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Description

Featuring Marahuté and Lohit
Al-Ayda Household, Gardens of Elysia, Saraph Territory
Summer, Year 2004 of the Dragon Era

Lohit (116)

Lohit had settled into his place on the Sunstone council with surprising ease. There had been a few issues- meetings and settling things together- and realising that of his selection of slaves, bloody well none of them were particularly well-mannered. Melody was large and prone to growling, Cuig couldn’t keep their mouth shut… Nenake was just eerie.
He sighed heavily, turning the minor issue over in his head as he wandered aimlessly through his home.

There were a few days ahead with nothing to do at least- and the tiercel wasn’t one to lay about.
However, he didn’t want to be a bore, and talk someone’s ear off about his work, either.

Eventually, he decided to try and find his sister- as he’d realised of late just how much he missed having her around quite so much. Turns out that over the course of a day, they’d manage a great deal of conversation that… he just missed.
Mind made up, he set about seeking her out.

Marahuté (117)

Mara raised her head as she heard her brother’s footfalls lead up into the room, pausing in her perusal of the scroll spread out before her. A slight smile danced over her lips at the sight of him, a rare thing usually only reserved for her beloved twin brother.

“Ah, here he is, our great Herd Advisor come down from his mighty perch on the Sunstone Council to grace us plain everyday folks with his presence. It’s been a little while since you’ve come back home, are those doddering bags of feathers boring you yet?”

She rose to her feet, fluffing out her wings gracefully, and strolled her way across the sun-lit atrium to greet him properly.

Lohit (176)
“Ah, it’s not so mighty a perch…” he said, smiling, touching his snout to his sister’s with a smile.
“And thankfully, they’re not so old. Well- getting on, in some cases, but I just tell myself that they’ve a fine base of experience for me to learn from. Or- I try to.”
He chuckled at his own comment, stretching his wings.
“Ah, but let’s leave off talk of work for just a moment. I’ve finally had a look at that perfume shop- the one run by that odd hen, the purple one who looks like an owl. Serendipity said it was worth a look and- well-“
He produced the package from his small pack with a flourish, letting it hover in front of his sister.
This new magic he’d developed was, he discovered, very handy indeed, even if only for trying to impress one’s twin with a block of solid perfume.
“We talked a bit, and I think this should be to your liking. Just- an apology, for ignoring my sister in favour of squabbling merchants.”

Marahuté (152)

Mara felt her smile grow slightly fixed at the mention of Serendipity -- of course that raggedy little so-and-so was clinging to her brother again. Ridiculous. But, gifts from her brother were always a balm to her temper, and the soft, gentle fragrances floating off of the block of perfume were very much to her liking indeed…

She flicked her head a little, summoning a small stream of water from a nearby tactfully placed receptacle, coiling it around the block of perfume to accept it from Lohit.

“Thank you, dear brother, it is an apology very much accepted.”

She turned to start wandering in the general direction of their quarters, knowing her brother would fall into step with her without needing to check.

“It has been rather quiet without you here, you know. It’s almost made me miss my duties at the pools… How long do you think you will be back for?"

Lohit (175)
“Not horribly long, I’m afraid.” he said somewhat ruefully, falling into step next to his sister.

“There’s been quite the commotion- the little pink king of the rats marched straight into the palace and twisted the Sultana’s mind up somehow. Made her free several slaves- including that little cremello Nombeko Cuig brought home.”

He’d been keeping the reason for Kiskadee’s sudden vanishing somewhat close to his chest, but Marahute was Marahute, and thus was afforded his full honesty.

“And on top of that, he demanded all Nombeko slaves be freed. Which- “

He snorted, shaking his head

“To my mind, should not happen. But here we are, talking around the table as to how to avoid absolutely crippling the nation. Because apparently, we bow to a four-hand-high scrap of misplaced tulle now.”

His face twisted into a scowl, and he shook his head.

“Not that there’s support around the table to simply refuse. But I suppose the fear of being manipulated again is wise enough to warrant caution... “ he continued, looking deeply unsure.

