A/N) Here is the last chapter's prequel - if that makes any sense. It's set the day before, when Lexi was getting her armour measured and fitted, mainly because I got curious about what she would actually be like. Hope you enjoy!

Using the prompt: "Write a scene that uses the word 'wriggle'."

"Hold still, Lexi!"

The adult female Nekross fought to maintain her steely grip on the six year old's shoulder, who was squirming and jumping around restlessly as she was measured by the other, younger female Nekross. It was evident that Lexi knew what she was being let in for - and she didn't seem to like the prospect of it.

The armour was blue and metallic. It was a daunting item looming ominously in the corner of the room, with criss-crossed embellished chest plates on the front and large clumpy boots to accompany it. Armour suitable for a princess of Nekron, Luria thought with satisfaction. Not that the squirming six year old was acting much like it currently.

"Don't wriggle, Lexi!" the princess's nurse told her sternly. Lexi didn't show any signs that she had actually heard Luria's command, and tried to shake off the grip on her shoulders.

"Lexi!" Luria snapped sharply for the fifth or sixth time, yanking Lexi back to her side as she tried to wander off. "Let her measure you, for the last time!"

"So I can be put into that?" Lexi flashed a dark look at the hated armour, which she imagined growling at her in a deep rasping tone. "No, thank you. It's scary. And looks uncomfortable."

"You are of royal blood! Anyway, the Nekross abandoned superstition millennia ago. It's illogical to be scared," Luria argued. "You are privileged to get armour such as this. Anyway, every Nekross has their armour fitted at your age. It's your turn now."

Lexi scowled. "Can't I wait?"

"No you cannot," her nurse said adamantly. "You've had all your medical checks, and you're getting to just the right size now. All the other little girls will be getting theirs too, round about this time."

The princess made a very undignified 'hmph' noise that detailed her feelings on this statement, and folded her arms defiantly.

"Now we'll have none of that," Luria reprimanded. "You'll get used to your armour eventually."

"Everyone says that. No one says they actually like their armour," Lexi noted.

"You don't have to like it," Luria informed her. "You just have to wear it."

At this point Lexi flung out both arms hard, one hitting Luria in her chest plate. It took both female Nekross to grab both of the princess's shoulders and restrain her from running away. Lexi was a very fast runner, and a hard girl to catch when she was away.

"Good luck with getting her into that," Varg commented from the doorway, just his head visible from around the frame. Luria hadn't realised he was there watching, and she jumped as she heard his sarcastic voice.

"Varg! How long have you been there?" she questioned the eleven year old boy.

Varg shrugged, raising an eyebrow at his furiously wriggling sister. "Long enough. Having some trouble, are we?"

"- Princess - Lexi - is having a little trouble adjusting to her status," Luria spat as Lexi nearly managed to escape her grip again. "She doesn't want to get into her armour."

"Can you blame her?" Varg questioned with a grin. "It's not exactly the most promising of rituals when you're young and carefree."

"Two traits that have no place in Nekross expectations," said Luria. "Apparently Lyzera stepped willingly into her first set of armour."

"That hardly surprises me," Varg mused, thinking of the female Nekross who he was apparently destined to marry in the future, and who he knew was very refined and polite - unlike his headstrong sister.

Lexi ducked quickly and managed to escape the grasp of both Nekross nurses, and fled towards the door. If Varg hadn't been in her way she probably would have managed to get out. But Varg caught her firmly by both shoulders, and ignored her kicks and screams of Nekross curses that she really shouldn't have known at this age. Both nurses darted towards her once more, and the unwilling Lexi was dragged towards the set of armour.

"We'll have no more of that when you're clad in full armour!" spat Luria. "You won't be running anywhere fast any more, not when you've got the armour on! Then we'll see you try to escape."

Varg heard his younger sister's gasp and saw the sudden fear in her eyes at the prospect of actually wearing the clunky restrictive suit. She knew that you didn't do the things you used to when you came of age, mainly because it was nearly impossible to run and climb and bend in the armour.

As the two nurses wrestled the still-fighting girl into the back plates of the armour mould, Varg came and pressed a firm hand down on Lexi's chest, making it impossible for her to move. Her eyes met his pleadingly, as though begging him to help her, but Varg knew he couldn't. Everyone had to wear the armour sooner or later, and the earlier you learnt, the better.

Triumphantly the nurses began to clip the front plates down over Lexi's chest, and the young princess was effectively immobilized in the deep blue suit as both female Nekross attached first the leg plates, then the arm plates to the suit. One nurse enclosed Lexi's feet in the large heavy boots that swamped her small feet. It was all over in a matter of moments; all of the protective armour plates were fastened over the six year old's body, leaving Lexi trapped in the full Nekross armour suit.

"There, isn't that better?" the nurse enquired with a slightly forced smile, directing the question at Lexi

There was still defiance in the girl's eyes as she struggled to move inside the suit, but that expression was quickly replaced by one of dull acceptance as she realised there was no chance of escaping now. Varg felt sorry for her, but he knew there was nothing anyone could do. She would get used to it over time. It took him a while to adjust too, but adjust he did.

"I'll be in the Zarantulus control room if you need me," Varg said quietly before leaving the room, not meeting Lexi's eyes, anticipating the unforgiving expression that would be in them.

They may not be able to escape the coming of age rituals.

It didn't mean they were right.