Partay in the jungle! [open!]

[Rhindeer]

The large dining hall was rarely made of use, as Charik rarely had formal dinners. His concubines took their meals when they wished it and it was only during special occasions that everyone was required to eat together.

Today was indeed a special occasion, for it marked the twenty-ninth year of Charik's hatching.

It was a special day in many senses. Festivities occurred throughout all of Citialin, though Matlal, as the seat of Charik's rule, was most festive of them all. Many villagers brought offerings to the temple and Charik let the families of those who had given up their children in tribute visit, if they wished it. But not only that, but it was one of four days out of the year that he saw his siblings, the sovereigns of the three other villages that, apart from Matlal, that made up Citialin.

There were three siblings and like Charik, they were gods--though smaller ones. There was his brother, Chimalli, and his sisters, Izta and Kisa, all younger than him but by the span of just a few hours--or, in the case of Izta, minutes. All of them bore a resemblance to Charik: brown skin of various shades with their snake halves bearing similar coloring and markings, though Kisa's snake body was a little duller, a little opaque. Like Charik, her hair was dark blond, though the others bore hair that was closer to brown.

Like Charik, they all wore very little and all went bare-chested. Charik had decorated his hair with feathers and wore bracelets about his wrists and decorative chains about his waist, but nothing more, while the practical Chimalli came completely unadorned. Izta looked rather elegant, with her long, straight hair braided and beaded. Kisa, on the other hand, had gone out of her way to dress up, with a colorful sarong around her waist, rings around her tail, and intricate designs painted onto her skin. Her skin was pierced in many places--her nose, breasts, lip, and multiple times in her ears. The youngest of them, she had always had a thing for standing out.

Currently, Charik found himself in the dining hall with the three of them as he waited for the rest of the harem to join them.

The table was long and rectangular, sat low to the ground atop several animal skin rugs with large plush cushions for seating. While they waited for the others, however, they sat away from the table in a pile of cushions, tails loosely draped over each other, and listened as Kisa fretted.

"You're all so beautiful and I'm so dull!" she said, scratching at the place where human skin blended into snake scales. A few old scales flaked loose. "I was hoping I'd shed before tonight, but look at me. Not even close! I look simply awful."

Chimalli rolled his eyes, and Charik fought back a grin. "You look fine, dear. Trust me," Izta said with a long-suffering smile, patting the girl's arm.

"Fine? That simply will not do! What will the people think when they see a molting goddess?"

"Some people like to keep our skins," Charik offered.

"Yes, after the process is done. But to see it?" She let out a dramatic sigh.

And he could hardly blame her.

Shedding was a rather annoying process. Even he got cranky when it was time.

[Winters-Feather]

Today was her Lord's birthday. Looking her best was without question.
Thankfully, Razi thought almost smugly, that will be the least of my problems tonight.
Sha-Razi took in several deep breaths as a servant finished applying the heavy khol around her eyes. She was dressed in one of her finer costumes. A vivid green top that covered her chest with black beaded straps and red and gold beads dangling from the bottom. Her two layered silk skirt were  two different shades of beige in color, but it was accented with the beaded belt. She wore beaded bangles and cuffs up her arms with a gorgeous beaded head piece to help keep her elaborate bun in place.  Her necklace and earrings were beaded, too, with sparkling golds, reds, greens, and blacks. They were all gracious gifts from the naga. Razi was sure that the presentation would please him. Her diamond stud nose piercing shimmered in the light as Razi turned her head, observing the effect in a mirror a servant girl held up for her to see.

"You look beautiful, m'lady," the girl said humbly as she tucked an orange-pink flower into Razi's hair.
Razi smiled in return, weak in her nervousness.
"Yes, thank you," she agreed as she rose from her cushion and draped a green sari with gold embroidery over her shoulder.
Yes, today was The Holy Charik's birthday, and that meant, gods help her, entertaining his family.

