Adventures in Azibra: Zecora's past

by xXElite AlicornXx

Rating: everyone
Tags: Romance, Tragedy, Adventure, Sad, Anthro
Length: 35709

This is basically a story about Zecora's past. Her life in Azibra, what it meant and why she comes to Ponyville.

This is in no way a theory and/or guess as to what Zecora's past was or could have been like… It is just something fun… just something I thought up… One of my first stories, so hope you enjoy it…

*Also, since I feel as though I will do poorly on the descriptions of actions and other things involving ponies - and the fact that I want to be true to the Pony part of "MLP FIM", my characters will be mix of human and pony. (Wherein, mostly they will have "pony" ears and tails…) *All credit to the creator of the awesome Pic! :D

*Romance a Tag is for [size=0.75em]Minor and very few events. (None really significant) [/size] Plus I really have no experience at at all with that kind of stuff, but I thought I'd add in a little, since it was my first time…
Please don't hate me for however I display this >.<

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-04-07 20:01:27 UTC

Chapter 2: (Into the Past) A Prince.....ess?

Zecora burst into her brother's room, arms out stretched as her mind raced - yet was she conscious - she needed to grab onto something, make herself stop running before she collapsed!.. Zecora ran and then threw herself onto her brothers bed, and immediately burst into tears...

On coming into the room, one could see that it was of considerable size. Four long, large windows lined the farthest wall, (from the view of the doorway), each about a couple feet way from each other. The windows had no curtain, yet were letting in just so much light, seeing as their were trees blocking much of the view of the outside, and natural light from getting in... In the far right corner of the room, there was set a young desert tree. The desert tree sat in a blue colored box. The box carried soil and had small shining stones lining it. Next to the tree was a soft, red, and seemingly plush couch. On the couch sat a white, black-stripped pillow, on the left, and on its right, sat an orange black-stripped pillow.

The pillow on the right matched the patterns that lined the top of all walls, all around the room, and the one to the left, the bottom part of the walls. Lining these patterns, on the walls, was a golden lining. So, looking at the couch, you were basically seeing all the colors of the room... The other items in the room included a large king-sized bed. The bed was red, with white, black-striped pillows, and had a few stairs leading to the mattress. The bed was position before the door, but on the other side of door; easily accessible to Zecora. On the floor, before the bed, lay a perfectly square carpet, one which had a large yellow sun on it, surrounded by elegant patterns. (The actual carpet color was beige) On the left wall, stood a mirror-included dresser, a red one, with a red stool seated before it. Next to it was  small brown trash can, and a little way away from that, high up on the wall, was a mirror, similar to that of the dresser's, but it was blue. and clear. To the right wall - a rectangular cut in the wall was the entrance to another, smaller room, adjacent that of the bedroom - besides it, in the left, farthest corner of the room, sat a thin book case, full of books.... And lastly, next to the door, sat Zecoy. He sat at a desk, wooden, and contained one pull out drawer. over which hung three large, green-leafed plants.

On Zecora's dramatic entry, Zecoy's head shot up... On hearing Zecora's sobs, Zecoy slowly turned. When his eyes fell on his sister, he was surprised - what was she doing in his room?... Well, crying, yeah, but... Zecoy closed the book he was reading, and pushed it to the other side of the desk. He stood, and pushing back the stool he sat on, he went around it, replaced it, and then calmly approached his sister. Zecora's shoulders trembled as she cried; she was hunched over in a small ball-like position, legs drawn up under her. Zecoy's eyelids lowered as he observed her. He couldn't help smiling, affection building up as a warm sensation in his chest. His eyes looked from her back to her covered face; he frowned.

"Princess, why are you crying?" Zecoy asked, placing a hand on Zecora's back.

Zecora jumped, and turned her teary face to her older brother. His image seemed.... different, somehow... and not just because he wasn't wearing anything other than his gold attire and bottom wear, nor was it the fact that her eyes were teary. Zecora had always seen her brother as a respected person, someone worthy of looking up to, someone who knew everything but that was only because he had only ever answered simple concerns, of hers, and because he looked the part.... he was a prince, after all.. not that Zecora had ever really taken that into consideration, though...

But just then, this thought hit her, and she sat up, onto her knees, wiping away tears. "I am sorry, Prince Zecoy." She said, softly.

Zecoy cocked an eyebrow, saying, "I didn't ask that, Princess... although that was a good guess."

"Wha - what?" Zecora said, still wiping at tears.

Zecoy brought himself onto the bed, crossing his legs. Zecora backed up a bit. "Why are you crying?" Zecoy asked, again, "You act as though someone is dying..."

Zecora just turned her head away; she felt so ashamed somehow, and really couldn't answer... It was rude of her to come and burst into her brother's room... and to see him this way... But she thought about why she had come, and couldn't stop the tears from coming. She didn't make any sounds, only let the tears stream down her face...

Zecoy, being patient with his sister, awaited her answer... when it did not come, he said, turning her head towards him, making her eyes meet his, "You still have yet to answer me. If you don't want to discuss something, if you just to go and then you are free..."

Zecora just shook her head, "No, I am sorry." She said, "It's just... earlier on... I was playing tag with.. Zehe'il..."

"And who might that be?" Zecoy asked, bringing his hands to his chin and lacing his fingers together so that it could rest upon them.

"He's my play mate." Zecora said, softly.

"Yes?" Zecoy said, "And what... it is something he said to you, that made you this sad... or was it something he did to you... and you are now this mad?"

"N-no... not really..." Zecora sniffed, "It's just.. it's what he didn't say, that bothers me..."

"And what, pray tell, could that be?" Zecoy asked, smiling affectionately at his sister. He was almost sure that what happened - whatever it was - she had probably taken from her imagination... He didn't know much about this... Zehe'il, and was almost sure that the last play mate she had, that he ever knew of, didn't have that name. He couldn't help a grin.

Zecora wiped an eye and stopped when she looked at his expression. "What's so funny?" She asked, with a hint of annoyance.

Zecoy burst out laughing. Zecora, re-positioning herself, crawled over to her brother, and clenched the sheets at his sides, as she spoke. "What - is so - FUNNY?!" Tears came again and she wiped them quickly away; trying to get a clear view of her brother. Was this really him? Was he someone of whom not to talk to? Did he really care about her? She didn't know - she had really only ever seen him - she never really spoke to him.

Zecoy stopped laughing, his expression and tone serious. "To be honest, I do not believe that anything is really wrong... perhaps it was some misunderstanding... I mean, you're not being very direct... and I am not being very demanding...." He thought a few moments, stroking his chin.

"Ah..." Zecora said, "Why do you talk like that?" That was the other thing; why did her brother always.... rhyme whenever he spoke... had he always been like that?

"Like what?" Zecoy asked.

"You.. you rhyme... your words. whenever you say something, it's just..." Zecora's voice trailed off, and she let it - she was uncertain to how her brother would react...

"Just what?" Zecoy asked.

"Just... weird..." Zecora said, quietly; more so to herself, then him.

"Come now, it is not." Zecoy said, "Of course, that is what I once thought.... For you see, I have been spending a great deal of time with my preceptor, Lord Gu'han.... It is an honorable habit of his, and I thought that if I could not acquire anything else from him, it would be this, before he perishes.. you understand, before he is gone..."

"Oh..." Zecora said, with a pause. "Who is this... Gu'han?"

"He is my teacher, my instructor." Zecoy said, "Has he not taught you? I would think that there is nothing more for him to do..." His voice trailed off as he cocked his head at her, awaiting an answer.

"Ah...no." Zecora said, "I don't even know who he is..." She looked away, feeling sheepish, even when she didn't know why.

Zecoy raised a concerned eyebrow. "Is this so? Hm... That shouldn't be. Wait... you said.. your playmate?" Zecora nodded. "But how can this be? Your playmates were dismissed a day ago - you didn't know?"

"I don't understand." Zecora said, "Who said so - why?!" So this is what Zehe'il meant! It just has to be...!

Zecoy uncrossed his legs and stood besides the bed. "Your father, the king, said so... All was and is done by royal command... It is because you need to start being more of the heir you are meant to be, when your father passes, it is you who will take the throne... not me." Zecoy's eyes seemed a bit dark and much less sparkling than before when he had seemed more happy; this concerned Zecora. When Zecoy saw her face, though; her concerned expression, her large blue eyes - he smiled again, and the spark in his eyes returned. Taking her chin in his hand, he said, "How did you not know this - this Zehe'il... did he, too, not know, as well? What is it he said to you, earlier, anyways? Your eyes seem to tell me that whatever it was, it did not upset you, so... did he or did he not know?"

"I... I don't really know..." Zecora said, with a bit of a shrug. Her brother, letting her chin go, walked away from her; he began pacing back and forth, stroking his chin. He didn't look at her. Instead, keeping his distance, he just stroked his chin, some more, and continued pacing, in thought. Zecora then took the time to open up to him about the earlier events that had occurred, the ones involving herself and Zehe'il.

"Well, my sister, I do not see", Zecoy said, "Where any of this could have offended you - so he went away; what else was he supposed to do? Stay?" Zecoy turned to his sister and folding his arms across his chest.

"I just... I just thought he... I thought he meant to call me a curse." Zecora said, quietly, bringing her legs up to her chest, and wrapping her arms around them. She turned her face away from Zecoy. She had remained seated on her brother's bed, but had let her feet dangle over the side. A tear slid down her face - for now, she was not sure what Zehe'il had meant... but he was a good boy, and a good playmate. She was sure that had he knew what the king had ordered, but was unsure of whether or not he meant to call her a curse - either way, she really didn't know. Just then, Zecora felt something touch her face. She turned to see the shining eyes of her brother. He turned her face to him and gently kissed her forehead, gently used his thumb to wipe away her tears... Zecora blushed. This wasn't the brother she remembered either... Was he really this gentle, really this kind? Really affectionate? And how so after she had just told him that someone had thought her accursed? This truly was also not the brother she remembered - in fact, she didn't even really remember him touching her. much less touching her affectionately... It seemed her whole body, before coming where she was, now, felt so cold and dark inside. But now... just when she began to speak to her brother - her brother - she began to feel very warm, comforted in a away she didn't know was possible... Absentmindedly, Zecora re-positioned herself; up, onto her knees, facing her brother. When he stopped kissing her head, she let herself lean into him, embracing him. Unlike she, he didn't seem taken aback by her actions, at all.

Zecoy just smiled, stroking her hair. "Princess... I don't know who would ever call you that... and I know not who would even think to call you such a name.. All I know is that they should and would respect you to the up-most, as a princess should be respected, no less.."  Zecoy wrapped his arm around Zecora's small body, hugging her closer. Zecora hugged her brother back, tightly.... Just then, Zecoy's room door opened.

It had already been opened, somewhat, due to Zecora's previous entrance, but now it was opened, nearly to full extent. Zecora wiped her head to look to the door, as Zecoy slowly let her go. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw a masked figure standing in the doorway. The masked figure had some kind of cover over its head, and the color, the same as the rest of garment, which was a dark plum-purple robe. The figure also wore leather boots, the same color as the robe and headdress, and mask... The mask only covered the individuals face from the nose down to the chin. The narrowed eyes of the figure sent chills through Zecora; she carefully let go of her brother, not taking her eyes of the figure.

Cheerily, Zecoy said, "Lord, Tutor, Gu'han welcome... I did not mean for you to wait for me; I was about to come..." Zecoy grasps his sisters hands in his, as he looks at the figure who has just entered. The figure's eyes move from Zecoy to Zecora... and Zecora to Zecoy.. back again... Finally, the figure, who is Lord and Tutor Gu'han speaks.

