Chapter Text
Kaltbærtre was undergoing serious change. The arrival of those from the southeast had shaken everything a hundred years ago. There had been no port city as there was now, to greet the explorers. Those with vast technologies who had located their dwelling- not with magic but with science inorganic life which flew through the sky to make untouchable paintings of their location to be calculated and stuck on a map. The hundreds of tribes, communities which had lasted all number of years with their direct blessings from their gods- had to do what nothing else had ever allowed them. Join in with one another. Create new territories of land. Or else they had no chance of protecting from the invasion of these modern things.
Some tribes were welcoming of the science the foreigners brought. Those who would become the Jissi eagerly waited at the southern border, ready to defend- but more ready to see what was brought. Those in the north kept blissfully ignorant of those from the southeast’s desire for more places to dig in metal claws and pull out precious stones which sparked life to inorganic makings.
Sacrifices had to be made, the continent once only with shifting territories now had hard lines. A line which said the southeasterners were not to cross, this became Wusarés. The port city kept growing. Though past the beach. Nomadic tribes fled further in- those who could plant solid roots did and became points for the movement of goods.
Resentments built, trading systems replaced with credits, lunes, solans, pieces of earth which meant that they were worth something to someone when you wanted something from them. They were a hundred years beyond that first landing. Everything moved so quickly when there was no leadership at the helm. Each tribe acting within its own interest.
Until this proposal of marriage had come up.
Currently Hector McGraw stood inside the room within the Rasputin home where they received guests. He had with him an assistant who had with him a trunk load of documents. The agreements of each of the tribes, and the factions within those tribes, every single one had agreed to this united purpose. Someone from Kaltbærtre would marry one of the Rasputins of the northwestern city Gormiere. And in return, the whole of the beeping, inorganic punctured continent, would stop trying to find a new entrance to their borders. Trade could be done civilly. With record not dependent on the truths remembered in people’s heads. There would be proper record.
Hector McGraw had devoted his entire life’s work to creating a written history of Kaltbærtre. Of creating record for its people. Joining this modern inorganic time. “So Mr. Rasputin,” he said, “bachelors and bachelorettes have been selected and will await the arrival of your kin. Each from a different tribe of the island. It is our hope one will meet your set expectations of a liaison and peacemaker. A half to a whole couple whose purpose will be to unite our many natural resources with your ever reaching means of distribution.” Mr. McGraw was still buzzing from speaking the words bachelor and bachelorette in this continent’s common language. He stood taller and the dark feathers which peeked from around his shirt collar looked ever pristine and groomed. Possibly mistaken as an article of clothing. For he looked so civilized.
The Rasputin’s home, a dark beacon which overlooked the empire that they truly commanded. The head of the household, Ivan Rasputin, the iron fist of the family had been in correspondence for years with Kaltbærtre, finishing the task of obtaining civil trade that his father had started. The second son, Sasha Rasputin, was of appropriate age. It was not meant, at first, to be him but the lands beyond could not wait for Angelo to come of age. Postponing such an arrangement could lead to invasion, a war, and so, Sasha was set to be put on this pedestal. His duty to the family now extended to the empire.
There would be no more negotiating, no more altering of plans.
Now, at twenty years of age, Sasha was being prepared by the matriarch, his mother. A stern and cruel woman. Just as cruel as her mother was before her and this cruelty had been passed onto her favorite son. She had made him cold and calculating. He was what enemies feared of the Rasputins. But now, he was to be a tender loving husband, one that would serve and protect, one that would maintain the trade routes across the sea.
But Sasha was not so easily dissuaded from the nature he’d been raised in. Therefore, he was not to be alone with anyone at any time until his bride was chosen and he was wed and sent off. They could not risk angering the tribes.
Sasha was standing with Mr. McGraw in a traditional family garment. A coat made of silver and black with embroidered swirls and flowers. His hair had been cut and styled to be neat. Everything about him looked perfect all the way down to the toe of his boots. The exception was his eyes which were different colors. One green and one blue and whole unique, the vibrant colors of his irises still could not bring light to his eyes.
He did not look at the man and instead was focused straight ahead. “Yes. Someone must meet my expectations. I look forward to meeting them all.”
