Open The Crowning of Leth

[Colombina]

OOCYou're a hoot btw, I love it. Nice reply A sneer was drawn up to obscure the sudden apprehension the young man felt when he beheld the eldritch signs of magic. It was a great equalizer even among inherently racist Eypharians. They still wouldn't invite the Pycon to a party, but they would know better than to try and grind him under their sandal. Mercifully, the young man's knowledge of magic was limited, and he didn't see alchemy for the less offense based magic that it was. "You're not worth the time it would take to wash my hands of you," he decreed. Some other name for her was added in Arumenic. Even without perfect understanding of the language, it sounded demeaning. Even when lashed by further insult, the concubine held her chin in perfect poise, as if balancing something delicate on her nose. She kept the pose until the man's back was obscured by other bodies. Her suddenly released breath was a sigh and her mouth a grin. "Why, Sebastion, you are a talented friend to have. Forgive me for picking a name from your array. Shall I make you a new one just for Ahnatep?" she asked coyly, "Amasis is a fine Eypharian name. It means 'of the moon' or something near that... It could suit you, unlike that shape." Semira's mouth made a shape that was scandalous without being rude, "I like a man on my shoulders, but not that one." Her crystal laugh scattered the illusion of seductress, showing her true charm. "You really are marvelous. Don't tell anyone I said so. Eypharians have a reputation to maintain." Semira's name was cast over heads from across the party. The voice made her color, as if she had been caught enjoying something she shouldn't have. "I might be called to play soon if they catch me. Lap harp if you care to know." It was a small point of pride, one of the talents that separated her from a lark or even a mistress. "I want to ask you something now in case I get swept up. Would you care to visit the Garden in the future? We're not always combing our hair or entertaining. Sometimes, we're given space to ourselves."

[Sebastion]

The man had barely left their sight before Shim's form reverted back to the simply elegant Eypharian female. He sighed at the exertion that maintaining the masculine form had taken upon him, coupled with the summoning of his Djed only to have it fizzle out. His sigh of weariness swiftly transformed into a chuckle at Semira's humor. "Shim cares not for that form either, Semira." Mostly he was just elated to be recognized as a being and not an object. The only living entity that saw his worth seemed to be his riding companion, which barely afforded the Pycon much comfort when he came right down to it. He longed for sentient acceptance, and felt it like the caress of a loving mother which he had lacked as the concubine told him earnestly not to share her affections for him in order for her reputation to remain intact. So when she gave him a name, something he valued so highly above all things, the Pycon nearly collapsed with happiness. Even so he sort of folded into her neck a bit more, his deep voice drifting comfortably by her ear when he sounded out the word. ”Ahm-ah-sys. Marvelous…” He wished he could shed a tear, for the beauty of that moment between the clay creature and the elegant flower was one he would surely treasure. His fourth year of birth was coming, and as was his ritual he would need to add a new name to his own, this one seemed more than fitting. Shim was not one to dwell too much in sadness and melancholy, however. In his opinion, life was a bit too short to dwell on things that made one sorrowful, so instead he clapped all four arms in wondrous appreciation of Semira’s skills. ”Lap harp, truly? Amasis imagines you must be fabulous at it, as you are in dealing with rude suitors and an unsightly blemish upon your shoulder.” He smiled a bit at his own demeaning humor, nearly choking when she gave him her request. “Amasis, visit Semira in the gardens? Well of course! He would love to! Semira could meet Snowflake and tell Amasis stories of the old Pycon gardener and introduce him to the other flowers, perhaps show him too what it takes to be a flower of Ahnatep or the nicities of playing a lap harp or…Forgive Shim m’lady, he is being rude again, and perhaps Semira is needed elsewhere?” The idea of parting from his new and perhaps only friend in the entire city was a sobering thought in an otherwise wonderful evening, and the Pycon set it aside at once. ”It has been Amasis’s honor to escort his flower through the party, and his delight that she was so willing to deal with this creature with such aplomb. Thank you.” The last words were said with serious intent. Shim was a ridiculous and manic creature, but nearly always sincere in his wishes and feelings.

[Colombina]

While Shim enjoyed the acknowledgement, Semira's spirit was fed by this rare moment of being able to so thoroughly please another without a sensual or aesthetic pretext. This must have been how normal women felt, the ones who had neighbors and dowries. Who bartered at market and learned to bake bread. Semira could do nothing useful. When she ceased to be beautiful, her standing would be little better than a Foysha's. The Pycon's happy voice was pleasingly low nigh her ear, and his feet tickled her shoulder. It reminded her of bittersweet things and the role she was intended for. She brushed her reverie aside; there would be no kneading dough or hemming robes in her future. "Not rude," the concubine assured, "One never leaves in a hurry in Ahnatep. We are known for greetings and departures that endure as long as the conversation." Something nigh sisterly warning arched over her words. "It is an intricate place you find yourself in now... Ahnatep is beautiful, and varied but it is not always kind." Her name rang out again and the voice seemed irritated at its use. "The Gardens are known by all if you want to find me again. I'll tell Zulo to expect you. Mid-morning is best. We will all be pleased for company." She paused, trying to remember the benefits of the Garden that had grown dull to her from constant handling. "It's a pretty place and the Flowers are wonderfully talented. I'm but a bud there. But I will introduce you to blooms." OOCConsider this your thread ticket for visiting the concubines. Let me know when you want to redeem it!

[Sebastion]

Shim recorded the knowledge, pressing it into his mind like a stamp into wet clay in order to remember every single facet of the words she spoke. He would surely take her up on an adventure that involved the concubines, and just the idea of the visit sent shivers through his clay. How much he would be able to learn and see and not by sneaking around by actual invitation! His mind was awash with happiness. Yet now the dream was coming to an end, until next time of course. Shim turned askew from Semira's neck in order to whistle and not hurt her exquisite ear drums. The piercing call sailed over shoulders heads and a myriad of arms to a sole coal black canine on the edge of the proceedings, licking a bone she had been given in festive measure. Even though he could not see his companion, he could glimpse the bodies moving to get out of the way of the 200 lb bundle of fur barreling her way through the crowds. Shim gave a sad smile to Semira. "Until Next time, lovely flower." In order not to keep her any longer, for he had taken note of the annoyed tone which carried her beautiful name as well, he did a little game he liked to call people hopping, which was wonderful fun when the race you were traversing across thought you abhorrent. Cries of disgust, alarm, and offense followed his wake like a rude symphony until Shim landed on a haphazardly erected stall selling flowers for the celebration. Already his view was significantly diminished, and not for the first time he lamented not having more human companionship, even if it was only for the sake of the view, which of course was only one of the tiniest advantages it gave. Snow bounded up, coming skidding to a halt inches away from the stall just as the store clerk flicked the clay Pycon into the air. Snow caught him easily upon her wide head and Shim scrambled into the saddle pad, getting a grip on the even lower surroundings. Now he was surrounded by torsos and relaxed arms, back in the spot he was accustomed to as a Dwsa. Shim gave one final look into the throngs. Perhaps sometime the Pressorah would catch sight of him, not not here nor now. oocUnless you had something else in mind I figured this was a perfect ending point to finish up the thread, thank you ever so much for the wonderful time, and I will be sure to take you up on the follow up with Semira, this was a blast!