Up the stairs, down the hall to the left. The directions were simple enough to find the room, though there may have been some mistake. As Amethyst stood next to Tenya, they both looked at the singular bed. Amethyst had told Nuru she deserved privacy and she didn't mind bunking with Tenya. Though she didn't think that meant sharing a single bed with her.

"I'll take the floor." Amethyst said without hesitation.

"Don't be a fool." Tenya was making her way into the room.

"I've been traveling and don't have a great scent."

"You and me both."

"Also, you are my mast--"

"Talk like that's not tolerated. It may be necessary out there at some point, but when it's just us, you are just Amethyst."

"Is that an order?" Amethyst smirked.

"Damn well better believe it is." Tenya said with a glare and a wag of her finger. "We are adults and can share a bed. It's plenty large enough for the both of us."

"I... don't want to be a bother." Amethyst stammered, her confidence waning.

"It's bothering me that we are still having this conversation."

"Right."

So Amethyst made her way over towards the bed as Tenya pushed it against the wall. It made a screeching noise and gouged a small part of the wood leaving scratches. Amethyst covered her ears at the sharp noise, though no one came to say anything about it.

"I like to sleep with my back to the wall." Tenya said as she stripped out of her clothes.

Amethyst had seen Tenya cleaning at watering holes and what not, but always avoided any close contact as to give privacy. Yet here Tenya was, wringing a cloth over a basin and wiping down with no care who might see her. Amethyst quickly drew the shutters closed.

"You can't start bathing in front of the open window." Amethyst said in a loud whisper.

"It's closed now. Come grab the other rag and get clean water before I get gross all in it."

Amethyst kept her eyes averted as much as she could, before starting on her own cleaning. She kept her back to Tenya and jumped nearly a foot off the ground as Tenya asked for her rag to scrub Amethyst's back. Embarrassed, she didn't have the will to argue.

The remainder of the night went by far too quickly for Amethyst's taste. As soon as she had set her head on the pillow, she was woken by a sudden touch to her backside. She slowly turned her head to look at Tenya, who was mumbling in her sleep, with her right hand gripping the base of Amethyst's tail. Not knowing what to do she lay there unable to fall back asleep as her imagination raced.

§

Amethyst entered the main room of the home the afternoon following their arrival to Ponáei's. Busara, Wa Chini, and Nuru had already gathered with Stochastís and Hofu. Tenya shuffled along sleepily behind Amethyst as they sat in the room for a group meeting. Pleasantries were exchanged between everyone except Tenya, who looked to be in a foul mood once more. Amethyst knew it was the end of her four day cycle and she would need another dose of Nectar.

Ponáei and Wafi entered shortly after Amethyst and Tenya. She glared at Tenya, who looked more rugged than anyone else there; to her credit, she had taken quite the tumble down the steps of the amphitheater. Ponáei's gaze was not dissimilar to that of a weary predator. Her piecing eyes shifted to Hofu, taking only a moment to widen into a softer form.

"Let's start by laying some rules." Ponáei sat up straight, her hands were gently folded in her lap, her silken dress was similar to the one she had on last night, except in a sky blue color with golden highlights woven throughout in intricate designs. "First, my word under this roof is law. Second, the people here are not servants. We are all working towards the same goal." She gauged the room before continuing. "Otherwise, I trust you all to act with respect as guests. Under normal circumstances, I would treat you as royalty, but I am stretched with our own objectives."

The room affirmed their understanding, introductions were made, and food was served before the meat of the conversation was bitten into. Ponáei seemed empathetic towards Tenya's plight, though made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that her primary focus would be to stop Uongo's march to power. Though she agreed to keep an eye out for a little foreign girl that looked like Tenya.

Through all the planning and technical strategy, Amethyst considered a less violent option. "What if we set up a meeting between Ponáei and Uongo? He wouldn't be expecting her, and she may be able to convince him to stop-- or at least not kill or imprison Hofu."

They considered the pros and cons to the strategy. The consensus was that perhaps there was still an ounce of good in Uongo, or he could be a puppet, or may be blackmailed. Hofu seemed enamored with the idea that his uncle was really a good man mixed up in a bad thing. Ponáei on the other hand didn't seem to have the same sentiment.

"I don't think it will work. For everything I still love of the man, it's unlikely my presence will help the situation." Ponáei said unwaveringly.

