She wandered from whoever was to be watching over her today. A princess could do as she pleased; she didn't need to be supervised. Besides, she was very bored and wanted to explore.
She ended up at the water of the bathing pools. Ash was in awe of the beauty here. The water looked like crystal against the red of the canyon walls that surrounded it. Flowers grew everywhere, painting the edges of the pools with vibrant colors that mesmerized the lovely girl.
She didn't like to be dirty and she wasn't fond of being wet any time outside of bath time, so she sat near the sparkling pool, her dainty front paws close to the water's edge but not too close.
The desert flower was perfectly content to spend her afternoon here.
Maegi ought to bathe, herself. She'd been working in one of the herb gardens of Akashingo, poking around the budding greenery there, and her ivory legs were dirtied nearly up to the knee. Flecks of soil clung stubbornly to her nape, muzzle and tail as well, and so she set off toward the bathing pools.
She would not be alone.
Hello,
she called softly, brow knitted in some concern. This was one of the royal children, who probably shouldn't be unaccompanied right now. Not her problem, but a mother once was a mother for always.
The woman entered the water at some distance from the young lady, shivering a bit at the coolness of it but watching in pleasure as mud began to purl away from her body. She stood, belly-deep, and gave the pup a quick once-over. Very much like Pharaoh, she noted. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.
It's beautiful here, isn't it?
she asked, not seeking any reply in particular.
The woman was filthy and Ash was horrified, though she kept her expression smooth and pleasant. At least she was cleaning herself.
The princess watched her quietly for a few moments, settling down and resting her head on dainty front paws. The woman remarked on the beauty of the place. The noble girl lifted her head to nod once in agreement and then settled it back down, the bright blue of eyes still trained on the scarred woman.
What made you so dirty?
she asked, her voice soft and delicate like the rest of her.
She smiled, dipping her muzzle closer to the surface to hide it. I was working in the herb garden,
she explained, voice shimmering across the water, making tiny ripples. There are plants there that do all kinds of different things for our bodies. They can help make you feel better.
Or worse. Or nothing at all. But this was not Blackfeather Woods, and this child need not know the nuances of poison.
Lots of dirt,
she continued briefly, and shrugged. She was quiet for a few moments longer, wading carefully through the pool. Maegi had been somewhat fevered lately, and the chill was a bit of a comfort.
Where is your brother and sister?
she asked in casual manner.
Where were her brother and sister? I don't know,
she answered with a shrug of her delicate shoulder. Why did they matter right now?
Besides, she was more interested in the garden. Are there flowers in the garden?
she asked, her blues eyes bright with interest. The princess thought flowers made everything better. If there were none in her garden, then Ash would try to add some.
The non-answer didn't surprise her. Children were ambitious past their bounds; it didn't take much to entice them into the world beyond, and their siblings be damned. Maegi let it slide, focusing on the girl's question instead.
Some,
she replied. There will be more when the weather grows warmer. I've seen little gold flowers here and there. And dandelions, of course. The poppy will be coming soon.
And thank Jaes for that. Maegi had planted seeds; she hoped they would sprout wildly.
She canted her head, moving a little nearer to the girl. I don't believe I've ever caught your name,
she remarked. I am Maegi. Your father is a good friend of mine.
Perhaps. Friends seemed a stretch, but they had known each other a while, and their connection was undeniably electric.
Ash suddenly couldn't wait until the weather was warmer. She wanted to see more flowers, see what other colors they came in. She mentioned Poppy and the princess turned her head to the side a little. Poppy?
she asked. She wondered what that looked like.
She asked for her name and then introduced herself as Maegi and said she was a friend of her father. Ashikaga,
she offered in return. Father has many friends,
she pointed out for no real reason. It was an observation. She was an observer and she had seen many around the pharaoh.
Poppy flowers are red, or orange, or pink,
she explained. They look like a sunset. Their seeds make you sleep, and dull pain.
A wistful smile touched her muzzle. Sometimes, when life is hard, poppy is all you need.
Jaes. She was peddling drugs to a young lady, which might be acceptable in Blackfeather Woods, but not in Akashingo.
Your father is good at making friends,
she went on, grinning. And I understand you are a princess—which means you are very lucky. What are you interested in, that you've seen around here?
She left the water, finally, streams and droplets cascading down her ivory fur to the floor.