Adventures in Azibra: Zecora's past

(Back in the Library)

Zecora replaced the book The Princess Empress. For one thing, she didn't even know what it said; the written words were like... symbols... one's she could not identify. Zecora wondered if she was supposed to know that language, as a princess... Studying the other spines of the books, on the shelves, she knew it must have been so. Just then, something colorful caught her eye. She turned to see a young male Zebrain standing just a couple feet away from her. He wasn't looking at her, but he had entered that small square section of the library, carrying books in his hands... As she watched, the young male raised his palm to his mouth, and after lightly touching his palm to his lips, he pressed the same palm to the top of the stack of books. He raised his hand, off of the books, and then raised the books and blew on them.

To Zecora's amazement, the books began to vanish into the air, like wisps of wind blowing away the sand...   Zecora and the young male stood there for a few moments - Zecora saw a small smile play on the lips of the young before he turned to her. "Greetings, Princess." He said. The first thing that she noticed about him, was his eyes; forest green, sparkling, glowing...beautiful...

The young male bowed to Zecora, but not before placing his arms into the opposite sleeves of his shirt, giving him a more humble appearance, as he bowed. Zecora observed his light-brown, seemingly soft skin, the lines on his body, white, not dark, and his long white hair. He had a lot of hair on his head - a lot of it cascading over his left shoulder, but tied, modestly, into a long braid. The young Zebrain male looked up at Zecora, but he had not ceased bowing.

Nearly absent-minded, Zecora reached out and touched his face... running her small fingers over his skin... it was as soft as she had imagined it to be, and the thought and feeling made her whole body tingle.... Of course, when she regained full consciousness, she took her hands away from his face, blushing some, and gripped them together, behind her back. The Zebrain just smiled, rising out of his bowed position.

After a few moments of silence, Zecora said, "I think you have beautiful eyes." And it was true; he really did have beautiful eyes... Everything about him was beautiful, it seemed... but Zecora still didn't know who he was. So, then, she asked him, "Who are you?"

The young male smiled, "My name is Zikomo, meaning Thanks or Thanks you. Of course, I am sure your highness knows this." There was no questioning in his voice, but that still made Zecora uncomfortable.

"I didn't know." She said.... "In fact, I didn't really know names had meanings, really."

"Mm. To be quite honest, I would think that you'd know that by now -" Zikomo said, but then paused. "Princess, how old are you?"

"I am six years." Zecora said, wondering why he asked.

"Ahh..." Zikomo said, "Well then, I would not expect you to know..." Zikomo said, trailing off.

Zecora tilted her head at him and asked, "Why?"

"Well, Princess," Zikomo said, a-matter-of-factly, "It is very, very common and very, very commonly known, that a princess takes on her position at the age of eight years, really, but only starts at the age of seven.... You are very young in your status years.... if you' don't mind me saying, that is."

Zecora just looked at Zikomo, shook her head briefly, and went back to looking at the shelves. She picked up a book, but then exhaled, harshly, through her nose; she had forgotten that she couldn't read the books that were in that Library. How was she going to ever learn anything?

"Princess." Zikomo said quietly, "If you want to read, may I suggest the less advanced part of the Royal Library?"

Zecora nodded, and set the book back in place. She followed Zikomo into another area of the library; an area with many shelves, full of books, but they were more spaced out, in rows, really - they didn't look like a maze... Zecora found herself sitting at a small wooden table. Zikomo had replaced a normal wooden chair with a more soft, luxury-like chair. The chair four legs, which looked like they were made of gold and emerald stone, one atop the other, with a small brown, wooden, flat knob at the base of each leg. The armrests looked like the legs did, but the end of them has brown, wooden, tiger heads... The back rest of the chain was emerald green and very comfy.. especially because of the pillow Zikomo had given her.

"All set, princess?" Zikomo said, smiling down at Zecora. Zecora turned her head to him, and began swinging her legs back and forth, back and forth; under her chair, under the table, and back again. "I am alright." She said, "But now I need something to look at.... and STUDY."

"Well of course you do, Princess." Zikomo said, smiling affectionately at the small Zebrain girl. "I shan't take long, I bid you; please stay here." Zikomo disappeared into an aisle that divided one shelf of books from the other. Zecora looked after him, and couldn't help thinking about how he had said that word.. "princess".. like it had meant something... And so... affectionately, too, like... Zecoy, even...

