The Palace City had several cathedrals, coliseums and gardens that were used as event spaces. Most castles were originally created to house their two-legged and much smaller sentient guests that came to visit each territory. Now revamped into grand palaces and hewn over the millenia to attend for the Zheragon of Ozheni and Yzhen status with the sizes of their forms. However, in the heart of the Palace City to the south of the Center Palace lies Apexia and the Amedia, the largest garden and grand hall in Zhagozie. Amedia, the grand hall, was majestic and vast in design and structure. A marvel of architectural splendor was an expanse of eighty-two meters across and two hundred meters long. The hall stood an opulent testament to the foreboding strength and resplendence of all Zhagozie.

Towering, rising to a magnificent height, its walls were crowned by four large arches that crossed over each other. The inside walls were made of moonzybaster, a rare black stone material found only in this territory that when polished as they were, appeared as cascading black pearl. Adorned with intricate carvings of zheragon history; they seemed to touch the heavens themselves. Elaborate chandeliers hung from above, casting a soft, golden hew that danced across the polished floors below. The main floor was polished a white stone. There were layered stands with tables and seating going up to about the first twenty meters, the vaulted arches being fifty meters from the ground. Today the decor was sparkling with colors as sections and certain were set aside for visitors from all territories. Confirming rumors this Zai (celebration) was arranged to double as an announcement come its closing.

At one end, a grand stage is set, where bards were arranged to play a vivid ambiance to accompany the ceremonies and the following festivities. The stage is flanked by towering pillars, each one intricately embellished with precious gemstones that shimmer in the dancing light. As the pillars become columns the further down you go along the sides, between each was a large space where gold skin curtains were held tied up only to be let down during the ten chill winter months which occur every three years. Sumptuous alcoves and lounges offer respite to weary guests, their plush furnishings inviting relaxation and conversation. Gilded balconies overlook the space below, providing a perfect vantage point for observing the entertainment.

The Center, Eteocles and his nearest kin was already seated in the heart along the main wall. High up on the dais they looked down upon the bulk of the entering guests except the ones that were in the highest balconies. Parties were announced with farthest traveled first so that out of respect they may be seated. As customary for the first flight the zheragon in question would be announced last so that everyone could respect their appearance. For agons their mother's would lead them, for gons their father. At the night's closing the dragon would stand upon the dais, be kissed on the forehead by the highest ranking dragon in attendance, take Djartte and fly. At which time most dragons would join them and the Zai would take on a completely different face - and often one that left some battered or even bloody. All in fun, no less.

Semmy arrived in the hall led by Suada, shaking nervously. As they arrived behind the procession, Erida stood staring back at her smiling. Suada approached the group as the door opened and more entered, name after impossibly long name being announced. "Do we go before after your blessed one?" Suada asked Yvetta who would hardly turn to face her.

"After." she spoke in a plain voice without turning her head.g

The family was well dressed for the occasion. Yvetta's dress was made from luxurious crimson silk, a deep red , the bodice embroidered with floral mosaics using silver threading. Her neckline cradled with a delicate silver lace overlay that mirrored her silver skirt. Around the waist, a wide, embroidered sash cinched the dress. The sash was decorated with various gems set in a gold filigree that sparkled against the skirt. The skirt cascaded in layers.The first layer a sheer, diaphanous fabric, embroidered with red and gold threads forming intricate, swirling designs that caught the light. The second layer was a heavier silk that had a subtle sheen.

The long and billowing sleeves had soft, gold-threaded cuffs that echoed the dress's intricate embroidery. At the elbow, the sleeves were cinched by an ornate, bejeweled band. The outfit was completed with a silver train that flowed gracefully behind her.

Erida's dress was similar to her mother's, only with a heart-shaped neckline it was more silver than red. Nephele's skirt had no cascading layers and no glorious train. However her sleeves were longer and so sheer you could see her arms through them and her dress was more of a pink than a red.

Noalmon's outfit was made with brocade silk of red and silver. His knee-length sherwani jacket had a high collar, designed in the traditional Daer'Ishaan style The slightly flared silhouette accentuating his stature. The front is adorned with detailed embroidery in swirling patterns that gave texture and depth to the garment. Fastened with ornate buttons, each set with small, embedded gems. The collar and lapels were elaborately detailed with floral and geometric designs. Underneath, the shirt was ivory silk with its collar subtly embellished with tone-on-tone embroidery seen out from the jacket's collar. His trousers had a slightly tapered leg, made from the same brocade fabric, but had sleek finish to contrast the richness of the jacket. Noalmon's wide, embroidered cummerbund tied around his waist, crafted from a harmonious deep burgundy fabric. Adorned with beadwork that blended well with the floral motifs

"Promontor Noalmon Mishal Daer'Kiran" the voice announced at the doors opened again. "With his daughter Eryn Nephele Daer'Kiran" they boomed.

