[center][h2][color=708090] Exon [/color] and his brides [i][color=ed145b]Nadia Parnel[/color][/i] and [color=33d6c2][s]Sisi[/s]  Saisri Tyalanthe[/color][/h2][/center]

Nadia blushed slightly at the pet name. A light, [i]his[/i] light. For a split second she wasn't sure how to respond, but thought she should say something. She remembered back to what little names her parents would use for each other, and taking a small breath to steel herself decided to try one of them out. [color=ed145b]"Thank you, honey bear."[/color] She wasn't sure why she'd said the words 'thank you', but after she said them she realized that she did feel grateful. 

Rather than keep this reavalation to herself, she continued speaking, her words keeping pace with her thoughts as she felt herself beginning to tear up. [color=ed145b]"Thank you, for being so kind to me, to us. For not being horrible right away and for, for..."[/color] She trailed off and started wiping the tears from her eyes with her hand, staying silent now.

Saisri had winced slightly as Exon's hand closed so tightly around her upper arm, but she didn't say anything. Even as he sarcastically called her his "Little love" she just frowned and looked away. Adventurous she might be, trying to test the waters to the best of her ability, but she wasn't entirely suicidal, at least.

It was slightly alarming that... was... Nadia was already crying? Oh gods... Saisri couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor girl, but then, she guessed that for anyone who didn't treat this as an adventure, it would be absolutely terrifying, the kind of thing to cause tears and nightmares...

The taller girl reached out towards Nadia, with a (hopefully) reassuring smile on her face, and gently pulled the little Fire gem into an embrace. [color=33d6c2]"Nadia, you're going to be fine. There's nothing to cry about now."[/color]

Exon blinked, looking over at his smaller bride. [color=708090] "You've done nothing that warrents me being horrible to you yet. Why would I punish you if you are behaving?" [/color] He did tense up when the girl started crying. [color=708090] "Stop that though, I've done nothing to make you cry either," [/color]  He was a little greatful that his trouble bride was around to comfort her.  He wasn't the consoling type. 

[color=ed145b]"I'm s-sorry. I just..."[/color] Nadia wiped the rest of the tears from her eyes and willed them to stop coming, as Saisri pulled her into a hug. She gripped the other Gem tightly, grateful for the gesture. After a moment, she'd managed to breathe through the tears and stopped crying, though she still felt like she would break down any moment. So much was happening in such a short time. She composed herself, not quite letting go of her sister-bride as she started speaking softly as if her own words would cause the tears to return. 

[color=ed145b]"No, you've done nothing to me, and that's why I cry. You're kind, at least so far, and with everything else... Up until an hour ago I was convinced I would die within the next few days, if not tonight. Your kindess and treatment of me I see as a blessing from Vivari herself, and I thank you for being the one her chioce of Fate tied me to."[/color] She smiled at him over Saisri's shoulder, genuinely hoping he'd understand what she meant. She gave her sister-bride one more squeeze and let go now, backing off a little after whispering in her ear. [color=ed145b]"Thank you, Sisi."[/color] Her voice choked on the last word, and Nadia blushed as she messed up Saisri's name.

Saisri paused for a moment, considering, then smiled at the little gem, in an attempt at lightening the tone. [color=33d6c2]"Sisi, hmm? Not the worst nickname I've ever been given. Probably one of the best."[/color] Then she fell silent as Exon spoke.

Exon took a deep breath, letting his smaller wife finish her speech before speaking again. [color=708090] "My wife, both of you really, I don't pretend to be kind or caring, but I promise not to be unjustly cruel or unfair with either of you"[/color] He broke a piece of bread, more intent on ripping it up, then eating it. [color=708090] "I won't pretend that you will come to love me. But  if you respect and obey me, bare me sons and  if you don't shame myself or my family, then I would imagine you both to have long and comfortable lives,"[/color]

After a while at sitting at the table, Exon's brothers had finally wandered off, not that he was waiting for that.  [color=708090] "I assume you both are hungry,"[/color] He said. [color=708090]"If you want more than this"[/color] he said, gestering at the table. [color=708090]"I suggest you get it now, I won't want to take you once more people come in here," [/color]

Nadia reached forward and took a few of the more interesting-looking dishes onto her plate. She didn't think anyone would bother putting anything inedible or dangerous out, so was relatively calm as she took a bite of a piece of meat she had grabbed. I practically melted in her mouth, and the flavor was spicy but not so much that she couldn't handle it. As she tried everything else she had taken she found that practically everything was delicious in a way different from the last. 

