Lion Head Mesa sometimes (dead is better)

@Melody

Her walks were infrequent. She tired so easily that the fellahin were always on-watch for her, and would sweep her back to her quarters at the first sign of trouble.

Today she had barely made it off of her bed before her legs gave way, and when her eyes opened once more she was tucked neatly upon a plinth of stone, wrapped in furs, as if nothing had happened.

Her head was pounding; there was food on another ledge, neatly tucked and ready for her. An indulgent fermented berry sat hidden beside some of her medicines, no doubt a secret gift, but she held no interest in it.

Someone flit by the door — and Nazli lifted her head, curious.

She had no interest in Senmut's coyote girl, no curiosity at all about who could have sparked such concern throughout all of Akashingo —

Well, maybe she was a little curious. Melody found herself awfully close today, lingering near the door to where she knew the girl was recovering. She warred with herself silently, turning away and then coming back every few seconds in her indecision. She would not go in. Or maybe she would? No —

A noise from within stilled her. The Hemet's ears pulled forward, and she took a daring step into the entrance. Um, She announced herself awkwardly. Hi?

Nazli's eyes were burning. She squinted at the archway to her room and saw — a person? It wasn't one of her usual visitors. The girl tried to quell the ache in her head long enough to drum up a name, but she struggled, failed, and felt an intense guilt for being unable to recognize them. Had she been more cognizant in her condition she'd have understood they'd never met before.
Ha, hi. She wheezed in return, feeling as though her throat was full of dust.
Had she come to check on her? She didn't bring medicines; plus, there were already some available. Nazli took a breath to steady herself and took note of — Senmut's scent? Oh. Maybe this wasn't one of Tavina's students after all.
She tried to smile, though the look was a bit more eerie given how large her eyes appeared upon her exceptionally sunken face. A small motion invited the stranger in.

Melody hesitated only a moment before she stepped inside. Now that she had the opportunity to really study the girl, she realized just how sickly she was. Suddenly her throat felt tight, and she remained glued to where she stood near the entrance.

She was very pretty, especially when she smiled, if Melody only looked past the signs of neglect etched into her features. What had she been put through? But Melody couldn't bring herself to ask. She blinked, and stared, and after a small silence remembered how to speak. I'm Melody. I was there when uh... you arrived. Maybe you don't remember, She fell silent again, stewing in several emotions she could hardly identify.

Melody? That was a pretty name.
The veiled light of the corridor illuminated a little of the woman's striated fur, adding a sunny lustre which Nazli found quite appealing. She looked like the time before the dawn, just as the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon; dark, and warm.
The girl shook her head. I don't, she croaked, and then coughed lightly, and moved to reach for the food and water left beside her bed — and seemed winded by doing so, thus unsuccessful.
A pleading glance spared to Melody; then, sighing:
Are you — nebet? She must have been! Look at her!

Her eyes followed the girl's actions, and darkened slightly as she realized what was expected of her. She wanted help. Melody did not want to help, not at all, would sooner call for one of the Fellahin or perhaps even Senmut since he cared so much —

After a moment, Melody reached out reluctantly with one slender foreleg to nudge the food closer. She was more careful with the water. Her pride burned and nagged at her, but she ignored it, even as the girl mistook her for a noble and her ears turned hot. No - Hemet, She muttered with a slight shake of her head, wondering how she was taken for everything but a priestess. Everyone she met thought her either a noble or one of the Fellahin — and Melody wasn't sure which one was worse. She turned reticent, offering nothing more to the girl.

Thankful, she smiled, and ate while the woman answered.
Hemet!
The meat wedged in her throat, and she forced it down, then blinked away a sheen of tears that caught in her eyes as a result of nearly choking. Hopefully it was quick enough to be missed.
With — she cleared her throat again, her tongue flicking over her lips. Akhtar, or — Senmut? Either of them would be good teachers. Melody was lucky to be spared the work of fellahin; but it still struck Nazli as a surprise she was not somehow royal.
You like it?

Melody, oblivious as ever, noticed nothing. Senmut, She said, wrinkling her nose slightly. I talked to Akhtar once. I didn't like it, her tone implied.

It's uh, interesting. Stressful, a little, She evaded the question without really meaning to, still uncertain of the answer herself. What's your name, anyway? What do you do? Melody glanced over the frail girl, trying to imagine her doing any sort of work and failing. Maybe she was a noble! It would certainly explain many things.

Her chest gave a flutter when Melody mentioned the erpa-ha, but that was all.

The non-answer didn't bother her. She was obliged to introduce herself and hadn't even realized she'd failed to! It wasn't something she was used to doing. Either people knew her (before her starvation) or people weren't around (during); but she was glad to have made a friend.

Nazli, she answered with a careful smile.
I was — I am, fellahin. While she used to feel a certain kind of pride with her position, now naming herself as such felt inadequate.

Melody stiffened. Nazli; Fellahin. It made sense, she supposed, though she still didn't quite understand why coyotes were servants here. If they were to exist among wolves, why not as equals? Her skin crawled as she considered it, and the Hemet found herself drawing up and away from Nazli.

I should let you rest, She mumbled her excuse over her shoulder as she fled. She felt sick, and she wasn't sure why. All she knew was that she wanted far away from this room and this strange girl, this servant girl who was doted on by a prince. Melody was suddenly not quite so jealous. Instead there was a deep sadness settling at the bottom of her stomach, and she didn't know what to do with that either.

Nazli wasn't aware if her answer bothered the hemet, and wasn't bothered herself when Melody showed interest in leaving her. It had been nice to have company.
Yes, hum... she mused, brightening slightly with a tired smile. Melody, she murmured, testing the name aloud; —was good, meeting you.
In moments, the gilded woman was gone and Nazli could drift in to a near-sleep.