Adventures in Azibra: Zecora's past

Zecora awoke to the noisy sound of birds chirping, the sweet, swooshing sound of the water in the moat. She removed her sheets and swung her legs over the bed. Zecora yawned, stretched and then, smacking her lips and blinking, she slowly moved her hand over her face.... She then looked down at her legs... white... they were white... But why? Why did her legs have to be white? Why was her skin white? She raised her arms... the black/greyish lines that decorated her body could not hide the horrible sight of herself. She frowned at herself. She stood, turned her torso about to look at her backside; all that was there was also white... other than the black/greyish lines... There was also a long, black and white tail that extended, downwards, almost to the floor, from just over her backside. Her frown deepened. Zecora turned to looked about the other parts of her body, she looked herself over from the foot up.. Nothing had changed...

Nothing had changed and nothing was ever different. Ever since the day of her birth, Zecora was different.... and just remained so. Everyone in Azibra, as far as Zecora knew, was dark skinned.. even with their stripes... On thinking these things, she sighed, was she ever going to change... and if so, would she ever know her path? First off, she hadn't gotten mark. Her mark would tell her what her path was and what she was meant to be... But for now, all she was was different.. nothing more.

And... why was she inspecting her horrible figure? Because she had cast a spell on herself, last night, a hex, really - she was sure that any other look than what she had...  Just then, the door of her room opened. She turned and saw her brother, a tall, dark figure, not so dark, though - with bright, forest-green eyes and his hair was all black. His hair was in the style of a mo-hawk, a common style for the Zebrain of Azibra. (The Zebra-people of Azibra), as they were also known. Her brother's name was Zecoy. Her brother also had a tail, like her, but it was small, much close to that of a true zebra's tail, but it had white lines and was black.... His figure was masculine, and on his face her wore a smirk.

"Checking yourself out, princess?" He asked, raising an eye-brow.

"More like cursing myself out." Zecora muttered.

"You said yes... yes?" Zecoy asked, approaching Zecora.

"No." She said.

"Oh?"  He said, "And why not? You, princess, are  beautiful... Take it from me, I am no foal."

Zecora just looked away from him.

"What? What is it?" Zecoy asked, taking her hand, "Come, come over here, sit." He motioned to Zecora's bed and sat there, patting the space beside him.

Zecora just looked at Zecoy, but turned away, taking a few steps away from where he was, bringing her finger to her mouth... not wanting so say anything...

Zecoy was disturbed by her actions, and immediately stood. "Zecora... what did you do...please, tell me ...what happened to you?"

Zecora just half-ignored her brother, and walking around the bed, and to the other end of the room, she pushed aside a golden-brown curtain, entering a small, dimly-lit room. In the room was a tub, 2 basins that jutted out from the wall; one small, one large, a cabinet on the wall, above them and a cabinet on the floor, at the other end of the room. There was also a small round window, un-curtained and uncovered; sitting right over the cabinet that was on the floor. There was a toilet in the far north-eastern area of the room, (seeing as the room is circle), and there were candles on the walls all about the room... On approaching the larger basin, the cabinet, above it flew open. Immediately, a small paste tube came out, followed by a tooth brush, and comb....

After brushing her teeth, Zecora combed her mane. She was grateful to see that it had grown over the past few months, but decided to keep it short, mo-hawk style... Zecora then went and sat on the toilet seat and, pulling her tail out from behind her, she raised her hand and with a flick of her wrist, a brush floated over to her from the opened cabinet. Zecora gingerly brushed her tail... ignoring her brother when he loudly cleared his throat. She knew he had been standing in the doorway for some time, now, but refused to look at him.

"Zecora?" Her brother's voice was soft, calm, with a hint of concern in it. Zecora stopped brushing, and sent the brush back over to its normal dwelling place. The cabinets closed with a bang, and she flinched...

"Zecora?" Zecoy said again. His voice more serious now, stern. Zecora flinched and pulled her legs up onto the closed toilet, pressing them to her chest. She placed her chin on her legs, but turned her face from Zecoy.

"Zecora..." Zecora squeezed her eyes shut but knew her brother approached; she hear the soft swishing of his waist-wear as it passed between his legs... She could feel it when he came close to her, crouching, low...