He clears his throat, "Eh'hem... Prince Zecoy..."

Zecoy smiles, and turns to Zecora. "I have to go, sister, my education calls me... If you want to talk some more - he goes and shrugs on a white, short-sleeved shirt on - I might be here, later, we'll see." As Zecoy turns to leave the room, and his tutor motioned to him, Zecora's eyes widened - she hadn't actually told him who had called her a curse - she had to know whether or not it was true, whether or not his hearing it had been an elder, or two, who had called her that, would change his opinion... he would see that.. may be it was true...

"W -wait, please!" Zecora sad, jumping off of the bed.

Both Zecoy and Gu'han turned; Gu'han narrowed his eyes, disapprovingly, as Zecoy knelt to take Zecora in his arms. "Prince -

"Don't worry, Gu'han, I will quickly hear her - what is it, sister?" Zecoy said, interrupting his tutor.

"Zecoy!" Zecora said, her voice loud, filled with anticipation, "I know you think it is wrong for me to say so, but I know! I know it is true! I am accursed! It - it must be so!" Zecoy was about to say something, but Zecora continued. "It was not I or my dear playmate who called myself accursed, but the old women! And what words are more honored than that of the elders and the priests - and most of all, the king?!"

Zecoy shook his head, grasping his sister's shoulder; "Old woman? What old women?" "Were they here - (Zecora nodded, trying, once again, to keep back tears) where did you see them, then?"

Zecora tried to think... where had she seen them? "Ah..." She said, wiping her eyes, and thinking, "I saw them... near the storage room, the one neares the throne room  yes, that's it! There were two of them, and they both... they both sorely rejected me and called me... accursed..."

Zecoy shook his head again, "No," He said, "Their words are not true... even they have wronged for what they said to you."

Zecora's eyes went wide - "What?" She choked out, "You... you dare say such a thing? Even I know to honor the words of the -

Gu'han interrupted, "Prince Zecoy! You dare let this wretch say such things to you?! How dare you -"

Just as Gu'han had interrupted her, a flick of Prince Zecoy's wrist, in his direction, silenced the tutor, interrupting him. Zecora was scared for a moment; the eyes of the tutor narrowed down at Prince Zecoy, as he now squatted in front of his sister... An aura dark aura seemed to radiate off of the man, and he seemed reluctantly silent.

"The only old women who are allowed into this palace, are the witch-doctors, refined sorceresses, very few widow-nobles and the women from the east. My father, the king was neither sick, nor ailing, today. The king was in no need of assistance in rituals or any magic practices of the kingship, either, today, and he definitely did not have any guests over, today..." Prince Zecoy stared into his sisters eyes. "Are you sure of what you saw, Princess? Were they no other - did you see them, slightly, and then make a guess?"

Somehow her brother's voice was hopeful, but his expression remained serious. She wasn't sure why he was asking her that - OF COURSE she had seen the, and they, her! It was the reason she had come to him... Zecora was sad to know that he didn't realize this, and only said, "Yes", despite her hurt and anger.

Zecoy thought a moment or so, and then embraced Zecora. "Thank you." He said, I now know what is so - come, Gu'han, we go." He rose, and he and Gu'han left. Zecora stood and looked after her brother and his tutor. She couldn't help noticing his perfect posture, firm strides, and upright manner... Thus far, she seemed to know him as... well... as a kind and affectionate brother. She knew him, also, as one who can be both serious and playful, at times, and that... more than anything... above all of that... it seemed to add up to what he was supposed to be. A prince.... And who was she to be? A princess?

Princess. A word which, recently, had only become the affectionate name given to her by her beloved brother.

Princess. a title which had only, earlier on, in her life, was a plaything, a name she'd give herself when she felt most haughty and arrogant, when she knew it would give her what she wanted... When she fooled around with those like Zehe'il...

And lastly... Princess. The "thing" she always was, yet never really acted like... Her title... her life... her status... her duty.. to be just like her brother - not Prince, though, but.. a Princess.

*  *  *  *  *  *

Zecora soon found herself back in her own bedroom. She sat, pondering the events of the day; the things that had been done, the things that had been said... After having thought on these things, she figured out what it was she wanted to be and who she wanted to be like. She wanted to be a prince. And she wanted to be like her older brother...

So first things first; (1) She could never be a prince because she could never be a boy. (2) She could not be like her brother because she was the destined heir and he was not. (3)... 3 was... 3 was that... she was just too different... And all of this Zecora knew. She got up from where she sat and went over to a mirror that sat on a shelf, which pointed back, at an angle, resting against the wall. She reached up, took it down, and reviewed her reflection... and also, her complexion. She was all...white...

Now how weird was that? After the first Zebrains rose up, on this land, within generations and generations of Zebrain passed down to now.. Had any of them been white? Whether they had been, Zecora was not convinced. Her people ranged from brown-olive, all the way the the darkest brown, (sometimes). Usually the lightest they ever were was just a light shade of brown; and there was nothing weird about that. But her - she was... white... nearly pure white, at that. Noticeable from any and every direction, under the sun! How?! Oh, how had she never noticed?!

Was it... because the noble persons who did, occasionally, visit the palace, never seem to reject her? Was it because her mother had been the same? (which she doubted) Was it... because she had spent most of her young years interested in fantasies, story books, arts and crafts and playing, fooling around? Yes. That was why. She had never seen herself as a princess, and barely realized what family she was apart of. The royal family, the family of the king - her family's heritage - fate! Regardless of the fact that anyone could call it what they wanted to - it never covered the fact of who she was. She was the highest of all Zebrain, under her brother and father, of course - purest and most perfected of Zebrain blood and yet... yet... she was like this? This is what she is. A princess is who she is. And, both together, she is just... different. Different... forever... and always.

These thoughts troubled Zecora and she replaced the mirror. She admired her brother, yet detested herself. She was white, though a Zebrain, through and through. She was what she was meant to be, a princess and did accept that fact.. Now all she had to do was act like it. It was final. Even with the fact that she was probably accursed, and her whole existence put a large damper on the pure, royal blood line of the royal family, she was was determined to uplift herself from the depths of dishonor she entered into, coming from the womb. And Zecora knew just where to start.

*  *  *  *  *  *

The Royal Library. This was the place Zecora vowed to spend most and more of her time in, the place where she would conduct her studies and educate herself. Now Zecora had been so many places; the gardens, the royals garden (the main town in Center Oasis) - she had seen a bit of it, but that was when she was much younger than now... But even those memories she couldn't muster up. The point was; she had been many places outside of the palace, but not inside. She and those like Zehe'il discovered secret passageways, but they didn't always lead were expected. They discovered ancient, other parts of the palace that had been destroyed, long ago... They found and discovered so many things... yet nothing had brought to mind Zecora's princessship.

"Nothing ever has," Zecora thought to herself, clenching her fists. "But today, all of that will change. If I can't change, than my actions WILL". Zecora headed into to the center of the library. Once there, Zecora had to stop, look up, in wonder. The place was huge! Zecora looked back into the smaller area of the library, she walked back over to the door frame that separated the smaller section of the library and that part and looked it over. There were the two small, wooden doors, swirls engraved on them, and they had bronze rings for door knobs. She looked to her left; there was a small but lengthy book shelf, lining the wall adjacent the doors - a wall was at that the end. She looked to the left of the door; it was the same over that end, except there was a large, brown vase with large leaf shoots sticking up from it, that announced the end of the small corridor.

Turning her neck to look about, she saw that was similar colors and patterns to that of her brothers room. This didn't surprise her all that much; she was sure that he was the one to oversee how his room looked, anyways. Entering back into the actual library – something other than the many shelves of books and tall pillars that lined the large room, caught her eye; she looked down. A circular rug, color of crimson, but red, more so. On the rug, was a large sun. The sun was very similar - wait! It was that sun... she had seen before... somewhere...  It was surrounded, by elegant patterns... Patterns that... seemed to have meaning, somehow; Zecora squinted at them, cocking her head. Her earrings slanted to the side, the one on her left ear, brushing her skin, some, causing her to jump.

Brushing it to the side, Zecora just let her determination rise again and began walking to the nearest shelf (to her). There we four shelves that surrounded the circular crimson rug, all perfectly made for perfect pathways into other areas of the the royal library... After looking through the shelves, she finally chose a book; The Princess Empress, it was called.

"Hm." Zecora said, "Sounds like Zecoy..." She smiled, a little, at that thought; knowing that seemed to mean she knew her brother a bit more.... or did it? Zecora had her doubts about her brother... and the reason for this was given to her, just a good few minutes earlier...

*  *  *  *  *

There was a small area on the other side of Zecora's room, where the wall had been pushed back, into a small hall-like area. Zecora had gone back there after he thought session. She was on her knees sorting through her books that sat on a small book shelf, back there... Once engaged in the activity, she saw that all of the books were either children stories, myths, legends/adventures, bed time stories, poems or arts and crafts book. Nothing about being a princess would come from these books. Zecora threw them away from her, and put them all in one pile. Why bother sorting if none of them have relevant information?

Zecora stood, and was about to go back into thought, when she heard her door open. She jumped, and then hurried to see who it was. Peeking her head around the wall, she saw a familiar masked person in the doorway. She gasped, and then appeared from her hiding place, saying, "Gu'han?!"

He seemed to have been looking about the room for something, (though he never left the door), he wiped his head in her direction, when he heard his name. "That's... Lord Gu'han, to you." He responded, stiffly. His tone was low with a bit more than a hint of annoyance.

"Oh, sorry." Zecora said. And she wasn't.... not really... although, ironically, she had already pondered how to address people of the Lords' status... But come to think of it, he hadn't necessarily addressed her properly, had he? She turned to look at him, giving him her complete attention. "Of course," she added, "I am a princess."

Lord Gu'han seemed taken aback; what had she just said to him? "What... did you just say to me?" Lord Gu'han asked, taking another step into the room.

"I said - " Zecora couldn't finish. Gu'han was on her in seconds; he grabbed her shoulders, and then, uspng his right hand, slapped her clear across the face. WHAP! .....

.....

.....

Zecora was stunned and stinging; Gu'han let her go and with a huff of a sigh, be said, more calmly, "Princess Zecora. I had my own reasons for addressing you the way I did. And weather you are the princess, or not, you must NEVER, EVER address me that way." He stood, arms crossed, looking down at the small girl.

Zecora heard him.... but her mind was busy elsewhere. Her mind swam in thoughts... but she shook her head, blinking. She felt her cheek; it burned and she flinched. Was it so? For one thing, why had he done that? She wasn't trying to be disrespectful  she just... was stating the facts, really, the one fact that she probably would ever truly accept about herself... That might have explained why she wasn't crying. (Not that she believed that was the reason)

After "coming to", she looked at the tutor, eyes somehow dry. The tutor didn't seem to be very happy; in a deep voice, he said, "If you want to be a princess, then you need proper training and teachings. You don't call yourself a princess, just because - you must be taught...." His voice trailed off, and he peered at her, waiting for a response.

Zecora knew he didn't really want to hear anything she said, and she realy believed he didn't care whether or not she was a princess - he probably didn't even want her to be a princess... He didn't seem to have much respect for her... She clenched her fists. Was this the man her seemingly loving brother wanted to follow after? It seemed impossible. Of course.. she had really only "met" him today... and... she was being naive, really...

It was now that the tears came, and a spot on her head seemed to burn; she reached up and touched it. She realized that it was the exact same spot her brother had kissed her. Tears, forever a threat, burned in her eyes, and she wiped the spot, harder and fast... And finally, her arm dropped... She couldn't really think, although she was thinking all the time... Although... Gu'han still waited for his answer... Zecora had looked away from him to do whatever it was she was meant to do, and it seemed, to him, that she had just taken too long to answer. He took his hand and touched her opposite cheek.