The concubine was escorted towards the dining hall for the day's festivities. Before entering, she turned towards a scribe, who was positioned by the door way.
"Sha-Razi," he said with a slight bow to which the woman nodded back to.
"Are the dance troupes for tonight in order?" she asked. The court usually hired troupes of dancers to perform before the king, as well as some of the villagers. As such, she was sometimes put in charge in this aspect of the festivities, especially since the woman sometimes danced during parties that she wasn't required to play as ambassador in. Tonight, she was not to be a politician, but an enchantress. The man nodded.
"Good," Razi replied.

She regally entered the room with elegant and soft steps. Sha-Razi was pleased to see that the musicians were already set up to play to entertain for the evening.She salaamed before Charik and his siblings, smiling warmly.
"Greetings and welcomes, O Mighty Holy Ones, Lord Chimalli, Lady Izta, and Lady Kisa," she greeted.
Flattery most always won favor from the nagas. The woman was familiar with all three naga. She liked them all well enough, though they could be overwhelming, particularly Lady Kisa. Speaking of which, Razi made it a note to be extra nice to her. The woman could tell right away that the beautiful and outlandish naga was molting, and that meant her patience was cut short.

The woman approached the table with quick strides, straight towards the birthday naga.
"My lord," she said proudly, excitement dancing in her eyes.
Sha-Razi knew how much this day meant to Charik, and it was exciting for the whole harem. Though the sacrifices of families offering up their children still left her uncomfortable, the wonders the day brought always made some of the best tales for the rest of the year. Still, she was his concubine, not his queen or wife. Though there was a level of informality and intimacy she was allowed to take in public, those were limited during days like these, especially in front of Charik's family. Sha-Razi salaamed again.  Personally, she found such regulations tedious and ridiculous, especially with the elaborate titles, but the woman knew enough to just go with it.
"I wish you the best of birthdays, dearest King Charik," she elegantly stated, as was also custom.
"May my Lord King scales forever shine and his reign long and prosperous!"

Where's Ziya and the others? she wondered, trying not to think about that too much. The day had really only just begun, and she was going to need all her wits at hand.


OOC: Razi's outfit is sorta based heavily on this: x just because, lol. It's kinda fun coming up with these stately praises XD

[Rhindeer]

Indeed, the naga adored Sha-Razi, for she always knew exactly what to say. Her compliments brought a begrudging smile even to Chimalli's face, and he was well known as the stoic and serious one of the bunch. Even dramatic Kisa blushed prettily and stopped picking at her scales, because how unladylike was that?

Charik beamed a wide grin at her as she greeted he and his siblings for Sha-Raz was, without a doubt, one of his favorites. And she had not disappointed today, looking beautiful and elegant as usual. His eyes followed her, admiring, and as soon as she had finished her greeting, he reached up and offered her his hand.

"And you're looking gorgeous as always, dear," he said, and pulled her down onto the cushions with him. "Please, join us!"

Ziya appeared shortly after, escorted by some flustered servants. It was only because Charik had asked them to bring the naiad that they had gone to fetch him, otherwise most preferred to steer clear of his pool unless told otherwise. They held the naiad between them while he slouched dramatically and forced them to carry him, as though dead. His head hung, wet green hair falling into his face.

For Ziya, this was one of the worst days ever, a day when he was forced out of his pool, made to put on clothes (just a sarong, but even that much was torture), and forced to endure a bunch of people lavishing attention on people other than himself. He moaned pitifully as he was carried and, finally, the servants brought him to the table and deposited him onto one of the cushions, where he wilted, slumping forward onto the table.

"Excuse me while I die," he groaned into the wood. Fortunately, he'd expended most of his energy already throwing a glorious tantrum when the servants came to collect him. That was the key. Letting him tantrum, flail, cry, and curse himself to exhaustion was a surefire way toward a much more pleasant night.

[Wan]

The Kishahn Jungle.  Far, far to the south of his home in Zantaric, across the Moraki desert- with a brief stop in Essyn for various reasons- Adonai found himself longing for the dry heat of the desert, which his clothing was more suited for.  The humidity of the jungles didn't agree to him.  Not in the least.  However, he could overcome the discomfort mentally.  He was not about to remove his clothing, as many of the guests at this party seemed fond of doing.  His dignity was worth more than whatever he may learn from this social gathering of jocularity.

