Gahne laughed, wiping at her eyes, “He is.”
Nie snorted – but when the benign statement appeared to help his sister’s distress, he couldn’t complain.
“Yes, well,” Shasol sighed, “Abby and Nie should head back inside, at least – before anyone comes searching.”
“Yes,” Gahne sighed, “I just need another moment to collect myself, really, and Fahn and Grandfather are more than enough company for that.”
“Are you sure?” Nie asked, reluctant despite knowing that Shasol was right that he and Abuin would most likely draw attention for their absence.
“I’m sure,” Gahne offered him a smile, “It was always impossible; it was just such a shock to discover why – I’ll really be alright.”
Nie sighed, then nodded, “We’ll see you inside then.”
“I’ll stay here since I am better acquainted with the layout of the greenhouse,” Shasol said.
Bahr huffed, “This is too much excitement for a flower viewing – especially at my age.”
“And without the excitement, you would complain about it being boring,” Gahne snorted, “Or walking too much…”
As his family fell to usual good-natured bickering, Nie took Abuin’s arm once more as they returned inside.
As Nie understood it, countries outside Rabahn also practiced flower arrangement – especially those across the sea like Katai or the larger neighboring country of Houfu – but they did not place the same emphasis on the smell of the arrangement as Rabahni did. While the sylvan country of Nadeen also lay on the Mounaan continent, neither humans nor sylvans had the same sense of smell as savbahn.
He was sure the arrangements of those other countries smelled pleasant; of course, it was simply that the primary focus of their arrangements tended toward visual aesthetic appeal or flower meanings of the country or origin. Nie had been party to many conversations between Tohna and Gahne on the subject, as Tohna was another practitioner – Katain arrangements were smaller and focused on natural forms, utilizing fewer flowers alongside other natural elements such as thin branches.
Rabahni arrangements tended to use many flowers, usually planted in various styles of pots, to maintain the freshest scent. Any woods included tended to be aromatic as well, and small trees were a common feature. This could lead to less dynamic arrangements by comparison but allowed for more complex scents.
Each display for the showing was set in its own small room to allow guests to enjoy the scents individually. The floral air was very appealing, but Nie felt a bit badly that he couldn’t fully appreciate the works.
“Do you enjoy flower showings?” he ventured to ask his betrothed.
Abuin had been taking the lead when it came to moving between the displays – from his close angle, Nie could just make out the black wax plugs in his nose. Despite this, he was still moving close enough to each display to get a good smell, tail wagging languidly for the ones he liked.
“Mn,” he nodded, then added, “If they’re good.”
“That’s a bit rude to say aloud,” Nie remarked, though mainly due to Shasol’s absence.
“Mn,” Abuin replied.
Nie considered the response, then ventured, “Of course, you wouldn’t say that to someone just learning the craft…?”
His betrothed nodded, though his attention was on the current arrangement.
Nie snorted, looking around at the other guests – as he did understand in his own way. After all, listening to a newly learning musician was not always a pleasant experience.
He could see how the other nobles – mostly upper court – were carefully watching them from the corners of their eyes. A small glance here, a strategic standing position there, a raised fan to hide words whispered to a fellow – the usual methods of courtly curiosity.
I suppose asking if Abuin is romantically attracted to me will have to wait, Nie thought wryly. Asking such a question in public would interfere with the narrative of their love at first sight – especially if his honest betrothed only felt a physical attraction and said as much.
“Nie!” Derha called out as they and Asahl approached, “Good afternoon!”
“Good afternoon… Derha,” Nie experimented, their name feeling odd coming out of his mouth in public rather than private.
Derha blinked in surprise, then nodded with a titter, “Oh, yes, of course, you’ll outrank me soon enough – and we are already friends.”
Asahl chuckled, “Indeed. Are you both enjoying the showing?”
“There are many very lovely arrangements,” Nie said evenly.
