She has always been wild. It is the one thing that hasn’t changed about Straia. She may keep it tucked away in some regards – she has to, because she is Queen – but in others she wears it openly. Her beauty is a wild thing. Her mane and tail are long and tangled, mane hanging on either side of her neck haphazardly. She once wore the ash from the pine trees in streaks of armor, and now she simply wears the scratches from the branches that stroke her as she moves through the pine forests.
It is this very unkempt appearance that makes her beautiful. There’s a wildness there, something untamed and uncertain. It flickers in her eyes and whispers of its existence in the smell of pine and feathers that clings to her skin. Maybe she was mad indeed. In fact, she knows she is. It’s just well contained, and well presented, even if it looks as if she simply doesn’t care what she looks like. But of course that too is part of the beauty.
She likes this version of Kushiel as well, the one left behind when the flames die away. Not because of the admiration in his voice, or the huskiness that she will never admit to liking just a hair too much (he’s still not Weed, but she enjoys him, and she’s not necessarily the monogamous type). She simply likes seeing him as he is, all the pretense stripped away, left with a stallion ready to burn the world down.
Because that has always been her dream.
“I’m so glad to hear you say that. Gryffen may have a task for you, and it may involve burning some things. If you are interested, give him a shout. I’ll make sure you are well equipped, if the plan interests you.” She leaves it at that, figuring their conversation may be drawing to a close anyway. She’s planted the seed, but she’ll leave Gryffen to the execution. Warship had joined that party, and she knows that tactics aren’t her strong suit. They just needed her permission, which she has given.
Though mention of the Valley interests her far more. “And who would I talk to? I’ve been uncertain what to do there. Their new king seems, well, a bit nice. But perhaps I am wrong.” Because she would like to know they still have an ally in the destruction of Beqanna. She’s no fool, the Chamber can only stand alone for so long. And perhaps, just perhaps, Kushiel can give her exactly what she needs.
straia
the raven queen of the chamber
Use of mild power playing is allowed; no injuries without permission