Adventures in Azibra: Zecora's past

Zecora was pretty exhausted from the day's activities; lectures, lessons, learning and leisure activities, (which she executed at her own volition). Zecora hadn't seen or spoken to her brother at all, that day. It would have been about a few minutes before that she would have seen him - either in his room, hers, or elsewhere -  and begin to tell him about her day... Ever since she started her tutoring sessions, with Zikomo, she was glad to speak to her brother about it, every time she got the chance. Usually she would see him once every few days, just to tell him about what she had learned and/or accomplished as far as her learning went... just not today.

Zecora stepped into her room and ran for her bed. "So... tired..." She said, her voice was drowsy.

"Princess, where do you want these?" A male's voice called, from the door.

"Hm? Oh... just... set them... in front.... the bed...." Zecora's eyes closed as she spoke; she slowly stilled.

*  *  *  *  *  *

Zecora awoke, well rested. As she stretched, she began to hear birds... Zecora smiled to herself; she and Zikomo had been going over symbols, language, and works of literature. (Not so much the works of literature) But after today, they were going to take a break from all of that and begin work outside studies. Zecora was so exited; though she had spent most of her childhood running about the palace gardens - she was going to actually be out there for a reason, one everyone would should approve of.

Not just that, but now Zecora would be able to impress her brother with a whole new set of vocabulary... Zecora was glad that she was up, early...  She left her room and headed for the bathroom... Zecora remebered the conversation she had had with her brother a little while back, as she scrubbed her body. Who was it that used to do these things to and for her? It was... a female, right? What was her name... Murua? That was it!

But then again, who was it? Zecora sat back in the tub and tried to think... Who was ths person, this... female? And on that that note, was she - at all - important to Zecoy? May be... may be not? He hadn't seemed eager to talk about her... She had already left Zecora, but had, before time, given a service - had she died? And if so, then... why didn't anyone else take over? May be it was... no... not that... Had this Murua done something wrong?

Zecora sat up. Her thoughts were these and more... Suddenly another thought came up. What about her mother?" Couldn't her mother have taken care of her? Zecora was stunned; how had these questions never come up, before now? All she ever was that her mother was "incapable" of raising Zecora... What did that mean? And more so - where was she now? Zecora marveled at her own ignorance; shouldn't these questions have been the first on her mind, even during her life time that took place close to infancy?

Zecora stepped out of the tub and wrapped herself with a white towel. Zecora observed the towel as she recalled one bit of information she had learned during one of her lessons; the royal colors were red, gold, silver and purple. Not white. Though few things in the palace were white - even the palace itself, in few areas! Not that it mattered though... I began to wonder; was my mother white? Was that the reason for her being "incapable"? I pondered this for a few moments longer before deciding that I should go and eat breakfast before meeting up with Zikomo. (Zecora had been so caught up in learning that she had forgotten to eat her breakfast, once, before seeing Zikomo... She wasn't going to make that mistake again.)

*  *  *  *  *  *

Later on, Zecora found herself in her room, brushing her hair; it had gotten longer. Her hair was growing away from the bottom part of her mohawk and trailing off into a braid. Even though the braid wasn't that long, Zecora was still proud of it... She didn't exactly know what she had been doing to her hair, (which she figured was nothing), but it had been growing on its own, it seemed... "Hm. When was the last time anyone really took care of my hair?" Zecora wondered.

Zecora dressed herself, taking an outfit from her chest. The outfit consisted of a wrapped, red hat, a with a large red, golden lined bow on the side, a red shirt with golden lines on it, short ruffle-ended sleeves, red slippers and a red skirt. "That seems about right." Zecora said. "I have the freedom to walk, run, skip, whatever - I can't wait until I go out side!"

Zecora then turned from her chest to see a stack of some sort right next to her door. "What is that? She thought to herself. She gasped when she noticed what it was, what they were. They were books.... She hadn't done the work she was given from Zikomo... She was not about to find out what he would do when she didn't complete the assignments given... Zecora listened to the birds as she sat in a sun spot, in her room. She was glad that it was early morning, still; she had time....

