[color=9BD9E3][center][h2]Arden Gaothaire[/h2]
Interacting with: N/A[/center][/color]
It had been nearly a year since Arden had seen her home… her family. It was a year ago that the Gemmenia court of Prìseil Aldentine came to her door, peacefully demanding her compliance. Arden’s family did not resist the court’s decision, however, she could still hear the gentle protesting of the other Air Gemmenites living in Makani. Freedom was a concept that was falsely portrayed in Gemmenia. No young woman was truly free; she was birthed with an expiration date and until she met that expiration date, she would live in fear until she was no longer desirable for the Reaping. True freedom was a concept that Air Gemmenites of Makani believed in. Rebellion, rebellion was but a newly birthed idea; a radical idea most were afraid to act on, let alone even speak about. Arden was that rebellion. A year ago, she was a man; living a necessary lie for her future survival. She had dreams, she had hopes. She was going to change the world, she was going to change [i]something[/i]. At least that’s what she once thought.

Her soft eyes stared blankly ahead, not hearing the muffles of the Gemmenite elders speaking to her. Arden’s brow line hardened, losing herself in thought of the day her careless mistake ruined her life. The day that she was discovered. The Gaothaire’s secret would cast a shadow over their family name for generations to come as an act of rebellion. She didn’t want to think about what it would mean for her family to live in a city where they were known for something deemed as a vile act against the court. A sigh escaped her and as quick as the breath left her chest, a hand found itself on her shoulder. Arden snapped back into reality and met eyes with the woman in front of her, Illyia was her name. Illya was a Water Gemmenite that she been living with for nearly a year. Illya’s [i]job[/i] was to teach her how to act more lady like. Illya’s job was to prepare her for the day she would be reaped.

“Arden, you’re lost in thought again. You know that is not becoming of a fine young woman. People are going to think your head is empty if you aren’t careful.” Illya cautioned, removing her hand from Arden’s shoulder. An unamused sigh escaped the Air Gemmenite’s chest, [color=9BD9E3]“We have been through this, Illya. You know how I feel about these [i]womanly[/i] teachings, I do not understand why you insist on pushing the matter on me.”[/color]

Arden stood from her seat and walked to a nearby window. She gazed outside in awe of Prìseil Aldentine, it was a truly magnificent city. Illya’s voice sounded behind her, “Arden… you know that I am only doing as I am told. Listening to direction is something you’re going to have to grow accustomed to. I know you do not like it, you’ve made your distaste for how things are very clear… but I fear that if you cannot simply nod your head in agreeance more often, that you will be killed.” Illya was not wrong, Arden had always been strong-willed and honest to a fault. Her opinionated voice often led to reprimand but the woman held a respectful diplomatic voice nonetheless; people [i]listened[/i] to she had to say. The Air Gem turned wildly toward Illya, [color=9BD9E3]“Listening to direction, Illya? Or do you mean following orders. I understand that I’m going to be a bride for the taking, but we aren’t in Drakka and I should be entitled to freely live as an individual for what little time I have left.”[/color] That was the last conversation Arden had with Illya. That very day, young Gemmenite women were ripped from Prìseil Aldentine, Arden being among them.

She had lost track of time and couldn’t remember just how long the journey was. Instead she remembered the cold uneven wood planks of the back of the cart she was thrown into. She remembered the soft whimpering of the other women who shared the cart with her. She remembered the disgusting cackling of the Drakken who came for them. The cart eventually arrived in Shadow Worth, a dreary place. The women were ushered out of their temporary home and forced into another. Arden had only thought about what this day would be like, she had been told what to expect. She would arrive in Shadow Worth, partake in a [i]ceremony[/i] of some kind, and then become a Drakken’s property. The gem went through the motions, silently taking in her surroundings and listening carefully to the beasts that talked around her. Arden found herself in a courtyard littered with other Gemmenites, listening to a Drakken who was clearly in a position of power deliver what was supposed to be a frightening speech. Arden remained still and eerily calm given the threatening circumstance that was now her life. Her brow hardened, as it always did when she was displeased, disappointed, or bitter. 

After the speech she was forced to a room in the west wing. There was a set of drab clothing on the bed, which matched the drab decor of the room. Her head was filled with the faces of the other Gemmenites in the courtyard, most of them sobbing and afraid. She thought about how each one of them had likely been freshly ripped from their families. [i][color=9BD9E3]Family.[/color][/i] She had been ripped from her family so long ago now, but now more than ever she yearned for them. Arden’s fist lightly clenched at her waist. [i][color=9BD9E3]Auram, please grant me your strength to get through this…[/color] [/i]

[b]THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.[/b] Daybreak had come with a loud roar at the bedroom door and a Drakken storming into her bedroom. Arden jumped out of bed, startled by the intrusion. He yelled at her to find her way to the dining hall and then was gone as quickly as he came. Once he was gone, she relaxed into her skin and slid into the drab clothing that was left for her; a pair of loose fit trousers and what appeared to be a young boy’s shirt. The Air Gem found her way to the dining hall, how she walked into the room demanded a certain presence to it. Arden, had being raised to be a man, walked with a certain assertiveness to her, which she became painfully aware of when she noticed a Drakken glaring at her from out of the corner of her eye. The young woman drew a breath in, held up her stature, and walked over to where the feast was laid out. 

The catering table was littered with options from her homeland, a delicacy she did not expect in such a dark place, and other options that were bleak at best. Clearly the latter belonged to Drakka. Knowing that the latter was more likely the option she would be eating for the rest of her life, unless she was [i]lucky[/i] enough to become the property of a monster who lived in a city that enjoyed the comforts of Gemmenia, she opted for mostly the bleak options and picked a couple from her homeland as a comfort. Arden looked around the room while collecting her breakfast, taking note of the other Gemmenite women already there. There were already dozens of them, scattered throughout the hall and although the room was filling quickly, it was deadly silent, as if there was not even a single soul within it. She wondered what they were thinking, how they were feeling. She imagined most of them were terrified, but she knew some of them had already accepted their fate by the look on their faces. Part of her knew that most of them were still coming to terms with their new realities, which explained the deathly silence that filled the room. All of the tables had some manner of people at them, Arden found a seat with an empty spot across the table in front of her. She sat next to two other Gems who were quietly eating their breakfast, looks of hopelessness tattooed on their face. She wanted to say something to them, her mouth opening slightly to speak but then stopping, catching herself searching for words that didn't come. Arden sat, quietly picking at her breakfast and losing herself in thought as she quietly observed the room directly in front of her. 

[hider=Summary] Little intro of Arden’s life in the capital post-taken from her home in Makani. Her journey to Shadow Worth and a little insight into her strong headed ways. You get to see her tough exterior and a glimpse into her softer side. She makes her way to the breakfast hall, where some of her manly mannerisms come out. She attempts to talk to someone but was unable to find any words, she sits quietly observing the room with an empty seat in front of her. [/hider]