Precious Tribute

Nix · August 23, 2012, 01:08:01 AM

Giano headed into the palace with his head held high. He didn't walk, he glided just above the ground the wings on his head fluttering to allow this while the large ones on his lower back were neatly folded behind him. After a moment of navigating the temple ruins he stopped to make sure his son was still behind him. Perhaps he was going to fast. After all Sureya had to walk.

The white haired Toriiri followed after his father, head turning from side to side to take in all the scenery and creatures. He had never been to the palace before and awed by it all. Even though it didn't seem like it, Suri understood what was going on. His father was going to try and give him away because he was useless and a burden to their people. It was alright though, because it was true. A bird that cannot fly does not belong in the tree tops. He would miss his father though, he always protected Sureya even though it brought him criticism from the other members of the council.

It took the smaller male a moment to realize that his father was waiting for him and he hurried along, not realizing he had fallen so behind. His father looked so sad and troubled so Suri flashed him a bright cheery smile to ease his mind, but his father only smiled sadly in return.

"Sureya..." Giano began to say before clearing his throat lightly. "Just stay beside me in the throne room unless Lord Charik says other wise, alright?" He waited for his son to nod before continuing. "I am hoping that this will be your home now, I hope that I may visit you, but even if I am able it will not be often. You have to be a good boy and obey Lord Charik alright?"

Suri tilted his head and lightly chewed his lower lip before nodding again. He knew that he was going to be left here, but it hadn't really sunk in till his father said that. Not the fact that his father may not be able to see him again. How could that be? His father would come see him... he had to. Before Sureya could do anything else his father seized him in a big hug. "I love you Sureya, and always will. Please remember that."

Suri leaned in to kiss his father's cheek and smile at him again. He loved his father too.

Giano moved to speak to a servant then, asking for an audience with Lord Charik while Suri just gazed around at the lovely surroundings. He definitely preferred this to the tree top village, it was just lovely and there wasn't terrifying heights to fall from here.

Rhindeer · August 23, 2012, 02:14:11 AM

A servant arrived to tell Charik that someone had requested an audience, and Charik wasted no time in hauling himself into the sacrificial chamber than now served as his throne room.

He had shed several days ago, and his scales were brighter and slicker for it, and his dress more elaborate, for he always felt rather fancy after a good shed. Decorating his braided hair were several bright macaw feathers, and encircling his wrists and neck were golden bangles. A colorful loin cloth circled his waist for modesty's sake, and he donned one of his most favorite headdresses, worn only for hunts and audiences: one made from brilliant feathers and a jaguar's head. He fancied it made him look quite regal and godlike.

Inside the chamber, he draped himself along the large stone table that acted as his throne, curled his body to make more room, and then motioned imperiously to his servant.

"Bring them to us," he said with a flick of his hand.

Nix · August 23, 2012, 02:56:35 AM

Giano thanked the servant who had come to bring them into the throne room before turning to his son who seemed to be lost in a daze. "Sureya, come." He called and the smaller male fluttered over to him before setting down on the ground again. Giano fixed the hem line of Suri's flowing gold and pale turquoise robes before heading into the throne room with his son following behind him. When they stood before the throne, a respectable distance away, Giano bowed deeply and was proud to see Suri do the same.

"Greetings Lord Charik, I am Giano Anelise of the Toriiri council, and this is my youngest son, Sureya. Today he has begun his 20th year and is now an adult among our people. I humbly wish to gift Sureya to you my Lord, as a tribute." He stood and looked up at the king to gaze his reaction. Giano assumed that his beautiful son would appeal to the king, but now that they were before Charik he was nervous. He only wanted what was best for his son.

Sureya was in awe of the large snake king. His snake half was so shiny and pretty! It was like they sparkled! And he had beautiful jewelry.... and that headdress... it was kind of scary, but it was really amazing too! And with such colorful feathers in his hair and headdress! Suri couldn't help but smile at the king, he didn't even realize he had started floating.

