The sun was setting as Shaserra set out the picnic on top of the auditorium room. She'd infiltrated the kitchens and stolen a bottle of wine, some sandwiches, fruit, and bags of chips. She blushed slightly, looking out at it all. If she kept this up, Kittenus was going to get the wrong idea. That, or she was.
No time to think of that now. She'd been looking forward to this rendezvous all day. After enduring her classes and the ugly looks from the various gue'la, the humiliation of having to simply act like she couldn't hear their insults, their questioning of the T'au or the Greater Good….
"I'll bring the Greater Good to your face, baka," Shaserra muttered. "Call me Shadowsun one more time! See how bad t'au are in melee then."
She was just working herself up into a really good tiff, when the door to the roof opened. She turned, heart fluttering slightly and smiled to see Kittenus.
Stop it, she told herself. T'au do not form emotional bonds with mates. That is for gue'la.
Such were the teachings of the Ethereals, and for a thousand years, the t'au had lived in harmony according to those rules.
Until She came. The fractious human nations united, or at least enough of them to destroy the tiny state of T'au forever. It was surrender and be subsumed, or resist and be destroyed, as the Empress had done to so many nations before T'au. So the Ethereals had bowed. But it was Shaserra who had to bend.
"Took you long enough," Shaserra purred, stretching herself out on the blanket to show off her long legs. For some reason, her legs drove many of the gue'la males wild, unlike her somewhat flat chest. She was no Earth or Water cast female, to have large organs there. She was lithe and muscular; a predator. Like Kittenus.
"Shaserra...we need to talk," Kittenus said, looking sheepish as he came to sit on the blanket.
Heart now pounding, Shaserra sat up, trying to keep herself composed. Was he...was he going to confess to her? No! He could not! It would ruin everything! Theirs was a purely physical relationship, as it had to be.
But, if she were going to love a man, even a gue'la man…
"What, have you lost interest in me so soon?" she said, forcing her voice to be teasing and playful.
"Not...not exactly." Kittenus turned away for a moment, looking nervous.
He was! He was going to confess to her! Oh, this was just like one of her human vid dramas! Should she play hard to get, or throw herself on him? It was so hard to choose….
"Well, spit it out, I am waiting," she huffed.
"I...Russ and I...I had sex with her," Kittenus said, meeting Shaserra's eyes.
It felt as though a hand had grasped Shaserra's heart and squeezed. She couldn't breathe, couldn't speak. Russ? The rude, obstante princess? The tall, beautiful amazon with a chest twice the size of Shaserra's? No, no no no. This couldn't be.
"We...well, we said this was just a casual relationship, but I have to be honest with you," Kittenus said slowly, dropping his eyes again. "What Russ and I did...it was just sex. I don't think it meant anything to her. But, I promised to be honest with you, and-"
"Thank you for telling me," a distant voice said as someone lifted up Shaserra. "I appreciate your honesty, gue'la."
He got to his feet as well, looking pained. "I, I still care for you, Shaserra, but-"
Shaserra's hand darted out, and she slapped had to half jump to do so, he was so much taller than her. If you cared for me, you wouldn't have taken the gorgeous woman of your own species to bed.
She picked up the bottle of wine and left without another word, emotions raging. Stupid. She was so stupid. If she'd just confessed to him first...he wouldn't have slept with Russ. He was honest to a fault. But since all that had been between them had been supposed fun...she never had. And he had felt free to have another woman.
For a brief time, Shaserra wandered, but the stares of the gue'la drove her to cover. There were so many of them, and only one of her. She needed to talk to someone who would understand. Someone else who was alone.
There was, of course, only one other person who Shaserra could talk to about this at the Imperial Academy. And at least they shared a room.
To Shaserra's immense relief, her roommate was in their quarters when she stumbled in, the bottle of wine clutched to her chest. She would not cry. Warriors did not cry.
