[Too Many Queens] Main Story Thread
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: LD on 17-11-2017, 05:12:03</h2>
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				Title: <strong>[Too Many Queens] Main Story Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LD</strong> on <strong>17-11-2017, 05:12:03</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://img00.deviantart.net/9350/i/2013/067/7/5/prince_ivan_wolf_by_mad_sama-d5xbtav.jpg)</div>It was a crisp morning, and steam shot from the nostrils of the two barechested minotaurs that stood to either side of the giant iron gates of Arrakar, the Imperial City.&nbsp; They snorted and stamped their feet, filled with menace despite their seemingly eternal patience as they stood watching the endless forest, a massive polearm wielded by each and held upright with one hand, red banners blowing in the chilly wind.<br><br>A distant horn pierced the ambient sound of wildlife and leaves, followed by the slow rumble of hooves, at least a score, stampeding closer at a furious pace.&nbsp; The minotaurs straightened their posture and one slammed on the gates, some hundred feet tall and still dwarfed by the smooth walls themselves.&nbsp; They groaned open until locking in place with a echoing clang, and as if on cue the Prince’s traveling party burst out of the wilderness and swerved onto the only road.<br><br>Auren Arakiss, Crown Prince of the Realms United and successor to his Imperial Majesty Krygold II, King of Kings and Emperor of the Known, leaned forward in his saddle and thrilled at the feeling of the cold wind in his face as he pushed his horse onward, his dark hair blowing behind him along with the gold-laced red cape wrapped around his shoulders, exposing his double breasted coat underneath.&nbsp; He was flanked by two pairs of centaurs, all armed and the front pair blasting their horns as he reluctantly slowed the pace, letting them trot through the gates&nbsp; with their chests puffed up and the sweat on their backs shining in the morning sun.&nbsp; &nbsp;Their pace nevertheless bordered on rude as they wove through the labyrinthine city towards the pair of castles on the far end, one a vast palatial estate connected by a thin bridge to the other, a lonely, single-towered monolith capped by a large torch that glowed above the city like a lighthouse.<br><br>While ordinarily conscientious, Auren was too busy and too preoccupied to think much of the ordinary citizens standing aside and watching with curiousity as his squadron of quadripeds advanced through the capital.&nbsp; In fact as they approached the upper city, capped by the castles and the grand temples for gods of each pantheon, he actually increased their pace again, anxious to get a handle of the situation after his long absence.&nbsp; After all, it was his wedding day.<br><br>A tall, beautiful man with long ears stood at the top step of the largest cathedral and smiled at their approach.&nbsp; “Auren!”&nbsp; He called out, taking dignified strides and holding out his hands.&nbsp; “Did you enjoy your ‘stag party?’” he joked, smirking at the nearest centuar as its chest rose and fell quickly by Auren’s side.<br><br>“Allaran!” returned the dark-haired rider with a grin, swinging his legs over the side of his saddle and dropping to the cobbled ground, yanking his cloak behind him.&nbsp; “I killed a boar with my lance and a wyvern with a crossbow,” he boasted.&nbsp; “Quite a tidy trip.&nbsp; But the silence was the best part.&nbsp; There are so many people in this city, it’s all I can do sometimes to breath my own air.”<br><br>“You may want to keep that tally to yourself.&nbsp; You’re marrying a dragon, remember?”&nbsp; Allaran tut-tutted.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Auren snorted right back.&nbsp; “A crocodile is more of a dragon than a wyvern.&nbsp; Plague rats with scales and wings, that’s what they are.&nbsp; Stealing cattle and maiming farmers, if I wiped them to extinction they’d declare me the Saint of all Dragons, for all the false accusations the one garners the other.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“True, true.&nbsp; Still, brother, I hope you are quite well and unscathed after your solitary adventures.&nbsp; Tell me,” he said in a discrete voice that was anything but, “Have you been drinking your potions?”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Auren grimaced, the vile concoctions instantly flashing back in his mind, nose, and tastebuds.&nbsp; “Yes, damn it,” he grumbled.&nbsp; Their neon colors, off taste, and the insignia of some goblin alchemist responsible for it all flashing in front of him.&nbsp; “Damnable things.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Did they work?&nbsp; You did drink all of them, yes?”&nbsp; Allaran leaned in, genuinely curious.&nbsp; For his little brother though, it felt like Allaran was pickin on him.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Yes, they worked,” Auren muttered.&nbsp; “I can hardly sit in the same saddles anymore.&nbsp; It’s damn embarassing, not being able to sit down without shielding oneself from view, or feel the fresh breeze without… ugh.&nbsp; Plus it seems insulting.