"Zecora." He said. She blinked, her eyes wide; she immediately placed her hand on the tutor's. She didn't like his touch. Even though would have looked as though he had touched her tenderly, to any onlooker, he had not... not to Zecora, anyways... She knew what a true touch felt like... and... her brother had been the one to give it to her. Her brother... her brother... Had he really been just that? Just for that time, may be? Zecora didn't know, and almost didn't care. Anyone who was tutored by this man would surely come out nothing better than him, match him, even. Zecora didn't want this to be her brother, and was glad she hadn't become all that attached to him, yet. Zecora grapsed the mans hand, but he did not let go. Instead, his grip tightened and she flinched.

The next thing Zecora knew - Lord Gu'han swiped her hand off of his and away from her face, bringing his hand all the way out.. and then up... and then down...  Contact. He hit her... again. WHAP! And the only difference was that Zecora actually moved, this time. She fell to the ground, but caught herself. She didn't even bother getting up... Of course... of course, it did hurt, but she was just too busy thinking to really feel it.

"You need to learn your place!' A voice bellowed in her absent-minded head. 'Youeven have the nerve to be silent with me when I speak to you? Ignore me? Well. I see I've a lot to teach you.. but I also see that I have a few other... things to attend to, as well..." Zecora didn't know it, because she wasn't looking at the tutor, but the man was now staring down at his hand. "I... will hopefully see you... tomorrow... for our second teaching session. Let this be the first, a lesson to you to know your place. Especially when I am present. I leave these things to you, Princess Zecora." The tutor left after that; turned right around and exited the room, never bothering to close the door.

Zecora had re-positioned herself and sat there, cross-legged, while. She was still stinging, but didn't bother to worry about the pain. She was not impressed by the way he had actually called her 'princess," like he meant it... She was not wise, but at the very least she knew she couldn't just sit there. After a small period of time, she rose to her feet and decided that she head over the the library; her first thought after having looked at her shelf.

"Oh, that's right..." Zecora thought, "I need to clean up before I go." And she did - and as she did, she trembled, somewhat, heart pounding. She tried to ignore it, but she had the thought that she might have been afraid of the tutor. "No!" She thought, frowning and biting her lip, as she violently shook her head, clenching a book in one hand. She was not afraid of him... but her trembling did not cease until a little while latter, and so, she was not convinced... On leaving the room, she stopped and saw something on her bed. She approached it, and realized that it was a tray of some sort. It was black and seemingly soft, on the inside, and had a wooden frame, painted to look like gold. Gold. That was what was inside of the tray - gold rings, to be exact.. and gold triangles... There were only two gold rings, and to gold triangles. Breaking the cover off, Zecora examined the golden objects, in wonder. Were these for her?

The last words of the tutor came into her mind; "I leave these things to you, Princess Zecora"

"So", she said, "These must belong to me..." But how wash she supposed to get them on? They couldn't fit over her head, no way! And they couldn't anywhere else, and they were too big to be something to wear around her wrists... Just then, the image of her smiling brother popped into her head. He had been wearing golden rings around his neck and had been wearing triangular earrings on his ears; all were gold. Zecora wasn't sure how to put them on, and she almost didn't want to... Of course, she had decided to act like a princess so at the very least she wanted to be like her brother, in that way.... She just had to figure out how to put them on...

Just then, there was a bright glow, one that grew steadily brighter... Zecora realized it was the glow was coming from the rings and.. looking over the rising glow, over to the rings of gold that were shaped as triangles she saw that they were beginning to glow, as well.. And... after some time, the glowing died down and she no longer held the rings - all of the rings of gold were gone. Looking about, frantically - Zecora could find them nowhere...! Just then, something brushed her face, and wiped around; no one was there... Just turned again, slowly, this time... something brushed her face, but very lightly... She slowly reached up and touched her ear - her earring! She had them on! She then felt her neck; the rings were there, too! Zecora rushed over to the mirror and looked at her reflection... After observing it for sometime, she realized that he rings made her stand out more, yet put no different on the fact that she looked pretty awkward....

"But that's alright." Zecora said, quietly, turning from the mirror and heading for the door, "I am princess, now, and it doesn't matter who says what or whether I am or not. For as of today, I am my own princess, and will exalt myself.... Myself, so that one day I will not only be just a princess... but something more than that."

Chapter 3: (Into the Past) A long Ways to Go

(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.

Chapter 4: (Into the Past) Zecora's Dream/ Zecora's Brother

Zecora headed from the library to her bedroom. Her feet did the guiding, not her eyes, for she was just too tired... As she she looked out the window, she couldn't believe that it wad already sunset. Had not it been just earlier, much, much earlier that day that she had running about in the lush, outer grounds of the palace? It had been... so long... and Zecora wasn't even sure how, but she loved it!

"If I always spend this much time in the library, everyday, then I will certainly learn a lot of stuff!" Zecora thought. She was soon close to her room... She looked about her, at the corridor she was in; it was pretty long, and she passed a window every now and then, all of them curtain-less, and let in just so much light... She guessed the reason for the windows to be curtain-less, would be because of all of the plants in the the hallway; some hanging from the ceiling, and others lining both walls... Zecora was observing the area around her, when she turned her back in the direction she was walking. She saw someone approaching her, she stopped  The figure approaching her whore a long dark robe, a veil covering most of their face, and head.

"A tutor?" Zecora wondered. He moved swiftly, taking long strides... As he passed by her, he turned to look at her; he gave a nod and kept walking.

Zecora just slowly turned back towards her destination, and slowly began to walk again... "Was he... was that tutor just in my room? Zecora wondered. There were no other rooms down that way, and the hallway was simply a passage to getting to her room; nowhere else. Zecora sped up at these thoughts, and was soon standing in the doorway of her room. She was surprised to see her brother and a few other Zebrain males she had never even met or seen before....

Her brother stood against the the edge of the wall, right before her actual room met the other area where she kept her books... In fact, it was a book that she noticed Zecoy was holding... reading...Zecora looked about to see a few Zebrain males picking up her stuff - one of them came over to the door carrying a drawer.

"He - Hey!" Zecora said, as she passed her by; she had to quickly move out of the way.

"Sorry, didn't see you there." The male said, not bothering to look back. Zecora wanted to say something to him, but she just turned back to her room and just to see others taking more things down the hall, away from her room... None of them seemed to notice her...

"Wha - Hey!" Zecora said, "What's going on?" Her voice was quieter, now and she wondered into her room, but still managed to stay, mostly in the door frame. She saw Zecoy kneeling before her bed, and looking through a chest... "Zecoy...!"" Zecora said, "What's going on?!" She rested one hand against the door frame, the other down at her side.

Zecoy's ears perked, and he turned his head to look at his sister...There was a firm and serious expression on his face, but Zecora saw it for no more than a second. Zecoy smiled when  he saw her, and stood. He approached her. Zecora couldn't help noticing his earrings that dangled from his ears, that swung back and forth with every movement. She stared at them until his face became level with hers... She blinked and then met his gaze. He was squatting in front of her so that his and her face were level...

"Well good afternoon, princess." Zecoy said, softly, "You had a good time in the library, yes?" When he waited for her response, he let his fingers brush her skin and he stoked her hair...

"Yes." Zecora answered, gently taking his hand off of her head, "But that has nothing to do to with this."

"Well, now, Princess - what did I miss? Tell me, what do you mean by this?" Zecoy asked her, raising an eyebrow.

"I mean, what are you doing?" Zecora said, folding both arms across her chest.

Zecoy leaned forward and kissed Zecora's forehead. He then stood and turned away from her. Zecora was about to protest, but Zecoy then said, hands behind his back, "Well it is not what I am doing, but what you are doing." He answered, but did not look at her.

` "And... what is that?" Zecora asked, cautiously.

"Moving." Zecoy said.

"Moving?" Zecora said, a bit taken aback.

"Moving. Zecoy answered. He went over and took down her mirror, off the wall...

"Hey, that's - Zecora did not get to finish.

"I know." He brother answered, "But that is why it needs to go."

Zecora now stood near her bed, and she watched as her brother gave the mirror to a zebrain male; one who had just returned from wherever. Zecoy gave the zebrain instructions, quietly, and then the zebrain left...

"What... was all that about?" Zecora asked, eyebrow cocked, arms still crossed over her chest.

"He was helping out."Zecoy answered, calmly, "I gave it to him to take somewhere; do not think it is just for him to carry about."

"I... I know..." Zecora said, "But -

"But what?" He brother asked, coming to stand before her.

"I just... where is it all going - where am I going?" Zecora asked, staring up at her brother.

"You are going to be staying in another room, elsewhere... It is done out of tradition, no less, but I am sure you'll like it there." Zecoy said, placing a hand on Zecora's shoulder.

"What? Where? What room?" Zecora asked.

"Come, sister, with me. There is something I want you to see." Zecoy said, moving towards the door and motioning to Zecora.

Zecora followed him through the door. He walked a ways and the turned and looked up. Zecora followed him, turned and then looked to where he was. "What are you looking at?" She asked.

Zecoy pointed towards the area over top the door. There was a large space above the door that was covered by what seemed to be a large golden, rectangular plate. Within the golden plate was engraved elaborate patterns... Zecora's eyes followed the patterns for some time - they all led to the center of the design, where  there was a large oval. The oval was actually set as a frame. A frame around the figure of a head... The image, to Zecora, looked like a woman's head. On her head she wore nothing, but her ears were adorned with large earrings and her neck, three rings. As Zecora looked at the image, she fingered her earrings and touched the rings on her neck.

"What do you notice, about this, Princess?" Zecoy's voice was directly in Zecora's ear, and she felt his breath on her skin. She tilted her head, some, reacting to its warmth. She thought...

"Hm. Well... it... kind of..." Zecora didn't want to tell her the image of the beautiful, obviously Ethiopian - woman, reminded Zecora of herself - at least what she was wearing, anyways.

"Hm?" Zecoy said.

"Uh..." Zecora said, thinking, "She... uh... She wears rings."

"Mhm?" Zecoy said, urging her on.

"And..." Zecora said, "She... looks like a... princess..."

"And?" Zecoy said.

"And... she is obviously a Zebrain..." Zecora said.

"And?" Zecoy said.

"And what?" Zecora said, turning her head to look at him. It startled her, a little, when she saw his face right in front of hers - but not for long. Zecoy stood.

"She is a princess, Princess." Zecoy said, "And yes, she's female, she's a zebrain, and she wears the royal's attire, as we do. But the point is that she  - the image - is supposed to be a representation of you."

"Of... me?!" Zecora said, nearly choking it out.

"Yes, Princess." Zecoy said, nodding. "And notice the rings -" Zecoy ran his fingers gently over the rings around Zecora's neck. "Know that your power is shown, only, by these things."

"My... power...?" Zecora said, looking at her brother in wonder.

"Yes," Zecoy answered, looking down at his sister, "Know that your status, you power, your place, is shown by these things, alone - without them, you are basically unknown."

Zecora was taken aback. "Wha - what?" She said.

"Do not worry, Princess, you can't even take them off, if you tried," Zecoy said, smiling knowingly. "Besides, why would you? It not only shows power,but a sense of pride."

Zecora nodded, and turned from her brother. She didn't care about any of the other stuff... just... what he said... with out... with out her apparel.. she would be... unknown?

That disturbed her, but she was snapped out of fractured thought when her brother said, "Princess... you are alright... yes?"