"You're back early," her roommate drawled. "I thought this was to be an event. Did he-"
"He slept with Russ," Shaserra blurted, then flung herself onto her bed and curled up into a ball.
For a few moments, Shaserra just lay on her bed, sniffling. Then she heard rustling sheets, and someone took the wine from her.
"Damned mon'keigh. It is as my father says. You can never trust them."
"No," Shaserru whispered. There was the pop of a cork, and a moment later, a cup was pressed into her hands. She sat up and sipped at the wine, her red eyes looking up to study her roommate.
In dim light, or from a distance, her companion could pass for human. Unlike shadowsun, her skin was a shade that a human might possess, and though she was tall and slender her body type was close enough that if she was obscured she was human enough. As you got closer though, that illusion vanished. Her face was more angular, her ears tall and pointed, and her eyes glowed just slightly, though it was noticeable in dim light.
"You have more experience with the gue'la than I, Macha. Are they always so treacherous?" Shaserra sniffed.
The eldar girl sighed and shrugged. "I do not have that much more experience. I might be five times your age, Shaserra, but by the reckoning of my people I am still but a child."
Child. Macha was five times Shaserra's age, and would live for a thousand years. Shaserra would be lucky to live to 50.
"I was an adult at 14 as we reckon things. We grow faster than humans. We must; we live a shorter time. But they would not allow me to enroll until I was 18…" Shaserra sighed. Rules for humans, rules for t'au. The same, but unfair. She had to change that. Even if it meant playing Water Cast.
"You're changing the subject. What did that mon'keigh bastard do?" Macha demanded.
"He's not a bastard. I...we...there was not to be anything but physical pleasure between us. There were no vows exchanged. Besides, T'au do not mate for life as humans do," Shaserra temporized.
Macha snorted at that. "Foolish. I told you, you should have told the mon'keigh if you are fond of him. He is not as odious as some of them. He would make a decent pet."
"But...but the Greater Good...we are not to mate with gue'la, or form mate bonds." Shaserra drained her cup, then thrust it out to Macha, who poured her another. She could already feel the alcohol working it's magic. She did not have the fortitude a human did against the intoxicant. Technically, drinking was against the Greater Good.
Much like her brother, Shaserra was not very good at following the Greater Good. Perhaps that was why she had been exiled, pulled from her commission in the Fio'Shas'la. She had already earned her name, proving herself against orks and tyranids. But no, they wanted her to come to this school. To spread the Greater Good, and show a T'au was as good as a Human.
She feared the Ethereals, and worse, her brother Shas'O'Shova would be disappointed.
"Pure nonsense. Just like the Paths," Macha sniffed. She pitched her voice lower and said, "My daughter, you must not be tempted by the Mon'keigh. Learn from them, learn their weakness, and return to us after you have walked the path of the Scholar. One day, as me, you shall walk the path of the Seer."
Shaserra scratched at her head. "But do you not call those who do not follow your Paths Dark Eldar?"
"Only if you fall beyond saving. I just want to enjoy my time with the mon'keigh. But they won't even look at me! It's 'xenos' this and 'witch' that and 'heretic' this." Macha peered into her own cup forlornly. "I just wish they'd invite me to parties."
"You just wish you could get laid," Shaserra tittered. "You're jealous I found a lover and you didn't."
"And how did that work out for you?" Macha snapped.
Tears welled up in Shaserra's eyes, and she buried her face in her hands. Macha was at her side in an instant, rubbing her back.
"Oh, I didn't mean it, Shaserra. I'm just...angry. Like you. It's so frustrating. Those damn Imperial Princess can have whatever they want, even the males. They even steal what should have been rightfully yours."
"B-but I w-wouldn't e-even mind s-sharing, I just, I just...why did it have to be her?! She's an uncultured barbarian, and and...and she's prettier than me! Her boobs are so much bigger! It's not fair!" Shaserra wailed.
Oh, Ethereals. Two cups and she was already completely wasted. That, or she was already a complete mess from Kittenus' betrayal.