&nbsp; I may not be a minotaur in spring but I was never deficient--”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Allaran chuckled, elbowing Auren.&nbsp; “Such is your lot!&nbsp; You’ll thank the brewers every night once you’re in the swing of your, ah, royal duties.”&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Auren tightened the thick black leather gloves over his hands, a habit he often displayed when he didn’t like where a conversation had gone.&nbsp; “How is father?” he said abruptly.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“He does well.&nbsp; You hardly notice speaking through the screens after a while, and he’s got all his weight and power in his voice.&nbsp; I believe we’ll have him for some winters yet.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Auren sighed in relief.&nbsp; “I’m heartily glad of it.&nbsp; How many are here?”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Enough that the opening ceremonies can no longer be politely put off without it smacking of cowardice.&nbsp; I believe they are all in various states of being washed, blessed, and dressed as we speak.&nbsp; You should do the same… my liege.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Deference comes off your tongue with the distinct edge of mockery.&nbsp; Are you sure you’re cut out to be a priest?&nbsp; I worry that your prayers may come across as insults and bring doom on us.”<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“A mere priest?&nbsp; I’m a bishop!” Allaran said haughtily, leading his brother inside for a thorough washing, religious rites, and his first night as a bridegroom.&nbsp; As they crossed the threshold, Auren turned back and gazed out across the city to where the treetops could just be seen over the walls, shaking in a breeze that traveled all the way through the cluttered streets and to the prince himself, feathering through his hair like the tender caress of a love saying goodbye.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Auren relished the last moments of freedom before closing his eyes with a sigh, then chuckling at his own melodramatic pouting.&nbsp; “Come now, best not be childish about it,” he muttered to himself, turning and going inside.&nbsp; The next time he crossed that threshold he would be a bachelor no more.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Too Many Queens] Main Story Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>17-11-2017, 21:40:37</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/kVCCBTE.jpg)</div><br>"Tis indeed a good mentality to have m'lord..." a woman's voice suddenly spoke out the moment the cathedral doors closed shut. Suddenly the little pocket of shadow near the corner of the room began to shift, and from it stepped a woman adorned all in black, armored from head to waist and from there flowing into a billowing dress, greyish white hair swaying behind her in a long ponytail. She held a thinker's stance, one arm crossed with the other raised up towards her chin, as if she were in the middle of some deep thought as she slowly stepped towards the royal siblings, "It seems to have become something of a fad lately, for royals to forsake their duties" she mused, not directing the comment straight at Allaran, but the implication was clear regardless, "It is refreshing to see a future king embracing their station" she cooed, coming to stand face to...er...mask with the crown prince. While her stance remained stoic and statuesque Auren wouldn't be able to shake the feeling that she was staring him up and down, judging and evaluating him. <br><br>"Ah but where are my manners?" she muttered softly, suddenly taking a step back and performing a sweeping bow, "I am Serana vi Marion, it is a pleasure to finally meet you face to face" she cooed, straightening herself back up and again adopting the more inquisitive pose, "I hope you can forgive the intrusion lord bishop, but when I heard my future husband had finally returned to Arrakar my desire to see him simply grew too great" she explained, though did nothing to explain <em>how </em>she had gotten inside without anyone's notice, especially since Allaran had been waiting right at the cathedral doors, "After all to only meet your spouse for the first time at your wedding ceremony is far too impersonal, wouldn't you agree m'lord?" she cooed, offering out an armored hand to the dashing young prince. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Too Many Queens] Main Story Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LD</strong> on <strong>18-11-2017, 03:59:33</strong>
