring a present. We do not have any issues between each other.”
Litvir paused, then perked up even more. “You will invite me to your wedding?”
“Well, of course!” Relkir smiled. “I would love for you to come along! In fact… I will speak to Gath, perhaps we might have a special job, just for you.”
“REALLY?” Litvir bounced up and down excitedly. “I would love that! You are so kind to me, Kyr Relkir.”
“Well, try not to get too excited. The wedding requires a lot of planning first…” Relkir tried to calm Litvir down. “There is a lot to work out. We have not even chosen a date yet.”
“Oh…” Thankfully, Litvir did calm down a little bit. “Is there anything I can help with?”
“Not yet. But I appreciate the offer.”
Litvir smiled. “I like that. I thank you for putting up with me.”
“I am not putting up with you. I am simply offering the friendship you deserve, because I have been in your position.”
“Well… I appreciate that anyway!” Litvir smiled some more. “Can I tell people you are getting married? I think…” Litvir abruptly paused. “Oh… There was another reason why I was supposed to come here… I remember now!”
“There… there is?” Relkir suddenly felt nervous.
“Yes. Kyr Elkay wished to meet with you. To talk about something. I do not know what. Something about Thraki? Kyr Elkay would not tell me. And I tried not to accidentally see.”
Relkir hesitated for a moment. “Why would Kyr Elkay send you to make an appointment with me?”
“I do not know. Maybe because you like me?” Litvir clearly lacked answers, but that was to be expected.
“Oh, fair. Well, tell Kyr Elkay that they can arrange a meeting during work hours, as normal, like they did when he was All-Ksa. In the mean time, you said you have work soon? You should go and get something to eat, then take a quick nap.”
“You are right! I shall do those things, Kyr Relkir!” Litvir went back to smiling as they set an alarm on their wristband, then stood up. “Thank you, I wish you a good evening. Please say hello to Kyr Gath for me!”
“Will do, little one. Stay safe.”
“You too!”
Litvir bowed, then made their way to the door, opening it and leaving like a normal Rethan. Relkir smiled to themselves, then decided to leave the rest of their work until tomorrow. After all, there was no reason to work late.