"The Maharani's Strange New Pet"

Log Date:
	1/26/00

Log Cast:
	Thalia, Assorted Ladies-in-Waiting (NPCs emitted by Thalia), Faanshi

Log Intro:
	Word has it in Atesh-Gah that the Maharani, Thalia Tritonides Khalida,
has acquired a most unusual gift -- a fine hawk brought to her by the bard
Gaelius, who has come to see her more than once within the Varati citadel.
This is not the first exotic pet the Queen has kept, but it is said among
the shudra that she is quite pleased with this one...
	And one particular shudra, in the meantime, is rather taken aback 
when she is the one called to take sustenance to the Queen's new pet, up
from the kitchens. She has heard the rumors of the other servants within
Atesh-Gah, to be sure; she has even met the bard Gaelius herself, and been
stunned at his expressed desire to write a song about her mistress Kiera. 
But Faanshi cannot possibly conceive of the further connection that Gaelius
has developed with her Imphada -- and, for that matter, both their 
connections to the new pet in the Maharani's chambers....

*===========================< In Character Time >===========================*
             Time of day:  Late Morning
          Date on Aether:  Tuesday, December 6, 3905.
           Year on Earth:  1505 A.D. 
       Phase of the Moon:  Full
                  Season:  Winter
                 Weather:  Partly Cloudy
             Temperature:  Chilly
*==========================================================================*

Queen's Chambers - Atesh-Gah - Haven(#1694RAJh)
     A harmonious blending of Air and Flame: Empyrean decorating intimately 
  joins with the architecture belonging to the people of the Neverending Fire, 
  the union composing a symphony designed to sing to the soul of the Varati's 
  foreign Queen.
     Extravagant. Four pillars stand about the expansive room, equidistant 
  from each other, and hold up a domed ceiling between them. Upon this concave 
  surface is painted a night sky, points of light set against a deep-blue 
  backdrop. The flickering illumination from oil lamps plays upon the 
  gold-inlay of the stars, creating the illusion that they twinkle and shine 
  just like their inspiration out there in the heavens. Tapestries and mosaics 
  almost completely hide the walls and floors, each one telling a tale of the 
  Varati people through woven thread and coloured tiles. Finely carved doors 
  lead out to a wide balcony, peaked windows, covered with latice-work, offer 
  views upon the grounds below, and an archway supplies a glimpse of the 
  bedroom beyond.
     Elegant. Where the room itself is heavy and rich, the furniture within it 
  is fragile and graceful in appearance--crafted for those of the winged race. 
  The decorating is spacious and airey, accomplished with a minimalistic 
  approach in mind: backless chairs and couches, constructed more for lounging 
  than sitting, are placed about the chamber with low tables situated close 
  by. Frescos decorate the walls where the tapestries do not and upon 
  pedastals here and there are ethereal statues and exquistely painted vases.
          **Required reading: +view here/guards**
Contents:
Thalia
Obvious exits:
Out <O>

The Queen's Chamber is in its informal state at the moment. Thalia's Ladies in 
  Waiting sit and stand in various parts of the room, chatting while they work 
  on artistic masterpieces. A group of women, including the Maharani herself, 
  are gathered around a wooden post upon which sits a jessed and hooded hawk. 
  The hawk is quite large, but appears fairly docile. There appears to be some 
  discussion concerning unhooding the hawk. "Do you think it will attack, if 
  we remove the hood. It seems quite cruel to leave it on until we can set the 
  hawk free," says Thalia to one of the women beside her.

She has been here before, has the halfbreed shudra healer, and even if she 
  hadn't she's had the location of the royal chambers emblazoned into her mind 
  ever since she began serving at Atesh-Gah on a regular basis. Assigned the 
  task of ferrying the raw meat to the Queen's apartments, Faanshi submits 
  with some trepidation to the thorough scrutiny of the Agni-Haidar who guard 
  the place; deemed obviously harmless, she is permitted to pass once her 
  purpose has been made clear, the bringing of food for the Maharani's new 
  acquisition. Escorted into Thalia's presence by another servant, she kneels 
  to make her obeisances as best she can with a big bowl of raw meat cradled 
  carefully in her slender hands. In the meantime, theother servant announces 
  deferentially, "The kitchens have sent the meat your bird requires, O Queen."