"It seems like two remind me of Zecoy, somehow." Zecora said, aloud, as she rested her chin on her hands, and they lay flat on the table, horizontally, her fingers just barely touching... "Of course... both of these people are two completely different Zebrains; one is nice, the other; mean. One is kind, the other; harsh. One is...more like my brother... the other, NOT so much... Yet... yet my brother wants to be like him. The one I almost despise... How does that even work?!"

Zecora banged her small fist on the table in frustration. She wasn't just frustrated about who her brother wanted to be like, but how, so far, as it seemed, she really didn't know a thing about being a princess... at least... not one to be respected by her people... (If she could even call them that.) Just then, Zikomo reappeared, into the area Zecora was. When he saw the expression on her, face he said, "Princess... is everything.. alright?" He sat the books down on the table, next to Zecora.

"I am fine." Zecora muttered, and reached for the nearest book. For a while, Zecora didn't open the book... it had no title; how would she know what she was going to read - IF she was even going to read it?.... She set that book a side and took up a few more... They were ALL blank in the front - and even on the back. Zecora was confused; how was supposed to read books like these? Just then she remembered what Zikomo had said, "...may I suggest the less advanced part of the Royal Library?

Zecora, having looked over nearly all of the books, she looked over at Zikomo who was busying himself straightening the shelves... at least "straightening" was what it looked to Zecora... It seemed that Zikomo was taking some books off and replacing them with others, from other sections... As of now - Zecora watched as three books were ejected from their spots of a single shelf, and began to fly around Zikomo. He was undisturbed by this, and looked about, at them, tapping a long dainty finger to his chin. "Hmm.." He said. He muttered something incoherent to Zecora. Zecora watched Zikomo, for a while, watched the floating objects around him, watched as every carefree movement and flick of his wrist and fingers could, withing seconds, reorganize an entire shelf...

On returning to the area of the Royal Library, where Zecora was located, Zikomo was surprised to see the princess watching him, eyes narrowed and focused on him alone. He smiled a little and walked over to her. "Enjoying our studying, Princess?" He asked.

"What studying?" Zecora asked, casually, not taking her eyes off of Zikomo.

"You - well, I thought you were studying, you know with your books and all - He was cut off.

"Zikomo, I am not that simple." Zecora said, motioning to the books on the table.

"Excuse me?" Zikomo said,his expression turning to one of puzzlement, fear and concern, "Have I.. done something wrong?"

Zecora was silent for a few moments before calmly replying, "Zikomo... I can't read these because there are no words to read. I would like to learn by the book, and I cannot do that because there is nothing here to look at... I know you know that I cannot necessarily read the.. the um... you know, the other writing," Zecora said, jerking her thumb to the area which she had been before, "But I can read the... the normal writings... I am not so dumb that I can only read.. well... nothing."

There was hardly room for Zecora to say anything, if she was going to, because right then, Zikomo burst out with an apology. "Oh! Princess, do, please, please, please forgive my ignorance! I didn't think that you were... dumb... I just thought that these books were the simplest and the easiest for you to read - I have not informed you of the conjuration of the binding?" Zikomo's face was very worried, now, and Zecora was glad she hadn't said anything more, despite her moody attitude.  She didn't want him to be or look so worried, he seemed to nice for that...much too nice...

"N-No..." Zecora said. It came out as a bit of a squeak, but to an onlooker that could have been there to see Zikomo's expression and reaction, one would have that the worst... Like.. like she had sentenced him or something. Zikomo threw his hands in the air, and tilted his head up, and shouted, "Oh! Forgive ,me! I have done upon me, the worst! I have dishonored the daughter of the most high! I have degraded the majesty and heir! I have disregarded the bloodline of wisdom!! (Etc. You get he idea)***

Zecora was confused. What was the big idea? When Zikomo had stopped going on about what he had done, he said, getting in his knees before her, "Princess, will you ever forgive me?"

"Uh... sure..." Zecora said, "But what do you mean by the uh... conjuration...conjuration of the.... binding?"

Zikomo rose, and wiped his eyes, saying, "I am repentant; I tend to... make a big deal out of things, it seems - NOT saying it is any small thing, what I have done, to you, Princess, but... I suppose I should not just... well.. anyways... To answer your question, princess..." Zikomo motioned with his hand, and a book came to him frown somewhere in the library; Zecora observed this, amazed.