"Ye - yeah, uh, sure Zecoy... I am alright." Zecora was unsure why she felt so funny... probably because she didn't feel comfortable talking to her brother so... normally... Of course, before, she hadn't actually been thinking about it, but now... Now was different.

Zecoy responded by taking his sister's hand. She walked with her, down the hallway, saying, "It is important for you to be in the room you are meant to be... it is tradition; think it not something petty, irrelevant or silly... Of course, I don't have to be anywhere - I can locate myself wherever and no one will care..." He paused before going on, saying, "Do not think that I am any special case, no. I simply need to stay in my place..." His voice trailed off.

"Oh... alright... " Zecora said. "But she didn't really care. She was still thinking about earlier...

*  *  *  *  *  *

Later on, Zecora found herself in another room, in another area of the palace. It was different - it looked nothing like her old room and didn't have anything she'd thought she'd be interested in, inside of it. She sat on her bed and watched as furniture items were brought into the room and watched as her brother told everyone what to do... Zecora just looked on, mostly. Watching her brother, watching the others... She sighed as she she watched her brother; who was he really?   She couldn't help having mixed feelings for him... When he was speaking to her, he was one thing, and when he wasn't... she wasn't sure. Was he something else? Did he really mean what he said and did to her?

A firm, serious expression replaced the soft, playful looks her only ever gave her, when he spoke with others.. He seemed to take everything very seriously... She didn't know what to think of him, at this point - both of the looks suited him, perfectly... how could he manage to be that way? She was also afraid she would certainly not even know him, at all, if he kept being around those tutors... And that was the other thing. Hadn't she seen a tutor come from the direction of her old room earlier? What was all that about? Zecora lay on her stomach, with her chin on her palms, as her elbows dug into the bed and bed sheets... She turned over, and as her earrings brushed her skin, her dress pulled at itself, under her.

She had changed her apparel, as well as her brother. She wore a white two-piece, the top supported by a golden network of straps that led around her neck and around her back. The bottom piece was a white skirt, as soft and as silky as the top, but it was plain. Zecora sat up and tugged at the skirt, stroking and observing it... When her brother brought her to her room, he had closed the door behind her and told her to get dressed. She asked what he meant and why - he only smiled and said "you'll see". She had turned around to fins the out fit on what was the be her new bed... What was so important about these clothes, anyways? ... Zecora grew tired just staying there and watching everyone... Besides... she was sleepy, anyways, so...Why not just fall asleep?

...And sleep, she did.

*  *  *  *  *  *

There was that face, again... the face of that beautiful woman. Behind her there was a vast, cloud speckled sky... Colors of yellow, pink, orange, white. It seems like the woman's face was as a sun, set in the center f the sky, rising above an literally invisible sky... Come to think of it; there was nothing thing to see other than the sky... and the woman's face, of course.

The woman's face was no longer one of a profile, but was set so that she looked straight ahead... Here large eyes glowed with a bright, white/yellow light... So that was it... the sun... that light - so, beautiful, so warm, so comforting and heavenly... It seemed to shine straight through her, branching away from her in golden rays...

Just then, the light began to get brighter.. and brighter.... and brighter... and then - ! And then there was land. From a bird's eye view, the land was great and vast. It was covered in valleys and rivers, large lakes and bodies off water. Trees and plants of every kind dotted the vast landscape.

There was a large variety of birds, too; all kinds of shapes and sizes, colors and... powers too? That didn't make any sense, but none the less, those with powers were very beautiful. Like the fire bird, with its colors of warmness and fire; red, orange, yellow...

Just then, other creatures seemed to appear out of nowhere. Large, bulky creatures - with horns - oh, weren't they a sight! And another kind, also, a more peaceful kind; four-legged creatures, with skin that was white as snow and smoother, softer than silk. There were also other, stranger looking creatures, who walked upon four legs, as well; one of those racing being the Manticore.

And another race-and what a variety they had! Some had wings, others, none. Some had horns, others, none, yet they all had four legs and seemed to live in peace... Some even had all three traits, (but their kind were few)...

Just then, there seemed to be a tremendous quaking of the earth! The creatures below were frantic, each running, some screaming, others; hiding! But what a sight it was to see the more strange and horrible looking creatures begin to attack the humble, more peaceful races! A bird fell from the sky, but hit the earth with hardly a thump. It's eyes saw all of this, and more. It saw the lands crack, split into pieces and divide. It watched in horror as many races separate and went their own ways, walking, calmly, into the deeper parts of their newly found land.

*No!

As the lands separated, the earth began to tremble even more! A monster of a Manticore had come to close - he had fallen beneath the earth, before capturing the bird it had aimed for. It was a horrible sight! Waters quickly rushed up and over some of the divided land, swallowing them, burying them, forever.

Just then, a mountain rose from the depths of the water, a began to shoot smoke and fire from its top! The fire seemed to be as a liquid, and as it ran down the mountain, it became black and formed more land... And as this was taking place, the bird watched in wonder, astonishment and terror as huge, scaly, predator-like beasts shot up from the smoking mountain.

The beasts were huge are were colored in a variety, just as the bird had been...The birds eyes were fixed on watching the sky - it could also see the repugnant form of a Manticore creeping up behind it, even though it could do nothing... The beast came closer... closer... Just then, the Manticore's head was separated from its body, and blood splattered everywhere.

Everything that had happened, Zecora had seen. For somehow, she had been the bird, as well as an onlooker from other views... As of now, she was that bird; and just as the Manticore's body feel the to earth, lifeless, heaped in a bloody corpse - Zecora stood there in shock.

Zecora then looked to the left of her, looked up. Besides her stood a very tall zebrain male. He had the typical black mohawk of nearly every other zebrain, but his skin was neither black, brown, nor white. It was more-so yellow then anything else. The lines on his body were not straight, curvy, and regardless of how black they were, his body seemed to give off a radiant glow.

He held a spear, mightily, in one hand; it was placed firmly on the ground. He looked down at Zecora, eyes the same blue shade of hers, she realized, and his lips were set so that his expression was unreadable. Her eyes widened, and she wanted to say something, but he just looked ahead of them. Zecora took it as a sign to be quiet, and followed his gaze.

Before them was a vast terrain, and it looked much like Zecora's home of Azibra, except for the fact that there was no sand; just miles and miles of grass lands and lush fields... Zecora couldn't help being drawn towards it. At first she walked, but then her feet, with out warning, picked up speed as she began to run. She wished she could slow down, explore this seemingly new part of Azibra she had never even seen before, full of beauty and life...

Zecora then remembered the zebrain, and looked back over he shoulder. He still stood there, looking after her... Just then, though, it seemed like a small breeze came out of nowhere; his body began to disappear, disappear, in the wind, like grains of sand. His eyes never left Zecora's, until, they too, were swept away, up, up into the color heaven's, the heavens colored in pink, orange - all warm colors.

Zecora was standing so that she would have faced if, if he had still been there. She then slowly turned, eagerness rising as she remembered the land that waited to be explored... But it was not to be so. For just as soon as Zecora turned around, the land became a scorched and dry. There was hardly a tree in sight, and if there was, it was one that was bent, warn and aged; no life seemed to be left on that vast landscape.

Not truly thinking, Zecora began to run across the landscape, desperately in search of life. Life! It was all that she needed to find, all that she wanted! Oh if she could just find it, find something, something to make the landscape her beautiful home, again...

Just then, she began to hear voices talk to her as she ran:

"There is no life..."                        "All is lost..."                                                "Nothing... lost... here... go..."

                                       "There is nothing here, for you..."              "You must leave...."

"There is nothing for you, here..."

                                "Run on,  go!"                       "Go..."                                       "You must go... leave...

"There is nothing here for you..."                   "You must go, go!"          This land... barren... forever..."

                  "No life... nothing... you must... go.."                     "No life.... you... nothing... forever."

                                         "This barren land hold nothing for you... barren land..."

Zecora looked back over her shoulder, running, now, to escape the voices that seemed to come from everywhere. What she saw  nearly petrified her with fright and horror. The woman's head she saw, earlier... but now... but not the woman was no longer as beautiful as before, oh no.

The woman's face was surrounded by what seemed to be a dark fire, with half of her face haggard and old, while the other was well, lively and young. It was a scary sight, one that made Zecora both want to run, but also stay there and cower, hoping it'd all be over soon....

Just then, there was a large sound, in the sky. It sounded like thunder, but it was one of the noisiest and heart-freezing sound Zecora had ever heard. This was followed by a great flash of light, also in the sky - it seemed to represent lightning, but Zecora was unsure about that; such a light, so blinding, so bright, didn't even seem earthly.

And now without warning, or notice, the ground opened up beneath Zecora, like a large mouth, yet pitch black. The next thing she new, she was falling, tumbling into a blackness of space... Falling.... falling... falling...

*  *  *  *  *  *

Zecora awoke from her dream, screaming. Her eyes wide, sweat running in cold rivers down her body, and heart pounding, Zecora suddenly stopped screaming. It's not like it was helping her, any, no  in fact, it made it worse; she had probably never screamed like that in her entire life, at least not out of fear. The screaming had ceased, but not in her head. The scariest images of the dream - nightmare - whatever it had been, haunted her, and she could almost see that hideous face, in the dark. Peering at her from the shadows...

Just then, the door to her room swung open, a light from the hall outside shone like a beacon in the dark. A ray of hope, that may be whoever would enter could cure Zecora of the horrors she had just experienced. But just then she began to wonder... just how many people did hear her, just now? Zecora sheepishly burrowed deeper under the sheets of her bed. She covered her mouth, afraid that if she was to be touched, she would surely scream again...her hands and her body, sill trembled.

Just then she heard a voice. It sounded like - "Zecoy?" Zecora didn't dare turn to look, but she knew it was him. His words were incoherent, un clear, but she heard him say her name... She peek over her covers, at the door. Two older male zebrain stood in the doorway -

"You Highness, is she alright?" One said.

Just then, before she could even decide whether or not to respond, she felt something touch her, her back. Was it Zecoy? I guessed so, but his words were still incoherent, for some reason; all I heard was, "- are dismissed." She then heard the two go away from the door... Zecora was feeling a bit dizzy, and could still feel herself falling... She rubbed her arms, trying to get rid of gooseflesh.... She turned over. Just then, she realized that she was touching something... Her body lay pressed against something else.... somethng warm, it seemed.

"Hm? Z - Zecoy?" Zecora said, touching whatever it was, observantly. She was touching a soft, yet firm surface - she ran her hands, upwards, until she was sure she was touching Zecoy's face. She ran her hands upwards until she touched something hard and cold... One of his earrings,no doubt. "He was still wearing them? Even though Zecora felt half dazed and whatnot, she could tell it was night time.. Just how long had she slept?

Zecora then felt arms wrap around her, pulling her closer... She moved her hands until they both grasped her brother's arms. She was absolutely sure it was him, now. Everything told her so; the feelings, his scent, (one which she had just come to recognize), the warmth (there was just something about it...) She couldn't really see him, though, so just touching would have to do...

"Zecoy... I'm sorry..." Zecora said, her head resting against his chest. And she was sorry.. for a few things, even. She was sorry because she had probably woken up half the palace with her screaming. She was sorry because she had probably burdened Zecoy with having to come check on her... She was sorry because she acted so dramatically towards a simple nightmare - dream - whatever it was... (Zecora couldn't help thinking it had some significance, though.) Zecora didn't think she had to say anything to Zecoy, for somehow she felt that he could see straight through her, know her thoughts...