The party of Charik's 29th Hatching Anniversary was indeed living up to the reputation the rumors had been circulating about it.  There was virtually no security to see who was entering the party.  Despite this, Adonai took no chances, and passed across rooms and passages as a mere shadow, circumventing anyone who looked sober and serious. 

In the banquet hall where everyone seemed to be congregating, Adonai stuck to a shadowy corner and moved the darkness around him to remain out of the vision- both direct and peripheral- of guests.  He wasn't here to talk or parlay fine words.  Not yet at least.  That would come later if and when he found people worth talking to.  He did help himself to a glass of wine from a serving tray that passed nearby.

[Winters-Feather]

Razi bowed her head, smiling as Charik praised her. The day was off to a grand start.
"Thank you, my lord," she replied humbly as she accepted his hand.
The woman lowered herself into her cushion. She sat with her back straight and her knees idly together with her legs draping towards the side. Razi made a note to be mindful of Charik's tail. She didn't touch anything on the table, not yet. Not until the nagas have had their first sips of drink and bites of food. Inside her mind, she was running over the plans of some of the festivities, when...

Oh, no, Razi thought, letting out a small sigh.
Try as she might to suppress herself from exploding or rolling her eyes, the woman managed to only glare coldly as Ziya was being dragged in the room by his servants.
Does he ever try? she thought, annoyed.
All that blasted creature ever thought about was himself. His selfishness annoyed Sha-Razi to no end. The world would revolve around him, and it probably did, in his chambers.  She had been known to throw fits as passionate and shameful as he did once she had learned some of the vile things he had done and would not seem to see reason. Ziya was one of her least favorite of the harem, but Razi didn't hate him... She just simply could only tolerate him in small and sparse doses. The woman graciously nodded towards his servants as they plopped him down in the cushion next to hers. They were clever to get him in this state. It seemed that they have gotten him in an actually tolerable mood.

The woman leaned in as she soothingly poured him a cup of wine. On most days she would have probably slapped him for his childish behavior, but not now. Not today. They were supposed to get along.
"You look handsome," she whispered.
Your hair's a mess.
"Wish Charik a happy birthday. He's been waiting for you!"
He's made no mention yet. Cut the attitude and smile.

[Nix]

Sureya had heard quite a lot about this day in the short time he had been living at the palace. It was mostly in passing when he dared to wander the halls, mainly keeping out of others sight as much as possible. No one really spoke to him directly... the few times he had rung the bell in his room had been awkward at best for both himself and the servants. It truly was frustrating to try and convey things to strangers through pantomime, no one here understood him they way his father and siblings did. Truth be told, he was starting to feel a bit homesick; even today.

After all, the Toriiri celebrated this day too, though differently than it was celebrated here. It was more of a week long celebration for the Toriiri, coincidentally starting around Sureya's hatching day and ending today on Lord Charik's. The Toriiri would gather and craft gifts for Lord Charik, usually consisting of flowers that bloomed only high in the tree tops and the most colorful, silken feathers from the most desirable of male Toriiri. Contests were held and the one who made the most beautiful gift for the snake king would present it and all the other gifts to him today. The winner would be adorned in all sorts of beautiful things to stand before the god-king.

Suri had actually resented the festivities growing up, something he suddenly felt guilty for now that he had met Charik and joined his harem. He had never been able to participate... his feathers were much too plain and small to even begin to make something from and there was no chance of him being able to fly high or far enough to gather beautiful rare flowers.

The little white bird hugged his knees to his chest as he sat on a cushion and gazed at the small arrangement of wild flowers he had prepared for Lord Charik's hatching day. He had spent most of the week preparing it in secret, but it wasn't good enough for the god-king. It was just plain wild flowers in a poorly crafted basket.

Suddenly there was a knock outside his room and Sureya hid his face behind his knees, it was probably another servant trying to usher him off to the banquet hall. He wasn't trying to be rude or disrespectful, he just wasn't ready to go; he wasn't worthy of going. But the person who entered was not a servant.