As Zecora worked, she couldn't help letting her mind drift and thoughts wonder. Some thoughts about her brother, some her mother... Some Murua and others - others were just about that day. Zecora was getting a weird feeling about this day that was coming on; something was going to take place... but what?  Zecora was uncertain about these feelings, for she had never experienced them before. She decided to ignore them. The worst that could happen, to her, was for her to miss gong outside for her lesson, this day...

*  *  *  *  *  *

Later on that day Zecora found herself before the library. She gave a huff of a sigh and entered. She didn't see him right away, Zikomo - only after she had a male zebrain set her stuff on the table, did he appear. When Zikomo saw Zecora, he gave a nod and then another to the zebrain male beside her. Zecora looked from Zikomo to the male zebrain; something seem to pass between them, silently, and the male zebrain bowed to Zecora and then left.

Zecora looked back at Zikomo whose gaze was directed to her. "Well, good morning, Princess." Zikomo said.

"Good Morning." Zecora said. Zikomo smiled and then turned to some shelves. As he busied himself, Zecora waited.... And waited... and then said, "Zikomo, when are we going to go outside, today?"

"Hm?" Zikomo said, turning to her. "Oh... yes... that..."

Zecora sucked in a breath and stiffened; it wasn't going to happen, was it?

Zikomo motioned to Zecora and she rose and followed him to another area in the library. This section of the library wasn't new to her, she had been here, before... It was just a circular room with high windows, about three desks next to one another and book cases spaced a few feet away from each other, lining the wall all around the room. A few potted plants sat in between the bookcases and two next to the entrance.

Zecora seated herself in the desk closest to the far wall. She watched as Zikomo turned and closed the door behind himself and then looked about the room. She had been here, a few times, but that was only when she had to take a test or whatnot...

"Princess, today our lesson will be a bit... different." Zikomo began, walking up next to Zecora , planting his hands on the desk next to hers. She turned her head and looked up at him. She didn't say anything and waited for him to continue. He did - he explained that today they were going to focus on a particular event, that day, learn about a few, focus on one, learn different procedures and the like... He then asked Zecora a question -

"Zecora, do you know what spirits are?"

Zecora raised an eye-brow at the question. "Spirits?" Sure she had heard of them, before, but didn't exactly know what they were. "No..." Zecora said, but I have heard about them... only... I've never thought of them as really important - " Zecora stopped herself; that sounded wrong. She looked at Zikomo who, in turn, said nothing. His fingers were laced together, his chin propped up on them by his elbows. He seemed to be looking at something Zecora couldn't see - or at least he was thinking about something... Zecora fidgeted, nervously.

Zikomo then said, "I see." Zikomo said, hands coming undone. "It looks like we are going to change that." Zikomo went to one of the shelves and pulled down a few books. Every time he did so, he'd make a movement as it to toss it over to Zecora, only the book floated away and landed before Zecora. He kept doing that until there was a total of five thin books scattered across both desks; Zecora's and the one he had used.

"What... what are these?" Zecora asked, looking at the books. She was about to reach for one, when four immediately went up, over and stacked themselves in a pile of Zikomo's desk. The one that was left opened itself up, before Zecora. Zecora just stared down at it.

"Princess, think of this as both an exercise and a lesson. In other words - flip to the first page." Zikomo said. Zecora obeyed.

"Now I realize," Zikomo continued, "That you are pretty much a visual learner, you like to read and write and the like, in order to understand things... With this being said - you also like to read as a leisure activity, which will be beneficial, at this point." He paused and took a steady breath, "And, you are going to read a few stories, today, about spirits, in order for you to get a feel of what they are.... After reading, you will tell me what you think a spirit is, and I will proceed with the lesson. Now, inside of these books you will find that there are multiple languages on  each page; I have made it so there are only two. You will read the language we have been studying for a while now and the one you know... This makes it an exercise; you are exercising what you have learned... Do you understand your assignment?"