“Oh, they’re just inspiring,” Derha sighed contentedly, “Such lovely combinations of smells…”
“It’s a shame you can’t appreciate them to the same depth,” Asahl said, “Human sensibilities and all.”
“Indeed, especially with a sister that participates in the art,” Nie agreed. It was a careful show from both of them – Asahl giving Nie an opportunity to explain why he was not taking in the arrangements the same way as other guests, and Nie showing his respect despite that.
“Oh, is Gahne here?” Derha asked, tail wagging, “I’d love to hear her opinions on the pieces. She has a very discerning nose for her age.”
“She is,” Nie said, looking around, “She needed to take a moment, but… ah, there.”
Nie held up a hand as he spied the rest of their party, and Shasol spotted the gesture and led the way over.
“Your grace, how lovely to see you,” Gahne said, offering Derha and Asahl a curtsy.
Fahn did as well, adding, “Good afternoon, your grace.”
“And you as well, ladies – Baron Wahnera,” Derha said, bobbing their head to each of them, “I had, ehe, wondered where you were, Shasol.”
“I’m sure,” the Greater Marquis snorted good-naturedly, “Have a favorite yet?”
“We haven’t seen them all to decide,” Asahl replied, “Why did you need a reprieve, dear?”
“Oh, well,” Gahne sighed a bit heavier than necessary, “Meeting his highness was just so overwhelming – he even touched Fahn and I’s hands, your grace! He is quite genial, isn’t he?”
It was the best kind of lie – one that came very close to truth and allowed Gahne to flatter their host.
“Yes, very much,” Asahl nodded. She turned a little to address Bahr with, “I don’t believe I’ve seen you at many court functions, Baron Wahnera.”
Bahr snorted, leaning on his cane, “Well, my leg isn’t what it once was, you know – but how could I possibly refuse an invitation to a royal-hosted event?”
It was all a very polite facade and the part of court Nie least enjoyed.
“Did I hear correctly?” someone said loudly.
Their party turned as another noble approached, taking a drink of wine from the refreshment glasses provided before adding, “Baron Bahr Wahnera, gracing the court with his presence again?”
Bahr snorted, “I’m not so old that you need to shout, your grace.”
“Your grace,” they huffed, “Please, we’ve traded blows too often for that nonsense!”
Shasol cleared his throat, “Good afternoon, Grand Marquis Ahve.”
Nie snorted, then covered the sound with a cough.
Gahne grinned, tail wagging eagerly.
“Oh?” Ahve grinned lazily, “I see your memory is working just fine, old man – you’ve clearly told your grandchildren stories enough to know my name despite this being our first meeting.”
“Who’re you calling old?” Bahr replied, “You’re my senior, you great windbag.”
“A year hardly makes me a senior,” Ahve returned, “Maybe your memory is going after all.”
“Where’s it going? To the market?” Bahr scoffed.
“Not this again,” a woman sighed, walking up to the pair, “Aren’t the pair of you too old to be instigating fights at a flower showing?”
“Sister, dear, if I ever get too old for that, do me a favor and push me off a cliff,” Ahve replied.
“I’ll oblige if she doesn’t,” Bahr snorted, then said, “Good afternoon, your grace.”
“Good afternoon,” the woman sighed with a roll of her eyes, “Grand Marquess Ehba Mahno, congratulations on your engagement, Grand Duke Nehma and Lord Nie.”
“Mn,” Abuin nodded, appearing curious.
“Thank you, your grace,” Nie said, taking the pair in.
He had indeed heard many stories of Ahve Mahno from his grandfather – as the Grand Marquis had said, the pair often sparred in their youth. They had been part of the same martial club – Ahve the president as the highest ranking member. Ehba was their twin and had three marital braids to signal she was or had been the sitting Grand Marquess with two spouses. Both siblings had straight, dappled gray fur and white hair with ears that folded over the top like Gahne and Bahr’s did.
Taking care of the business and raising his grandchildren had left Bahr little time for court events – or club activities.
“So then,” Ahve said, “Now that your little ones have both reached majority, will we be seeing more of the infamous Brash Bahr?”