Rhindeer · August 24, 2012, 10:25:50 PM

Charik had been laying sprawled across his throne, arms folded beneath his head, but when the two Toriiri entered, he pushed himself upright to give them his full attention. Ah, the Toriiri, always such gorgeous creatures. He'd always loved their vibrant feathers--and perhaps some of the ones he wore and had in his collection were from them.

And this one's son was no exception. Perhaps not as colorful as others, but the pure white feathers suited him, stark and unique against all the color in the temple.

Charik broke into a grin and, with a powerful rippling of muscle, slid out of his throne and headed across the room to greet the two personally. "Ahh, a gift for us? And a beautiful one at that. Needless to say, we accept!"

Moving closer, he brushed a hand along the boy's jaw, peering into his eyes. "Sureya, was it? That's a lovely name. Your father must be very proud of you to choose you among all others to serve us."

Nix · August 24, 2012, 10:47:09 PM

Sureya was entranced by the naga. The god-king moved so gracefully and was so handsome and beautiful. As Lord Charik moved closer Sureya blushed sweetly, looking deep into those brown-green eyes as his jaw was brushed, eliciting a soft coo and causing the Toriiri to close his eyes and nuzzle Lord Charik's hand.

Giano watched the interaction between the two with a great sense of relief. He still had to tell Lord Charik of Sureya's issues, but at least they seemed to like each other. "Indeed I am proud of him. He is my beautiful precious son. Though I must tell you my Lord, he cannot speak."

Rhindeer · August 24, 2012, 11:08:38 PM

"Oh, he can't?" Charik said, looking to the boy's father and cocking his head, hand still on the boy's cheek. He furrowed his brow. "Is that a problem?"

Nix · August 24, 2012, 11:20:17 PM

Giano was a bit struck by that. Was it really a problem that Suri couldn't talk? "I just... I didn't want you to think him rude for not answering you Lord Charik." He said feeling ashamed of himself. Suri couldn't speak and he couldn't fly... and maybe among his own somewhat narrow minded people it was a problem, but not here. "Suri is a very sweet boy none the less."

Sureya could no longer keep himself a float and had to touch back down onto the ground after a little while, and that meant he sunk out of Lord Charik's touch. He frowned and opened his eyes to look up at the large naga. He felt so small next to the god-king. Even his father was tiny compared to Lord Charik. Suri looked at those shiny scales now that he was up close. So pretty... he reached out to pet the smooth, silken scales without even thinking.

Rhindeer · August 24, 2012, 11:41:37 PM

"Ah, you have nothing to worry about!" Charik smiled, letting his hand drop with Sureya's descent. Oh, he was so tiny! It was easy to miss with his robes, but had he been flying? Adorable! "If he cannot speak, we're sure he can find other ways to express himself, no? Hmm...?"

He felt a light touch on his scales and turned his head to find the boy petting him, and he couldn't help but laugh. It was all rather endearing; the boy looked so fascinated by it all, so innocent.

His body rippled beneath the boy's hand, muscles working, and, slowly, his tail began to curl around Sureya's feet. "Oh, you are too precious. Do you like our scales?"

Nix · August 25, 2012, 12:01:48 AM

Sureya smiled as he felt the tail curl around his feet. It felt weird and made him giggle a little. He had been a little nervous about meeting Lord Charik but he was kind and amazing... just wonderful! Why would the god-king call someone like him precious? Only father said nice things about him. Suri nodded when Charik asked if he liked those shiny scales. He pet them more smiling up at the naga even more.

Giano knew that bringing Suri here was the right thing to do. Already Lord Charik was so kind to him. "Yes, I'm sure he can. It pleases me greatly that my Lord has found him favorable. I shall take my leave then." The older Toriiri said bowing deeply once more.

Rhindeer · August 25, 2012, 12:50:32 AM

"Gifts shall be sent to your village within three days. May honor follow you and your travels be safe." Dipping his head in acknowledgement, Charik waved his servants over. "Please, see that our honored guest arrives home safely. Ah! But first!"

