[center][h2][color=B47B84]Sera Makatza[/color] and [color=008B8B]Ineraz Evrenarth[/color][/h2][/center][center][sub]Bride of [b]Ineraz[/b]. Sister Bride of [b]Zeldria[/b].
Interacting with [b]Ineraz[/b][@SilverPaw]
Collaboration with [@SilverPaw]
[/sub][/center]

The wooden floor was cold beneath her body, even though her husband was gracious enough to provide them with bed rolls. It was almost strange to her, how uncomfortable she was given the temperature of the room. She was used to sleeping on the ground and with less than what Ineraz had given her, but the climate of Drakka was more harsh than her home.

[color=B47B84][i]Was it ever really a home?[/i][/color]

A smiling boy… cheerful and laughing. 

[color=B47B84][i]It was a home then.[/i][/color]

Sera’s forehead knotted into a wrinkle as her brow quivered slightly. A small tear formed in the corner of her eye but it would never kiss her cheek. It remained there, as the girl stared harshly at the door, silently praying for his memory to disappear. It would take countless hours for the girl to fall asleep between tossing and turning, until finally… she settled.

Crimson eyes shot open, startled by the ghosts in her dream. She gasped for a breath that wasn’t there, heart pounding against her chest. After a few long seconds, which felt like minutes, her breath steadied and her heart calmed. Sera’s eyes wandered around the room, looking for any threats that had managed to creep their way in while she was sleeping - there was nothing. She looked up to where the bed was, her sister bride? And husband were sleeping soundly.

[color=B47B84][i]It’s just in your head…[/i][/color]

The girl quietly lifted the blankets off of her and slid out of the bed roll. She stood erect, quietly observing the sleeping couple. There was no way she was going to sleep now and she was curious about the new place that she was in. Surely, there would be no harm in peeking around? Her bare feet walked silently across the room, the moonlight from a nearby window lighting her path. Her hand reached out to the doorknob and fell still on it as she looked back over her shoulder to make sure Ineraz and Zeldria were still sleeping. There had been no movement in the bed; it was safe to proceed. The doorknob turned lightly and she pulled open the door enough for her to slip out quietly. As Sera emerged in the hallway, she left the door ajar behind her. She took three quiet steps forward before allowing herself to take a breath; she had been holding it for a reason unknown to her, she didn’t even know she was doing it.

Sera walked quietly down the hall, admiring the murals on the wall. She had passed most of the magnificent paintings on her way to the bedroom, but she never had a moment to [i]enjoy[/i] them. Her hand reached out to the wall as she walked, trailing her fingertips across its surface. She felt the heat beneath her fingers as they traced the grain in the wood; a slight hint of sulfur tickled her nose but she didn’t stop. Sera continued to walk down the hall, leaving behind fingertip sized scorch marks as a trail. The girl’s feet slowed to a halt when she found herself in front of a particular painting; it was the largest one she had seen yet. It was bordered with a golden frame and inside it was a man that looked like her husband, but older, a lot older. Next to the man was another that looked like him, this one was younger… Sera was completely mesmerized by the grand picture in front of her that she stood completely still in front of it. 

An almost inaudible rustling sound interrupted Ineraz’s sleep and at first, he thought he was dreaming. When faint footsteps joined in, his mind startled him awake, convinced that an assassin had come for him. This line of thought led him to keep up the pretense of sleeping, while he waited for the person to [i]do[/i] something. The soft click of the door opening a few moments later woke him up fully. He sat up on the bad, and glanced at Zeldria, who still appeared to be sleeping. His eyes moved over to Sera’s corner, and she was gone. Not entirely unexpected. If it had been an outsider, he would have woken up as soon as they attempted to enter.

He slipped out of the bed, hoping Zeldria would not wake up or at the very least, not attempt to do anything unnecessary if she did. Just in case, Ineraz picked up his crossbow, which was hanging from a hook on the wall, and took the accompanying bag with bolts as well, slinging it over his left shoulder. He readied the weapon in his right hand, and exited the room to chase after his prey. He stalked stealthily along the hall, and the trail which the Gem had left behind her did not escape him. [color=008B8B][i]Does she want to be caught?[/i][/color] He raised a brow in disbelief, but followed it until his bride came into sight at the end of the hall, where she stood in front of some of the Evrenarth family portraits.