"I...do." Zecora answered.

"Are you certain, Princess?" Zikomo asked, placing his arms into each opposite sleeve of his robe.

"I am." Zecora said, looking at him.

"Very well then, you may begin." Zecora opened the book before her. Lo and behold, there were two writings in the book, even f every other sentence - or mixed. Zecora struggled only a little bit while reading the other writing, at first, but then... Then Zecora actually got into the stories and reading the other language came like nothing. Zecora was beginning to be memorized by the stories about the spirits... She was amazed at what they could do and what they meant to her people... It was not long before she finished the first book, (which did include a few stories, other than one.)

Zecora placed the back flap of the book, down and pushed it aside. She reached for the next book, placed it before her, opened it, and began reading... From where he was, standing away from Zecora, Zikomo could see how caught up she was, in the stories... On the third book, Zikomo had to tilt his head to see if Zecora was actually reading... She seemed to have her eyes in the book - he watched as her eyes seem to glow as she read... literally. Zikomo walked over to Zecora.

"Princess?" He said. She didn't answer him. "Princess... Zecora?" Zikomo said, standing next to her. She still didn't answer him. Zikomo took his hand, cupped it under her chin, and turned her face to him, turning it up.

"Wha - huh - uh - er, what?" Zecora said, blinking repeatedly, the glow in her eyes, dying. "Did I - oh... Oh! I'm sorry, Zikomo... I... I wasn't listening... what did you say?"

Zikomo let her chin go and said, "It is alright."

Zecora looked back at the book and then closed it. "Zikomo... I think I have a good understanding of what spirits are..."

"Good. Do you mind sharing your findings?" Zikomo asked.

"Actually, I..." Zecora said, "I... it's just that... Well, yes... yes, I do mind..."

Zikomo tilted his head at Zecora, but wore no kind of quizzical expression on his face.

"It's just..." Zecora said, "I think I understand what they are, now, but... I am not really sure how to react..."

"I see." Zikomo said. "What makes you so unsure?"

Zecora touched her hand which appeared to be shaking, a little. "I don't know.... I think it's because I have learned nothing about them so far, nothing according to tradition, anyways..."

"What do you mean?" Zikomo asked.

"I mean... I mean I know that they are far more significant than I might ever be able to imagine, so... so  how do I react to something like that?" She looked at Zikomo now, nearly on the verge of tears, but for now solid reason.

"Ah." Zikomo said, "Well. The best thing to do is to pay your respects to them, whenever you are supposed to... Do not speak poorly of them, disregard them, ever, or speak profanely - that sort of thing."

"Oh, well..." Zecora said, wiping at tears, "What does profane mean?"

"In this matter, it would mean to speak or do something, disrespectfully, towards something sacred, hence, the spirits." He produced a piece of soft cloth out of nowhere and wiped Zecora's tears away.

Zecora took the cloth from him and sniffed, saying, "I understand - it's fine.., I'm not crying for any reason..."

"I know." Zikomo murmured. He gently kissed her on the head and then turned away from her, making a motion for all of the books to follow and they did. He replaced them, in their designated spots and then turned to Zecora, hands clasped before him. "Now then. We will proceed with the lesson... We will begin discussing rituals.... Princess?"

Zecora was touching at the spot where Zikomo had kissed her. "Hm?" She said, looking over at him. "Oh!... Sorry..." She got up and turned her chair towards him and then was seated.

Zikomo just shook his head, with a chuckle. "We begin," he said, "With this." Zikomo and Zecora went over basic rituals and every day rituals. They studied the rituals of "choice and/or command". Zecora learned about these things and others; simple rituals, complex rituals, rituals for nobles and lesser zebrains. Zecora also learned about historic rituals and rituals that had gone all wrong, including the price any to everyone had to pay for it... Zecora got a good glimpse into the past of her people and ancient Azibra, learned about some of the tribes/ tribal  laws and rituals, that influenced the ones in the present day.

