Impatience bit at Kalique settled across her shoulders like an ill shroud. Tension lingered across her shoulders, her tender neck.
She knew it was an aggravated result of her negligence to use Regen-X. Her body was physically older, showing signs of neglect and wear and tear of the natural process of aging. She was physically around thirty or so, instead of her usual preferred twenty. But it was a clumsy tribute to her mother's affection for wrinkles in her old life. Everything I have ever done was a clumsy tribute against Mother's efforts. Even this, to appear sterner against the other Entitleds that were Mother's peers. The Glorious Generation of the Age of the Entitled, the first humans of Orous to achieve immortality. Even Balem's peers, those of the first Inheritor generation look at me and see nothing but a child wearing mother's heels.
A frown made its way across her face, even as she played with colors and trimmings in front of her. Even the plans for her required wardrobe of the next event of the Season was not helping her ill mood. It was an event that she would not personally host. It was some parade for the military Entitled of Orous. Kalique found tedium in the Aegis hosted Events- half the time they were a dull affair, and though sometimes she could enjoy the beautiful specimens of the perfectly sculpted foot soldiers, she rarely relished this part of the duties of her position as the Secondary of House Abrasax. But it was essential, she would need to use this opportunity to check the current political movements of the lesser ranked Entitled.
How Balem had handled such affairs with his personality, Kalique could not quite fathom.
"My Lady?" the splice in front of her was beautiful, Kalique thought, eyes generously taking in the plumage of the creature in front of her. Beautifully colored, the splice breeder had known to incorporate the colors of the Season for this coordinator of clothing.
She smiled, finger-tips lazy across the design screen as she gazed across crimson plumage. What sort of bird are you, my lovely. Such a pretty red.
"What is your name?"
The splice was good- it barely fluttered, barely flinched at her question.
"I am Akos Flight, my lady."
She hummed. The splice bowed, and she saw his brand.
A fire hawk.
The splice was a fire-hawk blend. A cool fury entered Kalique. Someone dared. Some dare parade my mother's symbol in front of me. She kept her smile. She wondered who it had been. Was it Titus, eager to provoke her for taking the position he thought rightfully his? Was it Lord Caster, for his inferior roses being mocked when she had attended his pitiful garden party? Either way, someone would pay for this slight.
"My Lady," a familiar voice, a sweet voice that always had impeccable timing.
"Everyone leave us," she said in a voice that was both lazy, and without alarm, "You must have some tedious business for me, Malidictes, to interrupt my preparations for the Season Parade of the Aegis."
"Unfortunately, My Lady."
Everyone filled out, and Kalique found her eyes following behind the fire-hawk splice. As soon as they were out of sight, she felt some tension leave her shoulders.
"Dearest, shields up," she said aloud, and smiled easily as the voice, yet unnamed for her personal office, put up a shield to prevent any spies, "What do you have for me, Malidictes?"
"Strange tidings, Lady Kalique."
Kalique frowned.
"Do not leave me in suspense."
"Titus is also investigating the mishap with the Harvesting Planet."
One of these days my sweet little brother will overstep in his silly little schemes, and it will cost him. She sighed.
"More schemes. Another plot to make him more than his position as a Tertiary member of our House. Does he honestly believe he can undermine his elders?"
"Unclear at the moment. However, he seems to be more concerned with Lord Balem's assets. He has done little prodding on your own Holdings from what our eyes and ears have said."
She pursed her lips.
"Tut tut, how short-sided of him. I suppose he is so focused on his elder brother, how male of him."
"Indeed my Lady. Reports state that he has sent some scouts to the planet in question."
Despite herself, Kalique laughed.
"He is strong-arming his way onto the planet, isn't he?"
"Indeed."
"One day, he will learn subtlety. Balem's response?"
A smile.
"I believe he is taking him to court for his foolishness."
"Good. Perhaps a sharp fine will calm the brat down."
"I will let it be known that you wish for Lord Balem to restrict his movements."
"Excellent."
Her beautiful owl bowed, and she knew that he was dismissing himself. How he knew not to waste her time.
"Oh, and Malidictes, someone dared parade a fire-hawk in front of me. Take care of that, will you?"
"Of course, My Lady."
