Welcome To The Fold

[hybrid_prince]

"We do it so they feel hope for the power their people can attain."

That was what Emperor Dorrek had been told when he was a teenaged prince and found himself expected to take the first member of his imperial harem. One person of each people of the empire, on the idea that some day he would choose his consort from among them, would sire a child and heir upon them. It was his duty, and the people's they ruled would know they were close to power through the subject who might one day rule next to him.

The problem with it all was that Dorrek found the whole thing repugnant. Most of those given to his 'imperial consorts' were women, which was a problem for him. Which made every instance of these moments in the court tiring. Here he sat, upon his throne, awaiting the presentation of the newest offerings for his harem. He would have to choose one to take into his family, someone he would no doubt eventually send back to the others, trying not to feel disgusted by the whole process.

"You are before his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Dorrek-Vell. Kneel before his splendor and know you are close to greatness," his herald calls out to the assembled and Dorrek tried not to yawn.

Comments

[hybrid_prince]

Not one he has heard the like of before.

"You don't seem to be a normal human," he says, considering the one before him. "Why are you here?"

[tighnauri]

”I’m not,” Tighnari says simply and raises a brow. “I would say it’s for the same reason that all the others are here.”

[hybrid_prince]

The Emperor rolls his eyes, clearly not impressed with the answer.

"You are not like the others, and to my knowledge Earth does not have multiple species. So either you don't belong here, or our intelligence was wrong."

And someone needed punished in the latter case.

"That is the explanation you must give me."

[tighnauri]

Tighnari sighs. “You didn’t ask how, you asked why,” Tighnari points out. He contemplates the answer to, how, though he doesn’t fully understand it himself because he’s not exactly from Earth, hasn’t heard of it before.

“They must have stumbled upon something that brought them to Teyvat long enough to decide they had to bring someone here for your... harem.”

[hybrid_prince]

Ah. That explained it. Well, not well or much but explained. Dorrek sighed.

So for now he moves away. He has to pick a consort from Earth. Except his eyes keep returning to the strange, non-human. So he ends up back in front of them.

"Tell me why I should pick you."

[tighnauri]

It's about as good of an explanation as Tighnari can give as he doesn't really understand it completely himself.

"Apparently, I interest you since you keep coming back and you seem otherwise uninterested in the others."

[hybrid_prince]

Oh now there was a point. The Emperor laughs.

"Do you think you could fulfill the duties?"

[tighnauri]

"I can,” Tighnari says simply, his tail swishing behind him. “As long as you can as well.”

[hybrid_prince]

Oh? That's some challenge.

"And what do you think my duties to you are?"

[tighnauri]

"To please me and be a good mate," Tighnari says simply even if that might not be what the official line is.

[hybrid_prince]

What? The Emperor has to start laughing. That's quite the confident statement there. He grips the little one's chin and tilts that pretty face to look up at him.

"I am rather certain those are your duties."

[tighnauri]

“And how can I perform my duties well if you’re a terrible mate?” tighnari doesn’t shy away from his touch or avert his gaze. His tail swishes behind him, one ear swiveling a little. He’s more nervous than he’s letting on.

[hybrid_prince]

Damn this one has spine. The emperor smiles.

"And would you expect me to look like you? Or can you handle something like me?"

[tighnauri]

"I can handle you. I'm tougher than I look," Tighnari says without a hint of hesitation.

[hybrid_prince]

Well damn. The Emperor laughs and gestures to a guard.

"Please send the others away," he says, extending a hand out to Tighnari. "You and I should talk more."

[tighnauri]

Tighnari isn't sure if he should be relieved or not but he accepts the other's hand, his ears alert.

"And what is it we need to discuss?"

[hybrid_prince]

Oh, probably not relieved. Dorrek guides the man away from the others who are being shuffled out.

"Oh so many things. Like that tone of yours."

[tighnauri]

Tighnari's tail sways behind him as he follows the other's guiding, glancing around. He bites back a smirk at the other's answer.

"What's wrong with my tone?"

[hybrid_prince]

"You're only a consort at this moment," Dorrek points out. "And maybe you're looking higher than you should."

Still, he was interesting, and honestly, he hadn't been looking forward to this, so he supposed he could take what he get here.

[tighnauri]

"Maybe. Or maybe I just won't compromise who I am," Tighnari says simply. "And so far... it's kept you interested, hasn't it?"

[hybrid_prince]

Well damn, that's rather interesting. The guy was just so powerful to consider. He looks at Tighnari and tilts his head to consider...

"You are either going to drive me crazy, or be a good consort," Dorrek laughs.

[tighnauri]

"I don't see why those have to be mutually exclusive," Tighnari smiles, one ear twitching .

[hybrid_prince]

Yeah, that's what a headache feels like. Good to know he remembers. Fuckign hell.

"I understand your point and hate it even more than you can imagine."

[tighnauri]

"Oh? Why do you hate it so much?" Tighnari laughs softly.

[hybrid_prince]

"Because I don't need headaches," he says with a roll of his eyes.