"Even so, the less violent option should be first." Stochastís countered. "Amethyst's plan may be hopeful, but we should always hope for the best, and plan for the worst. We should not have Hofu there."

"Why not?!" Hofu exclaimed.

"If he is truly after you, then handing you over on a silver plate defeats our desire." Stochastís said.

"We should keep him here." Ponáei said coldly.

"I disagree. Though dangerous, we should send Hofu to a location with an easy escape as a meeting point. Agápi could deliver a letter saying Hofu will be alone." Stochastís shifted his legs as he stroked his chin. "If Uongo cares, he will go to Hofu. We can have a solid guard to help, and you could go to Uongo's manor at the same time. If he is there, confront him."

"Uncle will come, and it will be good." Hofu said hopefully, though if he were trying to convince himself or everyone else, Amethyst didn't know. She did see the little head shake his aunt gave at his hope. The room remained in static silence digesting the plan.

"There are risks, but the plan is forward enough to give us solid answers." Stochastís suggested.

"If it's not a problem, myself and Tenya can go to Uongo's with Ponáei, and Wa Chini, Busara, and Nuru can go with Hofu. If there is a fight, that would be a good split." She let everyone chew it over while translating to Tenya.

"So you're gonna volunteer me?" Tenya remarked.

"I should have asked."

"It's okay, we need to help them if they are going to help us. I want to go with Hofu and you should take Wa Chini. He is better at sneaking around, and has better instincts."

"That's why Hofu is the best fit, he needs to stay protected."

"So do you." Tenya's voice was gentle, which caught Amethyst off guard. She stared at Tenya in disbelief.

"What?"

"That was just... really nice is all." Amethyst felt that heat creeping around once more and hoped the blush wasn't as visible as it felt.

With a little convincing, and some minor adjustments, it was decided Ponáei would take Wafi, Amethyst, and Wa Chini along with Agápi to guide as needed. Tenya would go with Busara, Nuru, and Hofu, along with an extra guard. Meanwhile Stochastís would go with Hofu as well just in case he was needed.

§

The cloudless night helped them navigate the streets towards the house of Uongo. Amethyst was nervous at every sound and movement in the shadow. A stray dog or cat, the random bit of clothing on a line, or the silhouette of a vagrant all set off the same danger alarms in her mind. Uongo was far from other nobles, primed at the southernmost part of the city just within the walls not far from the river.

Amethyst was worried about being caught or discovered. If only she could manipulate shadows... She had heard of some who could-- powerful mages who once lived that could even turn into shadows themselves.

The city at night felt almost more familiar to her than during the day. Even so, she had the feeling Uongo had already learned their plans and would go after them long before they would arrive, but as usual, her imagination proved an unreliable source for reality to draw from.

Though Amethyst went to help Ponáei, her primary goal was to keep an eye out for Ebba. She knew Wa Chini would be too, but just in case she could be vigilant while the others focused on their tasks. Amethyst still felt like a burden more than an asset. She didn't know how to fight and was just as likely to be a hostage as a corpse. Impossible scenarios crept their way into her ironclad focus as they walked to Uongo's.

The home was much larger than Ponáei's, though there were not as many guards and the décor was sparse, but elegant. Agápi took them through a servants entrance left unlocked. The house was quiet, nary a sound stirred inside save that of a cage of colorful large birds which hopped about their homes.

At this same moment, Hofu and Tenya's group would be at the waiting point for Uongo, and they would be seeing the results of their plan shortly. Meanwhile, for at least the next hour, Amethyst and hers would lay in wait in case Uongo chose a different path.

The home was covered with art and murals, not dissimilar to what Katili boasted in his courtyard. They made slow progress but didn't run into anyone. Agápi knew the primary paths of the servants, which gave her the advantage and allowed them to sneak through this maze of a house. Uongo's room was on the third floor. It took up its majority with a single double door as separation. To the left sat a wardrobe which looked to fill the whole wall. To the right, a massive four post bed with a silken canopy rested. Straight ahead there was an open wall leading to the rooftop balcony and garden. This was described as his "zen place". Though, it was once a meeting space and not a bedroom when Ponáei resided here. Agápi took her leave from the group, making her way back to Ponáei's home.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Amethyst looked around while Wa Chini backed into the corner adjacent to the room's entrance. Wafi remained close to Ponáei as they made their way towards the garden. They waited in silence for nearly half an hour before the stairs creaked in warning at a hefty approach. Amethyst moved out of primary eyesight. Though it was dark without any fire, the moon was just leaving its fullness, so they had become familiar with it to an extent. But their advantage was overshadowed by the man who knew his home as well as any servant.