“What? You missed me beating you that much?” Bahr replied.
“You? Beating me?” Ahve huffed, “Now I know your memory is failing you.”
Despite the harsh way they spoke to each other, Ahve and Bahr were both betrayed by their wagging tails. Though if either noticed, there was no outward indication.
“Have you an interest in martial clubs, Lady Gahne?” Ehba asked, “I’ve heard you have a… similar temperament to your grandfather, and my sibling’s club could do with some new blood on the floor.”
“We’d happily welcome more Wahneras,” Ahve agreed with a grin, “Though my grandnieces won’t lose so easily.”
Gahne laughed, “I’d be honored to attend your club’s Spring Opening, at the least, your grace.”
The end of spring would see all public clubs having Openings – essentially, parties where the newly debuted adults could petition to join. Many would join meetings as observers through the spring or be invited to the Openings directly by current members, but all were welcome to participate.
“I need to sit,” Bahr sighed, rubbing at his leg, “You young folks go on; me and my failing memory will impose on Ahve and her grace.”
“Your family’s wine is everywhere these past few days,” Ahve said dryly, falling into step next to Bahr and holding up their glass, “That’ll put you to rights.”
Ehba shook her head, nodding to Abuin before walking after them.
“It’s not too late for you to attend a martial club Opening, Nie,” Shasol snorted.
Nie rolled his eyes.
Derha tittered, “Oh, I couldn’t even imagine it.”
“I could,” Asahl chuckled.
“Mn,” Abuin reminded them of his presence, tail wagging a little.
“Sparring is one thing,” Nie sighed, “But being a member of a martial club gives others… expectations.”
Fahn laughed, “You’d certainly be challenged more often, especially as you gained a reputation.”
“If,” Nie replied.
“When,” Gahne and Fahn insisted together.
Shasol seemed annoyed by something, but whatever it was, he said, “So you’ve both seen Nie spar?”
“I’ve sparred with my brother,” Gahne snorted, “I assure you, if he were to join a martial club, he would have a reputation.”
“Which is why I don’t join one,” Nie sighed, “I wouldn’t mind the exercise otherwise.”
Shasol hummed, then asked, “And you knew Abby was asking you to spar with him?”
“What?” Gahne tilted her head.
“I,” Nie paused, considering the conversation, then blinked as he realized, “Suppose I did.”
“Mn,” Abuin affirmed, then grumbling and holding himself still.
“Well,” Shasol sighed, “In any case, we should finish enjoying the arrangements, no?”
“Yes, of course,” Nie said – then sighed and moved the arm of Abuin’s that he’d been holding to his shoulders. It would have even been acceptable for Abuin to hold him around the waist, as Derha often held Asahl, but their height disparity was too great for him to do so.
At least, not without picking up his betrothed – which they had already established would be inappropriate, even if Nie would not have minded. Around the shoulders was the best compromise he could come up with.
Abuin’s tail wagged as he untensed, apparently pleased enough by the arrangement.
While his friends and family were amused, none commented as they made their way through the arrangements. Derha and Gahne did indeed discuss how the scents overlapped and combined in more detail, with Fahn and Asahl joining in. This discussion led Nie, Abuin, and Shasol to drift ahead, taking in the arrangements more casually.
As such, they arrived first at the last, central display – the one crafted by the Prince himself.
Even Nie could take in the scent of the carefully sculpted cinnamon tree, anise flowers planted about the base closest to the trunk, and some type of aromatic fern hanging over the base of it. A simple piece, but Nie thought it was still pleasing to look at and smell, even with his duller sense of it.
Abuin, however, paused as he sniffed it – then said softly, “It smells like Gahne if she wore that perfume from last time more heavily.”
“That was rather the idea.”
Nie flinched in surprise, not having noticed Prince Remuhn standing behind them until the young man had spoken.
The Prince stepped up to stand abreast with them, “Are you all enjoying the showing? I do hope so.”
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