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				<br><div class="floatright">(https://img00.deviantart.net/9350/i/2013/067/7/5/prince_ivan_wolf_by_mad_sama-d5xbtav.jpg)</div><br>Auren's initial surprise was quickly replaced by a look of bemusement, especially when Serana began her introduction with a putdown of his clerical brother.&nbsp; He returned he elegant gesture crossing an arm over his chest and giving a short, stiff bow, holding his posture and&nbsp; rising back up slowly.&nbsp; He didn't return her introduction--her own had been quite unnecessary, only the slowest peasant could have not known immediately who she was.&nbsp; As for the Crown Prince, he'd already discovered about two months ago that they were already putting his likeness on silver dinars across the continent.<br><br>"Although there certainly is something to say for the old traditions."&nbsp; Specifically, there was something about her charming tilt of voice that made him wish he'd had the religious bathing they were both supposed to be subjected to before they met.&nbsp; He'd been riding all morning... at least it had been a cool day, so he wasn't sweaty.<br><br>He took her cold steel gauntlet and pressed it softly to his lips.&nbsp; On the one hand, there was no denying how offputting that helm was, particularly when it simply appeared from the shadows.&nbsp; And the way she had said "face to face" had sounded totally sincere, but could have only been meant with irony.&nbsp; Couldn't it?&nbsp; But she spoke so smoothly, with a comforting, feminine voice.&nbsp; Marion had a reputation as an isle of witches.&nbsp; Perhaps she meant to put him under some kind of spell... words were the weapon of many of magical practicioner.&nbsp; Still, her accent, eloquence, and bearing made her frightening appearance almost seem soothing.&nbsp; And the bold way she'd introduced herself... along with declaring her desire that he be ambitious.&nbsp; It was held to be axiomatic that a wife who wished to see her husband be great was the surest guarantee he would be so.<br><br>"Your manners and breeding are every bit noble as I've heard," he said.&nbsp; Allaran, whose face had gone stern and pale at the sudden strike from the blue, showed signs of life at the word "breeding" and gave Auren a sly look, which the Crown Prince returned as if to say <em>'Didn't you say they were all being washed, dressed, or blessed?'</em>&nbsp; "Already I feel we owe Marion a debt.&nbsp; Might we go arm and arm as my brother escorts us through the temple?&nbsp; We only have a few moments for each other's company, and once we've wed you must share me."<br><br>"Yes," Allaran said reproachingly, his eyes widening like a schoolmaster threatening a little pest.&nbsp; "The both of you must be stripped and then scrubbed!"&nbsp; He clicked his heel awkwardly as he turned and led them through the chamber, stained glass letting the sun stream through holes in the ceiling high above and illuminating the massive room.&nbsp; This temple wasn't full of Gods, but rather statues of the ruling family themselves, 9 Emperors and 2 Empresses, each towering and more magnificent than the last.&nbsp; The years of their reign--the first lasting two decades and the rest slowly growing longer as the mix of races began to give the monarchs stranger appearances and longer lifespans, were inscribed first on the dias supporting each.&nbsp; Below that and wrapping around the pillar shaped stands were enscribed the names of the spouses of each, with not a one leaving room to spare and some of them requiring text so small one had to lean in to make out the words.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Too Many Queens] Main Story Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>DrLovegood</strong> on <strong>19-11-2017, 02:59:05</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b1/9c/ba/b19cbab1601d3932798037a82a9836ae.jpg)</div><br>Allura straightened her back as her handmaiden tightened the seam on her dress one last time so that the velvet burgundy gown she chose fit perfectly to every curve of her sculpted form. Gold and silver threads were braided into her hair as it was wound in a french braid like a crown. She stood mannequin still and simply watched the transformation as the heavy gilded&nbsp; burgundy cloak was fastened over her shoulders with emerald- inlaid brooches and the emerald starshower earrings were carefully put in. Today was the day of her brother's wedding. The castle was filled with strange and beautiful women, come to marry into the family and become the potential 'Queen, mother to the Heir of the Nations United'. Her regal facade broke into a tired sigh.She could not anger at the women for seeking out their reasonable individual goals. She could not be angry at her ailing father for choosing her soft-spoken brother as Heir. She could not anger at her mother, who did indeed try to speak on her behalf&nbsp; when deciding the hier. She was still mourning Abasalom and Kreyta and didn't have it in her to be disappointed at Allaran's decision to abdicate. She had spoken her mind back then and would not guilt him any further.&nbsp; Sadly , the raven haired woman asked her reflection," What am I to do?" Allura's eyes met the quiet smile of her round-faced Servant and she relaxed her shoulders, tight with the tension in her mind. "War is not to occur again over this, but Auren will not back down," She bit her lip and bitterly thought about all the years she spent preparing to be a fitting and understanding Empress to the people of the Realm and her beloved Auren , her favorite person on the plane, is becoming the Crown prince. He would be good but she would be better.<br><br>&nbsp;"Marie, please get me my commendations."