Thalia turns, almost absently noting Faanshi's presence as her attention is 
  intently upon the hawk. She looks back, however, as the shudra's presence 
  fully registers in her forebrain. "Ah, Faanshi. Please, bring the meat here 
  and tell me what you think of my present from Bard Gaelius." Thalia flips a 
  hand at the other servant, dismissing the individual. "Thank you." She is 
  polite and kind, even to her servants.

With a deep bow, the other shudra withdraws, leaving the rather nervous young 
  halfbreed with no real choice but to advance as bidden. There is something 
  almost familiar about this activity; during the war, Faanshi witnessed the 
  Agni-Haidar looking after her mistress Kiera in hawk-form often enough, 
  after all. And 
perhaps it is that memory tickling at the back of her 
  thoughts that draws the shudra girl's timid gaze up over her veil, just long 
  enough to get a glimpse of the magnificent hooded bird perched before her. 
  She starts to speak, to offer some modest demurral that most hawks are 
  beyond her ken -- but then she sees this one. A small but unmistakable gasp 
  escapes her, and Faanshi freezes in shock where she kneels there on the 
  floor, just beside the bowl she's set down.

Thalia gives Faanshi a look of deep concern. "Are you well?" she queries. In 
  an attempt to comfort the halfbreed girl, Thalia says, "It won't hurt you as 
  long as it remains hooded, Faanshi. It has been very calm. It may be a 
  dangerous breed, but I won't let it hurt you." Thalia would appear to know 
  nothing about hawks and she would appear to be ignorant as to the sex of 
  this one.

Her veil is in the way, concealing the gape of shock upon her sungolden 
  features, but the widening of Faanshi's eyes is still quite obvious. For a 
  fraction of an instant she actually stares up at the Queen before 
  remembering her station and looking shyly away -- but there's no trace of 
  fear in what little can be glimpsed of her face. Merely surprise. And the 
  cause of her surprise reveals itself as she pipes, thunderstruck, "But... 
  that's Imphada Kiera, Maharani..."

Thalia stands very still and looks at Faanshi. She then swings her head and 
  looks at the hooded hawk. The silence lengthens as Thalia once again look at 
  Faanshi before choking out, "Are you sure?" Shock thoroughly laces her 
  voice. At the Maharani's words, a low buzz fills the background as the 
  Ladies in Waiting begin to whisper among themselves about this development 
  with the gift.

Faanshi spends a great deal of her time being unsure of many things: her 
  magic, her ultimate place in the great wide world, her ability to uphold the 
  holy surahs, the intentions of a certain ruggedly handsome Mongrel bard of 
  her acquaintance. But she is confident she recognizes the winged form in 
  which she's seen her halfbreed graisha mistress a number of times, and thus 
  she bobs her head with an uncharacteristic firmness even as she limits her 
  vocal reply to, "Yes, O Queen." She does not elaborate, not until she is 
  asked. But even as she keeps kneeling there by the bowl of raw meat, she 
  steals a concerned glance up at the hooded and jessed bird, trying to 
  determine whether her mistress is in appropriate health. Her magic is crying 
  no alarms...

Thalia asks, looking worriedly at the hawk, "Why is she a hawk and not 
  herself? Should I remove the hood?" She glances down at Faanshi. "Is the 
  meat suitable? Will it make her sick? Does Kiera have preferences?" Thalia 
  babbles for a moment in consternation, then once again resumes iron control 
  of her mouth. "Please, Faanshi, explain to me why your mistress remains in 
  the form of a hawk."

