It was not a shock to learn that Tedric was not as well-versed in the nature of a bond as she was. Groomed from a ripe, young age, mages focused on honing their abilities in preparation to serve a warrior in the future. Education and training went hand in hand, but the central lesson-- the core of what was critical to their success-- always held bonding in mind. Though she did not concern herself with the ways of the sword, what they practiced and absorbed through teaching, she imagined that most fighters were not primed for bonding with any real instruction. They seemed to know what mattered; that it was painful and that they could potentially lose their lives. Alaria would not broad-stroke the entire warrior class, however. There were those who took initiative and informed themselves on the intricacies of the process, but they were far and few between-- such a rarity that she did not expect it from the knight at her side. "It is taught. While the ritual is quite short, it takes many years to learn." She told him with a nod, inwardly impressed that there were so few casualties when the process was taught in pieces throughout their studies and never actually performed from start to finish prior to the ceremony.<br/><br/>A small wave of relief came over her when he admitted that he was not one for celebrations and parties. Alaria was not averse to such things, but the occasion was not as joyous as she once imagined. Truth be told, there was a time when she was one of those hopefuls with glimmering eyes, bursting with excitement over the mere thought of being tethered to a worthy warrior. A lesson in history changed her sunny disposition to something far less bright. Regardless, she was prepared to do as he wished . . . To some extent. She would not challenge him over something as trivial as a festival, and she agreed that keeping up appearances was a sound idea. "Very well, then." Alaria agreed, taking note of his family colors when he informed her of them. She followed after him, moving down the steps where a crowd of knights and mages gathered. Their enthusiasm was palpable, but excitement was not theirs alone. Even the merchants and vendors, who promoted their wares and trinkets for the celebration were thrilled in equal measure. It seemed that she and her knight were anomalies among them. While Tedric did not appear as impassive as she did, he was also not bursting at the seams with elation. She could sense that he was nervous based on the odd flutter in her very own heart.<br/><br/>Across the street was a carriage, and beside it a young man-- the driver, she assumed from the way he hopped to his feet at the sight of the armored knight. Through their brief exchange, she was silent, allowing them a moment speak of arrangements. Much to her surprise, Tedric was willing to stay wit her in Madrigal. She expected that he would have preferred his own setting. "That will be no trouble at all. I will be happy to accommodate you at my home. Since it is not a far journey, we shall walk. We will find something to eat on the way, and it will give us time to become better acquainted." They had a great deal to learn about one another, after all.<br/><br/>When they eventually parted ways with the youthful driver, they began to make their way away from the church and down the well-manicured streets of the capital. Alaria admired the hanging lanterns and the twinkling lights strewn from the rooftops and wrapped around the lamp posts. Though she was not overly thrilled to participate in the festival, she could at least bring herself to admit that the cities transformed into something truly spectacular for the occasion.<br/><br/>"Your parents informed me that you are an accomplished knight, but not much else. How long have you trained to serve in the Royal Army?" She asked, genuinely curious to know since she knew so little about him. If she were to go off first impressions, Tedric seemed quite down to earth. As a man of noble birth, she anticipated that he would act accordingly. So far, she did not have the impression that he was the kind of man of highborn status who placed himself above all others.