Zecoy slipped a gentle finger under Zecora's chin, turning her eyes to him... She wasn't expecting it, and hurriedly jerked her head away; not fast enough. A smirk threatened to form on Zecoy's face, but there remained a solemn expression. "Zecora... your eyes show that you are guilty.. and it will be by your response to my question whether or not I will show you any pity."

Zecoy slowly rose from his crouched position, and then extended a hand to Zecora. Zecora didn't want Zecoy to be upset at her, but neither did she want to miss out on being pitied... or even forgiven by him... For you see, it was only recently that she had felt even a bit... separated from him. She was now the age of 16, and in a year or so, would be proclaimed queen; Queen of Azibra...

It was tradition for the crown, the regime of Azibra to be "shared" between male and female. Not just saying that king and queen would share equal power, no, but that each generation, there would be a switch in places between a male and female, (when there could be). Seeing as Zecora's father, King Barboaz, was the regime at this time, and so, she, as his daughter, would follow after him, take his place...It was hard enough feeling so different, but to loose the only one she truly loved, her brother... to be separated from him, forever, with such a distance. that was even worse. She didn't want to feel that already their love for each other was slacking... Zecora reached for her brother's hand and allowed him to help her stand.. He pulled her close- and it wasn't like they had never touched before; they had... Zecora blushed anyways.... She set her hands so that they rested on his chest, just so that there would be some space between them.

Now with Zecora being so close, Zecoy bent towards her, and purposely touched his lips to her head as they made their way over to her ear. Zecora's blush deepened and she shivered, turning her head. Zecoy moved his head back a bit, but kept it close to her ear, saying, "Your eyes tell me what you did, princess.. you hexed yourself, yes?" Zecoy turned Zecora's face to him, tilting it back so that he looked strait into her eyes.

Zecora averted her eyes, nodding. Zecoy was silent for a few moments, before moving Zecora's arms and placing them behind back, forcing her closer. He rested his head on hers and stroked her hair... "I will never be mad at you, sister. But disappointed, sometimes, yes... I do not know why you want to alter your beautiful form - he sucked in a breath and stopped; Zecora wondered why... but he finished, saying - "of course.. even if you were to change, I would love you no less."

Holding Zecora away from him, he looked into her eyes. He saw that they were now very light blue. He smiled, some. "You are surprised?" He asked, "Why?.. Is it because I knew what you did or... is is because I said I'd  love you no matter how you looked?... You understand.. that these things I do not go by..."

Zecora was speechless because she had never thought about why her brother loved her so much, but was always naive and selfish enough to take every bit of cherishing from him... She knew she had a poor appearance, but.. she was unsure of what he ever saw in her... she thought... she though he only complimented her in order to be nice, out of the kindness of his heart...Was it that, now? Could he really love her, regardless of her looks? If this is what she looked like, as an Zebrain - how could she look any worse? Should never be anything else...

Zecoy observed her whitened eyes, and wondered at her surprise... Suddenly he blinked, snapping into full consciousness of the other thoughts that swirled in his head. Giving Zecora a quick kiss on the head, he said, "Sister, now know.... that I forgive you, this time, for wanting to change - but now... now I must go." Zecora, snapping into recognition as to where he should have been, also, gently let herself out of his grasp.

"O-of course, brother." She said, "And...I won't.. I won't anymore.."

"Your refrain, that is good, Zecoy said, "I knew you would." He turned, hurrying from the room. Zecora just watched him go... she blinked a few times, and after hearing the door to her room close, she entered into her bedroom. Zecora rubbed her bare arms as she entered the other room...

Zecoy's arms had made her feel so warm; inside and out... She missed him already... Of course, she knew why he had left; he was the prince; and seeing as he wasn't going to be the heir to the throne, he was to help with all of the most important preparations for her dressing ceremony; gather those who will make up her main guard, train the members of the main and other five groups of guard, prepare for the rituals that she will be involved in, and a few other things... Right now, though,he was supposed to lead the sentries out across part of the Zahara, to the Etheopian domain, to get to Zebra Village.. they need to make sure everyone there is ready to welcome their princess... Zecora...