Zecora felt herself being laid down, onto her back. She saw the blurred, dark image of her brother, above her. He touched fer face and then said, "Do not worry, do not weep. Rest, now, Princess; go back to sleep." He then leaned down and kissed her, gingerly, on the forehead. Immediately, her body felt so light, relieved. There was no more trembling and every muscle was relaxed and no longer tense. She could see her brothers eyes glowing in the dark; its glow gave her only a hint of his expression - And the only exhaustion she felt was not the heavy kind that you feel after running forever, but the kind where you could just sleep... peacefully, even.

Feeling that comfortable didn't make any sense to Zecora but, naturally, feeling the way she did, tired and all, she would conclude with the proper position. She turned over onto her stomach... Her ear twitched as she heard her brother get off of the bed and leave her.

Zecoy stood by the door and looked back to make sure she looked as alright as she had seemed she was, he heard her muttering something about her being sorry or something. He only smiled a little as her muttering faded into soft breathing and he knew she was asleep.

Chapter 5: (Into the Past) The Second Session

Zecora awoke, well-rested, after the night... After fully waking, she blinked, getting her mind into gear. She squeezed her eyes shut, knowingly - knowing what images would be there, in her head, to haunt her... Nothing came...

"Hm?" Zecora said aloud, "Why...? Zecora got out of bed. She looked at her bed. Her bed was shaped like a circle, with a gold-rail head board. There were three large white pillows at the base of the head board; one pillow had  a larger dent in it then the other two. The other two just looked messed up... The pillows were as white as the sheets, and were just as ruffled up. Zecora began to straighten up her bed and tried to recall the events of last night... She was glad that she could do that, and she was also glad that the dream images did not come...After straightening up her bed, she put her hands on her hips, admiring it. "Perfect..." She said.

Just then, something wrapped around her waist, slipped through her open arms and pulled her backwards. "Ah - wha?!" Zecora said. She felt her head go back against something hard...

"Princess, good morning." A voice murmured in her ear. "Sorry to sneak up on you, like that, grabbing you without warning..."

Zecora took a deep breath, before she could respond, the speaker, who was evidently her brother, continued. "Of course, who could resist it? I honestly can't, I admit."

"What are you talking about?" Zecora asked her brother, grasping his arms that were wrapped around her, and looking back at him, her voice hinting annoyance. He just smiled and let her go. He stood and gazed down at her.

She turned and looked at him, ready to repeat herself, when she caught site of his attire. He wore a royal blue, long-sleeve vest (imagine blazer), with gold embroidery, depicted as golden vines, with leaves, that flanked the buttons that ran up the center of the shirt. Zecoy left the top button undone, showing more of his neck... Zecoy also wore a royal blue pair of baggy pants... they were just plain. On his feet, he wore brown sandals.

After surveying her brother, Zecora looked herself over; she was wearing a lavender, satin top, which had similar network of straps holding it in place, (skinny satin ribbons). Zecora also wore a lavender, satin draped skirt, that revealed one of her legs....

When had she changed? She wondered.

"Hm?" Zecoy said, still gazing at Zecora. He noticed her observing herself.

"Hm? Oh!" Zecora said, looking up at him, "I was... just wondering when I had changed... I don't remember..."

"You wouldn't." Zecoy said, simply, "And since you were asleep, you couldn't."

"What do you mean?" Zecora asked, "Who dressed and undressed me?"

"You do remember Murua, don't you?" Zecoy asked Zecora.

"Murua?" Zecora said.

"Yes. She used to be your care taker, after - He stopped himself. "When you were younger she cared for you, you remember her, right? I am sure you do..."

"...After what?" Zecora asked, eyeing her brother suspiciously.

"Ah well..." Zecoy said, turning his head and looking down, "Perhaps we can save that one for another time...It's... It's no big deal, right? I mean it's not like not telling you is some kind of crime..."  He looked back at Zecora and shrugged his shoulder's a little.

"Uhuh..." Zecora said. She was about to say something else, when Zecoy snapped his fingers of realization.

"Ah! Yes! That is why I have come here..." Zecoy squatted down in front of Zecora and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It is about last night. I was so worried for you and I hope you're alright..."

"Yes, I am alright." Zecora said, her hand somehow wandering up to her forehead, rubbing it. She noticed that when she did so, Zecoy's eyes followed her hand, and something of a smirk appeared on his face. "What?" She said, taking her hand down.

"Hm? Oh, nothing, nothing..." Zecoy said, but his gaze hadn't left her forehead.

"Zecoy..." Zecora said, half-speaking to her self and half-speaking to him. Her voice trailed off, but her thoughts only echoed the unspoken words that had not left her lips. She wondered what he was staring at... Just then, Zecoy grabbed both of Zecora's wrists and she was snapped back into reality.

"So, Princess, Zikomo tells me you've finally made up your mind to act - or be - as who you ought - and this sort of disappointed me..." Zecora watched as her brother's expression turned from one that was soft but unfocused, to one that was still soft, but more sympathetic. What did he mean? Did he know that finally wanted to act like a princess? Was that it? What more could he be talking about, anyways? Of course, if that was the case, then why would be be disappointed?

"Wha - what?" Zecora said, a worried expression on her face.

Zecoy shook his head, with a bit of a chuckle. He removed his hand from Zecora's shoulder. "Relax. All I am saying is that I thought you had already made it your decision to heed your Princess-ship... It's sort of... why I am the way I am; why I act the way I do. The reason, really, is only you."

Zecora shook her head, "What?" She said.

"What I am saying is - when I did not see you around, a lot, in earlier days, for surely I had a sister - and this I knew - I figured, 'why not be just like you?' I thought that your absence meant that, though young you were, you had already taken heed to your position, and that moved me... See?

Zecora thought for a minute and then, cautiously, asked, "But... you said you were disappointed... in me... why?"

"Take it as a jest, Princess." Zecoy said, smiling, "Take that statement lightly. For for me to truly disappointed in you, well - you'd have to do something rather... unsightly."

"U - unsightly?" Zecora squeaked.

"Yes, Princess," Zecoy said, his expression a bit less playful, and he nodded. "And that means that I will not be disappointed in you unless you are to execute a crime or do something unseemly or do something one to all truly do not agree with, whatsoever. But I am positive nothing like that will never happen... ever." Zecoy stroked Zecora's head... and that felt weird because she still wore a mo-hawk.

Zecora knew she didn't want her brother to be disappointed in her, no way. She couldn't have that - "So, what if I really did just decide about, you know, being a princess?" Zecora asked Zecoy, "What then?"

"Well, you can't just decide to be a princess, Princess. You are the Princess of Azibra, a member of the royal family, family of the most high - you don't have the power to just decide what you want to be, though being your own kind of princess is completely up to you."

"O - oh..." Zecora said. "I... I see..."

"Yes..." Zecoy said, "You didn't just think you could decide to be a princess, now, did you? If so, then you do sorely misunderstand. We don't choose to be the "rank" we are, we simply acquire traits to then act as we ought to, and we do it on command... Command... meaning we do if because we have to, not because we want to - this is why there is a symbolic meaning to everything we do."

Zecora listen carefully to her brother, sure to process everything he said. And what she learned - ?

~ She didn't have a choice; she was Princess whether she wanted to be ore not (or whether she acted like it)

~ This "rank" was acquired at birth and there was nothing she could do about it

~ It was her duty to be the way she ought to be as a princess...

~ She could be her own kind of princess (but she didn't really know what that meant...)

Just then, Zecora was being embraced. Zecoy turned his head so that his lips nearly brushed her ear, and he murmured, "Don't take these things too hard, Princess; you are still very young. These things do truly pertain to someone of your age or years - taking these things to hard might bring about fears. Fearing would be bad for it feeds into stress... I wouldn't want to see you in that condition, Princess..."

Zecora's ear flicked; his warm breath on and in her ears tickled her, but not enough to make her laugh - no - she was too in tune to the words and what they meant...

Her brother paused and the continued, "I have heard that free Is the heart so young and though we tread one path, but one, we, being as we are cannot always see... We cannot always see the image we are meant to be... And I have heard - forever the heart, but never the mind - changing over - we cannot know or understand until we try - to walk under one another's sky. With one path and one heart, forever he live; with nothing more that the contents of our mind to give..."

"What does that mean?" Zecora asked. She knew that somehow her brother wasn't just making up the words, where as he wasn't rhyming like that just because of his habit or whatever it was, but only because he was supposed to, (and that).

Zecoy just smiled saying, "It's poetry; an excerpted verse from one of the most true and beautiful of its kind. I like how it describes youth and the mind..." Zecoy pushed, then thoughtfully said, "But I thought it reminded me of you, a lot - sorry for my selfishness; I do not mean to dilute your ignorance or anything, I just... I like that kind of thing..." He smiled sheepishly.

"Oh, well..." Zecora mumbled, only half understanding her brother - she admired his vocabulary, but wished she knew what he was talking about... And what was poetry anyways? If her brother knew about it, it must have been important, she didn't know why he was calling himself selfish. "Don't sound so sorry."

Zecoy chuckled. "Well," he said, "I better not keep you. He let her go, but not before placing a kiss directly on her ear... " I am sure you, as well as I, have other things to do..."

Zecora watched as he stood and walked towards the door. Truly, she didn't want him to leave her, but she didn't want to be the one doing the "keeping".

"Oh - " Zecoy said, turning back to Zecora, "How did your first session go?"

Zecora seemed stunned for a minute; she had already begun process all the new information she had just been given. The gears in her brain seemed to stop and than rewind backwards... back, back, back, way back until she stood, again, in her old room, Lord Gu'han standing in her doorway...They talk, (well, he did, mostly) and then he left.. but not before saying:

"I... will hopefully see you... tomorrow... for our second teaching session. Let this be the first..."

Was that what Zecoy was talking about? How had he known? She looked at her brother, who now focused on her, giving her his attention, 100%. Now, even though Zecora was hesitant about doing it, she was quiet on her brother. In other words, she wasn't going to say anything... at least.. not until it occurred to her that he truly cared - and why would he? May be he wasn't even talking about that session... So she she was quiet and just looked at the floor, played with her feet, all innocent-like...

"Princess? You heard me, yes? How did your fist session go - do you remember, do you know?" Zecoy said, obviously being patient, but more concerned then anything.

Zecora didn't answer him. Zecora slowly approached his sister. Standing before he said, "What's wrong? I shouldn't think that answering a simple question like that would take so long... I am patient, though, and still unaware if you know..."

Zecora just shook her head, and said nothing. "Why is he so concerned? Could it be that... But no - how would he know?

Zecoy lifted Zecora's chin with one finger... Looking into his eyes, she could see that they glowed, somehow. In fact, his eyes seemed to burn straight through her... She shivered; hadn't she seen that look somewhere, before?

"Though... I do not feel ignored, and nor do I feel rejected... I do wish you would, again, speak to me.Zecoy said. "If something is wrong, anything, I would like to know what it might be."

Zecora just blinked at him, and then said, "Ah.. well... it's..." Zecoy removed his finger and she relaxed. (Sort of) "It's like this..." Zecora took a huff of a sigh and then said, "You know that tutor?"

"Tutor? You mean Lord Gu'han? My mentor?" Zecoy asked, raising an eye-brow. "Whatever do you mention him for?"

That was it; Zecoy didn't know. Thinking this over, Zecora felt a little scared... She remember, instantly, that she was supposed to see this "Lord Gu'han", today, for their next session... But now, without her brother knowing - without anyone knowing - that same tutor could and probably would do just about anything to her... She stared up at Zecoy; his eyes didn't seem to be glowing, anymore, and a firm expression was on his face. His eyebrows pointed diagonally,inward, somewhat, and his mouth was set nowhere near a smile, but he wasn't smiling either. This look gave Zecora a lot of discomfort, but she forced herself to observe this expression, burn it into her memory...

