The Queen and the mighty Kell

The entire hanger buzzed with activity as awoken dashed to and from with supplies. Awoken barked orders at other awoken as the reef pulsed with the void just outside. Today was an important day and it shown on every workers face. Occasional glances up to the empty reef in search to see if a large and very telling ship came into their skies. Everything had to be perfect as demanded of their Queen. Their Queen who had spent many many moons planning and in talks for their very important guest. Not a single expense was to be spared.

A feeling suddenly struck all awoken as they turned towards the large doors leading outside of the hanger. All busy work came to an abrupt stop as they turned, watching as heavy doors slid open. Almost in eerie unison they bowed their heads  as she stepped out. The ethereal like  power that surrounded the mysterious queen sent chills up the worker's spines as she strode by, her eyes never once lingering too long on one or the other.

Mara Sov, Queen of the reef had arrived.

Her eyes finally rested on the reef in front of her, eyes searching the royal emptiness before locking on a fast approaching distant ship. "She's here" she spoke softly turning to the smirking man next to her. He held himself at a lean, easily missed as he clung to her shadow like an eager dog, his eyes darting from the queen to the incoming vessel "more bugs to infest our home" he sneered, snapping at one of the head workers to gather their things and leave. Mara turned slightly "behave yourself brother." She hissed, quickly gaining his attention "if you ruin this for me, for the reef, I will ensure I will be the only one passing on our linage. Is that clear?" Her threat did not fall on deaf ears as Uldren grunted, lowering himself in a quick apology. Her eyes found themselves back on the coming ketch, could this be....excitement she was feeling? She wondered how curious her body seemed to be reacting to their rapidly approaching guest.

The pulsing sky that surrounded tha large ship had many young dregs chittering in wonderment, captains holding their little ones up to the windows to allow them to see outside. Their little hands pressed against the glass, pointing excitedly at any little thing that caught their eyes. This small phenomenon went throughout the entirety of the ketch, and wasn't lost to the large eliksni that led them. She had stopped occasionally to offer her hands to the little ones, obvious excitement in their eyes as they grabbed at the larger hand before she moved on.

The kell made her way to the lower decks of the ship, towards the only exit she would ever be able to fit out of. Her four sisters all followed her, each one chattering their own excitement. This was the first time their older sister had agreed to make an alliance with... anyone. House Midnight didn't have a habit of making them, nor did they make a habit of involving themselves in the problems of the Light-Holders. They usually stayed on the outer systems, scavenging for parts where they knew they wouldn't be bothered by anything but the local fauna, which was something they could handle easily.

The large eliksni stopped at the door, strapping her weapon to her back as the ketch lurched to a stop at the docking bay. The door hissed as it opened, the hangar of the Reef open before their eyes. The four captains stopped their conversation, each looking up at their sister. Raksis looked down at all four of them, offering a little laugh and nodding forward. "Come on, little ones. I hear the Awoken make good food and have soft beds." She ruffled the fur on each of their backs one by one before leading them out of the ship, all five moving in sync onto the hangar of the Reef.

The sound of the large ketch docking hardly caused Mara to blink. The ship was so large she couldn't possibly see the whole thing in her view but something had caught her eye. A little face peeked out one of the windows, a young one no doubt from house midnight, it's tiny hands pressed sweetly against the glass. Mara offered a wave to the young one, it eagerly copied the gesture before dipping out of sight.

The large doors opened, bringing Mara's attention back to the task at hand. The large Kell emerged followed by four hulking Captains. Standing next to the Kell even shrunk their size as all five strolled out from the ketch. She was magnificent, nothing but raw and powerful energy radiated from her being. It was something Mara deeply respected. As the Kell and her captains approached, Mara bowed her head, Eliksni rolling off of her tongue "Welcome, you honor me by your very presence" she spoke, lifting her head to make eye contact with the large Kell. She wanted to set an early example for her people that these Eliksni deserve the up most respect. Mara then motioned to the door she had previously come out of "allow me to escort you all to your rooms, surely the journey has had it's toll, we can begin out negotiations tomorrow if you wish."

