Bride of: Ineraz Evrenarth@SilverPaw; Sister-bride of Zeldria Miphras@Saltwater Thief Interacting with Ineraz and Zeldria
Another journey. It seemed as though ever since arriving in Shadow Worth, the Gemmenites had been transported from one destination to the next, whether that was within the walls of Shadow Worth or outside of them. This journey, however, was different from the others. This journey was to mark the beginning of their new life; this journey was to meet their husbands.
Our husbands? My husband…
After Sera had arrived back in Shadow Worth from the hot springs, she was delivered to her bedroom where she was ordered to “prepare”. When her small body was pushed into the room she found a gown laid out for her on the bed. Sera eyed it from the doorway, as if it were a strange creature lying there.
Maybe it was?
The snow haired gem shook her head, eyes closed tight for a moment and reopened them to find that it really was just a dress. A sigh of relief came next and then a few small steps toward the bed. Sera examined the dress laid out for her; she had never seen something so beautiful in her entire life. She knew what it was though, it was to make her more appealing to her suitor. Her fiery red eyes narrowed as she thought about what it would mean to be someone’s pet.
At least you will finally belong
Her heart skipped a beat.
“Belonging…”
The sky was dark and it was raining when the girls were lead into the Ceremony, almost as if Vivari herself was crying for the fate of her children. Sera followed aimlessly, just one Gem in a line of many, her eyes glued to the floor. She had chosen to wear the gown provided for her; the colour of the material created an alluring contrast against her skin. The prince gave a speech but she couldn’t hear him speak, his voice muffled behind her racing thoughts of what came next. Mere seconds passed before the Gems were ripped from the line and delivered to their new mates. The girl’s palms of her hands grew steadily hotter, her mind refusing to calm.
Not here. Not now.
A rough hand took hold of her arm and she snapped back into the present, though it took a couple seconds as she was now being dragged across the room and toward an incredibly tall Drakkan. Although he was rather slender compared to the other Drakkan in the room, he exuded an intimidating aura. Sera’s eyes jutted over to the other Gem who was being delivered alongside her, she was familiar from the hot spring though she wasn’t sure how she felt about sharing in the dark experience with another. A shove came next and a remark that struck her; may these creatures bend and behave to your will just as your beasts do.
Another hand placed itself on her shoulder and as it did, her eyes peered up at the Drakkan before her. If he hadn’t had reached out she would have fallen; she thanked him silently. Her new husband stepped back and as he examined her, she felt a nervousness in her stomach. Nervousness for fear of rejection, nervousness for fear of death, nervousness for fear of…
Serafine
He knew she was a fire gem, an educated guess. Sera simply nodded in response to him, unknowing how to act as a bride. His next question was delivered with a directness; she would have to respond appropriately. Her nerves calmed temporarily and her impassive expression returned.
“My name is Sera Makatza” she replied, neglecting her full name. Sera wanted to know what his name was, the Drakkan guard who delivered her called him a beast master but she had not heard his name. Was it too bold to ask? Was it not like a bride to speak when not spoken to? There were so many unanswered questions that she had but before she could decide what to do, her mouth had already opened again.
“And you, what do we call you other than our husband?”
Husband of {no one}. Interacting with: No one currently.
Five hundred years had passed. Five hundred years since the Ultair name had walked the streets of Železna Kri. A lifetime ago the Ultair name was revered in the capital, even stretching across certain regions in Drakka. Now, the Ultair name is but an infamous legend feared by those in the furthest corners of the country. Edred Ultair; the Drakkan behind it all. A fearless warrior who challenged many and served relentlessly under King Toran, only later to become known as The Berserker. For decades after Edred’s disappearance he was hunted for his crimes against the nation, constantly raiding the Reaping carriages and slaughtering the many. A rather large bounty was placed on his head, though it would never be claimed as he would never be seen again… until today when a Drakkan bearing an uncanny resemblance to him would appear.
Each step through the streets of Železna Kri met the stone roadway with a heavy stride. The massive figure passed by guards without hesitation, knowing only certain members of the royal family would be able to recognize him as holding the Ultair name. The busyness of the street around him did not draw his attention; his intention of being there was not to purchase the wares from the vendors calling out to him or for the few Drakkan who eyed him up looking for a brawl. He was there for one thing; The Choosing Ceremony.
