#timeline 1902

Captain Ravel was a close friend of Alexander’s, and it wasn’t uncommon to be summoned to the Shelter so that they could discuss things both on personal matters and the local affairs of the town. With Governor Konstantin Saburov’s declining health, Ravel had taken Alexander under his wing to guide the Capitol-born young man, and school him in the ways of the Town on Ghorkon.

Today, however, they were meant to be discussing the issue of match-making. The Governor’s failing health and the balance of the three ruling families depended on Alexander choosing a capable woman to strengthen the family and produce an heir.

It’s not a thought that rests easy on Alexander. It’s purely political in nature, and in his time soldiering, he’d not dedicated any thought to the so-called “fairer sex.” He was more focused on surviving. There was also the issue that Alexander didn’t know anyone else in the Town outside of the ruling families, patrolmen, the Captain and his daughter, and Simon (whom he considered separately from the others due to the man’s... uniquely charismatic presence).

He wasn’t schooled in keeping friends.

Regardless, he trusted Will (the Captain’s name) to handle the situation accordingly. He was certainly less frustrating to deal with than his Uncle on the matter. Konstantin had been frustratingly pushy.

“Twenty-eight and still unmarried?” The words echoed in his head.

Annoying. Modern times wouldn’t allow for the noble customs that were so contentious now.

He’s silently grateful that the old customs were being somewhat abandoned, and that other aspects of love and courtship in the town were entirely new and open in a way that hadn’t been presented to him before... namely some choice things in being unashamed of habits that were secreted in Naval bunks when Alexander was serving.

That, however, would never be an option for him. It wasn’t what was expected of him, and Alexander was a man of duty first and foremost.

He knocks on the door of the Shelter and waits.