The kell stopped at the Queen of the Reef, her sisters mirroring her actions as all five also bowed their heads. Her white eyes widened a little bit, surprised by the fluency of the Queen. She rumbled a laugh, impressed. "The honor is mine...not many outside of eliksni speak our language. Impressive." She nodded towards the Queen, standing up straight again. She could tell her sisters were on guard. They had been excited, but this was also new and unfamiliar turf for them. Her four eyes caught the face of a little man that stood behind the Awoken Queen, her eyes narrowing. Raksis could already tell she could not trust him, a deep rumbling coming from her chest. It echoed to her sisters, each of them understanding what she meant: to keep an eye on him.

Her eyes fell back to the Queen, looking to where she had motioned. "Ah... only one." She looked between her sisters, nodding. "If the bed is large, only one. They hardly leave, even when resting." She rumbled a laugh, reaching to ruffle one sister's fur. "We may begin today; we live life on our ship. Eliksni do not tire easy." Her speak in the common language left some to be desired, and she only hoped she did not come off as brash. Raksis almost exclusively spoke eliksni, and her sisters only spoke it. She didn't expect them to learn it, but if they wanted to, they would have better resources if the negotiations went well.

Mara shouldn't have been surprised at the stamina of the Eliksni. Many houseless stragglers had found and made themselves home in the reef, she accepted them with open arms and they pledged their loyalty to her. It was through them she learned to speak the tongue of the Eliksni, at least their dialect. She bowed her head, listening to the large Kell speak "very well, your room will be exactly how you wish" the queen turned, coming face to face with her brother, the man always seemed one step behind her. Always. "Ah." Her eyes fell flat on his smirking face, clearly waiting to be introduced. "This is my advisor, Prince Uldren." She watched as the prince lowered himself into a low but surprisingly respectful bow, perhaps her words had gotten to him. Her tongue clicked as Eliksni rolled off of it "he is my brother, but can be ignored, please do so if it suits you" she glanced up at the large Kell before turning and walking towards the large doors she had previously entered from.

The hallways had been cleaned, then cleaned once more in light of Raksis her arrival. Stone faced awoken guards lined the halls as they passed, coming to disciplined attention as their Queen passed. It wasn't a far walk, the large meeting hall rested at the other end opposite of the hanger. As they approached the door Uldren picked up his face to open the door for his Queen, still behaving himself. Mara paused for a moment, stepping aside to allow Raksis to enter the room first. "Please, you are our honored guests". The room consisted of a large table and many chairs, one of them at the one end was Incredibly large and far out sized all of the others. "I had a  custom chair built for your...impressive size" Mara spoke, eyeing up at the large Kell.

Raksis followed the queen through the halls of the Reef, easily ignoring the presence of the little man that followed the queen like a disrespectful dreg looking for purpose. The idea of it caused a growl in her throat, the sound quiet but still it caught the attention of her sisters, each of them turning their attention to the prince. One looked up at her sister, giving a tug to her cloak. "He is like a dreg, still looking for approval" She laughed, the sound echoing between the other three sisters and even Raksis.

Each stopped to allow the little man open the door in front of them all, their eyes falling upon the large room. Isatryn took one look the room to scuttle ahead and take up her place in the largest chair in the room. The other three took up the same pattern, each scuttling to take over the large chair. Raksis rumbled her amusement, looking down at Mara. "Thank you. Though they think it is theirs." Her four eyes shifted to the little prince that followed them. "I do not want him in the room though. He does not have reason to be here." Her head turned forward, moving into the room to wrangle her sisters out of her chair.

Amusement lit up the Queen's eyes when not one but all of the Captains rushed the large chair to situate themselves. She turned her attention to the large Kell "having more chairs if that size made wouldn't be a problem if they each would like one" she mused, her attention falling to the captains again. Raksis' next words caught her attention immediately understanding what she had asked.

Mara's eyes stayed focused on Raksis as she went to her sisters, a hand beckoning the prince to her. "That will be all Uldren." She spoke, her eyes not leaving Raksis' large form. "Our guest has requested you not engage in this meeting" she spoke plainly. Not acknowledging the shocked expression that lit up her brother's face. "My queen. Please, I am your advisor and as such I remain at your side, it is my duty." He argued, gently touching his sister's arm to gain her favor "we don't know these...Fallen" his words were soft, meant only for the Queen "they could attempt anything now that they are here" he begged. The queen did not falter, her gaze suddenly flicking to her brother "leave." She spoke again, locking eyes with the male until his darted downwards in submission "forgive me your grace. As you wish." A hard frown formed on his face as he left, a glare lingering on the Eliksni before he quickly exited the room.

