Lion Head Mesa Learn to Be Lonely

As stated in a previous inner monologue, Sakai found power held by strangers to make him, let's say, uncomfortable. He had met Pharaoh but had yet to meet the Queen. His Queen. How was he to approach? Should he even approach? Would the Pharaoh look down upon him for calling on the Queen @Satsu? He felt it would be more rude to ignore her. 

Softly approaching the throne room, Sakai dare not enter without knowing who was present or what matters were taking place. His head held low, he peeked into the seemingly empty room. "Hello?" He tried, his voice submissive but curious. "Is there anyone here?" Kai thought he could smell someone, but figured fellahin and royalty themselves were both regularly in and out of this large den.

tags for reference ~

doing her best to return to the palace unnoticed was, in a word, impossible.

no sooner had satsu slunk beneath the redstone obelisk did @Tamar find her; frenzied and disheveled, and wanting only to pull the ascendant aside to speak hastily with her, in that frazzled-yet-demure manner that the fellahin carried always.

sighing inwardly, satsu led the girl towards the wellspring but it was there that ramesses was being entertained, and so they made haste away from there; towards the throne room which, so far as the girl knew, was empty.

as they moved to usher the fellahin to these sacred quarters satsu's focus was entirely upon them, speaking in a low voice, conspiratorially: you have done what i have asked then? tell me —oh!

here there was a man!
satsu's demeanor changed immediately, her posture rising.
what are you doing in here? perhaps this was part of some game that her fiancée played? was this man another fellahin or something other?

The man nearly jumped from his skin meeting the Queen so suddenly face to face. "Ah- I um, I'm so sorry about this intrusion." The wolf hastily offered, noting her posture rise as he felt his own made slightly smaller as to not come off in any undesirable way. She was flanked by a fellahin he had not met before, and out of his habits of being a people pleaser, the man quickly gave a small nod to the servant in acknowledgment. He still wasn't quite used to the rankings.

Attention turned immediately back to Satsu. He wanted to slink out of the room in absolute embarrassment, no doubt the large man jumping was nothing less than amusing, but he kept face though it was hot and bothered. 

"My name is Sakai. I am new here, Pharaoh invited me to serve as your newest mazoi." He paused, looking into the eyes of his Queen with a softness. "I thought I should formally introduce myself. I didn't mean to intrude on your personal space, I hope that can be forgiven. I'm not usually so ill-mannered." He dare not take a seat without invitation, just incase he was to be ushered out of the Lady's presence. This was no time to drag feet for the usually suave soldier.

whoever this was, they had the sense to apologize immediately. while the prattled off one thing or another satsu was given a moment to collect herself; meanwhile tamar sank behind the queen-to-be and let her eyes fall to the floor where they stared dimly.

satsu took a breath or two. being surprised like this was not something that happened often and she did not enjoy the racing of her little heart. that said, the man appeared genuinely apologetic — plus, he stated he was mazoi. had this one been picked up during the war?

yes, well... i suppose i should welcome you. i admit you gave me a fright, we very rarely have visitors to the royal chambers. she did not see fit to mention the constant in-and-out of the fellahin; the very thought made her think of pharaoh in the wellspring this very moment, likely playing with sayf or the newest toy he had acquired, whose name satsu did not bother to learn.

i am queen ascendant nekubi satsu. in the coming days we may have need of you, mazoi. our wedding must be a safe and joyous occasion, after all. a smile now, slightly pinched. have you met the jadoi, sabah, yet? they are your superior among the warriors.

Oh thank goodness, she was not snapping at his ankles in an attempt to get him to leave. A muffled sigh of relief, and Sakai felt a bit of confidence strengthen his once frail figure. Now that anxiety was not completely crushing him into the stone below, the subordinate could finally take a moment to fully appreciate the beauty of the lithe Queen. Her pelt was painted just like a mountain and her eyes resembled the clearest skies. She somehow reminded him of home.

Kai took a moment and tried out her name in his head, guarded safe from any further embarrassment. Queen Ascendant Nekubi Satsu. Gotta practice that one a bit.

"I surely will be at your service during the service, then." The newcomer mused, unable to contain his light-hearted nature for the sake of professionalism. If he ever were to become a dad, he had all of the dad jokes ready. 

To her question, Sakai's face did not change, but he felt the corners of his mouth attempt to pull taught. He spent time next to the Jadoi... and her bird. He had never really seen anything quite like it and couldn't help but discretely raise a brow around Sabah, as the warrior was indeed peculiar. "I haven't spoken much to her, but was by her side in escorting Pharaoh back after we returned from the Vale. I'm still making my rounds, I suppose. I've been a bit hesitant to introduce myself to too many others... in the event that I make a fool of myself." Sakai offered a small smile to Satsu. He was a bit socially awkward, and so these sort of interactions were not at all uncommon.

this warrior was more boy than anything, satsu thought. she tried not to smile too deeply as he spoke, wanting very much to be cheeky with him - you got the fool part out of the way with me! something told her it would not be appreciated. better to be poised and level-headed. this was not her brother, this was not pharaoh. this was a subject she was meant to rule.

you have met the lord and the lady of akashingo, which is the important part. her tail swayed. i suggest you make a good impression upon sabah, as they are your captain. they sleep nearby the barracks, west of the palace.
it wasn't an order, but thereabouts.

satsu did not know how to dismiss someone like this readily. all she wanted in this moment was to put this man aside and speak to tamar in private, yet she could not be rude to a fellow wolf, unlike how she behaved around the filthy fellahin.

it was very good to meet you, sakai. though next time that you need me or the lord sun, i suggest you go through our attendants - it is what they are for. an ear turned towards tamar as she was mentioned, and the servant woman slipped forwards silently to offer a small bow.

There was not an animated response from his Queen, but this was expected. Sakai noted the faintest of smiles and a tail wag and felt that maybe his presence was now appreciated by both his superiors. His tail in turn swayed, feeling a little more relaxed toward this woman he was to serve. He liked her, she seemed kind underneath the stoic exterior. 

The mazoi took note of where Sabah resided, and nodded in agreement, dusty grey ears flitted in a sort of uncomfortable anticipation. He felt if he were to show up at the captains den and surprise them... well, that interaction would probably go very, very differently. Stopping his mind before it wandered too far into worst case scenario, the man needed only a moment to read the room.

Satsu had been speaking hurriedly with Tamar before entering, obviously in the middle of something. Kai's face began to flush again as he knew he was close to overstaying his welcome. "I will surely keep that in mind." The young wolf looked upon the fellahin but offered no response as they bowed. He just wanted to leave before he said something stupid. "It was great to meet you as well, Queen Ascendant Nekubi Satsu." Nailed it.

With one final bow, the grey man vanished to head west. He imagined it would be best to just get the introduction to the captain over with while he was being social.