[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HDwS9l5.png[/img]
[h2][color=9e0039]Zeldria Miphras[/color][/h2]
Bride to Ineraz ([@SilverPaw]), Sister Bride to Sera ([@Pupperr])
Interacting with Ineraz ([@SilverPaw]) & Sera ([@Pupperr])[/center]

The time between their collection from the baths and the arrival to the capital was an absolute blur. Zeldria vaguely remembered being shoved into her room once again, this time finding a garment laid out on the bed and being order to dress herself in it. Brief inspection revealed it to be an evening gown, sewn mostly from black fabric but with some silver accents here and there, extending down to her ankles and leaving her shoulders bare. She remembered thinking the black was fitting- it was like she was headed to a funeral for her old life. Or perhaps it would be one for all of her lives. 

She had no time to dwell on such thoughts, however. As soon as she was dressed she was marched out of the room and down to join the rest of the brides to be. They exited the fortress the same way they had entered, a time that seemed eons previously. The trip to the capital passed in speed and silence for her. Where other Gems filled it with tears, jitters, and worries, Zel retreated inside her own head, trying to find what little solace she could. But, before she could gather much beyond a shred, she was being paraded through the Drakken streets to the reaping feast.

Before much time had passed, she and another Gem were seized by a guard's iron grip and nearly dragged forward, until they came to a stop before a tall, lean, and somewhat gangly Drakken with pale skin and long, black hair. The guard addressed him as Beastmaster and seemed to rather mock the man with his bows and obviously feigned praise before savagely shoving them both forward. Zel took several stumbling steps before managing to catch herself and straighten up. The Drakken- her new husband, she corrected herself mentally, looked them up and down, seeming to linger slightly longer on her scarlet hair, before posing some questions to them.

[color=B47B84][b]“My name is Sera Makatza”[/b][/color] said the other Gem, speaking first. 

[color=9e0039][b]"And mine is Zeldria,"[/b][/color] she said in turn, bowing her head forward slightly as a sign of respect that required little space, [color=9e0039][b]"And it is as you say, fire is the element I was born to."[/b][/color]

[color=9e0039][b]"The guard referred to you as Beastmaster,"[/b][/color] she said, [color=9e0039][b]"Am I correct in presuming that you're a hunter of sorts, then?"[/b][/color]

[hider=Summary]
Meeting the husband, neat.

Note for Silver; the question about hunting would have been asked after Ineraz responds to Sera's question about what to call him, for the sake of conversation flow.
[/hider]
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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/M8nuVBP.png[/img]
[h2][color=9e0b0f]Wilhelm the Black Blade[/color][/h2]
Husband of Onyx ([@Vesuvius00]) and Amalia ([@Belle])
Interacting with Onyx ([@Vesuvius00]) & Amalia ([@Belle])[/center]

The Reaping Feast was always something of a droll occasion. Feasting, fighting, the clashing of egos and zealotry- everything that could be asked for in a large Drakken gathering, truly. Wilhelm actually found himself bemused by all the spectacle, in spite of himself. He sipped at a glass of dark red wine that might have been mistaken for blood depending on the light as he glanced about his surroundings, occasionally raising it in respect to some of the older Drakken he saw who he respected. Then, at last, the doors of the hall swung open wide and the procession entered. 

In spite of his attempts to maintain his composure at all times, even Wilhelm found himself hungrily eying the Gems up for grabs this year. The Reapers could be disparaged in many ways, but their eye for suitable brides was not one of them. Unfortunately, it was not up to him to pick his own brides. Unless of course he sought to challenge another Drakken for one, but that was a tactic for younger, stupider Drakken. No, he would not debase himself so. Not in front of the Princes and Princess who would be deciding which among them would be ruling Drakka all too soon. 

It was then that one of the guards approached him, two Gems in his hands. One was slightly taller with dark black hair. The other featured blonde wavy hair and, he noted, was still maturing physically. Not that it deterred him; she would grow into herself, and he was patient. 

[color=9e0b0f][b]"Finally?"[/b][/color] he asked in reproach of the guard's remark, [color=9e0b0f][b]"These are far from my first brides you halfwit. Still, do convey that the Crown may always rely on my sword to be raised in Drakka's best interest. On your way, if you please."[/b][/color]

As the guard hurried off, Wilhelm found himself relatively alone with his two acquisitions. One of them, the blonde one, had closed her eyes in desperation as she'd been dragged forward, and as he stepped forward to examine her she opened them. There was a glint of surprise in her gaze, he noticed, as she looked on him.

[color=9e0b0f][b]"Were you expecting a drunken savage?"[/b][/color] he asked, [color=9e0b0f][b]"A half-beast drenched in drool, perhaps? Hmph."[/b][/color]

He extended his hands forward, placing an index finger under each girl's chin and lifting their faces to look up at him. His gaze traveled over each of their faces in turn, like a hawk's might drift over a rabbit's, taking in every detail. Mostly, he looked into their eyes and what shone therein. Would he find defiance? Despair? Or had the light gone out, their time in Shadow Worth having drained it from them and leaving only quiet acceptance behind? It seemed too early to tell, for both.

It was then that the blonde spoke. [color=82ca9d][b]"Hello Milord. It is a pleasure to meet you,"[/b][/color]

[color=9e0b0f][b]"Is it now?"[/b][/color] he replied, [color=9e0b0f][b]"We will see if that is true in due time. I am Wilhelm, as you both no doubt heard. You will refer to me as milord or lord husband. For now, you will tell me your names, your elemental skill, and what sort of place you come from."[/b][/color]

His tone made it clear he would brook no refusal.

[hider=Summary]
Q&A time with the brides.
[/hider]