Mara approached the table beckoning to one of the awoken guards in the room. She was tall and muscular, more so then the other guard in the room. As she approached Mara, her eyes watched the captain and their Kell with curiosity, their antics gaining a smile behind the guard's eyes. "Captain Yodin" The Queen  spoke, quickly gaining her full attention. "Send for Lunch, the special menu we have prepared for our guests". The guard captain nodded swiftly, making her departure. The awoken queen then turned to face her guests, bowing her head before taking a seat at one of the much smaller chairs. "Now...shall we begin?"

Raksis wrangled each of her sisters, lifting them one by one and placing them into their chairs that were besides her own. "You are each still little dregs, I know you are." She laughed, making sure they were all comfortable before taking her own seat. She leaned forward to watch the interaction between the Queen and her brother. She could tell the little man was not happy in the least, but her negotiations with the Awoken were not to be with a little advisor, but rather their Queen. She rumbled, removing her weapon from her back to lean it against the chair she sat in.

The Kell looked forward at Mara, one pair of her arms crossing across her chest. "Mmm... you should know..." She rumbled, watching the Awoken with interest. "I...appreciate this." She motioned to the chair, the smaller chairs for her sisters and the decorations around the room. "You know how Kell choose allies, hm?" She tapped her claws on the arm of the chair. "Strength is valued among Eliksni." Raksis's sisters chittered excitely amongst themselves, each of them growing restless in their seats. "I will only be your ally if you can defeat me in combat."

Mara's eyes never left Raksis as she spoke, the glow behind them deepened as the large Kell spoke of their negotiations, how the Queen was meant to gain her favor. She was familiar with this, the eliksni who lived peacefully and in safety under her name she had proven to herself to long ago. Leaning back in her chair at the end of the table, Mara nodded slowly "I am aware." She spoke, her face remained emotionless but her eyes danced with well restrained excitement. "The Eliksni who call the reef their home lived under a banner of a mad Kell. They came to me in desperation, I beat him and won their house. This is their home now."

She watched Raksis with growing interest before she stood once more, her steps were careful and timed as she walked towards the leader of the house she had hoped to gain the favor of. "We won't delay then? I know this is what you came for and I aim to prove worthy of your ally". The queen stood before Raksis, even sitting the Kell still towered over her in such an impressive way.

Raksis rumbled in her chair at the mention of a Kell she fought long ago. "Skolas." She nodded her approval at the win, but not the name. "He is mad, I am glad you have him." Word traveled quickly, her most trusted captains bedies her sisters acted as her scouts, each one given command of their own skiffs to pilot. They found out about the imprisonment of the so-called Kell of Kells and brought it back to her. The news allowed her house to roam a little more freely, without the threat of Skolas skulking about in every corner, but they were still careful around the Light-Holders.

The large eliksni watched Mara stand, her eyes never once leaving her as she crossed the room. The Awoken Queen's stride was smooth, unbroken by anything. It caused another deep rumble within Raksis's chest, the Kell leaning forward to better face Mara as she came to a stop. "Confidence." She observed, a deep laugh coming from her mouth. "I like it." She stood again, following the Awoken Queen to where she may lead them, beckoning for her wily sisters to follow her.

She waited for a clear sign that Raksis was going to follow her, it wasn't hard to look for considering her girth was hard to miss, even in such a large room. Mara bowed her head to the Kell before turning to walk to the far door "we have prepared food that is favorable to your people, cooked by Eliksni"" she nodded as they walked, slowing her pace so she could keep in time with Raksis. "We had found an old data mine just past the reef, full of authentic ways the prepare Eliksni meals, my chefs here have been making them ever since." She looked up at the large Kell, which proved to be a feet in itself. "Regardless of this spar's outcome you are more then welcome to review those records for yourself. They can be duplicated if you wish."