"Suri... what is wrong?" The voice was soft and full of care and concern, immediately causing Sureya to look up. It was his father. Sureya was so happy he jumped up and fluttered over to hug his father tightly.

Giano smiled at his son and held him tightly for a moment. "How have you been faring? Are you eating Sureya?" He asked stepping back to look at his son who indeed looked like he had lost a little weight. The more colorful older Toriiri pet his son's head and sighed softly. "You have to find a way to ask for things when you need them... if you are hungry let someone know."

Sureya simply nodded in response to all of his father's words. He looked at his father who was dressed in fine silken robes with all sorts of adornments on his wrists, ankles, head and neck. Of course, his father wasn't simply here to see him, he was here to escort the winner of the festival and present Lord Charik's gifts on behalf of the Toriiri council and her majesty the Queen. Suri shouldn't have been so surprised, his father had done so before many times.

Giano frowned as he looked his sulking son over. "Sureya, why aren't you dressed? You should be almost ready be now, the festivities will be starting soon!" The older man fretted and then turned to pull some items out of a trunk that Suri hadn't even noticed his father bring in.




By the time Sureya stood outside the banquet hall with his father he was already fidgeting with all the jewelry adorning him. It weighed him down so much he could barely hover! Still he had been happy when he saw all the beautiful, delicate looking gold and sparkling things his father had brought for him to wear, that and the beautiful sheer mint colored robes with their intricate gold-threaded embroidery that now clad his frame. He had never been so dressed up before! There was no point in him dressing up among the Toriiri, it wouldn't hide the fact that he wasn't colorful and lacked proper wings, but now he felt almost beautiful. He even decided to bring the flowers for Lord Charik. He took a deep breath and entered the hall.

Sureya was surprised to see Charik sitting there with the other naga-gods. He had heard they were coming but it hadn't really hit him till now. They were all so magnificent, but Lord Charik truly out shined them all. He walked delicately and carefully, noticing the others in the hall that he did not know- a beautiful woman sitting with Lord Charik and a beautiful male with green hair and a strange expression were the ones that most caught his eye. He was really nervous, much more so than when he first met the god-king, but at least his father was here too and would be in shortly.

Sureya bowed when he reached Lord Charik and the others and smiled up at the kind naga blushing slightly and holding out the basket of flowers for him.

[Rhindeer]

The change was instantaneous, like dark clouds parting to let in the sunshine.

The instant Sha-Razi said the magic word, that he was handsome, Ziya perked up and a wide grin spread across his face, baring dangerously sharp teeth. "Oh, has he? Well, of course he has. Who wouldn't? I'm quite aware I'm absolutely stunning, but I enjoy hearing it so don't stop there."

He cast a quick glance Charik's way. Ziya didn't particularly care what the occasion was--he merely cared that he was being forced to be out of his pool wearing these awful clothes and no one but Sha-Razi was paying attention to him when they all should be layering attention onto him!--but had he been waiting for him? As Sha-Razi seemed to have been? Well, that was worthy of some acknowledgment, he supposed...

Besides, once that was out of the way, they could get right back to paying attention to him, as they should! Maybe acknowledging him would make him acknowledge him and then this whole situation could get to being about him, as it should.

Ziya shrugged, mumbled quickly, "Oh. Happy hatching day, Lord Charik." And then he turned right back to Sha-Razi and beamed at her. "Now, as you were saying?"


Completely oblivious to the mini-drama happening right beside him (and oblivious to Ziya's birthday wishes over the chatter), Charik's attention was drawn from his siblings when Sureya approached him, and they, too, peered over curiously. Well, the boy certainly cleaned up nicely! And while he may have looked rather plain among so many colorful naga, humans, and naiads, his outfit accented his looks nicely.

He glanced at the flowers and smiled brightly. "Oh, for us?" he asked, and accepted them happily. "How beautiful! These will look lovely in our chamber. Where did you find them? Ah, but enough of that! Join us!"

