[color=a251bf]Miry[/color]

[color=a251bf] “Y-you s-seem nothing b-but g-generous a-and fair, m-my lord… I w-would be y-your friend, i-if you w-would l-l-let me…”[/color]
The girl listened to what else he had to say, only to blush and nod at the Drakken’s request. [color=a251bf]“I w-would be h-honored to p-perform for you, m-my l-lord…”[/color] she mumbled.

In truth, her heart and mind were in turmoil. All she’d heard of the Drakkens had been of their uncivil behaviors and brutality towards their wives. This man was nothing like what Asta had told her the Drakkens were like, all sharp horns and violence.

[b]”Miry, I understand you will likely wish to take it to see your sister one last time. You may do so of course, but be careful not to slip from my sight; If my memory serves correctly the one who has your sister is called Edoric and from what I know of him I believe he would not hesitate to steal you away simply to butcher in front of Astaelin.”[/b]

[color=a251bf] “O-of course, my l-lord… I d-don’t intend to t-talk to her again, th-though… Sh-she doesn’t—she didn’t…”[/color] Angrily she wiped at the tears that sprang to her eyes. [color=a251bf]“W-we agreed th-that it would b-be b-b-best if w-we n-never t-t-talked a-again.”[/color]

She was snapped out of her thoughts by the man asking her if she wanted to sit down. She did, nervously, only to spring back up with a cry as she watched Amaryllis sling dirty floor-water all over their new husband.

[color=a251bf]“A-Amaryllis… w-why would you d-do s-s-such a th-thing?”[/color] she asked nervously. Then she glanced at the Drakken and paled at his murderous expression. [color=a251bf]“M-my l-lord, l-l-let me h-help…”[/color] Her voice was barely more than a whisper; she was terrified of possibly angering him. 

She’d spent long enough around her sister that she knew how to infuse heat into her wind powers, and did so, gently swirling a warm breeze around the Drakken man in an effort to dry him. She felt a little dizzy as she did and winced… how long had it been since she’d trained her powers, again?

She noticed a smudge of dirt on his face, from where the cloth had impacted the man, probably. She walked over nervously to stand right in front of the Drakken, and rose up on her tiptoes and wiped the dirt off of his face. Her legs were wobbling with nervousness and she lost her balance and fell against him.

Blushing furiously, she jerked away from Zakroti, fearing that he’d snap at her, mumbling all manner of apologies. It was almost comical, in actuality.
[hr]
[color=a1e4ee]Kai[/color]

Kai spoke before her mind caught up with what Krone was saying. [color=a1e4ee]“I will never submit to you, Drakken scum! You took everything; my homeland, my people, my family. I won’t give you me. I will never, ever submit willingly. There are many Gems here who submit willingly, sure. But there are fighters, too. And if you try to bring our people, if you try to steal our people and bring them here as… as leverage, well…”[/color] she flashed a razor-blade of a smile. [color=a1e4ee]“We’ll destroy you. You think Astaelin was the last rebel?”[/color] Of course she knew who Asta was. She’d become something of a celebrity among the more rebellious Gemminites. [color=a1e4ee]“There’s a whole army of them. We tolerate the reaping because we have to. But step out of line, take more than you are entitled, and we will destroy Drakka, or die trying.”[/color]

And then she finally comprehended what had been said.

[b]"So Kaelira... If you wish to keep this male Gem of yours alive and of sound mind, you simply must submit. Or don't....... and get to watch me work first hand. I am not called the Scream Taker for nothing."[/b]

As fragmented as her heart had been before, it shattered now, and she froze in horror at what she’d just done. 

Her stupid, stupid, stupid self. Ridian was going to die, all because Kai had been too stupid and mule-headed to take a hint.

But she couldn’t very well undo what she had just said, now could she?