There was a pause, a shadow stretched from under the cracks of the door where another light source illuminated. The door handle slid open with another pause. Then the door swung open with a slight squeak. The figure of a tall man stepped in hesitantly.

There stood a man with pure white robes that had golden stitching along it. He had on a golden plate necklace that also seemed attached to the robes themselves. His eyes were like voids. Amethyst could see even here the same eyes that Katili had: pits of darkness that swallowed all and offered no light in return. Amethyst could tell immediately what answer had been learned.

"Ponáei?" His voice was a bit lighter than what Amethyst expected, it held in it concern and compassion.

"Yes!" Ponáei returned with a hint of excitement. "I have returned."

"I had thought you were dead!" His voice was animated and nearly eccentric, but his face was like stone. His body was tense and rigid. Could it be the lighting? Amethyst couldn't tell, but she didn't feel any safer.

Uongo took the lantern which was hung outside the doors, its dim glow brightened as he twisted a nob. The light highlighted the deep valleys under his eyes. His eyes seemed darker somehow. Amethyst noted the glint of a metal pin along his sleeve. A snake, devouring its own tail. His inky wells turned to Amethyst. She couldn't see them, but she could feel them as his head slowly turned to regard her in turn.

"What is this Ponáei?" The level of concern in his voice didn't reach his face.

Ponáei hid the scaly part of her face. "I got sick and had to leave."

Uongo turned his head back to Ponáei, "You poor thing, let me see!" His rigid body stepped forward as though on strings. The movement was smooth, but felt forced.

Ponáei turned her face back towards Uongo. Shimmering scales of white and red webbed across her face, intricate patterns had already started to form with the transformation. Uongo winced and nearly fell backwards. His façade shattered as he stepped backwards quickly.

"What happened to you?" Disgust. His face was etched with disgust, and the tender sounds his voice portrayed crumbled away. "Your beautiful face is tainted."

"Uongo please! It's still me, I am still the same Ponáei." She pleaded.

"You are one of those cursed abominations, a disgusting beast!" Uongo covered his mouth and made retching noises. "Guards! Guar--" His pleas were interrupted as Wa Chini pounced upon his back.

Wa Chini looked rabid as he bit into Uongo's shoulder. Uongo in turn slammed Wa Chini into the wall, pressing his back against the cheetah man while simultaneously reaching for the knife on his belt, Wa Chini kept the knife from releasing from the sheath as he kept clawing and biting at Uongo. Blood splattered all over the place, illuminated by the lantern Uongo still held.

Amethyst started towards him when Wafi shouted for her to step back to lady Ponáei, then slammed himself into Uongo. As he stepped back, his blade was covered in red, and the white robe began to rapidly darken. Before Wafi could make another move, the guards had made their way up the stairs, entering the room. Wafi abandoned Uongo and engaged the guards. Uongo let out a horrifying squeal like a pig and dropped to the ground as more guards made their way in.

Amethyst backed up in fear, she looked to Ponáei who stood in shock, her regal form slumped as she looked towards the ground. Her shuddering indicated she was crying. Wa Chini pushed Uongo off as he had turned around and started to savagely beat at Wa Chini, forgetting any sense as his fists flew one after another. Even as a few blows missed and crashed against the wooden floor, he kept hitting. Wafi was struggling to hold his own against the flow of guards pushing their way in.

Fear gripped Amethyst as she witnessed the chaos around her and she desperately searched for an escape. She looked to the open doors leading to the night air. Safety a jump away. "To the balcony!" She hoped they would heed her shout."

Wa Chini landed a square hit in Uongo's crotch and scrambled up towards Amethyst and Ponáei who had backed up towards the edge of the roof, Wa Chini looked back and saw Wafi become overwhelmed. Wa Chini slid and started to move back towards Wafi. As he grew closer, a spear peaked between the legs of one of the guards, stabbing into Wafi's lower belly. He let out a grunt as the guards took their advantage flooding over Wafi, who slumped. As fast as Wa Chini had gone back for Wafi, he was again returning towards Amethyst.