Zecora realized that from day one, even before zebrains decided to consider themselves as one people, the spirits were involved, and many things did occur... Sure there were some points, in history, where someone might doubt the spirits or speak profanely, but that did really cease anything or alter beliefs in the spirits. In fact, the only thing that really happened to anyone who went against beliefs - they were exiled, put out, rejected and all of the above... Zecora was terrified at the fact that she could have easily just not believed and so would have put away from society... But then again, why hadn't she? Just look at her, so... weird and ugly... And yet... Well, she was the princess, after all... But did that really matter?

"Zikomo, spirits are really important, aren't they?" Zecora said.

"Well, of course, Princess, very." Zikomo answered, taking time out from his lecture.

"Yes." Zecora said, "Even so much so until one out of a huge population could be put away from the rest, just by not believing..."

"Yes..." Zikomo answered, cautiously, "Of course, it is not as though one would not believe..."

"It's not... is it..." Zecora said. Zikomo knew she was thinking, and was silent. But after a little while, he said, "May we proceed?"

"Yes." Zecora said, sitting up, trying to look attentive.

"Very well... Now, to begin where we left off..."

*  *  *  *  *  *

Zecora found herself in her room, a little while after her lessons. She had changed her clothes so that all she wore, now, was a silky, white, thin outfit. The outfit was simply a shirt and a short skirt, both plain, both the same. The only thing she was wearing on the shirt, which was different from the skirt, was a golden neck piece which made Zecora's top seem like it was a high neck.... Zecora lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what had just gone on at the library, what she had found out and wondering why she was getting weird feelings in her stomach -

"Well alright, Princess, looks like I am going to let you off early, today," Zikomo said.

"Early?" Zecora responded.

"Well, yes, earlier than usual, anyways- and I will not send you off with any assignments to complete, to return to me...I feel you've done enough..." (Zecora was silent) "And I also feel that it is not entirely necessary because you will be making use of your newly found knowledge, very soon, anyways..."

Now why had he said that? Why did Zikomo think that Zecora was going to soon use her newly-found knowledge? Zecora knew why. And before Zikomo had dismissed her, she had found out about some event that was take place that day, involving herself...

Alright, Princess, now... Looking at this..." (Zikomo took a book from a shelf and flipped through it.) "Ah, here we are. This should give you the better insight on rituals, one's which will soon be very familiar to you...." (Zikomo smiled and Zecora just nodded... Zikomo began to read a passage, aloud, and did so for a few minutes, before his ears perked up and his raised his head.)

"Is something the matter?"

"Oh, no, it's just... Someone has entered the library... I will go and see who it is..." (Zikomo removed his glasses, shaking hair out in the process. (He didn't have his hair in a braid, any longer - he handed the book he read from to Zecora) "Princess, do you mind reading the last of this passage, for me?"

"No, not at all." (Zecora receives the book)

"Good, good, now I shouldn't be long. Feel free to give me call if you need anything, at all."

"I will."

"Good, good, I will be back...." (Zikomo exits the room leaving the door ajar. Zecora quickly reads the rest of the passage, in her head, and set the book down. She exited the room and crept through the library until she came to an area where she heard voices...)

"Yes, yes, I know, and - (An unfamiliar male voice could be heard)

"... she doesn't know?" (Another unfamiliar voice) "... because it is his duty to make certain..." (Zecora neared the corner where she knew the individuals were, and squatted down... She peeked out from behind the book case she was behind and could see Zikomo in front of her, a few feet ahead, the masked male she had seen somewhere, before, and there was another person who she could not see, seeing as Zikomo blocked her view... but that was fine with her.)

"And that's all you done, so far?" (The unfamiliar figure spoke)

"It is, truly." (Zikomo answered sure and softly.)