"I tell you what. We'll both find a man. A better man. One that won't mind if we're not human, or that we're both a tad flat chested," Macha said soothingly. Shaserra didn't point out that Macha was only flat chested by the standards of someone like Russ. The eldar did tend towards slim figures, but not as much as the Fire Caste T'au. Plus, Macha was nearly half a meter taller than Shaserra. It was infuriating.
"No, I'm swearing off gue'la," Shaserra huffed. "No more humans for me." She considered this for a moment, then blurted, "Is your brother single?"
Macha sighed. "Yvraine is the last time I checked. But you don't want him. He's boring. Father's perfect little son. He's always saying so."
"You should kick Yvraine in...in the balls!" Shaserra snarled. "What an ass."
"Oh, no, he's remarkably humble. It's father who was always telling Taldeer and I we should be more like our brother. Right up until sister dearest got her head blown off by one of Her pet mon'keigh killers. We never even found the body. I think the assassin ate it."
"Gaijin," Shaserra said fervently. "All the gue'la are gaijin."
"I hope not. I dearly do not want to be a 100 year old virgin," Macha laughed.
Shaserra blushed and looked away. "I...I am sorry. I am complaining about losing something you never had."
"Oh, I just hope you enjoyed it," Macha sighed. She considered, then grinned impudently at Shaserra. "Well, if you're not interested in Kittenus, I suppose you wouldn't mind if I seduced him, would you?"
"Watashi wa anata no kazoku ni ichi man-nen no kutsū o motarasudeshou!" Shaserra snarled, and tackled Macha.
Unfortunately, despite a heroic effort, Macha proved that t'au are absolutely terrible in melee. Especially when drunk as a skunk. Soon, Shaserra was pinned on her bed, as Macha tickled her mercilessly.
"Stop, stop! I yield! Yamate!" Shaserra gasped, and Macha finally let her up.
"You do still like him," Macha said with a knowing smirk.
"Well, a little. He's still a baka-hentai," Shaserra muttered. She hated when she lapsed back into her native tongue, but she was having a hard time thinking at the moment.
"Hmm. Well, are you going to surrender?" Macha prompted.
"The Fire Caste never surrenders! The patient hunter merely gives ground to find a better place to lay an ambush!" Shaserra swore.
"Well then, you can't let this crude mon'keigh woman steal away your lover," Macha said. "We must lay a trap, and steal him back."
"But how? How can I compete with an Imperial Princess?" Shaserra asked plaintively.
"Well...you said you wouldn't mind sharing, right?" Macha prompted.
"Not with her," Shaserra spat.
"What about me?" Macha demanded.
Shaserra considered this. "I...might. I will live only another 30 years. Someone will need to tend my precious Kitten once I am gone."
"Well, then we shall be sisters in this. We shall snare our prey together. How could even an idiot mon'keigh resist the two of us?" Macha laughed.
"I don't know, the damned humans keep winning whenever we fight, there are too many of them. They breed like kroot and fight like orks," Shaserra grumbled.
"Then let the old and the new join forces. Perhaps we can lay the groundwork for an alliance between our people, and triumph over the Mon'keigh!" Macha declared.
"Yes! We shall do it! We shall be as Ta'lissera together!" Shaserra proclaimed, standing and pointing skyward.
"Of course, our Paths shall combine as one, and Kittenus shall be ours!" Macha agreed, standing as well.
"I shall get the knife," Shaserra agreed, and stooped to retrieve her own ritual blade from her possessions.
"The...what?" Macha asked faintly.
"We shall be joined forever, Ta'lissera, and we shall claim Kitten as two huntresses of one mind and body," Shaserra explained, retrieving the weapon and holding it up.
"What are you going to do with that?" Macha demanded, backing away slightly.
"Bond us," Shaserra said firmly. "Now give me your hand."
"Shaserra, I don't think-"
"Do you want to get laid or not?" Shaserra demanded as Macha pressed herself against the door.