Amethyst pulled Ponáei over the edge as Wa Chini followed. As the ground grew closer, Amethyst concentrated on softening the blow. She felt her energy fall as they hit the ground. Almost as if stepping off the second to last stair, they were startled, but took their chance to retreat.

§

Agápi was waiting as Amethyst and Wa Chini burst into the home with Ponáei in tow. The others hadn't returned yet, but Ponáei didn't wait; she shut herself away in her room upstairs. Amethyst and Wa Chini didn't go into details, but they did inform the remaining members of the New Sun to expect injured. Their preparation was well worth it. For those who did manage to make it back, many were injured, though Hofu, Nuru, and Busara were not among them.

Tenya did, however, have a gash over her eye, the blood from which still dripped a little. Amethyst was in shock at their state. She had prepared herself for the possibility, but the sight was far worse than she expected. She was, of course, grateful her friends remained mostly unharmed, but the sight of Tenya covered in blood frightened her more than she expected. She greeted the others as they came through, but focused on helping Tenya overall.

Nuru wasn't injured, but she was exhausted and covered in the blood of others. Busara hadn't sustained any injuries, but was also tired. Like Ponáei, Hofu had a look of resignation and devastation. He fell into Agápi's arms and followed Ponáei's lead going upstairs, presumably towards his room.

"Shit-show is a nice way to put it." Tenya groaned as Amethyst dabbed a wet rag over her eye while one of the New Sun members stitched her cut. "There we were, waiting with enough people to storm a damn castle." She continued to moan lightly as the thread tightened. "We were lucky to get out."

"We didn't fare much better." Amethyst murmured.

"Your plan sure as hell worked though, we got a pretty clear fuckin' answer."

"Yes, we did."

Tenya looked up at Amethyst, then grabbed her hand. "Your plan worked. We couldn't have thought Uongo would scorch the earth in the process." Her eyes were bright, even the swelling around her eye couldn't dim the sight.

"People died."

"Yeah, people died, but more lived." She had a genuine tone. "All we can do is our best."

"Still." Amethyst dropped her head. "I felt useless anyway. If I knew how to fight, Wafi would still be alive."

"Maybe. Your abilities won't guarantee another's safety."

Amethyst started to cry from frustration. Thoughts raced in her head as they always did, but these were far harsher to her than normal. She didn't feel just useless, but a burden and a liability. If she hadn't suggested the plan, if she could fight, if her magic was useful, If, if, if...

All thoughts slipped away as she fell into Tenya's breast. The soft wrap of her arms around Amethyst was a warm blanket on the coldest night, a warm fire in a blizzard, the last lantern in a dark cavern. Her tears came harder and faster than before as Tenya stroked her hair. "Shh," Tenya whispered, "You did a great job."

Amethyst remained in her embrace for a while. She wanted to die here, this soft place where she could be safe and warm, yet reality as always had other plans.

"Okay, it's time to clean up and sleep." Tenya said softly. "We will debrief tomorrow with Ponáei and the others. For tonight, we are as safe as we can be, and you are clearly exhausted."

Amethyst looked up at Tenya with what she imagined to be the widest puppy eyes she could manage. The tears had soaked the thin cloth that separated the two. Tenya looked down at Amethyst with a look that Amethyst interpreted as kindly. Amethyst pushed herself up and the two made their way up to bed.

Amethyst woke again to find Tenya again holding her tail and mumbling. With a small smile, she fell back to sleep.

§

Amethyst swung, but held back as Tenya rammed Amethyst with a shoulder. Amethyst fell to the ground wheezing. She coughed before standing back up. She reclaimed a pitiful stance and rushed again at Tenya. As before, there was no contact and even if there had been it wouldn't have done much as Tenya backed up.

"Stop. You need to really come at me." Tenya was out of breath and drenched in sweat. She sat down on a small block wall in the central courtyard near the entrance where the well was located.

"You want me to *hit* hit you?" Amethyst was still wheezing from the first hit she took let alone this last one, which was the fifth or so.

"No, I don't want to be hit. I'm tired of being his-- Hit I mean." She lifted a bucket to her lips and drank deeply before dumping some on herself.

"His?"

"Just a lisp from exhaustion." Tenya splashed some water at Amethyst.