Hector McGraw smiled, “Perfect, we can reestablish your requirements on the aero.” His assistant brought the paperwork for Ivan to sign. The documents for the marriage were held off on until Sasha chose his bride or bridegroom. Once all was in order they boarded the aero to fly them out to an island who housed a boat which would ferry them to Kaltbærtre. There was a small airfield being prepared off the Kalt Port which was only weeks away from being completed. This decision of Sasha’s was not to be made lightly. Two months had been allotted before the wedding would take place. He had all that time in between to meet with the tribes and the candidates.
On the aero, Mr. McGraw laid out cards with all of the tribes for Sasha to familiarize himself with their duties and what they oversaw. No one tribe had all the power, and even the smallest of the tribes had its important role to play- but depending on what Sasha’s plans were in partnering with Kaltbærtre in addition to this trade agreement, he might favor one group over another.
Mr. McGraw was from the Nuayria tribe spoke about them first. There were no photographs yet shown of those from whom Sasha would choose. Appearance was not meant to be a deciding factor, though it surely played a role. Sasha was humanoid and it was possibly assumed he wished one who looked more like him. Or he wished one who could bear him children.
Each of the tribal cards had names on the back some with longer lists than others. These names were color coded in a way McGraw had not shared with him. There were also numbers beside the names in parentheses. Ages, as young as eleven and as old as thirty-seven. The numbers were colored red, yellow, or blue, red meant they had the potential to carry children- blue meant they did not, yellow meant undecided or unknown. Sasha was to begin there with a red pen at each of the tribes. To cross out any names- based on age alone. McGraw worked to remove the files of those Sasha axed. He explained, “A candidate’s ability to provide offspring does not always correlate to the human gender spectrum- if there is a preference you have there?”
Once there was a slightly smaller pool depending on Sasha’s criteria, Mr. McGraw asked, “Is there any one trait you prize above others? If you could rank three words?” He was given a list of qualities one could have in a partner. Adoring, Agreeable, Bold, Confident, Considerate, Honest, Fiery, Witty, Easy-going, Unique- the list went on and Sasha could add a word which was not present if he wished.
Sasha never spoke unless it was required of him. He was like a statue a lot of the time. His entire world had been rocked by the development of this wedding. He was to marry and on the outside he had come to terms with that.
When the cards were laid out with the criteria and traits of some tribes to allow him to choose his preferences he looked over them all very carefully.
He denied all below the age of eighteen. Children were too fragile both mentally and physically. He would not have a partner that could break so easily. Sasha did not consider offspring in his decision. He preferred the traditionally human male anatomy which, in a way, was to be expected. Anyone who fit that criteria or came closest to it, remained on the list.
Sasha added to the list for qualities; Gullible, Quiet, Patient.
The latter of the two words were on the original list. Mr. McGraw could easily remove those who were listed with the antonyms of such words. Those which were Loud, Impulsive. But Gullible was a strange choice. Hector McGraw looked at the word and he tapped his pen to the table.
“Mr. Rasputin, could you speak more on this?” Hector wanted to play a great match maker here. “All candidates have been chosen for their exceptional minds or knowledge of trade, our cultures’ practices.” That couldn’t be true, they could not all be geniuses. It was such a large varying list. Mr. McGraw was crossing out most of red names after Sasha’s request of similar to human male anatomy. “So Mr. Rasputin, in what areas are you looking for gullibility? And for what purpose?”
Sasha heard doubt in Hector’s voice. Doubt perhaps that Sasha was taking this seriously. He hoped it was a translation error. And not something that he needed to report to Ivan about. For Sasha to want a gullible bridegroom- did he mean to say he wanted someone he could control? That was not partnership. Kaltbærtre was not to be domineered by the Rasputin family, to suggest such a thing was a grave insult.
Sasha looked up at Mr. McGraw and it was hard to tell what Sasha was thinking. His unsettling eyes burned into him.
“It is impossible for you to make such claims on the intelligence of every candidate and be correct.” Sasha told him but did not actually answer his question about what he meant but instead would add to the list. Innocent, Sexually inexperienced.
Sasha would not take back his request for a gullible partner though which might be a concern if it didn’t coincide with the other words that he added.