"Yes well, have you... discussed this yet?" (The masked figure speaks)

"I have - it was not today's initial topic, but was gone over, plenty, nonetheless."

"I see. And only this day, you say?"

"Only this day." (Zikomo's answers are all the same, quiet and soft... calm...But there seems to be something inside of his tone, something Zecora could not recognize...)

"That does seem very irresponsible of you, apprentice." (The unfamiliar figure speaks)

"Ah well, it is not my place to say so, but I find no harm in it as long as it is being received in a timely and progressive manner." (The masked one says)

"All is well, all is well - and I know my faults..." (Zikomo responds)

"Good, apprentice... Now then, my lord, we take our leave." (The unfamiliar figure stirs -  )

"Farewell, apprentice." (The masked male speaks to Zikomo, but is looking directly at Zecora. Zecora doesn't wait around for Zikomo to answer, and heads back for the to the other room... Zikomo entered only a few seconds after she sat down and got herself settled. )

"Princess, have we finished the reading?" (Zikomo left the jar ajar and walking towards the shelves only to stop and look at Zecora.)

"Yes, I have..."

"Is something the matter?" (With a swift motion of his right hand, the book of Zecora's lap closes and returns to the shelf. Meanwhile Zikomo and tilts his head and runs his hands over his hair until his has it in a firm grip. He then begins to put it back into one long braid, down over his shoulder.)

"Not really...  It's just... Who were those others out there?" (Zecora looks into her lap)

"Excuse me, others?"

"Yes. The persons who you were speaking to... who are they?"

"Lord Gahiji and Lord Garai, Princess." (Zikomo clasps his hands down in front of him.)

(Zecora only looks up enough to see Zikomo's hands clasped before him. She was used to that posistion; it meant he was being attentive... Though everything still felt awkward...) "What did they want?... If you don't mind me asking, that is."

"I don't, but I would not be under any sort of command to answer you, Princess, seeing as it doesn't necessarily concern you.."

"I see." (Zecora raises her head all of the way.) "Zikomo, is there something going on that may be I don't know about... That may be I *should** know about?"*

"Well with your saying that, it is conformed... I know, now that I shouldn't assume things to be as though they are... when in reality, they are not..."

"And what do you mean... by that?"

"Well it's not so much what I mean then what I should say..."

"Yes..?"

"Zecora, did you know that your first ritual is today?"

"My...what?"

"Princess, take it as a traditional... anniversary marking, if you will."

"Anniversary for what? (Zecora slowly rises from her seat, Zikomo only observes this.)

"See, Princess - and I truly apologize - since the day you acknowledge your princess-ship, there has been a time marking set for when that decision would be confirmed. This ritual is what is known as The First Ritual. It is ritual that confirms the princess ship of  the selected heir, in this way..."

(Zecora listened, carefully) "But... I thought a princess didn't have a choice, that as soon as she was born, she was the lawful  princess... no matter what..."

"Hear me, now. (Zikomo raised a hand) "Remember your steps, Princess. You did, indeed, acknowledge your princess-ship, not too long ago - in other words you accepted who you were and are meant to be." (Zecora nodded) "So then - take this ritual as a confirmation of your *acknowledgement, **not your princess-ship, itself... Do you understand?"*

"Oh, I... I see.."

"Yes... And again, I truly apologize for having assumed you knew...I was sure you knew - I am very sorry."

(Zecora was quiet a moment) "But then... had I not made it clear that I... acknowledge my princess-ship, then... there would be no ritual?"

"... Well... I should think not..." (Zikomo answered, carefully choosing his words...)

(Zecora balled her lips, thinking. She wondered if she should press on, but she soon decided against it... She didn't want Zikomo suspecting that she did indeed, *not** want to be princess. She had to be princess - and she was. But she had to act like it, as well... If not then... she wasn't sure... And she was almost beginning to doubt her position, regardless of and because of all that had happened... almost.)*

Zecora lye on her back, thinking about all of this... She remembered, also, that after Zikomo had dismissed her - she went to exit the room when he said, "Princess?"