"Ah, yes.. it is here..." Zikomo said, flipping through the pages of the book and then stopping to look down at a particular page. "Princess," he said, setting the book before Zecora - It was a very large book, with many writings and symbols.. and it seemed to contain a picture or so. But, of course, Zecora couldn't read it... the text just looked like scribbles to her...

"I can't read this." Zecora said, quietly, not wanting to cause anymore... noise... (It was a Library, after all)

"I do not intend to mock you, Princess." Zikomo said, far more calmly than what Zecora was expecting.... His voice was actually pretty soft... "What I meant to do," He continued, "Is set this down so that I could have a better look, but more comfortably. His smile wash sheepish, but Zecora, unknowingly, acknowledged this, with a smile and a nod.

Zikomo then explained to Zecora, that the conjuration of the binding was simply a spell. A very old spell, at that. The spell was only just used and law-enforced, not too long ago, (but before even the king's time).

"Wow, that spell must be then pretty old.." Zecora said.

Zikomo just shrugged, with a smile, and continued explaining to Zecora the origins of the spell, what it was used for, and the like... So after a while, Zecora said, "And so the reason I can't see the text is because it is... banned?"

"Well not necessarily banned, Princess, just one not commonly use - or really at all - by the Royal Family... But of course, all must learned this... ah... deceased writing, first, before venturing off into my ancient manuscript or writings."

"Oh..." Zecora said. "So... what does that mean for me?"

"What I am saying is that because you are young, you are capable of reading the deceased writings, the writing used by young Zebrain, until they are more familiar with modern writing, which is really just ancient writing, changed, to be more understood... The reason you can't see the title, though, is because it would be sort of a disgrace if anyone else were to come into the Royal Library and see that we have such things, here... It would be a dishonor because the writing really isn't to be used and/or studied by anyone older than.... well, you, I guess... As for a princess, though; she doesn't have to take these things seriously until she is of age to start truly acting like as she is, a princess. But I see you've already made up your mind about who you're going to be." Zikomo smiled at Zecora

"I don't have a choice." Zecora said. And she knew that right after she said that - Zikomo wanted to say something, but he did not... Somehow, his silence brought on the question from earlier... "So, Zikomo, who are you? Who are you, really?" Zecora asked. "I mean, you know so much stuff and...well... you seem really smart, because of it... and you.. you also remind me of my brother - but not that that is important - just who are you?"

Zikomo answered, "I am a tutor." It is... well, it is most-likely the reason I know the things I do, for you see.. I have no choice. " He gave Zecora a bit of a half smile.

"You're... you're a what, now?! Zecora said, not believing her ears.

"I am a tutor." Zikomo said, calmly, clearly unaware of how that fact had such an effect on Zecora.

"But...you're... you're so nice..." Zecora choked out, on the verge of tears.

Zikomo observed her face and said, "I thank you for that compliment, for I strive to be that, and more, so - but what does that have to do with my apprenticeship?... And I truly apologize for not completely answering your question, earlier on..."

Zecora was about to answer, when the main doors to the Library began to open. Zecora jumped and turned to see the doors - she hadn't noticed them there before now. She was sitting aways from and she wondered why she recognized them, there... Whoever it was entering didn't really interest Zecora; she wanted to get back to her discussion with Zikomo.... And do other things - like actually read the books!

She wasn't interested in whoever had entered the library, until she heard a familiar behind her, warm breath on her left ear. "Well, well, well, I never could have guessed - I come to the Library and find my little Princess..."

Zecora's heart almost stopped with surprise. She wiped her head around, "Zecoy!?" She said. She didn't know why, but at that time she felt so happy to now it was him, that he was there, with her... But.. why? Had he been looking for her? She recognized his attire had changed. Instead of wearing what he had, earlier that day, he was wearing a sort of robe. A white robe, wrapped about his torso. It wasn't really a  robe, though - at least it must have been half of one... He wore the same kind of leg wear, but it was white, this time, with golden embroidery in the center, where the cloth wrapped around his waist. He still wore his golden earrings, and golden rings about his neck; Zecora noticed that he had three.

Zecoy smiled and leaned into her, she leaned back. "Uh...." She said.

Zecoy just smiled, pulling back. "I see you've acquired your royal wear, Princess. He said, "But I am also sure you didn't receive it here - with that being said, It would lead me to ask; how did you acquire them, where?"

"A-acquired?" Zecora asked. "What does that mean?"

"Really?" Her brother said, standing away from her, with his arms across his chest; he tisked at her. "You can't possibly manage to be with Zikomo, all day, and not know that simple word, no?"

