[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 Sera ([@Pupperr]) & Ineraz ([@SilverPaw])[/center]

Sera's response to her question shocked Zel into silence. Somewhere the in redhead's mind she'd thought she could, and should, build something of a fellowship with her fellow bride. She thought that if she was able to, it would be that much easier for them both. How else would they survive their time in Drakka, if not together? But it seemed things weren't fated to be. The way Sera had reacted, that cold and emotionless stare, the way she'd called Zel a stranger... That much was true, perhaps, but she had stated it so bluntly and with such a chill to her tone. It seemed she had no intentions of gaining any sort of familiarity. Was it something Zel had said or done? No, surely not, she'd barely spoken to Sera until now. Evidently, that was just how things were fated to be; a husband who she had no doubt would treat her little better than one of his hunting hounds, and a sister bride who wanted nothing to do with her. 

[b][color=9e0039]"Oh. I see,"[/color][/b] she replied, her voice neutral. She didn't speak again for the rest of the bath, merely washing herself in silence and emerging from the water when she was finished. Unlike Sera, who left her gown on the floor in a heap, Zel folded hers carefully and tucked it beneath her arm after donning the tunic that had been provided. It was far from the most pleasant clothes she'd ever worn. The fabric was scratchy and coarse, and she had little doubt part of the intent was to make her want to remove it at some point, but she could tolerate a little roughness. As they walked down the hallway, Zel found herself actually admiring the trophies mounted on the wall. She was no stranger to beasts and hunting, but the hunting she'd grown up knowing was almost entirely for food and materials. Nearly all pieces of the animal were put to use in some fashion, which meant there was never really anything to be used a trophy. What she saw before her now couldn't be more different. Not only were the animals drastically more ferocious and nightmarish, but they were put proudly on display in the hall, as if the trophy was the primary concern of the hunt. It was a sign of hunting for sport, and though it was entirely alien to her, Zel couldn't help but be impressed by what she saw. It seemed her husband was not called Beastmaster for no reason.

And then they entered the bedroom. Their husband lay on the bed, dressed in black and assuming a... rather risque pose. The sight brought a flush to Zel's face, one which she hoped Ineraz wouldn't notice but was certain he would. He offered them a choice; sleep with him, sleep next to him, or sleep in the corner on the floor like an animal. Truth be told, none of them sounded well to Zeldria. She certainly had no desire to give herself to him, even though she was certain he would eventually take her by force, and if she slept next to him who knew where his hands would find their way to. But, if she chose the floor, not only would she be horribly uncomfortable and exposed to the chill of night, he could very well take it as a slant and react poorly towards her. Zel quietly turned over the choices in her mind, and shortly after Sera elected to take the floor Zel came to her own decision.

[b][color=9e0039]"As for me,"[/color][/b] she said a little uncertain, [b][color=9e0039]"I fear that between my... inexperience and weariness from travel I would not be able to... satisfy you, my lord. But, if it will do, I'll take my place in the bed beside you."[/color][/b]

And so she did, wondering all the while as she tried to sleep how she would make it through. Her husband seemed cordial enough, but he was still a Drakken, and the one remotely familiar face in the house had made it clear she wished nothing between them. Zel was alone in spirit, and she would have to adapt to that as fast as she could.

[hider=Summary]
Zel thinks Sera wants nothing to do with her, and takes that impression to heart. She picks Option 2, sleep next to Ineraz for the night.
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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]

Well, at least it had been promising for a moment. 

Just as quickly as the developments at the Reaping Feast had begun to heat up, they cooled that much faster as the Princess smoothed things over and declared the event ended. However, she would also be overseeing the validation of the challenge, and the Drakken whose bride Rynek had lusted after begrudgingly stepped forward to see to the matter. That, at least, was pleasing to Wilhelm. Challenges were not a thing to be brushed aside in favor of pomp and circumstances, they were to be met with full force that a Drakken might prove himself greater than the one who challenged him. It seemed the Princess understood that. 

