Lion Head Mesa cheves

set whenever, referencing toulas offer! <3

@Briar Cayde perhaps did not know it, but his strength marked the beginning of the only things silvertongue remembered. she had cried out for pharaoh and he had carried her to the palace. it was as if she had not left, though if she considered it, there was no sign of satsu or ramesses. yet her delicate mind did not allow her to think on this overmuch. in 'old fashion,' silvertongue arrayed herself with thick kohl and the scents of lotus; she brought a soft-plucked pheasant swathed in sage to the chambers of this new noble, announcing herself with a small clearing of throat as her black-lined eyes danced above the meal.

vaguely September prior to the hunt works wonderfully I think <3

Nobililty was never his within rights. He was a man born within a simple, dysfunctional family with little to get by. Yet here he was in possession of high status. Such a thing was for fairy tales, wasn't it?

Navigating through the culture shock took its toll upon Akashingo's newest neb. Unbeknownst to him, he had already begun wear a mask for courtly politics. His questions to those around him were carefully placed as not to look completely foolish. Much of his spare time was dedicated observing the living machine that nestled within the heart of the mesa. Ears beginning to the attune to the whispers that traveled in the hallways, Briar found himself silent more often than not.

He had begun to establish a small routine for himself. It was among the few things he held some control over. Retreating to his chamber around the same hour, today was no different. Even the footfall that sounded down the hallway was somewhat expected, albeit it carried a different sound to it. The owner to the odd gait announced themselves.

Briar scarely recognized the silver woman when he turned to see her. Two-toned eyes studied her for a few breaths. Strength regained, she assimilated within Akashingo with no issues it seemed. Did Toula recognize her at the gates? He could not recall.

Please, come in. It didn't matter, did it? He could ask her himself. I see you've recovered. I'm happy for you.

edited the date! <3

elegantly she sat the meal down upon his eating-mats, arranging it just so before her glassblue eyes found the nobleman's face with a glowing respect. lashes shuttered; her bow was gilded submission. "you brought me back to where i belonged," silvertongue said simply, earnestly, though now her eyes had averted in honor of their great hierarchy. instead she moved about the room, straightening a polished stone here, a pristine cloth there. "now i have come to serve you." her smile was a small flash, her gaze as she turned it back upon briar cayde suggested a knowingness he might explore for himself. "how are you settling into nobility?"

Briar watched her move through the chamber. Each movement poised and none lacked purpose. By her own admission, she had belonged here in Akashingo. It was difficult to retain his doubts on her origins. The few that remained clung like burrs upon one's belt. Irritating and stubborn, but one could ignore them for a time.

Now I have come to serve you.

Knots form within the pit of his stomach. A rotten taste upon his tongue. It did not seem real. Briar was well aware that the role of a fellahin was to serve the palace and its residents, he had simply alienated himself from that idea. Do you acknowledge such a thing, or do you deny it? Yet, he was a neb now. He would have to expect it, wouldn't he?

You are kind. Although, that is not why I helped you in the meadow. He skirted the subject, a paw lifting to invite her to sit. He lowered his gaze to look upon the meal she brought. Escaping for a moment from the glass blue eyes before he lifted his head once more to face her. You would serve me well enough just by giving me your name.

He waited to see if she would settle before answering her question. Taking those few seconds to consider his response.

It is new. I have been taking my time to learn and adjust.

eyes widened in beautiful train. "oh! did i not tell you — of course i did not. i had no time to say it. " her smile was quick. "my name is belen, neb," the silverbell offered, sweetening it with another bow which swept her low before him. part of her education had been to read the lines of another's form; briar seemed — discomfitted in some way. belen — she at last settled delicately across the mats from him, watching his face with encouragement in her own. "is there anything i can do to help you with the acclimation, noble one?" she asked earnestly, glancing away only to arrange a sampling of the meal's dishes on a thin strip of hard-cured hide.

Thank you, Belen. My name is Briar. His response is mechanical. Programmed with what he knew of proper manners. To her, his eyes would soften in appreciation. It would be veiled once more in a passing breath.

Belen, what all is expected of a Neb? The responsibilities, I mean. He knew it was only a matter of time he would be called upon by Pharaoh, but the man had observed there was much to do by the fellahin. Preparations for some grand venture based upon the words that met his ears.

Briar quieted for her to answer as he reached for a sample of the grouse. Chewing the meat was easier without her simply watching him. It was something he realized he brought onto himself, but he would not wave her away. He would have to overcome his discomfort, or at least learn to hide it well.

briar. briar and belen. "it means you are a noble, sir briar. you will be expected to advise pharaoh, to be available for her counsel at all times. you are also in charge of helping protect the palace and patrol." she beamed as he ate, not taking a single bite yet herself. "your marriage, if you are to be married, is also the purview of pharaoh. it is to be a political bond." did he shy from these things?

Is it in quiet contemplation that Briar mulls over the information provided to him. The proposed work upon his feet did not surprise him in the slightest. It was his position with Pharaoh's ranks that piqued his attention.

Never did he consider himself one with sound advice. He reasoned it was simply an for an outsider's perspective that he would be requested for counsel. That was his current value, but he was not worth much in the long run. He would have to keep learning to stay informed.

Briar swallowed the mouthful before nodding to Belen. Thank you, Belen. He had learned forward to take a second sampling when the subject of marriage was provided. He caused him pause for several breaths before he resumed his prior action.

The grouse's flesh no longer sat well upon his tongue. Its taste now bitter by the bile that rose in his throat. Chewing was nauseating, but he followed through with his second helping before addressing Belen again. Skirting the subject of arranged marriage of course.

I appreciate your explanations, Belen. I hope you don't tire of my questions, I have much to learn. He gentle motioned to allow her a chance to eat with him. I hope it's not too much trouble.

am happy to fade this here/next post/next round, whatever works <3

he was discomfitted in his new role. she touched his paw with her own. "i will be with you. trust i have much to teach," she offered with a bright wink. quietly she took a morsel of food, rolling it over her tastebuds with a deep pleasure. such wealth; it had always guarded her mind. "you are no trouble at all. i will teach you how to play the games of court, neb." glassblue eyes were bold upon the noble, and then they fell away. "let me tell you first our history," and here silvertongue began the history of ramesses and the beauteous queen satsu.

Ready to fade <3 thank you for the thread!

He had much to learn of the intricacies of politics. Evidently, his poker face had much to be improved upon. But Belen was patient and quick to offer her assistance. Briar made no show of neutrality. Instead, a grateful nod and squeeze of her paw was his answer.

He would listen.

With a crossing of his forelegs Briar trained his attention to the silver fellahin. He settled with a bemused sense of relief as he allowed her to command the conversation. Much did he learn of the kingdom within the red sand mesa, but while Belen started at its beginnings, Briar wondered more about the Pharoah Toula. Unfortunately for him, Toula's history would not come to him from Belen's mouth.