It was a blissful morning as the first rays of sunlight trickled through the heavy canopy of the Slene Mangrove as the heart of the Riene Swamp began to beat with life. Fishermen sleepily climbed into their canoes armed with spear and net. While the platform farmers wore the same expression but armed with shovel and hoe, gradually perking up as the golden rays brushed over them. Mothers barked at children, anxious to go play in the serene still water or attempt to catch the largest toad..instead of doing their expected chores. The land's famed herbalists were set about their work as well as sweet smelling smoke drifted from the Hall, as young apprentices almost tripped over each other as their masters demanded ingredients stocked or not for their next batch of 'miracles'. Overseeing the organized chaos from the 'throne' was a fragile-looking woman with brilliant jade eyes clad in a concealing net-like outfit covering her frame from view from her throat down. Throne would be the apt word to call it in more 'polite' circles, but in reality it was the remains of the Great Serpent used by said woman's mother in the event that would happen as another failed raid by the outside world. 

  The snake's jaw seemed to be posed ready to swallow the woman or be bared as a silent threat, while its spine curled about the base of the throne gave it added height to observe the room. While its scaled hide covered the seat back of the throne, gleaming scales peeking out behind purchased furs. A crone-like elder tapped her cane impatiently across the floor in a half-hearted introduction as her voice croaked out [b]"Where is that girl. She knows the news brought right?".[/b] A noncommittal hum escaped the woman as her attention was distracted by the much louder group that entered the shadowed hall. Men and women clad in reed, hide of beast and reptile alike armed with all manner of weaponry. The only one looking out of place and a bit sickly was a messenger clad in travel clothes as he chuckled weakly at the jesting manner of his companions. The lighthearted mood turned quiet as the shrouded woman rose from her seat, as her hands grabbed at the messenger's face.

Said messenger flushed surprised at the sudden contact and intensity of the woman's stare, but his tongue failed him to protest. That would be the wise decision as the Lady Noire clucked her tongue at his companion's in disapproval "You poor man, what did my stupid husband and his warriors drag you into after this passed eve". Sheepish expression crossed a few faces as the troops grumbled excuses about needing to train and such to avoid the disapproving gaze of their mistress, the only man remaining was by far the largest and still amused apparently. A wry smile curled on his scarred face as he stated boldly "Nothing too dangerous, my lovely dragon..put away your burning gaze..". Lady Noire glared at the comment before clicking her fingers at a few healers to tend to the pale messenger before turning away to return to her original seat. Her path was halted as her husband embraced her from behind rumbling out "Do not be angry with me. The lad will live..Ikle..". A tsk escaped his lover as she turned to press gently her fingertips against his scarred throat "I know that, Wen. It's not you I should be angry with..but with this news..the king sees fit our only child to her marriage..an outsider of our ways..much less our traditions". Soothing his wife with a kiss to her ebony hair as Wen muttered "We do not have say in this matter I am afraid...besides she will not be alone in this entire debacle..our guest will be arriving shortly..".


Marriage was a serious matter in the Reines Swamp beyond the implicit family ties and alliances..it was a matter of life and death. Death could easily take a non-committed couple without a second glance. Yet, the rewards of happiness and dedication were worth the risk as the Lady and Lord Noire began to ascend the wooden stairwell of the Slene Mangrove away from the busy hall hand in hand. A more intriguing pair had never been seen before their coupling. Lord Wen Noire had been a mere Hunter that happened to earn the favor of Lady Ti'Nia (Ikle's mother) after presenting the corpse of that very same throne serpent with the daring request to court her eldest daughter. Ti'Nia was a shrewd woman accepting the gift stating it was fine, but worthless gift. What good would her daughter have for a mere corpse. That answer came when as if fought off raiders dancing to Ti'Nia's call. So, courtship began and the rest was history. Ikle had been blessed with magic..to answer the call of beasts and sink into their skins. Her favored Skin was that of a delicate Dragonfly..to match her apparently delicate but tenacious demeanor and occasionally fiery temper. While her husband Wen had the scarred, but built form of a warrior; his facial features handsome in a worn sort of way as scars lined his face. A large scar over his right eye with a strange patterns like a wave, the apparent remain from the bite of the serpent that won his mother-in-law's heart. While his daughter inherited his love of the Swamp and curious nature with dripping sarcasm.