&nbsp; In a blink, the handmaiden held a box of medals and clips before her. Allura carefully pulled out three palm sized objects and placed them on the vanity beside her. First she pinned a golden metal with eleven sigils to her cloak and spoke aloud "I have bravely fought to protect my father's rule against traitors." Second she gently adorned her brow with a diadem interwoven with a spell bestowing it with an opalescent sheen." I am the remaining daughter of Imperial Majesty Krygold II, King of Kings and Emperor of the Known and apprentice to the his Honorable Precept Nestor Aruleus."And Lastly she slipped on two gold bracers and narrowed her eyes at the mirror reflection and whispered ." I am the rightful queen after Bishop Allaran."<br><br>As if on cue, the distant horns were heard announcing the prince regent's return from his bachelor hunting party. Exhaling Allura stepped of her dressing podium and stepped into the antechamber, She made eye contact with a young guard and&nbsp; cleared her throat.&nbsp; "Lady Allura!" The young lather-clad man noted cheerfully and opened the door wide. The princess smiled politely in response&nbsp; and gave a small curtsy in thanks and exited to the hall where an older gentleman stood serenely holding his arm out to her. <br><br>"Hello your Highness" The older gentleman appeared to be anywhere between 40 and 240. In this world of mixed races, it was hard to tell especially because his silver-blue skin hid any signs of age. <br><br>"Ah! hello Precepter!" Allura embraced the man before her for no more than a breath and took his arm gladly, returning the composed posture she had before . They walked through the castle in a comfortable silence. <br><br>A few steps before they reached the wedding hall, they both paused at the&nbsp; sound of Allaran and Auren's voices. With a glance Her escort release her arm. "Say your blessing and meet me in the grand hall, in 5 minutes, I will be counting."&nbsp; Allura nodded politely and curtsied, she knew she was on close watch&nbsp; because of her sister's betrayal and she would not be one to raise suspicion on herself. <br><br>"Yes, of course Your Honor. I still have so many to greet before the ceremony." She smiled mischievously and nodded taking her leave down the adjoining hall. She made eye contact with Allaran first then took in the sight of Auren and one of his new brides. "good, Blessed day Bishop ! " Her voice echoed down the corridor. "How fortunate I am to catch you, Auren," she paused for a second to recall the woman with them, " and Lady Serana vi Marion, before your cleansing!" She followed with a laugh and stopped so they could approach her. She curtsied to the woman and Auren and held her hand out to the elder brother in a familiar gesture that hadn't changed since they were younger.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Too Many Queens] Main Story Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LD</strong> on <strong>19-11-2017, 18:37:09</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://img00.deviantart.net/9350/i/2013/067/7/5/prince_ivan_wolf_by_mad_sama-d5xbtav.jpg)</div><br>Auren's back stiffened and his leisurely pace slowed further at the sound of his sister's voice.&nbsp; There was a time he found her call reassuring, but now it put him ill at ease.&nbsp; His free hand crossed over his body and clasped the Serana's black gauntlet as it held onto his arm.&nbsp; <br><br>"Sister.&nbsp; Lady Serana, meet my beloved sibling, Lady Allura of House Arrakis."&nbsp; His eyes darted across his sister's body before he looked thoughtfully into her eyes, as if probing to see if anything had changed.&nbsp; <br><br>Nothing had.&nbsp; Ever since Auren had been chosen they were distant and hurt.&nbsp; A gulf stood between them now and he wondered if they would be able to cross it again.&nbsp; It pained him--he always admired her strength and determination, along with her more feminine aspects.&nbsp; He felt she was brandishing the latter at him to hurt him--the way that dress clung to her body, was she trying to remind him of the bond they once shared?&nbsp; If so, was it to twist the dagger or an expression of sorrow and longing?&nbsp; Then again, it could be both.&nbsp; Perhaps even Allura didn't know.<br><br>He took her hand and held it up to his cheek, then let her palm rotate around his and returned the gesture.&nbsp; But the tenderness they usually shared wasn't there--the warmth of her hand on his face came from the body and nothing more.&nbsp; His heart sighed inwardly.&nbsp; What had happened to his sister?&nbsp; The one that rode on the same horse as him when he was too small, that sparred with him until he was no longer an embarassment to his family's martial tradition.&nbsp; The one who, on discovering the romance between Absalom and Kreyta, was bold enough to decide that she had just as much rights to pursue her feelings and had arrived at Auren's bedchamber without a trace of fear.<br><br>"You're as beautiful as ever," he said honestly.&nbsp; "I hope I find you well. I wish I could linger and speak a while with the three of you."
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Too Many Queens] Main Story Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>21-11-2017, 17:22:35</strong>