[color=008B8B]“Couldn’t sleep any longer?”[/color] he murmured the question. He was curious whether she had slept at all; there was a slight possibility she had only pretended to do so and waited until a time when she could make her escape. The fact that she was now admiring the manor’s art, however, made that unlikely.

The voice behind her startled her somewhat, her head turning quickly to see who it belonged to. When she had noticed her husband standing there, even though he was her captor, the familiar face eased her slightly. Her eyes flicked over to the crossbow over his shoulder. Was he hunting her?

[color=B47B84]“I had a nightmare. I can’t usually sleep afterwards.”[/color] She responded, alluring to the fact she had nightmares often. Her eyes returned to meet Ineraz’s. [color=B47B84]“I didn’t mean to wake you. I just wanted to look around. I’ve never seen a house so big before.”[/color]

[color=008B8B]“So you often wake up because of nightmares...What do you dream about?”[/color] he asked, but shook his head just as suddenly, changing his mind.[color=008B8B] “I don’t believe it matters. As for waking me up, I would be concerned if you didn’t.  Most Drakken don’t die in their sleep, and being killed because of carelessness would certainly be shameful.”[/color]

He looked at the Gem curiously. She was so different from Zeldria. At some level, he was aware that the latter’s reaction was the more common one, but Sera’s fearlessness in their interactions was truly intriguing. 

[color=008B8B]“I can show you around,”[/color] he offered, then cocked his head to the side as he considered the slight Gem.[color=008B8B] “Is there anything that could help you sleep? Food, or some wine, perhaps?”[/color] Bad sleeping habits combined with being in such a foreign environment could prove lethal for the Gem, [i]definitely[/i]  a situation to prevent if at all possible.

Ineraz’s question sparked an image in her head, one of giant shadowed figures looming over top of her. As quickly as it appeared, it vanished. Luckily the Drakkan decided just what her nightmares were about, were not important. She was not interested in sharing with him that haunting memories of burning her bro…

A quick painful expression swept across her face but she pushed it away, allowing her blank stare to return. Her husband insinuated the idea that she had wanted to kill him while he was asleep. Her face contorted into a confused look as she tried to think of why… it seemed more so, that [i]he]/i] wanted to kill her; he had come with a weapon after all. 

[color=B47B84]“I have no reason to kill you.”[/color] She offered, rather bluntly. For most gems, it was a peculiar statement, but for Sera it seemed normal. This man had done nothing wrong to her, if anything, he had provided her with more comfort than she had ever been given before. The way he looked at her curiously caused the girl to reach to her face, as if something was there. [color=B47B84]“Is there something wrong…” [/color]

Did he already figure her out? Was he starting to see the same monster that everyone else did… Her doubt was diminished by his courteous offer to show her around and his interest in her well-being. Although she knew very well that nothing would help her sleep, the gesture was still received well.[color=B47B84] “Wine? I’ve never had wine.”[/color]

Amused, Ineraz chuckled. [color=008B8B]“Not yet?”[/color] he smiled at his quip.[color=008B8B] “I’d certainly prefer for us to cooperate than try to kill the other,”[/color] he stated matter-of-factly. 

He shook his head fondly when she touched her face, seemingly worried. [color=008B8B]“Not at all. I simply like you, sweet one,”[/color] Ineraz invoked one of his endearments for her again. 

He smiled devilishly at her revelation, a wicked glimmer entering his eyes. [color=008B8B]“Oh, then you simply must have some! We have several splendid vintages here. There’s a cellar right below the kitchens,”[/color] he loosened his hold on the crossbow a bit, now that there was no evident danger, but still kept it ready next to his thigh. [color=008B8B]“I don’t imagine you will mind a bit of darkness? The lightning has to be kept a bit lower down there,”[/color] he explained. He then smirked and added in levity [color=008B8B]“You could always use some of your fire, hm?”[/color] He did not wish for her to actually do so for this venture, so he followed up with a more serious statement. [color=008B8B]“However, the wines can be sensitive, so it is honestly better not to.”[/color]

As he spoke, Ineraz nodded in the direction they would go, gesturing for Sera to walk at his side as he led her to the manor’s cellar. As they went, he wondered how the Gem would be affected by the alcohol.

