Till the ArkFalls

Prejudice

I could barely contain my anger as I burst through the door. Entering the tent which held the temple was like stumbling into a snow covered field. From the flowing fabric of the worshippers' robes to the plush cushions thrown about, everything was white. Why a society comprised of the extremely pale would choose a pallet the same as their skin was beyond me. I could barely make out the movement of the holy men as they prepared to speak. "Snowy Rabbits" I spat while observing the commotion, "so stuck in their ways the wolves of the world were bound to tear them apart". But this was no time for fantasies. I have to stay calm. I can't let them win. With a deep breath, I gained my composure. As far as I was concerned this was a battlefield, everyone within it was to be considered an enemy. It was a cluster fuck of Castithan snootiness and I had the desire to be here. Observing the way the other temple goers spoke in hushed tones in corners, and how their stares burnt my skin from such powerful hatred, it was clear they would prefer my absence.

Though it was crowded within the cloth confines of the tent I had no problem navigating the crowds. The one upside of being a genetic freak was that I never ran into foot traffic. Everyone was so damn worried that I'd somehow taint them that the crowds always parted to let me through. I sighed as I spotted a spare brinall (worship mat) in the front row. Being in this dumb Liro meant I was expected to be front and center for the service, but I was at least going to squeeze in some rebellion. " Sibren you are one bad bitch" I couldn't help giggle at myself as I courageously moved my brinall to the far corner of the room. "We are in a church berry head. Better watch that mouth of yours," teased a cheerful voice. Smiling I turned to see the only living person besides my grandmother that I loved. "Don't call me that you little parasite. I am not in the mood." I extended my arms as I embraced my cousin.

At first glance it is likely you would mistake Arec Kurr for a woman. And with such soft features and a slender form, he wouldn't blame you. " I can't believe you are here!" I beamed while dealing the biggest bear hug in casti history. Arec brushed his long silver locks from my face as I nuzzled his chest. " Did you honestly think I'd miss something as important as your assignment?" his thin lips curled into a smile as I released him and looked him over. "You lost weight. Does that Husband of yours not feed you? You can't survive on love alone! My boy still has some growing to do!" He swatted my arm playfully. " I'm seven years your elder. And it would be best don't to mention Owen again." I became all too aware at the dozens of eyes upon us. Unlike their owners I didn't care that Arec was gay, to me, it didn't even matter. They branded him as a shame, a criminal. He was even almost as hated as I was. But the man before me was the kindest creature alive. As the shame of the family, I was pretty much ignored by the casti my entire childhood. Back then Arec and my six other cousins were not allowed to be seen with me in public. Even so, Arec broke all the rules when I was small to come to my Grandmother's house to play. It was Ark who gave me the fabric to make my first robes when I was 13, and Arec who was the only member of my Casti family who offered tribute at my mother's funeral. He was the complete opposite of a criminal in my book, not that it mattered. "Anyways I had to come Sibren. I always promised to give you away on your wedding day".