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				<br><div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/kVCCBTE.jpg)</div><br><strong>Serana vi Marion</strong><br><strong>Location:</strong> holy cathedral <br><strong>With:</strong> Auren and Allura <br><strong>Time:</strong> Before wedding<br><hr><br>Serana returned the prince's greeting with a...well not a "smile" obviously, though the way she seemed to tilt her head slightly and let out a quaint chuckle at least seemed to <em>suggest</em> a smile might be lingering beneath the black steel mask, "Oh no need for flattery m'lord, my hand is already yours after all" she lightly teased, her whole attention on Auren, not even bothering to cast her gaze towards the uncrowned king despite the stern look on his face. In a different world, a slightly altered path of fate, Allaran would have been her betrothed, and thus it would be him whose every word she hung upon. However as he was now he was just a glorified alter boy, and soon her own power would far outrank his own, so there was little reason to appeal to his sensibilities. <br><br>"Oh I do not see it so m'lord, after all the love is a king is something shared amongst all of his people, and we shall have a greater share of you than most" she cooed, though fluidly hooked herself into his arm, "though I won't deny a moment alone does sound nice" she added slyly, nestling in close to her soon to be husband. When Allaran reminded them of their washing duties the "princess" merely chuckled, "Oh my, dear bishop. I did not know the clergy were allowed such lewd thoughts, but I'm afraid the only man I shall be stripping for is my dear husband" she teased, running an armored hand along Auren's thick chest, "and even you darling will have to wait until after the ceremony, you would not make a dishonest woman of me would you?" she cooed, "I assure you my body has been properly prepared for the proceedings, I took the liberty of seeing to those duties early" she explained, granted she didn't mention exactly <em>how</em> early. How she had gotten up long before the break of dawn, before any of the servants even stirred from their beds, so that she could ensure not a soul witnessed her bathing. <br><br>As Auren's brother arrived on the scene Serana adopted a respectful silence, giving a sweeping bow when the prince introduced her, but otherwise allowing the siblings to converse among themselves. However as they did she watched them, almost like a hawk. Carefully she observed every look and gesture shared between them, noting their unique chemistry and body langauge. It was clear that something had transpired between them, spoken or otherwise, leaving their interactions a bit awkward and stilted. However it was clearly the kind of discomfort that came with affection <em>lost</em>, not long standing animosity....interesting, "I shall leave you to your cleansing m'lord. After all we have the rest of our lives, these stolen minutes are not so priceless that I would linger unnecessarily" &nbsp;she said, giving his hand a small squeeze, her grasp obviously cold from the metal, but it held the affection missing from Allura's, and with another nod to the princess she turned and made her way back down the hall, and while she soon disappeared from sight, her departure was never accompanied by the sound of swinging doors...odd. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Too Many Queens] Main Story Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LD</strong> on <strong>15-12-2017, 03:09:06</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://img00.deviantart.net/9350/i/2013/067/7/5/prince_ivan_wolf_by_mad_sama-d5xbtav.jpg)</div>Auren continued to leer mockingly at his brother while Serena twisted the knife.&nbsp; He usually felt like he held his own against his brother's biting tongue, but to catch him in a flanking attack like this was a rare treat.&nbsp; Plus the joint teasing was a welcome distraction from the coldness he felt from his sister.&nbsp; He sighed inwardly as he saw the light reflecting off her pale, smooth face and reminded himself that he was holding up an entire nation by dallying.<br><br>"Yes, sadly we must all be parted for a moment."&nbsp; He smiled and bowed to the two ladies (or rather, to his sister and then the shadows where Serana disappeared) and began walking alone to the far end of the great chambers, to where he'd find his own bathhouse separate from the women's.&nbsp; Already a small batallion of servants stood in white garments outside the entryway waiting for him.&nbsp; It did seem kind of eerie how he never heard the foreign lady leave the room.&nbsp; For a brief moment, he wondered childishly if she had more voyeuristic plans... oh well, he thought as he was flanked by the bathing servants and they began to pull off his garments, she'd be one of&nbsp; the more welcome pairs of eyes and hands in the room as far as he was concerned.<br><br>The ritual bath was a rather boring and melancholy affair.&nbsp; For one thing, none were present who had the rank or courage to speak to him other than for requests to hold out his arms or something similar.&nbsp; And his mind was too full of concerns present and future to enjoy the incense and warm water.