"Halya Eryda Daer'Kiran, led by her mother Vasumani Yvetta Dreccan Daer'Kiran" A booming voice announced. Applause was heard as the mother and daughter stepped forward. The doors closed behind them before Suada and Semmy could enter.

"Hey!" Semmy started to bemoan but Suada stopped her. They stood quietly, and the time seemed to go on far longer than either of them prepared for. Still, Semmy stood and held her composure. After nearly ten minutes had passed the doors opened again. Semmy smiled, and began to step forward when something made a large splat at her feet. It was a fruit, a large green fruit with red insides. Semmy recognized it instantly. By all means this fruit should not have been there, since it was native to her home territory. It was called Rahem, or simply The Red. It also had a list of notorious nicknames, "trickster", "bloodfruit", and now even "The Traitor Fruit". Called such as it was a bright vibrant green - with a deep red inside that stained as deeply as blood. It was native to her home Fumon'Emos, and was out of season.... Suada and her looked at each other in awe that it came to be here in this moment. Aware of what it meant to see it burst before them now.Semmy inhaled and continued to step forward. As she walked, there was no announcement.

The other attendees stared, silent. Whispers began to permeate the large space in angry tones until they became a gentle roar. Another fruit hit her feet, and another. Suada kept her head up and continued to lead her on.

It was then that a fruit came straight at Semmy, and without thinking she turned slapped it down, bursting the fruit and it juices in large "SPLAT" so that the room went completely still. Once again it was silent, only this time the tension was so thick not even a knife could cut it. All at once various guests threw the fruit directly at Semmy until she was covered. Suada covered her with her own body until they were hunched on the ground and surrounded. Laughter, was the new song. Laughter that seemed to get louder and louder and the two agons were barely able to stand up and run out of the hall.

"Thank you everyone!!" Yvetta boomed, "For coming to celebrate my daughter"

Semmy stood outside the doors stiff and erect. Suada, stood behind her silent. They were both soaked and Suada's nose was bleeding. "Did you know this was going to happen?" Semmy asked, belying no emotion. When Suada did not answer however the tone changed completely.

Yvetta was still speaking in the background. Muffled but Semmy was able to parse out "worst traitor in history" and "We will never stain our dignity"

"Did you know?" Semmy asked in an angry whisper. Suada, without answering began picking the fruit off of her, with tears falling from her eyes one by one.

"DID YOU KNOW?!" Semmy screamed, turning to face her.

Still, Suada could not answer and simply turned her head away from her. She stammered,"You know, that if I did not tell you - then it was something that had to-" Suada started to continue, but Semmy sighed and started walking away.

             Out on the side of the Amedia was a large courtyard and garden Semmy passed the main the garden and slowly walked to the back of the courtyard. She looked at the fountain that shimmered in the night. The glowing rocks in the water making it appear as though the water was enchanted.

She sighed. She felt she would never stop sighing. She would never lose the need to release the air from inside. Now built up by the pressure and ache the outside world pushed in on her everyday. Suada had promised her that she wouldn't always feel alone. She wanted to believe that, because Suada had also warned her not to hope and she was right. If everything was hopeless, who was she fooling?

"Gross" she groaned, peeling back the drenched garment from her skin. She sat at the edge of the fountain. Pieces of fruit still clinging to it and to her. She placed it aside and she did not look around. She did not look for any dragon or thing that could be watching, because there was no more embarrassment to be faced than that she had just experienced.

Savvadi, was the Zhegonian word the human body which meant delicate or soft. However, it was not something dragons guarded as closely as a human might. A dragon was a being that lived its life without clothing. Or that is what a dragon was meant to be. So as Semiramishe Sasibe'llona Fum'Atomoyo stepped into the cool waters of the fountain she imagined the world as it was meant to be in her heart. She imagined her brother's laugh, her father's smile, her mother's touch, and perhaps soothing words from the sister she had little recollection of. She sank into the water and allowed the red juices to drift into the water and pieces of fruit to float at the surface as her body adjusted to the cool temperature.