Lion Head Mesa Every day like the one before

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.