[center]
[h2][color=e9967a]Bree[/color][/h2]
[sub]Interacting with: [color=9bd9e3]Arden[/color] [@Pupperr][/sub]
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From her place on the floor, Bree had no doubts in her mind that each and everyone of them were being judged beneath the harsh gazes of their masters. As she suspected, their orders to bow were a test, and the majority had followed through in one form or another. What she had not expected though, was how immediate their punishments would be for any who were deemed to have failed.

Anxiety gripped her chest as she glanced about her from the corner of her eyes, taking note of several figures that didn’t even come close to a bow. Some she came to decide just didn’t know better, however, there were a few that she knew stood out of sheer defiance as surprising as it may have been. Without turning her head she shifted her gaze to the side so that she could check on her conversation partner, a girl from what was close enough to be considered home. Whether fate had crossed their paths before, Bree did not know, but any thoughts on the matter immediately vanished as she realized Arden was no bowing with the rest. She had chosen defiance over survival.

She wanted to call out to her, to tell her to just let it go this once and follow the rules so that she may live to see another day. So that she may continue on and defy their captors in other ways, in more productive manners. Standing now was pointless, but there was nothing she could do. It was too late to warn her unless she herself wanted to join the ranks of those that had failed the very first test. As quickly as the men had entered, the punishments began, and she was left kneeling with her gaze glued to the floor hoping she would not be noticed.

While she couldn’t see everything that was going on, she made sure to listen very carefully. There was much to be learned here to avoid unnecessary pain later on. And much to learn about her sister Gems in their capture, as not much opportunity had been present for them to show what they were made of. At first, it seemed another Gem had caught the warden’s attention. If she had remembered correctly, there were a few that she had noted as not wearing the clothes that had been provided. It would seem that they were going to be made examples of right off the bat.

Bree listened as the clothes were literally torn from the girl’s body, the sash returned in a display of cruel dominance. The men threw her bared body to the floor and took the torn pieces away from her, allowing her to keep nothing but the sash that she had opted to wear with uniform. It didn’t stop there as those torn rags were delivered to another girl who had chosen not to change at all. At least that one would be given the option to remove her own clothing, however Bree didn’t know which was the better option. The drakkan knew exactly how to torture them even without inflicting physical pain, a thought she had never come to expect from the massive brutes.

This would not last, however, as the man made his way to her general area. It would seem her position kneeling was satisfactory, but Arden would not be spared. She had to stifle a shout as her new friend was yanked across the table and dragged away to where the prince stood. They might not have needed to hit them to inflict pain, but Bree should have known better than to assume that they wouldn’t at all. The drakkan were willing to do whatever it took to ensure obedience, even if it meant they had to rough them up a little bit. Surely they had to be careful about it, but it would seem in this case, Arden’s punishment was sanctioned by the prince himself. There would be no saving her.

The sound of knee colliding with body made Bree feel sick to her stomach, an anger boiling in her blood. She had to fight every instinct in her body not to stand up on her own to feet and challenge the man in Arden’s defense. Such a move would most likely mean even more severe punishment for the two of them, so what good would it have been?

Arden was not the only girl to suffer physical harm that morning. Several other girls were plucked up by drakkan guards to have their heels burnt. They would be forced to stand for the rest of the day while in immense pain, though if Bree had to be honest… They got off easy. For directly disobeying orders, they could have been dealt a lot worse. She considered their punishments light. 

The moment guards began ushering girls out the door, Bree was up on her feet and immediately by Arden’s side. Already girls were trying to help those that had been punished, offering clothing to those that had been stripped, and support to those that had been burnt. Such offers ended up resulting in similar fates for those attempting to help, something she would have to be wary with. Carefully she made her way over to the dais where Arden had been put on display, making sure to give the warden and his prince a wide berth. Eyes down, she hovered close by to lend any help that may be required.

‘[color=e9967a]You’ve got some serious guts to you. What were you thinking?[/color]” She asked, her voice sounding just like a concerned sister might, angry… but mostly worried. Shaking her head, Bree forced out a small chuckle and offered out a hand for Arden to take.

“[color=e9967a]Never mind that… Are you okay?[/color]” A presence behind her made Bree freeze, the man’s shadow falling coldly across her skin.

“[color=gray]This mannerless wench belong with you?[/color]” He asked suspiciously, clearly threatening her without saying so outright. Bree turned around quickly, deciding it best to fall to her knees once again considering the situation they had all just been in. 

“[color=e9967a]We just met this morning sir. If she doesn’t move quickly she will miss out on the important lessons you have graced us with, I just want to make sure she gets there so no further mistakes will be made moving forward.[/color]” Bree was lying through her teeth at this point, she only hoped that the warden couldn’t tell. Whether he could or not was a mystery as he kept complete control of his demeanour down to the very sound of his voice.

“[color=gray]I see… Seems you are quick to learn yourself. It is best if you stick to yourself instead of worrying about others. Move along, or you will be late yourself.[/color]” He growled, eyes boring into the top of her head before making his leave, the prince following behind him remaining as silent as he had throughout the whole ordeal.

Sighing with relief, Bree stood once again and turned back to Arden.
“[color=e9967a]Come on, let’s go.[/color]”

~~~

The rest of the day seemed to drag on because of the morning’s nightmare. All around her she could see the broken spirits, even among those that had received no punishments themselves. Clearly it was more than just a test. It was a show of strength, and was to assure that each and every one of them knew their place. Broken down like a wild horse to be sold on market, such a despicable method. 

Either way there was nothing she could do about it but to conserve her strength and seek out any opportunities laid out before her. Even into the night she lay awake, staring at the ceiling cursing the drakkan in every way she knew how. All the while the faces of her beloved at home as well as her new friend flashed through her mind. Somehow, someway, she was going to make things right. She just didn’t know how.

[hider=Summary]
Bree followed the rules just enough to escape punishment. Super salty about Arden’s treatment. BSes her way through a secondary encounter with boss man, and spends the rest of her day ‘scheming’.
[/hider]