Beautiful People: Celino and Cloe

So it's Link-up time of month again. And time to get back into character questions. In other words, it's Beautiful People time. And because of a 3rd (or 1st) century bishop (or priest) who may (or may not) have had something to do with marrying people against the emperor's orders, the theme for February is couples.

Now I have several couples in Lady of Courage. But I can't talk about Natalia because that's too complicated, and I'd rather not talk about her friend Eloisa who made a political marriage, so I'm going to talk about Natalia's parents. Or rather her mother and her step-father. But they're still both her parents and theirs is a lovely story, if I do say so myself.

Celino Acqui

Now I had better introduce them both properly.

Celino Acqui is a merchant and a veteran of the Third Yallici war. 

Cloe Neroni was raised to occupy a high position and was an assistant to the late Deso of Vecoa and the mother of his heir.
Besides Natalia they have Alexso who is fifteen and Sofia and Teresa who are twelve.

How and why did they meet?

Cloe: Supposedly it was the second time I met Sebastian (my first husband). I was sixteen at the time and very nervous, though excited about the possibility of an engagement. I do however remember him being with Sebastian when he visited me in between then and our wedding.

Celino: I distinctly remember being dancing with her once on the first occasion. Sebastian asked me to help entertain her, then made me promise not to step on her feet.

What were their first impressions of each other?

Celino: I thought that she would be good for Sebastian and make a wonderful Desa for Vecoa when the time came. And I'll admit I thought she was rather young.

Cloe: When I did properly meet him I was impressed by his devotion to Sebastian. And possibly a little too admiring of his swagger and skill with the sword. He wasn't so steady and cautious back before the war.If he had been I might have attempted to set him up with one of my friends and then where would we be. 

How would they prove their love for each other?

Celino: Well she listens to me and confides in me.

Cloe: I would have to say the same.

Cloe Neroni

What would be an ideal date?

Cloe: A date for what? The only big occasions to plan are all Natalia's and I doubt are what you're asking about. But late spring is preferable.

Is there something they emphatically disagree on?

Cloe: Celino still thinks I wouldn't have married him if Sebastian hadn't left a clear letter asking me to let Celino take care of me if he was killed. But though the letter may have played a part, especially in him offering, I couldn't help but be won around to him.

Celino: And I disagree with that statement. She convinced me of her story years ago. I don't understand why, but I believe it.

List 5 quirks they know about each other. 

Cloe: Celino doesn't like going into the city without his big admiral's hat. Even as a merchant he's still got that sea blood. Sometimes I think if it weren't for his commitments he'd been raging off over the sea.

Celino: But you know the war ruined me for seafaring. I'd go if there was a war, but that will be a terrible day.

Cloe: He also hates politics and is very fond of the tapping noise his wooden leg makes. Now what do you have to say about me, dear?

Celino: I have no such awkward things say about you. There's only your odd preference for Rosan partridge over our native pike.

Cloe: I grew up in Rosa. It's natural I'm partial to their food.

Celino: But you spent an equal time on the isle of Fazoe.You didn't have partridges there. And that was where they taught you to cook.

Cloe: And that my dear, is why I have never eaten a badly cooked partridge.

What’s one thing they know about each other that no one else does? (and now you will)

Celino: Cloe almost joined a religious order when she was fifteen and again straight after the war.

Cloe: I'm sure at least one other person knows that. The same with the dreadful secret I have. When he was twenty Celino helped captured an Ayutian ship and almost married a girl on it.

Celino: *raises eyebrows* Did Sebastian tell you that story? And it wasn't nearly so close as that. Her mother told me to behave or I had better marry her, but there was never anything for her to worry about.

What’s one thing that they keep secret from each other?

I was unable to ask this question so I just went digging around in what I already knew. I don't think Cloe tells Celino all of her hopes for Natalia and he has never shared a particular secret that Natalia confided in him.

How would their lives be different without each other?

Cloe: I'd be a lonely widow meddling too much in the life of her only child and Celino would be another mad sea captain. And no, that's not debatable.

Where do they each see this relationship going?

Cloe: Well we've been married seventeen years. Let's see if we can make it to 70.

Celino: I think you mistake your math. I won't live to be one hundred years old.


I hope you enjoyed that. I haven't developed them as well as I'd like yet, but I got a bit of banter going.