[center][color=ff66bb][h2][i]Nadia Parnel[/i][/h2][sup]Bride of [color=ffffff]Keregar [@Legion02][/color] and Sister-Bride of [color=B0C4DE]Xaelia [@Ellion][/color]
Interacting with: The Family[/sup][/color][/center]
As the boy's fights continued, Nadia wondered for a moment if Keregar had heard her, but as she was about to ask again he replied. [b]“You’ve missed it. But I can make an exception for once. Varzar!”[/b] As he called for his youngest son, Nadia watched him elegantly avoid his brother's attack, and hold the twin at bay while Keregar continued. [b]“The Gems are hungry. Give them something to eat.”[/b] Without hesitation, Varzar put away his weapons and approached the two gems. 

[color=ff66bb]"Good morning Varzar."[/color] Nadia said as the boy began to lead them back into the house, but he didn't reply to her at all.

[b]“And Nadia. We will be leaving for the market at noon. Make sure you wear something right for the occasion. Or you won’t be wearing anything for a week.”[/b] Keregar's call followed them into the house, a shiver going through her as she glanced back at the warlord just as the doors closed behind them. She'd done something wrong? She glanced down at her tunic and trousers, wondering just what he'd meant. These were hardly pajamas, but, perhaps it would've been best not to wear the clothes she'd slept in after all. Nadia followed Varzar and Xaelia to the kitchen in silence as she continued on in her train of thought. [color=ff66bb][i]I should ask Varzar if he could help me understand his Father a bit better, to help me avoid his unnecessary wrath.[/i][/color]

As the entered the kitchen, Nadia looked around. It didn't seem like a kitchen should- there seemed to be no warmth in this room. That was all she was able to observe however, as a second later Varzar suddenly turned to her and slapped her hard across the face. She stumbled back from the impact, her hand immediately going to cover her cheek as tears sprang to her eyes. [color=ff66bb][i]I.. I really have messed up already...[/i][/color] That was all she could think. 

[color=B0C4DE]“Oh, Nadia,”[/color] She heard Xaelia say as a gentle hand removed hers from the quickly reddening handprint now throbbing on her cheek. She glanced over at her sister-bride, her vision too blurry with tears to make out Xaelia's expression. 

[color=ff66bb]"I.. I'm okay. I'm sorry."[/color] Nadia spoke quickly, turning back to Varzar as her tears began to spill over. It was painful, but the shock of Varzar being the one to hurt her- unprovoked- that hurt much more. She had thought he was different from his father and brothers but... [color=ff66bb]"I'm sorry..."[/color] She apologized again, her voice breaking as she tried to speak honestly. [color=ff66bb]"Sorry I.. don't know what I did wrong."[/color] She heard Xaelia begin to shout as she finished. Xaelia was yelling at Varzar, telling him off and being very vocal about it. Too vocal. In the back of her mind, Nadia prayed that Keregar or the others couldn't hear any of this. 

[color=ff66bb]"Xae, wait."[/color] She stepped towards her sister-bride, too late to stop her from beginning to throw things at Varzar though. [color=ff66bb]"S-stop. If Keregar finds out..."[/color] She let herself trail off as she tried to think of a way to end that sentence without saying that they'd be... [color=ff66bb]"There are much worse things he could do to us than a slap to the face."[/color]
[hr][center][color=808000][h2][i]Onyx Briyll[/i][/h2][sup]Bride of [color=9e0b0f]Wilhelm [@Saltwater Thief][/color] and Sister-Bride of [color=82ca9d]Amalia [@Belle][/color]
Interacting with: The Family[/sup][/color][/center]
Onyx Woke from a dreamless sleep to find she was the last one to rise. Amalia was just leaving the room as she stood and stretched, the cracking of her joints a pleasurable feeling that alone usually gave her enough energy to start the mornings back home. But, she reminded herself, she wasn't back home anymore. 

She straightened out her dress and ran a comb through her hair quickly before following her sister out of the room. In the dining room, Amalia and Wilhelm were already eating, a third plate with bread and meat on it seemed to have been set out for her. [color=808000]"Good morning m'lord. Good morning Amalia."[/color] She smiled at the two of them before sitting down and digging in. The bread was okay, the meat was okay, and the water was water. Not much else could be expected of Drakkan food it seemed. 

Onyx ate in silence, wondering what was in store for them today. The choosing had been hectic, and their arrival here last night had raised her guard unnecessarily, but even though Wilhelm said constantly that he didn't wish them any harm, It was hard to simply trust the Drakkan at his word. 

[color=82ca9d]"Forgive me for questioning milord, but I am curious. How far away is your home?" [color=ffffff]Amalia started, finally breaking the silence between the three.[/color] "What is it like? I was raised in a coastal area, so I have always wondered what snow is like. Does it ever snow in your land?"[/color] Onyx stayed quiet as Wilhelm responded quickly, listening to the conversation play out between the two of them. 

[color=9e0b0f]"Castle Nachtstone is quite a distance from here. With speed and fortune we will arrive shortly after sunrise tomorrow. Without, perhaps closer to midday. It lies at the base of a ring of mountains that forms a natural barricade. A particular ore ideal for crafting weapons can be mined there, and it is upon that which my family has prospered. Among other more valorous deeds, of course."

"It is a castle of blackened stone and iron, and it sits in the midst of a small settlement where live the slave races as well as some lesser Drakken. They manage the mines and quarries. You will be dwelling in the castle. As for snow, that must be found further in among the peaks. At Nachtstone you will find only harsh ice, come winter."

"Dress warmly and watch your step when that arrives,"[/color] With that comment it seemed he was done, and neither of them spoke again. Onyx watched Amalia as they all finished their food, wondering what her sister was thinking about now. Weather and people had never bothered Onyx before, but then again she spent most of her time in the library anyway, where such things could not enter. Perhaps the ice he'd mentioned was worrying her? or, maybe she was thinking, just like Onyx was, that this place is not home.

-----

Breakfast ended and a carriage appeared to begin the day-long journey to Natchstone. As Amalia approached the horses, Onyx could guess what she was doing. One of Vivari's gifts to her children was the closeness with nature that allowed Earth Gems to handle plants and animals with ease. Onyx had no ability with animals, but as she boarded the carriage, she remembered Amalia saying that she did have that gift the night before. 

Once the Horse had been taken care of, the group was off. Onyx smiled at Amalia as she sat next to her in the carriage. [color=808000]"Good job. I never would have been able to do that."[/color]


[hider=Summary]
TL;DR:
[color=ff66bb] [b] Nadia: [/b] [/color] Wonders why her PJs aren't good enough for Keregar before heading to the kitchen. Then tries to understand why she's just been slapped and also tries to reason Xaelia out of throwing eggs at Varzar while also trying not to cry so much.

[color=808000] [b] Onyx: [/b] [/color] Wakes up and eats dinner quietly before getting into the carriage, ready to leave. She congratulates Amalia on her skill with the horse.
[/hider]