After a while, the sound of a flute suddenly rang throughout the room. She recognised the tune as the royal fanfares, though she couldn't name any other time she'd actually heard it played before. From where she sat, she had to kneel facing backwards on her chair to see the player. A small gem, even smaller than herself, stood in the center of the room and played with confidence unlike any Nadia had ever seen before. Once the song was done, The gem addressed the crowd, and somone she couldn't see started clapping. 

Saisri watched Nadia out of the corner of her eye; seemingly the little Fire gem was feeling better, at least enough to eat. Saisri herself wasn't eating much; while the food did look good, there was just something that seemed... wrong about eating. Like the platters had been arranged too artfully to disturb by taking food from them. Nonetheless, Saisri knew she had to eat, so she contented herself with a piece of bread and some of what looked to be smoked salmon.

Then there was the call of a flute from the center of the room. Saisri whirled in her seat, though it took a moment for the name of the tune to register. Of course. The fanfare of the royal house. She couldn't help but whistle along, though the sound of her whistling was likely so quiet that no one except maybe Exon and Nadia would hear. When the piece was over, Saisri almost jumped to her feet and applaud the girl, but a glance at the murderous expression on her husband's face indicated that would not be a good idea.

Exon narrowed his eyes at the Gem in the center of the room. The girl, well, he'd be surpised if she was ever going to be allowed to play again. That was, if she lived through the night. Which one nearby Gem already wasn't going to do.  His impulsive wife had merely hummed along, unlike other who openly celebrated the goings ons.  He wasn't going to fault her....much...for that. [color=708090]   "We are leaving,"[/color] he growled, sensing more of the aggressive Drakkons readying themselves to take revenge from his slight.  He took both of his wives by the arms and forcibly stood them up, intending to head up to the wedding suite. 

Nadia almost wanted to clap herself, but with the crack that sounded just before the clapping fell silent, she felt herself go cold. She ducked her head behind the back of the chair and focused on her breathing, feeling dizzy and lightheaded. After she'd managed to get a few deep breaths in, she felt Exon grip her arm and begin to pull her out of the chair. She stood up quickly to comply with whatever he was doing, but that was not good for her dizziness. She held on to Exon's arm to support herself, the room threatening to swirl around her and leave her in darkness. [color=ed145b]"H-honey bear? I d-don't feel well...[/color]

'Honey bear.... He thought in mild shock at his smaller wife.  Although he was more concered  for the fact that her face was almost ghost white. [color=708090]  "My light?" [/color]he said, letting go of Sairis for a moment, using both hands to look over the girl. [color=708090]  "Are you able to make it just a bit further? We are almost to a place where  you can rest,"[/color]

Nadia was barely aware that she'd spoken, let alone that anything had been said to her. She merely nodded at her husband once she'd realized he asked her something. She kept focusing on her breathing, and looked at the floor to steady her vision. [color=ed145b]"I'm just... dizzy."[/color] After a second she remembered a trick her mother had shown her as a child. She held one of her hands out and produced a small flame, then focused all her energy on making the flame as small as can be, but as bright as possible. She felt the heat from the flame grow as the brightness grew, until both stopped and the flame had diissappeared. She wan't sure why this worked, but she felt a little calmer already, and it wasn't so hard to breathe now. 

Exon watched his wife for a second, unsure of what she was doing.  Then he saw her great fire, which was...unexpected. He pegged her for an air...maybe MAYBE a water Gem.  There was a part of him that felt like he should stop her, but whatever it was, it seemed to be helping her. "If you are feeling better, we must leave," he said, once some color had returned to her face. He grabbed Saisri and took Nadia's hand, leading them out of the feast and up some stairs and into their wedding chamber. 

Nadia nodded and walked alongside Exon as he led them, somewhere. While she didn't feel like fainting anymore, she still couldn't get the sound out of her head of, whatever must have happened to that poor Gem girl. She kept her eyes down as they walked. If, if she had clapped too, would she also be...? She shook her head slightly, as if the action alone could banish the thoughts from her mind, and looked around as Exon had led them into... [color=ed145b]"oh."[/color]

She slipped her hand from her husband's grasp and walked over to the fireplace in the room. There was no fire lit yet, but she fixed that with a small wave of her hand, and soon the little flare she'd given turned into a warm, crackling flame. She knelt by the fire and watched the tounges of flame dance, and the shadows they cast around the room. She felt much better now, though still shivered at the thought of what had just happened. 

Exon  gave his wives a few moments to adjust to the new room. He walked around gather different tools for what needed to be done next. To make them...his forever more.   He rang a bell and a  sad looking Gem came into the room with a needle and a pot of ink.  [color=708090] "My loves," [/color] he said, turning to face his wives.  [color=708090] "Bare your backs and allow this woman to leave my mark on you," [/color] He wasn't very artist, or he would have simply done it himself.