[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/N1mHHrw.png[/img]	[img]https://i.imgur.com/2nEAwNp.png[/img]
[h2][color=ff3300]Alexei Ilyin-Melikov[/color] & [color=goldenrod]Yulia Zykova[/color][/h2]
[hr]𝓝𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻 𝟕𝓽𝓱, 𝟏𝟑𝟐𝟕   / /   𝓐𝓾𝓼𝓯𝓮𝓵𝓭   / /   𝓒𝓪𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓭𝓪𝓷'𝓼 𝓔𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓮[hr][/center]

Politics was... tiring.

It had already proven to be a long day for the Margrave. In fact, it had felt like years since he had left the NBR. Every day since the beginning of this 'bond' business had been exhausting, for the uncertainty of it all if nothing else. The Alondeists had of course been trying to twist the situation to their own beliefs, but they were not the only ones in the world with prophecies, predictions, and interpretations. Still, toeing the line with them had been a reality for the NBR since joining with Grenheim, and it was nothing that he ultimately wasn't used to.

Of far more pressing concern however was Boris. He had just been accepted into the Royal Dragoons as a private- like his brothers before him- before the Emperor's order arrived. Alexei had not even been able to oversee the boy's first border patrol, and while he trusted Sergei to take care of himself there was no telling what might happen. Thankfully Nikolay was still years away from his service, but...

"[color=ff3300]Do you think he's all right? Even with Sergei there he's always had a temper, once his blood's up he might do something stupid.[/color]"

It was the first Alexei had spoken in awhile, having spent a considerable amount of time adjusting his appearence since Yulia had announced she was ready to attend the dinner. If it were up to him, he [i]wouldn't[/i] be fussing about such things, but he had a duty to be presentable as Margrave. He had heard nothing about the others involved in this bond business, and while the rest may be commoners, they might also all be nobles from the south- and southerner's seemed to [i]love[/i] their appearances. With a sigh, he removed a 4th coat from the provided wardrobe and began trying it on- black trimmed with red.

Watching Alexei discard the coat, Yulia sighed. There was no need to remind him how little either of them could do from here - and she'd be lying if she were to say she didn't share his worries. Of course she didn't envy his position, knowing as well as anyone just how protective the Margrave was of his family; even she was anxious about having to leave them all behind at the Emperor's behest. Voicing those thoughts, however, would be of no help to either of them. 

[color=goldenrod]"Your men can be trusted, Alexei,"[/color] she smiled reassuringly, [color=goldenrod]"and I doubt their discipline would slip so badly. You know as well as I do that they won't let Boris do anything too regrettable even if he does try."[/color] Glancing down at her own finery, Yulia appeared far more content than her master about the approaching dinner - though even she had to admit it was all a little pompous. Her expression was faintly regretful as she continued.

[color=goldenrod]"You're protective, that's all. I think we'd both rather be there for his safety than entertaining a gaggle of conceited southerners in the name of the church of Adondeus."[/color] May as well make the most of the opportunity to speak her mind in private, rather than harbouring any resentment that might show when they finally met their peers. 

"[color=ff3300]Mm.[/color]"

There wasn't much need of any other reply, he'd gotten the reassurance he'd been looking for from her. Instead he focused his attention once more on his attire, adjusting the cuffs on his wrist while looking over himself in the mirror. It was a far fancier sort of outfit than he would wear at his own estate- unless he was entertaining an important guest- but he supposed it was appropriate for an introduction to his new 'peers'. Afterwards he would need to find something less pompous to wear in public for the duration of his stay. Perhaps some sort of military uniform...

"[color=ff3300]I'm not convinced the Church is wrong about the importance of these new bonds- even if they are misguided in their interpretation. If we're somehow to stop some sort of disaster it's best that we're protecting them by being here.[/color]"

With a nod that was directed at both Yulia and his own reflection, he finished ajusting the new coat, satisfied. Finally- after a moment of uncertainty- he grabbed his sword as well. The politeness of walking around armed varied in the south, but in the NBR it was expected of every officer in the military to carry his sword- whether meant for combat or dress- to official functions. The Margrave was no exception. If these southerners were offended then so be it, he couldn't imagine the faux pas actually damaging his reputation any.

"[color=ff3300]I'll still be happy enough when this trip is over with- though I must say escaping the winter for once will be a nice change. We're fortunate that we're not stuck down here in the summer.[/color]" 

[color=goldenrod]"I imagine this should all be far behind us by then, important or otherwise."[/color] Yulia chuckled lightly, stepping back to allow Alexei to lead the way. It wouldn't really do for her to be going on ahead, after all. Still, thinking ahead to the dinner, she gave him a look of concern.

