<sub>A rather short, but solidly built young woman. What she lacks in stature she makes up for in shape, with a buxom (yet still rather slender) frame. Her hair seems to dominate her small form, her masses of silky violet curls cascading to brush the backs of her knees, and her strikingly large eyes are vivid violet, so bright they seem to slightly glow in dim light. Her lips are full, stained at the moment with berry juice to give them a deep reddish cast, and her skin is fair, unblemished, and rather quick to flush. Her skin's sparkle is quite pronounced, even in dim candlelight.

kay-lee-EN-za zee-OHS-nin</sub>

Race:
Gemmenite
Age:
Eighteen
Element(s):
Fire
Height:
Five feet, exactly on the point.

Bio:
The Zeosnen family has history. So much of it that most have forgotten what, exactly, they did to be awarded a handsome duchy and a permanent place in the royal palace. One of the oldest, and most influential, families in Gemmenia, they've lived for as long as they can remember in the lap of luxury. With a veritable trade empire, serving markets in every corner of Gemmenia, and vast tracts of land of their own, anyone fortunate enough to share their surname will want for exactly nothing in their life.

Keilie was the eldest of nine children born in the direct line of inheritance. Her family was no stranger to the Drakken reaping- it seemed at least one daughter from every generation had been taken- and thus they were careful to ensure their lands' inheritance through the male line only. Keilie was not to inherit, but she was definitely to marry, be it another Gem lordling or a Drakkan.

As she grew she was given the finest education possible- trade negotiation, diplomacy, history and philosophy, courtly graces, all the other things that a noble woman should know. She was also educated extensively about both the Eastern and Western drakken, at least with as much information as was available on this side of the spine. Her younger siblings, all brothers, were growing into courtly gentlemen as well- but with every new brother her parents seemingly treasured her even more, lavishing her in expensive gowns, fine gifts, servants to attend her every whim.

Her parents had arranged her marriage with meticulous precision - though of course none of the engagements would be final until a day after her twenty-second birthday, once she was safe from the claws of the Reaping, but it was considered prudent to have the arrangement in place well beforehand. Her parents were confident that she would not be chosen- though she did not lack in beauty or form, they were convinced that a sum of money would have the reapers turn a blind eye and take, perhaps, her less-aesthetically-blessed cousin. So they took a risk and let her meet her future husband when she was only sixteen.

Almost immediately, sparks began to fly. Lord Aliazen Lysendrei was any girl's dream. Tall, handsome, charming, just a few years older than Keilie herself, heir to an estate rivaling that of the Zeosnens. He promised her the moon and stars and she fell for him, dreaming of their future at every court function they were permitted to see each other at.

A few days after her eighteenth birthday, the young women of the imperial palace were called to stand for the reaping. She stood proudly, her finest gown on her, pockets heavy with small purses of coin and jewelry. Of course the Drakken tried to pick her- she was glowing, radiant, confident in a crowded room of terrified others. She offered the coin with only a smile, but the guards did not even pause, roughly seizing her.

Her father, having half-expected it, stepped away from the wall behind her and offered a sizeable sum. It was only a small amount from the family coffers, barely enough to be missed, but it was (they hoped) far more money than the Drakken reapers would ever see. But seemingly the reward of keeping her as their prize was even greater. They took the sum- and held her, though they gave her a small luxury. Two hours to pack her belongings and say her goodbyes.

Saying farewell to Ali (as she had taken to calling him, a pet name that he only ever encouraged) was the hardest thing she had ever had to do. He took her hands in his, his soft, graceful fingers that had never been sullied by blood, blade, or labor, and vowed that he would find her, even if he had to find the men to flatten the Spine, inch by inch. He would find her and bring her safe to his side again, to the life of luxury she deserved. She must not let her spirit be broken, must not let her sense of worth be tarnished by a brutish lord's disregard. He pulled her to him then, his voice heady in her ear as he whispered that even if the lord she was given dared sully her body, it would not matter on their own wedding night. Promised again that he would find her, whatever the cost.

At that point he let her go, helped her gather her things- gowns and boots and pretty, useless things, things of sentimental value, gifts he'd given her. As he helped her close her chest, passing her a cushion to take for her convenience on the carriage, he again pulled her close against him and kissed her. A warm, desperate kiss, a kiss that begged for more- more that they had neither time nor privacy for.

He helped her into the carriage, helped her load her chest of belongings, and was roughly torn away by the reapers. Her goodbyes died on her lips as she turned to watch him fading into the distance, his sapphire-blue flames outlining him in a glow before the Drakken caravan crested a rise and he vanished from sight. His words and touch were seared into her memory.

She was a lady. She'd remind the Drakken what that entailed, and demand the respect she was due. She was not afraid of them- she'd learned their culture and their history, and exactly where and how she could press an advantage in any social or academic situation. She may not have been a warrior, but she was a scholar, socialite- and a lady of highest class. She was prepared for this.

...right?
Other:
Her father is officially titled a "Grand Duke" but as she is not set to inherit she simply uses the title Lady.
Her education included precise control of her element, but for the most part she's been taught to use it for entertainment and interest only, not as something to use as a weapon.
Adult Content Preference:
Fade to black please.