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 Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:37 pm
On balance she and Spyke had decided to part company at least for now; neither of them really felt up to playing the part of mistress and slave for even a few minutes after meeting That Mare. Snorting to herself and shaking her head, the striped Jala walked on and tried to push the disquieting encounter to the back of her mind. She would swear neither of them had slipped up, and yet the mare had known had known as though she could smell it on them.
Still, Sekhmet shook herself again, that was behind now, and the lands of the brindled ones was ahead. From what she knew, as a Jala she wouldn’t be attacked on sight or anything especially as she was alone. She was no threat to anyone really, and definitely not to a whole herd and every herd needed new blood every so often, that was one reason why her mother and father had been put together, so pushing curious Jala away would surely be detrimental to the herd.
Still, Sekhmet would be one of the first to point out that people often did things which made no sense, and it was for this reason that her caution remained. Until she was sure she wasn’t going to get beaten to pulp on sight, wariness was sensible, and Sekhmet was an eminently sensible mare.
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:26 pm
Moving along the reddish lands that had been her home forever, the mare moved easily, swiftly. She hated walking. However on a day like today she didn't feel like useing any energy. She was on her way to find...well one of her lovely family perhaps. Getting out into the herd was also on the top priority. It had been far to long since she had mingled. The brindle and tear markings she carried, that marked her for what she was, stood out in the sun. Then, sharp as they often were, Yi spotted somthing...not right. Black. Solid black, well with a bit of other colors thrown in stripes. Not brindle. A jala at least. She didn't feel like starting a ruckus. And she did not have her little Irada with her to get rid if it. However the site of an obvious outsider brought out curiosity. A bit of annoyence as well. What, did they think they could just move in? She snorted.
"You there!" She called. "Outsider, name yourself and your purpose here." She called, flalreing her wings a bit.
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Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:27 am
The purpled and gold striped mare came to a halt as the imperious voice reached her ears and turned her head to regard its source. A Katilenuck, not surprising given the words, and a proud looking one. Either they were all this haughty, which was quite possible, or she was somebody of some importance. Deciding it was better to be safe than sorry, Sekhmet dipped her head respectfully to the other mare and offered her a smile.
“Good day, siry, my name is Sekhmet, and I have come here in the hopes that I might be granted leave to see the lands of the mighty handrakai Katilenuck. Do you know if that might be allowed? I mean no offense by being here but, well, I’ve heard so much about those marked by Jala’s tears I... Well yes, like I say, I wanted to see this place, and to meet some of its people.”
It was only the very beginning of a plan, but it was there in the back of her mind all the same, taking shape more swiftly now that she was actually here. If she could get to look around this place, to make some friends and allies, maybe that would make her unsuitable enough to avoid a forced mating. Estavan’s herd, while it contained many Jala, also contained a good number of Nequus of other breeds. Befriending the Katilenuck would almost certainly make people disapprove of her enough to keep her safe.
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Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:02 pm
She looked over this mare. She had no idea who she was talking to. Interesting prospect. She must have just arrived then. "I see. That is permitable. Welcome." She nodded her head. Least she knew her place. "I must warn you, of course, to keep your wits about you during your stay. fellow jala or not, you are an outsider, and though i may be a bit to kind to your lot, others are not. Watch the stallions, they tend to be hotheaded. Particularly Ka, the prince." Least last she saw of her dear brother. "My name is Yi. You will do good to listen to my words..." She looked up as she heard the sounds of wings. Irada. What a good girl.
"Mistress! Mistress!" Irada's soft voice floated down as she landed beside the sandy jala. "I know i was told to stay but it is not right for you to be alone, Mistress." she spoke softly, head bowed, never looking at Yi. "I feared for the mistresses safety...." She said softly. She jumped when she noticed the black hooves. Least there were no markings. She wouldn't be punished that much. She fell silent.
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Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:16 am
Sekhmet smiled at the other, sparing the Ichsa only a brief glance; those of the feathered wing were expected not to take much note of slaves she imagined. Still, interesting that this mare had herself an Ichsa; either they were more commonplace than she had assumed, this Yi was very lucky and or conniving, or Yi was important. All quite possible, though given how ferocious Ichsa could be in defending their large families the latter two seemed more likely to her.