Sera blinked at the man as he chuckled and made, what she could only assume was a joke. She wasn’t sure how to react, should she laugh? She didn’t bother with a response and watched him curiously as he shook his head at her. [i][b]“I simply like you”.[/b][/i] His endearment caught her off guard; he liked her, why? No one had ever [i]liked[/i] her before. There was [i]nothing[/i] to like about her. She looked at him puzzled, opening her mouth to speak, but deciding against it. Although she was curious, her husband seemed excited by the fact that she had never tried wine before and for once, she wasn’t going to spoil the moment.

The dark. It was something she had been uneasy about ever since the incident. Funny enough, as she lived the rest of her life mostly in the dark. It was almost a strange form of self-punishment. Sera simply nodded to Ineraz, he had made it clear that the wine needed to be kept such a way, she would not disturb it with her own preference for a light. She joined him at his side opposite of the crossbow as he lead her down the hall, the stairs, and to the cellar. She kept silent until they reached the cellar, and as the door was opened into an abyss of nothingness, her body instinctually grew nearer to Ineraz’s. He had a weapon after all.

[color=B47B84]“Why.. does wine have to be in the dark?”[/color] she asked, her arm now almost touching his with how close she had drawn, not entirely realizing it herself.

For a moment, the girl seemed confused, but said nothing, and just followed him silently. They reached the dark and cramped stairway leading to the cellar, and Ineraz took a moment for his eyes to adjust. There were a few oil lamps which he could and did light down the way, but they provided barely enough visibility so that there would be no unfortunate crashes down the stairs. 

Ineraz noticed Sera gradually drawing closer to the point where she almost pressed into his left side. He put his arm around her shoulder and answered her question softly. [color=008B8B]“Too much light harms it. It affects the taste. Some occasional lightning is alright, but long-term exposure would ruin the wines.”[/color] They reached the actual room, which was rather extensive but would still be considered normal for a house this size. 

[color=008B8B]“While we’re on this topic, is there any taste you’d prefer? Sweet? Sour? Bitter? A mix? There are many varieties, but I doubt you would be familiar with the Drakken names, or even the Gemmenite ones, if you’ve never had any. So try describing the sort of flavour you might enjoy. If you remember any types of grapes, fruit, honey or spices you ever liked, that could also help in choosing a bottle.”[/color]

The arm came around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him. Sera glanced over at it, unsure whether or not she liked it, but for the moment she considered it a necessary safety precaution. Her feet finally found solid ground and she looked around the room, curiously surveying it; another large space. Ineraz had begun explaining wine to her, and she did her best to listen, but her eyes were content on remaining on the darkness in the room. What lied within it… the possibility frightened her.

Ineraz had asked her preference, but nothing came to mind. There was so little that she enjoyed in her home, and what she did enjoy she wanted to forget. Without moving her eyes from their fixed spot on the shadows, she lightly turned her head toward him to at least signal she was listening. [color=B47B84]“I will have whatever your preference is… I don’t have one myself.”[/color]

Her head turned back, her body inched closer to her husband, and she swallowed hard enough to make a noise. It was clear she was uncomfortable in the space, and as her nerves grew, her body began to become warmer. Ineraz would notice the temperature change in her, surely, as his arm was wrapped around her.

Ineraz watched as Sera stared into the darkness. Was it possible that a fire Gem was actually disturbed by such a thing? He would find it strange if that were the case. [color=008B8B]“I wouldn’t recommend what I’m having, Drakken generally prefer much stronger beverages, or so I’m told.”[/color]

He was about to proceed and pick out a bottle or two, when Sera’s body heated up and she whimpered quietly, almost curling into him. Ineraz furrowed his brows in mild confusion, but attempted to calm her down. [color=008B8B]“Don’t worry, little one. I will be done here very soon and then we can leave,”[/color] because it seemed like the thing to do, he kissed the top of Sera’s head. Hopefully, she would not cause damage to the cellar if she panicked any more. He had heard rumours that hysterical Gems could do actions which were usually considered unlike them, such as attacking and harming others or damaging valuable property.

