(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/ee/Midori.jpg)<br/><br/>She assessed him coolly, noticing his small jump of surprise at her words. She bit her inner cheek, doing her best not to laugh at the comical expression on his face as he looked around, only to find himself standing there with nothing but that hideously dressed...thing...standing behind him.  She took note of the stiff bow and how he favored one leg. So his knee was paining him today. How sad to live in such pain. Her mind immediately went to the ointments packed in her bag, wondering if there was some way to ease his pain.<br/><br/>She nodded agreement and stepped aside to let her father lead, grateful that Lao Fang had already turned away and didn't see the scathing look her father gave her. Midori ignored the look, pretending she hadn't seen it as she fell into step behind him, head held high, her relaxed stance giving lie to the knots of anxiety in her belly.<em>Please, please, please</em>she begged the powers that be.<em>If you grant nothing else, at least let my betrothed be a kind and forgiving man.</em>