This coaxes the shudra girl's gaze up again, even as she struggles to adjust 
  to the idea of a dismayed Queen asking _her_ for information. She blinks a 
  few times more, peeks up at the winged woman, and then offers earnestly, 
  "She is graisha, Maharani... and when it is the time of the full moon... she 
  stays in the hawk shape. I saw it happen, during the war. When the moon is 
  no longer full she will become Imphada Kiera again." She chews her lip 
  behind her veil, peeking at the bird again, taking some assurance that her 
  magic is lying dormant, speaking of nothing amiss with her mistress. "I... 
  remember, too, that during the war the Amir-al and His Lions of Fire kept 
  her like this so that she would not fly away while she was a hawk... 
  because... as I understand it... while she is hawk she does not know more 
  than a hawk would." This is quite the burst of communication out of her, and 
  Faanshi realizes this all at once. Not at all sure how her unusual 
  talkativeness will be taken, she withdraws a little into herself and 
  concludes shyly, "As long as the meat is fresh and blooded, the hawk does 
  not... seem to mind what kind it is. They gave me venison, in the kitchens, 
  killed this morning."

Thalia lets out a faint sigh of relief and touches her hand to her breast. She 
  holds the pose for a moment, breathing in deeply. "Thank you, Faanshi. I was 
  taken aback by your revelation and since it is my dearest wish to be friends 
  with your mistress, I am glad that all actions on my part will not cause her 
  anger when she leaves the hawk form." She waves her hand invitingly at 
  Faanshi. "Please, come help me feed your mistress. If anyone has that right, 
  it is you."

Faanshi demurely bobs her head, murmuring, "Yes, Maharani." And with that she 
  slowly rises, scouring her memory for what she'd had to do during the Varati 
  march through the Empyre, whenever Kiera was trapped within her hawk-form. 
  Slow and easy motions so as not to startle the bird. And some way of getting 
  the meat near her without too much of a scent of man... "Do you... have 
  gloves, Maharani? Thick ones?"

Thalia shakes her head. "No, I do not own thick gloves. I own only those made 
  of thin silk or ones which have been decorated with beads and fur." She 
  looks at the hawk which continues to sit quietly on her perch. "Why do you 
  need gloves, Faanshi?" The Ladies in Waiting standing near the perch move 
  aside so that Faanshi can have the best spot possible for feeding the hawk.

Surrounded by this gaggle of well-bred women who possess the rank or skills 
  sufficient to win them a position attending to the Queen, Faanshi finds 
  herself feeling abruptly very out of place... and grateful that her veil 
  more or less conceals the blush suffusing her cheeks. "If you, um... hold 
  the meat, Maharani, it gets on your hands, and she might think your hand is 
  meat too and try to bite it." But, well, if there are no gloves there are no 
  gloves, and Faanshi will make do. Carefully, she stoops down to take up a 
  very small portion of the raw venison into her palm, bringing it up within 
  the bird's easy range of scent and getting a few flaps of wings and a hooded 
  head swiveling in her direction for her trouble.

Thalia looks around the room, thinking. She taps a well-manicured finger 
  against her cheek. "Could we," she begins asking, drawing out the last word 
  in her contemplation, "use a stick or--" Thalia walks over to an easel with 
  a half-finished picture. "A paintbrush?" she exclaims as if struck by 
  inspiration. "There are clean brushes. We could rest the meat on the wooden 
  end." She glances around to see if others find this idea plausible.

One of the youngest of the women gives a little squeak as the shudra proceeds 
  to offer the hawk meat, barehandedly, against her own advice. But apparently 
  Faanshi is not particularly concerned about damage to her _own_ hands, and 
  with a patience she has rarely been able to show in the presence of so many 
  who outrank her, the young healer waits for the bird to catch the scent of 
  the deer flesh. Briefly, the bird mantles -- and then falls upon the handful 
  of meat with vigor.

"Perhaps that would work, my Queen," agrees one of the older kshatri women, 
  far more comfortable with addressing the Maharani than the shy young shudra. 
  "If the goal is to keep one's fingers away from the beak and talons..."

Thalia gathers up a few brushes herself and brings them over to Faanshi. The 
  wooden handles of the brushes are of different lengths and thicknesses so 
  that the shudra can choose the brush which would be most suited to the task. 
  Thalia holds them out to Faanshi. "I would not wish for you to lose any 
  fingers, Faanshi. If you were injured, Kiera would most certainly be upset." 
  She watches the hawk eat, as if trying to mentally equate the bird with 
  Kiera.

