Looking for Advice (Grace) - Panther's Lair

She nodded.

"Call him. We'll see iff'n he can handle this, 'fore we tell Jamie."

She nodded and pulled out her phone to send a text message to Chase.

"Of course, Priestess."

She nodded.

"Good. Now, tell me why ye wish this?"

She took a breath and pocketed the phone. Closing her eyes, she answered Grace as honestly as she could.

"Several reasons. I've loved him for a long time -- and I've tried to ignore it. It didn't work. He loves me, I don't question his faith or his dedication to me. Most of all, Priestess, he puts me at peace."

She nodded.

"And how long do you want this match to last?"

She took another breath.

"I want him to decide that. I'm not objective enough to give an answer."

She shook her head.

"Not the question. What is your ideal."

She thought about that one for a few moments.

"My ideal? To start with a year and a day and at that time, re-evaluate. I don't want to rush this. The religion means too much to me."

She nodded.

"Sensible. Though th' usual reason for th' year an' a day does nay apply, it is still important."

She nodded.

"Many things about this are important, Priestess. Not the least of which is what it means to both you and me."

She nodded,

"This be a ceremony tha' has nay been performed in many a century."

She nodded.

"I know. It's why it needs to continue to live and be done."

She smiled.

"Th' fact tha' he wishes t' do thisl bodes well for him. Though I doubt he has any idea wha' he be gettin' int'."

She smiled.

"He's got a basic overview. But no, I don't think he does realize it, not fully. But he does want to and that says a lot."

She nodded

"He will be tested. Then we will see."

She nodded with a smile -- not even a little bit worried about that testing.

"As you say, Priestess."

She nodded.

"Course, ye will be tested, as well."

She nodded.

"I expected as much."

It wasn't too long after that, when a knock came at Grace's door.

She rose and went to the door. Pulling it open, she smiled.

"Chase. Welcome."

She didn't move from her seat. She simply smiled.

Chase smiled softly, "Grace, it's nice to see you. Griselda said you needed to see the two of us?"

When he saw Griselda, his smile only seemed to brighten.

She nodded and drew him into the living room, where she sat in her chair again.

"Aye. Th' lass says ye wish t' handfast."

She just rose to her feet and made her way back to where the drinks were kept. After pouring (and handing) Grace a second drink, she made one for Chase. And she knew better than to really say anything -- she just smiled at Chase and offered him a tumbler with three fingers of whiskey in it. It was probably going to be a long-ish night.

He smiled to Griselda as he accepted the whiskey, "Thank you, love."

To Grace he nodded as he said, "Yes, that's true."

He suddenly felt like he was fourteen again, being sat down at the table by his friend's father about what the expectations were if Chase, then Robert, had any intention of courting his daughter. It was and oddly familiar feeling, even if he did have some level of anxiety about this meeting. Of course, it may just have been Grace's nature that made him uncomfortable.