Lion Head Mesa tea at the treedome

for @Toula whenever you get a chance <3 follow up after tuna's initial acceptance into Akashingo

tuna had never experienced something like this before. after meeting the grand high lady herself, she was swept up by another coyote and sent to eat and... bathe? while tuna was glad to eat something and get cleaned up, she hadn't really expected that it would be something that the queen would require of her. and certainly Tuna didn't expect the type of scrubbing that came with her bath. it's probably the cleanest she's been in god knows how long.

so now the lowly fellahin was fed and cleaned upon instruction. with the spoiling done, tuna was then taught the ways to travel through the land of the reeds. and while she liked to believe she had a good sense of direction, she had good reason to believe it would take a couple wrong turns in order for her to finally commit to memory the layout of the underground system.

after the instructions, the other coyote came to bring tuna before the royal blood once again. following what she had done before, tuna comes to press her forehead against the ground in a humble bow.

"y'er majesty," she comes to say while her head is pressed against stone, "am back from m'ah bath 'an all. how can 'ah serve yew now?" she wondered if there were other things Toula would prefer to be called, but tuna would cross that bridge when she got there. for now, she was just happy at the fact that kindness seemed to radiate from the young she-wolf.

the sweet Tuna had returned! Toula drew towards her, eyes appraising and pleased with what they had found. nodding in gratitude toward the other fellahin present, Toula asked gently, has your own role been explained to you? your responsibilities, and the like?
she wanted to be sure Tuna understood all that was required, and then... then they might explore her potential, together! Toula had not forgotten the natural talent of Nazli, and missed the lavender girl greatly. but perhaps this Tuna shared similar ones, and she would not discount the thought!

"well, uh, 'ah could use some more, uh, explanin' if tha's alright?"

it was not for the lack of the other fellahin not explaining the proper role, it was just the fact that everything was a bit overwhelming for the texan. she wasn't quite expecting the land of the reeds to function so sharply and strictly. 

though, whenever one thought of the words that senmut used to describe the queen, perhaps it was tuna's own fault for assuming that there wouldn't be as much structure as she faces now. she knew what all these words meant, and yet still somehow forgot that they hold so much weight when used.

"it ain't jawahir's fault," she comes to say quickly, popping up and waving a paw frantically in front of her, "ah just, uh, always like a lil' more infoh is all. like, uh, what would you, miz' toula, like for me ta' do today ta' help you?"

Toula did not blame the fellahin—neither of them! it is much, for one that is new to our ways. but I shall help familiarize you with them, Toula hummed. and perhaps we might practice one now. it is time for my baths. other fellahin have prepared it, with my favorite of scents and petals of flowers in season. you can groom me, within the waters—or else be sure that the furs that I will wear today are prepared for me, afterward, much to do with that! and ensure I appear presentable. other times, you might prepare meals for myself, or our guests, and be accessible should they have any such needs,
these seemed like a simple place to begin. there is more, Toula hummed, but let us go first to the baths,

she'd give her a bath?

well, Tuna has bathed many in her time, counting on the fact that her ma and pa were ALWAYS popping out kids every chance they got. though the fellahin was hopeful that Toula enjoyed her baths more than others (which would hopefully mean no kicking and screaming while getting scrubbed).

a silent nod is given and tuna would come to accompany the side of Toula towards the chambers she had just exited. grooming was an easy thing to enjoy at least, like brushing your little sister's hair and putting it into a gentle braid. Tuna did her best to not walk in front of the divine one but instead remain at her side as a gentle escort.

"ah know 'ah could ask tha' others," she comes to say as the walk with one another, "but what are miz' Toula's favorite smells? and favorite furs ta wear?" it was easy to get others to talk about themselves, for one. and for two, it gave Tuna perhaps a sense that she might be actually able to befriend the queen rather than just remain a servant. or one could hope and dream, anyways. "and maybe y'ew might share what yer' favorite meal is too?" 

there was much to learn about the ways of Akashingo, but even more about how to serve Toula best.

