Thread: The Space Between The Stars (A Corsair/Mim Adventure)

Yusra didn't like what Philip's tone seemed to imply. Perhaps he was mzungu on the inside after all. Setting aside her flare of temper--it was important to make a good impression on him, after all--she looked at him. I think you mistake our military customs, she said carefully. We allow men and women to serve equally on the basis of skill, which is why this ceremony is so important. It is a rite of passage. But while all boys must prove themselves men, women generally do not wish to serve. Since we do not practice conscription--difficult, after all, for people who don't want to be there to fight at their fiercest--recruits are judged upon their performance in this hunt. Since it is not a rite for women, they must participate just as their fellows. She shrugged. It's just that culturally, there are few women who chose to undergo the ordeal and even fewer invited to prove themselves at a royal engagement. Yusra watched him carefully as she spoke, trying not to put him off of her. We reward our people based on skill and merit too, my prince. We seem to simply have different gender roles and social constructs surrounding enlistment. She smiled before moving the conversation on, activating a touchscreen on the marble tabletop. A drink materialized in front of Philip before she ordered one for herself. It is an honor for a king or prince to join a hunt...but generally only if you are not already in a place of honor. Your brother will likely be forgiven since he's a mzungu , but despite having a title and a palace we do not consider ourselves above the common people. Yusra sipped her drink, watching him out of the corner of her eye while focusing most of her attention on the events below. We hunt with them, farm with them, develop new technologies...various people have various interests, obviously, but my point is that we do more than pass laws we contribute to our society and are equals with them. The best way to kill it, Nikkol said tersely, is to allow the hunters to deal with it. What a tragedy it would be to risk your royal mzungu neck when you do not have to prove yourself. Tssp! Kirui chided, but Nikkol looked unabashed. A muscle worked in her jaw as she armed herself with spear and shield. It is best to try and stay out of his reach, he said, shaking his head at his fellow hunter and turning to the prince. Use your spear to your advantage, both to strike blows and to keep the beast at bay. And remember said Yathi, it is not a sentient beast, but it is very real. I have no doubt, your highness, that I will be regarded as the dour uncle who scolds his brothers children for not attending to their studies. Humor glinted in Philip's expression. Or not. But I have no children, not yet at any rate. 'Or not,' I hope, Yusra chuckled. Or else you shall have plenty of competition from Okot. She gestured across the room with her chin. He is already dour enough for three uncles I am not sure our cheer and morale could survive a war between the two of you. You strike me, after all, as a man who does not easily give up. But do you plan upon any heirs? As a child bar sinister, I have no claim to the throne. But there are still family ties to the throne that make me a valuable political match. I have been betrothed to Lady Danica Camila Vasilisa Fernandez-Sokolov, the fifth child of that family, since her birth. So all of your names are a mouthful, not just the royal ones, she teased. That is a very long time to be engaged to someone. I do hope the age difference isn't too terrible? He shrugged. I was... five, when it happened. The wedding is scheduled for two years from now, three months after she completes her tour of duty in the Royal Hyadean Navy. Yusra nodded. I suppose it is not the lot of people like us to marry for love, hm? She smiled ruefully. At least, not the first time. But second and third spouses are rarely if ever given the respect and honor the first one is. I should know my mother was taken as Queen Consort a few years after Adjatay's birth, and she has always been second to the Queen Mother in the eyes of our people, even if she was best loved by my father. She sighed and shrugged. But that is our lot as secondary children, is it not?