And, as he had done with Sha-Razi, he pulled Sureya down beside them and motioned to his siblings. As the newest, he was the only one here so far who required an introduction.

"These are our siblings, Kisa, Chimalli, and Izta," he said, pointing to each in turn. "Gods of our kingdom. And this is Sureya, our newest."

[Winters-Feather]

Razi couldn't help but to produce a thin smirk at Ziya's reaction.
Works like a charm, she thought.
Though the woman hadn't eaten anything yet, she felt her stomach churning. Gods, but did his vain attitude drive her sick. Razi was always convinced that she WAS going to get sick, but she tried to ignore that feeling of utter repulsiveness.
"Very elegant, Ziya," she managed to praise.
What had she been saying? Razi was about to say something, anything- it didn't matter what, so long it was about how beautiful Ziya was, when a new figure approached them.

Oh.
Razi sat back in her cushion as she silently observed Sureya approach. The Toriiri were a curious people, and this new member was no different. Razi did not know much about the young man, as she had been too busy to get to know  him properly. She knew enough to know that he was defect among his people, and couldn't speak. Razi rather pitied and sympathized with Sureya, though she had never really had the opportunity to speak to him, more or less. She's been meaning to, as well. There had to be an elegant solution to properly communicate with him.
Cute, she thought, her heart almost aching as she  observed the basket of flowers. He was too adorable!

Razi figited in her seat  as she saw his father in the back of the hall.
Oh, she thought, a realization dawning on her. The woman solemnly bowed her head.
They'll be here, too....
The woman politely nodded towards Sureya.
"Are you adapting all right?" she asked, keeping the questions simple.
"I see your father is here. Are you comfortable here?" 
Do you miss your old home? she wondered, though that was a sensitive question to bring up.

[Nix]

Sureya was easily pulled beside Charik. He couldn't help blushing and smiling softly as he looked up at the god-king and then to his siblings as they were each introduced in turn. He bowed his head to each of them. They were all very beautiful! He had to admit that he was fascinated by the nagas and thought that their tails, their scales were probably one of the most beautiful things in the world. He saw that some of Kisa's scales had flaked off too. How amazing! He didn't realize that they molted too! Did it make them sleepy while they molted? Would the new scales be shinier and more colorful? Every year when Suri molted he had hoped his new feathers would come in colorfully, but they only ever seemed whiter if anything.

Oh! He had gotten so caught up in thinking about molting that he almost didn't realize that the beautiful woman sitting at the table was speaking to him! He nodded, smiling brighter when she asked if he was adapting alright. He wasn't exactly sure how true it was, because it was hard adapting, but he wouldn't want Lord Charik to know that. Not after the god-king had been so kind to him!

Again, he nodded to the second question. He was happy that his father was here, and it had made him more comfortable today. He wasn't uncomfortable before though. Just a bit homesick.

He wanted to ask the woman her name, and it was frustrating not being able to articulate that. He settled for looking up at Charik and then back to Razi, and even to the naiad, in hopes of more introductions.

[Rhindeer]

"Ah! How silly of us! Of course, we forgot how little you know! This," Charik said, patting Razi's knee, "is the beautiful and graceful Sha-Razi, who has been with us so long and spoils us so." And it looked like she was already taking to the little bird, as if he ever had to worry about that. That over there is Ziya, who we're sure you'll get along with well once you get to know him!"

Like most other things, he was rather oblivious to the naiad's behavior and tended to find ways to justify it in a way that made happy sense to his own particular worldview.

Ziya just huffed and laid his head on his arms, scowling at the lot of them. Now the stupid bird was taking over and everyone was oohing and aahing over the stupid thing! It wasn't even that great! It was so plain! However, that scowl turned into a toothy grin at Charik's statement and he fluttered his eyelashes.

"Oh yes. Very well," he purred lazily. "You should visit my pool sometime, Sureya."

