"Tedric, please." He responded before placing his right hand on his chest and bowing as much as the full suit of armor would allow such a movement, at least. "Likewise, Alaria Everard. I shall be your sword and shield and vow to protect you to my dying breath." Perhaps not the most eloquent phrase ever uttered but his sentiments were sincere all the same. The distance in her eyes was reflected in the calm coolness he could feel almost ebbing outwards from Alaria; not in a hostile or, even, overly unpleasant manner. It was a strange sensation for Tedric and one he was not altogether certain was even real or of his own imagining. His knowledge of what a Warrior shared their Bound was all second hand, at best, experiences that had never managed to make coherent sense.<br/><br/>Turning, Tedric followed beside Alaria down the handful of steps and up the aisle. "I'm glad one of us has done their research. Or, do they teach the Binding at Lancaster?" Tedric responded with as light a tone as he could manage, trying to alleviate some of the unease he could sense coming from his companion. Though, unease seemed to be too strong an emotion, if Tedric were being honest. More likely, he was simply nervous about meeting the woman's expectations; if she had any to start with. To this day Tedric had had little success in his dealings with women. Much less when one as attractive as Alaria was concerned.<br/><br/>"Truth be told, I'm not much for parties and balls." As the son of nobility, he'd attended more of the gatherings than he cared to count. "Much less so when I'm the center of attention." Though, the Joining Festival was more than the soirees and masquerades that the powerful loved to indulge in almost every month. Not some invite-only affair, rather, the entire city, it seemed, turned out to join in feasting and general merriment. All kinds of performers would be plying their particular trades in various grand shows and plays. "Still. Best to keep appearances regardless." Not to mention his family would, no doubt, be rather cross if he didn't make some sort of showing after a successful Bond.<br/><br/>Tipping his nose into the breeze, Tedric breathed in the sweet floral scent that washed over him. "The colors of my family are simple enough, thankfully. White and blue. Likewise, I would like to get out of this armor before attending anything more than a dinner." Not to say he was not unused to the burden of the heavy steel plate suit but he saw little need to be ready for battle with the ceremony over.  "Speaking of, how about something to eat? Half dying seems to have given me quite the appetite."<br/><br/>Descending the stairs it was all but impossible not to catch the attention of the other mages and knights arrayed around the holy building. These would be, at least, the ones that knew who their partners were to be and were not arranged through a third party; some were already couples. It was an odd feeling and one Tedric tried not to pay much mind to as they neared the sidewalk along the street. A carriage was parked alongside the smooth stone pavement with a young man no older than fifteen sitting on the edge swinging his feet. As Alaria and Tedric approached he jumped down and rushed to open the door for the pair.<br/><br/>"Congratulations, my lord." He announced when the two had come close enough to hear his preteen voice over the general thrum of noise. "Shall I return you to your estate?"<br/><br/>Tedric waved his hand at the question. "Not yet, Jack." With that, he turned to Alaria. "I think your place might be more appropriate. My parents are packing to leave for the coast for the summer and the place is a bit of a madhouse. I will have Jack pick up some clothes for me to wear in the meantime. Would you like to walk or take the carriage? Would be a shame to waste this weather, no?"