At a first glance, the two women walking through the market, side by side had very little in common.
One was a domestic cat, maybe in her mid-twenties, average high but rather curvy for a member of that delicate built race. She had tan fur and matching, though darker hair. She had tied to a functional knot. Also functional were her simple traveling clothes, linen-blouse and matching trousers. Perfect for the warm, dry weather. Only the neckline of her blouse and the golden rings around her tail betrayed that she usually wore more revealing, sultry attire.
The other female was a hyena, slightly taller than the feline and of similar age. Her fur had a dark chocolate color with sand colored stripes. In contrast, her hair was as white as snow and she had arranged it to several long bunches out for which her gold-decorated ears jutted. She wore a valuable dress weaved from the finest linen, the fabric almost transparent, leaving little to imagination. But the young woman wasn't anxious about that, she was well aware of her impact on males and even some females and her whole appearance revealed her high descent and self-confidence.
“Well Isis, I have to admit, that bazaar was a perfect idea, haven't had so much fun for weeks.” The feline said.
“Oh, I'm glad you liked it, Diantha. Oh it was so prisless, seeing the face of that merchant when you revealed that his precious Jacainan jewels were just trumpery.” The canine answered.
Diantha laughed, yes, it had been a very nice day. Especially since she had spent the last two weeks in the desert. She had only arrived in town yesterday and accepted a temporary assignment as a temple-dancer and already she had made meet a girl she could imagine becoming a good friend.
“And what now?” Diantha asked, it was getting late, the sun would set in about a hour.
“Ah, I have to get this dust out of my fur first.” Isis said, shaking her arms as if she could cast off the dirt that way.
“Yeah, me too and I know just the right place to do that.” Diantha answered, pointing towards a massive building down the street.
“The temple? Haven't been there for years.” Isis interjected.
“They have a lovely pool and since I work there now, they should let us use it, right?”
“Ah, welcome back Diantha.” A priestess greeted the feline as soon as the two friends arrived in the temple. Alannyth was a member of a rare avian race, her feathers and beak reminded of a hawk. A pair of strong wings protruded from her back, while her arms were humanoid, covered with brown fur. Her formal dress as well as the black eyeliner showed her belonging to the temple: “Lady Isis, we are honored that you have praised out temple with your presence.” The avian made an implied bow.
“Alannyth, can we use a bath?” Diantha asked directly.
“Sure, make yourself at home. There are two guests there already if that doesn't bother you.”
“No, no problem for me.” Diantha shook her head.
“Neither I.” Isis added: “Do we know them?”
“I don't think so, they are regular visitors of the temple, but not members of nobility.” Alannyth said.
The priestess let her guests into a more private part of the temple. They arrived in a large dressing room, equipped with nicely decorated seats and paintings of the live-giving river on the walls. Alannyth immediately started undressing, causing Diantha to raise an eyebrow: “Hey, what are you doing?”
“Stupid question, I'll join you.” The addressed answered.
“Okay, but you told me you don't like to, well, show yourself nude when I danced in yesterday.” Diantha probed further.
“Not in front of males, but with girls, it's a different thing.” Alannyth threw her skirt towards Diantha, which covered the feline's face for a moment before all three girls laughed about the situation.
Only a few minutes later, all three girls entered the rather huge bath of the temple. Had the locker room been decorated in an elegant, modest way, then this room was almost lavish, filled with paintings of the countries rich flora, equipped with golden flambeaus and even the pillars were painted in shiny colors.
Isis was almost disappointed that no male would see them, all three of them looked just lovely, oh well, she wasn't here for display.
“Isis, what a pleasant surprise.” A silver voice greeted them as they entered the bath. It belonged to a cute fennec already inside the water, waving as she saw the newcomers.
“Ah, Monica, so you are one of the guests already here?” Isis replied, then turned towards Diantha: “May I introduce you to Monica? We know each other for, well, since we were children.” Then she turned towards Monica again: “Mind if we join you?”
“Oh no, no, of course not, be my guest. Oh, and this:” She pointed towards the slender jackal girl next to her: “This is Khaybat, she's a believer from another city who has decided to stay here for a few days.”
Isis stopped, as she looked closer. Khaybat looked friendly, but only noticed the snake winding around her neck: “Don't worry about Apep here, he's not dangerous, besides, he’s already eaten a few hours ago.”
After they had greeted each other, Isis, Diantha and Alannyth finally went into the water. Isis sighted happy: “That was your best idea ever, Diantha.” Quickly she submerged into the water and surfaced again a moment later, wiping her wet hair out of her face.
“Well, not all cats hate water, you know?” Diantha answered laughing.
About an hour later, the five women were still in the bath. Diantha had climbed out of the water and lay on her stomach next to the pool, feet up in the air as she was chatting with the girls.
Isis still stood in the middle of the room, wringing out her hair as she contemplated over the past few days. Unconscious she started humming. It was an old song, one she had learned as a young child in the harem. It was about the small joys of life, the simple things like the morning sun r the warm water caressing your body. And especially, the presence of the people you trust. It was a song she hadn't thought off for a long time. Alannyth started whispering the lyrics: “...and the cool water of the oasis in the middle of the desert...”
“That's a nice song.” Monica finally said as Isis ended her spontaneous performance, realizing that all other girls had gathered up around her.
“Does it have a deeper meaning?” Diantha demanded to know.
“No, no deeper meaning, I hardly remember the text, but it reminds me off the good old times when I felt protected and taken care off. Long before I had to act like a princess. Strange that I remembered it right now.”
Diantha nodded: “Strange, maybe, but I think I understand why you remember it right now.”
Art by
\n\t\t\t\t\tskyler-ragnarokStory by
\n\t\t\t\t\trhazzazorCharacters are owned by their respective players