"I can heal my hands, Imphada," Faanshi murmurs, though it gives her a 
  moment's pause as she realizes that she _doesn't_ know if she could restore 
  her own fingers, if hawk-Kiera happened to bite one off. Confidence in the 
  ability to mend her flesh yields to what appears to her to be entirely 
  reasonable caution -- at least until she has an opportunity to discuss the 
  matter with Samein or FallingStar. "But thank you," The girl accepts one of 
  the thicker brushes, using it to scoop up smaller dollops of bloodied meat 
  for the hawk's consumption... and moving her other hand to a safer distance.

Thalia does not question Faanshi's healing competence, but she appears 
  relieved that Faanshi finds the brushes to be an acceptable solution. 
  Obviously, to Thalia, it is better to be safe than sorry. "How long will she 
  remain in this form, Faanshi?" She turns to admire the hawk now that Faanshi 
  has the matter of feeding under control. A few women pick up sketch pads and 
  begin to draw the halfbreed as she kneels before the perch.

"As I remember," the healer girl answers softly, "she stays a hawk thoroughout 
  the full moon. So it was while we marched with the armies of the Amir-al, 
  during the war."

There is a scratching on paper as various women sketch while others attempt to 
  figure out the end of the full moon. "Can you continue to take care of her 
  until the full moon ends?" asks Thalia. "One of my Ladies has been seeing to 
  Kiera's basics needs, but her knowledge of hawks is sparse and limited to 
  real birds of prey rather than graisha."

Faanshi, by contrast, knows nothing of any hawks except her mistress. But 
  then, duty is duty, and this particular shudra is not about to shirk the 
  second surah. "Imphada Kiera is my mistress," she murmurs simply. "It is my 
  first task to serve her." Regardless of whatever form she happens to be 
  wearing at the time.

Thalia returns the rest of the brushes to the easel. She looks over the 
  partially complete painting, studying it for a moment, then walks back to 
  the hawk. "I would like it if you would be here as much as possible, 
  Faanshi. I will not know the signs of Kiera leaving the form of a hawk and 
  it would be best if when the change occurred, she had her loyal shudra 
  nearby."

"As you wish, Imphada Maharani," is the shudra girl's soft reply to that. Her 
  green gaze remains demurely averted, focused upon the task of giving the 
  hawk her meal a few scraps at a time, a far safer place to rest her 
  attention than upon the daunting figure of the consort of the Son of the 
  Dawn. She keeps to herself the thought that if Kiera transforms back into 
  herself here in this place, her presence or lack thereof is hardly likely to 
  have an effect upon how quickly Kiera will leave... given her animosity 
  towards the winged woman whose rooms these are.

It is a good thing that Thalia cannot read minds. She is therefore luckily 
  oblivious to the direction of Faanshi's thoughts. Her words are light and 
  merry. "Thank you, Faanshi. I have hoped for some time to speak with your 
  mistress. My desire has been granted and I could not be happier."

Ohh dear. Faanshi is fairly inexperienced in the ways of the world, but even 
  she can see the potential problems that lie between the Maharani's obvious 
  pleasure and what she herself knows of Kiera's attitudes towards Empyreans 
  in general... and Thalia in particular. Mercifully, most of her attention 
  must needs be taken up with the careful feeding of the venison to the hungry 
  hawk... but this does not occupy Faanshi's ears, and so she flicks an 
  uncertain glance at the Empyrean woman as she tries to figure out if she 
  should speak on what she knows. Acutely conscious of her lowly status as 
  well as the presence of the other women in the room, she finally murmurs as 
  humbly as she can, "I... feel I must say, O Queen... that the Imphada Kiera 
  might be... upset when she becomes herself again. She has not... confided in 
  her servant, but it is my understand that she is not..." At all happy that 
  you have married Khalid? A friend of the Empyrean people by any stretch of 
  the imagination? "... at... ease with your people. The... the people of your 
  birth, I mean."

Thalia gestures to a servant and makes a quietly murmured request. A moment 
  later, a chair is brought over so that she might sit and watch Faanshi feed 
  the hawk. She rests her chin in the first two knuckles of her index and 
  forefinger. "I see," says the Queen thoughtfully. "Is it because of her own 
  heritage that she finds Empyreans less than palatable?" She gazes pensively 
  at the hawk whose only concern appears to be sniffing out the venison and 
  eating it.

