[Gently, Nahyuta moves to rest a hand on her back in what he hopes is a comforting gesture.]
Then you did the right thing, in telling him to wait. What is most important is that you search within yourself for your own feelings, and give him an answer only when you are ready.
[He thought it was good advice?! When she flinches, he withdraws his hand like he received an electric shock.]
But-- I cannot tell you what to do if you do not yet know your feelings! [He takes a breath and forces himself to give a calmer answer.]
If you decide you reciprocate his feelings and would like to date him, then you can accept his offer. If you do not reciprocate, you can politely decline, and hope he will be happy to continue your friendship.
[ when will nahyuta ever understand her!! why does she have to always say everything she thinks!! ]
Is he a good man? Is it proper to see someone who is not of the same social standing? What does one do on a "date"? How and when will I know how I feel? What do you think of this?
[She could use telepathy again if she really didn't want to say what she's thinking!!]
Oh... I see. [Those are a lot of questions to answer, but he'll try and handle each one of them in turn.]
I do not know him very well as of yet, but from my first impression, I would think he is a good person. [Unlike other people she chooses for company...] And yes, the Queen has the right to court whomever she chooses.
[Dhurke had been a lawyer, after all, and not even someone high ranking within the Khura'inist clergy. It was not an arrangement of politics or religion, but simply love.]
As for what one does on a date, has he suggested anything yet? A meal together one evening, perhaps, or a day spent in one another's company?
Were we in Khura'in, your duties and the weight of your station would undoubtedly make the situation more complex. But here, you are free to do as you will, so long as it does not impinge on your training.
[And in Nahyuta's opinion, this could be good for Rayfa in the meantime, simply getting to have have experiences an ordinary teenage girl should have.]
I think that sounds like an enjoyable day. What do you think?
[ rayfa nods in understanding. there's more she wants to ask, but she'll just save it for when they're in khura'in. at least it sounds like she has big bro's approval?! ]
Yes, I have no doubt that it will be a day well spent.
[ rayfa did make dhurke angry once, and that was actually very terrifying. the glare wasn't present, but his booming voice sure was. and that memory plays again in her head when nahyuta mentions dhurke being angry. ]
[Nahyuta remembers she had mentioned him growing angry once before when they had discussed Inga, and how terrified she had been. For a moment Nahyuta goes quiet, realising too late that perhaps he shouldn't have mentioned any of that.]
I... I'm still certain there was some misunderstanding. He would never meaningfully grow angry with his own daughter.
Re: action.
[ she squeezes the pillow tightly. if it could breathe, it would be choking right now. ]
I do not know what I should feel. I also do not know what response to give, which is why I told him to wait.
action.
Then you did the right thing, in telling him to wait. What is most important is that you search within yourself for your own feelings, and give him an answer only when you are ready.
action.
I— That is not what I wish to hear! You are supposed to tell me what to do!
action.
But-- I cannot tell you what to do if you do not yet know your feelings! [He takes a breath and forces himself to give a calmer answer.]
If you decide you reciprocate his feelings and would like to date him, then you can accept his offer. If you do not reciprocate, you can politely decline, and hope he will be happy to continue your friendship.
[Is that... what she wanted to hear???]
action.
Is he a good man? Is it proper to see someone who is not of the same social standing? What does one do on a "date"? How and when will I know how I feel? What do you think of this?
These are the questions you should be answering!
action.
Oh... I see. [Those are a lot of questions to answer, but he'll try and handle each one of them in turn.]
I do not know him very well as of yet, but from my first impression, I would think he is a good person. [Unlike other people she chooses for company...] And yes, the Queen has the right to court whomever she chooses.
[Dhurke had been a lawyer, after all, and not even someone high ranking within the Khura'inist clergy. It was not an arrangement of politics or religion, but simply love.]
As for what one does on a date, has he suggested anything yet? A meal together one evening, perhaps, or a day spent in one another's company?
action.
[ especially when nahyuta seems so chill about all this?! ]
He has suggested to visit a cafe, and then go to the park.
action.
[And in Nahyuta's opinion, this could be good for Rayfa in the meantime, simply getting to have have experiences an ordinary teenage girl should have.]
I think that sounds like an enjoyable day. What do you think?
action.
Yes, I have no doubt that it will be a day well spent.
action.
Then why not agree to spend the day with him? Perhaps it will give you the time you need to work out your feelings towards him.
action.
Must father be informed of this?
[ she doesn't mind, either way. she just doesn't know the protocol for these kinds of situations. ]
action.
[Though do you really want a Lhurke Stalkmadhi meddling in your love life, Rayfa...]
action.
[ good to know! but ah... She doesn't know about lhurke just yet?! ]
action.
No, but even if there were, Father has not been known for his strict adherence to rules.
action.
What else is he known for?
action.
His Dragon's Glare. One look could render an untruthful witness to a quivering wreck on the stand.
action.
That is not an image I want to see!
action.
[Nahyuta used to love those stories as a kid... he was such a Dhurke fanboy smh]
Perhaps you will even see the glare for yourself here, should Father ever become very angry. [If she hasn't already, anyway.]
action.
I do not wish for him to be angry with me again!
[ again!! ]
action.
I... I'm still certain there was some misunderstanding. He would never meaningfully grow angry with his own daughter.
action.
action.
["Circumstances" being Inga and everything else.]
action.
Then... I will not blame myself.
[ she gets up from her seat, throw pillow in tow. ]
I will leave you be now.
action.
If you wish to tell me, I would be happy to hear how your day with Rion goes.
[He also realises it's none of his business, but maybe Rayfa having someone to talk to again will help!]
action.
I suppose you have the right to know. [ he helped her out, after all! ]