“You’re right, it is.” Alina agreed, growing quiet as she paced. Her hands were clasped behind her back, brow furrowed similarly to the way Miyaki’s did when she was thinking. After a few moments, she ceased her pacing, taking a deep breath. “This changes absolutely nothing, but I am curious. Why does the news not affect you or your decision in wanting her?”
Jin cocked his head slightly. "Because I…Miyaki is part Night Fae. Is that not enough? She belongs among those with abilities similar to her own. In addition…" He drummed his fingers for a moment. "In addition, she is one of the few that I have ever met that I actually havr a chance of finding a Mate in. Believe it or not, there aren't many compatible with the High Lord of the Night Court. And yes, that is, perhaps, selfish of me, but I would like a chance at having a mate."
“Her abilities aren’t like the ones you know, at least, what I saw. They…seem to have disappeared.” Alina said, staying standing instead of returning to her seat. Her minor issue seemed to have been resolved though, as her eyes sparked with interest. “A Mate. You’re sure of the bond? Kenathius, I have been waiting years to hear news of her having a Potential. I am incredibly glad you aren’t dull or inobservant enough to not notice the Bond, though fair warning, getting her to see it may be somewhat of a struggle, as she has never known the feeling before.”
"Disappeared? What were they like?" Jin asked with interest, then nodded. "Yes, I'm sure. I…took the liberty of testing it. Last night." He coughed softly. "She reacted the way I expected." He thought of the way he had nipped at her neck. The reaction had been what he expected it to be.
“Mm, I’m well aware of that. She’s not doing a very good job of hiding those….marks. Just be careful with her.” Alina said, and almost playful undertone to her voice. Something seemed to sober up a bit though, as she thought about a response to his question. “That…is not something I am at liberty to answer. Rather, it is something those of us privy to the experience would rather forget. If you can unblock those memories in her mind, though, ask Miyaki.”
Jin chuckled softly, and nodded. "I'll be careful, don't worry." He replied. He frowned a little at her response, but nodded. "I see. Well, I'm not going to pester her about it, don't worry. I might ask, but I'm not going to ask her more than once." He shrugged slightly, wondering what had happened, but knowing it was best not to pry.
“Sometimes these things take patience and a couple tries, your Majesty. Keep that in mind.” Alina advised, giving him a rare sort of smile, soft and encouraging. “Especially with someone like Miyaki. I hope things work well between you two though. You might be good for her, and Miyaki needs a bit more good in her life.”
Jin raised an eyebrow slightly. "I know that, Alina." He replied calmly. "But yes, we might be good for each other." His gaze was a little distant for a moment, lost in thought, then sharpened again as he focused back on Alina. "Is there anything else you wished to discuss?"
No, I do not think so. Do keep me updated, though, on your progress in either matters. I like to know what happens in my Court.” Alina said, her face returning to the professional, if slightly chilly, look she had had. “Unless you need to discuss anything else, feel free to leave. I do believe Miyaki is in the Northern tower now, up in the workshop.” She commented casually, returning to her seat to read.
Jin inclined his head slightly, standing. "Alright. Thank you." He left the room, heading for the tower. Though he wasn't in a hurry. He just walked, with no real aim or purpose, though always in the general direction of the tower.
Miyaki wasn’t sure when she’d ended up on Orion’s shoulders, but she had to admit, it made reaching the branches of the tree easier. Well, tree wasn’t quite right. The contraption was shaped like a tree, but made entirely out of metal and wire instead of living components. Light bulbs of varying sizes, shapes, and colors were in the process of being attached to the branches, none quite matching but making it look all the more magical and in place in the cluttered laboratory. “Aster! Where’s the purple flower bulb?”
Jin kept moving, humming softly as he walked. He sighed quietly. I do not know…I hope Morrigan is succeeding in the job she was sent on. I would hate to have to return to the Night Court to take care of this.
"Uh…under the designs for the boat-car over on the desk by the window?" Aster called back, a tone of uncertainty to his voice as he did. He wasn't visible, back behind a mountain of books and messy bookshelves full of things.
"You sound so sure of yourself!" Orion teased, spinning quickly despite Miyaki's yelp at the sudden movement. With her still on his shoulders, the large man strode over to the desk in question, rifling around while Miyaki bent over to help, hair falling loose from her bun and into her face.
Jin finally arrived at the tower. He could hear the chatter from inside, and knocked. He knocked loud enough to be heard, then realized…why was he interrupting, exactly? Bored? Is that a good excuse? Fuck, I don't know. He sighed.
"Door's always unlocked!" Miyaki shouted, laughter bubbling up and cutting off her words as Orion spun in circles. She held the light bulb in hand, tucked close to her chest as she laughed, face bright and unguarded. Another moment where she looked happy. So unlike her mother, unlike the daughter of someone so evil and willing to kill for her way.
Jin opened the door slowly, peeking in the room. He had a feeling his presence would probably kill this laughter. He always seemed to have that effect on a room. He closed it behind himself, looking a bit awkward as he looked around the room.
"Jin! How-Orion, I'm getting a bit dizzy-are you?" Miyaki asked, face flushed as Orion came to an eventual stop facing the High Lord. The inventor frowned, eyeing the man in front of him with a scowl that made him look even more scary.
Jin blinked. "Alina said you were here, so I took that as a hint to come? I can leave, if you prefer." He gestured at the door, looking a little out of place. It was painfully obvious that the High Lord of the Night Fae didn't belong here, in the court of the Dawn.
“No, no. You’re fine!” Miyaki assured hurriedly, tapping Orion’s arm twice. He set her down carefully, sticking close until she approached Jin, still smiling. “I was just about to add another light. “C’mere, I’ll show you. What were you and Alina talking about? Anything worrying?”
Jin nodded, walking over to see. "Ah. Oh, nothing important. Just more of the same. She warned me not to hurt you." He chuckled softly. "Also says you're not doing a good job at hiding those marks on your neck." He smirked at her.
“I’m not fragile, you know.” Miyaki said, wrinkling her nose up at him as she stretched, standing on her toes and trying to reach a branch of the tree. At his neck words, she turned a deep red, the flush creeping up from under the collar of the jacket hiding said marks. “She what? I-is it really that obvious? Fucker-“
Jin shrugged. He picked her up so she could reach. "Yes, I guess it is that obvious." He chuckled softly, shrugging a little, then set her down. "Don't worry, though. I don't think anyone else cares."
She let out a soft noise of surprise as he lifted her, still red in the face as she attached the bulb halfway. “I highly doubt that. They’re always looking for a reason to judge me. Despite that, however, she unzipped her jacket, slipping it off and revealing the thin tank top underneath as she tossed it aside. “Can you-lift me again? I need to reroute the wires into the bulb.”
Jin nodded, and picked her up again, holding her up so she could work. "Okay, well… anyone gets pissy about it, send them to me and I'll take care of it." He replied, looking up at her for a moment.
She shook her head, huffing a small laugh at that as she caught the pliers Orion threw her way, setting to work with her brow furrowed. She didn’t seem to notice the hair falling in her face. “If I were to do that, then they’d know we had…and that’s not something you want, believe me.”