It’s an uncomfortable discussion

As the five walk in, you see them taking in the room and how you are sitting with no open spots next to you.

A neutral position.

Adolpha makes a beeline to the seat that directly faces you but you ignore that as the rest of them sit in the couches or seats around.

“I guess you are wondering why I called all of you here.” You ask, not really desiring an answer.

“One of us is to be your wife.” Arcadia says without any preamble or even disappointment, “You can just pick one and send us on our way.”

“I am not here to disrespect any of you.” You reply to her, frowning but understanding her feelings, “But I am wondering if you know about the other side of this marriage.”

The girls trade confused glances, but seem not to understand.

Of course they didn’t know.

Deciding to cut to the truth of the matter, you explain the project the elders have created and the situation you all have found yourselves in. Part of you is more than uncomfortable because being a lab rat and mixing it with marriage isn’t just wrong.

It completely and utterly stains the idea of affection and care.

It’s a union that — most of the time — is created through love. To do it simply because the potential to create a young child due to unique circumstance is just not okay to anyone here.

Especially a child.

You close your eyes and sigh, “I hate this. It’s not fair. Not to me — but more importantly — not to any of you either. I wanted to bring you all here so there are no illusions or lies, this is why you were chosen. This is why I was refused to marry the girl I love. I don’t want you to have to stay for some sort of test, you want to walk out and never hear my name again, I promise you I won’t even try to talk. That said, I know it sounds insane, but I can only give you my word that this is the truth.”

The others’ breathing patterns are unsteady.

You open your eyes and you see pretty much what you expect.

Adolpha is looking down, shoulders shaking in outrage and pain.

You suppose she thought she was more important than she really was in all this and now that the truth had come out, she is realizing she shattered her relationship with you to be nothing more than a tool for an experiment.

That or she thinks — probably like every other girl — that this is bullshit and a gathering like this is no place for this sort of joke.

Oh how you wish it were.

Cami is trying to keep herself composed, but the twisted grimace on her face makes it clear she is unhappy.

Arcadia is staring at you, eyes wide and mouth slightly open.

Sumeria has her eyes closed and is breathing deeply, head tilted back as she tries not to face you.

Maia has her face buried in her hands, her hiccuping is both heart-wrenching and anger-inducing.

Arcadia finally manages, “You… aren’t lying? How can you not be lying?”

The girls’ head swivel to look at her who is still trying to regain her composure before she realizes her slip and quickly schools her expression into typical neutrality.