"From... what little she has permitted me to know, Imphada Maharani," says 
  Faanshi very softly, "that... would appear to be the case." Disconcerted by 
  the strangeness of this entire situation, the simple fact that here she is 
  on her feet feeding a hawk who is actually her mistress in front of the 
  Queen of all the Children of Fire, the shudra has to struggle to keep 
  herself calm... and to keep herself from relaying her agitation to the hawk. 
  You can do this, she tells herself sternly. You've calmed wild creatures 
  before, haven't you? Granted, they were hurt at the time, but still. Focus, 
  Faanshi. This hawk is your mistress and needs your attention!

Thalia allows Faanshi a moment of peace as she consider the complexity of 
  attempting to become Kiera's friend. "Is she open-minded enough to give me a 
  chance to prove that I am not identical to all Empyreans? A person cannot 
  control how she is born, but she can control what she becomes. Yet, I do not 
  know how her Sylvan nature plays into her personality."

A number of reactions and responses shoot through Faanshi's mind, intertwined 
  and jangled thoughts involving Kiera's Sylvan blood... and her own. The fact 
  that one of her own teachers is a Sylvan woman... and the fact that Kiera 
  used a Sylvan word to name the man who was once her naraki, Thomas Murako of 
  Avalon. All she finally says, however, is a hesitant, "I... am not sure, 
  Imphada." For a moment she occupies herself trying to coax the edge of the 
  paintbrush outof the hawk's beak; inundated in the blood of the deer as it 
  is becoming, it is starting to become attractive to the bird as something 
  upon which to chew. "The last time I met with her... she was speaking with 
  the Dominus Gaelius... he wanted to make a song about her."

The corner of Thalia's lips twitch. "Dominus Gaelius presented this hawk as a 
  present to me. He thought I would admire the strength, the speed and the 
  size of the hawk. He did not say at the time that it was Kiera. Do you think 
  that Gaelius knew that he was gifting me with Kiera?"

"I do not know, Maharani," Faanshi admits, another blush suffusing her cheeks 
  at the bard coming into the conversation. "I did not tell him that sometimes 
  the Imphada Kiera is a bird, and, um... I do not know very much about the 
  Dominus."

Thalia rubs the side of her forefinger against the line of her jaw. "I suppose 
  that is a question that I shall have to ask Gaelius when he returns." She 
  chuckles, as if amused by the turn of events. "He was to return for a 
  ceremony of setting the hawk free. I hope that he is as surprised as I was."

Not exactly in a position to comment upon what will or will not surprise an 
  Empyrean bard she hardly knows, Faanshi peeks sidelong at the Queen for a 
  moment, trying to fathom whether a reply is required. Finally she remembers 
  that this woman had _seemed_, at least the last time they'd met, somehow 
  interested in what she might have to say. Does she dare hope that she could 
  speak freely here -- at least a little? Cautiously, as if she were about to 
  step into a pool and half-expected a hungry wyvern to surge up and devour 
  her, she murmurs, "I would... imagine he would be very surprised, Maharani, 
  but if he is a bard perhaps he will make a song about it afterwards."

Thalia nods slowly. "Yes, I would like to see his surprise, Faanshi." The 
  Queen appears to be listening to Faanshi and finding the shudra's words 
  valuable. "A song. I had not thought of that." She laughs, the sound like 
  raindrops falling on crystalline chimes. "I would love a song about this. Do 
  you think you could encourage the bard to create one, if he does not come to 
  that conclusion on his own?"

"I?!" Ah, it _is_ possible to shatter the shudra's stoic calm! Her her head 
  snaps up, making the hawk rear back momentarily, wings flapping.

Thalia sits up straighter as the hawk suddenly rears, but as the bird once 
  again calms, she settles back into the chair. "Oh, yes. Could you, please?" 
  She asks Faanshi as she would any of her Ladies in Waiting, with the same 
  level of graciousness and politeness, as if in her eyes, the shudra is equal.