Marahuté (131)

“By Elysia, If I were ever to be treated like that --” The hen’s delicate features twisted up in an unhappy frown at the concept. “God. It’s absolutely abhorrent. I’m sure the Saltana must be furious.”

She pauses in her walking to peer curiously at her brother. “Are there really those who would support this? By the gods. What is even their logic? What would happen to Saraph? And goodness knows if we free the slaves of Nombeko next Scybillene will be knocking down our doors to demand the same. How weak we will look in the minds of the other nations.”

She shakes her head, feathers rustling gently. “And what do the rest of the council say on that? How will Saraph hold it’s honor under such an onslaught from outsiders?”

Lohit (132)
“Convinced, not controlled, I reckon. Nombeko are tricky, but they’re not smart enough to pull some sort of actual mind-games.. I hope.”

He sighed, wings sagging with the sound, displaying a tiredness reserved only for family.

“And well- It’s hardly surprising they ask, considering what happened with the Austerians… but that was a deal where we actually owed them something. As you say, there’ll be Scybilline knocking at our gates for freedom next- and Roth forbid the linx haul themselves down off their mountains to add to it…”

He shook his head.

“I... can’t get a solid read on the others. Squabbling herd-members i can understand and sort out, but anyone with, well, experience can talk circles around an issue in such a way that I’m… not entirely sure of their stance.

Marahuté (140)

Mara gives a delicate sniff, unimpressed. “Such posturing. And how can it do anything other than continue to leave Saraph unprepared? It seems such a shame.”

She tilts her head to one side a bit, thinking. “Though, it’s rather in the way of the Saraph, is it not? To each guard our own motivations and ambitions so closely.”

“And the Sultana, she’s really done nothing to rally them? I suppose she might still be too skittish after that… how did you say it? Manipulation.”

She eyes her brother, waiting for him to respond, to gauge it.

“It’s a shame, really. At such a time the Council really needs to be able to show unification. Those other herds may be… more simple than us, but I doubt they will hesitate if we are too busy talking ourselves in circles to act.”

Lohit (124)
“Hmm, well. Most of the council has years on me,and I don’t know any of them well. So I can’t expect support for nothing- but I lack your way with words. Or even Aunt Atefeh’s…”
He trailed off then, belatedly aware that he’d set to pacing around his sister’s rooms.
Half an idea had formed, at least- but he hesitated, trying to figure out exactly how to word and then pitch the thought.
“I… I don’t suppose you’ve ever held political ambitions of your own, Marahute? I realise we already have a religious advisor, but you’re a far finer mage than she, and she is getting on in years; there’s no reason a younger saraphem from a very fine family couldn’t take over… “

Marahuté (205)

Unable to help a little bit of preening at the flattery from her brother, Mara puffs her feathers up proudly, a delighted little smile toying around her lips.

“Well, I cannot say that I have not thought about trying to claim such a position. While I do enjoy my time training and the pools and of course I would be loathe to be remiss in my duties in any way... I could certainly see it as a new way to show my dedication to Elysia, as religious advisor. To help bring her light to the rest of the nation, as it were. And as you say, our family is very fine indeed… both of us being involved in politics, it can only bring good things, can it not? A unified front. And I’m sure dear Ysabeal would happily welcome an opportunity to spend more time with her family…”

She turns, smiles at her brother as he continues to shift in place.

“And why not bring some fresh new blood to the leadership ranks of Saraph? This is a great time of change for our nation, it is good for those in charge to reflect that, I think.”

“You think it’s a good concept then, brother?”

Lohit (99)

“Very, I think.” he said, smiling, fluffing his wings out proudly, glad Marahute had agreed with his idea.

In truth, he rather missed his sister’s company at the council table; independent though he was, he’d grown up with has as a near-constant companion, asides from when duty drew them apart. They’d make a fine pair on the council- and if his own slowly-forming ambitions to power crystalised into anything more…

Well, he’d be glad to have his sister by his side.

“I say go for it. You’ll have my support, at least; though of course that goes without question.”