[Winters-Feather]

Razi smiled at Sureya's nods.
"That's nice," she replied.
The woman fell silent after that as she sipped some of her juice. She felt awkward about it, but she didn't know what else to add to that. Thankfully, Charik spoke for her, and even Ziya managed to say a greeting. She nearly choked on her drink. His words came across to her more threatening than welcoming, though Razi shoved that aside as her experience with the Ziya. The woman threw him an alarmed glance, which she quickly shielded with a smile.
"Very good, Ziya," she said with an exhausted sigh. There was no telling with that creature.

To distract herself, Razi turned towards Charik's siblings.
"My Lord and my ladies," she said, "please tell us of happenings of your villages. We don't get to hear news of them very often. Has anything exciting happened, recently?"
Just then, a servent wearing colorful silk robes entered the room. He was tall and lankly with an easy grin on his face. Razi knew him. His name was Yele. He had practically grew up in the temple; he had been here longer than she.

He bowed low before their table.
"Esteemed Holy One," he said to Charik. He always did have a flair for theatrics.
"If it is your desire, the presentation of your tribute shall begin presently!"
Oh, hell, Razi thought as she took another swing of juice.
The woman mentally prepared herself for the parade of children and gold and bowiing idiots who expected rain in exchange for a smile and gold. At least Charik would be happy and some of the gifts interesting ,but it was going to be a long afternoon.

[Rhindeer]

Before the other naga could launch into highlighting the events of the last year, Yele arrived with the news, and Charik perked up with excitement. Oh, this was the best part! The part where everyone came and lavished attention and praise upon him! It never got old!

This was the best day of the year!

He grinned broadly, fangs flashing, and clapped his hands. "Yes, yes! Bring them in at once!"

His siblings exchanged knowing looks, his sisters smiling in amusement while Chimalli looked stoic and deadpan as usual. Yele bowed again and hurried off to give the word.

Turning to Sureya, Charik nudged him. "Oh, you'll love this part! It is the best! Right, Razi darling?"

[Winters-Feather]

A tired grin rose on Sha-Razi's lips at Charik's excitement.
He's such a child, she thought, though not entirely unfondly. Of course, some of the presents he did receive were quite extravagant, in the past.
"Yes, my lord," she quietly replied as she sipped some of her juice. The presentation started as normally as Razi expected it to.  Village chiefs came in with trays of gold while also requesting a prayer or two from Charik's part. Some interesting travelers brought rare or magical gems. Others arrays of foreign birds, such as the curious and beautiful doves of Connloath. Razi was begining to zone the faces out, smiling and nodding when she knew it appropiate to, when...

"Ismali Kaboru of Essyrn," Yele announced.
Razi almost spat out her juice, her stomach churning.  A servant refilled her cup and Charik's though she hardly noticed.
Oh, hell, she thought, distressed. The woman shot a glance at the naga, but said nothing. Instead, she clamped her mouth shut and sat as rigidly still as possible. Razi reminded herself to smile as her father escorted a small group of the family into the room. Her father stood tall and proud with an arrogant glint in his green eyes. He was handsome and had a face similar to his daughters. Sha-Razi's mother accompanied him. She was plump and bright eyed, with long thick locks of hair that Razi inherited.  With them came Razi's unmarried younger sister, who was dressed in a simple, but elegant, white dress and stared up at the nagas with bright, black eyes. Following them was a strong manslave carrying a large item between his hands that was concealed under a veil.

Razi's eyes swept the table before the woman quickly bowed before Charik.
"Excuse me, my lord," she muttered before approaching her family. Her father hugged her close as he made a public display of it. Razi hugged him stiffly back.
"Sha-Razi! My beautiful daughter," he boomed. "We've missed you so!"
Razi gasped for breath. She wanted to mention that he never quite wrote or really visited, but all that was merely second important to her problem at hand. She had forgotten her father's bear hugs.
"Yes... father!"
He held her an arm's length away to admire her and the naga before him. Ismali bowed low before Charik.

"O Holy One, he said. I trust that my daughter will continue to serve you well. My family and I bid you a very Happy Birthday, and as token as our gratitude, here is our gift..." Ismali gestured for the slave to bring the gift before the naga. The slave took back the veil to reveal a chest with Charik's likeliness on it, with a spear in hand as he roamed the jungle. The boarders were delicately engraved with small details of the village. Gems decorated the work of art, such as Charik's diamond eye that gleamed in the right light. The trees and grass were lifelike, and, to Razi's amazement, gently swayed to some unseen wind.

