Starglow Basin sons and daughters of city officials attend demonstrations

did she want this child?

the answer was no, not really. the minor inconvenience here was fate had worked out so perfectly, depositing a fat hen in her lap.

but what was she to do with it?

the obvious answer was bring this child back to akashingo — or muat riya — whichever bifurcated part of the same head this child called home. his parents must wish to see him returned unharmed, and she imagined there’d be great gratitude in seeing him delivered in one singular piece. 

but qiao had seen how the crown paid their favors: which was to say, they paid nothing at all.

how long had she been owed a child, a blood debt? an entire pharaoh had died and a whole child had lived and grown and produced her own children in the span of time the crown’s debt had remained unpaid; accumulating. festering in blood-interest.

the crown was aware of this outstanding obligation — had been given ample time to rectify it, even. qiao had shown she was not unreasonable; she worked in the periphery while they assessed their stores and divided their larders. she had been abundantly patient.

but now, all patience had run out. it was time to claim that obligation herself.

she turned to @Nocht then, probing him awake with a rough prod of her claw. now, what am i to do with you, child?