You see, It was rare to see your princess outside of the palace before her time... Zecora was 16, now, and it was tradition that at her age,  she, or any heir, was to show themselves to their people, let them see* who would rule over them... But... how was she supposed to do that when she looked like she did? Sure she had gone out among them, before, but she, and no one else, hadn't let them know who she was... Of course, being heir-queen was supposed to be a great honor... Oh how she wished she had been born as another- if she wasn't able to change her skin tone - at least she would be able to go wherever it is she wanted to, away from society, away from those who call, and might again call her, a curse.

Yes. it had been done...she had been called a curse...a cursed child, even. Before... But that was a good few years ago. Of course, a good few years ago, when she even began to realize just who she was... and that those who called her a cursed child, they were right.

*  *   *   *   *   *

It was vast, it was beautiful... it was lush, it was colorful... it was diverse, it was wonderful... and it was all hers, all Zecora's. For only a few years, now, Zecora had lived in Center Oasis. It was one of the main dwelling places, for the Zebrain of Azibra. The only other places she had heard of were Zebra Village, the Gem Empire and Ethiopia. Of Ethiopia - it was a large domain, to the east of the Zahara, on which was Center Oasis, Zecora's dwelling. Ethiopia was also a vast area - not as vast as the Zahara, though - and was covered in lush valleys and had a somewhat mountainous terrain, which was also covered in a great diversity of plant life.

Of the Gem Empire, Zecora had heard that it wasn't really made out of gems, the land, but that there was a great man many underground caves where gemstones could be found. It was said to still be very beautiful, because of its crystal clear waters, ripened fruit fruit-trees and white lands, (areas of land covered in white sand - it is semi-dessert). The people who lived there are put away from the other Zebrain of Azibra, because they interact with other worlds, of the coast. The people of Azibra, inland, criticize and are greatly against this - Zecora didn't care.

And lastly, Zebra Village. Zebra Village, as Zecora had heard it, was full of many different kinds of Zebra, all kinds of status families lived, there, together. It was also said that the Zebrains that inhabited Zebra village were mostly farmers, since they dwell in Ethiopia land. Zebra Village was the main village in Ehtiopia, and very diverse in culture. It was even said that the accursed manticores were welcomed there. And lastly, Zecora heard that it was home to the great Chief Saka-gawachi of the tribe of the Akwamu. Zecora didn't know who that was, and didn't really care. All she ever knew to give any respect to, was her older brother, (her only brother), her tutors, and lastly, her father, King Barboaz. King Barboaz was to be the highest respected Zebrain in Azibra, and this, Zecora, knew very well. It was evident by the way she saw how he was treated - even by the most high in authority; he could use them like a rug, and they would still walk about head held high, having others honor their own name, and no one would think anything of it. (Of course, her father was the most high, but anyone lower than he -)

His full title was; Barboaz, the Sagacious. Ruler of all Zebrain, Chief of all villages, and King over all. Zecora, being six year old, at this  time, wondered if she would ever be so highly exalted like that, for she knew she was the heir to the throne, but she also knew that probably was more playful than sagacious, and didn't have that much of an interest in ruling over anyone, or anything, for that matter- all she cared about was her home, her dwelling place, Center Oasis. She loved it very much, and wished that - if nothing else - she could lived there, forever...

Zecora was only six years old when she learned that her life had far more to do with the Oasis she called her own paradise. It had all started after a few rounds of tag with her play mate Zehe'il (Zeh - he -il). It was the middle of the day, and,even in the cover of the trees of the Oasis, Zecora felt a bit heated... She and Zehe'il were playing amongst the ruins of a temple, nearby the actual palace. Zecora panted softly as were soft feet smacked the grassy ground, and she took shelter behind a white-stoned, half crumbled, vine-covered wall. Tucking her legs to her chest and giggling, she waited....

After a while, Zecora wondered where Zehe'il was. Slowly, she scooted up a few inches, turned, slowly, but was sure to stay in crouch position, "Ready for anything..." Zecora said, licking her lips. She peeked put from behind the wall... Her ears lifted, and she tried to make out some kind of sound... Nothing. The only sounds she heard were that of the wild life and the breeze; the birds and sounds of other insects... Perking up her ears, more, Zecora scooted a little further out from behind the wall, resting on foot flat on the ground... Zecora knew she had heard Zehe'il on her trail just a few minutes ago... so where was he now?