Zecora was speechless and hurt, she said nothing. There was nervous laughter from Zikomo, who tried to muffle it behind his sleeve... Zecoy, observing Zecora, smiled and then, coming over to her, he took her chin in his hand and turned her face up. He kissed her, gently, on the forehead.... Zecora blushed; how many times was he going to do that, that day?

"I am not upset with you, princess." Zecoy said, after he kissed her. He looked into her eyes that were full of threatening tears. "It was... it was a joke, really - don't be so soft, silly." His voice was soft and soothing, calming and persuading... Zecora hugged him, and he hugged her back.... Looking besides her, for he now stood besides her chair, and not behind it, he saw the large book and a few other books. "What are you reading, here, Princess? What is all this... mess?" He asked, letting her go, and motioning to the table besides them. His eyes were momentarily transfixed on the writings.

"Oh, this?" Zecora said, wiping her eyes, "It's just... something Zikomo and I were discussing."

On hearing Zikomo's name, Zecoy looked to Zikomo. Zikomo just stared back... After what seemed like a very long time, Zecora watching them both, the whole time, Zecoy said, "Zikomo.. have you been.. tutoring my sister... perhaps, without any consent?... (Zikomo said nothing and Zecoy continued), saying, "The counsel has already spoken on this issue and their decision - I am sure you know what that mean't."

"Ah - wah - no!" Zikomo said, "I.... mean, if I have taught her anything, I certainly... didn't mean to.. I mean, yes, I did mean to, but... I guess I just... didn't really know... " He said, his voice loosing volume as he spoke. To Zecora, he sounded a bit flustered and sort of scared... may be confused?

"I see, I see." Zecoy said, rising from  his bent position, over Zecora, "Then if you are capable of teaching her, in anyway, please feel free to do so; it is fine and allowed by me."

Zecora saw the look of shock on Zikomo's face and nearly felt it... what was the big idea, anyways? He was a tutor, right? What was wrong with him teaching her?  Or.. hadn't he said something about being an apprentice? What was all that about?

Just then, Zecora was being embraced, again. Zecoy set his lips close to he ear, when he said, "Goodbye, for now, sister. I will be looking forward to your seeing me later." With that, he let her go, and turned to exit the Library.

Zecora turned around and got on her knees, in her seat, as she watched her brother go... She was sure she wanted to see him, too... But just not sure about him, himself... He had acted just the way he had when she met seen him, earlier... Did that mean anything? She didn't know. She watched him leave, and once he had gone, Library doors shut, she turned back around in her chair and sat, a bit slumped... She sighed, and then felt someone looking at her. It was Zikomo. On noticing him watching her, she sat up. She looked at him, and him her.. then she turned her head down to the book and acted as if she was going to read it... But then she remembered... she couldn't read it.

Just then, her eyes fell on a few of the - what she guessed were - words. She read it, "And the servant held --- under the cup ---  and so --- the king --- destined to die." Zecora shook her head; what had she just read? She hesitantly looked the words over again. She could read them - well... some of them, anyways...After looking at it, for a while, she concluded that this was some kind of story book... sort of... It had informational passages, to, but sometime Zecora had to skip way, way, way a head from the part she was just trying to read, in order to find another passage she could begin to read again.

When she decided she was done, she closed the book, and sat back in her chair... She looked over, and to her surprise, she still saw Zikomo standing there. "Zikomo!" She, surprised. She got off of the chair and stood, hand on the book, looking at him.

"Yes, Princess?" He said.

"You... how long has it been? You... you just... stood there? All that time?!" Zecora asked, making a face.

"...No." Zikomo said, "I decided that since you wanted to, uh, look at the book, and probably didn't want me around, I left and went to tend to other things, in the Royal Library.. I came back, though, when I remembered what your brother said, that I was.. uh... that I am supposed to teach you... And it has been a while..."

"Oh." Zecora said. "And what did you mean, earlier, when you said that you were an apprentice?" Of course, it's not like you said you weren't a tutor. Zecora muttered, under her breath.

"Yes, and... about that..." Zikomo said, "I deeply apologize. I was sure you'd - I cannot assume... It's just that I am a tutor... a tutor's apprentice. I am in apprenticeship to be a tutor... for the royal family, of course, and..." He trailed off, looking kind of embarrassed.

"Oh, I see..." Zecora, "But you're still saying that you're a tutor...."