“Thank you siry Yi; I wouldn’t want to anger anyone, let alone a Royal... Umm, I wonder, are you busy? If not, I’d really appreciate anything you could tell me about this handrakai, or any of it you could show me. I don’t mean to be presumptions or rude, but I don’t want to put my hoof in it, you know? I’d really like to, well, to get on with people here. I split from my own handrakai when I was small and I haven’t really had friends since so... Yea, aside from being impressed by what I’ve been told of your social system, your army and that I... well I was hoping I might be able to make a friend or two here.”
If you didn’t ask, after all, you didn’t get and it would be very good to hang around with somebody who knew the ins and outs of the Katilenuck land and ways for at last a little while. Then of course there was the fact that the hot-headed stallions Yi had mentioned were less likely to bother her if she was with one of their own brindled kind. Added to that, her desire for friendship was genuine. At the moment, she only really had one, Spyke, and to her at least that felt a bit depressing. Sure the Katilenuck had some weird ideas about superiority and such, but she was sure there would be some relatively sane ones about if she got a chance to look,
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:05 am
"Well a few things to keep in mind, You will need to speak with the queen concerning all matters about staying here long term, if you deside to. Do not anger any of the herd members. Keep in mind, though a jala you may be, you are not one of us. if somone tries to give you trouble, and you have not done anything to start it, let them know one of the royal family has given you permission to be here. That should shut them up. Of course you should know that any non jala who enter these lands will be either killed or captured for slavery, and crossbreeds are killed on site. I do hope you are not one of those jala who is friends with other breeds...I don't advise keeping those friendships if you intent to befriend anyone here. Infact, i advice you forget about them this instent. Those who are friends and supporters of the other breeds are not welcome here." She said, listing out the main things that would get the mare killed or beaten. "Perhaps we can find you a guard of sorts, or a friend, that can introduce you into the larger groups. I am afried i am not known to frequent the main herd. If not, Irada here can show you around the area via the air, and you can find friends for yourself." she said. "Is that understood Irada?"
"Yes Mistress. If we cannot find a guide for the miss, Mistress will leave and I shall accompany the miss around the herdlands until she has found a group to her likeing, Then i shall return." she repeated her orders so Yi would know she understood.
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:39 am
Sekhmet nodded to Yi’s words, wincing at the other mare’s words on what was thought of those who befriended other breeds. She’d have to go carefully here, very carefully. Still, she’d never been one to balk at risk and danger, she was sure she could keep herself out of trouble.
“I’ve known other breeds,” she said after a moment with a shrug of her wings and a wrinkle of her nose, “there were many in my family’s herd, but as I say I left all that behind. Thanks for the warning, though, I think it might be best for me to avoid saying I ever lived around them? I mean, you’ve said some people here can be hotheads; I wouldn’t want to get my face kicked in before I could explain, right?” There, let the brindled mare make of that whatever she would; hopefully she would make a dislike of other breeds of it, it had certainly sounded like that inside her own head but you never did know how people were going to take things.
“Thank you,” she added after a moment with a smile to her fellow Jala, “I hate to inconvenience you by commandeering your slave’s time, but like I say I really need somebody who knows the way around just to start with, so thank you for that. I doubt an outsider like me could really do anything useful for an established herd member such as yourself but still, if there is anything and I’m still about, let me know...”
...Hold on. Let them know one of the royal family had given her permission. Did that mean Yi thought she should go and get said permission, that Yi thought she should lie or that Yi herself was a royal and thus giving her permission? She had thought the dun creature proud in bearing, and she did have a rare breed of slave...
Sekhmet shuffled a hoof thoughtfully, unsure of whether or not to ask. Thus far, Yi seemed like a most reasonable sort so she probably wouldn’t get angry with her if she asked and was wrong. “Umm... Forgive me if I’ve got the wrong impression here,” the predominately dark-coated mare said slowly, “but you said I should say a royal gave me permission to enter these lands if I was challenged... does that mean that you’re one of them?” If so then she’d certainly struck lucky; knowing one of the royals, even having met one, would no doubt make it easier to get an audience with the Queen if she decided she wanted to remain with the Katilenuck for some time.