Faanshi's silken veil once more makes itself useful concealing the girl's 
  startled gape. And perhaps fortunately for Faanshi's peace of mind, the need 
  to mollify Kiera-hawk gives her something to focus upon besides her own 
  astonishment. A few more slivers of meat are presented for the bird's 
  inspection, even as the healer girl mumbles lamely, "Great Lady, I am... not 
  very good at talking..." Well, talking in general. But especially to people 
  of rank. And when you are a shudra and a halfbreed, this is practically 
  everyone. When you are a woman raised by the Varati, this especially 
  includes those of the male persuasion, too. Swallowing hard, not meeting the 
  curious and thoughtful gazes shot her way by the kshatri ladies trying to 
  fathom what manner of creature is receiving so much of their Queen's 
  attention, she finishes in distinctly embarrassed tones, "T-to, um... men."

Thalia taps her lips with a fingernail. "Yes, that could be a problem." She 
  looks over at her ladies then back at Faanshi. "Perhaps if I explained why I 
  cannot ask nor should any of my ladies should ask, then you might find the 
  skill to speak to Gaelius for me?" She smiles down at the shudra. "Dominus 
  Gaelius wishes to interview Khalid and write songs about him. While this is 
  a noble desire, Khalid is busy ruling our people and to grant a personal 
  interview would take a great deal effort on his part. His schedule is 
  already quite full. As for Gaelius, Khalid and I are concerned that he is a 
  true Bard and that he will do justice to the Amir-al in song. Therefore, I 
  feel that it is necessary for Gaelius to prove his mettle and show that he 
  is worthy of the honor that he requests. If I should ask Gaelius for a song, 
  then he shall feel that he has advanced his cause and is closer to gaining 
  the precious interview with Khalid. In fact, that is why I believe he gifted 
  me with Kiera, because he wished to gain my favor so that I might sway my 
  husband toward Gaelius' desire. If I should ask one of my ladies to make 
  this request, then the same effect will occur. However, if you should ask, 
  Faanshi, then he will write as a Bard and I shall be able to make a true 
  determination of his skill. Does that make sense?"

The last time Faanshi had to prepare herself to ask a bard for a song, she 
  wound up getting serenaded by a Mongrel man who's since claimed he loves 
  her. But surely, she tells herself, such an astounding thing could not 
  happen twice -- and should not, for the Dominus Gaelius has already 
  demonstrated his interest in singing of _Kiera_, and thus, her humble shudra 
  should not even take more of his notice than is necessary to convince him to 
  carry out the Queen's desire without his knowing. Somewhat relieved (and 
  finding herself unaccountably thinking that perhaps Lyre would be proud of 
  her if she handled this bravely), Faanshi ventures in a timid but thoughtful 
  voice, "Because... I am but a shudra, he would not expect that making a song 
  for me would grant him access to the Most High, Imphada? But... I am Imphada 
  Kiera's shudra, and she is Favored of the Amir-al..."

Thalia considers Faanshi's argument. "This is true. Yet, if Gaelius knows that 
  Kiera is less than happy with my presence, then perhaps the situation could 
  be to our advantage. Kiera is favored, but she does not wish to associate 
  with me. You convince Bard Gaelius to compose a song about her and me as a 
  favor to you. Now, he can think that he will gain favor by doing such a deed 
  because he will bring Kiera and I closer together. This would be my dearest 
  wish. Or, he may think that he will lose favor because the song will cause 
  Kiera to spurn him. He will have to make a leap of faith." She smiles at 
  Faanshi, plying the shudra with more logic.

It takes Faanshi some effort to absorb all of this, and she turns an uncertain 
  more or less in the Queen's direction -- but towards her feet, rather than 
  anywhere so risky for a shudra's regard to venture as the royal and perhaps 
  even divine countenance. Perhaps growing near to sated now, the hawk is 
  growing more interested in simply nipping at the edge of the paintbrush than 
  in any further scraps of food, and the shudra can afford to divert at least 
  a bit of her attention. _I am... talking with the Queen,_ she thinks more 
  than a little wildly, but yet again her veil and the downward tilt of her 
  gaze help keep her consternation safely within. "I understand, Imphada 
  Maharani," she murmurs shyly. "I-I will attempt to do as you command."