The feeling of his lips against her head drew attention to her own rising body temperature, even more so when Ineraz offered her comforting words. Sera drew three deep breaths, attempting to sooth her nerves, it worked mildly as she began to cool. Ineraz removed his arm from her, moving to pick a wine. She stood as still as a statue with no one beside her to protect her from whatever loomed in the darkness. She didn’t care what wine he was picking, she just wanted to leave. As soon as he returned to her, she turned and began her ascend up the cellar stairs without a moment's warning. Her pace was much quicker than it was on their descent, she barely even waited for the Drakkan.

Sera emerged from the cellar into the kitchen. As she walked into the moonlit room, her heart slowed and her temperature returned to normal. A slight of embarrassment washed over her; such an emotion was odd for her to have. Her face fixed on the floor, as her red eyes peered up to Inereaz from the corner of her face in what could be described as shame. [color=B47B84]“I’m sorry. I don’t care for the dark.”[/color]

Ineraz left Sera’s side for a moment, and picked up a very mild and sweet wine for her, then took one of the stronger spiced meads for himself. This time it was him following Sera up the stairs and he watched her back as she practically ran up the way they had come. 

Once they were both in the kitchen, she looked up at him shyly, seemingly self-conscious. [color=008B8B]“No need to apologize,”[/color] he waved his hand dismissively after he set the two bottles down on the table. [color=008B8B]“I wasn’t aware you were uncomfortable with darkness,”[/color] he commented, as he took a few steps to the nearest cabinet and fetched them two glasses. He opened the bottles and poured for them both. He set the wine in front of Sera, and warned [color=008B8B]“Sip slowly.” [/color]He, on the other hand, took a rather generous measure of mead, and it slid easily and pleasantly down his throat. [color=008B8B]“We can move to a sitting room,”[/color] he noted after he almost emptied his glass already. As long as he could drink companionably with his bride, he didn’t much care for the setting they did it in, but if the Gem wanted to relocate, they could.

Sera recomposed herself and watched as her husband poured her a glass of wine from a different bottle than he was heaving. He hadn't listened to her about wanting the same thing as him; she didn’t blame him. Her hands wrapped themselves around the glass placed in front of her, a small thank you escaping her lips. She watched intently as her husband drank a large gulp of his beverage, she wondered why he had cautioned her but did not heed it himself. [color=B47B84]“I thought I said I would have the same as you.”[/color] she stated, anyone would find her words a challenge but she didn’t mean them to be. Her blunt expression was often misinterpreted. 

The girl looked down at her drink, there wasn’t much in the glass, only a few mouthfuls. Sera lifted it off the table, sniffing at the rim of the glass. She contemplated for a moment and without taking the caution that accompanied the beverage, she quickly guzzled it down in one swift move. The harsh taste painted her throat, a disgusted look appeared on her face, and small repetitive coughs escaped her. She quickly placed the glass back down on the table and stared at it, as if it had assaulted her. [color=B47B84]“You like this?”[/color] she questioned, her big eyes now looking up at him. 

It was possible she had simply drunk it too fast to enjoy its taste, but she wasn’t ready to give up so easily and pushed her cup toward Ineraz. [color=B47B84]“I want to try the one you’re having.”[/color]

Sera accepted Ineraz’s offer to relocate and she started toward the other room, passing a look behind her at her husband to make sure he would follow her and bring their drinks with him. [color=B47B84]“Are you coming?”[/color]

Ineraz gave Sera a rather feral grin at her assertion of having wanted the same, torn between amusement and provocation, and bared his teeth to her, but did nothing beyond that simple warning. Despite his caution, the Gem drunk the wine swiftly, then coughed, looking displeased at the taste. Ineraz rolled his eyes at the sight. [i]Amateur[/i]. Exasperated, he raised a brow at her, smirking at her disapproval.