After a while of waiting just a bit longer, Zecora decided that Zehe'il had abandoned her. She slowly stood. Once fully on her feet, erect, she scanned the trees in front of her; in between the trees were a few paths...but not Zehe'il... A bit annoyed at the thought of having waiting so long for him, Zecora cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled; "Hey!! Zehe'il! You give up?!

.....Nothing, no answer.... Zecora cocked her head to the side, ears perked, listen intently... She tried again; "Zehe'il!!"

..Nothing... Just then, Zecora felt a brush of movement from somewhere behind her;t he hairs on her neck rose, and she slowly turned. The image that greeted her was this:

A young boy, about her age, was squatting, very still, on the wall behind which she had hid. His expression serious, eyes slightly narrowed, and his ear upright. His arms dropped  - what could have been - lazily over his legs - but it wasn't lazy. Zecora saw something else in his pose; an uprightness of some sort... The pose seemed actually pretty pro-like, and she was sure that it had taken some great effort for her not to have heard him. She turned completely around, her tense muscles relaxing, and said; "Zehe'il.... how dare you abandon your princess!? I waited her for you to find and tag me, but you never came - at least tell me when you're going off somewhere!"

The boy gave no response - at least not one that Zecora could see; his position firm and unwavering..and there was something about the way he was staring at her, almost never blinking, it seemed; expression solemn... And when he gave no sign of responding, Zecora continued; "And furthermore - at least tell the times you think you'll have to leave, before we play... it'd  really help. And I know you don't usually abandon me, but that is no excuse! So, now..... what do you have to say for yourself? Her eyes met his, a challenging smirk on her face.

Zehe'il didn't stir.. instead, he continued to stare at her...

"Zehe'il?" Zecora said, "What don't you answer me?... Is something the matter?" There was now an edge of concern to her voice, as she saw that Zehe'il truly wasn't being his active, playful self... "Zehe'il...? Zecora said, inching closer to him, and waving a hand in his face, "Are you.. what's wrong... you - "

Her words were cut short when Zehe'il quickly stopped her waving hand, all in one quick split of a second... Zecora's eyes widened and she was taken aback but only momentarily... "Zehe'il?" She said, almost squeaking.

Zehe'il blinked once, but very slowly.. and then a few more times, everyone faster than the last.... He finally opened his mouth to speak. He said, "Princess..." Zecora cocked an eye-brow; when had he ever called her that? All she ever knew him to call her was Zecora... not princess. It was a strange name, and even stranger, now, that he had said it. He let her hand go.

Zecora swallowed, "Y - yes?" She said, trying to sound normal.

"I... I've finally realized something." Zehe'il said, simply. "I mean... I.. I guess the first thing I should do, is apologize for abandoning you -

Zecora interrupted, "Of course you should! I was waiting for you!" She crossed her arms over her chest, smirking, while on the inside, very greateful that the "awkward" phase had passed.

Zehe'il shook his head, "Yes, perhaps that is what I should do.. but I won't..."  Zehe'il looked  a bit awkward, uncomfortable, saying that - Zecora's surprised, partially annoyed expression, didn't make him feel any better. But he pressed on. "You see... I am really not even supposed to be here, right now.."

"What?" Zecora said, "What do you mean?"

Zehe'il sighed, "Zecora.. it's.. well... I mean... How can you not know?" (Zecora was silent.) "Your the princess, aren't you? You're supposed to know these things...!" Zecora tried to figure out what he meant, but he wasn't being clear... Realizing that being indirect would not work, and that he had probably made a fool of himself, Zehe'il rose to his feet, and, in a swift series of movements, which looked like something close to one, to Zecora, Zehe'il was standing behind her. Zecora turned. "Look.. princess... Zehe'il said, I am sorry..." He knelt down, in front of her. "It's just that.. well..." He stopped. "I'm sorry He said, rising.. "I.. I have to go.. and.. I won't be seeing you anymore, after this..."

Zecora shook her head, and finally found words - "Wait, what?! None of this is making sense. you can't just leave!"

"I'm sorry," Zehe'il said, "But... I can... and  have to... I'm really sorry.." Zehe'il averted his eyes from Zecora.. But then he said, "You.. don't take it personally, Princess, but.. you know,when you become.... that, I proabably won't be able to...do this..." Zehe'il was blushing.