The Choosing Ceremony would be heavily guarded and almost impossible to penetrate without causing a disturbance, however; all of his favourite people would be there and he wanted to see them. The Drakkan had arrived in Železna Kri long before the ceremony would begin, he had come to learn that a tournament had been held for those who wanted to prove themselves worthy of earning a Prize. He momentarily thought about joining simply to earn himself a spot inside but decided otherwise, knowing that his presence would not be well received in such a large crowd for appearing out of nowhere. The Drakkan decided his best course of action was to sneak in, slither into the shadows and observe from afar until the right moment to say hello presented itself. He spent the rest of his day learning how to get himself inside without drawing too much attention to himself.
Patience was a necessary trait that the Drakkan had learned over the course of his lifetime; a trait that served him well when undergoing endeavours such as crashing a royal party. He was no stranger to waiting for the right moment, and waiting he had done. Nightfall brought with it rain… and the Brides. He had found his way inside, though it brought a swift death to but a couple of guards on his way in. He was careful to choose a path with the least amount of eyes watching it and waited for his opportunity to press forward when less guards were around. Although his presence was massive, he had learned how to conceal himself against those he didn’t want to see him; again, a necessary trait that made carrying on his father’s legacy an easier feat.
He had made it inside, tucked away in the furthest corner of the Ceremony careful to keep quiet as he watched the proceedings. A small grin spread across the Drakkan’s face as he watched the heir to the throne speak to the room; Gaelnesh, if he remembered his father’s teachings correctly. There were a few other royal members there, one Drakkan who didn’t even resemble a Drakkan and was missing his horns had plucked a Gemmenite from the line and left. He could only assume this was Ehkota by the rumours he had learned over the years. What caught his attention the most was the presence of what appeared to be the only female member of the Royal Family. He wasn’t sure of who she was, clearly an addition his father was not aware of; he licked his lips at the sight of her nonetheless, truly an exquisite creature. She would make for a fine wife for many reasons other than just mating.
The Drakkan’s eyes scanned the rest of the room, noting the other female Drakkan there; as always, there were few of them. One of them was awarded a bride alongside her Husband, another was waiting for something, but what he didn’t know. She seemed timid, although his assumption came from afar. It was clear that she held a certain air of beauty to her and was a Drakkan, given her distinctive horns, however; there was something off about her. A grimace overcame his face, understanding what was off about her was most likely a result of impure blood. There were some impure children who were more Drakkan than Gem, they were the lucky ones… but there were others that were nothing more than a disgrace to the bloodline. He would save his judgment for her later on. The fear of extinction had pushed their kind to a dark choice; there had to be another way.
The Drakkan shook his head in light disapproval and watched as the numbers were growing thinner in the Ceremony. His time was coming; the return of the Ultair name.
Höd arrives in the capital and finds his way into the Ceremony without being detected, though he had to take care of a couple guards to do so. He watches the event and waits to make an introduction.
Höd is a massive brute of a Drakkan; standing at 7'5” and weighing over 300lbs. He has dark grey skin littered with battle scars and the horns protruding from his skull are far from perfect. He wears golden circlets on his horns, a prize he stole from a Gemmenite he bedded and later murdered. The jewelry in his ears are also from women he had taken in the past. Höd’s face is distinctive due to his blazing purple eyes and the lethal look that accompanies them.
Race: Drakkan Age: 526 Element(s): Fire and Earth Height: 7'5"
Bio: Eight hundred years ago the Anathos War was won under the direction of King Toran, the first Drakkan to unite the otherwise feral race. Amongst the Drakkan who served under King Toran was Edred Ultair. Edred was a ruthless warrior, one who claimed the lives of many, both Anathos and Drakkan alike. His brutality became known across Drakka and eventually, he was dubbed as the Berserker; an unstoppable force. Naturally, Edred followed his King into battle without question when the war began and fought honourably until he delivered a victory. The Drakkan Lords claimed their Gemmenite prizes, including Edred. The first round of Brides did not last long; dying from either captivity, childbearing, or other horrific acts. As Edred watched the Brides drop like flies and witnessed the birth of their impure children, he concluded that the Gemmenites would be a stain on their bloodline. A stain that needed to be rectified. Edred attempted to reason with the King, but the King would not listen. It was in that moment that Edred began to view his King as the destroyer of their race for allowing such impurities to taint them. He disappeared. For centuries no one could find Edred Ultair and only stories of a Drakkan matching his description raiding the Reaping carriages and slaughtering the Brides remained.
