Lion Head Mesa the long night

attn @Zaahira !

Toula felt immense pride for her subjects as they returned home, victorious. each of her commands heeded, but now what was important to her was their continued happiness—
she thought of Zaahira. Toula spoke with the Raven while she was away, and Osiris too—and her father, as she always would. but she thought the Raven would appreciate to hear of Zaahira, and how she could feel the love she bore the Raven… and how Zaahira, already, was very loved by herself. the Raven must have cared for Zaahira, and wondered for her well being—Toula would not let doubt or fear be the Ravens friend in the land of reeds. may she rest even easier now! 
Toula wound through her halls, murmuring preparations to the fellahin. in the height and heat of Summer her coronation would be—a celebration was due! while she listed preparations, she headed to the training yard where she hoped the Mazoi might be.

Whether or not anyone had noticed it, Zaahira had been pushing herself harder.
Quieter, as of late; a mask of her accent when she did speak. Straight-backed, training when she was not eating or sleeping or on guard. Praying more, to gods that were now her own.
Sunspots and his heathen of a brother seemed to circle her like vultures. Harakhte's comments in passing.
Uncivilized. Rude. Feral. Khaba's woman. Traitor, traitor, traitor—
But Khaba was the one who was imprisoned. Not she. And she had grown to love Akashingo more than she ever could have dreamed of loving the Lake; but the real question was if it loved her back.

Today, she is caught in the middle of a rest during training when the Queen approaches her. She lights up at her presence, a wash of a kind, beaming smile. Hello, Divine One, as she dips her head in greeting. how may I be of service?

you already have, in so many ways! Toula all but sang, her gaze bright with warmth to see Zaahira. I come to thank you, and speak with you. would you come join me in the baths? 
she thought of the days she and Makono would spend there, the stress being cleansed from them—Toula had seen all of the work Zaahira had been doing, and would not let it go unrecognized. 
but if she was busy, such a thing need not be today! still, Toula was hopeful, tail swaying behind her.

Thank her?
I should be thanking you, Divine One, she retorts, a bashful slump of her ears to the sides of her head. you have sheltered me and allowed me healing and prospering within your kingdom. I am... honored, to fight for you. Display of such emotions felt foreign, bizarre, almost; and yet she felt if anyone would be worthy of such, it would be her! The little golden woman, beam of sunlight, a beacon within the soot-smoke darkness that had been the young Mazoi's life, as of late.
She accepts the invitation with much gratitude, and motions for the Queen to lead the way. Listening ears are then turned forward, ever eager. What is it you wish to speak to me of?

she felt happy, truly. her heart swelled to know that she could have pleased Zaahira so, and she could only hope that her lifetime would be filled with sweet and fulfilling moments such as these. this was what she had prayed for; this was what she hoped to cultivate. a place where one like Zaahira could grow, and feel safe simultaneously. 
are you… satisfied, with the outcome of our war? she wanted to know the truth from her Mazoi. Toula felt glad, to know the lives of the cubs had come first to all and that they had been brought here. but… was this enough for Zaahira? 
quickly Toula had come to see how much she cared for the woman who had been open and honest, real and raw with her since the beginning; this mattered to her! as they walked to the cleansing waters, Toula looked to her.

She is asked of her satisfaction, and that is not something she had thought would have been important. But, nevertheless, she thinks on it.
The Queen deserved her honesty. She has always had it in full, anyway.
I am glad that it is over, a sway to her hips as she walks, a contented swish to her tail. I am glad the children are safe. Although, admittedly, I wish I could have gotten my own selfish revenge. Bitten him, at least. A sardonic, twisting sort of chuckle. I agree with imprisoning him, however. He does not deserve a simple fate such as death.
A pause, and then, eyes turned to the vibrance of the Hemet-nekheb, There are others who were part of the Lake that were not present when we challenged. There is a woman, named Aliki, who was the one Khaba commanded to attack Selena. I do not know where she is. I fear she may make a return.

I had been thinking, to send him to a greater prison than this. one that offers something different than our own—older. better for it, perhaps. while brought to the guards that will escort him, who is to say you cannot get your small bite in? Toula teased, but her gaze had not yet moved to shift away from Zaahira. do you think the blood would be the thing to satisfy you? it was her meaning. the Gods were strange teachers. it might be important, for Zaahira to find this for herself. but Toula would guide her, and begrudge her none of her choices in the process. 
understanding Them was never easy. for They worked in strange ways. but as Zaahira spoke of the other woman, Toula asked, did she do it because she was commanded? or because she herself found pleasure in the task? fear, she had been taught, was it’s own motivator.

Would you send guards to stay with him? a genuine curiosity in that, an inquisitive tilt of her head. I fear otherwise he may try to break free. Although, I must say, if you do, I do not wish to be one of them. I happily guard his cell now, but ooh, I do not wish to know what he would do if I did not have Akashingo to protect me. She says it in jest, playfully, but the fear is true and is one that curdles deep within her.
She is asked if bloodshed would satisfy her, and to that, she shakes her head, a crestfallen glaze to now lightly hooded eyes. No. It would solve little. But it would give me a chance to see him squirm! More playfulness, teasing; as morbid as the circumstances were.
That, I do not truly know. But she was merciless, her tone darkens, light as a feather as her breath seems to escape her. she was a woman who wanted power. She sought to be Khaba's wife, I believe. I remember she tried to drive away Zharille when she came for her children the first time.