perhaps it was inappropriate, but Toula did not mind—or even think so! I do not mind sharing these things with you, Toula hummed happily. and then, the sweet Tuna could tell the rest! oh! such a question! ...well, I would say... it depends on the season! Toula laughs lightly. the traders come, and bring much to us. I like the warmer scents, in the winter and the fall. but in the spring... I think the sweetness of flowers is a delight. I will show to you my favorite ones, and she had their names, but what use were names when one could not see them? @Tavina had taught her much!
now that I am out of mourning... I love the paler furs. one... my mother gave to me, in a way! Toula had meant it for her, but... the then Shabti had made sure that it was for her.
Toula's heart ached. she could not speak it then! I will show you that, too, she breaths lightly.
her favorite meal! exotic meats from faraway places are a treat, though I do quite love the local delicacies. there is no place quite like home, though I can appreciate what the traders and the princes or any other guests might bring. dried venison is a delight, oh, and anything with honey... she saw it in her minds eye, as they moved together to her bathing chambers.
what of you? she asked, moved by the fellahins own thoughtfulness.

she spoke with an eloquence of a woman who has seen the world and all its wonderful gifts it had to offer. "yew 'ave a lotta good taste, miz toula." she comes to say this politely as they walk. Tuna has probably never tasted half the things that the divine queen has, nor has she ever adorned furs or engaged with others to trade different meats. and there was hardly ever a time to smell flowers and prepare a special bath with them too– tuna was just lucky when she got to bathe in peace, after all!

"well'ah came from the desert, not many plants or 'nothin to grow out there," her ears come to press back a moment as she thought, "but tha' prickly pear, tha's ma'h favorite flower and food. actually i's what my name means, heh." it was an ancient tongue that was often thought to be lost, but tuna's roots went deep into the ground and her family held onto a rich tradition and culture that could not be forgotten so easily. "th'a next time 'ah go explorin', ah'll look 'n see if 'ah can f'ahnd 'any fer yew. they're always s'ew sweet smellin' and tastin' too."

a light promise that tuna presumed she'd be able to fulfill for the divine one. but soon when their conversation would hit a plateau, they would come to arrive to the baths. and to no surprise, the other fellahin had been at work since Tuna originally left. the petals beautifully sat on the surface of the water, the sweet aroma wafting through the walls and lingering in Tuna's nose. and she could see the furs off to the side, meticulously placed to avoid getting wet. her eyes lingered on the light one that Toula had mentioned before.

now tuna would come to halt and wait for further instructions. while bathing the divine queen did not sound too difficult, she'd rather wait to ensure she knew exactly what she was meant to do before diving in, literally.

she was delighted to hear of Tuna’s favorite things, and did not know if she had tried them. but now she must, and with her fellahin! I would love that, she said in earnest. 
arriving to the waters, Toula gestured to them. they had been beautified by those that followed her in service, and Toula foresaw the desert creature beside her outdoing even this. the petals drifted lazily around, the aroma in the air sweet and pleasant—from no local flora, but something transported here. 
you join me in the waters, she explained, and you groom me within them. we will keep it simple today—no seaweed for my face. just be sure that my own furs are in order, and after, you may massage me with the coconut oil there, in the shell, Toula said, and I finish by rolling in pearls that have been ground to dust, so the trader had proclaimed! Toula remembered then that she would very much like to see a pearl in it’s true form, before she finished with, and then you just make certain all is in place, and that I look presentable, 
pausing, she thought to ask, it is a lot—and you will have much help, but… are those things you think yourself comfortable with? her tail waved behind her.

toula sure lives a life of luxury, but perhaps this is what divineness had always dictated for its kin. tuna would listen carefully and come to nod when needed to show she remained listening and attentive. 

it came to an even bigger surprise when toula asked for tuna's consent and comfort, all to which the girl provides a confident nod of the head. if she was fine with wrestling with snakes and scorpions and walking through burning sand, then how hard could a bath be? unknown to tuna, this would be one of the many times the girl would find herself alone in the presence of toula, trusted with her care and guidance. "ah'll dew mah best, yer ray-dee-ance." 

but before she dared to step into the waters, tuna extends a paw forward with a slight bow, motioning to the pool and saying "after yew, miz toula." and from there, she would come to enter the waters to begin the treatment. tuna's teeth would come to gently comb out any tangles that remained in the young queen's coat, and she would constantly come to ask if her work remained up to par with the others.