**Now that Korathin and Mikayla are engaged, they must confront Mikayla's overprotective father, hoping to gain permission for their marriage...**

Korathin is sitting at a corner table, a teapot and cup of tea before him, as he patiently waits for someone.

Mikayla descends the stairs, smoothing her skirt somewhat nervously as she looks around the common room.  Upon seeing Korathin, she smiles and moves to his table.

Korathin pushes out the other chair with his foot, returning Mikayla's smile warmly, 'Good day, my dear.'

Mikayla looks at Korathin oddly, but then sits in the chair and pulls it close to the table, "I am well... and yourself?"

Korathin says quietly, 'Well, I suppose.  Would you care for some tea?'

Mikayla nods and offers a small smile, "Yes, please..."

Korathin nods slightly, picking up the pot after he takes an empty cup.  He pours some into it, then sets it before you, 'Have you.. ahh, discussed the good news with your father, yet?'

Mikayla shakes her head as she lifts the cup taking a sip. "I thought you might speak to him about it..." she averts her eyes to hide a twinkle of mischief.

Korathin raises an eyebrow, tilting his head to look at you curiously, 'Oh, you did, hmm?'

Mikayla sips again at her tea, then sets down the cup with a smile, "Don't you think that is appropriate?"

Korathin sips his tea, studying you for a few moments, then sets his cup back down, 'Do you think that is wise?'

Mikayla furrows her brow slightly, "You do not wish to ask my father's permission?"

Korathin frowns lightly, one finger absently tracing the rim of his cup, That is not what I said.  I had asked if it were a wise idea for me to speak to him first.'

Mikayla looks at you consideringly, "Well, traditionally, I would ask my mother's permission first... Yet, that is not an option... So, I suppose I will speak to my father.  Though, I would be more comfortable if I didn't have to do it alone."

Korathin tilts his head, studying you a moment.  A soft smile spreads its way across his face, and he nods slightly, 'Then we shall do it together.. I do think we will have to get use to doing alot of things together.'

Mikayla nods and leans forward a bit, reaching a hand across the table to you, "I hope so... I enjoy my time with you.."

Korathin takes your hand, squeezing it softly.  His smile turns to a mischevious grin, and he says teasingly, 'Before long you'll have more than enough time with me.. then we will see what you say about it.'

Mikayla tugs at your hand softly, starting to rise, her eyes filled with happiness as she looks at you, "Let's go find him... I'm sure he will be happy for us."

Korathin smiles softly, then stands up as well, his fingers entertwining around yours, 'Very well.. if you wish, we shall.'

Mikayla smiles up at you affectionately and starts to walk toward the stairs.

Korathin knocks on the door to your fathers study, a slightly nervous expression on his face as he glances over at you.

Mikayla squeezes your hand comfortingly, "It will be alright.."

The father says from within the room, 'Enter.'

Korathin opens the door all of the way, stepping into the study.  He glances around, his eyes resting on your father, who is sitting at a desk, reading some papers.

Mikayla follows you into the room, still holding on to your hand as she greets her father, "Good day, Father."

Korathin says quietly, almost as if your words knocked him out of a slight daze, 'Good day, sir.'

The father doesn't even look up, absently shuffling through the papers, 'Good day to the two of you.. please, come in, close the door.'

Mikayla closes the door and walks over to one of the chairs across from her father's desk, urging you along with a soft encouraging smile.

Korathin returns the smile softly, making his way over to the chairs with you.  He waits for you to seat first, then takes his a seat of his own.

The father pauses a moment, glancing up at the two of you, then returns his gaze back to his papers, 'Well?  I doubt the two of you came here to test out my chairs.'

Mikayla smiles, "No, Father.. we.." she frowns slightly, "May I ask for your attention please?  This won't take but a moment."

Korathin shifts slightly in his chair, gaze drifting from Mikayla back to her father.

The father frowns slightly, setting the papers down on his desk.  He leans back into his chair, gaze looking levelly at Mikayla, 'Yes?'

Mikayla sits up straight, smiling pleasantly as if at a garden tea, "Well, Father, Korathin and I have found that we enjoy each other's company very much." she glances over at you as if for confirmation.

