#urskek

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The Uni-Verse was an ocean, and it flowed with magic.

Mirnah sped away from her home planet at first, terrified that she would be followed. She made sure to focus on her intuition, however: this was her first time phasing into another world, and it would help no one to get lost.

Eventually, she realized something both freeing and terrifying: she could no longer sense the magic crystal of her homeworld.

It gave her a pause. Mirnah rested a bit, settling into the ripples of the vacuum that sent out and received all sorts of energy from around the cosmos. It was incredibly dark yet also teeming with stars, astonishingly cold yet comforting, as her hair free-floated behind her and her magic guarded her physical form from the harsh vacuum of outer space. Her wide eyes glowed, taking it all in. So this was what her greater urskek friends were always chasing after!

With a thrum in her heart and soul, Mirnah began to realize how much Sosu truly and deeply loved her. He saw the wonders of the universe and wanted this for her too. Now free from the council's influence, she spoke his name aloud with admiration.

"Sosu..."

The little tug of Sosu's magic came through again as if in response. Her renewed love for his devotion made her path all the more clear, and soon Thra felt closer, more ready for her arrival.

I suppose Silsol gets his wish after all, Mirnah thought with a growing smile, and flew away to a world she knew was waiting for her.

----

The Scroll-Keeper and Collector were sent off in the pouring rain, the former fussing over his damp tresses and the latter whining about how her pestules would only fill with mucus before popping in the dry mountain air of Ha'rar. Though they were supposed to head off before the morning came, they of course drank and ate too much and overslept. They had to brave the rain anyways. Eventually they were sent off, and that left the Court short of two skeksis.

SkekMir had done her best to remain a wayside Butler, but neither Chamberlain nor the Butcher were having it. It was made worse by the fact that the Emperor, though acting distant, clearly enjoyed that his new favored courtier was getting the attention she deserved.

So of course it was pure Hell.

"Really, my Lord Butcher, you've drunk so much. Perhaps a ride around the courtyard would be unwise." SkekMir insisted, pushing him back down into his seat more forcefully. A sword was in one hand but she didn't fear him using it on her. He quickly called her a friend when, earlier, she called Chamberlain a "cream-licking lout" after he went too far in pressing her buttons. It had been frightful at first, only to hear the other skeksis shriek in laughter at his expense. They were breaking away from their terror of the Butcher, realizing that, while still a vicious warrior, he was not there to kill any of them.

The Chamberlain only chuckled and smiled, as if he wanted her to gain favor anyway. He feigned humility and the Butcher proclaimed her a great addition to the Court.

For all the good it did SkekMir now. The Butcher was grumping about her unwillingness to see his athletic skills.

"Bah! You're as soft as the rest of 'em." He slurred, clumsily sheathing his sword once more. "I figured they'd turn you into another silk-covered, soft-bellied..."

The Emperor laughed at his insults, beckoning his Butler to return to his side and tend to his needs. She poured him yet another glass of wine as he spoke.

"You call your Emperor a soft-bellied, silk-wearing ninny, then? Is that a challenge?"

"Life is a challenge -- it is a fool who denies it!" The Butcher sputtered.

Chamberlain crooned. "Perhaps Lord Emperor should take on challenge, yes? Been many trine since my Lord has showcased his skills in battle..."

SkekMir's eyes widened a little. If he accepted the challenge, then she would have to help him into his armor and other gear, stowed away in his imperial chambers. Perhaps this was a part of Chamberlain's plan: to return her there, and deftly grab the journal as she did so.

"Perhaps not outside, given the weather." The Butler encouraged gently. "But we have many grand rooms at your disposal, my liege."

"Why not? It's better than hearing you twits prattle on all night." The Emperor chortled, heaving himself up with his staff. He slammed it into the ground and then raised his arms. "Let us show what we can do, in our soft silks and softer bellies! Ha!"

Quickly he and his Butler rushed to the upper levels as preparations were made elsewhere. The Gourmand would make sure appropriate refreshments were available for the spectators, and the Ornamentalist was demanding that decorations be set up. The Ritual-Keeper began forming his grand speech for the tournament, the Scientist grumbled about the medicine he would need for injuries, and the General eagerly helped the Butcher prepare in the main castle armory. SkekMir found that the Emperor was in high spirits. The metal beak and wrappings were keeping his affliction under control and even refused more of her herbs. He, instead, continued to laugh and make little inside jokes that she didn't fully understand, but figured was a part of his normal banter with the Butcher and perhaps others. She couldn't help but smile (even with guilt gnawing at her insides) at his jovialness.

Skeksis were known for their excess and thirst for everything life could throw at them. Some craved pain, others power, or even just the attention others, if not pushing the limits of luxury and pleasure. Yet here the Emperor was, leader of them all, simply having an excess of unbridled joy.

Perhaps if he too dreamed of the Lovers, he was also seeking the truth that held them together. SkekMir dwelled on it just a little as she carefully made her way within his massive closet, when pretending to put his things away. Pushing up her ridiculous cinched and poofed sleeves, the Butler opened the drawer, took out his private journal, and then closed it once more. It was so easy, to slip it into her pocket and walk out of the room to her master. It was almost as easy to pretend that nothing was amiss as she tied down his various pieces of metal and leather armor for his upcoming duel.

"Butler." The Emperor said suddenly, just as he was finished. SkekMir, who had been bowing her head, raised it again.

"Yes, my liege?"

"Go to my desk, and open the top drawer."