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:59 am
"Least you wised up. I would not mention it, however, for as i have explained." She nodded. The mare caught on quick at least. "I have no use for Irada today. She should be cleaning out my rooms, however since she has desided her services are needed here, she will accompany you, if we cannot find somone first." She shrugged. "But i have no place of importence to be currently, so i will have no problem with accompaning you myself for a time." she said.
....sh.t.... And it had been so much fun! Yi sighed. "You pick up things well, i don't belive you'll have a problem here at all with that quick a mind. Yes, i am one of them. Ka is my brother, the Queen is my mother. I am Yi, as i have mentioned, but i am more often known as Princess, or Heiress, Yi. Both are acceptable. Mistress Yi is also allowed."
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:24 pm
The striped mare gave her fellow Jala a grin, hoping that this was acceptable behavior. “Wow, cool, well thank you again Mistress Yi; I feel most privileged to have met you this soon.” The heiress hu? Definitely her day. “I take it you don’t get on too well with your brother then?” she asked with another grin; it had certainly sounded as though she thought he was a fool if nothing more.
Suddenly Sekhmet found herself feeling very glad that she got on as well as she did with her own brother, and missed him and the rest of her family intensely for a heartbeat. The moment soon passed, but in its wake the gold-eyed mare resolved to make herself unsuitable mate material as soon as possible and then go back to at least visit her kin. They were probably worried about her, her father certainly would be.
Still, there wasn’t a lot she could do about it; the position of her birth had forced her move, and she didn’t regret it; she had done what was necessary and she was happy and she would see her family again soon with a bit of luck. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Sekhmet turned her golden eyes back to Yi and grinned again. It was only first impressions, but for one so high born she seemed like a pretty decent sort.
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:57 pm
Yi held back a grimance. Only an outsider would radiate such disrespect. It was to be expected, however. She knew no better. "Stick around long enough, and ask about, and i am sure you will hear about from the herd members. Lets just say we don't see eye to eye" best leave it at that. She shook her head a bit. Really, such casual words towards her. When the mare still did not know, Yi could allow it, but this? But she was not in the mood to snap at the mare. Irada would most likely do that. She glanced at her slave and sure enough, the younger mare looked tense, straining to speak. "Irada." She said her name softly, the sign that the mare could speak.
"Thank you, mistress. Miss, I suggest you do not speak so likely when speaking to Mistress Yi. She is one of the most importent members of this herd and it is not wise to speak so casually...." she trailed off, ducking her head again. "I apologize, it is not my place to use such a tone with one of the jala race." she said.
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 5:12 am
Internally Sekhmet laughed and retracted her positive assessment of Yi. How far up her own arse did this mare live? Quite a long way, it seemed, and her muzzle was probably horribly burned from the sun that shone out of that same place, too. She gave no sign of this throught process on the outside however; instead she gave a sheepish smile and dipped her head to the other Jala.
“Apologies, Mistress Yi. It’s been a long time since I was around anyone of station, and my manners seem to have slipped. I’ll do my best to improve my behavior from now on.” And the sooner she found somebody else to talk to the better. Nobody in her herd had ever felt the need to be so snooty, not even the herd’s leader, her grandsire Estavan. Perhaps, the striped mare considered with an internal smirk, this Yi was not as secure in her position as Estavan and his family and as such felt the need to cling to formality and whatever fawning subservience she could get others to display.
“So, um, mistress Yi?” Now how was she even mean to talk to her? Damn stupid snooty b***h. “I’ve heard that your herd has a fine military... Obviously I’m not asking questions, an outsider like me has no right to ask specifics of something like that but...” What was she even trying to say? Anything at all, or was she just making conversation. “I ah... Well yea, I’m impressed. My ex-herd never had anything more than a few border guards, but then it really was small compared to this herd... at least so I assume; I’ve always got the impression from people I’ve spoken to that there are quite a lot of your people.”
