<em>- Bo in Lounge, after Nicci and Mari have just responded to the questions -</em><br/><br/>Bo leaned back against the soft leather of the high backed chair, and left the glass of scotch on the the table beside him.  He crossed one ankle over the other knee and rested his elbow on the armrest, relaxing.  Listening, watching, and learning was more important to him in this moment than the drink.  That he had all night to enjoy.<br/><br/>As Nicci spoke of Robin Hood, his eyebrows raised.  Bo too had loved stories of Robin Hood as a boy.  However, Bo believed that Robin Hood wasn't a hero for the reasons that Nicci indicated, though he knew those misconceptions were common, but he was touched by the incite into her past.  He imagined her as a little girl, wishing for someone to come to help her mother and herself.  To an innocent little girl, gifts from a stranger must have seemed the only salvation, and turning to twigs and string in a world of make-believe the only outlet for her.  Her talk of the state abandoning people reinforced in his mind her misconceptions about the power of the individual to shape his own destiny.  He knew too that war was ugly, but he believed that it was often necessary.  There is a lot of evil in the world, and men doing evil things is what leads to torture, abuse and great multitudes being dispossessed of their homes and freedoms.  Exactly the things that Nicci so passionately detested.  The constant struggle against such evil is why good men have gone to war since the earliest days, and why they will continue to do so.  What a time of such horror humanity would embark upon if good men stuck their heads in the sand, Bo thought with great clarity of purpose.<br/><br/>Nicci's passion was matched by Bo's own, though he didn't move, nor give any indication of his thoughts.  In his opinion, rational thought didn't enter into stances with their roots in emotional beginnings.  And to apply rational argument to such things lead nowhere productive.  Certainly not in a situation such as this.  Keeping his mouth shut was the best option.  Nicci possessed so many qualities that he adored, he wouldn't allow something irrelevant to their future together overwhelm his heart.  He had done his duty in the good fight, more than was required some might say.  It was time to let some of those old feelings go for the greater reward that this group of souls had to offer.  In that instant, he vowed never to breach the subject with Nicci.<br/><br/>As her hand covered his, Bo's reverie was broken.  He smiled a tender smile.  Her words of control went directly to what he had just been thinking for himself, and he gave her a simple nod, turning his hand and gently squeezing her fingers with his own as her thumb slid under his.  It wouldn't be an easy process, but the shared contact chased any lingering doubts away as to the value of making the effort.<br/><br/>Having made that decision, her revelations regarding her promiscuous sexual past rolled off him like fresh rain.  He wasn't pleased with it, certainly, but it was something that he could work on.  His thoughts went to the fact that he had just stated the opposite for himself, and he wondered at her willingness to reveal the truth about herself even though she must know how very different was his view of sex as an expression of love.  For a moment, he had to wonder if this was a test, if she was baiting him.  If the conversation were in private, perhaps, but not with everyone else sitting around and her holding his hand so gently.  The only explanation was that it is an honest self-assessment on her part.  Something that she knew that he'd have to accept, and he knew as well.  And accept he would.<br/><br/>It was a lot to process at once.  Bo was coming to realize how much change they all would have to undergo in order to come together as one unit.  Acceptance, love, and lots of patience were the only clear answers.  He hardly noticed the shifting of Mari, or of her taking the papers to go next.  The thoughts were a jumble in his mind.<br/><br/>When finally he focused on her, he was struck by the warm tones of her skin reflecting in the firelight, her smile came quickly and lay easily across her face.  The first image that he had of her, walking across the floor of the great hall as the last of the six to join them, came to mind.  She possessed such a gracious beauty that could only be described as exotic.  Like a fluid sculpture, each expression represented a masterpiece as she spoke.  He truly appreciated the story of her father, and the proud manner in which she reflected upon him with love and admiration.  And "stubborn", how he could empathize with her, his own streak a staunch one.<br/><br/>Her answer regarding the boat gave him a glimpse of her true nature, which matched his expectations, or at least his hopes.  She had some leadership qualities, but from a perspective of being submissive.  The kind who would offer loving suggestions, but only take control when no strong alpha was around.  Control that she never really wanted, but was too conscientious to skirt when duty called.<br/><br/>When Mari stated her views on polygamy, Bo witnessed her courage.  And he felt somewhat admonished.  He had told nobody back home of his own desires, and not a soul knew where he was except his best friend.  He had convinced himself that he would tell his family if things here worked out.  But could he truly.  Thinking on the faces of his mother and father, he wasn't so sure.  Perhaps in this, this beautiful, delicate woman was more courageous than he.<br/><br/>The rest of Mari's answers continued to peel away the layers, a little at a time.  There was not a thing that Bo learned that he didn't like.  Even her mannerisms, the quick smiles, the touching of Mila's hand, and the soft laugh spoke to him.  The thought of having this gorgeous creature guiding him toward new sexual experiences filled him with a warm anticipation.  He would enjoy that very much.  But it was her love for tenderness, and the adorable manner in which she doubted the correctness of her answer that firmed Bo's opinion toward her.  It could very well be that she had the most in common with him.  It was too early to make that determination, but the more he learned, the more he wanted to learn.<br/><br/>Bo offered Mari a warm smile of appreciation, and a quick wink.  An effort to let her know that her answer was just fine.