"I am not some commodity to be bartered off Father! Did I make it onto one of your lists? 'Find buyer for Dulonian turnips, oh and secure husband for worrisome daughter.' Am I messing up the rest of your business schedule? Is there some reason for this ridiculous time line of yours? You don't usually rush into matters of great importance, do I mean so very little to you then? Or have you .... merciful gods you've been planning this for some time now haven't you?" Her voice rose slowly in volume with each question her pale skin flushing to a soft pink outrage causing her slender body to tremble slightly. The man before her winced slightly one hand raising to pinch the bridge of his nose where a headache was no doubt forming.  Perhaps he should have told her sooner, given her time to grow accustomed to the idea, but in truth the plan was so outlandish that he hadn't really had much hope for it coming to fruition.<br/><br/>"Kali ... darling you must look at this logically.  It is the best offer you are likely to receive... I know it seems cruel to phrase it in such a manner, but it is the truth.  Would you see yourself married off to some wealthy merchant who wants only the family name to secure him more contracts? Or perhaps one of the grasping country nobles, do you want to be shipped off to the middle of nowhere? No, the mage is the best hope for you and for this family." He did his best to explain patiently, but the knowledge that their guest was scheduled to arrive in a few hours put a thread of almost desperation into his words, he needed her calm and poised before the warlock arrived.  "Think on it ... but dress and be ready to receive him when he arrives, if you cannot bear it, well, we will think of something else..." He pressed a quick kiss to his daughter's forehead only then turning to the servant hovering in the hallway.<br/><br/>Kailani seethed as she watched her father turn, one shaking hand reaching up to rake light red hair out of her face.  In truth she was insulted by the whole thing, even more so because her father was right damn him.  She listened with half an ear as the servant explained that a man had arrived wishing to discuss... something, he was incredibly vague about the whole thing, but her father simply shrugged and then squared his shoulders before vanishing down the hall toward his study.<br/><br/>"I'll bet he is old .... and wrinkled ... and quite mad .." Kali muttered to herself as she stalked over to one of her closets flipping through dress after dress while she thought about the upcoming meeting her initial anger cooling into a rather dangerous resolve.<br/><br/>-------<br/><br/>Ivard D'alessio came through the study door quickly his expression pinched, almost hunted as he shut it behind him sparing only the quickest glance to his new guest before making his way to the wide mahogany desk which dominated one side of the room.  "My apologies good Sir, my household is ... in a bit of disarray today.  We are expecting a rather important guest and though extensive preparations have been made even the best plans are bound to have some hiccups.  Normally I would be pleased to discuss whatever venture has brought you here, and indeed if you would like to make an appointment with my secretary in town we still might be able to make an arrangement which is mutually beneficial..." even as he spoke he was jotting down an address, name and brief instructions for the man a good half his brain still engaged elsewhere.