OldManWong

Reboot - Prized Bride

Praeth

Tirza
Nadia
Araxie

---

"We both can play a mean game"
Praeth had the intention to block anything sent at him, but he foresaw the outcome from Tirza's preparation in using her element and decided to humor her. The kiss on his lips was laughable, he was not unused to contact, rather, it was nothing new. Attempting to fluster him with a straightforward kiss was difficult to say the least. The words whispered in his ear, on the other hand, brought a thin smile to his lips,
"Play all you like, but I assure you, it will not take more than 4 hours before things become unbearable for ones who are trained, it will become torturous throughout the night. I would watch your demeanor carefully for this coming event~" Praeth muttered aloud, whimsically as though he was talking to nobody, although Tirza knew very well who he was talking to.

Praeth leisurely walked back to his cloak, donning it over his shoulders as it settled along his back. His voice took on a matter of authority, it was leaps and bounds different from his cooing voice mere moments ago.

"We will be going to the banquet now, I expect all of you to be on your best behavior. I give the three of you free reign within the banquet hall, but the safest place is beside me. Wander, and your apt to run into trouble, which would trouble me rather greatly."

As Praeth carefully placed his imposing mask over his eyes, the three girls could feel a tingling sensation along their right forearms. It was not uncomfortable, but something that had simply no words to describe. If they were to look, it would appear as if something was being literally painted onto their wrists with a watery dark blue ink. It was only a few inches along the wrist, but it showed a dragon coiling itself about the circumference of the forearm. It was the same seal Praeth had used when he had submitted his request to the Court. The mark lay just under the skin, the faint colors having notable contrast between the skin and the dragon, yet it was not so loud as to beckon one's gaze.

"It's a technique of the far East aptly named the 'Water Tattoo', it involves staining the skin with water and is practically impossible to remove without removing skin itself. That is your 'mark', flaunt it or hide it, that announces that you all are mine."

Without a second glance, Praeth opened the door without a sound. His attendant, Averus, seemed intent on Praeth's face, but his excited features slowly switched to one of disappointment. It seemed not even his attendant had seen his face.

"You'll have to forgive me Averus, it's too risky. My features could betray my origins for any native Drakken older than I."

It pained Praeth to hide his face from his own subordinate, but he felt it a necessary measure. With a swing of his hand, Praeth instructed Averus to bring up the flank of the three girls, his glance behind his mask requesting that his brides follow him. Curtly, with a demeanor akin to the words "let's get this over with", Praeth made his way to the banquet hall with his brides and attendant in tow. He was already mentally consumed with what was to come, the floor echoed beneath his feet and he soon came to the doorstep of the banquet hall.

Reboot - Prized Bride

Oh crap, I forgot to add the description of horns. Going to edit cs

Reboot - Prized Bride

Don't worry Clocktower, feels weird for me too!
But. Praeth is the epitome of what it means to never fluster, so thus I mustn't as well

Reboot - Prized Bride

Praeth

"I guess it is...... My name is Tirza and my element is Air. I must say my Lord, you really got it real easy with those two. I'm not too difficult, though my people would say otherwise...... But I guess you will find out if I'm trouble or not."
Praeth closely observed every movement and feature of Tirza, her face, her voice, her composure. He did not look closely due to need, but rather, out of curiosity as to who would accompany him for the next part of his life and onward.
"I see. She's bored, so bored, she is playing games with that...smile. Perhaps I have appeared far too lenient... or simply too boring. Well, I need her loyalty by the banquet as to be able to focus on other things. Seems she is the orphan that Averus wrote me about, perhaps in her eyes, her position now is preferable to being shunned by her own people. Humiliation and rejection is many times more painful than mere physical tortures perhaps. If that's the case, harsh discipline will be too slow. I suppose, at the least, I'll get her under the shadow of loyalty with something less savage...how problematic."
A quick train of thought ran through Praeth's head. It was a plethora of information processing that was instantaneous and an extremely direct line of thought. His features turned into an ever-so-slight smirk that exuded confidence, it had a domineering effect and it almost seemed like his eyes leered at Tirza.

"You are correct, compared to the other two, you seem to be slightly more troublesome. Are you, perhaps, bored?"

Before Tirza even had half a second to answer, Praeth's head appeared right beside her ear, his form almost in a kneeling position despite the fact that nobody had seen him actually move or tense a muscle for that matter. His broad back blocked the view of Tirza from the other 2 girls in the room. In a voice that resonated deeply throughout the entire room, yet minute enough that only Tirza could understand him, his manner of speech sped up slightly

"There is a banquet this evening in which the nobles showcase their prizes. To be frank, you are the only one I believe would misbehave at such an opportune time, thus I will give you this now as entertainment, should you misbehave, you will keep it for the night. Behave and I will release it from you, you lose the moment someone finds out what exactly you are using to entertain yourself. Be careful of the games you play."