The large doors before the began to open as they approached, The Queen beckoned for Raksis' and her captains to enter before her. The room was large and echoed at any sound made, one wall served also as a window into the reef, long since abandoned bits of scrap floated motionless in the void. Mara often found peace watching the once purposful metal now suspended in space and time itself. Her illuminated eyes lingered on the piece for a moment longer before turning to Raksis. "I hope this is efficient space" The Queen beckoned to the whole room, only a few guards stood watch over the group, each one deathly still and emotionless.

The door they had just came from opened again, Captain Yodin came through with full focus, faltering only to nod at all the captains trailing behind their Kell. "Ah my Guard captain will bare witness if that is alright." Mara mentioned, watching as the captain respectfully bowed once reaching the queen. Yodin then turned and moved far to the side, joining one of the quiet guards against the wall. The Queen herself dipped her head to Raksis "whenever you are ready, Kell of house Midnight." She turned, quick hands unfastening the cloak around shoulders allowing it to fall to the ground with a light thud. Guards quickly came to claim the fallen item as The Queen took her spot on the far side in front of Raksis. Her stance was eerily still, bright eyes closed as she waited for the Kell to begin.[/color][/color]

The large Kell understood how the Queen fought as she did against oppentents clearly much larger than her; Mara used her own weight against them. She felt her back in the ground, the Awoken Queen standing over her. Raksis's eyes were wide with bewilderment, the fight clearly over with Mara has the victor. The four voices of her sisters cheered from the edge of the large room. The eliksni stayed laying on the floor, pushing herself back to sit up and stand. She laughed deeply, slapping Mara on the back with her two right arms. "Amazing, queen. Not many can fight as you can."

The four large captains approached the two, each lifting Mara into the air to make her seem almost level with Raksis. "You have House Midnight as allies. We will fight in your name, and I hope you can return the same." She lead her sisters out of the room, each cheering their congratulations to the Queen in their native language. Raksis could possibly call this place a second home for herself and the remainder of House Midnight, and maybe she would be able to negotiate some permanent residencies for the few of her house who only wanted to settle and raise their young dregs in peace.

The Queen's eyes lit up with the intensity of all the darkness in the deepest pits of the void. All the strength she had flowed through her body like rapids as she heaved, the tremendous body of Raksis hitting the ground hard in all her effort. Mara steadied herself, the fight had been an enduring one but now it had finally ended. She walked over to the fallen Kell, offering her help as she rose to her feet though she wasn't much.

The fight was still fresh in her mind, still taken by the intense nature of fighting an Eliksni Kell. The rumbling, the power behind every swing, every motion. It was something that shook her core, a feeling she had almost forgotten in all her years sitting atop her throne. Mara's eyes were torn from Raksis as she was lifted into the air, shock ebbing into the beginnings of a smile as the elated captains danced her around, she had almost missed Raksis' words. "Whenever you call to the Reef, she will respond with swiftness. House Of Midnight may fly their banners freely here." She watched the Kell before she was set down again, she ran her hand through the next fur of one of the captains as her feet touched the ground and whispering a gentle thank you.

A nervous looking guard quickly brought her original cloak back, eager to help her queen wrap it around her shoulders once more. "Our food is surely almost complete, will you all accompany me for a celebratory feast in honor of this new alliance." She looked between the Kell and her Captains, her glowing eyes finally resting back at the large Kell, the soft glow darkened considerably as she watched the massive Eliksni.

Raksis was very surprised by the food provided by the Awoken, and she would surely have to ask the queen to exchange files on it. House Midnight was one of the few fallen houses that didn't rely on any Servitors for Ether nor did they have an Archon Priest any longer. Surviving without Ether proved to be a challenge for a time until other substances to survive were found... but the Awoken truly outdid themselves. Her sisters all sat in a line to her left, and the Awoken Queen to her right. The Kell invited others from House Midnight; it was still early in the day so a few had brought their little dregs along.

The few little ones that did come along found themselves into her large lap; Raksis always offered to watch young dregs so their parents could relax for a few hours and enjoy themselves. The little things were handfuls, but they always behaved in the shadow of Raksis... mostly out of curiosity. Little hands grasped at the edge of the table in front of her, the Kell reaching to give the little dreg a bite of her food. Another reached towards their new ally, Mara. Raksis chuckled, lifting the young dreg to place her with Mara. "They are curious of you." Her sisters each had a little dreg they were watching themselves as well. "It is a new place to them. And they want to investigate everything."