Zecora wished she could tell Zecoy what happened, but may be he wouldn't believe her...? After all, wasn't this the same Zebrain male her brother sought after, his ways and everything? Even his habits?! Zecora just shook her head, and was about to turn from her brother, when he said, "I know." Zecora gasped, softly. His voice had an flatness to it, a dullness... there was a bit of a hard edge to it, something Zecora never ever heard in his voice since first hearing him speak.

She looked at Zecoy, her eyes wider than normal. "I know." He said, again, his eyes narrowing, "Lord Gu'han... his teaching styles are... harsh, if you will... and... he had no right to do to you what he did, so... I guess I should take this time to apologize to you..."

"What? You? Why?!" Zecora said. The various feelings she felt mixed within her, causing her insides to burn. She felt scared, silly, confused, somewhat angry and just down right weird...

"Yes, Princess." Zecoy said, his voice softening. "For, you see... Once I learned that you hadn't been.. receiving your... receiving the education you should have and would have, had I known, earlier than when I did, I charged Lord Gu'han to tutor you. I simply told him what I knew he should do. He didn't think that you were ready, but I was convinced, otherwise, as I have stated earlier, to you..."

Zecoy trailed off, purposely leaving room for Zecora to respond; she only nodded and repeated, "You charged him..." Zecora was glad she at least knew what that meant and she become more attentive.

"Yes." Zecoy answered, solemnly. "I told him that he should start tutoring you... I didn't think... well, as I said... but even knowing that, I... I don't know why..." Zecoy's voice trailed off.

Zecora was very discomfoted, at this. For one thing, he spoke like he knew what had happened... But it wasn't like he had charged Lord Gu'han to do that to Zecora.... If teaching was all Zecoy expected the tutor to do, then he could not be blamed for the male's actions....

"You have no reason to apologize, Brother..." Zecora said, not second thinking about calling him that... Zecoy didn't seem very moved either, but he looked a bit sad. "And I know..." Zecora continued, "That... that may be you don't know exactly what happened, but I thank you very much for caring... It's just that... the first session... that session... I didn't like... And if... if I can... I don't want to have anymore sessions with that... tutor." She looked at her brother who slowly nodded.

"I see." He said. "And I do not look down on you for that... I should truly have known better... known not to... do that to you..."

"It's alright," Zecora said, clenching her arms, "I just don't want to be tutored, right now..."

"Yes, and you don't have to be, Princess." Zecoy answered.

"I don't?" Zecora said, perking up.

"No, you don't.... and you won't." Zecoy said. His firm confidence was enough to convince Zecora that she didn't have to worry about that tutor, anymore...

"Thank you..." Zecora said, quietly... She didn't know where the tears came from, but they just came and she couldn't help them... she couldn't stop them. In fact, she didn't know why she was even crying. She wiped away at her tears... Zecoy then took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead...

"These events have made me late." He said, quietly, "But I do not mind making those waiting for me, wait... You are much more important to me... probably more than you can see." Zecora smiled, that made her a feel a lot better... But she felt sheepish, as well; why did she have to be such a cry baby?...

Zecoy left her alone, after that, telling her to make sure she cleaned up before she began her day... "Oh yeah, I must really stink..." Zecora thought, reddening with embarrassment when she remembered speaking in her brother's face, so carelessly... "Well, at least I showed respect..." Zecora thought, her thoughts reflecting the former conversation and her brother.

Brother... Her brother... Zecora was certainly going to get used to that from now on. There was no doubt about who her brother was, regardless of who he wanted to be like, (if that).

*  *  *  *  *  *

Later on, Zecora finds herself standing over a large chest that has been placed next to her bed... Looking into it, she sees a stack of outfits just her size. She takes one out at a time and gently places them, neatly onto her bed...

"Now then..." She says, observing the outfits. "Which shall I choose?" She goes to a standing mirror at the other side of the room and places an outfit before her... She knows that in reality she can never truly be beautiful, but she at least wanted to look presentable... Eventually, after trying on a good few outfits, Zecora decides to wear a wrapped hat with a large bow at the left side.... The hat was white, along with the sleeveless white top that covered Zecora's chest and neck... Zecora also wore a white skirt, one that was tight at the waist, but allowed for total freedom for her legs. Zecora decided to wear a long-sleeved white silky top.

"There..." She said. "That looks decent..." Zecora didn't mind white on white... Zecora observed another chest to the right of the larger chest as she put all of her clothes back... Peeking into it, she saw several pairs of shoes; sandals and slippers, mostly. She reached in and took for herself, that day, a pair of plan, golden slippers...

Not too many minutes later, Zecora was walking away from her room, towards the Royal Library. As she did so, passed by two young female zebrain. Both were slim and light skinned, both had long, light colored hair, and both wore silk veils to cover their face. When Zecora passed them both by, she couldn't help but look at them.... One of the girls' eyes met hers, and the girl gave a slight nod and curtsy. (Where had she seen that before - and those eyes...) Where had those girls even come from? Zecora quickened her pace; she didn't want to waste anymore time.

On entering the Royal Library, Zecora walked swiftly towards the are where she had first began her studies; lo and behold her books were still there... Zecora rushed happily over to them... On seating herself down, she felt a presence. She looked up; Zikomo was standing in-between one of the book shelves, tapping a finger to his chin... She watched and waited until Zikomo finished what he was doing, and then loudly cleared her throat. Zikomo turned his head in her direct, he smiled.

"Welcome, welcome, Princess. I didn't hear you come in..." Zikomo, Zecora noticed, was wearing glasses. He looked a bot goofy with the on because of how big and round they were... When Zikomo approached her, Zecora could help but laugh. Zikomo chuckled and said, "What is so funny, Princess?"

"Your glasses!" Zecora said.

"Yes?" Zikomo said, standing before the table where Zecora sat. Zecora too a moment to get a good look at Zikomo, before bursting out laughing, again. Zikomo just shrugged a little, a smirk-ish smile on his face... After he thought Zecora had laughed long enough, he removed the glasses from is face, and rubbed at his eyes with three fingers and thumb. Zecora calmed herself and took a deep breath.

"Ahhh, well." She said, "I'm all out of laughs."

Zikomo chuckled, "Well," he said, "That's good. Now I suppose you can go on and get down to business, hm?"

"Oh! Yes, of course...!" Zecora said, moving some of the books out of the way until she came to a  much larger one. This was it. This was the book with the weird writings that she could read... well... sort of... Zecora did her best to study the symbolic letters and words, but nothing really ever made any sense... She just couldn't put anything together or match any one symbol with another... Why was this? Whatever the reason, it was very frustrating to Zecora...

After sitting a while, Zecora closed the book and slumped in the chair... She looked to the other side of the table; Zikomo sat there, looking at her.

"How long have you been there?" Zecora asked, immediately sitting up.

"A little while, I imagine." Zikomo answered.

"Oh." Zecora said. "You know... you didn't have to stay here - but I am glad these books did, while I was gone. She scanned the other books that were spread out across the table.

"Ah, yes, about those... I thought you might need them, again, so I left them here" Zikomo said, with a bit of a shrug.

"And I thank you, for that." Zecora said. She turned her eyes back over the books... She was almost going to give up on trying to figure out what everything said. The few letters or symbols or whatever they were that she had somehow deciphered without even trying, didn't help her to decipher the rest... Zecora suspected that - well it seemed obvious;  OF COURSE Zikomo would know...

"Zikomo..." Zecora began.

"Yes, Princess?" Zikomo answered.

"You know I've been wondering... How come I cannot read some of these words while I am able to read others? And how come it does not make any sense when I try and figure out other symbols?" Zecora asked, opening the large book and motioning to the pages.

"What do you mean, Princess?" Zikomo asked, coming around the table, and leaning over her shoulder. Zecora showed him the words she could read, (which were few), and showed him how she tried to make sense of other words by comparing the symbols....

"Ah..." Zikomo said. "Princess, I commend you for... trying... but it isn't that easy. Zikomo then snapped his fingers and a book appeared before him He snatched it out of the air before it could drop. He went back and sat in the spot he had had been, on the other side of the table... He opened the book and, when finding the correct page, he turned it about and showed it to Zecora. "Here" He said, This is the 3rd Zebrain alphabet."

"The... third?" Zecora said, staring at the strange looking symbols on the page.

"Yes, Princess." Zikomo said, "The 3rd; we zebrains, as one people, have many many languages, thousands of symbols, which result in a numerous amount of alphabets, altogether..."

"Oh... oh, I see..."  Zecora said, resting her cheek on her fist.

"Now, now," Zikomo chuckled, "Don't be so discouraged.... With all of the spoken and written languages of the zebrain, you, princess, have but to learn only two... three, by way of choice."

"What do you mean?" Zecora asked.

"What I am saying is that for each individual class of zebrain, there are certain languages designed; written and spoken." Zikomo said, "And you being a royal must know two of these. One being the common, which I speak, now, an the other being that of a more ancient tongue."

"But... why? Why could each class speak the same language?" Zecora asked.

"Well, they do, Zikomo answered, "But.. let's say... here, here's an example:

The King, your father, decides to create a new law. His law idea is, by tradition, passed through the counsel. When the counsel comes together to speak on the issue, it is first decided what, exactly, the law is and then voted to be accepted or not. Once this phase is complete, then an over all and general discussion about the law its effects and roles it will play, etcetera. Typically, if the law is accepted by the counsel -

The counsel and the king are figures of purity and righteousness; it is why they hold the more honorable titles and status places the do, deusu. Because of this, they will speak in terms of another tongue, during these discussions... all for various reasons..." Zikomo explained.

"Wow..." Zecora said, "And you all know that?"

Zikomo nodded, saying, "Yes, because I am not prohibited from seeking knowledge, and these things I make it my business to know, so that for future heirs, I will inform them of such a system... just as I do, now, to you..."

"But I should think that... if everyone sees the king and the counsel as such... important people, then... wouldn't it be awkward that I should know about that? I mean.. if they choose to speak another language just over the making of a law, then.... who am I to even know about it -- about this?" Zecora asked, curiously, cautiously.

Zikomo observed the small zebrain girl before answering, saying, "Princess, do not out it off or make it as though the choices of the counsel is something petty or unnecessary... For, indeed, it is necessary. All things we do is to be necessary - symbolic even - unto those who retain titles and high ranks they way they ought to, anyways."

"Uh... Retain?" Zecora said, wincing at the fact that she was unfamiliar with the term.

"Yes, Princess," Zikomo said, nodding, his expression becoming one not as serious. "It means to possess something, keep it... forever, even... And also, do not put yourself so low; you were born to know these things, seeing as, indeed, you are the throne heir... Do you understand?"

"I do." Zecora said. And then she said, "When you say "we", who do you mean?"

"When I say..." Zikomo began, but then - "Oh, I see; when I say "we"... Oh, well, it is as I did say; those who re - uh - posses and have titles worth... holding, the higher-ups. if you will."

"Even me?"  Zecora asked.

"You mean even myself, Princess, and yes." Zikomo answered, smiling at Zecora.

Zecora was quiet a moment; she figured Zikomo would never be the one to correct her so lightly... Knowing how he would truly react - this fact made her feel sheepish.

Zikomo watched Zecora in her thoughts, moment or so, before saying, "Princess, I do believe I know what you are thinking..."

"Oh! You... you do?" Zecora said, snapping her attention to Zikomo, and reddening a little.

