It felt much more comfortable to be lost in the growing swirl of couples, and it was much easier to ignore anything that her mother might be screeching about.  Perhaps she should have at least sent her mother a message… but truth be told, she had been enjoying herself.  It was nice having a bit of anonymity while traveling around the world.  Not to mention she had been afraid that her mother would have swooped in and snatched her out of Adeluna before she had really been ready to leave.  "She's always just been Aunt Angela to me, Triune or not.  She's family," Ynnarah said with a shrug.  But that was something to leave in the past, now that Valkoinen had been introduced.

She could still feel the slight heat in her cheeks, but Ynnarah was enjoying herself.  She felt like she could trust Valkoinen, and just be herself around him.  "Oh, definitely.  You haven't even seen my wolf form," she said with a grin.  That would likely be a big surprise for him, and Ynnarah couldn't wait for a proper moment.  But of course the moment was somewhat ruined by her mother yelling loud enough for most of the room to hear.  She sighed, rubbing her temples.  There were moments she knew she took more after her reserved father, and this was one of them.  "Come on, it looks like they are ready for you," she said, taking him by the hand and leading him through the crowd. 

While she had never seen a ceremony of this manner, Ynnarah was quite excited.  Valkoinen definitely deserved to be a White Rose Knight, and perhaps it would somewhat make up for his lost family and friends.  "Mother, Aunt, I present Valkoinen to you to become a Knight of the White Rose Court," she said, once silence had fallen, and it looked like everyone was ready.

Toya took the flame blade in her hand. With one move she took it out of its rose engraved sheath. It was a sight to behold. The way the crimson dipped blade had a life of its own. It shimmered and glistened like sunlight hitting lava at the peak of a raging volcano. She was so deeply intent on staring at it that Angela had to scoff at her to even get the White Queen to move. “Yeah, I know.” 

She looked oddly uncomfortable being the center of attention. It was odd since that was the way she always seemed to be. With her sister’s careful eye and guidance, Toya called attention to the center of the room. “It’s not often that we honor anyone in Arri over the others. The life we live is a dangerous one. We once drove an entire war into the ground. We had soldiers on our doorstep and we lost many to Adeluna. Since those days things have not been as quiet as we like. We lose our children, our grandchildren, and sometimes even our spouses.” The room hushed and Toya knew her words hit the others.

“The five courts were once one but with the growth of our country, we had to split to keep the violence from building under one rule. From under this one rule came five. The five listen to the one. The cycle will never end. Within each court, we elect those who we find our bravest and our true blades. Often we lose them to righteous activities. We honor them when they can no longer honor themselves. With time, despite how we feel, their spots are filled and the cycle continues.”

With a deep breath, Toya lifted the flame blade and held it close to Valkoinen’s shoulder. The heat rippled off of it and no doubt felt like the dry desert heat that filled Arri’s houses and markets. “We honor you Valkoinen of a foreign land. You not only protected my daughter but a princess of the White Court. In a country built on being war torn, we honor this. We will grow to see you do many things and eventually we may see your death like all the others. Think of that, not like a sad thought, but a happy one. All warriors die, even the best. The best gods eventually fall with the passage of time.” A look was shot to Angela who nodded despite Toya thinking that the woman would lash out.

“In your time do things that you love, that will help the things and people you love. Do this with all the honor in your heart because others may not. Be the shield that others can not. The White Court is about the freedom of the wildfire in our hearts. It burns to protect those that cannot protect themselves. Time is savage to all and you best just hold on to everything you have. To this you swear, to not only protect the country you now stand in but to protect its people too. You will become family with us, all of us. From every royal member to every person who may be on the street. You are their champion.”

Toya removed the flame blade before it could scorch the fibers of his outfit. “That is the promise you will uphold.” With his approval, Toya took a small necklace that fit their court and placed it around his neck. “You are family. You are Arri’s few protectors. Do your job well and even in your death will stories be told. That is a warrior’s way.”