"Yes." Zikomo said, "And that is because I am."

Zecora shook her head. "What do you mean?" She put her fists to her hips.

Zikomo just chuckled a little. "Before I explain, Princess, may I suggest a walk-around? I know I spend a good amount of my time, here, in the Royal Library, but even I like to stretch my legs and get a little air... NOT saying that that means anything to you, Princess - "

Before he could say anything else, if he was going to say anything else, Zecora walked over to him, grabbed his hand, and began to lead him to the door of the Library. She knew he must have been standing awhile, which was probably her fault, so she was going to -

"Um, Princess, where are we going?" Zikomo said, breaking through Zecora's thoughts. They were standing right in front of the Library's doors.

"We're are going out." Zecora said, "We are going to walk around..."

"Um, Princess, I meant that we would take a walk-around, and I meant out side." Zikomo said, placing his much larger hand over Zecora's smaller one.

She looked down at their hands and said, "Oh, well... I don't...I didn't know what that means... sorry..."

"Don't EVER apologize to me!" Zikomo said, takings his hands away from her. His expression and reaction seemed odd to Zecora and she made a face... Then she remembered how dramatic he could be, and her expression became... well, she didn't really express anything, her eyes narrowed at him.

"Oh." Zikomo said, "I am.... I apologize, once again - He made a sign, one that went from his forehead to his chest.

Zecora shook her head and, turning to the doors, she said, "Couldn't we go out this way, you know, to get outside?" Zecora began to push on the Library doors, he little body trembling with strain.

"We could." Zikomo said. Zecora turned to see that he had turned from her and was walking in the opposite direction.

Zecora sped up her walk, in order to catch up to Zikomo... She took his hand. He glanced at her, and she knew it, but she didn't look back at him. Pretty soon, they were at the other end of the Library. I could see the gardens, outside, but a good a few feet -  far below us. There were sliding doors that led to the outside, ones I had never seen before... Zikomo's hand slipped from mine as he made his way to the doors.... As he did so, Zecora looked about her.

The "back of the library", as Zecora called it, almost looked like the are she had seen when she entered the library. The wall that she looked ahead to had shevles up against it, but only after and before the glass sliding doors. There were small pots with large-leaved plants in them, flanking the glass doors... At the right hand side of the area, there was just a wall, wear the shelves to the right of the door ended, and another potted pant. To the left end of that area, there was an entrance to another hallway. In that hallway, Zecora could see beams of light and shadow, on the floor, on the carpet - the carpet, she realized, stretched from the library, all the way down the long corridor... at least, that was how it looked to her.

"Princess?" Zecora turned when she heard her name. She realized that she had been wondering towards the newly-found corridor. Zikomo had opened the doors, and had a hand outstretched towards her. She hurried over to him, and took his hand. He stepped out the door, and held her hand as he cautioned her about the part of the door that stuck up from the rug, and she stepped over it.

"That's it..." Zikomo said, "Nice and easy..."  Zecora nodded to him, as he supported her step. She let go of his hands, though, when she noticed the scene before her... She was standing before a golden balcony, the floor of wood and the railing, gold. Small potted plants lined the railing as it jutted out from the side of the library's wall, about three feet out - turned against the railings that led to the stairway, next to wear Zecora stood. The golden rails were covered with thin, budded vines... It was all so beautiful... Of course, that wasn't necessarily what Zecora was looking at - no - she looked beyond the balcony, at the scenery, there.

A vast stretch of green earth and trees, all beyond a large body of water, (the moat that circled the bottom of the palace), and desert beyond... From there, Zecora could see some of the Royal Gardens - the sunset's rays seem to spill over the horizon as the sun went down, flooding the scene of life, under it, with vibrant, warm colors, making everything seem so perfect, so peaceful, beautiful! Zecora felt someone touch her shoulder. She jumped, and the looked; it was Zikomo. He smiled at her, and then squatted down before her, taking her hands in his...

"Do you like what you see, Princess?" Zikomo asked her, eyes shining.

"I do..." Zecora said.

"Then, why are you crying?" Zikomo, asked with a bit of a giggle.

"I'm not..." Zecora said, looking out over the landscape. Zikomo let her hands go as she went to rest her arms on the balcony railing, and rest her head upon them. "I'm just..." She began, "I'm just so happy right now..."  Only a tear slid down her face, but she wiped it away.