Rather than threatening words, the tone of his voice was that more of a father admonishing his child halfheartedly. While he spoke, Tirza felt an undulating volume of water seeping in under her dress and crop-top. The thin, ever changing forms of water left no trail of water, yet they left the exquisite feeling of the element's smoothness running across the skin, as if they were skilled hands with an odd texture, they continuously moved under the cloth with the intention of sensual pleasure, yet not being prominent enough to leave any visible undulations in cloth or skin. It failed to provide any sort of release, but it was extremely obvious that the intention was to build carnal desire, and the speed at which it build for most was usually overwhelming. Preath played her game, but he played to overpower, he had no intention of finding out whether or not she was trouble at the banquet.

Just as quickly as he had bent forward, Praeth returned to his original stance with his hands behind his back as if nothing had happened. Looking at the three of them he took on an appearance of having just remembered something.
"Ah, just to make sure we're all on the same page, there will be a banquet with all the other nobles and brides. I expect all of you to behave at your utmost and be cautious of what you say. Drakken in general may be savages, but the nobles are fairly skilled in trickery, it is something I can barely keep a grasp on myself, thus, neutrality and caution is among the best policies."

Looking back to Tirza he smiled knowingly, meeting her eyes.

"It would be unfair to withhold the same chance I gave the other two, would you also like to reveal your magic to me?"

Praeth asked, he understood her distraction, but he treated her the same nonetheless. It seemed he was more enjoying the game he had set up for himself as well as watching Tirza's expression.

Reboot - Prized Bride

I have a suggestion...
Once everyone is finished with their own bride introduction, how about a banquet that all drakken nobles and their prizes attend?

Reboot - Prized Bride

@ClocktowerEchos
You did well Clocktower, it is befitting of the theme and character, so there is nothing to be ashamed of

Reboot - Prized Bride

@Raxacoricofallapatorius

Thus, a tactical withdrawal of enraged emotions. Aptly named diplomacy.

Reboot - Prized Bride

Praeth is grossly offended in the fact that he was not offended in the prior post. He demands compensation.

Reboot - Prized Bride

Praeth & Araxie

Praeth appraised the girl before him more closely, as he had Nadia. As Nadia had, the girl before him also pleased his aesthetic sense. Where Nadia's features were soft and tender, this girl's features flowed together like a river, every curve and facet adding to her beauty. As he watched her blue eyes fall towards his shoes, he imagined her a water elementalist before she even spoke.

"My name is Araxie, s-sir! But... Most call me Ara because it's easier. Y-You're free to call me as you like, sir! I... uhhm... I like sitting by the rivers and listening to the water rush by."

Praeth winced inwardly initially at the large contrast in volume between Nadia and Araxie, but he quickly became used to her voice, and as he had imagined with her appearance, her voice was similar with a silky texture to it. To his surprise she seemed almost confident, although she did call him sir. In every way, it seemed almost like she was in stark contrast to Nadia, and thus, Praeth was pleased with the diversity, his interest piqued by both brides thus far.

"I see, so your element is water, is it not?"

Praeth asked, rather than waiting for an answer he already knew, Araxie felt his eyes prying into hers with a sort of analytical intensity, his presence becoming many times more oppressive. As Nadia had been fairly straightforward with her personality, Praeth did not feel the need to pry more closely, but for Araxie, he had sensed a bit of a facade. Without yet understanding Araxie's personality, Praeth's curiosity allotted him to try and buckle any form of barrier that would block a full understanding of his bride, in a way that would only be fitting of Praeth, sudden and arbitrary intimidation via overbearing aura.

Ara felt his eyes gaze at her and her eyes went wide. She could feel it in her bones. Fear. Yet... something else was there too. Admiration? That couldn't be right... Awe? No... Not that either. Whatever it was, he didn't really scare her so much as amaze her.

"I... Yes, sir." She began, a smile forming on her face. "You're so smart." She spoke, her voice much softer now, like a gentle spring.

Praeth rose an eyebrow, but offered nothing else forward in his features beyond the ever-present quirk of the lips. His presence relaxed but he continued to stare at Araxie, after a few moments of silence, Praeth finally spoke again,

"Well then Ara, I will offer you the same oppurtunity I offered Nadia, would you care to show me the extent of your power? As a fellow water elementalist, I'm sure you'll give me the honor?"

Each word was enunciated carefully to avoid any misunderstanding, yet his accent was so heavy that 'Ara' rolled off his tongue in something close to a purr. Although those around him understood clearly what he said, it almost sounded like he was speaking a different language entirely.

