Yes! Yes please! I'd love to.
Are you sure? If you would prefer not to...
No, I mean – yes…wait…no. No, I'd really like to! I'd like that. I want to meet your parents.
They've wanted to meet you for some time now so they've asked me to invite you over.
That's very nice of them.
…Mmm…
What's wrong? Do you not want me to come over?
No, I do. I'd very much like to introduce you…but I…I've – I haven't told them very much about you or our relationship…so I'm afraid they may…
D-do you not think they'll like me?
…
I don't have to come over if you don't want me to.
No, I want you to. You deserve to meet my family, and they deserve to meet you.
Thanks. This means a lot. So, what time should I come tonight?
Before sunrise.
Right. I'll definitely be there. I wouldn't want to miss this for the world. I seriously cannot wait to meet your parents.
...I look forward to seeing you too.
Percy tried to reassure Rhajat that she was possibly overreacting about the arrangement, but came to rationalise that he too would very likely be uneasy if he were introducing her to his parents. He knew intimately well how overbearing and overprotective parents could be (at least from his own experiences) so he could imagine how Rhajat felt, especially since she hadn't been the one to organise the event - rather simply relaying the invitation.
Despite their limited interactions, her parents had always been very welcoming, and Percy was very eager to become better acquainted with them. However, he couldn't dispel the feeling that Rhajat possibly didn't wish the same. Although she had reassured him otherwise, Percy still felt as if she found him quite embarrassing to associate with. Percy knew that in order to present a positive first impression, he would need to behave respectfully.
"…and then we took off into the sky and soared above the forest!" Percy sighed blissfully. "Golly, I tell you: I've been flying with Ace ever since I was young, and I don't even want to begin to count how many times I've been in the air. But every time always feels like the very first time. I never get tired of it!"
Rhajat's father, Hayato – the more vocal of the two adults – smiled with astonishment. "Truly? That's incredible. How high did you reach?"
"We could see the whole kingdom", Percy eagerly turned to Rhajat, "couldn't we?"
For the duration of time he spent in their household, Rhajat had remained all but completely silent, only answering when addressed. For that circumstance, she acknowledged with a weak nod, absentmindedly stirring her soup with a dour demeanour. Percy's smile faltered; he hoped he hadn't embarrassed her.
"You sound like quite the thrill you thought of pursuing this activity professionally?"
Percy shrugged. "Not really. I mean - I'm still not as experienced as I'd like to be, and I bet Ace feels the same. We've talked about entering contest and things like that, but we've always decided not to." He giggled softly. "He says he doesn't want us to sell-out. I agree."
"How very noble." Rhajat's mother's, Nyx, added with a captivated smile. "And this 'Ace' fellow - are they another friend we can expect to meet in the near future?"
The question was addressed to Rhajat. "…Perhaps."
"I was actually thinking of bringing him along tonight" continued Percy, "but Mum and Dad said I probably shouldn't; 'it'd be rude to invite another guest' or something. Besides, he's not allowed inside the house so I don't think he'd be welcome inside here either."
Percy observed as the adults fell silent, exchange a uncertain gaze between them. "Are they a nuisance?"
"Oh, no, it's just he tends to make a mess wherever he goes. He can't help getting a little excited when exploring someplace new."
Nyx raised an eyebrow. "They sound like a rather unstable young man."
Percy laughed softly. "Oh, Ace isn't a man. He's a wyvern."
The two adults fell silent, visibly alarmed to have received that information. Their unblinking gazes unnerved Percy; he hoped he hadn't said anything embarrassing.
"A…?" Hayato hesitated. "Is this the wyvern you were speaking about?"
Percy nodded.
Nyx gazed with bemusement. "Excuse me, but didn't you say that you frequently…'speak' with this 'Ace'?"
Percy confirmed. "Yep, he's my best friend."
"And they…speak to you?"
"Yeah, all the time."
Percy observed as a small but intrigued smile developed on Rhajat's mother's face. "So you can communicate with fauna?"
"What's that?" Percy tilted his head. "Is that what Ace is? Is he a…for-na?"
His ingenuous question brought the adults to laugh softly. After smiling apologetically for him, Nyx turned to her daughter. "Have you interacted with this unusual beast before?"
The question was accompanied by an exhale of bitter exhaustion. "Yes, of course. I was there for when we soared above the kingdom. Were you not listening?"
Deathly silence enveloped the table. Percy did not expect such a callous response, and from Nyx's expression, she didn't either.
After a moment of inactivity, Rhajat lowered her gaze and whispered softly. "…I can confirm the wyvern is capable of understanding human speech."
Hayato dispelled the uncomfortable silence. "That's incredible."
Percy bowed appreciatively. "Yeah, Ace is pretty special."
"I do wonder what potential opportunities could arise for somebody with such an intimate relationship with their creature companion", Nyx mused. "Do you have any careers you wish to pursue in the future?"
Percy shook his head politely. "No, not really. I'm kinda just taking life one day at a time right now, so I don't really have any plans for what I wanna do in the future." He grinned sheepishly. "I know right now I really wanna marry Rhajat, and maybe settle down to raise a family of our own. That's really the only thing I can think of."
Although he hadn't spoken entirely in jest, his statement was still accompanied by a session of soft laughter from the adults. Percy laughed too, relieved that they didn't overreact to his profession of affection.
"That's very sweet of you" confessed Nyx, "and I'm sure you'll make a fine husband and father."
All eyes slowly migrated to Rhajat for her thoughts. She did not answer. Rather, she continued to gaze intently at the table.
"Your ambition may arrive sooner than you expect" continued Nyx with a smile. "If you're as eager to become engaged as you describe, Rhajat's eighteenth birthday is approaching, and…"
The eldest woman's explanation was interrupted by the sound of a metal spoon making contact with a bowl. Inspecting the noise, Percy observed as Rhajat's face as she stared at her mother in disbelief.