"Of course." She answered, her nerves on edge. His glinting look returned as she made her way to where he ordered her and opened the drawer. Piercing eyes watched as SkekMir slid the drawer out and blinked.

Within it was her old lace veil, neatly folded.

"S-sire?" SkekMir asked, turning to him. "Ah...is this being returned to me?"

"No. Take your other one off, it's hideous."

"Right away." SkekMir said. Uncertain and uncomfortable as she was, she agreed that her new one was ugly. As she did, her braid was pulled over her front to better access the combs at her scalp. The new veil was placed atop the old one in the drawer. She then began to pin up her braid as a bun, given that she would have no veil whatsoever to keep it out of her way.

"Wait." The Emperor suddenly ordered. SkekMir turned to him as she let go of her braid.

"My liege?"

Those eyes roamed over her hair, the same way he had the other night. The Butler realized then that this would have to be a regular part of their interactions, whatever his intentions were. Her skin crawled. Perhaps Chamberlain had been wise to wish for the journal directly, and figure out their leader's next steps before he made them.

"My liege, if something is wrong--"

"Take out that childish braid." The Emperor suddenly snapped. His usual mood returned. SkekMir merely affirmed his order and fumbled as she undid her braid, tossing her auburn tresses to her back once more. She looked up before bowing her head again.

"Is that all, my Lord Emperor?"

"Hmph." He replied with some snorting, grabbing his staff to carry with him to the arena. "You're less frumpy this way. Don't know why you ever needed to cover it all. Well, we're late. Hurry up."

"Right away." SkekMir said with a flush, and hurrying over to his side. The journal felt heavy in her dress pocket.

Yet, it felt even heavier, when she sat next to Chamberlain at the tournament, and his hand slipped to her dress and stole it away. Doda caught sight of it in the distance and paddled along with her food cart.

----

"MAID!" Came a rasping yell from the hidden hot spring. "HURRY UP!"

Not only did the Hunter enjoy his hunt and the meal sure to come, but also the ease of having to do no domestic labor. When he returned that afternoon, sweaty and covered with the blood of his latest kill, UrNah had already used the ash from the hearth to sweep away the blood in the earth and refresh the floor everywhere. She even organized the shelves and baskets (at least the ones not filled with death and bones) to better suit the needs of both cave occupants.

He had gutted out and butchered his game outside, brought it in, and threw his wanted dinner pieces by the fire for UrNah to cook. A quick look around the cave, and the Hunter gave her an approved grunt before tossing his armor pieces off. There were numerous quills coming out of parts of his skin, perhaps from some critter or other he had tried to catch. UrNah knew better than to comment on a potential failure, and pretended not to notice. Given that he was not ranting and raving about getting revenge, she couldn't help but wonder if UrVa had something to do with it.

"Not bad. Get dinner started and clean my things. DON'T touch the weapons, ya git!" He snapped when UrNah made a move for one of his knives. She grumbled but did as she was ordered. When he sauntered off for the closed off sauna where the hot springs formed, the Maid got to work. Her upper hands slowly turned the seasoned meat around the flames as her lower set scrubbed ivory clean with oils and a spare rag.

Halfway through, the Hunter had called for her, and asked for something. She hesitated, finding a way to set things down without making a mess, when he had yelled once more. "MAID!" The Hunter bellowed. UrNah let go of decorum and dropped everything to rush to his side. She opened the thick leather pelt that blocked the entryway and was hit in the face with heavy humidity.

Just as she figured, he struggled with some of the quills in the hole of bubbling freshwater. It was bizarre, watching him fumble around with nothing covering his long beak or body, but UrNah once again kept those comments to herself.

"Do you need help with the quills?" She asked. The Hunter snarled.

"They're MY trophies, and I'll do with them as I wish! Just hand me the jar over there and get out."

UrNah grumbled, handed over the scented jar after retrieving it, and then left. She then sat by the fire again, deciding to let the roast cook fully in the fire so she could focus on cleaning the last of his things.

"I see you lack vision even as you walk."

She squeaked and twisted around. She hissed, "UrVa!"

He gave her a soft grin, and it was then that she took in his appearance. His armor was all leather, some of it also woven from a fibrous material, dyed with natural colors and rich reds. At the top of his head, some greying blond hair sat as a bun-like knot, held together with a simple ribbon. He had a quiver of arrows on his back, and a well-carved longbow in his hands.

"You...you found a way to fly then?" UrNah asked.

"Yes, though I admit, we must take after yourself and hurry on with it. The quills I used won't last as long as you might think."

"Right! Let's go." UrNah sighed. Along their way out, she took the roast out of the fire and sat it on a flat surface, grabbing her own bowl of foraged seeds, and poured them into the medicine bag that SkekMal had let her keep. At least he paid her in something useful.

"So how do we keep him off our trail?" UrNah asked once they were outdoors. It was dark now, the hint of the suns a bare glimmer over the horizon as stars took over the sky.

"That's the trick -- you don't." The Archer admitted. He sheathed his bow and then jumped well up into a tree, using two hands to swing easily on it and reach down the other two towards her. UrNah reluctantly reached up and found herself being swung into the tree beside him. She managed to smother her squeal of fright just enough to keep quiet. The tree swayed only a little under their weight. UrVa continued at her questioning look.

"So if you can't keep the Hunter off your trail, then we just get a head start. Follow me, you'll get used to this sooner than you think. Just think of the air as water to swim in, and the branches as arms holding you."