For all their finery and luxury, it was unable to hide the primeval savagery in the eyes of the other skeksis. It wasn't just the usual catty remarks, intrigues. Before long, both the original clan and the four new females that had joined them trines ago were already diving into far more dangerous territory: matters of passionate courtship.
Of course, Barrister SkekLiat had been attempting to swoon those that have caught her interest, but they were so oblivious!
Then there was that ever growing, gnawing ache to express far more platonic tenderness. Something that probably should've belonged to her UrRu counterpart.
It was a longing she begun to feel many trines later after coexisting with her species and other races but has now begun developing. Yet with her luck, how? And who would even be bold enough to push down the initial hostility of the Skeksis race long enough to lie with her? Figuratively that is.
One afternoon, the very last individual the Barrister expected had secretly approached her and propositioned her. She'd been stunned of course, then she agreed. One advantage she'll get SkekVar off her back, and get the one precious gift gelflings, podlings and every creature on Thra possesses.
But that didn't mean things would get any easier. SkekMal the Hunter had been trying to force his attentions on SkekArra, that very same evening he nearly succeeded.
"I think you do know."
"Love can't be bought or sold, let alone mine. Don't insist!"
"Whoever said anything about love… it could be your caresses, your touch, and your body!"
"I'm not that kind!"
"You know how powerful I am."
"And you think I'm supposed to care?!"
SkekMeh, the Scout, had been having similar trouble. SkekLach was an uproarious devil of a skeksis and he always seemed to get what he was after ever since the Emperor had begun favoring him instead of the Chamberlain.
She had tried talking to her allies only to be met with skepticism and dismissals.
"What are you saying?"
"His intentions with me are less than honorable and I already told him no: multiple times."
"That's very grave even for you. Are you sure you're not imagining things?"
"I swear that's the truth!"
Unfortunately the Collector seems to have decided that what was good for the alpha was good for the second in command – the female of his choice should be available to him if he wished, as a gelfling was available to the Emperor.
One day, Lach walks into one room sees SkekMeh the scout looking up some old scrolls.
Meh jumps and gasps, "You – I didn't know anyone else was here!"
"Been wanting to have a talk with you." Discreetly, he closes the door behind him,
"Collector, what are you doing?!"
"Nothing." he replied casually. "You've been giving me the shoulder for quite some time! Think I'm poison?
"Well, I have just finished here." SkekMeh replied, walking to the door and attempts to sidestep him.
Only to be stopped with one arm. "Why the rush?"
"Please, let me out." She gritted her teeth, trying to keep her composure.
SkekMeh reached for the door… only for the other skeksis to grab her by the arms!
"Get your foul claws off me, I'm not interested in you or what's going on in that crude mind of yours!" SkekMeh shrieked.
Meh claws and scratches, ripping at the other skeksis' robes as she fights to be free. Her efforts only elicit laughter from her captor as he easily pins her struggling arms and held her beak shut!
"Stop being such a tease!" SkekLach snarled, forcefully pushing her back onto the desk. "Your little game is over! Like it or not, I'm going to make you mine!"
SkekRin had been delivering some scrolls when she heard voices from a corner, she stopped short so as not to be heard.
"…it would be for only one night. Then we never speak of it again." someone was whispering but they were speaking so low, Rin was unable to recognize.
But the next one she could identify as SkekLiat's. "Just say the word…"
SkekRin wanted to hear more but the voices faded away and she nearly ran into General SkekVar.
Afterwards, she continued her duties as usual, except she noticed that the Barrister was nowhere to be seen.
"Inbal, have you seen your mistress, the Barrister SkekLiat?" SkekRin had asked the gelfling under her sister's wing.
"No, Lady SkekRin, not since this morning." The gelfling answered.
None of her allies nor the others knew.
It wasn't until dinnertime two hours later that SkekLiat showed up for the meal smoothing her robes and tying her hair back. Where has she been all day?
Less than three minutes later, SkekArra emerged followed by the Garthim Master, SkekUng. Strange, they didn't appear to have been arguing. No, it seemed as though they were determinedly attempting to avoid each other's eyes for the duration of the meal.
What's more, SkekMeh never showed up for Dinner. Why?
To be continued…
Author's note: Things start to look dark for some of the females... I did say this would take it's darker turns from here on in.