Mr. McGraw took Sasha’s additional words as synonyms for gullible. Or perhaps related to them. He looked a bit smug as he crossed off the names of many of those remaining, no one over thirty stayed on the lists. So, Sasha Rasputin wanted someone inexperienced- gullible into thinking perhaps Sasha was doing a good job in the bedroom. Who knew one of the Rasputin family could have worries of performance issues? Perhaps that was why patience was another virtue Sasha requested.
Mr. McGraw moved along, trying to gloss over his silent judgments. “Last portion of these questions, Mr. Rasputin,” he said. “Once you are married, which is the most desirable situation: A. My partner and I are always together when handling business, but do not need to be together domestically. B. My partner and I handle business separately, but are always together domestically. C. My partner and I are always together. Or D. My partner and I live separate lives as often as is possible.”
Sasha listened to the options that Mr. McGraw gave him for desired partner situations. He didn’t like any of them. None of them were correct and the man knew Sasha well, the long silence was a sign of Sasha’s displeasure of the options.
“B.” He finally said, deciding to settle for the closest option since it would be alarming not to choose any of them.”
Once they arrived at the island to board the ferry, Mr. McGraw sent ahead a bird with a letter containing the list of more finalized candidates. It allowed those at the port to prepare further for Sasha’s arrival. On the ferry, Sasha saw Kaltbærtre growing larger and larger the closer they got. It was immense with its jungles and mountains in the distance. The port was the only manmade structural force in sight, everything else looked more wild.
As they approached Mr. McGraw asked, “Mr. Rasputin, I have asked my questions and now it is your turn. Is there anything I can inform you of or prepare you for? Any questions you have for me? Or further unaddressed requests for your future bridegroom before we arrive?”
Sasha was glad to be finished with it all and watched them close the distance between them and the port. “I do not have questions at this time.” His role and requirements had been made very clear by his mother.
Mr. McGraw was obviously disappointed at not being able to tell Sasha more about Kaltbærtre or its inhabitants. Against what he’d said he started to ask off the record questions of Sasha such as if he’d considered moving here or taking his bridegroom back to Gormiere.
Sasha looked over at Mr. McGraw as he was asking other questions. Sasha did not give many words when he answered them but the gist was that Sasha needed to assess the needs of his bridegroom before he made any decisions, especially on where to live. He suspected that he would not be returning to live with his partner in Gormiere once this was all sorted.
Arrival was greeted by a short fat man with large tusks and a tall pompadour of hair, he was wearing a suit which was in popular fashion twenty years ago. He stood beside an incredibly tall woman with very pointed teeth and yellow orbed eyes. Her scaled tail extended like a long train behind her. “Mr. Rasputin!” The pig folk man said, his accent was much heavier.
“Mr. Rasputin this is Harbor Master Breen, and Master of Ceremonies Mrs. Pointac,” Mr. McGraw introduced them. On both Breen’s and Pointac’s suits, there were little pins by the breast pocket. Breen’s was a loopy cursive J and Pointac’s an S. Sasha noticed Mr. McGraw clipping an N onto himself.
“Charmed to have you,” Pointac said and when she spoke the corners of her eyes crinkled and gave away how deceptively ancient she was.
“This way, Mr. Rasputin,” Breen said and half bowed as Sasha could step onto the docks. “How was your traveling?”
“Would you prefer to meet the candidates first or be escorted to your room?” Pointac asked.
“A pleasure to meet your acquaintance.” Sasha greeted Pointac and Breen. He took note of their names and features for later purposes. “Travel was pleasant. I would like to see my room and unpack before we get things underway.” Sasha said, opting to postpone meeting the candidates so he could settle into the new environment first. “How will the candidates be represented at the first meeting?” Sasha asked as he was escorted to his room. He wanted to know what exactly was in store for him. If he would be presented with gifts, if there was to be conversation individually with each candidate or if they were to be lined up and examined by him like a prime cut of meat. That would be ideal for a first impression. Sasha needed to know the reactions to tell him who to consider more seriously.
There were not any motor vehicles in the port city. Carts pulled by oxen or horses were moving along one road in particular, but the streets were mainly designed to be walked through. Sasha arrived at a very tall building which was built into a cliff side. The city itself was nestled into a stony alcove on the western side and when heading east it began opening up to flatter terrain the closer one went north to the jungle.