The stories of the Berserker lessened for many years, almost completely forgotten, until one day a brute of a Drakkan reappeared and claimed a Reaping carriage once again. This Drakkan left a survivor each time, one to reignite the rumour of the Berserker. Though the story seemed flawed, as Edred Ultair would be too old in age to spread his wrath even further. What no one had known was that Edred left behind his mark; a son. Höd.
Höd Ultair was born of pure Drakkan blood, though his mother remain a mystery. He looked eerily just like his father and was raised to be just like him, with the ideals of cleansing his race and bringing purity once again. Höd despised those who bred with Gemmenite women, though he was not a stranger to forcing his pleasure upon them. To ensure that his seed did not grace that of a Gemmenite, he only took them once and then killed them. Höd was born in blood and shared the same brutality and ruthlessness of his father. It was these traits that allowed the Drakkan to carry on his father’s title of the Berserker and claim many lives of his own.
Five hundred years would pass before the Ultair name would step foot again in Železna Kri, however; Höd knew that he alone could not accomplish the mighty task of purification and would eventually need to father a child to continue his legacy. Drakkan women were almost impossible to come by and even then, could not simpy be taken for the liking. He would have to win one over. Höd ventured to the capital, ready to reintegrate into the world of Drakka and find himself a woman suitable to bear his children and become his wife.
Other: A bounty was placed on Edred Ultair’s head for slaughtering the masses of potential Brides, though the bounty was never claimed as he could never be found. Whether he is alive or not is a mystery. All the remains is Höd, who has suddenly shown up in Železna Kri. Only people would know his family name now, though people who were old enough to know Edred Ultair personally might be able to recognize Höd as being related.
The hot springs were a decent walk away from Shadow Worth. There were a number of Drakken who followed behind them, in front of them, and throughout them, to ensure that the soon to be Brides were kept in line. Just the very presence of the massive creatures cast a veil of fearful compliance over the group as they were herded to their new destination. There were a handful of Gemmenites that could be heard socializing on the way. Sera couldn’t decide whether she thought they were brave or stupid; or whether she envied them or resented them. She walked in silence amongst the faceless crowd, disturbed at her own racing thoughts about them.
Sera had not felt quite right since she arrived in Shadow Worth, though she never felt quite right. Serafine’s thoughts had been more overwhelming, the world was changing around her more often, and she was acting out more than usual. In Gemmenia, Serafine was always there, always lurking… but she did not visit as much as she was now. Sera’s face twisted into a knot, realizing that it was this place that was drawing her out.
Why?
The hot air rushing against her face pulled her out of her own thoughts, Sera hadn’t even realized the group had reached their destination. She had been walking robotically, simply following the motions her body took her through. A couple nudges came from behind her and beside her as the Gemmenites pushed past her stone like body and into the room; most of them appeared to be excited by the Drakkan’s gift of luxury. Sera could care less. Before another one of the guards had to push her along, she walked behind the group into the hot spring.
Most of the women were quick to find their way into the pools of water, some of them lingered on the platforms, and some of them even chose to make a grand entrance by jumping into the spring. Sera observed those who flocked to each other and shared in conversation, she again felt the familiar feeling she had earlier; was she jealous of them or did she spite them?
With a heavy sigh, Sera pushed the intertwining feelings from her mind and decided to enjoy the gift bestowed upon her. She slowly removed her towel and stood for a moment naked on the platform, unphased by her exposed body. Her porcelain like skin was untouched by imperfection, her white silver-like hair hung to her lower back. She was petite, and dangerously stunning. Sera’s crimson eyes scanned the room for a place to sit in solace from her own thoughts, she chose a pool with a Gem sitting on the edge of it, her legs resting in the water as she sat on the edge still wearing her towel.
Sera slowly walked over, placed her now folded towel on a bench on the platform and slowly lowered herself in the pool within speaking distance of the Gem on the edge. She heard the woman comment judgingly about the other Gem’s behaviour. Sera could not fight the small smile that appeared on her face; to hear another share even a morsel of her own thoughts was a relief. It calmed her in a way she had not felt since she arrived to Shadow Worth; was that all she needed, to share in distaste with someone?
