Apathy

Posted on Sat Aug 6th, 2022 @ 5:09pm by High Priestess An'Dalus & Sovereign T'handu

Mission: Season 5: Episode 4: Reef
Location: Sequus VIP quarters
Timeline: MD:1 09h00
503 words - 1 OF Standard Post Measure

"Hold still..." Spoke the High Priestess, her tone firm and commanding with an air of nurtured affection sprinkled in. "If I have to start again I shalt be pleased." she chided while raking a comb over a portion of his chest, trimmer humming idly in her other hand.

"Yes, Mistress..." T'han sighed, as his eyes fell to the floor, not daring to let his head follow his gaze any further.

Silence once again filled the vast room, threatening to drown out the buzz of the clippers as Anne continued sculpting the myriad of beautiful and intricate patterns over his athletic Sequus form.

"T'han, What's gotten into you lately." She asked, lifting his chin with the back of her hand before raking the hair down his neck. "You've been utterly miserable, despite your best efforts to hide it." Anne remarked, catching his glance of protest and shutting it down within the same breath.

"I don't have any friends here, Priestess... nor others to serve," T'han admitted, his voice sad and apathetic.

"How did Commander S'hib do it..."

"I don't know..." She said in a soft whisper, regretful that she couldn't offer her Sovereign more council.

"But what I do know, is you're not telling me everything."

He said nothing at first, his eyes darting about the red sand.

"This is about the pink-maned girl isn't it..." Anne smiled just as T'han opened his mouth.

"Yes..."

"And you haven't spoken to her since?" She mused, becoming wholly distracted from her task, clipper once again buzzing idly as she rested her elbow against her bare hip.

"No..."

"And why not?"

"It's not my place, I'm here to-"

"Nonsense!" Anne snorted, the word was harsh but not very loud, still, T'hans ears recoiled back regardless.

"We aren't on Sequella anymore..." She concluded with another snort.

"Well technically..." He smiled, glancing at the sand beneath their hooves.

"Don't get smart with my boy," She smiled back while gently slapping his snout with her comb. "The rules here have to be different, that's how S'hib did it... he embraced the change, we should too, to some extent anyway..."

"What should I do then?" He enquired, unsure of himself.

"Talk to her..." She exclaimed as though it should be obvious, briefly forgetting why he was the way he was.

"Maybe ask her to teach you how to fly?"

The suggestion made his stomach revolt in protest, threatening to upend his breakfast as he remembered the manoeuvres Miraj had pulled on him.

"Maybe..." he said before swallowing, his mouth feeling suddenly dry.

"Or just ask her if she would like some company and food... the worst thing that can happen is she says no," Anne said reassuringly while trying to temper his expectations. "In any case, you should still go, even on your own... just don't sit here all day, please."

"Yes, Mistress... I'll try."

"Good, now for the last time, hold still... you fidget more than a sand eel." She frowned, admiring her work for just a moment before continuing.

 

Comments (1)