[center] [color=f4a460] [h2]Ehkota’s GM Post[/h2]  [/color] 
[sub]Interacting with: Kagan  [@ghastlyInc],[/sub][/center]



“[color=f4a460]The history lesson is quite fascinating, but I assure you it is far from necessary.[/color]” The young prince retorted, following his guest’s speech with a curt gesture with his cup. Taking another drink of the ale, Ehkota eyed Kagan from across the table as if he were attempting to sort something through in his mind.

“[color=f4a460]While it is foolish to think the death of the king will be anything less than the greatest political upheaval of the dynasty… it would be equally as dishonest to deny that I could wait another century for it to happen. This is not a matter in which I wish to challenge Gaelnesh over which might come as quite a surprise. Contrary to common belief, I don’t actually want to see him dead.[/color]” Setting his cup down on the table, Ehkota shifted backward into his chair.

“[color=f4a460]Any fight between us isn’t likely to end cordially and besides… he is the only family this world has seen fit for me to have[/color].” The pregnant Gem shadowing the prince shifted uncomfortably where she stood, the man’s tone of voice bearing just the slightest hint of malcontent. Inhaling deeply, Ehkota sighed and pushed himself up from the table.

“[color=f4a460]Perhaps things will make more sense for you if I were to let you see it with your own eyes.[/color]”

Ehkota made his way toward the door, pausing only long enough for Kagan to rise from his seat and follow suit. The guard that had granted their entrance followed the group closely from behind, ushering Ehkota’s bride into the center with Kagan’s own. It was becoming increasingly clear that the guard was present less for the prince and more for the woman, though his presence certainly deterred any thoughts of straying too far from the chosen path.

“[color=f4a460]My bride tells me that congratulations are in order, it is somewhat rare that a Gem would fall pregnant so quickly.[/color]” The prince spoke as they walked down the corridor, maintaining a lower volume so that his conversation would not carry to uninvited ears.

“[color=f4a460]Although I suppose congratulations might be a bit premature, it is afterall a common occurrence for the first child to be lost within the month. Gems are so fragile you see, but one could only hope that yours proves to be the exception. You are, after all, a man in favor with the divine.[/color]” Ehkota smirked as the pair led the group along.

As they walked, the surrounding atmosphere was quick to change. Up until this point stone had been the only thing they tread upon, it made up the floors and walls alike. However, as the number of candles increased the available lighting the more decor could be seen. Rooms they passed contained couches and tables with walls covered in paintings of varying styles, the bleak floor standing in stark contrast to the bright woven rugs made by Geminite hands. Every so often a scarcely dressed Gem would dart in and out of view, working girls tending to the royal family’s every need.

Ehkota stopped the group in the middle of the hall, eyes flitting back to the girls before addressing Kagan.

“[color=f4a460]I think you’ll agree that your… family… should wait for you outside. Gem’s are so easily put to hysterics.[/color]” Both his words and tone suggested that regardless of Kagan’s true feelings on the matter, Ehkota was not willing to allow the girls any further on their current journey.

“[color=f4a460]Don’t worry, Twen will care for them until your return.[/color]” He added, before signalling for the Kinner to follow him. Leaving the girls behind with the guard, Ehkota walked a few more paces down the hall to a set of ornate doors.

No warnings were given to his entrance, simply pushing the doors open so that he and Kagan could enter before pushing them shut once more. The room was cast in an eerie twilight, an obscenely large room kept dark, cool, and filled with a thin haze of incense. It took a few moments for the eyes to adjust to the new lighting, new details to the room being revealed bit by bit over time. A grouping of about twelve Gems slowly faded into view, eight of them surrounding a large bed while the other four could be seen resting on tiny cots scattered about the floor.

Every single one of the girls wore simple black dresses, their pale skin draped in scars from head to toe. If one were to look closely the could also see the dark circles surrounding all but lifeless eyes. The four resting were quick to rise from their cots, adjusting to a kneeling position as they recognized the presence of the prince. With their hands behind their backs and their foreheads brushing the ground, the girls greeted their masters with a bow customary to the royal household. It was among the highest formalities for servants and was rarely seen outside of the palace walls, however, their posture was clear enough to be self-explanatory to the guest.

Unlike the girls who had been resting, the eight surrounding the bed outright ignored the commotion behind them; not a single girl flinched or even acknowledged the prince and his companion. Even through the heavily scented air the smell of rotting flesh was apparent within the room.

Approaching the circle revealed the bed’s occupant, the body of what appeared to be a Drakkan… Or what was left of him anyhow. He looked more like a breathing corpse than he did even the most vile of Drakka’s creatures. Two air Gems stood at the head, one whose job was to move air to fill his lungs while the other was to pull the stale air back out. A small hole had been made in the man’s chest to expose a weakly beating heart, only a thin stretch of skin standing between the vital organ and the rest of the room. Stones that had been embedded through the broken ribs were manipulated by another two earth Gems in order to maintain the rhythm in perfect intervals. The next pair of girls were located with one at the head and the other the foot of the bed. Standing at the head of the bed was a girl carefully providing a stream of sugared liquid into the man’s mouth while the other shifted in place. What exactly it was that the second girl was moving, however, was unclear. Fire Gems completed the circle, moving only to shift and reheat stones that were placed on, around, and under the king.

Ehkota remained silent for a few moments to allow the horrendous sight to sink in before he spoke, his tone remaining low so as not to disturb the process.

“[color=f4a460]May I formally introduce you to Drakka’s greatest warrior, conqueror, and leader… I present to you King Toran.[/color]” The young prince’s eyes were fixed on the sight before him, entranced by the decaying corpse that was once his father.

“[color=f4a460]Or what’s left of him. I don’t suppose you would argue that a little dignity is long overdue. Is it even really considered killing at this point[/color]?” Ehkota’s eyes snapped up from the bed as a familiar voice spoke up, one far different from the one he had been expecting.

“[color=0072bc]Hello, brother.[/color]”

[Hider=TLDR] Prince: Cool story Bro, but like. Just come see. Good job knocking up your gem, but the baby probably won’t make it. Just leave them outside while I introduce you to the king of the living dead. Oh shit. My brother is here [/hider]