”Nothing ever lasts.” Sera responded, her voice flat with a factful tone.
Her statement couldn't be more true when one of the Drakkan ordered them to exit the pool. The day of promised replenishment was quickly rescinded, an action that Sera assumed was normal of their kind. The sound of displeased sighs echoed the room, even one Gem had the courage to point out that they had not been there that long. When the booming voice announced it was time to meet their husbands, silence fell over the room. Everything had been leading up to this moment, the day of their forced weddings. Fear once again struck the faces of many, though Sera carried her same blank expression. To become property of one of these monsters, would it be better than home? Would they look at her like her own parents did, a monster? Something to be afraid of? A thought ripped into her mind like a knife cutting through paper; was their chaotic nature just what she needed? Serafine.
I’ll forever haunt your memory… So you best learn to live with me.
Sera has some thoughts about "Serafine" on her way to the hot springs and has a realization that Drakka itself, is bringing out the more unstable side of her. She can't decide whether she wants to be part of the social gems or if she wants to bring them harm, or both. She settles on sitting with Aurora and finds relief that someone is thinking even a little on the dark side, like she is.
Arden’s smile remained as Bree poked fun at her responses. If only Bree had known what she really meant by not being used to the situation at hand. A small part of her wanted to tell Bree about who she was raised to be, but there was a bigger part of her that was afraid to. Arden had never opened up to anyone about how she lived as something she was not. Even after she was apprehended and forced to live the remainder of her time until she was Reaped in Prisel Aldentine, she never spoke about her life beforehand. The Gemmenite women who looked after her for that year would ask her questions that were always met with the same silencing glare. And yet, the thought to tell Bree had momentarily crossed her mind. There was something about the woman that was drawing Arden in, something that made it almost too easy to trust her, to like her.
”I'm not used to being gawked at, I mean. Although I do appreciate your sass.” She retorted lightly with a chuckle that morphed into a sly grin.
The thought of it being the eve of her wedding night had not pried its way into her mind. She mostly had been preoccupied with the immediate happenings and the intricacies of how the Drakkan behaved. Arden knew what was to come next, though she paid little attention to it. She didn't want to dwell on the sick thought of becoming the bride of one of those monsters, and more so, what would eventually be forced intercourse; the hairs on the back of her neck stood up at the idea. She swallowed back the fear that accompanied the thought of becoming a bride and focused her thoughts on what her purpose of being there was. She knew the road ahead of her would be difficult, to create change in their world was a dramatic shift from creating it in her own world. Was it even possible? She wouldn't let it get to her, she would remain strong and do what she needed to in order to meet her goal, even if it meant moving at a glacial pace.
The sound of Bree's voice snapped her out of her thought, she was commenting on her purpled abdomen that was indeed, very sore. Bree's offer came next, Arden’s face washed over with shock at the kind gesture. She wasn't accustomed to such pleasantries, she was always the one offering them. A soft smile returned to her face as she began to shift toward Bree. ”If you wouldn't mind, I would be most grateful.”
Bree returned to the pool from her ledge ad Arden drew closer. Arden brought her back toward Bree and allowed the woman to begin massaging through her hair with the bar of soap. It was relaxing, the feeling of Bree's hands pressing against her scalp. She had always had short hair, this was the longest it had ever been, and there was something strangely calming about having another person wash her hair for her. A breath of relief escaped her lungs and her body relaxed. As she sank backwards, her bare back met with Bree's breasts. Arden’s face flushed at the feeling of them touching her skin but she remained in place, enjoying the feeling of Bree against her and the feeling of her head being massaged. She barely heard the woman's caution, but she had heard enough to snicker.
”I know which battles to pick.. It might seem stupid, but what you can learn from their reactions is sometimes worth a bruise or two. I'm willing to take a strike for the many if it means the others know just how far they can be pushed, or rather, just how much we are needed.” Arden’s voice was calm as she spoke, as if it carried the wisdom of a leader.