The hall had erupted into a lively feast. Food lined the long table, plenty at every seat as the reef's most honored guests took their spots. Mara watched with pride as the Eliksni at the table seemed to enjoy the food. The Chef's had been hard at work to perfect the recipes for months now and it seems their hard work and study had finally paid off. Her glowing eyes traveled to Raksis who had quite the adorable infestation. Little dregs watched the lively room, Mara found herself amused and fascinated by the young.

She was about to mention the very same to Raksis when she suddenly found herself with one in her lap. The reserved Queen glanced down to meet the innocent gaze of the young dreg. It watched her before raising it's small clawed hand in a tiny wave. Mara's stone like expression faltered, a gentle hand came to rest on the dreg's cheek and it chirped with happiness, pressing and cuddling it's face into Mara's palm. "They can explore and learn to their hearts content. I would love them to" she spoke, gently taking a little clawed hand in her own "this will be their home as well when they need it to be" she spoke with honesty. Looking up at the large Kell next to her. "The Eliksni here, the victims of Skolas' and his tyrannical attempt to become Kell of Kells..." She started, her eyes following one of guards as they served an eager member of house midnight. "They have been waiting for this day since the first talks of this alliance. I would like to request you visit them....I have protected them and I have loved them as my own. " Her gaze returned to Raksis, the dreg in her lap cuddling close as it's eyes began to droop "but I am no Kell....they do not feel like Eliksni, their eyes show great lost I believe you can restore..."

Raksis lifted the little dreg she held onto her shoulder, the young dreg snuggling into the fur of her neck with the little snack she was provided. "Mmmm...I was hoping you would allow that." She rumbled, looking down at Mara. "There are few who would like to...settle, raise their dregs safely." She motioned to the dregs they each had. "These are some who want to settle. I hope the Reef could be their home instead of the ketch." The Kell reached across to rub the head of the dreg Mara held; she could tell the little one was tired by the way she was beginning to cuddle into the queen.

She nodded, listening to what Mara had to say about the other Eliksni in the Reef. "I can see them first thing tomorrow." Raksis nodded, looking down at the food on her plate. She could only imagine what the eliksni had gone through under the reign of Skolas. Already in the first few hours of being here she had already heard the stories of Variks in the Reef, and how his top arms had been docked by Skolas. "Scouts kept me updated when Skolas was in power. How he manipulated the remaining houses, made them weak." She rumbled, leaning back into her chair. "I hope I can restore some faith in them. The...ah...Guardians?" She shrugged; she wasn't familiar with...them. "They helped you imprison Skolas? And he is held here?" She asked, looking down at Mara again.

Mara listed as Raksis spoke, it was hard not to give full attention the Kell when she spoke. A frown pulled at her face at the mention of Skolas' the self proclaimed Kell of Kells who terrorized the reef. "The Guardians played a very large role in aiding the reef in his capture yes." She left a hand stroking the back of the little dreg on her lap, the other reached for her drink "he's locked away and hunted for sport now." The Queen took a long drink from her glass, she had been more then satisfied with his punishment. She rememebered the look on frightened Eliksni faces as they docked in her bay. They jumped at any awoken who approached them and it took many long months for them to engrain themselves into their society.

She watched as one of the chefs came out, lower arms fumbling quietly as she watched the feast be devoured by house midnight. Her eyes lit up at the sight of so many of her kind all in one stop. When she spotted Raksis the chef quickly bowed her head out of respect. "That is my head chef. Her skills for awoken and Eliksni dishes alike know no match." Mara took another sip, soothing the dreg in her lap as it made a small noise "many attempted to join my guard but they had been so weakened by Skolas the training proved to be too much" a frown found its way into Mara's face as she continued, nodding to her guard Captain helping a small dreg eat "Captain Yodin nursed many back to health herself, it was her program that lead to the finding positions outside of violence where they truly thrived."