&nbsp; <br><br>Suddenly the water rippled and the room seemed to shake with a distant roar.&nbsp; Then another, louder one, that shook dust off the ceiling into the water while the marble groaned.&nbsp; There could only be one source--<em>dragons.</em>&nbsp; Auren's eyebrow arched and he tilted his head, listening intently.<br><br>Allaran burst into the room a moment later.&nbsp; "The damned flying lizards are being unreasonable!" he sputtered, throwing his hands out.<br><br>"What's going on?" demanded Auren, keeping his cool more than the other, letting a servant scrub behind his neck as he stood waist deep in the water.<br><br>"First we agree to let them go first.&nbsp; Which, fine, they haven't gotten into the royal family yet, it's overdue.&nbsp; But now they're refusing to let the lady kneel.&nbsp; The other races don't have to bend a knee, they're saying, so neither should Odell.&nbsp; But the other races aren't twice your bloody size!"<br><br>"It's not like you to be flustered," Auren said bemused.&nbsp; <br><br>"Well I'm not normally ROARED at by a creature that eats whole cows!"&nbsp; Allaran huffed, then took a moment to compose himself.&nbsp; "You should have smelled his breath," he chuckled finally.<br><br>"It's been a long wait to this point now for them to be beyond reason," Auren continued.<br><br>"Well, the one that roared, before he lost his temper, was suggesting we erect some kind of staircase for you."<br><br>Auren winced, instantly seeing why Allaran objected to the idea and displeased the flying elder.&nbsp; Some clownish display of the Crown Prince climbing a ladder to kiss his bride was utterly out of the question.&nbsp; But he had no intention of fighting a dragon today either.&nbsp; Something had to be done.<br><br>"Bring him back this suggestion," Auren said, climbing out of the water and instantly being bombarded with towels.&nbsp; "We'll clean a horse and I'll start the ceremony mounted, then I can dismount once I we've been through Odell and the rest I'll do standing as planned.&nbsp; That way I'll be on closer to even footing, even though she'll still have head, shoulders, and chest on me."<br><br>The suggestion appeared to work.&nbsp; No further roars followed after Allaran's departure, and the prince was dressed in peace.&nbsp; Inwardly, Auren wondered if the dragons were actually just taking the chance to test him as his servants--the last to bathe and dress him (fortunately in his opinion), as from hence it would be considered part of the duties of his wives, along with guarding and tasting his food for poison--bound him up in splended raiments of blue and sparkling gold.<br><br>Trumpets blared.&nbsp; He gathered himself and emerged from the temple.&nbsp; All across the city people were craning necks over the roofs of buildings to try to see the royal wedding, and he became aware of their bated breath as an eerie silence accompanied the freshly dressed horse that was presented to him.&nbsp; The forum, something like a collieseum where the immense royal family could hold functions as well as assemble for political reasons, was decked out for the occasion and all his distant and soon to be relatives were lining the walls.&nbsp; Dragons circled and perched the grandest roofs.&nbsp; &nbsp;Trumpets blared again and he trotted his mount to the center and turned, waiting for the first of many brides to come and take her place alongside him.<br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Too Many Queens] Main Story Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>pdragon</strong> on <strong>15-12-2017, 18:03:05</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/5HNIc6a.jpg?1)</div><br><strong>Odell the White</strong><br><strong>Location:</strong> The Forum <br><strong>With:</strong> everyone<br><strong>Time:</strong> wedding<br><hr><br>As agreed Odell was the first of the prince's brides to emerge from the cathedral. She looked statuesque in both size and posture, her form draped in a gown of the softest fur, blending in with her own white features making it hard to discern where the gown stopped and her own fur and hair started. In the bright sun of that gentle afternoon the dragoness's white hair and dress seemed to shine and sparkle, as if she herself was a jewel, giving a proud elegance to her intimidating form. <br><br>As she made her way towards her soon to be husband the girl briefly glanced up at the rooftops, making eye contact with the dragons in attendance, none of her parents were amongst them, but the official "ambassadors" had come in keeping with formal customs. She could see the grim expectation in their eyes, the hope of their people resting upon her malformed shoulders...however despite the hope and expectation she saw, there was not one ounce of pride to accompany it, not for her at least. After all one did not take pride in their tools so much as the craftsman who created them, no doubt the royal spell whisperers would be given no end of praise for crafting her into something the human prince would find palatable.