Marahuté (212)
Mara nods decisively. "I have no doubt now I shall do it. A challenge will do, I think, and be a good and concise example of exactly what to expect from me. And I have no qualms about my ability to win."

It should be simple enough, she thinks. Just one fight, against a rather old Hen when it came down to it in the end. Her confidence in her magical ability is rock solid, though perhaps a spot of extra training to prepare herself for a serious bout of combat against another anomalai. It will be different than her few battles of the past, against what wildlife she has come across and the very rare time she’s called to chase an intruder away from the sacred pools. She feels her heart speed in excitement even at the most simple thought of it. Yes, this. Surely this will be the perfect thing, a perfect way to spice up the day to day life she carried on in, which had been starting to feel all too monotonous.

She turns and smiles at her brother, already standing taller as she imagines herself up at the council table alongside other leaders of her nation.

"It will be a pleasure to serve alongside you, dear brother."

Lohit (68)
Lohit smiled, even as he watched Mara think. He knew his sister well enough to see the gears turning. “I don’t doubt your victory either, and it will give you an exceedingly strong introduction to the rest of the council.” He agreed, nodding.
“And I’m sure the pleasure will be all mine- whether we agree or not in a given issue, I’ll be glad to have you there.”

Marahuté (51)

Mara gave one last confident toss of her head, pacing across the room. “WIth you and I working together? I’m sure we will do many great things.” She gives one last, firm nod. “And now, I must go prepare for my challenge. I have a lot of work ahead of me.”

Word Counts:
Marahute:1008
Lohit: 890

Thank you so much to SwordsandSpectacles for helping me with this leadership challenge! I love these horrible siblings and I can't wait to see what they manage to get up to in all this.

Marahuté:
+5 ____ - Full-body + Detailed BG + Collaborative Art
+5 ____ - 1000-1999 Word Lit + Collaborative Lit
+1 ____ - Skill Shown: Magic

Lohit:
+4 ____ - Headshot/Partial-body + Detailed BG + Collaborative Art
+4 ____ - 400-999 Word Lit + Collaborative Lit
+1 ____ - Skill Shown: Magic

Description

Featuring Marahuté and Lohit
Al-Ayda Household, Gardens of Elysia, Saraph Territory
Summer, Year 2004 of the Dragon Era

Lohit (116)

Lohit had settled into his place on the Sunstone council with surprising ease. There had been a few issues- meetings and settling things together- and realising that of his selection of slaves, bloody well none of them were particularly well-mannered. Melody was large and prone to growling, Cuig couldn’t keep their mouth shut… Nenake was just eerie.
He sighed heavily, turning the minor issue over in his head as he wandered aimlessly through his home.

There were a few days ahead with nothing to do at least- and the tiercel wasn’t one to lay about.
However, he didn’t want to be a bore, and talk someone’s ear off about his work, either.

Eventually, he decided to try and find his sister- as he’d realised of late just how much he missed having her around quite so much. Turns out that over the course of a day, they’d manage a great deal of conversation that… he just missed.
Mind made up, he set about seeking her out.

Marahuté (117)

Mara raised her head as she heard her brother’s footfalls lead up into the room, pausing in her perusal of the scroll spread out before her. A slight smile danced over her lips at the sight of him, a rare thing usually only reserved for her beloved twin brother.

“Ah, here he is, our great Herd Advisor come down from his mighty perch on the Sunstone Council to grace us plain everyday folks with his presence. It’s been a little while since you’ve come back home, are those doddering bags of feathers boring you yet?”

She rose to her feet, fluffing out her wings gracefully, and strolled her way across the sun-lit atrium to greet him properly.

Lohit (176)
“Ah, it’s not so mighty a perch…” he said, smiling, touching his snout to his sister’s with a smile.
“And thankfully, they’re not so old. Well- getting on, in some cases, but I just tell myself that they’ve a fine base of experience for me to learn from. Or- I try to.”
He chuckled at his own comment, stretching his wings.
“Ah, but let’s leave off talk of work for just a moment. I’ve finally had a look at that perfume shop- the one run by that odd hen, the purple one who looks like an owl. Serendipity said it was worth a look and- well-“
He produced the package from his small pack with a flourish, letting it hover in front of his sister.
This new magic he’d developed was, he discovered, very handy indeed, even if only for trying to impress one’s twin with a block of solid perfume.
“We talked a bit, and I think this should be to your liking. Just- an apology, for ignoring my sister in favour of squabbling merchants.”