[color=008B8B]“Alcohol takes some time to get used to,”[/color] he explained to her. Had he been younger, he might have teased her about her inexperience, and that she had her refusal to listen to a superior to thank for her miserable experience with the wine. However, he simply continued observing her in amusement.

He looked at Sera with consideration when she pushed her cup towards him, and finished off his own drink. Before he could fulfil her request, she once again moved ahead of him. Baffled, but also in a good mood, he stoppered the bottles, held both under an arm, picked up the two glasses with the same hand, and followed her.

[color=008B8B]“Oh, and you know where to go, do you?”[/color] Ineraz questioned mildly, but did come after her, then directed her to a nearby sitting room. He lit it as they entered, mainly for Sera’s sake. His crossbow, he set on a high drawer, where Sera would be hard pressed to reach it, though she didn’t seem inclined to attempt murdering him so far. He sat on a comfortable leather-cushioned chair beside a table, and set down the drinks yet again. This time, he poured the mead for both of them, and gestured Sera to take the seat opposite of him.

[color=008B8B]“You might like this one better,”[/color] he shrugged a shoulder in a very unconcerned manner, and sipped his mead. If she wasn’t inclined to listen to his suggestion, perhaps she would  take her cue from him as she had before.

Sera herded in the direction of the sitting room with the help of Ineraz. She could feel a slight flush sweeping over her face, an obvious result from drinking an entire glass of wine in one sip while also having a mostly empty stomach. She watched as Ineraz took a seat in a chair, she sat opposite of him as he had suggested, and reached for the glass he offered. Again, the girl sniffed the rim of the cup but this time she sipped it lightly. Despite taking his caution, the taste was still awful. Her face twisted into a knot once more but she shook it off and took another sip.

[color=B47B84]“Ineraz, Sir.”[/color] She started, her eyes fixed on the rippling of the mead in her glass as she made small circular motions with the dish. [color=B47B84]“What does a bride… do?”[/color] she asked, curiously though flatly. Her gaze moved from the glass to her husband. [color=B47B84]“I know I belong to you now… but I still don’t know, what is a bride?”[/color]

Pure innocent curiousity flowed from the girl. Sera hadn’t spoken with someone in this manner, or at all, in what felt like years. She had never belonged to[i] anyone[/i] or [i]anywhere[/i]. No one had [i]wanted[/i] her. And for some reason, this person did. The question as to why still filled her head, there was a reason for her being there. It was to be a bride, but what did that mean for Drakken? What was expected of her?

Ineraz softly snorted when he saw Sera grimace at tasting the drink. [color=008B8B]“Not for everyone, I suppose. Though you might enjoy Gemmenite alcohol,”[/color] he mused. If it weren’t such a wasteful expense, he would have considered buying a vintage from her homeland, but saw no reason to do so.

He blinked at her next question. Hadn’t the Gems been told at Shadow Worth what was expected of them? [color=008B8B]“Brides are intended for procreation with Drakken males. There are very few Drakken females left, and those that are, typically choose themselves whose wife they will become,”[/color] he took another leisurely sip of his drink before continuing.[color=008B8B] “Being a bride means that you will never be considered my equal. You will not be able to become my wife. Even[i] if[/i] I wanted it, it wouldn’t be proper. In the eyes of the Drakken, you are my property. I could do whatever I wanted to you or with you, and no-one would have any issue with it.”[/color]

He caught her blood red eyes with his own gaze, and stressed his next words. [/color=008B8B]“Indeed, you belong to me. And I do want and expect a child by you. But equally, I desire for you to be my lover. To have you agree to the pleasures I could show you, and take joy in them as well.” [/color]

Another sip of mead fell on the girl’s lips as Ineraz blinked at her curiously. It was obvious he was surprised by her question, and he had every right to be, Shadow Worth should have taught her these things and they likely had but her experience there was nothing but a blur. She hadn’t retained anything but the punishments the Drakken had given to the girls. Those Drakken were nothing but brutal monsters, impatiently waiting for the opportunity to force their power upon the Gemmenites. This Drakkan, Ineraz… her husband, however, did not seem to be the same brutal monster as the ones she had encountered already. Sera listened contently as Ineraz explained what it meant to be a bride. [i]Procreation. Property. A child. A lover.[/i]