<br><br>Odell had been made aware of the...disagreement, between her representatives and the royal church. She could understand both sides well enough. The dragons did not want to show weakness, disadvantaged as they already were, but the crown did not want to be seen going to such extravagant lengths to accommodate her, as if she were of superior importance. She honestly didn't think it would be that much of an issue to kneel to kiss her husband, after all it showed how much larger she was than him, wouldn't that in itself be a show of power? Regardless it wasn't her place to dispute these things, and it seemed a compromise was found...she would be marrying a man <em>and</em> a horse. <br><br>This was the first time for Odell to actually see prince Auren, having not even been granted a portrait of his image before this very moment. She had to admit that the makeshift centaur was quite handsome for a human, a sort of "rugged yet clean" charm to him. Ofcourse she did not really have much frame of reference to judge the attractiveness of humanoid creatures outside of her elven tutor, but the same tinkerings that had ensured her humanoid body had also endowed her with the proper urges and chemistry to be aroused by such a form, the last thing the dragons wanted was to go through all this trouble to create a suitable heir only to find out she was horribly turned off by the human body. <br><br>She remained mostly silent throughout the ceremony, not exactly the best situation to try and get to know her new husband, though when she could she was sneak sideways glances towards him, a mixture of nervousness and curiosity clear on her face whenever she gazed upon the man that was to be her king and lover. <br><br><div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/twxHrJl.png)</div><br><strong>Serana vi Marion</strong><br><strong>Location:</strong> The Forum<br><strong>With:</strong> everyone<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp; wedding<br><hr><br>While the first princess took her turn Serana watched the ceremony from the cathedral doorway, arms crossed casually as she took in the spectacle of it. All the decorations, all the people gathered from the far corners of the continent, truly a grand occasion. She glanced far across the way to see a trio of similarly dark clad figures looming at the edge of the forum, the witnesses sent from Marion to confirm and record her success in this endeavor. Serana chuckled a bit to herself, watching the prince struggle a bit to kiss his towering bride even from horseback, thinking back to the goblin princess and how their ceremony would look similarly goofy. But was that not half the fun of forcing the prince to bed with every creature of the land? The original emperor must have either had a wide range of fetishes or a truly grand sense of humor. With a mask hidden smile Serana turned to the next princess in line behind herself and casually ushered her forward, doing the same with the next and the next after that, deciding to stall her own ceremony for a bit so that she could watch the others, it was far more entertaining that way after all. Plus it was an act of undying selflessness, literally putting the other queens before herself in a grand display of compassion. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Too Many Queens] Main Story Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LD</strong> on <strong>16-12-2017, 15:13:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://img00.deviantart.net/9350/i/2013/067/7/5/prince_ivan_wolf_by_mad_sama-d5xbtav.jpg)</div>The ceremony itself was rather simple.&nbsp; Of course, it had to be with the number of brides in the procession. First Allaran gave the invocation of the blessing of the gods from his place at the center. As they approached the prince, a herald loudly announced the lady's titles and heritage, who she represents, in flowery language puffing up the chests of each nation.&nbsp; But then it was just a quick clasping of hands, a chaste kiss from Auren, and turning to face the assembly before taking a place behind those still in the ceremony.<br><br>Auren had been told more of Odell than perhaps she had of him, but her actual sight was still a relief.&nbsp; A soft face, and graceful demeanor mitigated any doubts he may have had of her less human features.&nbsp; He gave her a reassuring smile as he took her hand and craned his neck slightly, the horse tapping its hooves as they kissed and then he released her, letting her take her place before he dismounted and a servant took the horse out of the picture.<br><br>He looked to the sky as the next girl took her first steps, past where a dragon perched on a cathedral (the abbot would certainly be upset at the clawmarks), and to a castle that stood forlornly behind the one where he took residence, connected by a narrow bridge.&nbsp; This was the one that had a single tower with a giant flame, signifying the health of the king.&nbsp; Just barely, his keen eyes could make out the form of a large throne that was set up in front of the flame... on which a giant figure sat.&nbsp; His father.&nbsp; Flanked by doctors wrapped in white robes and masks to protect them from his disease, the massive monarch was observing from afar.&nbsp; Auren straightened his back even more.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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