Marahuté (152)

Mara felt her smile grow slightly fixed at the mention of Serendipity -- of course that raggedy little so-and-so was clinging to her brother again. Ridiculous. But, gifts from her brother were always a balm to her temper, and the soft, gentle fragrances floating off of the block of perfume were very much to her liking indeed…

She flicked her head a little, summoning a small stream of water from a nearby tactfully placed receptacle, coiling it around the block of perfume to accept it from Lohit.

“Thank you, dear brother, it is an apology very much accepted.”

She turned to start wandering in the general direction of their quarters, knowing her brother would fall into step with her without needing to check.

“It has been rather quiet without you here, you know. It’s almost made me miss my duties at the pools… How long do you think you will be back for?"

Lohit (175)
“Not horribly long, I’m afraid.” he said somewhat ruefully, falling into step next to his sister.

“There’s been quite the commotion- the little pink king of the rats marched straight into the palace and twisted the Sultana’s mind up somehow. Made her free several slaves- including that little cremello Nombeko Cuig brought home.”

He’d been keeping the reason for Kiskadee’s sudden vanishing somewhat close to his chest, but Marahute was Marahute, and thus was afforded his full honesty.

“And on top of that, he demanded all Nombeko slaves be freed. Which- “

He snorted, shaking his head

“To my mind, should not happen. But here we are, talking around the table as to how to avoid absolutely crippling the nation. Because apparently, we bow to a four-hand-high scrap of misplaced tulle now.”

His face twisted into a scowl, and he shook his head.

“Not that there’s support around the table to simply refuse. But I suppose the fear of being manipulated again is wise enough to warrant caution... “ he continued, looking deeply unsure.

Marahuté (131)

“By Elysia, If I were ever to be treated like that --” The hen’s delicate features twisted up in an unhappy frown at the concept. “God. It’s absolutely abhorrent. I’m sure the Saltana must be furious.”

She pauses in her walking to peer curiously at her brother. “Are there really those who would support this? By the gods. What is even their logic? What would happen to Saraph? And goodness knows if we free the slaves of Nombeko next Scybillene will be knocking down our doors to demand the same. How weak we will look in the minds of the other nations.”

She shakes her head, feathers rustling gently. “And what do the rest of the council say on that? How will Saraph hold it’s honor under such an onslaught from outsiders?”

Lohit (132)
“Convinced, not controlled, I reckon. Nombeko are tricky, but they’re not smart enough to pull some sort of actual mind-games.. I hope.”

He sighed, wings sagging with the sound, displaying a tiredness reserved only for family.

“And well- It’s hardly surprising they ask, considering what happened with the Austerians… but that was a deal where we actually owed them something. As you say, there’ll be Scybilline knocking at our gates for freedom next- and Roth forbid the linx haul themselves down off their mountains to add to it…”

He shook his head.

“I... can’t get a solid read on the others. Squabbling herd-members i can understand and sort out, but anyone with, well, experience can talk circles around an issue in such a way that I’m… not entirely sure of their stance.

Marahuté (140)

Mara gives a delicate sniff, unimpressed. “Such posturing. And how can it do anything other than continue to leave Saraph unprepared? It seems such a shame.”

She tilts her head to one side a bit, thinking. “Though, it’s rather in the way of the Saraph, is it not? To each guard our own motivations and ambitions so closely.”

“And the Sultana, she’s really done nothing to rally them? I suppose she might still be too skittish after that… how did you say it? Manipulation.”

She eyes her brother, waiting for him to respond, to gauge it.

“It’s a shame, really. At such a time the Council really needs to be able to show unification. Those other herds may be… more simple than us, but I doubt they will hesitate if we are too busy talking ourselves in circles to act.”

