Faith is the bird that feels the light: Scorch

[Malka]

Faith is the bird that feels the light

when the dawn is still dark.

There were so many unspoken words between the two mares that were simply understood. An outsider would never truly understand the relationship that the odd pair made, nor their back and forth cross between friendship and harsh banter. They settle though and the talks go from playful messing around to more serious subjects. Scorch's words reach Malka and she is quiet but just a moment before she replies. "Me," she says, not a single bit of doubt sounding in her voice. She knows it is not the response her friend would be looking for, and she she adds on.

"For as long as I can remember, the position of Erinak (or Ambassador, or whatever other fancy title it may have had in the past) was meant for that one mare the queen could trust the most. The mare that no matter what, would have the queen's back, whether her choices were right or wrong." she starts. "Many other kingdoms use a similar rank to give position to potential heirs, but we are not like other kingdoms," she continues, her ears flipping back softly as she speaks. "Because of the bond that the sisterhood carries, I don't think the position of Erinak should ever be used to align successors. I am your Erinak, much like I was Kag's Ambassador. Kag was Quark's Erinak and my mother held a similar position multiple times throughout her lifetime -- all positions of trust, not want."A Queen needs someone she can always depend on without fear of being politically correct or offending them. she adds, only further emphasizing her point. She falls quiet for a bit, letting her words sink in with Scorch. There was a confidence in her words that one simply could not deny and Malka knew that Scorch would understand her reply. She is silent for a short while more, her tail flicking lightly against her legs before she casually continues.

"As far as future queens go though, you are very limited in your choices," she states rather matter-of-factly, knowing that Scorch was aware of such truth already and was only seeking to have Malka weigh in on the situation. "If you were to step down any time in the near future, either Rhy or Lagertha would be the only logical choices.

"They are both active, respected by their sisters and have shown their loyalty to the kingdom through many situations. They have different personalities and the Jungle has shown she could thrive well under either kind of woman. There's Lagertha's fire and straight forwardness and Rhy's more laid back and methodical mindset - characteristics suiting to their current ranking" she continues.

"That said, it is obvious that you hold some sort of begrudging nature towards Lagertha, yet have a soft spot for Rhy as Kag's granddaughter." Let's face it - Scorch had asked for an honest opinion and she wasn't going to get one more honest than what the paint mare was throwing at her. Nor was Malka blind or stupid in her observations. "But if you want what's best for the sisterhood, than you must put aside any personal issues or preferences you have for either mare and pick one that you feel is best suited for the position. The new queen must be one that is supported by the kingdom, not just the previous queen's desires. For you serve the Jungle, not yourself."

"It is of my opinion though that a queen must either be appointed or chosen by the sisterhood. The Jungle is not the kind of land that would take well to outsiders jousting for rank like it was some golden trophy to be paraded around once acquired. You are the only one who best knows both mares and can best assess them for their deservingness of the crown. If you do not feel you can make a strong decision for the good of the kingdom, than let the sisters choose for themselves," she continues on, obviously making jabs as the Desert's recent monarchy competition. Malka had thought ill of the whole situation from the beginning and had even frowned upon Scorch sending family to compete (though her love and duty as Erinak stopped her from ever saying such a thing).

"This is all hypothetical of course," she throws on the end with another quick roll of her shoulders. "Everything could change in the next few months if someone new were to come in or either mare were to suddenly become inactive," she finishes before she finally falls quiet, letting her head dip ever so slightly to signal her end to her side of the dialog. She was curious to hear Scorch's reply for she knew that she had not completely provided the answer her naked friend sought. Her intentional evasion of a final answer though would allow Scorch to speak and voice her own opinions in any direction she chose to.

Malka

immortal, quetzal-shifting Lekh, Kosi & Erinak of the 'Zons

(Sorry this is ridiculously long, but yeah - there it is <3)