"Really? He was exaggerating, if you didn't know. And must you tell everybody about that?"
There was no response from her mother. Instead, Nyx returned the glare.
"Your birthday's coming up?" Percy smiled hopefully. "I…didn't know."
Rhajat stirred uncomfortably. "…It's not important."
"Are you guys doing anything?" Percy addressed the question towards all members of the family, hoping very much to soothe the palpable tension developing. "I mean - I reckon turning eighteen's pretty special."
Hayato acknowledged with a weak smile. "We will. We'll definitely do something to celebrate. Do you intend on celebrating when you turn eighteen?"
Percy hadn't given that prospect much thought and simply shrugged. "Well, I guess. But that's, like, a long time away – like a year and few months."
His casual explanation was met with silence. As he exchanged reluctant gazes between the two parents, he began to suspect he may have said something impolite.
"Forgive me for asking" whispered, "but how old did you say you were?"
"…Sixteen."
After a moment of inactivity, Percy was treated to a reluctant acknowledgement from the older woman. "You're younger. I see now."
Remaining quite, Percy wondered as to why this development was met with such scrutiny. And by Rhajat's unexpected hostile response, she evidently did too.
"Is that an issue?" She glared at her parent accusingly.
Nyx raised a hand apologetically. "No. No, of course not."
"What does it matter how old he is!?"
"It doesn't" protested Nyx firmly, "and I must ask you to refrain from speaking to your to your parents in that tone, in front of a visitor no less."
For the duration of the conversation, Percy remained completely silently; with every mention of his name, the discomfort and remorse he experienced manifested in his cheeks and stomach only intensified.
Rhajat scoffed bitterly. "Now that's ironic! We invite our 'visitor' to join us for tea and you proceed to interrogate him about his age!"
"I didn't…!" Nyx turned to him pleadingly. "I didn't mean…"
The escalating tension between the two women reached its climax when Rhajat abruptly rose to her feet, clenching her fists with resentment. "For the first time in my life, I feel…secure. I feel better about myself – more so then I've ever been before." She pointed accusingly. "I've done exactly what you've always wished of me: I've finally met somebody that I feel safe with and it's still not enough!"
Nyx rose too, extending hand. "Please..."
Rhajat glared intensely. "This was mistake. I knew this would happen."
And with nothing else exchanged, the young woman forcefully removed her chair and disappeared down the hallway, abandoning her parents and one young man who couldn't begin to process what had just happened. There was one thing Percy was certain of however: he had been the cause.
After Hayato solemnly announced he would clear the table, excusing himself from the room. Percy offered to help but his assistance was politely decline. With trembling hands and a restless heartbeat, Percy turned to Rhajat's mother. The welcoming eldest woman was missing – instead, there sat a despondent figure cradling her cheek in her palm, breathing methodically.
With intense remorse, Percy summoned the courage to speak. "…I'm sorry."
"No, don't you dare apologise. This is not your fault. Rhajat – she's right", she whispered sorrowfully, "I shouldn't have probed you about your age. I understand how sensitive you must be, and I'm ever so sorry. How I spoke to was no way to treat a visitor."
Percy inquired sheepishly. "Is there really something wrong with how old I am? 'Cause if there is…"
Nyx immediately protested. "No. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. "It doesn't - it shouldn't matter what age you are. That quality does not reflect one's character and being."
Relieved to hear her share that sentiment, Percy offered a weak, reassuring smile. "It's okay, y'know? I'm…kinda used to it by now."
And that he was; that night's unexpected discussion had not been inquired about his age. Despite his embarrassment, it was a quality that Rhajat's parents deserved to know about him.
Composing himself, Percy decided to share something else his girlfriend's parent deserved to know about him. "I…I know I'm young and don't have any experience with relationships" he hesitated before smiling weakly, "but I really like Rhajat. I…I think she's amazing. She's kind…and sweet…and she makes me feel really good about myself." He lowered his gaze bashfully. "I've n-never met somebody like her before."
Percy slowly returned his eyes to witness the stoic woman smiling appreciatively, visibly overwhelmed by his confession.
"That's so wonderful to hear" she answered breathlessly, placing a hand over her chest. "You don't how much it means to hear somebody say that. Thank you…for being so patient with her." She nodded sorrowfully. "We know she has…difficulty interacting with others. We know she doesn't mean anything she says - it's just her way of…protecting herself. She's always struggled expressing herself confidently."
Although he personally never saw an issue with Rhajat's attitude, Percy understood how others could. And if Nyx's wounded demeanour was a signal, it was definitely a very difficult subject to discuss.
In spite of her evident contrite demeanour, the older woman unexpectedly produced an gracious smile. "This is why we're sooverwhelmed that she's been able to meet somebody like you – somebody she trusts."
A thrill of excitement raced through Percy's body over her words; he certainly didn't believe he deserved that kind of praise. In return, he shrugged shyly. "…I feel the same about her."
After a gentle laugh was exchanged, the older woman offered a hopeful smile. "We can see that you're a very well-behaved and mature young man. We – I was wrong to judge you." Nyx hesitated before continuing, reluctantly. "Would you mind…seeing how she is, please?"
Her question was completely unexpected. Exchanging a glance towards the hallway entrance, Percy definitely knew he was ill-equipped to deal with the situation. Rhajat was their child after all.
"Please? She'll…she'll listen to you."
Detecting the disparity and desperation in her voice, Percy promised he would fulfil her request. Despite their reassurance, deep down Percy knew he had been the one to initiate the confrontation, and knew he had to be the one to resolve it. And with a positive smile, the young man politely excused himself.
We ate the food, we drank the wine / Everybody having a good time
Except you / You were talking about the end of the world