Korathin smiles softly, giving a small nod of agreement, 'Yes, we do.'

The father's fingers tap slightly on the desk, his frown increasing, 'And, because of that?'  His gaze never leaves from Mikayla, thou you get the distinct impression he is somehow still watching Korathin.

Mikayla continues to smile, though she squeezes Korathin's hand for comfort, "Korathin has..." she looks over at you and smiles warmly, her love for you evident before looking back to her father, "Korathin has asked me to be his wife."

Korathin returns your smile, his eyes mirroring your emotions.  He returns his gaze to your father, 'And I come to ask for your permission.'

The father doesn't even blink, but slowly lowers his gaze down to the desk. He pulls out one paper in particular, reading over it, 'I must say.. from what I have heard, I am surprised the two of you hadn't snuck out some night with the foolish notion to get married off by some charlatan.'  He pauses a moment, gaze finally encompassing the both of you, 'And why is it I should give my permission?'

Mikayla blinks, "From what you have heard?  Honestly, Father, I came to you with this when I first met Korathin and then when I realized my feelings for him.  Why is it that you must treat me as if I am some village harlot?"

The father raises an eyebrow at Mikayla, frown never leaving his face, 'And I have been more than thoughtful in considering your.. feelings in the matter.  Thou I don't think you'd expect me to believe you've told me every thing you've done with this young man.  And you've still yet to answer my question.'

Korathin blinks, glancing between the two of you, at times looking as if he is about to speak, then thinks better of it.

Mikayla's frown matches her father's, "I see no need to go into every detail with you Father..And by the way,  this 'young man' as you call him, talked me out of leaving you forever that night you refused me to see him... I should think he deserves a bit more respect then you've shown thus far.  I came her because I wanted to share my joy with you, because I respect you enough to consult you before making the biggest step of my life.  Tell me if I've made a mistake."

The father leans forward, seemingly unaffected by Mikayla's words, 'And have I given him disrespect yet?  No, I simply asked a question, one which you do not seem to be able, or perhaps willing, to find an answer to.  You speak of respect, child, perhaps you should return when you can show more to me.'

Mikayla sits up straight, "I answered your question, Father. I..." she looks down at her hands and her voice becomes soft, "Why must everything be this way between us? Why is everything such a struggle?  I am your daughter, not one of your cavalrymen..  Why can't you just once address me as though you have feeling for me?  Sometimes I wish I *was* still a child... to recover that warmth that was lost.  I suppose that is my fault for being such a failure.  You should have left me on the streets." She slowly rises and turns for the door.'

The father sighs softly, leaning back in his chair, 'Because it seems that no matter how I treat you, you shall not listen to me.  Before I give my permission, I ask that you sit, daughter, and speak to me.'

Mikayla turns around and sits, not bothering to wipe the tears that streak her face.  She remains silent, staring at some point past her Father as though she cannot look at him.

Korathin remains quiet, reaching a hand over to Mikayla, resting it softly on her hand.

The father studies Mikayla for a long moment, then slowly shakes his head, 'Perhaps I should treat you different.. but even when I showed you love, and affection, you never listened to me.  I wished to raise you right.. and it seemed no matter what I tried, I failed.  Perhaps I should have given you to Deira, she could have raised you how you deserved to be raised.'

Mikayla nods slightly, her voice emotionless, "Perhaps you would have been better off without the burden."

The father raises an eyebrow, then slowly shakes his head, 'You were never a burden.  You gave me hope when I had none.. I owe you more than you might realize.'

Mikayla says quietly, "I have done my best to be a good daughter.  I have studied hard and foregone a social life and stayed home.  I have never wished to fight with you.. I never had anything to fight for until now.  I love Korathin, and I want your blessing, if you will not give your permission.  It is your chance to finally be rid of me."  Another tear falls but her expression does not change.

The father looks down, sighing softly.  He finally speaks, barely more than a whisper, 'I will give my permission, and blessing.. on one condition.'

Mikayla nods slightly, still not quite looking at her Father, "What condition."

The father speaks quietly, barely above a whisper, 'That you come and visit your old, foolish father, as often as you can, and not forget him.'