Zecora was confused. "Wha - "

Before she could finish, Zehe'il had placed a hand on her cheek, and was kissing her.

"Mhmph!" Zecora said - Zehe'il, though her words incoherent, got the message, and stopped. "I am really, really sorry, now." He said... he slowly backed away from Zecora.

Zecora, whose face was cherry red, wiped her mouh, with the back of her hand. "Yuck." She said, but kind of under her breath.

Zehe'il hurried away from her, not daring to look back...and.. even though she wanted to, she really couldn't say anything... That... that kiss had summed up everything, now, yet explained nothing... Zecora decided to return to the palace, and walk about in its beautiful gardens... That always calmed her down. and it did; she pretty much forgot Zehe''il all together... but.. one thing still bothered her... What was it he was even talking about? - Or trying to talk about? Nothing had been clear to her....

Just then, Zecora got an idea. She'd go see her older brother - he'd know! She couldn't help grinning ear to ear when she thought of him - and it was comforting, too - he'd know what Zehe'il was trying to say, he knew everything!!... He'd also know why Zecora had to wear some itchy neck-piece.. She was sure it had something to do with her being princess, but she wasn't sure, and didn't really care... All she wanted to do was just go, straighten things out, and then... then, maybe, she'd go see where Zehe'il went... Whatever happened - she was sure he was just upset about something...

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Zecora hurried through the Palace, her small, dainty, white feet slapping the hard, smooth surface of floors -  she ran through corridors, past many rooms, through halls, seeking her brother... As Zecora sped past a couple of elderly, dark skinned, white-haired women, one stopped her. "Hold, child - what is your hurry?"

Zecora slid to a halt, and turned, panting, her chest heaving. "Y - yes?" She said. One of the women turned to Zecora, the taller of the two, and raised her spectacles to her face.

With a cry of disgust, the lady said, "Zertha, Zertha, look! Poor child!" Zecora raised an eye-brw, waiting.. The other female turned, raising her spectacles to her eyes...

"Ahhh..." She said. "We have a little accursed one, do we?" She chuckled softly, and turning to her towering companion, she said, "It is a sin to ask the whereabouts of such a creature - come, let us away..." She turned - the taller women stared at Zecora, shivered, and then they both departed from Zecora's presence....

Zecora didn't know what had happened, exactly, but all he had caught, was enough. Chest heaving, her pivoted on one foot, and took off. Tears came out of nowhere, flew past Zecora as she ran... ran. ran... on and on... She didn't know why, but she felt so bad, now; everything hurt, her limbs, her head pulsed, her heart throbbed...  She had been called "accursed".. or so she thought she had been.. really, it was no mistake, though - it had been said... but.. why, why was what she wanted to find out.... why... And also... why did that old women seem to dislike her so - she didn't even know them!

As Zecora ran, she thought on all of her most recent studies. She had only started learning of herself, recently, but didn't give much attention to the important books just a good few stories, really... of course, she had come across the word "accursed", before...And even though this word was uncommon to her - Zecora had studied the synonyms... (Ill-fated, doomed, damned, cursed, ill-omened, horrid, wicked...) Tears felt like cold stings, rather than hot, as they flew from Zecora's eyes, as she ran...

Zecora also knew that, from the stories she had read, being looked down upon by your elders was lone of the greatest dshonors anyone could ever have!! That was only one thing, though - to be called "accursed" by one, by more than - to be rejected and seem as disgusting, (as it seemed they had thought), was even more degrading and humiliating! And she was supposed to be a princess? Wait... that word... princess... "Zehe'il... , Zecora thought, "Did you... did you know...?"

The weight of her thoughts Zecora could no longer bear. She now know what Zehe'il was trying to tell her.... why he could be with her...why he didn't wan to be around her, any longer... what he said:

"I... I've finally realized something..."

"You see... I am really not even supposed to be here, right now.."

You're supposed to know these things...!"

"I... I have to go... and... I won't be seeing you anymore, after this..."

"You.. don't take it personally, Princess, but.. you know, when you become...

"All of these things he said..." Zecora thought, as she ran, In all of the stories I have ever read... the cursed one was harshly rejected and... hated. and.. and no one wanted to be around them. anymore..." "Just like me and Zehe'il... it's just like me...."