The Hall of Kings was where the chosen pairs stood assembled, vampyr on one side of the room and humans on the other.  Three Council members sat at the far end with both groups in full view.<br/><br/>“Escorts may leave now.”<br/><br/>“But… there was nothing said of this.”<br/><br/>“We humbly request to stay and obser-”<br/><br/>“This shall be  a sacred and private ceremony.  Do what is asked of you, and usher in a new era of peace.”<br/><br/>Alice’s escort wasn’t pleased and many others reacted as well, even on the side of the vampyrs.  Motto’s in particular, although the high-ranking vampyr was perfectly composed, he spoke up immediately.  There was a strong possibility Motto might not make it through the ceremony at all before succumbing to his thirst.  No one but him and the Council members knew the situation.  Motto’s escort found no cooperation however, and reluctantly gave Motto’s naked shoulder a squeeze before turning and walking out.  Earlier that hour he had nearly torn Motto’s arm off and beat him with it when the stubborn vampyr refused to wear formal attire, but Motto’s argument was reasonable.<br/><br/><span style="color: #008000">“I will come as I am!” </span>He shouted, covered in sweat from their fighting.<span style="color: #008000"> “Isn’t this why I was chosen?  Because I’m the crude representation, right?” </span>And now he stood sweating for a new reason in the King’s Hall.  Motto’s naked chest rose and fell while he stood with his head down and eyes on the floor.  It was humiliating, being the raw spectacle of his kind.  He wanted to hurry up and get the marrying over with so he could go back to his cave.<br/><br/>The doors shut with a loud sound and a lock activated .  The building’s design mimicked the style of an 18th Century Castle , with large rooms and towering walls.  Statues, marble floors, chandeliers, paintings, and for this particular occasion, and small ensemble of musicians.  Strings mostly.<br/><br/><br/>********************<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">“This shall be a sacred and private ceremony.  Do what is asked of you, and usher in a new era of peace.”</span><br/><br/>Alice didn’t hear it.  She was mesmerized by the vampyr across from her.  She’d never seen one in real life.  Sure t.v. and  E-zines..on the cybernet.  Things like that.  But never actually in the same room with them.  He was more attractive than she expected.   Alice had tried to prepare herself by thinking about the uglier vampyr she’d seen pictures of but this guy was exceptionally attractive.  She looked at his hands, and the way he stood..his face and clothes and hair.  He was way out of her league, and Alice felt a little embarrassed but mostly taken aback.    But his kind had eaten her father.  EATEN.  Taken him from her when she needed him.  She loved her father more than anyone else, and those monsters hunted him down and ripped him to pieces.  It was gruesome and tragic.  She felt hatred in her heart for the man across the room, but guilty strangeness also.