"Mhm." Zikomo said, placing his chin in his palm and leaning forward, his white hair falling toward his face. "And it is alright." He said, "After recieving the instructions that I did, from your brother,the prince, to tutor you - teach you - " Zikomo said, with a cough, "Then to correct you would be to teach you, would it not? I no longer feel like I should be so timid about this fact, doing such a thing, because I am here to help and teach you; to correct you would only be following after the charge which has been given unto me... Does this make sense?"

Zecora nodded; her expression looked as though she were lost in space somehwere and Zikomo wondered if she had truly heard him. And she had, she certainly had. For one thing she realized that Zikomo took what her brother, or in other words, the prince said, as a command, even though he never truly commanded Zikomo to do anything.... Or... had he? But what really mattered was the fact that Zikomo already seemed to have so much respect for her brother.. and even addressed his as he ought to be... Well, sure, he called her by her title as well  but that... it seemed so... normal...

Could one so dramatic really lower his timidity just to see to the command of another? It seemed so, and that fact really amazed Zecora. Without really thinking, she said, "Zikomo, how many years is my brother?"

"He is nine years, Princess, soon to be ten.... Why, may I ask?" Zikomo answered, sitting up, sitting back.

"Oh, just... because..." Zecora said, rubbing an arm, nervously. "Er... anyways... back to what we were speaking about, earlier... those symbols..."

"Yes - so many of them, so little time..." Zikomo said, thoughtfully, "But trust me, Princess, when I say that learning it is definitely worth it... especially for you." He then expounded to her the languages and writing she would have to focus on learning; ones that fit into the flow of politics and the like...

Zecora sat patiently as Zikomo spoke, and she was glad whenever he would pause or ask her if she had a question, in case she did have one... Zecora was glad for every little piece of information she learned and, eventually, by way of Zikomo suggesting it, she began to take notes on the lectures he gave her, organizing them as he showed and instructed her how to do so.

By the end of their session together, Zecora had learned a fair amount. And that was exactly what it was too; a session. A true session, according to Zecora. And she was very happy to have Zikomo as her instructor, her mentor as she wished to call him, (but didn't because she tried it, once, and he rejected it, nicely, but drastically.)

Zecora exited the Royal Library, that day, with time to spare to do other things... She had been given assignments to complete, by Zikomo, but he bid her rest for a little while before looking at what was assigned, and intended to do so. This day had been pretty favorable to Zecora and she was glad to say that she just finished her second session. And not only was it a session between her and Zikomo, but part of it was with her brother, Zecoy, as well.

And what did she learn, above all, during her second session, that day? She learned who her brother was and her tutor was - and this was the way it was gong to stay, had Zecora any say in it. This was far more than that other tutor could ever have given her; a friend and a brother and lots of knowledge.... and all in one day... Zecora also was coming closer to learning who she - who she should be... And what was more valuable to Zecora, (other than her brother), then that? To coming closer to finding no other than herself?

Chapter 6: (Into the Past) Preparations for the First Ritual

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."

_   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _  _

Chapter 7: (Into the Past) The First Ritual

_   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _   _

After they were inside, Aziza followed, and the doors were shut. Zecora then went about marveling that large place. It was much larger and far more different then what she had been expecting. Before herself Zecora saw lots of mist, with golden columns rising above it, aligned down the center of the room, the mist swirling around them... Zecora also saw two rectangular pools of seemingly very hot water. Zecora got closer and saw that from the right of the pool to her right and the left of the pool to her left, stairs descended into the water and disappeared under it. There were columns aligned next to each other, jutting out from the walls at both sides. Far across to the other part of the room, beyond the mist clouds, Zecora saw a door flanked by two columns that also jutted put of the wall at both sides, which could be reached by ascending stairs...

As Zecora marveled at all of this, she got the urge to turn her head up; she did so. The ceiling was smooth, but only until its circular center, where it caved in like steps... In the circle Zecora saw a large sun. It was the same sun that she had seen on her brother's room  floor, in the library... and now here... She began to wonder what it meant.

"Princess?" Aziza said.

"Hm?" Zecora turned.

"We are ready for you." Ada said.

"Oh, uh..." Zecora just looked at them, then glanced back up at the ceiling. "May be I can ask Zikomo about that, some time..." She thought.

*  *  *  *  *  *

It hadn't been too much longer, after that, when Zecora took her first step into one of the pools... "It's hot..." Zecora said, slowly lowering a foot into the water.

"Well, of course it is, Princess." Ada said, smiling at her. "But if you want it to be a bit warmer..." Ada squatted down before the steps that led into the water and put her pointer finger into it, moving it about in a circular motion..."

While she did that, Aziza said, Princess, would you want a pre-bath before getting in?"  Zecora looked over her shoulder at a hopeful Aziza but didn't have to answer.

"Aziza," Ada said, "And pardon me, princess..." Zecora turned her head back to Ada and slowly nodded acknowledgement as Ada rose, "We do not have that much time... Of course, we could probably just make it shorter..."

"Wonderful!" Aziza said, coming over and taking Zecora's hands, then said, "Come over here..." She led Zecora to a 3 by 4 mat, away from the pool. She went and took a large bucket and scooped water into it, out of the pool. As she did so, Ada went to one of the columns and opened a small section of its face. She took from it a bottle of something and a cloth. Aziza then took whatever was in the bottle and squirted it into the water, splashing her hands around to make the water sudsy.

Zecora watched as the girls approached her - Ada handed Aziza a cloth and had her own... They both used the wter from the large bucket and washed Zecora all over... After they finished, they left her all sudsy - Aziza went somewhere with the water while Ada took a smaller pail and scooped water from the pool.

"Close your eyes, Princess." She said. Zecora obeyed and Ada dumped the bucket of water all over Zecora. It was a not as hot as before. it seemed just right. Ada then led Zecora over to the pool. "Now, Princess, you get in and you sit down, understand?"

"Yes..." Zecora said, wiping water from her eyes, "But isn't it a bit deep?"

"Not unless you say so, Princess." Ada said, "I will wash your hair as you sit so your head, at least, will not be in the water."

"Wash... my hair?" Zecora said, as she carefully edged her way into the pool and was seated.

"Yes." Aziza answered, appearing out of nowhere, "And I will wash your feet." She smiled and Zecora thought that she seemed too happy to be washing anyone's feet...

"Be seated, please, Princess." Ada said, walking behind Zecora as she obeyed. It seemed to Zecora that the pool wasn't as deep as she thought; her neck and head were water free, at least...

"Are you comfortable, Princess?" Aziza asked.

"Yes, I think so..." Zecora said.

"Good, then may I get in?" Zecora was about to answer when her head was pulled back, gently, until it rested on Ada's lap. She realized that Aziza was not talking to her, but to Ada; Ada nodded. Zecora heard some shuffling and then some noise and then some splashing... She attempted to bring her head back up to look and was only able to do so for a few moments -

When she did so, she saw Aziza, half naked, walking through the water, towards her. Zecora noticed Aziza's body; slim, muscular, her stomach in, her long white hair that fell straght down her back and some-what over her shoulders, the white lines that were perfectly placed all over her, her pretty blue eyes... Aziza was only wearing a strapless lavender bra and the same color underwear... The sight was very strange to Zecora and she would have thought on it, some more, if her head wasn't pulled back down onto Ada's lap...

As Ada began to wash Zecora's hair, Zecora felt her foot gently being lifted our of the water... She felt it when Aziza began to wash her feet, bottom, top, between her toes, all over... Aziza washed some of both Zecora's legs, raising it up, nearly as far back as it could go...

"That tickles!" Zecora said, giggling and squirming, a little, when Aziza washed her legs.

Aziza giggled, as well, "Sorry, Princess..."

Zecora continued to giggle as Ada washed her hair. She wondered why her hair felt sort of tingly, at times... But it was soon that she just laid back and let Ada do her thing. Letting Ada do her thing really did feel nice... Zecora wondered if Murua had ever done anything like this to her... if so then she couldn't remember...

Everything was over too soon - sometimes Zecora had to move certain ways for Aziza to scrub her arms and then turn for her her to wash her back... Though they had did this before she got in the bath, Zecora didn't mind it being done, again. Between Aziza and Ada's careful, gentle fingers, Zecora felt such bliss... Sadly, it was over just too soon...

Zecora arose and climbed the stairs, out of the water and immediately, Aziza began to work on drying her off. Ada stopped her by saying, "Aziza, go dress yourself, first! And we are not to dry her off, just yet."

"Oh... oh yes, I'm sorry..." Aziza said, moving to go and dress herself.

"No, it's alright." Zecora said, "I don't mind." Aziza knelt back down - she had been drying Zecora's arms - she smiled up at Zecora, who did like wise. Meanwhile Ada left and brought something back.

"Princess, choose which oil you would like to put on." Ada said.

Zecora looked between the two jars Ada was holding.

Aziza quickly went and brought back two bottles. "Either of these?" She asked.

"Hm... well... What would you suggest?" Ada and Aziza exchanged quick glances. "Either of you." Zecora said.

"Well, um..." Aziza said.

Ada cleared her throat. "It... it isn't really for us to decide, Princess..."

"Oh, I know." Zecora said, "I just want your opinion."

"Oh, well... Aziza started off, quietly, "I think that these two smell very nice; here's Island Rose," she inhaled it, "And here is Vanilla Bloom." Aziza inhaled that one, also.

"Yes..." Ada said, "We can all agree that the oils and perfumes given to every royal family will smell good."

"Oh yes... of course..." Aziza said, looking down; her sister just looked at her.

"Well if rituals are as important as I think they are, then I am not trying to really smell like anything... It could throw off the ritual, couldn't it?" Zecora asked, recalling recently learned information.

"Not necessarily, Princess," Ada said, a-matter-of-factly."Though your ritual is extremely important - there will be no use of incense or any smelling thing such as that used, during your ritual... You have nothing to worry about on that matter."

"Alright then." Zecora said, carefully looking at the choices before me, "I pick this one." Zecora chose one and the rest were put away. She stood and waited as Ada and Aziza washed thier hands in a small basin and then, on drying them, applied the chosen oil all over Zecora. Ada told Zecora that the oil could melt off of her if they stayed in such a heated place, so they returned to the room... Zecora then waited for the oil to settle before being helped into her dress...As the girls dressed her, she caught sight of herself in the mirror.

Her hair was pulled back into a braid or ponytail, (she couldn't tell which), and on her neck she no longer wore golden rings, but silver ones. She touched them - When had this happened?

"Your brother." Aziza said, "And he gave you that, too." She pointed downward. Zecora looked down and pulled up the skirts of her dress, some; she saw a silver ring right above her ankle, much like the ones on her neck.

"Oh..."  She said, "But why did he...wait, how did you know what I was thinking?"

Aziza put her hand to her mouth, giggling. Zecora would have said something, had Ada not said, "Aziza!"

"Yes, sister?" Ada said. Looking over at her sister.

"I have finished with her hair. Give the princess her shoes."

"At once, sister..." Aziza moved to get the shoes and Zecora turned from the mirror, looking on. Ada then turned her back again, saying, "Do you like it?"

"What, my hair?" Zecora asked.

"Yes, Princess, do you like it?" Ada asked, seemingly hopeful.

"Yes, I do like it, it is very nice."  Zecora said, turning her head. She saw that her hair was set in a not-too-short braid. She observed a white streak going down her hair. "I do not like the white, though..."

"Oh?" Ada said, "I think it looks nice... But if that is what your highness wants then I think I can do something to hide it - also, because it is of really no significance in this ritual, I can remove the anklet as well..."