Ara's body shivered at his words. The way her name rolled off of his tongue made her legs feel like jello. Part of her was excited to be able to show her powers but the other part of her knew he would be disappointed in them. Her face suddenly dropped, the smile gone. She... She didn't want to disappoint him but... She felt the tears welling up in her eyes and blinked to will them away.

"C-Certainly..." She choked, swallowing hard. She took in a deep breath and tried to calm her fast beating heart. For some reason, she did not want to disappoint this man and not because she thought he would hurt her but because for the brief moment she had known him, she had all but made him her idol.

Praeth... forgive me for being such a failure as a water bride....

She swallowed as she lifted a hand and produced a small pool of water in the palm of her hand. It wobbled as it lifted from her palm and shook in a messy orb. Seconds later, it burst and splashed Ara in the face. She let out a shaky breath as she turned to look, her eye wide with fear. He was going to hate her now. He was going to punish her!

Praeth released a low chuckle, it was a sympathetic one that almost said outright, 'Nothing more was expected, do not feel shame'. Watching her eyes widen with fear, an extremely faint ecstatic wrenching feeling formed in the bottom of Praeth's stomach but he only showed a slight nod before rewarding Ara's effort with a more prominent smile, it could be considered a faint smile for most, but it almost seemed like Praeth's facial features had reached their maximum capacity for expression.

"I am familiar with Gemminite's level of power, comparitively, I am very much pleased with your level of potential. On the other hand, it seems your mastery of your power is...poor, even at this age. Of course, I will take part in aiding your training from now on. To make things clear, I want the three of you to be able to use your elements to protect yourselves. Physically, none of you will be able to match a Drakken, it is a mere truth, but you might just be able to take one by surprise with a certain level of expertise."

She could feel her legs turning to jello again at the sound of his voice. His faint smile was enough to cause her to fall to the ground in a heap of weak Gemminite. At first, his words sent her heart skyrocketing but as he continued, she felt her heart drop. Her mastery was... poor? Her eyes went wide as he continued, however.

H-He's going t-to train me?!

She could feel her heart leaping out of her chest. She hadn't been this happy in a very, very long time. Most people just gave up on her the moment they saw her level of mastery...

Praeth began to digress, but it almost seemed like it pained him to be dishonest, pulling his direct attention from Araxie and focusing on the three of them,

"I will explain my current position to the three of you as to avoid blindsiding you all later. The attendent that selected you all, he is my one and only subordinate- don't be fooled, I am not lacking in capital wealth- but the entire Drakken country abhorres my very existence as of now. In turn, I have enlisted the tradition of brides to solidify my power, thus you must never forget your position and be cautious in everything you do. As the three of you are the foundation of my current standing, many people will target you all when they realize they cannot target me."

He had suddenly become extremely straightforward and serious, as if the situation was dire, but he intended to fully imply the danger they were in. Looking back to Araxie, Praeth returned to his earlier face with the slight raising of the lips that seemed more like an apologetic one,
"So, I'm afraid even if you have skirted your training in your element until now, I will ask that you work hard to strengthen your elemental technique."
Although he had said 'ask' , it was obvious that he left little room for objection or slacking.

Ara watched him and hung onto every word. This man was going to kill her just by setting her heart ablaze. "Y-You'll really train me?" She asked, still sitting on the floor with her legs set out on either side. Her eyes sparkled with life and her lips curled into an excited smile. The smile soon faded as she realized something, however. She... She wouldn't be of much use to him... She was a failure as a gem and she'd be a failure to him.

The happiness in her face melted away to reveal a sad and fearful one which soon melted into a fierce expression of determination.
"I'll do my best, sir. Please... I'll do my best!" She shouted, pushing herself up off the floor.

Praeth watched her plethora of expressions, despite all his strength and skills, he envied her wide range of emotions. Perhaps if one could laugh from the stomach, red faced; but also, cry with the most frantic of sobs, one could live a truly fulfilling life. There was a light behind the girl's eyes that had been long absent from Praeth's, perhaps he envied that the most. He felt his stomach swell with something close to admiration, the three girls infront of him were all laughably weak compared to him, small and fragile. Yet, despite their hardship, they never cast aside something that Praeth was desperately missing. Following Araxie's words, Praeth, for a moment, perhaps less than a fraction of a second, flashed an expression of vexation as if he was intensely preplexed, but the moment quickly passed and Praeth collected himself with a low laugh.

"I like the attitude! I look forward to our training... now... that leaves us.."

Praeth looked to his final bride, he had neglected her up until now, but she could feel his gaze appraising her as he had done the others.

"Apologies for the wait, my dear. I suppose it is now your time to shine."

Reboot - Prized Bride

@WeepingLiberty
swimmingly, although it is not so much a reboot for me. Im going to randomly take the initiative and say feel free to join in! You were in the last one, weren't you?