Zikomo smiled at the young princess, as he rose to his feet... He began to stroke her hair, with affection, but then stopped.

"Ah - er - do you want me to tell you, now?" He asked Zecora.

"Hm?" Zecora said, opening her eye; she looked a bit sleepy.

"About my being a tutor...?" Zikomo said, cautiously, not wanting to really disrupt her relaxation.

"Oh... yes... please tell me." Zecora said, dreamily, her eye-lids lowering.

"Ah - I wouldn't want to disturb you..." Zikomo said.

Zecora's eyes opened enough for Zikomo to get a good view of them; sparkling, seemingly serene... She looked at him and shook her head.. well, as best she could when she was resting it...

"Very well then." Zikomo said, I shall tell you..."

Zikomo explained that to uphold and have such an important task - any task that important, or dealing with the royal family - those who shall take on the task, are chosen way ahead of time. Taking himself as an example, he explained that he was going to replace the tutors of the royal family, just one of them, when the time came. He said that it was fine for himself to be called a tutor, because he was nominated and the selected one for the task, by the counsel. The counsel, other than the king, had the final and really the only say, in such matters. Sure, from time to time, they would consult with advisers and the like, but it was directly up to them, as a whole, no matter what anyone else said. Zikomo explained a few more things dealing with those who play roles which effect the royal family  and then he was done.

"Any questions, Princess?" Zikomo asked. Zecora didn't answer, so he waited, eyes locked on her face... She didn't answer after a while, and Zikomo became a little concerned. His eyes moved from Zecora's face to the vines... down the vines, until his eyes made contact with a white-petaled flower. His eyes widened and he gasped; could it be? Could that plant be Somna Petals? That plant had so many effects; including putting people to sleep.... It was not for his sake that he approached Zecora timidly, but for hers; if her were to get too close, then the effects of the flower might get him. He couldn't let that happen; if indeed she was under its influences, he would have to go and get a remedy... Just then, Zikomo saw that the flower was actually just a bud, mostly... it wasn't even open.

"Oh, thank heavens." Zikomo breathed. The plant had no power unless it was actually open. Zikomo then gently fingered Zecora's shoulder, he poked at her. "Uh.. Princess - your highness?" He timidly touched Zecora, but she did not stir... as far as he knew. Soon, though, he had stopped thinking about waking her and leaned more to the feeling of her soft skin... Just then, though, Zecora's eyes opened, slowly. Zikomo took his hand away. "Princess... are you alright?" He asked.

Zecora hadn't been sleeping, she was waiting for him to speak... She was also savoring his fingers against her skin... the touch was familiar, but she just couldn't place it... "I am alright." She said to Zikomo, looking at him, "Why did you stop talking?"

"I - er - I asked if you had any questions." Zikomo said, clasping both hands before him.

Zecora's eyes followed his hands, and then looked back to his face. "I shook my head." She said.

"Oh. I am so sorry, Princess... I didn't know..." Zikomo said.

"Mm-mm." Zecora said, standing and shaking her head. "I was waiting for you to speak... you have a beautiful voice."

Zikomo was nearly taken aback by the comment, but he just gave a "ducking" nod, where as his nod was something in between a duck and a nod, and h used his neck, more so, to complete the motion. "Well then, I guess... you are off, Princess?" He asked.

"I am." Zecora answered. She headed back inside, passing by Zikomo, but not before looking back the the sun-set scene. She smiled; it was truly beautiful...

Back inside, Zikomo pushed the glass doors shut. "There now, Pri - Wah?" Zecora hugged him, briefly. "What was that?" He asked her.

"Just a thank-you." Zecora said, seeming more lively and less dreamy.

"Oh, I... I see..." Zikomo said. "Well you're welcome - and there is no need for thanks, I am only doing what I was told to do..." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I know."  Zecora said, turning from him, beginning to feel the effects of hugging a near stranger. "But I wanted... to do that."

"Well, then, if you're off," Zikomo said, not seeming to have heard, "Then I bid you farewell.. until I see you, again."

"Yes, you too." Zecora said, beginning to speed up with her walk. She really, really liked Zikomo, but she knew she couldn't be naive.... Of course she'd see him again... and of course nothing would make her not like him - she did, and... well... she wondered what that meant. Were there restrictions on a princess, just as there was a king? She remembered Zikomo saying that the counsel had the direct, final and nearly the only say in the matters of the royal family... So... what about her? She didn't know... All she knew was that she still had a long ways to go.