"No, it's fine, I'll leave the white part - but why remove the anklet? Did not my brother give it to me?" Zecora asked, looking at Ada. "Surely he had a reason..."

"Of course, Princess, but if it is what you want, to remove it, then it shall be done." Ada responded, placing her hands before her.

"So then you would so quickly change what my brother has done, giving him no regard?" Zecora thought. She turned away from Ada, disgusted; "Such disrespect..." Then again... may be it had something to do with what she was going to be, not what she was... Her brother had mentioned to her that she would be heir, not him... she thought Zikomo had mentioned something like that, too -

Zecora shook the thoughts from her head. "I do not mind it." she said.

Aziza then helped Zecora put her shoes on; sparkling, sliver slip-on slippers. She sprayed something onto Zecora as well. "There we go! Wonderful!"

Looked herself over in the mirror. She didn't look wonderful.... but she didn't look at hat bad, either.... It was just her skin that bothered her... and the streak.... Just then, someone came to the door. "Is her highness ready?"

"She is, My Lord." Ada answered. Zecora turned towards the door and watched as Aziza opened it to whoever was there. The tutor who she had seen in the library was standing there... the masked one.

There eyes met momentarily, but Zecora was the one to avert... Just then, Ada gave Zecora  little push from behind, "Go on, Princess."

"Uh.. right..." Zecora said, walking towards the door where the figure stood. As Zecora approached the figure, she couldn't seem to stop looking at his large green eyes... They reminded her of someone... Just as she was about to remember, he snapped her out of her thoughts by saying, "Princess, put your hood on... if you not going to where a veil, that is." He gave her her his hand as he spoke and she slowly took it...

Zecora slowly put on her hood...As Zecora walked away from her room, she looked back at Ada and Aziza. They were just straightening from having bowed down. Ada nodded, Aziza waved. Zecora smiled, a little, but then turned and the smile faded. Somehow she was beginning to feel a bit nervous.... Walking, now, Zecora looked down at her hand which was completely covered by that of the tutor's....

Zecora could feel it when he looked down at her... He said nothing, she said nothing.... Then she looked up at him, from within her hood which covered one of her eyes... He said, "Do you know where we are going?"

"....No."She answered, putting her head back into its former position.

"I see." He said.

"...." Zecora wasn't sure what to say and felt kind of silly... Which was bad since she already felt nervous...

The hallways were empty an as they walked through the palace and it seemed quieter than normal... They soon came a room Zecora did not recognize and the tutor let Zecora's hand go. "The opening of these doors is the beginning of your ritual, Princess. Are you ready?" Zecora gave a slight nod and the tutor went before her and pushed the doors open....

___________________________________________________________________________________________

On entering, one could see that there were four walls; the room was nearly a perfect square. There was a bit of a dome roof at the top of the room, a glass one which served as the ceiling and let in a good amount of light. The dome was made up of several plates of glass. On entering, one could also see a chest-like, gold and red altar, in the center of the room... Beyond that sat a throne with the imprint of that sun on it. Zecora eyed the throne and then stepped through the door, taking deep breath only to have it come out quiet and shaky.

To the right and left - the walls on both sides were basically just a series of arches, lined up one next to the other - five, to be exact - with a pillar in between. Where they led could not be seen, for within was dark - it was darkening for something began to cover the dome, block out the light. Zecora wondered if it were a cloud, but she didn't dare look up, focusing only on the alter before her. But before it could darken, completely, Zecora snatched a few glances towards the walls... she saw faces staring back at her. Her partially-hidden eyes widened. She didn't think that anyone would be watching! She had forgotten to ask Zikomo about that... Who were they, anyways?

"Just get there, just get there...." Zecora thought, turning her attention back to the altar. She knew that from the altar, everything else should be easy; she had only to utter a few words and then... Zecora slowly approached the altar. She feared that by the time she did, everything would be dark and she would mess everything up... But as soon as she reached the altar, two fires blazed to life just beyond it. They lit the way to the throne which was sitting atop a small stair case - they sat atop two skinny, golden pillars. Zecora flinched, in surprise, but didn't dare do a thing more.

It was now that - even though she could just barely see the on-lookers, she could feel each and every gaze. Taking a shaky breath, she looked down at the altar, on which were two books. "The second path..." Zecora thought, as her hand brushed the open page of the book to the right. It was her choice. Would she read and recite the traditional words of this ritual - which was pretty much an oath and plea? Or would she make up her own words? .... ... Not a chance. Zecora read the tradition manuscript, being sure to trace her finger under every word. It was just something that was done to emphasize that the princess knew and was attentive to what she read...

Zecora closed the book to the left of her, as she read the traditional manuscript. This represented that she gave no regards to do other than what she was meant to, by her own will, as princess. Zecora then finished reading the manuscript, closing the book softly. The fire blazed even more, now, causing Zecora to jump a little, making her wish that she weren't so jumpy at a time like this.

She moved to go around the altar, but then something caught her eye. She looked and saw Zecoy standing there - she at least saw  his face. He was standing to her right, tall and still... Only her head was turned in his direction...

He did nothing, said nothing and his expression was blank. Zecora could see his face and somehow, suddenly, momentarily, lost in his eyes. They were like dark circles full of fire, seeing as they reflected the fire besides her. She stared into them for what seemed like a long time and his figure seemed to be one with the darkness of the room... Just then, Zecora began to notice others. Standing out among the crowd, to the right of Zecora, side by side, stood tutors... The first one she saw stood just beyond Zecoy, he was the one who had brought her there... Others were beside him, but she only recognized a few. Zecora then slowly looked back to her brother who just stood there, doing nothing... saying nothing... What seemed like a long time passed and Zecora now turned her head to the left of her...

To the left of her, the persons who stood out to her were few. They sat and were dressed in white - of course, it's not like Zecora could see the crowds, anyways; it was too dark. But she could see these individuals... Starting from the front of the room, where the entrance was, Zecora looked down the row of individuals. There were fewer of them then the tutors and all of them seemed elderly, yet none of them showed their faces. The white robes which they wore really made them stand out - looking down the line, Zecora's eyes eventually met the eyes of one who was actually looking at her. She stiffened and nearly gasped in surprise. What she doing?

What had she been doing? Why was she still standing here? She glanced in Zecoy's direction but then moved towards the elevated throne. Zecora felt hot in the face and sick to the stomach. How long had she stood there? She was supposed to already have been to the throne. On standing before it, now, she paused. This was a throne... a real throne... Zecora didn't know what it meant for her to sit on a throne during a ritual... How hadn't she learned that...?

Though hesitant, she took to the stairs... one step at a time. At the top, now, she turned and sat down on the throne. Once she did,  it seemed that somehow the silence got louder and that all attention was on her... Not that it hadn't been, from the start, but... A voice from somewhere behind her said, "Princess, remove your hood."

Zecora jumped. "Who said that?" Just then she thought back, real fast, to when she had ascended the stairs. She could faintly see two other thrones beyond hers. One empty, but then the other - she saw herself turning, but she had seen someone, there... Obviously that was the person who spoke to her, now... Zecora reached up and removed her hood.

As she did so, she watched as the fire before her died out... The room was momentarily thrown into a world of darkness, only to suddenly brighten again. But this time the fire wasn't its usual color, it was blue. Zecora marveled at this but then watched as a male zebrain stepped up between the two pillars of blue fire. She tilted her head at him, wondering what it was he was going to do. She saw that he held a long staff which was topped with thin, circle head. Within the thin circle were patterns of some sort.

The zebrain male knelt and pressed the staff hard into the floor. Zecora realized, then, that the altar was gone. "When...How did that happen?"

"Princess, look at the circle and then close your eyes." The voice behind her instructed. Zecora did as she was told; after looking at the circle for about five seconds or less, she shut her eyes, tight. But not too tight, though, as not to have to open them, again.

She was still and it was dark - Zecora felt that whenever she closed her eyes, then she was able to see what "nothing" looked like. This was because she couldn't see anything, yet she felt she couldn't really see any darkness, either - ritual or not, it was all the same - even now.

Zecora then saw something - she had to resist opening her eyes. What she saw was a small, luminous, blurry sphere of light... It hovered and hopped about, in the darkness and as it did so, it began changing colors. It moved about, leaving a tail of light trailing behind it, only to have the tail seemingly dissolve when the actual sphere was to far from the tails end... Eventually, one became two and two became three. They began forming images... Zecora could only make out and understand what a few were, seeing as they were merely just outline, blurry and hardly detailed.

A zebrain female's face... a bottle of some sort. A... a spear? And a...a cauldron?... These were Zecora's thoughts as she tried to figure out what shape was what... Eventually it all died away and for a short space, Zecora felt as though she had been asleep. She opened her eyes, gasping quietly. She blinked, several times and shook her head... She then watched as the male zebrain lifted the staff, which seemed a bit heavy, rose to his feet, and backed away, into the darkness...

Suddenly, a light from above shown through the darkness. Zecora squinted up at it... The dome was beginning to be uncovered an golden rays of sunlight poured into the darkness... When the dome had been completely uncovered, Zecora stared at it a bit longer and then looked around the room, curious to see who it was who had been there. Surprisingly, the only ones she saw were a few tutors who stood in a  group, conversing, quietly. She raised an eyebrow; they looked liked they had been there the whole time, doing that. And not to mention... where was everyone else? Zecora then stood, she slowly rose from her seat. With that, all conversation stopped and the few tutors who were there gave her there complete attention.

"Have you...anything to say, Princess?" The masked tutor asked Zecora, approaching her.

Well.... did she have anything to say? Zecora wondered this, but when nothing would come to justify her for saying anything, she placed her hands before her and just shook her head.

"Very well." The tutor said. He gave a hand to Zecora who began to descend the stairs. She nodded an acknowledgement when she stepped onto the floor and then she looked around. Really... where was everyone? Was she imagining the faces, earlier? Did she really see those other people? Did she... did she really see Zecoy, her brother? And... if not, then... was her ritual really as important as everyone had made it seem to be?

Zecora felt her eyes burning. Was this some kind of  - no. She wouldn't even think that way. No way was it a... you know what. It couldn't be. But then, why was no one - hardly anyone, that is - there?

Something touched Zecora's shoulder, and a voice said, "Princess?"

Zecora looked to the voice's owner, the tutor... His eyes seemed questioning, but he was hesitant to ask anything. Zecora just flicked a careless wrist at him and he backed off, immediately.

She didn't know why she did it, she just did. May be it was because of the way she was feeling, the thoughts she was having. Her feelings were, again, mixed and her thoughts, jumbled... She exited the room.

"Princess," a voice said, behind her, "Do you want me to escort you to your room?"

Zecora thought about it before answering and said, "No. No, thank-you."

"Very well."

*   *   *   *   *   *

Zecora soon found herself in her room. She lay on her stomach, on her bed. Aziza and Ada had come back to check on her, a few minutes after she returned to her room. She had sent them away and told them to return later; they had, and they had taken her dress... She now lay with her hair still in a ponytail, the silver ring on her ankle, the silver rings on her neck and silver earrings. She wore a short, red, drape skirt and small, red brazire.

She didn't bother with covers as her tears soaked one of her many pillows. She didn't really know why she was crying... she just was. She didn't really know what had happened... it just did. She wasn't sure why she felt sad and happy at the same time - which is the very basic description of what she felt. She just... didn't know... She felt different, really... she felt strange... But to the utmost, she knew that no matter what she felt, or what she was supposed to feel, this certainly had been the First Ritual. A great turning point, in her life, forever...Whether she knew it or not.

Chapter 1: A Cursed Child

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...."