[Zane]

Dreams. Rehab for insomniac. Training for the future seekers, and most importantly, the most dangerous thing that Darnoc ever has to experience. Rightly so because Darnoc just so happens to be nothing short of an animated suit of armor, and since he doesn't require sleep, normally he didn't sleep. But on those rare instances that he did, it did not please whatever deity controlled regulated sleep, often times Darnoc would slip into a state of comatose, often not awakening for many years. One time he woke up to find himself being worn, by a troll Halfling. That was a very different experience, and it took weeks to get the smell off from when the troll couldn't be bothered to remove Darnoc before answering Natures call. If he had a spine, a shiver would have just gone down it.

Darnoc stretched out his arms, not really a necessity but more something he did out of habit, then stepped off the Pedestal he were standing on. "How long have I been aslee-" it was then that he actually took notice of what was happening, it seemed like he were at some sort of party, looking behind him there were several suits of armor lined up against the wall, had he been sold for Decoration?

"This isn't.... The blue moon inn." he simple and stupidly stated, his voice a mere echo, not really coming from anywhere in particular.

[Rhindeer]

Charik did all the expected things, for after many years of this ritual, he had it down to an arm. He graciously accepted the gifts and offered his blessings, even saying a blessing or two over those who requested it. He fondly ruffled children's hair as they marveled as the snake god and even gave out some compliments of his own. He may have been foolish and oblivious and arrogant and delusional, but he did love his people, and he loved these visits. In a way, they were very humanizing, even while he was placed upon a pedestal.

The human visitors were perhaps even more a gift to him than the gold and trinkets.

And then, a very familiar name was announced.

Charik nodded in assent as Razi rose to greet her parents, smiling as he watched. It was always lovely when parents came to visit his lovers, he did so like to see them happy.

And then the man approached him with a gift, and Charik marveled at the chest, gasping at the sight.

"This is gorgeous!" he exclaimed, leaning in to examine it and running his fingers along the carvings and gems. The fact that it moved was especially intriguing, and he leaned even closer in an effort to figure out how it was doing that. "We have never seen anything like this! How does it move? How did--"

That was when a high pitched shriek cut through the merriment.

Whipping around to look, Charik saw that it was Kisa.

And she was staring in wide-eyed terror at at a coat of armor that was no longer where it should have been.

"I-it moved! It spoke!" she yelped, recoiling from it. In an instant, Chimalli was there, curling protectively around her and grabbing a knife from the table. He hissed at the armor, flashing long fangs.

[Winters-Feather]

Razi couldn't help but to smile at Charik's marvelling of her family's gift. Even she was impressed by its quality. She tried her best not to pay attention to her parents, who swelled with pride at the naga's delight.
     "Yes, well, I am the best-" Razi's father began to say, but whatever words Ismali had was cut short by Kisa's piercing screams. Sha-Razi whirled around to find the hall submitting into chaos. Chimalli coiled protectively around his sister as one of the armor pieces began to move. Razi blanched and became weak in her knees.
An attack? Within the temple?
Out of all her years here, such a thing had never happened. Razi tried to keep her head cool. If they pulled the wrong move, they could have a war on their hands. Of course, an assassination attack WAS a declaration of war, but Razi still had the glimmer of hope that things were not as they appeared.

Razi picked up the hems of her skirts and rushed to be by Charik's side. A servant girl who had been pouring wine had in her nervousness spilled it on the floor, her tray clamoring to the ground. She moaned in dismay. Razi patted her head.
"Never mind, girl. Go," Razi firmly instructed.
The servant girl eagerly nodded and fled. Razi glared at the moving statue. It appeared to not hold any weapons, but that wasn't saying much.
"What is that thing?" Razi curiously asked the naga.
Whatever it is, it ought to be removed from the hall, she grimly thought  as servants and guests began to panic. Out of the corner of her eye,  she watched the soldiers come marching in out of the corner of her eye. 

