tame your demons ♱ marybeth&tanner

t a n n e r    g a r c i a   .

At the sign of Marybeth's blushing, Tanner feels a sense of accomplishment. Of pride, as if taking it as confirming that he is doing this right. Regardless of their relationship, they will spend the rest of their lives together. He would prefer it to be harmonious - if they could truly love each other, Tanner would be a happy man. Part of him wonders if that is possible, or if it will always be a game of chasing the other's approval. 

That they speak a language of trading gifts, materialistic in the way they care for one another. Would that be so bad? It is so hard to tell, Tanner could feel fulfilled being something of a provider. It is his mission, after all, the prodigal son destined to become the Father once his own tires from the position. He will care for the old and the young, the healthy and the sick, the divine and the disciples. Most of all, he will care for Marybeth, in the best way he knows how. 

"I am not deserving of your gifts, holy one," she says, and it strikes a cord inside him. You are supposed to be, if anyone, who more deserving than his eternal partner? Of his time before their betrothal, he always remembered her as a timid creature, despite her beaming smile. Perhaps that is just his presence that makes her feel so lesser, it feels inescapable. Divine and Disciple, his status proceeds his actions, "of course you are," he says before receiving her thanks. 

"And I mean it, you are deserving of every inch of me." 

Every pound of flesh he has, for her. Tanner wishes to see her at his level, and it begins with allowing her to feel as if she can be. Disciple she may be, she will never be let to be treated as he is, but that cannot stop him from treating her elsewise. In his eyes, she is the most divine of them all, as she will be his. It makes him nervous so, marrying a Disciple, for superiority has always placed a feeling of reluctance in him. 

He should know better, that he will always be looked up to rather than looked at. 

She looks to his gift, a wonderful set of pearl earrings, and back to him with the widest of eyes. Marybeth smiles, so so does he, soaking in the gush of her excitement. Perhaps he can do well after all, the nerves in his chest deflating to that of his boots. He looks into her eyes and sees his own reflection, as if a piece of him lives inside of her already. What does he look like through her eyes? If he were not the son, would she still be as impressed? 

Unlike anything she had ever seen before; he leans into her an inch as if bearing a secret, "they come from outside the commune, Marybeth. The jeweler spoke of them being pearls from the fishing district itself, how far our God goes to create some beautiful things." His reach impeccable, Tanner has hardly seen life outside of the commune, nevertheless outside the promised lands of 10. There is such an amazement that comes from imagining what lies outside of it, he daren't picture himself anywhere else. 

"Please could you help me put them in?" Marybeth requests of him, and he only hesitates for a second, shuffling behind her and her beguiling hair. "I think I should wear them to dinner tonight."

"That would delight me so," he says, imagining himself and herself arriving as an item before the rest of the community. It would make a good appearance, and perhaps please that of his own father. Tanner holds his breath as he plants both pearls into the lobes of his betrothed, taking in the scent of her mane. "There," he confirms, stepping back to the front of Marybeth in order to take in the sight of her now at one with his gift. He thinks of what he will present to her next, if it will satisfy her as well.

If it doesn't, he wonders if she would even tell him so.

"They look immaculate on you, Marybeth!" He says, an infliction to his tone, "I should make nice with your mother before we leave, but do find me when you are readied, okay?"