Turning to the boy--Sureya--Charik smiled gently and motioned to his father. "Would you like to say goodbye?"

Nix · August 25, 2012, 01:30:15 AM

"You are truly gracious my Lord." Giano said when Charik spoke of gifts. He didn't need gifts, Charik taking care of Suri was enough, but he wasn't rude enough to turn them down.

Sureya stopped petting and touching Charik's scales when he was asked if he wanted to say goodbye. He hadn't even realized his father was leaving. He turned to his dad and stepped over Charik's tail to hug the older more colorful Toriiri.

Giano hugged his son back, one last time. "Goodbye Suri. I love you and will rest well knowing that you are safe here, serving our Lord."

Sureya leaned up to kiss his father's cheek before Giano broke the embrace, bowed once more and left the room. For a moment the little white haired bird just stood there, even after his father left.

Rhindeer · August 28, 2012, 11:57:37 PM

Soon they were alone in the chamber, the servants escorting Giano out. The doors shut behind them and Charik turned his attention back to Sureya.

Reaching out lightly, he touched the boy's shoulder. "Sureya, was it?" he said with a smile, body shifting and muscles working as he slipped in front of him. "Welcome to your new home! You'll love it here--and you even get your own room! Anything you could possibly desire will be yours...ah, but first, we should start with your room, no? We shall show you to your quarters now--oh, and you must be hungry! Are you not? We shall see you fed! You are really quite thin, but not to worry, for you'll be fattened up in no time!"

His coils slid against Sureya's legs as he moved toward the door. "Please, this way!"

Nix · August 29, 2012, 12:25:37 AM

Suri stared up at the large naga king with those pale blue eyes as the other touched his shoulder and stood(?) in front of him. He missed some of what the king said but he understood that he was getting his own room and that Charik wanted him to be fatter. A sad look painted itself on his features.

If he got fat he wouldn't be able to fly at all! It was only for short bursts of floating more so than actual flying anyway but if he weighed anymore his head wings would only be for show. Sureya felt those smooth coils brush against him as Charik moved toward the door and he followed after the god-king taking everything in.

He opened his mouth as he walked behind the other, like he wanted to say something but no words came out. Where were they going now? To his room? ...his own room... that would be nice... he wanted to thank Lord Charik and to ask him so many things. Suri hadn't been this flustered over his inability to speak in quite a long time. All that came out was a pathetic little half huff half whimper sound that had to suffice for expressing his frustration.

Rhindeer · October 03, 2012, 01:47:27 PM

It didn't take long to reach Sureya's new room, not that it had been prepared especially for him. The temple had many rooms, many of them unused, but all of them were kept clean and tidy and cleaned regularly by the servants, each room maintained like it might house a guest any day now. Charik picked one and motioned Sureya inside.

"Your room, dear heart."

Like other rooms, it was lavish and clean, with furs and cushions laid out on the floor and tapestries hung on the walls. He looked to Sureya then. "Do you like it?"

Nix · October 10, 2012, 12:46:08 AM

The little white haired male fluttered into the room Charik had picked for him. It was lovely! He fluttered about the room excitedly, taking in every little detail and smiling happily before flopping down on a big plush cushion on the floor. It was very different from his old room, but it was very nice.

He didn't deserve such a nice room... but he did like it. Sureya looked up at the snake king. Lord Charik was so generous and kind...

He nodded when asked if he liked the room and then rose to his feet and returned to the king's side. Suri was unsure how to convey his appreciation, for a moment he simply stood before the god-king, looking up into his eyes, and then he bowed and hugged the large snake tightly.

Rhindeer · October 26, 2012, 01:07:15 PM

Charik watched Sureya with an amused smile tugging at his lips. It didn't matter that the boy couldn't speak--he seemed perfectly capable of showing gratitude in other ways.

Like hugging him.