The warm water still felt incredible as it mixed with her sweat and she cooled down a bit. "Okay, I'll try to go at you harder then."

"Much appreciated." Tenya said with a half smile.

A bell tolled, calling everyone to meet with Ponáei in the main room. Amethyst and Tenya walked together. Each was quiet, but "his" bounced around in Amethyst's mind. They weren't the last to arrive, Busara took that honor with a deep limp.

§

"The plans have been drawn then." Ponáei said. "Uongo will die. It will take time while we gather our forces. In the meantime I want you to be ready to fight with us. Once he is gone we will help you."

Tenya scoffed quietly.

"What is her deal?" Ponáei asked.

"Tenya was hit hard, in the head. She winced, we were just training so she is in pain still." Amethyst hadn't hesitated in her answer.

"Hmm." Ponáei didn't argue the point further before ending the meeting.

"You are going to upset Ponáei and get kicked out." Amethyst turned to Tenya with pleading eyes.

"My little girl should be the priority. He is an adult, and she is a scared kid." Tenya snapped.

"I agree she is a child, but she isn't likely to be in danger until she is closer to a teenager."

"You know that for sure?"

"Not for sure, but I have a good amount of experience to pull from."

"Well, then you don--"

"Find." Wa Chini interrupted in Tenya's language. Both women stopped to look at Wa Chini, "Find Ebba," He gestured a large circle. "We find." Wa Chini looked between Amethyst and Tenya with a large smile before nodding and walking away.

"I want to learn his language" Tenya said after a moment, "Will you help me with that?"

"If you are not a grouch."

Tenya glared at her with a small smile. "I'll do my best, how about that?"

"I can help with that." Amethyst smiled and dug at the wooden floor with her shoe before looking back to Tenya. "Back to fighting?"

"You are awkward sometimes, has anyone told you that?"

"Can't say that's on the list of things I've been called. Though if we were to keep a tally, I would say it's sweet compared to a lot of the other options."

Tenya stood up quickly before squatting with her hand on the chair she left.

"You okay?

"Light headed for a sec." Tenya said with a narrow smile, "Maybe about time for another dose?"

"It's a day early."

Tenya's glare didn't feel as friendly this time. Amethyst raised her hands in defeat. Tenya looked around, pursing her lips as she looked back at Amethyst.

"I think I'm gonna have a bath instead, we can start up again tomorrow." Tenya didn't wait before walking away.

"Can I ask you something?" Wa Chini said, causing Amethyst to jump.

"Yes." She laughed nervously. "What's up?"

"Teach me Hypirian." Wa Chini said resolutely.

"Absolutely! I can do that."

"Thank you." He smiled, turning away leaving Amethyst alone.

Later that night Amethyst found her room empty. Tenya had said she was going to take a bath. she may have had to wait for the tub to be available, and it would take a while for everything to warm up. She laid down in the bed and all the moments of the last several months started to claw their way out. Like nightmares, her mistakes and actions played the "what if" game with her.

She didn't know when, but she started to cry lightly again. Not out of frustration, but sadness for those who had been hurt, then for herself. She wished that she had a different life, that pain and strife didn't exist, that she could be with her kind, loving mother who sang lullabies to her. With her grandfather who always told her stories and taught her to be patient.

Amethyst cried at the life they all should have had without pain. Was it all really worth it, just to be together now? She thought maybe she was cursed and she was passing it along to those around her. As she toiled with her thoughts, she was at least grateful that she had the makings of a family again, even if some parts were a little damaged. She laughed quietly to herself, at the silly notion. It was she who was damaged, that's what she thought.

Her tears returned. She didn't want them, she grew angry at feeling so sad for herself. Plenty of others had it worse. She didn't deserve to feel as bad as she did. She needed to suck it up and get over it. How could she compare her problems to losing a child, or being thrown away from home? She couldn't imagine being unwanted by her family. The thought made her sick, so she bullied herself in the silence of the night.

She heard the door open and tried to stop the crying. She had become good at that as she was learning to be a quality slave, but for some reason the flow didn't stop. She pleaded with herself to stop. Stop before Tennessee sees you and tells you to suck it up. The thought caused her throat to close and her body to shake.

Tenya sat beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Amethyst lay quietly crying, facing away from Tenya until she fell asleep. All the while Tenya left her hand on Amethyst's shoulder.