Out of the Norm

It took her a moment, but Keelin eventually sprawled out beside him, laying her body so that it was touching his. She questioned him and Merrick scowled for a moment. "We're keeping up appearances, woman," he informed her. "You can't look like a slave. You have to look like my mate, which I suppose you are." He gestured idly in the air with one big paw. "Picnics are mate things, are they not? So here we are, picnicking." It was no secret that he wasn't good at this sort of thing.

Digging into the basket, Merrick pulled out a pack of seasoned venison. Were you supposed to cook this sort of thing? He had no idea. Keelin was the one that prepared the meals. He had just grabbed whatever he could find in the stores. That included two bottles of wine. He popped the cork on one and took a long draw, seating it between himself and Keelin in case she wanted a sip as well.

"There are things that we need to discuss," he informed her. "Things that you need to be prepared for. I won't have you making a scene after you give birth." He cast the woman a side eye, prepared to talk about the ins and outs of Mendacium beliefs after she had finished eating.

"Merrick Mendacium"