Charik couldn't say he was expecting that! Usually, it took several days, even weeks before his tributes settled in and became comfortable with their new life, and then it could take even longer before they so much as considered touching their god. But this one was displaying such open exuberance, it was both surprising and refreshing! Charik looked down at the top of Sureya's white head, arms hanging limp at his sides for several beats, before he chuckled and hugged him back, his grip deceptively strong despite his slender appearance--just like a snake.

"We shall accept that as a 'yes'!" he said, releasing his hold after a few seconds and patting the boy on the head. "Please, if you need anything, do let a servant know. See that bell?" He pointed out the decorative rope that hung near the doorway. "Pull that and a servant will come. It is a great honor to be in our harem and you shall be treated accordingly. Respect the others; they must respect you, too. We only ask one simple thing in return."

He reached down and cupped Sureya's chin so he could tilt his face up and meet the boy's eyes with his own reptilian ones. "Honor us, and take no other lovers. We will never force you to our bed, but you belong to us."

Nix · October 27, 2012, 02:29:10 AM

The snake hugged him back and Sureya couldn't help but smile at the tight embrace. For a moment he had started to think he had been too forward in his actions, after all Charik was a god-king and Suri hugged him without permission. It would be ok here though, Charik was very kind and didn't seem angry about the touch at all. When the brief hug ended the white little bird smiled up at the snake and let out a soft cooing noise while the other patted his head.

So the decorative rope was attached to a bell and a servant would come if he rang it? Well, that was something he didn't know if he'd be so comfortable with, he wasn't anything special... Charik was saying he was because he was a harem member now, but really there was nothing special about him and he didn't deserve any of this. Of course he would respect the others though! If they were precious to Lord Charik than they were obviously special! He would be nice to everyone though, his father taught him to always be kind and respectful.

Sureya's eyes gazed at the ground, a crestfallen look upon his face whilst he continued to think on his own unworthiness, and suddenly Lord Charik was grasping his chin. His blue eyes met with Charik's and he froze not knowing how to respond to the words that the god-king spoke.

Of course he wouldn't take any other lovers! He was lord Charik's now! Even if he wasn't worthy of him. Sureya would do anything to make Lord Charik happy now. After a moment he nodded as best he could with his chin in Charik's hand, but no simple nod could express what he wanted to say. How could he let the god-king know he would never dishonor him in such a way?

Suri finally decided that the best way to show his loyalty was to bow down before the kind king and gently kiss that beautiful snake tail. He just hoped that Lord Charik would understand what he meant by this, how he felt.

Rhindeer · December 05, 2012, 02:10:41 PM

The gesture surprised Charik.

Not that it should have. After all, he was a god deserving of that kind of respect and humility! But it took most of his subjects some time before they grew accustomed to their new life, before they viewed him not only as a god but also a man. The tip of his tail twitched and he smiled appreciatively.

This was a lovely change of pace. Understanding though he tried to be, it was wearisome when everyone came into his harem flailing and fainting.

He reached down to run his fingers through Sureya's soft hair, long nails carefully grazing his scalp.

"Well, well. We are certainly glad to see you settling in so well."

Nix · December 13, 2012, 11:11:10 PM

A soft purr-like coo came from the Toriiri's throat as the king pet his hair and head like that. It felt nice and Suri couldn't help but close his eyes and smile. No stranger had ever treated him as anything other than an eye sore. Was it because it didn't matter down here that he couldn't fly? Or because Lord Charik was such a kind king? It had to simply be the god-king's grace... still it was enough to bring tears to the corners of Sureya's eyes.

Even most of his siblings had abandoned him, only his father had stood by him but he was always just a burden on them all. 'Settling in well'? He had wished for a place like this for so long, a place where he was free from the expectations he could never live up to, a place where he could learn to just be himself. Did Lord Charik understand that he had already saved his life?

All Sureya could do was smile up at the snake. He would do anything to thank this man, to make him happy, he just hoped he would be able to.

Rhindeer · December 17, 2012, 05:42:40 PM

This was going well! Smiling, Charik withdrew from Sureya and wiped the tears from the boy's eyes. "There now. Is there anything you should need? Are you hungry? We do want to ensure that you are cared for here."