[Zane]

Screaming.

As to be expected Darnoc supposed, normal pieces of armor just don't start moving, much less talk. "Yes, it moved. And yes, it spoke. But also has a name, it's name is-" That was when another naga coiled around the one that screamed, brandishing a knife, "-not really important at the moment." Darnoc raised his hands into the air. "Listen friend, I mean no harm to you, her, or anyone else present here. But a knife is probably not what you want to fight one of my kind with," bringing his hands, which were really just leather gloves with plating on them, to his shoulders. He undid the top straps to his chestplate and lowered it, exposing the inside of the armor, showing he was hollow. If you looked close you could see the circular blood rune that bound his soul to his body. "As you can see I've got nothing to stab." Redoing the straps to his chestplate and taking stock of what was around.

"Quite honestly, I don't know where I am, or even when I am. I've really and truly just woken up."

[Rhindeer]

It wasn't long before that coat of armor had four naga and several armed soldiers all staring at it, the soldiers ready to bear down on it with sword and spear at a word from Charik. Even Charik had curled his body around Razi protectively; the soldiers could deal with the threat, but his duty was toward protecting his lovers.

At Razi's question,, Charik shook his head. "It is...it is a gift from long ago," he said slowly, just as perplexed as the rest of them. The coat of armor was like no armor as could be found anywhere in his kingdom, so the armor itself was a mystery. And now it was moving and--what's more!--speaking?

"Ah! Clearly there is someone inside--oh." The armor took off its chest plate, revealing a hollow center, and that axed that explanation.

"...We are not sure how it's doing that..." he admitted, blinking slowly, and then cleared his throat and snapped his fingers, signalling one of the servants to fetch his spear. Once it was in his hand, he slithered forward, though the part of body that was curled around Razi stayed where it was. Ah, the joys of a strange, long body.

"You! Two things! How are you doing that, and do you mean us harm? If you mean us harm, we will have to...ah...well, we shall have to take you apart, we suppose."

[Winters-Feather]

A gift?
Razi never remembered such a gift in her time. She quickly calculated the years on her fingers.
Ten years, at the latest.
"Oh!" she muttered as the end of Charik's tail coiled itself around her.  Razi didn't like not being able to move, but she deeply appreciated the gesture. Razi held onto Charik's smooth scales as she watched with fascination as the armor spoke. She wasn't that surprised that nothing was inside the thing, though it still fascinated her.
At least it speaks the language, she thought, though it was curious that the armor claimed to not know where it came from, or even what it was. With no face, it was hard to tell if the armor was lying or not.
I don't trust it, Razi thought. She wanted answers.

Five soldiers lined up by the side of the  harem to protect them. Razi turned towards one. She wasn't exactly in charge of them, but this could be urgent.
"You!" she demanded. The man looked up to her with startled green eyes.
"Y-yes, ma'am?" he replied, his voice shaky.
"Please go to the library," she  said, her voice as calm as ever.
"The library?" he asked, confused.

Razi rolled her eyes, her patience shortened. Had he not heard her?
"Yes. Have the librarian search records of  birthday gifts from ten years ago or older. Ten. I want to know who sent this gift of armor."
The soldier still looked hesitant.
Razi sighed.
"Your noble deed will immensely help protect your king and country. Now go." 
The man nodded and immediately darted off.   The other soldiers shot Razi queer looks, but she ignored them as she focused on the armor.

[Zane]

Darnoc just sighed as more naga and guards came around, things just going from bad to worse. It must have been a monday. As yet another naga joined the semicircle he brandished a spear and spoke with somewhat authority, but the effect was greatly lessened by the half-heartedness of the threat. Again Darnoc sighed.

"As I've said, I mean no harm to anyone here, as for the former question, I'm afraid you'd have to be a bit more specific. How am I standing here? How am I talking? How do I move? That is a tragically long story that would take longer to tell then anyone should have to listen through. But the sortest way to say it is I'm cursed, and my soul is bound to this armor."