After a few moments another Gem had joined them, this Gem had brightly colored hair and an air of positivity about her. It was matched by her recommendation for encouraging the others to enjoy the hot springs and have some fun. Arden chuckled at the thought, fun in a place such a this. The Gem wasn't wrong, keeping people's spirits alive in times of tragedy was important. Rallying for such was an act that Arden was used to, but she knew there was a time and place for everything. Although she was almost certain the Drakkan guarding the door would not interfere, the bruising on her stomach kept her cautious.
”As much as I would love to, I think it's better I wait at least a full day before I cause more trouble.” She laughed a genuine laugh. ”Besides, it's not everyday someone else is willing to wash my hair for me.. And this is a pleasure I cannot deny.”
It seemed as though they appeared welcoming, as their group of two had grown almost instantly to four. The second Gem that had joined them, appeared to know the first one. This one apologized for her intrusion, offering to move away if needed. Why this girl thought she was being a bother made Arden laugh once more.
”Don't be silly, you can stay. I suppose introductions are in order. My name is Arden, Arden Gaothaire. You might recognize me from yesterday’s display of brute force. Though her statement was dark, she said it with a mocking tone as to bring an air of lightness to the situation.
”and this is Bree, she has better manners than I do.” Again, she spoke with playfulness. ”What are your names?”
Arden and Bree make skin to skin contact, oh boy! Arden makes quips about her situation and speaks to the newcomers.
The announcement of the hot springs came as a surprise to Arden. She was shocked that the Drakken would extend such a gesture, she was cautious in regards to what it cost to have a gesture such as this extended to them, and most of all she was nervous about what it meant to bathe in a hot spring with every other Gem being present. Arden walked alongside Bree in some way shape or form on the small journey to the hot spring; the journey there was much easier than the journey to Shadow Worth. Although they were travelling to yet another unknown place, she felt eased by the presence of her new ‘friend’, and was able to relax into a charming smile as they shared stories.
The Gems were lead into a strange place, descended stairs into a room that appeared to be nothing short of disappointing. It was cold and damp in the room; goosebumps painted themselves across the entirety of Arden’s skin as she fought the urge to clutch herself and shiver. The cold didn’t last long as the Drakken moved a stone and allowed a rush of hot air to blow over the them. The warming breeze was welcomed by everyone and soon all of the Gems followed single file into the hot springs. Arden followed behind Bree and marveled in the allure of the hot springs; she thought it odd to find such a spectacle of beauty in a land shrouded in darkness. She found it even more odd that only a few Drakkan were left behind to guard the doorways, her curious eyes observing them as they gawked at her sisters. Arden scoffed at their perverted faces and turned her attention to Bree, who had not wasted any time and was now standing naked at the edge of the pool.
A warm flush filled Arden’s face; she could feel it becoming hot as the beating heart in her chest raced slightly. Her expression showed more marvel for Bree’s bare body than it had for the hot springs themselves. She truly was stunning. Arden’s hand had found a new home at the top of her towel where it was tucked in just off center from her breasts. Her hand took hold of the knot in the towel, clenching it as she silently reprimanded herself for being no better than the perverted guards. Arden forced her awe-struck gaze away from Bree and awkwardly looked toward the ground at her own feet.
What in the hell am I doing? She thought shamefully to herself, unknowing of what to make of the feelings she was having.
Arden gave her head a slight shake and realized if she didn’t react soon, all of the other Gems would be in the pools and she would be the only one left standing there in her towel. The last thing she needed was to have all of the prying eyes stare at her as she unveiled herself uncomfortably. Ever since she was discovered when bathing in a lake, undressing to bathe when people were present, or had the chance of being present, overwhelmed her with anxiety. It was a painful memory of how she failed her family, herself… her people.
Not only was she troubled by the reminder of how it all went wrong, there was a part of her that was self conscious. As she noticed the women slowly unsheathing themselves and dipping into the water, as she noticed Bree… she came to realize that although her body was slender, tall, and had curves in all the right places, her breasts were smaller than all of the other Gems; more than likely a result of wrapping her chest since puberty. Confidence in her appearance was a trait that she lacked, despite being told otherwise over and over again. She often overhead the older Gemmenite women who helped her blossom into a woman comment on ”how it was a shame she hid all of those years” because of how beautiful she had become. They often remarked that she would one day make a man very happy, clear undertones of sexual promiscuity. Despite everything, Arden’s picture of herself was not that of a striking young lady, but rather a confident young man ready to lead a rebellion.
