Motto frowned at the onslaught of symbols.  He knew how to read and write but only the basics.  The numbered paragraphs overwhelmed him and his temper flickered.  As soon as he signed that damn thing he could go back to his cave and be done with it.  Well, he’d have a human wife that he wasn’t supposed to taste, but at least there would be no more councils and forms and things like that.<br/><br/>Motto marked an empty spot near the hologram’s bottom and backed away with his arms crossed.  There.  Done.  It was then he heard the elegant vampyr’s comment.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"What is this relocation matter high council. I understand these young women may not live alone or in a place where he and I would be welcome, but I have...words words words…”</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“Re….location?” </span>Motto’s arms uncrossed.  He glanced at the Council members and at his new wife before shooting a panicked look at Gregory.<span style="color: #00BF40"> “Wait.”</span><br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://i.imgur.com/3Y9hJAj.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>“Yes.  As it clearly states the bonded pairs shall be moved into the new housing complex in the city’s southern point. While humans have maintained the eastern portion of the city and vampires maintaining the western, it is only logical to have you in full view of both species.  You are the hope of our future, after all.”<br/><br/>Motto’s hands balled up into fists.  They were forcing him to eat supplementals and thrusting a delicious-smelling woman at him and now THIS?  Hell no.  It was all he could do to keep himself from having an outburst to that effect.  As soon as Cassandra signed the thing he would take her and get as far from this nonsense as possible.  He knew of a few unoccupied castles not too far away.    A sudden image of Cassandra in a flowing red dress filled his mind, and Motto’s eyes glazed over.  She would look very beautiful in a red flowing dress.  It might be sorta nice to have a wife.  A small bit of drool trickled down from the corner of his mouth.  It could be one of those transparent dresses.    She could  come down the stairs and the wind would blow and fill his nose with her scent.<br/><br/>-----------<br/><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I have had only two names in my centuries, and while you may not learn my birth name until we are a little more comfortable my given name is Gregory Frost, and who do I have the pleasure of marrying today?"</span><br/><br/>Alice squirmed at the thought of becoming “more comfortable” with the monster, but it intrigued her that he had two names.  She had assumed they kept a single name, but it did make sense to shift one’s identity given the circumstances...after all he had once been a man, hadn’t he?  Alice blinked several times.  Was there ever a time this smug bastard had grieved his humanity?  Perhaps that was why his human name was private.  Still, he was too close and too smooth and too ….whatever.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">“Gregory Frost.” </span>She repeated, the wind clearly had been taken from her sails.<span style="color: #0080FF">“That’s… a pleasant name.” </span>Snapping out of it, she stood straighter and narrowed her eyes at the gorgeous demon.<span style="color: #0080FF">“I expected something wretched or pretentious.  My name is….” </span>She didn’t want to hear him say it.  Ever.  His handsome mouth.  His touch.  Would he seduce her and murmur her name in the darkness?  Would he bite her neck and eat her?  Surely her name didn’t matter to this creature.  But still...he had given his.<span style="color: #0080FF"> “...Alice.”</span>She turned her face away and felt warmth rising to her face.  He was ridiculously attractive and it was cruel dammit.<br/><br/>Standing before the marital document she looked up at him with a mixture of wonder and fear.  His NEST?  Images of centipedes and dirt rushed in so fast that she found it difficult to breathe.  Alice did her best to remain calm with inner terror closed up her throat; trapping any and all words that might come out.<br/><br/>“The housing area may be re-furnished.”  A Councilman answered.  “As long as you dwell in the designated area, you are free to make approved changes.”  Another council member touched the other’s shoulder and whispered into his ear.  “...I suppose there can be an exception made for you.”<br/><br/>Alice fainted.