[color=goldenrod]"Might I suggest we keep to the traditional introductions once we arrive? I've heard the southerners are fond of their titles, but it might be pertinent not to advertise your importance too soon."[/color] There were a lot of unknown factors here, and while Yulia - barbed remarks aside - was far more eager to make their acquaintance than Alexei... she also knew the potential danger that the unfamiliar could pose.

[color=goldenrod]"Anyone of proper status should know you well enough regardless,"[/color] she glanced at him, [color=goldenrod]"and it's easier for me to greet those who aren't if they don't feel worried about nobility."[/color]

"[color=ff3300]I had no intention of straying that far from tradition, Yulia.[/color]"

His tone was slightly reproachful- it was not her place to suggest how he act as the office of Margrave, and it wouldn't do to let her tone relax too much so far away away from the north. At his own estate, away from outsiders, familiarity with the servants was fine to an extent. However, from what he'd seen their temporary home had a good many eyes and ears and he would [i]not[/i] be tolerating any unseemly rumors or gossip. 

Not that it made her [i]wrong[/i] of course. Already he wore the signent ring (The Ilyin eagle and Melikov dragon, joining claws and spreading their wings) that identified exactly who he was, a ring familiar to any of the upper nobility in Grenheim. Such rings were common amongst all nobles of the NBR, who as a rule detested long winded introductions and social grandstanding. The ring introduced the wearer. Anybody important enough to recognize it already knew to pay the proper respects to its owner- and anybody else could quickly be identified and avoided. 

Finally, with one last look in the mirror Alexei made his way past Yulia and closed the door to his room behind him. With any luck this dinner would be over quickly and he would soon be able to return and rest, alone with his thoughts. 

"[color=ff3300]Well, let's go get this over with then, I can't say I'm not curious to see who we're going to be stuck with here.[/color]"

[color=goldenrod]"Of course. I apologise."[/color] Yulia replied, her expression becoming noticeably subdued as she nodded. He was right, after all; it wouldn't do to forget her place in such an environment, and the reminder would do her good. Especially with the introductions that were doubtless to come. To say she owed him at least that much would have been an understatement of absurd proportions.

So she'd waited in silence as he finished preparing, her smile deliberately distant. At the very least, they weren't deviating from tradition; that was all that she ultimately needed to know. [color=goldenrod]"We can only hope they'll be good company, then."[/color] She glanced down the corridor as they exited the room, waiting for him to lead the way. [color=goldenrod]"After you, Margrave."[/color]

[hr]

The dinner gathering was... interesting, if nothing else. There were at least two faces Alexei recognized from those present: The general Carridan, and the Marquis d'Agneaux. The latter of which was a particular surprise, given what he could tell of the social standing of most of the rest of the bonded. They were, of course, acquainted in light of their roles within the Empire, but he couldn't say they knew each other very well at all. She would at least be company he could share without lowering lowering himself to the level of the commoners.

A fact he was grateful for.

Still, as introductions began he kept an ear open but chose to eye the food on the table rather than the faces of the other guests. While not unexpected in such a multiethnic empire: The selection was surprisingly diverse if not of the grandest quality available. In particular he, of course, noted dished from the NBR. Particularly [i]Dressed Herring[/i] and [i]Shaurma[/i], two noted favorites of the Margrave. Though normally in his own realm he would not hesitate to begin eating, for now he was in the south and would pay respect to their stiff ideas of courtesy.

Speaking of which, it was as the young man- Arden as he called himself- finished speaking that a small silence fell over the table. So far, they had seemed to be moving down in a fairly orderly fashion for introductions. That meant that Alexei and Yulia were next, and it was time to make a decision just how much of the southern idea of courtesy he was willing to give in to. The ring on his leftmost little finger gave all the introduction that was ever needed in the north. Still...

For a moment he locked eyes with his bonded across the table, as if coming to a silent decision with her, before nodding. Not bothering to stand- he called out simply, but firmly:

"[color=ff3300]Alexei.[/color]"

[color=goldenrod]"Yulia."[/color]

She spoke more gently than the Margrave, but her voice was still heard easily enough. However, out of the two she appeared by far the friendlier, her soft smile appearing genuine if somewhat reserved. Happy enough with her introduction, she served herself a reasonable portion - large enough to appear appreciative, small enough not to appear greedy. Not that she'd start until it seemed polite, of course. As for their company...

Personally, she cared little for their backgrounds or social importance, and it would make little difference to her own judgements on their character. That being said, it was a relief that at least there was [i]someone[/i] here Alexei might bother to entertain - the man's fixation with duty would be the death of him. Not that it was her place to speak on such matters, of course.

So Yulia remained silent and smiling politely, waiting for the introductions to continue.