Blake held herself still as her mother's handmaidens carefully dressed and applied makeup on her. A mass of blues and whites soon decorated her form along with flashes of other colors, each one to represent the main families within the Kingdom of Menagerie with her own family's colors, the black and gold, dominating her face. Yet amongst all the colors her own purple was absent. A conscious choice she made despite her mother's insistence. This was to be a wedding for Menagerie not for her. It was for the safety and security of the people, not for her heart.

Her heart had been gone for a long time. Ever since General Khan had dragged the White Fang, the kingdom's elite warriors, to assist Mantle's defense against Atlas's conquest. Her heart had gone with them to their deaths if the letters were to be believed. Her father had been right in his caution to hold her home. Sure she had raged and cried but with the news from Atlas and it's threats to expand it's war to her home, she had to push down her emotions to help provide a bulwark for their now weakened kingdom.

For Atlas to reach them, they would have to cross through the Kingdom of Mistral, a kingdom they have signed numerous treaties with. However not all of Mistral's lands were under its control. Many of the lands closest to Menagerie were actually under the dominion of the Brawen Tribe. A ruthless band of outlaws that had broken Mistral's hold in the Mistwoods, forcing many of the cities in and nearby to swear allegiance to the Maiden of Ravens. Atlas had sent scouts and elite warriors to try and dislodge the bandits to fulfill parts of its obligations with Mistral. Though those earlier attempts failed, the Brawens now had the threat of Atlas's entire army crashing down on them. Blake still had no idea how her father had contacted them for this alliance. The deal was simple, the Brawens would forestall Atlas's forces, while Menagerie quickly reinforced it's army with new blood, and Menagerie would supply the bandits with food, weapons, and even provide medical assistance to them. All in all it should have been a simple treaty but the Maiden of Ravens had demanded a tenable symbol of this new bond so that Menagerie could not betray her and cut a deal with Atlas. At first her father had balked at the insults and nearly broke down negotiations there, especially with the Brawen representative clearly looking at his daughter. Blake however quickly stepped forward and offered herself as a hostage. That was when the representative surprised the chamber again by saying the Maiden of Ravens would accept no hostage but her as her progeny's bride.

This was what led to Blake's current situation, dolled up as the seal for the Brawen and Menagerie newest treaty. Today was the day that her new…partner would come to claim her hand. A hand that Blake had offered, but that was all they would get. This was for Menagerie and nothing else.

"Oh you look so beautiful my little Nightshade," her mother Kali Belladonna said as she stepped into the room. Dismissing the handmaidens she set about fixing her daughter's hair.

"Mother," Blake pouted, but made no move to stop her. Fear of messing anything up more powerful than the embarrassment of being fretted over by her mother.

"Oh relax honey," Kali stated as she masterfully undid a knot that was pulling at Blake's ear. "They may know how to do the style but I've know your hair since the first tuff appeared on your head,"

"...Thank you Mom," Blake finally said, fighting the rush of emotions that filled her head. This could be the last day she is home with her family. Kali, noting the tears forming in her daughter's eyes, quickly wrapped her in a hug.

"We can end this right now," she whispered, "there are other options--"

"None that can help us now," Blake said as she steeled herself again. " It will be fine mother, I promise," she finished as she resumed her calm outlook. It was her duty to bring safety to the kingdom's citizens and as the last representative of the once vaunted White Fang, she needed to help atone for the war that was brought on.

Kali could only smile sadly. Her daughter was always drawn to duty and nothing could change her mind once set on a course of action.

"Very well," she said standing up, "then shall I bring them to you?"

"They don't want a ceremony?" Blake asked puzzled.

"They said the ceremony would happen back in their home," Kali mentioned sadly. She had tried to convince Ghira to let her go with the first wave of medics and supplies, but she knew it was wrong to ask him to let both his daughter and wife venture into possible danger. She would have to trust that the Brawens were honest and that if the worst would come to pass then Blake's skills would be enough to escape.

"Ah that does make sense," Blake muttered, after all she was to be the Brawens' guarantee. " Very well best to get this over with," Kali nodded and left the room, leaving Blake alone with her thoughts. Visions and ideas of her potential partner began to swirl inside her head. Small things like would they be tall or short, what were their eyes like, to larger concerns such as her new partner's temper and morality. She had heard numerous rumors as to what these bandits took part in. It could be a real monster--

"Knock, knock,"

A soft rapping perked her ears up, her new fiance must have arrived. Not yet ready to give them satisfaction Blake merely grunted in response. Petty for sure but she did need an outlet. A minute passed and Blake wondered if they had already locked each other in the first battle of their potential union.

"Man you'll are quiet, is it nap time already," an energized voice spoke from behind her.

"Perhaps it is quiet because this is supposed to be a revenant occasion," Blake quipped and took stock of the person who would take her away from her home. They were clad in the standard black and maroons of the Brawens' yet she could also spot flashes of orange and yellow amongst their gear. However the main draw was her eyes. Prinpicks of lilac that gazed at her, filled with humor and light. These were no eyes of a monster.

Her future partner also seemed to be shocked at her appearance. Their eyes roamed over her getup before settling on her own eyes. For a minute the two merely stared at each other, gauging whatever emotions they could read through the other's eyes. Suddenly the Brawen sat down and flipped off her hood. Blake was nearly blinded as the mass of blonde hair billowed out.

"Ah much better," her blond haired partner said as she sat down, "well guess it's time for some introductions then, I'm Yang the Phoenix Fire,"

"Blake Belladonna," came Blake's reply her voice slightly off as her mind was still trying to process just what was going on, though there was still ice in her tone.

"Well Blake, firstly I'd like to apologize for my mom's bullshit," Yang started as Blake's eyes widened in surprise, but was quickly cut off as Yang continued on. " Yeah she's always going of on power this power that and it tends to make things so complicated, still I am going to have to bring you back to our main camp till this war blows over, just know I will do my best to make sure you make it through this time without you losing anything, that is unless you want to," Yang finished with an eyebrow wiggle.

Blake instantly felt a flash of fury as this Yang took this very serious moment with frivolity and and insinuations. In a blink of an eye she had lunged and knocked Yang down. Yang let lose a brief laugh before stopping when a thin dagger hovered over her eye.

"I could end it, claim you couldn't contain yourself," Blake pressed her mouth locked in a snarl, but Yang merely grinned.

"Then Mom would just assign you to the next person, but first let me ask you a question my beautiful assassin, do you think my title was merely just that?" Yang asked as a warm glow surrounded her downed form and those once clear eyes harden into fonts of crimson. There were the eyes of the killers Blake knew was her partner. With a viscous yell she got off Yang threw the rooms door open and stalked off