"I-Is all this necessary?" Raina muttered in surprise as she stared at herself in the mirror. Reflecting at her was a beautiful blonde hair girl donning a stunning luxurious white gown-like dress. Her makeup was done meticulously, illuminating her features and showing off a more mature and elegant appearance. Her hair was done up to a moderately messy bun; a few strands falling to her shoulders as it provided the frame to accentuate her face shape perfectly.
"You look stunning," Richard breathed out as he stood up from the edge of the bed, wrapping his hand around her waist. He stared into the mirror, seeing himself and Raina standing side by side like a perfect couple, "Come on now," He gently put his hands on hers and led her outside, "Our ride is waiting for us downstairs."
"Where to, Lord Wilson?" The driver glanced over at the backseat as Raina and Richard hustled inside, surrounded by a few dozen security men and Rift members,
"Listrode Banquet Hall." Richard responded as he closed the door behind him, the car instantly setting off as three others followed closely behind in their own respective black polished cars.
"What is this meeting for?" Raina asked as she stared at the scenery outside with much intrigue,
"I have no idea," he admitted with a smile, "All Territory Lords were ordered to appear there by our higher-ups," He shuffled over closer to Raina, leaning his head on her shoulder.
"Richard?" Raina blinked with slight confusion,
"Tell me about yourself," He suddenly spoke with a light yawn, his eyes slowly closing, "I want to know more about you."
Raina stared at him for a brief moment as she slowly lifted up her hand, touching his soft blond hair.
"My mum. She died half a month ago, leaving behind my two sisters and I." Raina muttered as she stared off into space. "We were kidnapped by my mother's killer-"
"No," Richard suddenly cut her off, "I want to know more about you." He repeated,
"What…" Raina tilted her head in confusion,
"What's your favourite colour?" Richard opened an eye as he muttered, glancing up at her.
"Blue?" Raina spoke, responding with the first colour that popped into her mind.
"Mine's yellow. Like lightning." Richard raised his hand and produced a small yellow spark from his fingertips, "Favourite Food?"
"Uh…Spicy Ramen,"
"Hm…" Richard muttered as he gave a thought, "What about your favourite childhood show?"
"Uhh…" Raina tilted her head and thought back to more than 5 years ago, before the apocalypse, "The Golden Child." She replied, remembering the show she used to binge a lot in her free time.
"Ah," Richard suddenly let out a grin, "Me too. So we do have something in common. My favourite character was that dorky-looking guy, Earl," he glanced up at her as he pushed an imaginary pair of glasses up his nose.
A genuine look of surprise suddenly entered Raina's eyes as she glanced over at Richard's expression, "Me too… The way he walks and talks just make me laugh every time he's on-screen…"
The two quickly began bonding over the show, laughing as they made references and impression of the characters, quickly opening up and discussing more interests they found in coming with each other as the car quickly sped along the deserted roads.
"We've arrived, my Lord," the driver suddenly spoke after a 3hr long trip, the car coming to a halt as the door opened with the driver stood by the side, Richard stepping out first as he held Raina's hand, assisting her as she slowly got out after him.
"Lord Wilson," two guard bowed as they let Richard pass with Raina by his side, the giant glass double door of the venue opening at their presence and the bustling of people could be heard from within.
"Come on, darling." Richard held Raina's hand and stepped inside.
The giant hall was filled with all sorts of people wearing suits and ties. Their clothing and appearance presented with much care and thought. The dazzling glow of chandeliers and modern lights embedded on the ceiling lit up the entire banquet hall beautifully. The dazzling light was like nothing she had seen before.
"How is there electricity..?" Raina murmured in surprise as her eyes wandered the giant hall in awe.
"Fancy some drinks? My Lord, Mi Lady?" A young boy suddenly walked up beside them with a small plate of alcohol and beverages in his hands,
"I would," Richard smiled, taking a glass and handing to Raina before getting another for himself, "Come on, lets go have a look around, Alice."
"Richard Wilson," A deep voice suddenly called out behind him, "It's been so long,"
Richard turned around as Raina followed suit. Behind them stood a slightly dark skinned muscular man, his biceps basically screeching to be let free from the tight suit as he held a glass of wine in his right hand.
"Carlos." Richard smiled, shaking the man's free hand.
"Is this your lover?" Carlos turned his attention to Raina, "You've really found yourself a beauty." He chuckled looking her down with a grin.
"Now that's enough," Richard rolled his eyes as he quickly stepped in front of her, squinting his eyes at Carlos with warning.
"Calm down, lightning boy. I'm just kidding," He chuckled, turning away as he gave Richard a pat on the shoulder. His eyes turning to give Raina one last lecherous look before whistling away.
"I'm so sorry about that," Richard spun around with a look of worry, "Are you alright?"
Raina nodded as she stared at Carlos' back, "Who is he?"
"He's Carlos Orteez. A Territory Lord that I met a few years ago. He governs the land a few hundred miles south of of us." Richard explained, "There's a few people here that's dangerous, so try and keep as close to me as you can."
"Dangerous? How so?"
"Their moral compass… is a bit…non-existant…" He said with slight hesitancy, "Like that man there," He glanced over and nodded at a tall black haired man, his hair reaching his shoulders as his held his hands in his pocket,
"That's Reese Orsil. He was a criminal on death row before the apocalypse. He'll torture and shred you to pieces if you annoy him even just a little." Richard explained, glancing around again and nodding at another man, this time at a man quite chubby and bingeing at the banquet table, stuffing himself with the provided snacks.
"That's Aargo Esteriburg. Loves to eat and is as sly as a snake. You'll never know what's going on in that brain of his. When he's interested in some thing or someone, you better watch out cause he'll get it not matter what."
"And that…" Richard turned his attention over the the opening of the giant glass doors once more as another person stepping into the banquet hall, all eyes around them also staring over with a hint of weariness, "That's the newest addition to our list of Territory Lords. He became one after killing the previous one half a year ago."
Raina turned to see who this mysterious newcomer was as her eyes widened and jaws nearly dropped to the ground.
There by the entrance stood a man donned in a fancy black suit with golden accents, his black hair slicked back for a professional and elegant appearance as his eyes scanned around the room with a mischievous grin.
"That's Solon Mavise."