"Yes?" Zecora had replied, turning to Zikomo. He was sitting down before a desk, his hair out, glasses on and was looking in a book... He didn't look up when he spoke.

"When you get to your room, wait there, understand?"

Zecora wasn't very surprised he knew where she was going and said, "I understand..."

"Good." Zikomo answered, still not looking up, "Fare you well, Princess."

"Yes and... you too."

So that's what she was doing, just waiting. So she waited... and wait... Zecora turned over on her side and propped her head up with her arm, fist to her cheek.

"Good Afternoon, Princess." A voice from the door said.

Zecora's ears went up and she tried looking over he shoulder. She watched the individual approach her. "Hm?"

The individual grabbed her shoulders and turned her over, completely. At that moment, she was staring back into the eyes of her older brother. "Er... Good Afternoon, Brother..." Zecoy just smiled, holding Zecora down for a few moments more and then letting her go... Zecora wasn't sure what to say to him and really didn't have that much time to think. For Zecoy then went back over to the door, and motioned someone in. It was at that time that Zecora noticed what her brother was wearing. Of course her wore earrings, but these were different; they hung low from his ears, we longer and didn't appear to be made of gold... only some kind of other green and brown stone. There were three green-colored stones that hung, loosely, from both earrings...

Zecoy was wearing a red, sleeveless, high-necked crop-top; one that revealed some of his back and all of his stomach. He wore black, tight pants that ended at his ankles, with small golden chains hanging from a golden ring, hanging at the end... He wore no shoes.

And they were someone's, actually, there was more than one person her brother had motioned to.  And when he did, he took from one of them a thin box of some sort. Zecora watched as he then turned and walked back over to her. "Close your eyes." He said, calmly.

"Alright..." Zecora closed her eyes. As she did so, she began hearing some noises, something was happened, but she wasn't sure what... She opened one eye, a little. She would have gasped if she didn't cover her mouth, first. The individuals standing before her doorway were those same two girls she had seen before and had been seeing about the palace for some time, now. She gazed a them until she heard Zecoy clear his throat.

He looked at her with an unreadable expression, lips pursed in straight line. His eyes were dark and he was silent.. waiting...  "Oh - !" Zecora straightened and closed her eyes. She didn't close them so tight until she'd have to open them again, but just tight enough so to hold back any threatening tears.

Zecora then felt something touch her neck and for a moment or so, her neck was weightless. She resisted the temptation to lazily hang her head or whatot - soon her neck felt back to normal. She heard some noise and then her brother saying "Open your eyes, Zecora." Zecora was slow to do so, but eventually did. As she opened her eyes, she saw her brother rise, carrying something with him as he walked back towards the door. He said something to the females and slipped between them.

Zecora's eyes were fully opened by the time her brother exited and she saw both females bowing in his direction, "As you wish, Prince Zecoy." Zecora just gazed at them; it was one of the first times she had saw anyone treat her brother in that manner, just one of the first times... and she was a bit surprised, somehow, not knowing why. The females straightened and turned to Zecora; she stiffened.

"Princess, you look so beautiful!" The female zebrain to Zecora's right said. Zecora just barely caught her words. The other said, "Good Afternoon, Princess; we are here to assist you."

"Er... Assist me?" Zecora looked from the female to her right to the female to her left. both wore silk veils on their faces, but she could tell that the female was smiling as she answered.

"Yes, Princess. In your preparations for your ritual - we are here to assist."

"....I see." Zecora said, her eyes not leaving the female's face. "This might have been what Zikomo meant, then...I guess I am glad I didn't leave...

"What are your names?" Zecora asked, "Just so I know who I am talking to..."

"Forgive us, Princess - my name is Ada and my sister, here; her name is Aziza."  The female named Ada spoke.

