Kalars writes back; she has his utmost sympathy, but if she doesn't want a visit he doesn't need to be there for his own sake.
Raney doesn't write back; she just turns up the next day, dwarf caiman familiar tucked under her arm.
She wants to meet her son-in-law.
"... You're being incredibly clinical about all options available, which seems the best to you?"
"I have nothing nonclinical to go on," she points. "I'm assuming you know more about political instability and what will and won't exacerbate it than I do or I might produce an opinion on that basis. But how am I supposed to know how much I might like someone with whom I might have an extramarital affair before having met him, or whatever? All the options are potentially acceptable."
He was kind of wondering if she found him to be anything more than a clinical option on a list, but... Well.
"And as you keep pointing out we don't know each other well enough to have a proper relationship, so of course I'm being likewise about you. I'm willing to try if you are, but I'm not going to fabricate an emotional connection that has not developed."
"Depends on what we'll be doing. If you had dinner in mind, tomorrow morning would be very peculiar as a choice of timing."
Edarial snorts. "Just a bit. Okay then - what sort of... datish... thing seems like it would be fun to do?"
"A few, actually. Do you want the one that has lots of flowers, the one with lots of trees, or the one with a lake?"
"Save me from the butterflies! How terrible that you would even think of taking me to such a place, after lunch tomorrow."
"Truly terrible," he snorts. "I apologize for even thinking the thought, butterflies are terrifying creatures. That come in lots of pretty colors."
"It could be a silly hat. That might be fun. Tacky and with puffballs and everything."
"I have the impression I'm sort of irritating to shop for. My parents get me books for most gift-giving occasions."