Mikayla blinks, spilling more tears down her cheeks.  She looks to her hands, her own voice a soft whisper, "I'm surprised you'd want me to."

The father looks up at Mikayla, slowly shaking his head, 'Have you not heard what I said?  I owe you more than you realize.. And I love you dearly.. I would wish it no other way.'

Mikayla sighs softly, "I'm sorry Father... for not being everything you wished... for not marrying a Saldaean Lord and being content with that.. It is just not in me to be that daughter.  I can only be the daughter you have.  And though I have failed you time and again, I still love you." she rises slowly, "I thank you for your time, Father."

The father looks up, his expression softening even more, 'Mikayla.. you have no reason to apologize to me.  You've been more than I had ever wished in a daughter.. I am just sorry I could not be the father you had wished me to be.'

Mikayla looks to her father and smiles sadly, "All I ever wanted from you was your love... and all I ever asked of you was to be allowed to love Korathin.  The two of you are everything to me, and the thought of one without the other brings me great pain.  I think I shall retire, I am feeling ill."

The father slowly stands up, circling around the desk to Mikayla.  'I gladly give my blessings to the two of you.. and you shall always have my love to carry with you, my beloved daughter.'  He wraps his arms around you, hugging you close to him.

Mikayla appears startled a moment, then returns the hug.. the calm facade she tried to hold crumbling as she cries on her father's shoulder.

The father holds you close in his arms, gently rocking you back and fourth.

Korathin glances at the two of you, running a hand through his hair as he glances around, unsure what to do.

Mikayla continues to hug her father, whispering to him softly, "I'm sorry, Da... I love you.." while tears continue to spill onto the shoulder of his jacket.

The father softly caresses Mikayla's hair, still gently rocking her, 'And I have always, and will always, love you.. never forget that.'

Mikayla steps back after a few moments and dabs at her face with a silk handkerchief, she smiles softly as she says to her father, "I am not pushing you out of my life because I am marrying Korathin... I know he would never ask that of me.  I want you to be a part of our life always."

The father smiles softly, giving a small nod, 'I see that.. now.  At one time I did not.. and I apologize.'

Mikayla turns and looks back at Korathin, her expression apologetic, "My love, I apologize... I should have done this differently."

Korathin smiles softly at Mikayla, slowly shaking his head, 'There is no need to apologize, my dear.. perhaps I should leave the two of you alone?'

Mikayla looks back to her father, then shakes her head at Korathin, "I will leave him to his work for now..." She says quietly to her father, "Shall we have dinner soon, just you and I?"

The father nods to Mikayla, smiling lightly at her, 'Yes.. I think that would be a good idea.. we have much to discuss.'

Korathin slowly stands up from his chair, his gaze never leaving the two of you.

Mikayla returns the smile and hugs him again, "And do not forget... I know you'd forget to eat sometimes if the servants did not put a platter under your nose."

The father chuckles lightly, returning the hug, 'Perhaps.. thou I do think I could stand losing a few pounds here and there.'

Mikayla steps back, tucking the handkerchief into her pocket, "Nonsense.. you are as handsome as ever.." she turns and walks to Korathin, reaching to take his arm, "Dinner, then?  Shall I send someone to remind you?" she winks playfully.

Korathin twines his arm around Mikayla's, chuckling lightly.  He gives a polite nod and smile to your father.

The father laughs lightly, nodding to Mikayla, 'Perhaps that would be the best thing to do.'  He nods to Korathin, 'And you had best take care of her... thou I have faith that you will.'

Korathin nods to your father, smiling softly as he squeezes Mikayla's hand, 'Yes.. I will.'

Mikayla snorts softly, her wrist flicking in a gentle motion to open her fan, waving it in a gentle motion, "From experience, it will be me taking care of you.. that you don't die of a horrid infection from a light scratch."

Korathin rolls his eyes lightly, muttering something quietly to himself.

The father chuckles lightly, slowly moves back over to his desk, sitting down.

Mikayla smiles up at Korathin sweetly, "Shall we?" she gestures toward the door with her fan.

Korathin is still muttering quietly under his breath as he turns, leading Mikayla out of the room.

Mikayla follows Korathin out, hiding an amused smile behind the silk screen of her fan.