Athrym took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. She had taken a carriage through Vienda to her parents estate, and now stood at the front door, ready to enter, but nervous. It had been a long time since she'd spoken to her parents, let alone seen them. Dressed in a deep blue, high throated dress and her thick blue cloak, the platinum blonde reached up and lifted the silver door knocker, banging it sharply three times. Standing back slightly, pushing her hands into the sleeves of her coat, she waited. After a moment, the door opened to a demure looking human girl. The galdor stared coldly through her platinum blonde fringe at the girl.

"Can I help you miss?" The young girl asked in a soft voice, curtsying slightly. Athrym narrowed her eyes and resisted the urge to cast something nasty on the girl.

"I am Athrym Bruthgrave, daughter to Carmell and Margol Bruthgrave. I don't need anything from you but for you to move out of my way." She said in a cold voice. The young human's eyes widened for a moment, before she stepped aside, head bent demurely. Stepping into her childhood home, the blue eyed girl glanced around. It was almost the same as when she left it. Decorated in white marble and blue velvet, the place reminded the girl of wintery days. Standing in the lobby, she waited for the servant to close the door and take her cloak, before walking under the double staircase and balcony, through to the sitting room, ignoring the long and rather uninviting hallway that led to her fathers study. Filled with grandiose paintings of the Bruthgrave Family and creamy white carvings of ancestors and large exotic animals, Athrym felt once again the touch of her mother's decorative taste. A large grey and white leopard skin stretched across the cool slate tiles in front of a huge and lavish white marble and gold fire place. Two bed like couches faced each other from across the room, and reclining on one was a slender pale figure, white blonde hair spilling across the white upholstery. Pale blue eyes, almost clear in their color glanced up, meeting Athrym's own icy blue set.

"Athrym, I didn't expect you till tomorrow evening." The woman said, sitting up with a fine grace that the younger galdor almost envied. Watching the woman suspiciously, the girl spoke.

"I came early, because I wanted to talk to you, Mother." Carmell raised an eyebrow, small smile coming to her lips. Smoothing out the folds in her deep blue gown, she motioned for Athrym to sit. Boots muffled by the fur rug, the student sat straight backed on the couch across from her.

"Talk to me? Athrym, you haven't wanted to speak to me in your entire life. Why start now?" The young woman hesitated, unsure of how to begin. Narrowing her eyes in the same way as her daughter, Carmell pursed her lips.

"I think I know. It's this Siordanti boy. Honestly Athrym, what are you doing?" Frowning the girl glared at her mother.

"What do you mean? I am marrying the one person who cares about me. The one person who took the time to get to know me." Moving forward, the girl perched on the edge of the couch, nibbling her hair nervously.

"I read your letter, and you have absolutely no idea about his intentions. Nauleth is a good person. Why can't you just give us your blessings and leave him alone?" Carmell stared at her daughter for a moment, before standing and moving to sit beside Athrym. Stiff with suspicion, the blonde frowned as the woman pushed her fringe out of her face.

"Because I love you Athrym. Even if you don't believe it, I do. And I know what men are like. They'll take everything you've ever had. Your dignity, your money and your innocence, and leave you with nothing." Frowning, the student shook her head.

"No mother, your wrong. Nauleth isn't like that. He loves me, and he doesn't care about money or status. I have no dignity to take, you've heard what happened at school, I almost got expelled. As for my innocence..." She made a small scoff of self belittlement. Carmell made a face and sighed heavily.

"Oh Athrym, you didn't, did you? I mean, really-" Athrym put up a hand suddenly.

"No of course not. If I had a choice, I would still be everything a woman should be. Graceful, delicate and pure. I would be what he deserves. Instead I'm...I'm used up and broken." Pushing off the couch, she paced the room, shaking off the past. Carmell watched her carefully, clear blue eyes showing concern behind her stone-like exterior. After a while, she stood and approached the girl, standing in front of her and holding her hands.

"I won't ask you about what happened in your past, but if you want to tell me, I will listen. Athrym, I don't want to see you in the same situation I am in. I need to speak to Nauleth, to see the truth in his face. I need to be sure my only daughter, the last in our Gioran line, is happy and protected." The blonde girl looked awkwardly at the floor, slightly embarrassed by her mothers sudden show of affection. Finally, curiosity getting the better of her, she looked up.

"Gioran?" Carmell nodded once, lifting her chin proudly.

"Quite. I was born in Gior and performed my studies in Brunnhold. It was during that time my brother and Margol met. Talks were made regarding the estate here and Margol's connections. They made arrangements and I was part of the...package. My grandmother came with me when I had to travel back to Vienda, to make sure all the proper arrangements and traditions were upheld. I brought my Kluiw coat and my mothers wedding dress, that was it. Everything else I left with my Mathen family." Squaring her shoulders, the woman's sudden maternal streak became more formal, her stony exterior back in place. It was so quick, the blonde girl couldn't help but be reminded of herself. Was it a Gioran thing?

"I have one condition. If your really going to marry this boy, your going to live up to your Gioran heritage. And you'll wear our family wedding dress." Athrym looked horrified.

"Mother! I can't wear some old ugly heirloom!" The older woman put her arm around her daughters shoulders with a sniff.

"Come with me child, try it on, then you can take back that comment." Leading the slightly mortified girl out of the sitting room and up the stairs, Carmell brushed back Athrym's fringe again.

"I really think you should grow your hair out Athrym. You'd look so pretty with long hair."