A Custom Worth Importing

I feel I owe the reader some explanation. Treyao Lupera and Mar Darenka are the parents of my character, Rikayo Darenka.

-x-

"You mean you two have never kissed?" Elise asked.

"Well, it's not really a Darynese custom." Treyao was wondering what in the name of twilight and stone he had been thinking. Of course, it made sense to invite Elise to Daryn for this. After all, she had invited him to her for her wedding, even though he had been surrounded by classes at the time, and was unable to even leave the planet. And, of course, she would want to spend time with him, despite how busy he was -- she was his guest, and there apparently wasn't anyone else she had really stayed in touch with.

He had been worried that Elise and Mar wouldn't get along -- they both had incredibly strong personalities. Perhaps he should have been more worried about if they did get along.

"You should try it," Elise grinned at them both from beneath the large hat she had adopted when they came outside. "It's fun."

"Now I'm curious," Mar spoke up from the rock she had been sitting on. "I might have to consider this a lesson in culture. Important for a diplomat."

"We can try it later," he said, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

"Now's a good a time as any," Mar stood up, stretching. Treyao wondered if he was being set up, or if this was some sort of one-upmanship between the two women. Maybe he was wrong about them getting along, despite the fact the two of them had spent the last couple of days in constant conversation -- for that matter, they had come in off the transport from Yizalryn already having met. She walked over to him, coming very close, before bursting out laughing.

"That's not very encouraging," he said.

"Just... the look on your face. You look like you're about to face some horrible suicide mission, rather than do something loving with your fiancee." She said 'fiancee' in English. "If you like, we can have Elise turn her back."

"Don't worry!" Elise called, from her spot. "I'm finding some very interesting geology to look at over here. I'll leave you two alone for a bit while I go check it out."

"Fine. If you insist. If both of you insist." He put his arms around her waist, holding her so close to him that he could practically feel her heart against his, and his nose was filled with the scent of her, and kissed her.

He drew back after... well, at least five moments, if not ten. "Happy?" he said softly.

She gave him a smile, her eyes half-shut. "Very, darling. This is clearly a custom we need to import."

((Elise wishes to tell me she so set this up, once she was sure the two of them were... well, strongly fond of one another is probably the best she could get until seeing them both in person. ))