[i]Do not mistake the fire for an enemy, Talli; the fire is what warms our days and keeps the darkness at bay at night. The fire is a harsh mother but a loving one nonetheless.[/i]

Atallia turned over one of her father's girl lessons in her head, using it to sure up her defences. Fire Gems were viewed as a lot more hot-headed than the others but it was no curse she held - the fire closed her wounds and held her safe. Nothing could touch her when she felt it's gentle embrace.

The carriage rocked, hitting a bump in the road and disturbing the small woman from her thoughts. Flicking her eyes open, she gently parted the curtains covering the windows ans watched as rolling green hills slowly faded to green mountains before eventually filling down to a boring grey. With a sigh, she released a breath she didn't even know she was holding in. She was going to show them all but it would be cowardly of her to take a placid husband and leave a violent one to her sisters. She was small, a fragile little doll that none except for the sickest would want to hurt - she could afford to be snarky and snap back at these bastards.

As her journey ended in the imposing brute of a castle, Talli climbed down from her carriage too quick for her guard to even offer his hand in aid. These weren't normal men like the ones back home - they looked at her with a sheen of lust behind those eyes and she had little doubt that if she wasn't chosen as a bride, her innocence would probably still be taken. She was escorted to a room where she had to wash and change in front of one of her guards. His grin never faded as she turned, giving him a scathing look. For a second, however, she adopted a soft smirk that almost confused him. [color=Gold]"It's said that fire Gems are covered in burn marks and scars, are you sure you still wish to stare?"[/color]

The man chuckled at that and nodded towards the large basin of water. [b]"I've seen enough of your kind, little fire Gem. So have the Lords, might I add. It's said that fire Gems are minxes in bed so I imagine you'll fetch some attention."[/b] Of course she was going to fetch some attention - she was going to show them that she didn't fear them. Atallia wouldn't stand and shake in fear while some Drakken tried to impress his buddies. Sighing, she returned to her scathing look which brought an amused chuckle to him once again.

As she dragged her dress off, his eyes lingered along her body and she knew, despite being turned away, that he was imagining doing a few things to her. That thought alone nearly made her vomit but thankfully, he seemed to notice how she tensed, like a feral animal that had just heard the sound of a predator nearby. He wouldn't like his job if he had to chase her - she was a fast little thing and there was no hope in hell that a heavily armoured man like him could ever hope to catch her.

Atallia hummed an old song from her childhood - it's words were mostly lost on her but she remembered it to be asking the Goddess for courage and honour. Both had their uses and would likely make an appearance. The dress wasn't to her liking, it squeezed much too harshly and exposed curves she didn't want to expose. With a smirk, however, she allowed her finger to trail down along the soft material that lined the armour. In one quick swipe, her fingers became as hot as a roaring hearth and the arms of the dress fell away. With that, her Dragon was exposed completely. That would grab some of their attention if her antics failed to do so. Lifting the bottom of her red and black dress, she trailed it along as she passed by the Guard who took up position behind her as another led them to the ballroom.

The ballroom was surprisingly lavish despite only having one apparent purpose. A number of her sisters were already lined up and some of the Drakken dogs had already taken to inspecting them. As they reached the bottom of the stairs and came into view of the Drakken lords, she played her role perfectly. Stepping back like she was almost hesitant to move any further, she stepped back into her guard. With a hidden smirk and a perfectly positioned heel, she pressed her foot down which caused the man to shriek a little as his toes were squished. If that wasn't enough, she stopped pushing and instead looped her foot around to his calf and dragged, causing the man to go flying, sprawled out over the ground. [b]"Gem whore!"[/b] He spat as anger took hold and he reached for his blade while rising.

[color=Gold]"I've seen enough of your kind, little Drakken, to know that when you fall, it's like a tree being uprooted. Are you sure your little head is still ok after that?"[/color] Her care was false at best and Talli simply slid past him, ignoring the other guard as she got into line. Lifting her arms, she crossed them over her chest but held her chin high, fixing the Drakken lords with a look that had exchanged its hatred for pure loathing long ago. A few of the other girls were shaking in fear but surprisingly, she couldn't help but smirk a little - she knew what she had to do and no fear could well up within her to stop her. Atallia was going to find the most violent one, the Defiler.

Despite this, her eyes still challenged any to walk forward and test their resolve against hers. The first girl to be actually claimed looked like she was close to death just from fear itself and even though Atallia had a mission, she also needed to protect the weak. Turning her head to Lugft, she whistled softly. [color=Gold]"Drakken, how about you leave the girl alone and come play with someone a little closer to your own size?"[/color] She was the smallest there so the joke should have saved her from brutal slaughter but she wasn't about to back down.

[@agentmanatee]