Ulyssus smiled. "He seems formitable enough." He said lightly. "To be a guard, even. You don't look like a servant to me." He twisted his mouth. "Tekan can easily train you, can't you boy?"
Tekan beemed. "Yes sir!"
He glanced to Marei, wondering why she seemed to be sneaking wine.

***

Venus frowned and nodded. "Of course. I don't blame you." She sighed and leaned into him. "I'm sorry Hixon, but you will have others."

Marei put the glass down again, resolved to be finished. She had the leaf Clio had given her too, she had to remind herself. She went back to picking at her food, nervously just wanting this night to be over with.
Lucan managed a small smile and a bow to the man, but he stayed silent, too nervous about being here to open his mouth.

***

Hixon glanced at her. "With... a woman of my own choosing?" he asked quietly, dreading that she would say they'd have to be with Marei...

Ulyssus chuckled. "Now Tekan, find our newest member some appropriate clothes and show him to one of the guest bedrooms."
"Yes father." Tekan said, waving Lucan to follow him.

Ulyssus smiled and looked back to Marei. "Care to dance, my wife?" He asked softly.

***

Venus nodded slowly. "Of course. You may live your life apart as you please."

Marei glanced up and smiled a bit, nodding. "Yes," she said quietly. "I'd love to."

Lucan followed him away, managing a small smile. "Thank you," he said again, barely above a whisper.

***

Hixon nodded slowly, giving her hand a squeeze as he opened the door to his house for her, letting her walk in first. He walked over to the table and lit the small oil lamp, giving the dark house light. "With... anyone I please?" he asked quietly, slowly turning to her.

Ulyssus smiled and took her to the ball room floor, where they danced slow, fun, fast, and calm. He was having a blast.

***

Tekan smiled and squeezed his hand. "You won't ever have to go back there." He whispered. He pulled him aside and gave him a wild kiss.

***

Venus looked to Hixon. "Yes." She whispered softly.

Marei danced with him, letting herself get lost in the music. She wasn't having as much fun as he was, exactly, but it was a pleasant way to pass the time.

***

Lucan kissed him back, leaning against the cool stone wall at his back. When it broke, he slowly took his hand again. "I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you," he whispered.

***

Hixon nodded slowly, licking his lips but not taking his eyes off her. "Even if... this woman isn't exactly... of the norm?" he asked quietly. "Even if she's not... of this earth?"

Ulyssus pulled her aside to drink some water before smiling. "Do you want t go upstairs?" He whispered softly.

***

Tekan smiled and shook his head. "You don't have to do anything. You're here."

***

Venus smiled wide and nodded. "Anyone."

Marei swallowed, but she managed a small smile. "Do you?" she asked quietly.

***

Lucan smiled a bit and nodded. "So... this guest room?" he asked quietly.

***

Hixon smiled and slowly gestured her over. "Now... you promise I won't be smite for this or anything... right?" he asked quietly.

Ulyssus nodded slowly and smiled softly. "I think....it's time." He whispered softly. He pulled her playfully into him and upstairs.

***

Tekan smiled and showed him the guest bedroom. "My room is just down the hall." He gestured. "The golden door." He smiled. He he closed the door and locked it slowly.

***

Venus shook her head. "Not at all." She whispered softly. She took some steps closer.

Marei nodded slowly, following him along. Although it wasn't like she had much choice with the way he was pulling her. He was obviously eager. "Just let me... get ready, really quick," she said quietly once they reached their room. "I'll be right back. Promise." She slipped free of his hold and into the bathroom, quickly finding the leaf in her dress and starting to chew on it.
She slowly took off her jewelry, setting it down a little less carelessly than usual to make it sound like that was her main concern. She pulled the pins out of her hair as well, trying to untangle the ringlets.

***

Lucan smiled a bit. "Good to know," he said quietly. He licked his lips though, setting down his bag. "Tekan... you actually... like me, right?"

***

"And Mars isn't going to come looking for my head?" Hixon pressed, although he was mostly joking at this point, or doing his best to. It was a small worry at this point... He moved over to her though, slowly putting his hand on her shoulders.

Ulyssus fumbled with his collar and sat down, his palms sweaty. He blushed all ready and swallowed. He wondered...if she would be all right with taking things slow.
Really slowly.

***

Tekan smiled and nodded. "Of course Lucan. I told you. I felt a connection." He moved closer. "I'm a prince, but...we can still be together."

***

Venus shook her head. "Mars is far away." She assured him. She leaned in a little.

Marei slowly spit out the leaf and hid it in the trash. She took a deep breath and slowly walked back into the main room. Her hair was still curled, but free, it framed her face gently. She'd taken off her shoes as well, simply in the white wedding dress.
"Hey..." she whispered.

***

Lucan managed a small smile. "In secret?" he asked quietly, reaching out and taking his hand.

***

Hixon smiled a bit. "Alright," he said quietly. "Then I think... that'll make up for a few things." He leaned down and kissed her softly, bringing one hand up to her cheek gently.

Ulyssus smiled a little. "Hey you." He whispered softly. He summoned her over and pulled her down to sit on the bed. "Marei." He murmured. "I haven't...been with a woman in over ten years."

***

Tekan smiled and nodded, kissing him softly. "I...can't see any other way." He murmured. "Short of getting stoned."

***

Venus purred softly, the kiss sparking up on both their lips. She kissed him again, with equal gentle-ness.

Marei nodded, looking down a bit. "Well I haven't... ever done... anything so... you still... have the upper hand," she whispered.

***

Lucan nodded a bit, slowly putting a hand on his shoulder. "Tekan can we... just not do anything tonight?" he asked quietly. "Please?"

***

Hixon smiled a bit, letting his other hand run down her arm. "Do you... want to come to bed with me?" he whispered, his lips barely off hers.

Ulyssus nodded slowly, and he kissed her softly. "We'll take things slow." He murmured. "I promise."
He was gentle, when he first started, barely flying his fingers over her skin. He was nervous...

***

Tekan pulled back and nodded. "Yeah." He whispered softly. "I'm sorry if I seem too strong....I just really like you."

***

Venus smiled. "If you so offer it." She murmured softly, taking his hand.