She shouldn’t have asked about the whole royal thing; it had been so much more pleasant before. Oh well, no going back on it now; she’d just have to make the best of it until she could slip off into other company.
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:38 pm
"Understandable. And you are new to this herd. I am sure that wherever you were before was not so...refined and civilized as we are. Especially if you knew other breeds." She shuttered. "But yes, we have a splendid military. The stallions are tough. I wouldn't expect many other herds to have a military at all, having guards is rather impressive in its own right. After all it takes quite a bit of power and control to form, let alone keep, a military from trying to take over. We also have fine tactions, which, of course, gives us the brains needed behind the brawn." She paused and regarded the black mare. "You might do well in such a position, with such an obviously quick mind as you do. Yes...a court adviser as well, perhaps? That is, if you deside to make a permedent residence here, and are permited to." She nodded.
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 1:46 pm
Sekhmet made a small noise of surprise and smiled over at Yi again. “Wow, that does sound impressive... I must admit, I came here party with a mind to see if I’d fit in, you know? I don’t know if I’d have what it takes to become a tactician, Mistress Yi, but if I did stay here I’d certainly like to find something of use I could do. I’ve never liked being idle; with my life as it is right now I’m occupied enough with moving and finding food and water but were I to settle somewhere, like I say, I’d need something useful to do. Couldn’t stand to just spend my days gossiping and eating.”
That much at least was wholly true; laziness was something she’d never been any good at, but most herd lacked the organization to really have roles for anyone save one or two advisors and, perhaps, a few guards. Neither position was really open to a young, untried mare but here... here she might be able to make a life. She might not agree with their views on other breeds but she could work around that just fine, she thought.
So far as she was aware, the Katilenuck didn’t actively make war on others; they attacked those that came into their territory and took salves from them, sometimes made trips out to look for slaves elsewhere. Maybe she was just making excuses to herself, but that didn’t sound so very bad; those that came to the red mountain were asking for it, and as for any taken by slaving parties, well, too bad for them, they should have been more careful.
“Umm... Mistress Yi? Do you think I might be able to get accepted into the herd? I mean, I know I don’t really know a lot yet but... well from what I do know I think... I think I could be happy here.” It wouldn’t hurt to at least find out what her chances were after all. If they were too slim she could just leave but if they were good, she could find out more about handrakai Katilenuck and see if she was as suited to the place as it was seeming so far.
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 2:06 pm
"With my mother, who knows. I wouldn't be surpised. You may need to prove yourself first, that is always good. Make friends, don't start trouble and you have a decent chance to start with. I'd say it shouldn't be to much of a hassle. If you can fit in and are willing to work." She nodded. Yes, this mare might be able to be of some use. If she was as she appered to be, of course.
"But of course, should any...unfavorable friends of yours from past meetings show up, or should you prove to not be as you say you are. Well i can't guarentee the same protection one who was born into this herd would have. I can warn you that you would always be a bit of an outsider, no matter if you were accpeted or not. Some of this herd are more prideful then others. Some will shun you simply because you are not of such a pure line as we. Others will accept you because you are like us, in the aspect of breed. Others might be weary of you, since you came from somplace unkown, and are of unknown parantege." she said lightly.
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 2:39 pm
Sekhmet smiled and shrugged her wings. “I was never really close to anyone save my family, I doubt even they’ll follow me here.” She would, of course, have to leave every so often to see them, and to meet up with Spyke with any luck. “Making friends sounds like a good plan though,” the striped mare went on with another smile and a nod. “Like I say, I don’t really have any right now, but I’m sure I’ll be able to make some here.” And if some didn’t like her for not having a brindled behind, well so be it. She didn’t need that sort of person in any case.
“I hate to bother you with so many questions Mistress Yi,” the gold-eyed mare said slowly after a moment, “but how long should I leave it before speaking to the Queen? I mean I don’t want to seem too hasty, but equally I don’t want to hang around unofficially for too long and get people annoyed with me, right?”
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