[ seems to have stepped in the stepdaddy issues. ]

[ hasn't any parents to speak of, maybe they're still in the old country? yes, that makes sense. he and nikolai don't talk about them because they've been apart so long it just hurts to think about. ]

[ has a startling thought, not a dozen steps from the inn. there are rentable beds in there and the innkeeper is more than a bit bawdy... ]

You won't be able to ply me with alcohol and then convince me to sleep with you. [ comes right out and says it. ] I'll do my duty as a husband, but not until we're wed. Officially, in the church's eyes.