"Ah... Ada...." Zecora said, "It means... 'first daughter'." Ada smiled with a nod.

"And yours..." Zecora said, looking at the female zebrain to her right, "You name means 'darling'... or 'respected', right?"

"Yes!" the female zebrain, Aziza said, clapping her hands together, "Well done!" Zecora could tell she was smiling, if not grinning, behind her veil.

It was now obvious to Zecora which female was older... and which one was most-likely in charge. "Yes, now. Princess..." Ada held her hands out to Zecora who took them and was helped off of her bed.

"Princess, these are the two garments you will be wearing." Ada said. Aziza had exited and was coming back in, now, carrying two outfits on her arm. She took one off of her arm and showed it to Zecora. It was a white dress with a ermine-lined, fluffy-looking cape and a sweetheart neckline. The dress had a golden ribbon around the waist, with a silver ring in between - as well as a golden-ribbon sash. It also had a hood on the back, which Ada showed Zecora, as she took the other dress from Aziza - the same color of the dress. The other dress was just the same, only that it did not have a hood, but a veil.

"The hood and veil are representations, Princess. You have the choice - veil or hood." Ada said.

Zecora had learned that "representations" were items for a ritual that someone wore or held - almost all things and/or people involved in rituals were symbolic some kind of way. Zecora was curious as to what the hood or veil would represent, but did not ask...She knew that there would obviously be a bit of people at her First Ritual, so... "The hood is fine." She said.

Ada nodded. "Very well then, let's go clean you up. Aziza, come with the selected gown when you are finished gathering the materials and have put that one away. Turning to Zecora, she said, "Princess, would you like for your other ritual gown to stay in your room, for the time being, just in case?"

"Nnnno, no, that's fine; it can go back to wherever it was...." Zecora answered.

"Very well." Ada motioned to Aziza and led Zecora from the room.

"Where are we going?" Zecora asked.

"To the bath area." Ada replied.

"Oh." Zecora said, "Well couldn't we just use the regular bathroom?"

"Well, yes." Ada said, not looking at Zecora as they spoke, "But wouldn't you rather use the imperial bath area? And for such a special occasion? Seeing as  - well. You haven't used it, before, have you?"

"I haven't.... But I would like to!" Zecora said, voice rising with excitement. She had never actually been to the bath area, either, so there seemed to be no problem with her going now... Besides - Zecora looked up at Ada who was walking along with her hand on a basket, on her hip and holding Zecora's hand in the other - she probably knew what she was doing anyways.

They walked about the palace until they came to two large doors. Ada looked to the left and right of them as they stood before the doors; there were no others there. "I wonder..." Ada said, "Where are the..." her voice trailed off into thoughts.

"Hm?" Zecora said, looking up at Ada. Ada let Zecora's hand go and stepped up to the huge doors. Zecora looked at the large door whch seemd to be made of solid gold and had golden plant-like patterns swirling through a sea of red, all over... The other was a blue door with golden plant-like swirls all over it.

Zecora continued to looked up until she heard the sound of metal on stone, as the red door moved abruptly inward. Zecora snapped her attention to Ada who stood with her legs braced and her hands pressed on the large door. Zecora watched as she tried to move the door, some more, her dainty body trembling with strain. Just then, two male zebrains appeared - and out of nowhere, it seemed.) One touched Ada gently on the shoulder, Ada stepped back until she was standing next to Zecora. Both of the male zebrans looked at each other, nodded, branced themselves and then pushed the door slowly open. When it was wide enough for Zecora and Ada to walk in, they stepped aside.

"Thank-you." Ada said, taking her basket from one of them and then turning to enter the room.

"You know, you could have called us." The male with the darker colored skin said, "We weren't far away."

"Yes, well - Ada stopped herself. "Come, Princess, come." She said, motioning to Zecora.

"Yes... coming..." Zecora said, hurrying over to Ada. On entering the bath area, she heard Ada say to both of the males, "We will speak, again. Later."

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