That’s right. If I can stand up against all that is wrong in this world, I can get over this lame feeling of embarrassment. Just get in there, own it, and do what I do best; be confident.
Arden drew in a deep breath, filling her chest with courage. As she exhaled, she loosened the grip on her towel and let it fall to the ground, where it piled up against her ankles. She made sure to keep her head held high, careful not to glance down at her nakedness in fear of showing signs of discomfort. Her charade wouldn’t last long. As she began to walk toward the pool, a low sleazy chuckle came from the entrance way. She turned to look at the Drakkan who was now ogling her; it was clear he had observed her hesitation and was now pleasantly surprised. He let out a whistle and Arden’s face turned completely red. She quickly turned to the pool and hastily skipped over, attempting to cover her breasts and swiftly lowering herself into the hot water, not allowing herself any time to adjust to the extreme temperature change. It was now more than ever that she appeared the most feminine.
As the embarrassment left the Gem’s face, it was replaced with a wince of pain. She had almost forgotten yesterday's beating, but the purple knee sized bruising on her midsection promptly reminded her when it met with the hot water. Arden reached for it with her hand, placing it lightly where the bruise was as an act to comfort the pain, though it did nothing. She sighed, accepting that she would have to live with the result of her apparent defiance for at least a few days. Arden moved to sit next to Bree and looked over at her new friend with an awkward face for the scene she had to have witnessed.
”I’m not used to this…” She admitted, feeling somewhat deflated. It wasn’t like her to show any sign of weakness, even if it was something as trivial as self-consciousness or embarrassment. There was something about Bree that made Arden feel comfortable enough to be more herself. The Gem had only shared such open feelings with her closest friends, and even then, she had never shown them this side of her; a vulnerable side.
Arden smiled and drew another breath of confidence. She lifted her hand out of the warm water and let it hover above it, her fingers dancing in a circular and waving motion. The air above the water begin to shift into a small vortex the size of Arden’s hand. Her smile grew softer as small water molecules were picked up by the air current and formed a funnel in her hand. Arden moved her hand slowly to face Bree; she drew her face closer to her hand, puckered her lips and blew lightly on the miniature twister. She watched as it blew toward Bree and danced against her skin, softly lining it with the water as it touched her.
”Now if only I could make a life size one, then we could really have some fun!” She remarked playfully, allowing herself to lightly chuckle following her comment.
”Auram rules my element, as you can tell. Makani had a number of Air Gemmenites living in it but when I got to Prisel Aldentine, there were Gemmenites of all natures. Of course there were a number of different natured Gemmenites in Makani as well, but the city was much smaller so it wasn’t as overwhelmingly obvious.” She shared, now resting her back firmly against the rock wall in the pool. The warm water felt wonderful against her body.
”And you, Bree?” She asked curiously as she turned, her front now facing the rock wall as she lifted the upper half of her body out of the water reaching for a soap on the ledge. With the top half of her body now hovering out of the water, the multi-purpled bruising would be evident to anyone in her vicinity.
Her body sank back into the water after retrieving the soap and she turned to place her back against the rock wall again. She began rubbing the soap on the upper portions of her arm, her shoulders, and her neck. She sighed in relief that having a hot bath brought her. Arden looked at Bree out of the corner of her eye and smiled once more.
”This is more than I could ask for right now.” She commented, making light of their situation but knowing all too well each and every Gem in that spring wished for something else; home.
Arden lusts over Bree's naked body. She feels awkward getting naked herself as it reminds her of when she was discovered as a women; after talking herself into it she drops her towel only to make a fool of herself. It's evident the beating she took the day before has left some lasting wounds, but she tries not to let it get to her. Air magic stuff happens too.
A hand found its way to Sera’s shoulder, but this time the Fire gem did not startle. Her eyes moved from their fixed placed on the scorch marks on the table up to the woman who was touching her. The woman was plain looking and seemed nervous, though Sera was judging this by the shaking of the her hand as she poured water into a goblet and offered it to her. Sera ignored what she had asked, taken aback by the courtesy she was being shown and not understanding how to respond to it. She didn’t lift her head from the crook in her arm, but she reached for Nenra’s hand on her shoulder, taking it in her own and guiding it to the scorch marks on the table. She laid Nenra’s hand flat against the table, allowing her to feel the marks in the table with her fingertips, as it was clear to Sera that this woman had trouble seeing.
