Confusing Engagements

Home Sweet Home. Well, hopefully not -too- filled with sweets just yet, or Verna's voluminous robes may soon no longer fit her.

Along that vein, however, one of the numerous adaptations from communal living to a more personal domicile (and KITCHEN!) has been the acquisition of foodstuffs to prepare meals. Verna has attempted to do so greatly as of late, to contribute in some way to the food preparation.

Admittedly, 'as of late' has not been an extensive stretch; a day or two following their informal celebration of homesteading and before any more formal housewarming inviting others. She returns post-temple duties with several satchels of assorted goods and an expression of ... consternation.

In truth, since their house has been completed, Auranar has been a bit of a homebody. Filling their place with the scent of fresh-baked everything she can cook and arranging the bookshelves with books alphabetically by author and in sections determined by their type. Today she has a box of her books half unpacked as she settles them into the bookshelf before her, her concentration such that she almost misses the entry of Verna into the room. Almost. But not quite.

She turns at the sound of footsteps and offers a wide smile to the other woman, though the look on Verna's features does make the smile falter a little. Quickly she puts down the books in her hands and dusts her fingers off on her skirts as she makes her way toward the other woman. "What has you looking so thoughtful dear?"

Verna has been in and out a fair bit; enough so that Auranar's efforts are conspicuous. And, not, not merely because the house smells good enough to eat. Yes, she may need to invest in larger robes...

"You have been quite busy. It looks..." she takes a moment to glance about and verify, "wonderful." Her expression meets Aura's rather in the middle; the other's smile, dimming or not, provokes one of her own. Still, she pauses briefly.

"In fact, our celebration at the tavern. More precisely, my actions there." That noted, she turns from Auranar briefly to set the groceries down upon the nearest horizontal surface with room to spare before turning back to her. There is less smile present, now, and more concerned with creases showing at her brow. "It was brought to my attention that I might have misspoken... or appeared to..."

Auranar's expression shifts to one of confusion, and she blinks at Verna. "Did you?" Her own brow furrows as she remembers the evening in question, trying to think what it was that - she - might have misunderstood. "Perhaps it would be best if you told me what you mean."

Verna perhaps telegraphs her words as she glances briefly downward to Auranar's hand before stepping to her. She removes her glove to bare her own and display her own before reaching that hand for Aura's. "This.." she begins.

"...was intended to protect; a precaution should you fall. As well," she gives the hand a squeeze, "to convey your importance to me. It was the first I crafted, and was a part of me for many years. Likewise, you are the first, and a part of me which I hope shall continue for many years."

The easier facts handled, she continues to hold Auranar's gaze as she clarifies, "After I told her of our delightful evening, your apparent joy at the gift, Aryia brought forth valid concerns that the gesture might have been interpreted ..differently?" Brows arch some as her features add curiosity to concern.

Auranar takes Verna's hand, allowing the other woman to bring the ring to the forefront, and smiles softly. "I did not realize that it was something that you had made so long ago, but I suspected that it held a great deal to you in meaning by the way you presented it to me." She holds onto Verna's hand gently. "Aryia thought that the gesture might have been taken as... more than a gift of great sentimental and purposeful value?"

This question makes Auranar think for a moment and then a slow smile spreads across her features followed by understanding and a brief flare of embarrassment. "Humans... do offer gifts of courtship, culminating in a display intended for engagement." Her hand lifts to touch Verna's cheek. "But I did not expect such from you Verna; I know that if we reach that point, you will be quite clear as to your intentions; as I would be to you."

Whether it is the touch at her cheek, Auranar's explanation, or the words chosen for it, Verna appears to ... melt? Tension drains to negative values with a slow exhale and her face leans more into the hand. "Ah. Of course. Indeed, I will be; it is ever my intent to be succinct and direct to avoid confusion." This is not news.

"However, in some matters, I am ...ill-informed, especially those involving social connotation." This is also not news. "I feared you had made your own conclusion, and I did not want to confuse... neither did I wish to appear uninterested nor against matrimony by means of correcting matters..."

Auranar offers a low chuckle and steps closer to Verna. "I love you just the way you are Verna." She steps a little closer, dark eyes searching Verna's. "Even if I had jumped to the conclusion, we would have come to an understanding. You are worrying too much dear." The embrace that Auranar gives Verna is a soft thing, a gentle press of their bodies together. "Which, by the way is adorable."

A ruddy flush colors Verna's cheeks, even as they swell with a sudden wide, yet soft, smile. She is silent for a long moment or three, more than content with the gentle embrace and the scenery of Auranar's eyes. "If you believe so, then I am even more fortunate, and you can rest assured that you will always find me adorable. I shall ever worry where you are concerned, dearest; if just that I might help grant you all that you deserve."

-End