The now grown foxish nampia freaked out instinctually covering herself as she sunk into the water with a splash realizing she was no longer alone. The voice gave a lighthearted chuckle that sounded like the way sunlight looked when the father star set in the sky. Breaking the surface ears first Amaryx opened her eyes and exhaled. Normally she would take a moment to collect her thoughts, but as she turned she cut loose.

‘Ay! I don’t mind someone else coming in here, but you better cut the sneaky shi- Oh, I’m so sorry I didn’t know who it was and…’

Amaryx’s eyes shot wide and she began to ramble as she turned to see a woman with long silvery pink hair that faded into royal red as it gracefully drifted down her body into the surrounding water. Amaryx’s cheeks went purple as her blue skin revealed her embarrassment as she realized not only who she was speaking to, but what she had done. She could’ve caused a serious accident and to her *archai no less! Every fiber in her being screamed for her to run for life as if there would be anywhere she could go to be safe if her queen took offense. 

The solar rays seemed to make the empress glow like she had a light all her own, or as if the light of the *nus was drawn to her more than any other space in the room. To say she was pretty would be to lie in a way that was to say hellfire was merely warm, or that a conquest was simply a fight. Less dishonest and more a severe underestimation. 

Her skin was the color of soft amethyst and a flower with the different shades of the season hung from her head to the left of two thin reddish antennae. Red bar shaped markings were spaced across the perimeter of her curvy toned body, a thin red line the width of a razor vertically through her center as few others did the same in symmetric fashion across her frame. Ephangi was a world motivated by the art of aesthetics as much as mastery over the environment and one’s self, embracement of the family, or new enterprise and by its standards Lady V, the *Archai was basically perfect. 

‘…Forgive me your highness! I could’ve hurt you! I-

‘No stress, say less,’ Lady V said sincerely, ‘Sorry to startle you cub. I hope you don’t mind the company. I must say your powers are strange, I knew there was something different about you the day I saw you first’ Lady V said as Amaryx blushed, nodding her head in acceptance of the proposition. Small fires began burning from wicktwig hung around waters, the scents they gave off providing a calm relaxing sensation. ‘How’ve you been, Amaryx? I am slightly surprised to find you here alone, though that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be’. 

‘I’m.. I’m fine my *Archai, I think. I lose control sometimes and, well never mind me! Do you want me to fetch you anything or cle-‘

‘Vibe check! And naw don’t apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong. I just want you to relax with me. Not to mention how could I send you away now after you’ve made the bath so much more interesting’ the angel's voice interrupted with another chuckle. ‘I jest, but seriously. I know it takes time to learn your gift and make no mistake, it is a gift. That said, I can tell something is on your mind. What up?’ 

Amaryx was taken aback. The *Archai were the deadliest warriors in the Eripme as well as some of its most decorated and honored imperial servants, their triumphs and glories told across the world and further giving them a celebrity status of sorts. Because of this most feared, adored and respected them from a distance. Was she really here now in such a cool state and asking Amaryx how she felt? It felt somewhat surreal for her to be able to speak to someone so worshiped so casually.  

‘Well..’ Amaryx hesitated, instantly feeling slightly shamed by her thoughts as she tried to imagine all the unfathomable things the queen of war had seen and been through in her lifetime. The least Amaryx could do was show strength and resolve in her presence.

She exhaled, ‘I have had a lot on my mind, my Archai…’ And as the *Archai came closer; she did the unthinkable and began to wash the back of her subordinate. Amaryx gasped, almost flinching at first, but then Lady V commented ‘Your skin is beautiful and your ears are so cute!’ Instantly noticing the blue fox’s demeanor relax. As Lady V observed the scars on Amaryx’s back it was as if she could see into them and the history that caused them. She did not pity Amaryx. That would be to think less of one of her own. But she did feel empathy and sympathy on a level most would never comprehend.

‘I know it’s not easy… To be a legionnaire is everything but and on top of that I know of your condition. The hex arts are a gift and nothing to fear. Being a legionnaire doesn’t mean you don’t face just as much struggle off the field of battle as on it and while most of Da Million Suns are seers no doubt, that does not mean that a unique  shapeshifter such as yourself cannot be the best of them despite what any may think or anything you have been through. You’ve done well to keep yourself up as a nampia of my ilk. Rest assured of that *retisis’

Amaryx felt the anxious energy leave her body. Her powers had been a secret most of her life and had only caused her anguish. The hex arts. She had used hers sparingly even in front of her peers in battle afraid of what they may think. Afraid to push them away. But this was different. There was no need to hide who she was from the queen and in the moment now for the first time, she allowed herself to completely submit to the feeling of calm and peace. Lady V continued to wash as she spoke gently moving between Amaryx’s back to her long silvery blue hair. 

‘I know the fact that scars on a female Ephangian, big or small, are not always seen in the best of graces by those who lay eyes on them, especially amongst the higher castes. This and your gift bring you angst, yes? Culture and tradition still hold a tight grip on some facets of society, and *nampia of higher status were expected to be less damaged and volatile.. Even those who are warriors.’ Lady V explained as if giving a daughter or niece a glimpse into the greater ways of the world.

Becoming more enthused she went even further to say, ‘Though both *nam and *nampia share mutual respect and honor vastly across the world, the feminine form is seen as a privilege to be blessed with for different reasons than the masculine. Regardless, though the general perspective of the female anatomy on Epahngi is to treasure its ability to give birth as well as its aesthetic beauty and so its far from uncommon that nampia engaged in the more masculine aspects of society do so with good success due to the overall genetic makeup of the *nampu population as a people. But my bad, my nerd side is showing and I’m getting carried away. I do love social science and history!’ 

Both nampia began laughing and before Amaryx knew it she was tearing up. 

‘No, no my lord please continue. I.. Really appreciate the company actually’ Amaryx said as she allowed the joy to wash over her.

‘Well if you insist, the pleasure is mine!’ Lady V replied smiling.

This gesture Lady V was performing was certainly not something superiors did for their subordinates in general, let alone in this case as in addition to the convoluted order and hierarchy of beauty. Most would find it to be uncustomary and seemingly ridiculous, and yet here she was. A *nampia who saved worlds and had been in more battles than Amaryx had gone around the *nusi and yet also retained a heart and spirit of true gold. Family. Fear. Love. Where should she start? On que again Lady V’s 6th sense kicked in.

‘I cannot read your mind, but I can feel your heart. Worry not and speak both as they are. I will not judge you *retsis. Let my ears be the canvas your emotions are cast on and if it better suits you, begin with what is good’ she said with a sincere empathy.

It was dangerous to truly speak her mind, Amaryx thought. She had tings going on inside there that were.. Unsafe. Yet still... She felt compelled to repay what was requested of her with at the very least her genuine attention and if anything were to happen she felt Lady V would know what to do better than anyone. Perhaps this was a miracle in and of itself in a way. An angel who had delivered pain on behalf of Ephangi had come to take her personal anguish away, even if only for a moment. Knowing it wasn’t everyday one had such a gracious and intimate opportunity to get closer to one they looked up to such as Lady V, she took her shot and opened up. 

‘Well, there’s someone I look up to. Someone I'd like to know better for some reason. He reminds of someone I once knew…’ Amaryx’s large foxish ears leaned back as her shoulders draped down in total tranquility and she let her thoughts spill forth through her voice like paint onto her newest art piece. The water's subtle vibrations shifting their reflections in the glimmer of the sunlight as the sun sank slowly into the horizon.