[h2][center][color=f26522]Kalani Solle[/color][/center][/h2]

Kalani and her family were not surprised that she was chosen for this year's Reaping. In fact, they might have even expected it. She was a strong, beautiful Gem after all. However, that did not mean that they did not feel scared or horrified once they found out that Kalani was going to be married off to one of those awful Drakken. Her mother sobbed as her father tried to hold her back as Kalani was retrieved. But Kalani did not shed a single tear. She let her sadness, fear, and anger simmer inside of her. She had to do this for her people, in order to ensure another year of peace. Her freedom was a small price to pay for the lives of all the other Gems. 

As she sat in the carriage, she did not say a word to anyone. She simply gazed out the opening and watched the moving scenery. After a moment when she got tired, she closed her eyes to rest. It was not an easy ride to take a nap in though as there were many bumps on the road that often caused the carriage and her to jump. [color=f26522][i]"I hope we get there soon,"[/i][/color] she thought to herself with annoyance. [color=f26522][i] "This is already giving me more of a headache than I should have."[/i][/color]

Soon enough, the carriage had reached a stop and they have arrived at their destination. Kalani slowly got out of the carriage and was led to a chamber where she was to "pretty herself up" for the Drakken lords like she was some kind of pageant contestant. She pulled out a dress that her mother have given her before she was taken away. It was her wedding dress. Her mother had wanted her daughter to wear it for her own marriage, but Kalani was starting to feel bitter. She stared down at the simple, white gown. The fabric was light and the design was loose-fitting. She slipped into it and admired herself in the mirror. She really looked like the pictures of her mother that she has seen. She twirled, watching the dress flutter around her. She wondered what it would have been like to actually be getting married to a person of her own choosing. Unfortunately that was not the case.

Realizing that she was wasting time, Kalani began to work on her hair. She combed her hair and then made a braided bun. She took one last look in the mirror and one deep breath. She walked out the door where more Drakken guards were waiting for her. They led her to the choosing hall where she saw many Gems and Drakkens. Some have already been chosen as it seems as the two kinds were mingling. Her eyes searched the room as she was curious as to what kind of Drakken would be her future [i]dear[/i] husband.