Lohit (124)
“Hmm, well. Most of the council has years on me,and I don’t know any of them well. So I can’t expect support for nothing- but I lack your way with words. Or even Aunt Atefeh’s…”
He trailed off then, belatedly aware that he’d set to pacing around his sister’s rooms.
Half an idea had formed, at least- but he hesitated, trying to figure out exactly how to word and then pitch the thought.
“I… I don’t suppose you’ve ever held political ambitions of your own, Marahute? I realise we already have a religious advisor, but you’re a far finer mage than she, and she is getting on in years; there’s no reason a younger saraphem from a very fine family couldn’t take over… “

Marahuté (205)

Unable to help a little bit of preening at the flattery from her brother, Mara puffs her feathers up proudly, a delighted little smile toying around her lips.

“Well, I cannot say that I have not thought about trying to claim such a position. While I do enjoy my time training and the pools and of course I would be loathe to be remiss in my duties in any way... I could certainly see it as a new way to show my dedication to Elysia, as religious advisor. To help bring her light to the rest of the nation, as it were. And as you say, our family is very fine indeed… both of us being involved in politics, it can only bring good things, can it not? A unified front. And I’m sure dear Ysabeal would happily welcome an opportunity to spend more time with her family…”

She turns, smiles at her brother as he continues to shift in place.

“And why not bring some fresh new blood to the leadership ranks of Saraph? This is a great time of change for our nation, it is good for those in charge to reflect that, I think.”

“You think it’s a good concept then, brother?”

Lohit (99)

“Very, I think.” he said, smiling, fluffing his wings out proudly, glad Marahute had agreed with his idea.

In truth, he rather missed his sister’s company at the council table; independent though he was, he’d grown up with has as a near-constant companion, asides from when duty drew them apart. They’d make a fine pair on the council- and if his own slowly-forming ambitions to power crystalised into anything more…

Well, he’d be glad to have his sister by his side.

“I say go for it. You’ll have my support, at least; though of course that goes without question.”

Marahuté (212)
Mara nods decisively. "I have no doubt now I shall do it. A challenge will do, I think, and be a good and concise example of exactly what to expect from me. And I have no qualms about my ability to win."

It should be simple enough, she thinks. Just one fight, against a rather old Hen when it came down to it in the end. Her confidence in her magical ability is rock solid, though perhaps a spot of extra training to prepare herself for a serious bout of combat against another anomalai. It will be different than her few battles of the past, against what wildlife she has come across and the very rare time she’s called to chase an intruder away from the sacred pools. She feels her heart speed in excitement even at the most simple thought of it. Yes, this. Surely this will be the perfect thing, a perfect way to spice up the day to day life she carried on in, which had been starting to feel all too monotonous.

She turns and smiles at her brother, already standing taller as she imagines herself up at the council table alongside other leaders of her nation.

"It will be a pleasure to serve alongside you, dear brother."

Lohit (68)
Lohit smiled, even as he watched Mara think. He knew his sister well enough to see the gears turning. “I don’t doubt your victory either, and it will give you an exceedingly strong introduction to the rest of the council.” He agreed, nodding.
“And I’m sure the pleasure will be all mine- whether we agree or not in a given issue, I’ll be glad to have you there.”

Marahuté (51)

Mara gave one last confident toss of her head, pacing across the room. “WIth you and I working together? I’m sure we will do many great things.” She gives one last, firm nod. “And now, I must go prepare for my challenge. I have a lot of work ahead of me.”

Word Counts:
Marahute:1008
Lohit: 890

Thank you so much to SwordsandSpectacles for helping me with this leadership challenge! I love these horrible siblings and I can't wait to see what they manage to get up to in all this.

Marahuté:
+5 ____ - Full-body + Detailed BG + Collaborative Art
+5 ____ - 1000-1999 Word Lit + Collaborative Lit
+1 ____ - Skill Shown: Magic

Lohit:
+4 ____ - Headshot/Partial-body + Detailed BG + Collaborative Art
+4 ____ - 400-999 Word Lit + Collaborative Lit
+1 ____ - Skill Shown: Magic