”Serafine burnt it.” She responded blankly, ”I wonder if they’ll punish me like they did the other girls.”
For any person, it would appear as though Sera was talking about herself in third person. For her, Serafine was the person she blamed for actions she did not make consciously. It was a coping mechanism the girl had developed a long time ago, when the incident happened. There was a piece of her that understood that it was her all along, there was even a piece of her that understood what she was doing, but she would rather live in denial than to admit that there was something wrong with her.
Sera’s gaze moved from their hands on the table back to Nenra’s, unknowing if she should make conversation with the woman or if she should simply leave her. Breath filled her lungs and escaped her mouth with a heavy sigh. She wouldn’t have to decide though, the group in the hall was being ushered out once again. Sera looked at Nenra once more, emotion free from her face, before picking herself up from her seat and leaving the hall.
Sera entered her room, her temporary home for the night. As she closed the door behind her, she leaned against it, allowing her body to sink into it. She stared blankly at the muddled black figure standing at the opposite side of the room for her. They followed her everywhere. Another heavy sigh escaped her as she tightly closed her eyes and shook her head gently before opening them again. It was gone. Sera moved across the room slowly, ignoring the whispering sound of her own voice around her. As she walked passed the bed, her hand extended to pull the blanket off of it. She dragged the blanket across the ground, casually tossing it on the floor in the corner of the room. Sera relaxed to the ground, slowly curling up on the half piled up blanket in the corner of the room, her body positioned to face the door.
She thought back to the woman in the dining hall. Maybe I should have been nicer to her.
~~~
Sunrise drew itself with a loud interruption of the door to Sera’s room opening, a Drakken appearing in its place. Sera looked up at the brute from her position on the floor in the corner of the room, she had been awake for sometime now. He yelled something to her she chose to forget but could only assume was an order. Sera pulled herself to her feet, leaving behind her blanket on the floor, and followed shortly after the Drakken. She returned to the hall, ushered in like a herd of sheep being ushered into a pen. Sera stood at the entrance for a moment too long, accepting the push-a-long from a Drakken to have her move out of the doorway. As she moved passed the tables and toward the breakfast, she noticed the woman from the day previous.
Just go sit with her.
Sera collected a few plain looking rolls and made her way over to Nenra, she sat down across the table from her but a seat down. As she picked at the food on her plate, her gaze kept returning to Nenra. A few minutes went by before she collected the want, or even the courage, to say something to her.
”You can’t see me, can you?” She asked, though not entirely realizing what she said could be seen as rude. ”Yesterday, you seemed to have trouble with the water jug but you asked if I was alright. That was nice, but I guess, more importantly, are you alright?”
Sera was silent for a moment before starting again, gears turning in her head as she was now curious about Nenra. ”Where are you from anyway?"
Sera wanted to know why she was chosen to be Reaped, but she even realized that would be too rude. Her attention was drawn away when the Drakken from the day before returned. Instinctively she rose, bowing her head slightly until she was dismissed to sit again. Sera returned to her seat, a curious eye wandering to capture a glimpse at Nenra before paying full attention to the matter at hand. The Drakken announced a free day for the Gems, a day to be spent at a hot spring. Their kindness seemed peculiar to Sera, even more peculiar than most people extending kind gestures to her did.
”A hot spring?” She asked aloud, though only loud enough for herself and her nearby acquaintance to hear. ”I’ve never been to a hot spring before.”
A sudden flash to an unbearable hot room shot through her mind like a strike of lightning piercing a tree. Sera’s eyes widened slightly, and the whispering voices returned; filling her head. She closed her eyes again, placing her hands over her ears at an attempt to drown them out.
Boil them all. Every single last one of them… like useless rats needing to be exterminated from this world.
Yes. It’s almost too perfect, to rid of all them right away. What better way is there?
”No.” She responded hoarsely, hoping that no one would hear her. Sera pressed her hands harder against her ears in an attempt to expel the voices in her head. Her breathing became laboured and she had to remind herself to take three deep breaths. After a few moments, the voices lowered to a dull murmur until they completely disappeared. Sera’s eyes opened slowly, her hands dropping softly away from her ears and finding a new home gripped together in her lap. She stared down at them, nervous about them; nervous about herself.
