nazli explored.
the tunnels here were more alive than akashingo; there was a chill to the stone as she walked, but when she looked out among the openings she could see hanging moss and vines, and so much green that each time it took her breath away.
one of the tunnels led to a spacious room — but as she stepped in to this area, she saw there was no ceiling! around the top of the walls hung vines and moss, and flowers, and sagging grasses, the likes of which nazli had never seen before — and while they drooped down in to the atrium of this expanse, there was no hope at all that they'd reach even the tallest person!
she stared up at this sight, and the darkening sky where the sun was setting, and thought she might start crying.
today was slow, so Racharra had decided she should take advantage of her role as nebet and be particularly nosey.
nazli was a familiar face, somewhat. Racharra identified her vaguely as one from Greatwater Lake, so when the young girl caught a glimpse of her heading to a place of the lowlands she had not yet explored, she decided there was no harm in following. she was too young to really, truly know what the coywolf was like but any familiar face from her puphood had suddenly gained a new importance to her as a blossoming adult.
through the moss, and caverns she followed, until came face to the coywolf. hope i'm not bothering?
she chuffed, blunt yet polite.
This would be the perfect place to watch the sky, she thought. It was close enough to everything else that she would be safe; she could ask for mazoi to keep watch on their rounds, and —
A voice?
Nazli blinked and looked away from the high void in the ceiling, seeing an elfin girl step in to view within the pooling light. Bits of green flecked the stonework of the floor where the sun shone through.
Of course you're not,
Answered the woman. She saw the face of a girl which was familiar, somehow, and recalled a moment later that this was one of the transplants from the lake; she did not know their name, however.
This place is beautiful, isn't it?
Nazli turned her eyes away at that moment, looking around a little more. The room was spacious enough that many people could gather, although the earthen floor could use some tidying.
some steps forward led Racharra deeper into the room, and suddenly she understood why the coywolf had to stand in awe of its beauty. Ra teased at her vision with the shafts of light that leaked in after she'd adjusted to the darkness earlier. the greenery that thrives in spite of such demanding conditions. it was, truly, beautiful.
The queen would be delighted to see this, she thought. It is no wonder the lowlands were chosen as Akashingo's next conquest.
the nebet took a moment to marvel before nodding. very.
she affirms Nazli's question. how did you find this?
Racharra asks mostly as a courtesy, she knows how hidden ethereal corners of the earth are found — through sheer luck, and sometimes, a blessing from the gods.
the ceiling opened the further she walked, the more she looked! the sun was beaming down through the clouds; it wasn't bright today, but that didn't matter. nazli saw the beauty of it. she knew she could tidy the floor and maybe clear away some of the hanging moss from the walls to repurpose the space. it would take time and a lot of work; she would need help.
i don't know,
she answered while distracted, i was — i was just trying to get my bearings of this new place, and came across it.
as if it were fated! did nazli believe in fate? before she could answer that of herself, a great sweeping dizziness overwhelmed her. she dropped her head and seemed to stagger a bit, eyes half-lidded and then fully shut as she willed the world to stop spinning.
ah, i think that is enough exploring for me today,
she murmurs, having planted herself firmly upon the earth until the sensations eased.