The Amazons is my home. Its song beats in my blood, and it will forever.
But I would be lying if I didn't admit that there is a vein of eagerness running through my body as I make my way to the Valley. After all, the Amazons is all I have known and learning about another kingdom is an adventure I would not lightly pass up. Of course, in this case I haven't a choice, but I know that I can make my time here worthwhile.
But oh, how I shall miss my home. The river with its deceptively peaceful hippos and the early morning call of the howlers and the snuffling noses of the tapir by the banks. It is exotic and wonderful, and for a whole year I will not wake up in the clearing with my mother, ready to greet newcomers and learn to defend our land.
I bite back tears resolutely. It doesn't matter that I am only two years old, barely out of childhood. I am a representative of my home. I am a princess, and I will not shame those I love. Especially not my mother.
Never her. Most of my life is occupied with making her proud, and doing the Amazons justice.
I pause at the border, for though I am a captive, I will not cross the wall of fire without a guide. Besides, mother is a stickler for borders and nothing makes her more annoyed faster than constantly correcting visitors who stray past the lines of the jungle. I can only imagine that other kingdom's rulers are the same.
With not a little shame I realize I don't know who is ruling here. Some of the other kingdoms I do, for they are often objects of discussion. Straia of the Chamber, Mast of the Gates and Ramiel of the Dale. These are all rulers I know by name but the only one I know here is Fennick and his mare, Hestia.
That's an odd concept for me in and of itself, I muse as I study the impressive flames. A stallion who seems to take the lead role in the relationship. It's not something I can imagine for myself.
But then, I think with a blush, a stallion is not the one who makes my heart flutter that much faster.
Anguisette
the changeling jungle princess
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Fennick was not in the habit of making children cry. He couldn’t actually remember ever having done so. Luckily, this jungle princess didn’t seem likely to break down in tears. The jungle had taught her well, it made her a fighter. Again, Fennick couldn’t help but feeling like he had made the right choice. Underhanded and sneaky as it was.
If he was being honest, and if he was trying to find a good excuse of his actions, he would say that this little visit would benefit both their kingdoms. The Valley could learn from Anguisette, and if Anguisette learned something from them, all the better.
Fennick had been waiting for her. He’d figured she would want an escort across the fire wall. For a moment the black stallion looked up at it skeptically. He wasn’t even sure he and Gallows would keep the damn thing. It was a near constant pain in his ass, but it did have his uses. With more joviality than Fennick felt, he stuck his head through the curtain of flame.
“You can come in you know. You’re a guest, the flame won’t burn you, and I can’t pretend to stand on the dignity your mother manages.” No, pretending to be as intimidating as the Amazon queen would be a complete waste of time. His size alone, might make Fennick intimating, and his propensity to hit things rather than talk to them. There was something about him, however, a strange boyishness that undercut all of that. Nobody had ever called him intimidating, and if they had, Fennick hadn’t been around to hear them.
Fennick cast a look at Anguisette, and wondered if she was so very miserable. Next, he wondered what he would even do about it if she was. He certainly couldn’t send Gallows over to cheer her up. That would be an utter disaster. These days Fennick had very few kind thoughts to spare his co ruler. His grievances were perhaps all in his head, but he held her solely responsible for the uncomfortable position he found himself in. That position, namely, being king. Still, his pride and sense of duty wouldn’t allow him to admit that out loud. So no, he refused to believe that Gallows could cheer anyone up. But maybe her daughter? Or perhaps Hestia? She had grown up in the Amazons, once upon a time, perhaps she could ease a little of the homesickness Anguisette might feel.
I give Fennick a solemn look before turning my eyes to the flames that surround him. Without a moment of hesitation I step forward and through the fire to join the tall stallion. The Valley has trees. That is the first thing I notice, although the trees here are much different than the fat kapok and overgrown vines. They tower above a rocky plain with copses of trees to hide in. I feel a bit exposed here, with the mountains in the distance looking down on me.
“Has your daughter been born?” I ask, my voice even. The child, after all, is reportedly most of the reason I am here. If I were less homesick I would be flattered that the stallion had seen me as someone worthy enough to influence his daughter. As it is, the light of approval in my mother's eyes and my love for the jungle are all that keep me from adding venom to my words. I barely recognize myself, this princess of stone and ice.
Curiosity suddenly wins out over my assumed coldness and with a bright look I venture a question, my voice filled with admiration. “What you did before, turning into the jungle cat... how did you do it?” I smile a very small, merry smile. “You had the image right but you didn't act like any jungle cat I'd ever seen. You were a little clumsy.”
Whereas a real cat, of course, is never less than light on their feet. Still the transformation had been one of the coolest thing I had ever seen and I am not ashamed to admit it.
A thought occurs to me and I add with a blush and slight dip of my head, “I admit that I do not know who currently rules the Valley. Would you tell me, please? I wouldn't want to be unprepared when I meet your monarch.”
Anguisette
the changeling jungle princess
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the cat and the fiddle
Oh the work of a mother. What a challenge this was presenting itself to be. Seemed like only yesterday that she had been traversing her jungle home. Now she was introducing her daughter to manners, and society. Edgy is only one way to put the feelings of the new mother. It was only recently that the filly had been introduced to her father, now she was somewhere in the kingdom, while Hestia was hoping to be able to present her to Gallows.
What a charming trio raising this young creature, would make. For she was certain that if Gallows child had anything to say about it, Gallows would to be involved in the growth of Fennicks young. She almost laughs at that, but instead snatches up a few tuffs of grass. This ever growing hunger was getting no better. She had just gotten her figure back, what was she trying to do? Loose it again. then again Fennicks appetite for other things seemed to grow just as large as her stomach had just a few months ago, and dare she say it, appeared to be doing so once more?
Oh boy, after this she was sure she would be done baring young, but oh poor poor Fennick so tempting and whily with his charms, could have the shadowy girl wrapped up and hung upside down from a tree if he wanted her too. Though it would be commical site none the less.
And just as her thoughts turn towards the blossoming love she was developing, so does the wind, with a whisper and carress she finds his scent on the air. Maybe Eona would be there with him, learning to be the adult that she would one day be called on to be. Hestia could only hope that developing the girls ties with her family would prove to be a strong bond for her.
Just as she is stepping forward, with a nicker to greet him, she spots the young princess. She smiles warmly to the girl, stepping to Fennicks side. Once again finding a furrowed brow at the silly antic of hers. She was independant didn't need anyone, and yet here she was next to Fennick being the very thing that she used to look down upon in other women. Oh well it was no use. She wasn't as cold as she used to be, as much as she would like to think herself so. Welcome to the Valley With a gentle shake of her mane, she stops moving, but only for an instant once agian finding herself in a figgity mood, unable to get or stay comfortable. Well Fennick here is one of the rulers, along side Gallows, Whom I imagine will be along shortly She had only caught the last question that the princess had offered, but it was enough.
Hestia
The living dead
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