The couple came to a halt at the end of the stairs as a few thick branches of the Mangrove curled unnaturally about one another to form a make-shift circle. Pristine water rippled as morning activity of the pond's favored residents milled about, the feathered forms of Crane's pointed beaks dipping into the watery depths pulling up the slippery forms of wiggling fish. The Cranes themselves were the newer resident of the Mangrove as chicks had begun their hatching process, resulting in hungry mouths to feed and an ample feed source. Multiple colored feathers were fluttering about the place; coal black, snowy white, earth brown, speckled salt and pepper..and most curiously a sky blue shade. The owner of said unusual feathers was a mere puff ball of baby feathers perched quite happily in a lap, being hand-fed bits of fish. Alarm calls went off as the protective birds huffed over the new visitors, before falling unnaturally silent by a mere flick of the young woman's wrist as golden orbs glanced up from the needy chick before Ti'Dama sighed "Mother, Father..you know the birds aren't fond of strangers..". Her father laughed before gesturing to the lavish pond "Strangers with deep pockets it seems..endless bellies to feed..regardless of how..charming..they may be..". A chick had happened to waddle over begun pecking his his reed sandals..it was quite adorable judging by the soft giggle that escaped her normally stoic mother.

Ti'Dama gently placed her cheeping companion back in his nest before rising to her feet. Her attire was a mix between her two parent's style. Her legs were covered in the scaled snake-hide and her feet were wrapped in soft, but sturdy fibers aside from her bare toes digging into the wet soil beneath them. Her stomach and arms were uncovered revealing her pale, but wiry strength on the surface. Her chest was covered in a mix of hide and the net-like material her mother wore..dipping down to her mid torso in a plunging style but doing an apt job. Short ebony locks framed her face, cut short just below her chin with a few soft feathers in it by accident. Evident by her body, she was not a stranger to physical labor as her hands were scarred and rough..from magic usage. While the most distracting feature of her front was her eye color of warm honey or cold unfeeling amber.Golden veins spread out like feathers just to her temples, catching in the right light. While on her back it was another story pale flesh mingled with the ebony Mark that started as the Crane's wing brushed against her shoulders as if about to take flight, while its frame focused on her spine as it's left foot rose from the waters of her lower back. Her House's Sigil and her chosen Mark, her culture demanded it be shown at all times..that cloth of any sort never hide it for it would bring shame. The ebony ink signaled one important status above all...her candidacy for marriage.


"Our guest will be arriving shortly, my little bird. You will be welcoming her. Is that clear?" came the sweet, but stern voice of her mother as Ti'Dama's answer was a short nod before turning her attention back to her flock. Her parents knew that was at least an answer, and departed back down the stairs. Her guest was at a puzzle for her mind as she had never left the humid, but familiar waterways of Reines Swamp. The Verolin Family was once..a less reputable house, but had changed their skins of late it seemed..with only a single daughter to offer for the King's service. Silently thanking whatever Gods were listening for keeping her in the Swamp instead the stone monstrosity she could only imagine the Stormhold was..from the frank literature that her House had managed to acquire. Aside from the notoriety of the Verolin's history and famed stronghold, Ti'Dama felt the cool ripple of nervousness in her core as she was not exactly fond of strangers, much less ones from beyond her Swamp. Rubbing her throat out of habit in a display of nerves as Ti'Dama resigned herself to leave the comfort of her flock down the moss-covered stairs of Mangrove. A friend would be a welcome thing if she was forced to travel for that dreaded fate that awaited her..Marriage.

The Hall was almost uncomfortably crowded on the sides as varied people jousted each other for a better position. Silently picking her way through the crowd as she ignored the chiding of the Elders for her late arrival, before bending to be eye-level with her seated Mother. A gentle pat on her cheek meant her tardy nature was forgiven as Ti'Dama patiently waited for the fluttering net to adorned on her head. It was similar in style to her mother's; marking her as a Noble. The soft netting covered her head down to her throat concealing her facial features like her mother's making her golden eyes seem to shine even brighter against the dark material. Exhaling as the fabric brushed against her pale lips, her standing father nudged her to bear with it. Even her Father was dressed to impress as his bone dagger adorned his waist, it's tip a blaze green. A warning sign like the beast that once held it..poison. While around his throat was the jagged fangs of swamp beasts of renown. A warrior and Witch mixed..resulting in the reluctant Shapeshifter to their right, her mother sat on the Snake Throne in respect in was her blood that made her 'Noble' and Ti'Dama's father to her mother's left in a proud display. This was the House of Noire, long would their blood reign in the foggy Reines Swamp..least something happen in the coming months.