Her purpose was to bear him a child. He had free reign over what he did with her, no one could protect her from him. And yet, he didn’t choose to simply take what he wanted. He [i]wanted[/i] her to be his [i]lover[/i]. The concept was foreign to her as she scraped through her mind to what that meant, or even looked like, outside of simply [i]procreating[/i], as he put it. Pleasure. Joy. A memory of her parents locking lips before one of them parting came to her mind; the look on their faces after the act, their smiles spread from ear to ear. Pure joy. Sera’s eyes fell on her mead once more, taking another sip (this time with less of a disgusted twinge afterward) before placing the glass on a nearby table.

The girl removed herself slowly from the chair she was in and walked lightly toward Ineraz. Her feet slipped in between his legs and she looked down at him now, curious eyes studying his face. She reached out to him in the same manner she had done in the room, her hands finding a place on either side of his face. Her head dropped to meet eye level with his, closely observing him. [color=B47B84][i]He wants me to be his lover… this must be the first step.[/i][/color]

Sera closed her eyes, her face drawing closer to his. As the two neared, she could feel his breath on her lips. An instinctual tongue wetted her own before she allowed them to press into Inerez’s. It was delicate and soft, but with enough force to tell him she had meant to do it and even more so, wanted to. [i]As his lover[/i]. The girl removed her mouth from his after a few moments and took a couple gingerly steps away from him. It was either the wine she had chugged earlier or the very action she had just tried for the first time, but either way, her face was flushed. A small, almost pathetic smile (as if she had never done it before), appeared momentarily before leaving once she opened her mouth to speak.

[color=B47B84]“I think… I’m tired now. I’m ready to sleep.”[/color]

Ineraz watched with a restrained eagerness as Sera closed in on him, stepped between his legs, and once again put her hands to his face, very similarly to how she had done but a few hours ago. He endeavored to show patience outwardly, but his anticipation was too great for him to appear entirely nonchalant. 

As her lips met his, he sneaked one of his hands to her waist, holding it there gently, while he moved his other one upwards, his fingers meeting the back of her right palm softly and stroking it as he returned the kiss. He moaned quietly - though this was a very innocent act, there was still a willing bride before him, and the manner in which she engaged him was a great progress towards Ineraz’s eventual goal.

The Drakkan reluctantly released the Gem as she moved backwards. His pupils were slightly widened in lust; her blush was just as appealing as her kiss had been. He returned her smile with a pleased one of his own. [color=008B8B]“That was very good,”[/color] he complimented her earnestly. Behavior like that was certainly something he wanted to encourage and hopefully Sera would take it to heart.

[color]“Very well,”[/color] he murmured at her request. He left the drinks on the table, picked up his weapon - how very much unneeded it had proven, but he would never regret his preference to be armed rather than not - and headed back to his chambers, Sera in tow. 

The two of them entered the room quietly, as not to wake the sleeping bride in the bed. Ineraz placed his weapon and ammunition in their proper locations and practically dropped into bed, back into his spot next to Zeldria, satisfied with the events of the evening. Sera watched as her husband moved about the bedroom before finally settling and as she passed the bed toward her bed roll on the ground, she stopped for a brief moment, turning to steal one last look at Ineraz before crawling into the blankets on the floor.

The girl yawned as she thought about the evening, more importantly,  as she thought about [i]her husband.[/i] For some reason beyond her wildest dreams, he fancied her. Maybe he was just as crazy as she was? Crimson eyes grew heavy as she watched the door to the bedroom, despite the distraction with Ineraz, the monsters always remained.

[Hider=Thank God There's a Summary]Sera cannot sleep, so sneaks out of the room. Ineraz is too good, wakes up, and follows her. Ineraz wants to get her drunk and leads her to a dark cellar (oh my!). Sera is scuuurred and runs away before burning the whole place down. Sera gets drunk (GHB?) and then they smooch after some innocent chatter about slavery.[/hider]