This building was not a hotel, there was not tourism in Kalt Port which warranted such a large estate, but rather it was a collection of homes. Entering the lower floor was a vast community room. There were couches and lounges, shelves with wooden boxes and cups of dice. There was a television, it was smaller than Sasha’s torso and it was kept in a back corner sort of like a secret, a piece of equipment not many knew how to gain pleasure from. There was no one in this lobby area.
An elevator, old school with levers and gears, a box behind two grates, was where they were headed. Only two people could fit at a time comfortably beside the elevator operator, so Pointac went with Sasha up to the top floor.
The elevator opened up right into the room. Sasha saw the penthouse, it had similar style furniture as the lobby. There was no television but a pile of new books sitting on the main table with an enormous flower arrangement, chocolates, and an unlabeled dark glass bottle of alcohol. There were not any walls dividing this room up.
Pointac showed that the elevators second gate had a lock on it, a pad lock- added for Sasha’s arrival since mainlanders seemed so needing of security. It could be left on or removed. She gave him the key and the lock as they stepped inside. She showed Sasha the door to the stairs to go down, it had been hidden behind a large wardrobe. Presumably it also did not have a lock, hence the wardrobe.
Three partitions had been placed around a king bed to give it privacy from the rest of the room. It looked new. Sasha got the impression that perhaps this was another community room refitted for his stay.
Along the north side of the room were floor to ceiling windows which could have curtains drawn over if he wished. A sliding glass door with a stick in its track rather than a lock. Looking out he could see a small patio and around the west corner Pointac said was where he’d find the water closet. It functioned like on the mainland. Beyond the patio was pure jungle. Enormous trees with enough lumber in one to build four houses. Fronds the size of motor vehicles.
Pointac showed Sasha the food he had access to here, fruits, vegetables- things which did not need cooked and required only a knife to prepare as there was only a table and covered bucket for a kitchen. Scraps could be dumped out into the trees on a morning walk- or someone would come and empty it for Sasha when they came to ‘housekeep’ his room like in mainland hotels.
After getting a good look around, he turned to Pointac when she explained what would happen with the candidates.
“When and where am I to be expected?” Sasha asked so he knew how much time was allotted to spend in his room.
“You will be presented with sixteen candidates. Two from each tribe, along with meeting the head of each tribe from whom you can ask specific superficial questions. It is not a time for detailed inquiry,” Pointac said. “You will select one of the two presented, creating one representative for each of the tribes. There will be a party, and you will get to talk more freely with the candidates as well as the tribe heads. You will not be pressed for a final decision until much later in your stay with us.” Pointac said, asking if everything was clear. She left him to settle since he had no questions. His bags were brought up as she was just leaving.
Once she was gone, Sasha took the opportunity to note the greater details in his environment. They seemed to try their best to make this as familiar as possible for him. It certainly made the stay more pleasant than he expected. Sasha had gone through enough change that he did not want to have to adapt to a completely brand new environment. His room could be a sacred place for him here.
Sasha approached the windows and drew the curtains before proceeding to unpack his things and put them away in an orderly fashion. He did not need much time in the room. He walked about the layout as he had his journal in his hand, writing down the new people he’d met before putting it away. Having spent only an hour in his room, he decided to familiarize himself with the rest of the place, including the lobby of the hotel. He returned to the elevator. The operator, a small person whose eyes remained closed at all times, asked him what floor. They gave a brief overview of the hotel.
There were 21 floors, Sasha of course was on the top floor. Every seven floors had a community room, so the fifteenth and eighth floors respectively had a similar layout to the lobby. Games and lounge space, the elevator operator expressed that the fifteenth floor was often called Ketsa meaning escape from noise and the eighth Reda for a translation closest to rowdy. The eighth floor had some more mainlander things, a table ball game with peg men on a stick, a pool table which held no water, and a floating disc game. The hotel was still eerily empty. There was no noise coming from any of the other rooms. Sasha knew there were no locks on the doors, considering that he was being closely monitored and it might not be an appropriate time. Right now, the blind elevator operator was here with him to know where he was and potentially report those things to Pointac or McGraw. Sasha decided to briefly explore the lobbies available in the hotel before he left to meet up with McGraw.
Sasha knew he was needed on the east side of the city. Mr. McGraw was waiting for him outside the meetinghouse where he would be introduced to the marriage candidates.