It had been a few months since the alliance between House Midnight and the Reef had began and the visits to the Reef came more frequently for the Kell and her house. Every visit brought a ripple of excitement through the Ketch, each Eliksni happy to have a small place to settle for a few weeks without worry of anything. It filled Raksis with a sense of happiness as well; to see her large and extended family at peace. And she was able to spend more time with Mara. The Awoken Queen was seen as a friend to the Kell instead of just an ally.

She exited the large ship, relaxation taking over when she saw the queen. Seeing Mara made her chest feel warm and tight, the eliksni rumbling with a deep purr. Looking down at her sisters, she gave them each a pat on the head. "Go do what you please, I'll be fine with the queen." Each of her siblings gave her a look, but immediately started chattering amongst themselves as they left to spend the day as they wanted. Raksis turned back to Mara, approaching and gently taking one of her hands as she reached her. "Mmm, it is lovely to see you again." Raksis rumbled, bowing her head to give Mara a little bump against her forehead. "Ah, is your little shadow not following today?" The Kell chuckled, raising a free hand to pat Mara on the back before letting her hand go. "Unless you have anything we need to discuss, I am free." She kept her hand on Mara's shoulder, giving her little rubs.

Soft glowing eyes darkened as the large Kell emerged from the impressive Ketch. Her eyes followed the impressive form as she finally set foot into the reef. It had been too long since the Queen had last seen her ally and more importantly her friend. The months since they had shown each other how strong the other was as an ally and never once faltering. Raksis had proven her weight in someone Mara could depend on, the reef could depend on. The Eliksni who had lived in the reef long before Raksis arrived had quickly devoted themselves to the Kell. Mara could not blame them.

She shifted where she stood as Raksis approached. She could feel the waves of power rippling from such a strong being. The Queen's sensitive skin prickled when Raksis took her hand, her thumb briefly feeling over Raksis. "It's been too long" she spoke, leaning into the gentle forehead touch. "He tends to spoil such occasions so I sent him to meddle in other affairs." Mara spoke plainly moving her hand to rub the large hand on her shoulder. The light touch of the  Kell made the awoken Queen Incredibly warm, a tightness formed just low of her waist, it happened often when Raksis was near.

Shifting once more Mara offered her arm to Raksis, once again feeling over the thick hand that no doubt had felled so many foes. "Nothing new to discuss, your journey is such a long one and you need your rest." Her much smaller hand dipped in between the claw like fingers. "My quarters are always open to you....I would like to discuss your travels, if you would like..." She glanced up at Raksis for a moment, before continuing to rub her hand.

Easily the Kell could see how warm the Awoken had gotten the closer she was to her, the idea of it causing a deep rumble in her chest. She took Mara's much smaller hand in hers, Raksis giving it a small and gentle squeeze. "He knows how to ruin it, a way I cannot explain." She grumbled. The prince still rubbed her the wrong way; with each visit he seemed to get more tense that she was still even arriving at the Reef, as if he was still important to the society. Raksis had seen and heard plenty from the Queen; the Reef and the Awoken as a whole was a matriarchal society, and even the eliksni have hardly seen any men wandering around besides that shadow.

Raksis had been lead into the Queen's quarters; the room was large and she swore the bed took up half of it. And the entire room smelled of Mara, causing the Kell to begin her purring. She moved towards the bed, testing it with one of her lower arms before laying on it, her deep purring seeming to echo the entire room. "Your bed is incredibly soft..." She rumbled, turning her head to look at Mara. "You might not be able to get me out." The large eliksni snuggled further into the bed, taking in more of the sweet scent of Mara Sov that lingered on the covers. "Mmm...will your brother come looking for you if he cannot find you?" Raksis asked, her eyes never once leaving the queen.

The Queen's Chambers were large and impressive, a deep and dark view of the reef took up the entirety of one wall. The other walls hung historic relics from events that built the reef into what it was now. Though now the large roomed seemed no bigger then a broom closet with Raksis inside. The Queen watched as the Kell moved to her bed, a bolt of warm electricity shot through Mara as the Eliksni made herself comfortable. "You say that as if I would want you to move" she spoke low, walking to the edge of the bed as her eyes roamed over such a large form.