He looked down to see Amalia clutching his side, having been frightened by one of the revelers deeper in his cups than most and sought refuge with him. This was a good sign, as it meant she was already learning to anchor herself to him. An expectant look from Wilhelm sent the drunkard returning to his business, and he turned his attention back to his brides. Onyx had pulled Amalia away from him and seemed to whispering to her in an embrace. The librarian's daughter was not one to be easily frightened, and seemed to be taking the charge of comforting her sister bride. That would eventually need to be taken care of, but for now the showing was a sign of gumption, as well as the seed of solidarity between the two. Both of these items were desirable to Wilhelm, who preferred his brides be well-adjusted and functional members of his household rather than frightened little vermin that were good for nothing but birth and death, so he would permit such things. For the time being.


However, it was as the Princess had said; he had other matters to attend to that evening. So, as his brides separated from each other, Wilhelm slid between them and draped an arm around each, his hands gripping them firmly by the upper arms. [color=9e0b0f][b]"Let us go,"[/b][/color] he said, and began to move toward the door with his prizes in tow. The rain had lightened slightly by the time they exited, which meant they would not be as drenched as others as they traversed the city streets. Wilhelm directed them through several winding turns along the cobblestones until they arrived at a moderately sized single story cottage, the door of which was covered by a black flag emblazoned with a single sword surrounded by jagged stone- Wilhelm's crest. Standing just outside of it was another Drakken garbed in dark clothes and a travel cloak. As Wilhelm approached, he nodded to the man and placed his hand on Amalia's upper back, pushing her forward while he and Onyx stopped in their tracks. The Drakken stepped forward, pulling out several lengths of rope to drape over his shoulder and a knife from his belt. 

Rather than harm the Gem, however, he took the lengths of rope in turn and stretched them across Amalia's body in various ways. First from her head to the earth, then across her shoulders, down the length of her arms and legs, and finally wrapping a rope around her chest, then her waist, then her hips, and lastly around her neck. Each time he did so he would pinch the rope where it had ran the length of her or met itself and slice it with the knife, then placed the newly shortened rope in a sack. The rope that had wrapped around her neck, however, was given special care and placed in a satchel at his belt. He nodded to Wilhelm, and the warlord obliged by bringing Onyx forward for the same treatment. Her ropes were placed in different bags, and when it was finished he grabbed the two sacks, nodded once more to Wilhelm, and began quickly walking down the road toward the gates. 

[color=9e0b0f][b]"A servant,"[/b][/color] he told his brides nonchalantly, [color=9e0b0f][b]"He will ride ahead of us to Nachtstone and see that preparations for our arrival are made. Now, inside."[/b][/color]

The interior of the cottage was spacious, but not particularly adorned or decorated. Another servant dressed all in black waited inside, and Wilhelm swiftly ordered him to draw a bath for his brides. [color=9e0b0f][b]"You are free to take your time. I do not have additional clothing for you here, so I suggest you take care of the gowns you were given. I will be in the only bed when you are done. We will be rising early so we might reach my castle in a timely manner, so ensure that you are well-rested for travel."[/b][/color]

[color=9e0b0f][b]"One more thing, before we retire. If you are harboring thoughts of escape, you will find leaving this house simple enough. However, if you do so, you will be alone in the middle of all Drakka. And while I mean to keep you both in good condition, I cannot say what will happen to you should you be found by less... considerate Drakken."[/b][/color] He let the word "considerate" hang in the air for a moment, letting the reputation of his people and their dread tendencies fill it with venom while he himself gave it none. 

[color=9e0b0f][b]"You may proceed."[/b][/color]

[hider=Summary]
Wilhelm takes his brides and goes to his house in the capital. A servant takes several measurements of the two of them with rope, then takes off into the night. A bath is made for them, and Wilhelm will be sitting in the only bed waiting for them when they're done. 
[/hider]