The eldar bit her lip, considering. Then sighed. "Well, I suppose…"
"Good. Normally an ethereal must do this, but as I am the highest ranking officer present, I may take their place."
"Just what does this...Ta'lissera...entail?" Macha asked, reluctantly giving Shaserra her arm.
"Two become one; one flesh, one blood, one purpose!" Shaserra proclaimed, and began the ritual.
Later, she would recall that Ta'lissera was explicitly forbidden when the participants were intoxicated. But by then, she was in far too deep to give up.
Suppressing a groan, Horus stood and stretched, letting out a sigh of relief when she finished. "I think that's everything for tonight, Ezekyle. Your help was most appreciated."
"It's my pleasure, your Highness!" Ezekyle said, beaming happily as she picked up the various books and papers from the study session. "Can I do anything else for you? Maybe make some tea, or a back rub?"
The back rub actually sounded rather appealing at the moment, but Horus had other things to attend to. Besides, while Ezekyle was delightfully attentive, she was becoming slightly clingy, and that simply wouldn't do. At least, not until Horus officially made the girl her handmaiden. A Baron's daughter as a handmaid. Now that would be a delightful little coupe.
"No, thank you. I'll see you in the morning, Ezekyle."
Her minion looked slightly disappointed, but hastily bowed. "Of course, your highness. If you need anything, please, just call! Any time!"
Ezekyle departed, leaving Horus to brood for a few moments. At least, she sighed and turned on her consol. A moment later, she pulled up her communication protocols. "Princess Horus, requesting connection to Her Eminence, the Empress."
Of course. One moment please. Horus waited as the machine processed. She fully expected to be connected once more to one of her mother's aides, or worse, a vox collection bank to make her daily report. To her surprise, after half a minute, the glowing face of her mother appeared on the console.
A genuine smile bloomed on Horus's face, and she began, "Mother, I hope you are having a pleasant-"
"I don't have time for idle chatter, Horus. Report."
"I...yes." Horus maintained the smile. Her mother was busy. Ruler of the largest and most powerful nation on the planet. The leader of Mankind. "Russ was disciplined today. I am afraid I didn't reel her in quickly enough. Saint Celestine saw her and another girl from the Fenris Highlands."
"I didn't know we had any other furries at the school. This other savage a problem? I can have Malchador expel her if she's a bad influence on Russ. That girl needs to shape up or she'll never be of any use," the Empress stated.
"No, if anything, Logan seems to be a civilizing influence on Russ. I checked with Celestine, she'll be giving Russ etiquette lessons. Just give Russ time, mother. It's been barely a month since you plucked her out of the Fenris highlands."
"Fine. What of the other two? The Artist and the Artisan," the Empress demanded.
"You mean Phoebe and Ferri?" Horus prompted. At least she had gotten the Empress to call Russ by her name instead of just The Warrior. The Empress gave an impatient nod, and Horus continued, "They seem to be adapting well enough, but it's barely been a day. I'll have to get to know them better, but they seem capable enough, and good friends. Where were you keeping them? They must have spent some time together."
And why didn't you tell me you had found more of my sisters?
"I picked them up a few months back, I was keeping them at the Summer retreat, checking to see how capable they were. The Artisan has a malformity, but she seems to be making it work for her."
"Ferri's hands are not malformed, mother. Do you even know the story of how she got them?" Horus asked in exasperation.
"Yes, but it doesn't matter: she's still able to perform her intended function. As for the Artist, watch her. Malchador says he suspects some sort of neurosis. If the girl is defective I still have enough time to find a replacement, or make one."
You can't just replace my sisters! You made us! Don't you love us?
But Horus knew the answer to that. That was why she must always be the perfect princess. So that she would never be replaced. So she could earn the love and approval she so desperately craved.
"I'm certain Phoebe will find her footing; being told you're one of the Lost Princesses is rather a shock. I remember how disconcerting it was for me," Horus said carefully.