It wasn’t long before her painful truth was realized. Once the Speech Drakkan had finished making a statement out of the Gem’s who didn’t wear the clothing supplied to them, he focused his attention on Arden. Before she could blink he was standing in front of her; the beating of her heart remained steady. The next moments would be crucial to the message she was attempting to send to her sisters. It was important that she not cower in fear and that she remain a beacon of strength. Her eyes focused on the Drakkan as he spat words in her face and then it came, the pain as her hair was grasped in a clenched fist. Her immediate reaction was to reach up and grasp at the wrist of the hand holding onto her, but it wouldn’t matter. Arden’s body was yanked backwards and dragged… she could feel her back scrape against the wooden table as her limbs knocked all the dishes off of it as she passed them. It only took seconds before she was tossed onto the cold hard floor at the front of the room.
Don’t whimper… don’t cry. Don’t be afraid. I asked for this, I knew it was coming. Remember why I’m doing this, it’s not for me. It’s for them.
Arden’s eyes tightened as she felt the throbbing pain begin to wash over her body. The Speech Drakkan barked another order at her but before she could even comply he grabbed hold of her hair again and pulled her to her feet. He wanted to teach a lesson by reprimanding her through physical pain, he would make a spectacle of her in order to send the message of fear. She knew men like him existed, but more importantly she knew that no matter how hard he hit her, no matter how many times he beat her, her will would not falter. His hand released Arden’s hair and as her body began to fall, her stomach was met with a powerful knee. The pain shot through her entire body, her vision became fuzzy, and a feeling of nausea filled her belly. Arden was forced to her knees, she barely could hear the Drakkan speaking anymore; all of her attention concentrated on not screaming out in pain, though her face winced with each blow. She remained silent and next she found her face pressed against the cold stone of the floor, a heavy boot atop her head.
It’s almost over… I’m almost there. Just hang in there, I can do this. This is but the first step in a necessary uphill battle.
Moments later the weight lifted off of her head, she could hear the Drakkan step away from her but she did not dare move yet. Arden knew not to push her luck too soon; if she was going to maximize on potential opportunities in the future she would have to stay alive. She fought back a smirk, this was a test, but not just for the Gems. It was also a test for the Drakkan; a test to see how far they would go when being presented with direct rebellion in the very beginning.
”You’ve got some serious guts to you. What were you thinking?”. The familiar voice came from beside her. It was Bree.
She came for me?
Arden’s mouth barely moved, a very faint whisper that she would carry to Bree through her manipulation of the air around her to ensure that she would be the only person to hear it. ”Now we know… just how much they need us."
She turned her head slightly to look at the Gem beside her. There was a feeling that Arden couldn’t explained having Bree come to her aid and be beside her now. Companionship in a dark time; a necessary life line for survival. Arden accepted Bree’s hand and pulled against it to bring herself to a crouching position. Before she could answer whether she was OK or not, the two of them were approached by the Warden, questioning their relationship. Her instinct was to jump to Bree’s defense, pleading that they did not know each other; she did not want to cause trouble for her new friend. Arden didn’t have to though, Bree came to her defense. The Air Gem looked at the woman blankly, she had always been the one to come to the help of others. Is this what it felt like?
A small breeze has begun the winds of change.
You weren’t wrong, mother, father.
Arden rose to her feet and followed Bree as they left the hall. ”Thank you, Bree. You didn’t have to come to my aid, now you’re associated with me, the defiant one I think they called me. Change comes with sacrifice... Regardless, I appreciate it and know that if you are ever in need, I’ll be there.”
~~~
Arden spent the rest of the day alongside her new friend as they were succumbed to the Drakkan teachings. She barely paid attention as the ache in her body distracted her. Arden looked at the Gemmenite around her, their faces painted with hopelessness; their hope was dwindling. She sighed, wanting to do more for them but not being able to.
The day continued, seeming to last an eternity. When night fell and they were ushered back into their bedrooms, she found solace in her bed. Arden rolled over on her side against the hard bed, staring at a barred window. Her voice began to fill the room, though faintly as she sang. She let it follow the breeze, wherever it would take it.
”In the darkness before the dawn… In the swirling of the storm. When I’m rolling with the punches and hope is gone. Leave a light. Leave a light on…”