Thalia encourages with both voice and posture. "I know that this will be 
  difficult for you, but I am sure that you will prevail. If he is a Bard, 
  then he will make your task as simple as possible. If he is only pretending, 
  then you will have helped uncover a bit of deceit." Thalia pats her thighs 
  with her hands. "Think of Gaelius as any other man you might have 
  successfully spoken with."

She can't help it; this, naturally, reminds the anxious young woman of the 
  other bard of her acquaintance. And the fact that the last time she saw the 
  bard in question, a rather alarming portion of his leanly muscled frame had 
  been exposed to her startled view. Blushing scarlet, Faanshi makes a choked 
  little queak of a noise, and with a massive effort tries to haul her 
  thoughts away from the idea of seeing the Empyrean bard in a similar state 
  of dishabille. "I-I will endeavor to do so, Imphada," she mumbles in a tiny 
  voice.

Thalia appears pleased with Faanshi's responses, though she might be reacting 
  differently if she could view the thoughts running through the shudra's 
  head. "I cannot ask more than your best try. That will be more than 
  satisfactory." She looks over at the hawk which is now busily snapping at 
  the meat-scented wood. "Is the hawk full?"

"She..." Breathe, Faanshi. Try not to think about half-shirtless Mongrel 
  bards. Or, for that matter, half-shirtless Empyrean bards. Calm! Peace! "... 
  appears to be full for now, Maharani..."

Thalia nods, though she tilts her head to the side as if trying to see why 
  Faanshi appears to be having trouble breathing. "Are you well? Do you need 
  some help?"

If there's anything that can banish the potent recollection of being alone 
  with Lyre Talespinner in a darkened herb-shop in the middle of the night, it 
  is the voice of the Queen demanding her attention, gentle and concerned a 
  demand though it may be. Faanshi snaps out of the reverie threatening to 
  dominate her thoughts and swiftly bobs her head, blurting, "Yes, O Queen... 
  I am well, thank you. Imphada Kiera... w-will probably sleep for a time, now 
  that she has eaten... do you wish me to return the bowl to the kitchens?"

Thalia continues to gaze with concern at Faanshi. "Yes, please do so. Then 
  afterwards, perhaps you should rest or visit the park with your dog. You 
  have done well by your mistress this day. You deserve to treat yourself."

Swiftly, then, the shudra girl stoops to take up the bowl with its leftover 
  scraps of venison -- thinking, just perhaps, that she could appropriate a 
  small portion of what's left to feed her hound. But the fact that _Thalia_ 
  remembers Kosha abruptly profoundly moves Faanshi, and she finds herself 
  halted in surprise for a moment or two, unable to register anything but the 
  absurd pleasure that such a lofty personage has taken notice of her canine. 
  "Thank you, Imphada Maharani," she breathes then, kneeling and aiming her 
  brow for the floor as deftly as she can with a bowl cradled in her arms. 
  "Kosha needs the space... to run, and to hunt... thank you!" Oddly enough, 
  the notion of doing something for her dog seems to be the only thing on the 
  lass's mind; the idea of treating _herself_ goes unaddressed.

Thalia makes a shooing motion with her hand. "Go enjoy yourself. And I would 
  think it wasteful to allow that meat to rot. Take it with you. You can use 
  it to teach Kosha some tricks." Apparantly, it doesn't occur to Thalia that 
  this might be the only way Faanshi can feed her dog.

Teaching Kosha tricks: yet another reminder of Lyre. In consternation and a 
  renewed blush, Faanshi wonders if she is going to be doomed to think of that 
  man with every third breath she takes... but at least, she has been 
  dismissed, and thus she can go about her way, to try to work the Mongrel 
  bard out of her thoughts in peace. "Yes, Maharani," she murmurs, "I will... 
  thank you...!" Taking this as her cue to leave, the halfbreed girl rises and 
  steps away, makes one last curtsey... and then flees for the door as swiftly 
  as decorum allows.

[End log.]