Inevitably, Grissell had a problem with it. "She can't marry a colorless, Collin! They are born in sin and deviant." she protested. I just blinked. "Nope. I won't even entertain that nonsense. No one can choose who their parents are or how they were born. If Johna wishes to spend her life with Haganrich as her partner, then it will be so." I said as the head of the household. "As long as he can fight and is healthy, I don't see why one human is so beneath another human that no one would want to mate with them." Bonnie said. "I feel the same way Bonnie. To make such declarations would also mean that my sons were also unworthy of love because of how they look. That is not acceptable in this household." Grissell looked from Bonnie and I to Johna. "I want to be with him. Please say yes, Mother! Let him speak to you. You'll see if you hear it from him." she pleaded. Grissell could not stand the pleading of her firstborn. "Fine then. Let him come. I'll find the truth of the matter for you." she grumbled. That was a big start. Johna hugged her in gratitude. She smiled at her mother. Grissell did it too.
Keeping her promise, we made a nice dinner and everyone dressed up so that we could receive him. I was outside waiting for him. As he saw me, he pulled his ring off. I saw it before, but he was totally from his disguise. "I'm so grateful that you invited me to your home. It means so much to me." I put a hand on his chest to stop him. "My wife, Baroness Grissell Rhombus, is adamant that Johna not marry you. She has the same superstitions around the colorless as everyone else here. This dinner is all centered around getting her to like you. I suggest you put your ring on while you are here." I warned him. His face fell. "I see. I'll do as you say, Baron Rhombus." he said sadly. I just pat him on the shoulder. "Don't lose heart. Johna wants you. I want Johna's happiness. You only have one more person to convince." I assured him with a smile. Haganrich put his ring back on. We entered together. "Look who I found!" I called out to everyone. Grissell looked at him in confusion. "He's not... colorless." she said. I smiled. "This dinner is just so we get to know him. No need to be uncomfortable."
Loving Haganrich was not needed. Johna already covered that. We just had the duty to scope him out as loving parents for Johna. To keep her in a good mood, Grissell and Yon had been allowed to drink and do art the whole day together without being disturbed. I was the one doing the cooking. Yon went home with his family. I was the only one in Mansfield that knew how to fry fish and chicken. I did not know which one Haganrich would prefer. Yon was my brother in law, so he got a plate for free. Aside from the fried food, he got mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. Everything was ready to be served. I placed it on the table. I sat Grissell and then Bonnie. Haganrich sat Johna. I let Grissell say grace for the whole household. We then got to eat. He loved my food. That was a good sign. He ate both the fish and the chicken. He did not have the mashed potatoes. Johna forced more vegetables on his plate to make him eat them all. He really hated that. Haganrich still ate it to make a good impression on us. Grissell was watching him. After their dinner, she still wanted to talk to him in private.