"You were only a child. This one is a grown woman. Though I suppose the Artist isn't as important as the others. Still, make sure she's worthy. She should inspire creativity and cultural renewal. I wasn't certain such an aspect was needed, but Malchador insisted."
Horus reminded herself to ask Malchador more about the genetic engineering project that had led to her creation and that of her sisters. She'd never been able to get a firm answer before. She knew the vague outlines: they had all been synthesised from the prime genetic stock of humanity, including a bit of the Empress's DNA. The why of it all still escaped her.
At first she had thought her mother had wanted children, as all women, even Horus, were prone to. Well, all creatures, really. Passing on one's genetic legacy was the purpose of life, was it not? But her mother was an immortal being, a physical goddess for all intents and purposes. What need had she of genetic replication? Horus had thought that perhaps she'd wanted a daughter to love and cherish, to raise as her own. She had been somewhat disabused of that notion over the course of the last seven years.
"Phoebe is quite the talented artist. She did a quick sketch for me, I have it here." Horus took the portrait off the wall, holding it up to the vid plate. It was a simple pencil drawing of Horus, Ferri and Ezekyle, sitting together and laughing, cups of tea and a plate of somewhat crumbled cookies before them.
It was slightly stylized, bringing out the beauty in each of the women. Ezekyle looked eager and bubbling, barely able to sit in her seat, seeming ready to leap off the paper. Ferri was more reserved, but her shy smile and solid frame made her seem ready to listen, and help. As for Horus...this was perhaps her favorite image of herself. She looked dignified, refined, commanding, and most of all, in control. Effortless grace and immaculate wisdom holding court.
"I suppose it's all right. Your nose is bigger than that though," the Empress said dismissively.
Horus had to work very hard not to send a hand up to touch her nose. She always thought it was just a bit too big to be truly beautiful.
"As you say," Horus said, a touch too stiffly.
"Well, keep an eye on them. At least I have one daughter who is up to the tasks I have set before her," the Empress said.
Pride swelled within Horus' chest, and she smiled again. "Thank you, Mother."
"The reward for a job well done is more work. I am sending two more of your sisters, they seem to be ready."
"Two more?" Horus's left eye twitched slightly. "You found more of my sisters. Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't need to know, and if they'd turned out not to be what I needed, what would be the point? I made twenty of you, and I already had to discard one as defective. But the Builder and the Perpetual will do well enough."
Artist, Builder, Warrior, Perpetual. What am I, mother? What was I created to be? "Do they have names?"
"You'll learn them soon enough. They'll arrive shortly. Guide them, Horus. I know I can count on you to shape them into tools in your hands."
I don't want tools. I want someone to love me. I want sisters.
"Of course, Mother. It shall be as you command."
The Empress cut the vid circuit. No goodnight, no goodbye. All business.
Horus rubbed her forehead in frustration. More problems to solve. Her own studies were taxing enough. She needed help with this. But who could she rely on? Phoebe really was in a fragile mental state if Horus' guess about her sister was correct, and she didn't want to put more pressure on the already flustered girl. Ferri seemed solid, but social graces were not her strong point.
Russ was a ticking time bomb that was looking for a reason to go off.
"Kittenus might do," Horus mused. She glanced at the clock. It was nearly 2200. Calling a boy to her room at this time of night would lead to...questions. And while Horus could probably do with some unwinding, she could not afford the social problems that would come with it. Instead, she touched another key on her consol.
"Ezekyle?"
"Yes, your highness?" an eager but sleepy voice responded immediately. "Did you change your mind about the backrub?"
"Something has come up, a directive from the Empress. I require your aide."
"Oh, of course! I'll be there straight away."
Horus keyed off the consol, tapping her lips. Actually, the backrub might not be a bad place to start. At least Ezekyle seemed to offer the affection her mother had just denied Horus. It was rather a different sort, but…
"I'll take what I can get," Horus muttered. "I can't fail. I have to impress Mother."
And she couldn't let her sister's be dragged down either.