Lion Head Mesa upon a path of old primrose

in the early evening nazli was given the task to hunt, not for the first time in her life, and she returned to the alcoves with a quail between her teeth. it hadn't been a particularly exceptional hunt; she had wanted to catch a number of the birds and was not quick enough, even with her steadily growing legs.

she was out of breath. her lilac-toned coat was tufted and wind-tossed, with the slightest blush to her body after the run through summer sand. the girl moved to one of the smaller alcoves that served as a storehouse and butchering room, where she intended to strip the quail of its more intact feathers, and prep the meat.

the hallway was quiet - all she could hear was her own throbbing heart.

A bare-boned ghost sidled alongside Nazli, nodding toward her kill.

Well done, Maegi congratulated, nudging the quail before she gave the girl a gentle, congratulatory shove. Not enough for much movement, but it brought them together, and they trotted side by side for at least a few paces.

She liked Nazli, the ostracized servant girl. She related to her. Maegi herself didn't feel too comfortable being royalty and waited on hand and foot.

She wanted to take Nazli under her wing.

Where're you taking this, Nazli? she asked gently, smiling, keeping a respectful distance from the girl.

lady maegi appeared like a summoned corpse, startling her to gripping the quail tight. a warm brush of her bony shoulder eased the tension after.
it was nice to have the attention and the affection; it helped maegi looked lucid today.
mmnmn phmnhn, she tried to answer, but of course the musty feathers prevented elucidation; so she dropped the bird with an emphatic ptooh!
sorry, ah, to the storehouse for preparation. if you like I can -- I can bring some to you? how are you today?
she licked her lips and smiled after.