Mara looked at all the armor the Kell still wore  and reached for the straps against her thick legs. "My Chambers are yours Raksis, surely you can remove some of this armor and allow yourself to truly to relax." She glanced up at Raksis before letting her hand slip under the thick armor, her small hand having no trouble exploring the small gap between the Kell's protection and her skin. It was warm but smooth, no doubt from the years of wearing such heavy armor rubbing at the hard thick skin. With dark eyes the Queen continued to rub under the leg armor, a dry laugh escaping at the mention of her brother. "I'm sure he will be informed I am in my Chambers, it is known once I am here that I'm not to be disturbed. Even more so if I am with my most treasured ally" the skin under the armor so was smooth and almost soft to touch, she wondered if that proved to be the same everywhere on the large Kell. She wished to find out, but for now she simply allowed her hand to roam along the leg and thigh of her guest.

The kell hardly took her eyes off of Mara; she especially couldn't keep her eyes from the heat that centered at the Queen's hips. Her purring slowly faded, instead focusing on the various trophies in the room. What hung on the wall was impressive, Raksis recognizing the skull of a large creature from another planet in another system. Idly she wondered if it was a beast that the Awoken had felled herself, making her strength and prowess in a fight even more impressive. Sitting up on the bed, she looked down at the much smaller woman. She wanted to hear every war story that was had to offer, but they had to wait for another time.

Raksis rumbled a laugh at her suggestion, nodding her understanding. "It can be cumbersome most days." She agreed, reaching behind her head to undo the tight straps that held her mask and helmet on her head. Even under her mask there were hidden scars that marred her face, none to extreme to ruin her features. Most of them came from minor scuffles in the ketch she grew up in, and the largest of them stretched across her face, the only wound infliced by House Midnight's previous Kell. Eliksni masks were hardly necessary either; they were used more as a failsafe to older Eliksni to acclimate themselves to the air they lived in, as adaptive as the fallen had been since the Whirlwind.

The soft mohawk of hair on her head was long and kept well, Raksis giving the strands a little fluff with one of her hands so it wasn't so flat on her head. She rumbled out a small purr when Mara felt under her armor, her eyes falling back onto the Queen. Her lips curled back into a surprisingly gentle smile, her teeth exposed for only a few seconds. Reaching for Mara, she placed a hand on her back and another under her thighs, lifting the light woman into her lap. "I could use help in removing the rest." She rumbled lowly, slowly beginning to rub Mara with a pair of hands.

Mara had been going out on quite the limb for being so forward with the Kell. Raksis was a friend and she was almost certain she could read what was behind the heated gaze they often shared during meetings. The deep purring was a good indicator she was headed in the right direction, her body radiated heat from the idea. The awoken Queen mating with one of the most mightiest Kell's in their star system. She allowed herself to finally breathe when large hands moved her onto Raksis's lap, she arched a bit at their touch, leaning into the rub the Eliksni offered.  "I most certainly will..." Her voice betrayed her cool demeanor, it was thick with excitement.

Small, Swift hands worked at any straps she found, the armor was meant to protect rather then be hastily removed and it showed. Though the multiple buckles were no match for her hunger as she freed Raksis. Darkened eyes went to meet the Kell's as she removed the final strap, allowing the thick leather to slide off. For months now Mara had allowed herself to have such fantasies about this moment, none of them could have prepared her for the sheer girth and size of her very endowed ally. Mara loved the Eliksni people, she seen the ones that lived in the reef as her own people for years, as she now had with House Midnight. Knowing their species for so long still gave no insight on proper mating, the idea of accidently offending Raksis put worry into the Queen for a moment. Glancing up at the large Kell for a sign of displeasure and finding none she continued. Her hands dipped around the base of the intimidating member, slipping  for a moment into the soft skin just against protective hard skin. The contrast was incredible and the heat she felt coming from such an intimate place thrilled the Queen. Her hands massaged against the soft, warm flesh before her eyes met Raksis once more in a quick check for premission. Without another hesitation she brought her lips to the deeply swollen head. They danced over the warm skin for a moment, enjoying the heat against her cooled lips. Mara's eyes met Raksis' once more, nothing but respect and kinship filled them as a gentle and eager tongue joined in on the adoring.

-*-

Morning was never had a clear indicator in the Reef. No light shown in the inky royal purple mass, the same pieces of abandoned metal and parts still drifted caught in the darkness of Space. The Queen lay still on her large lover, her once darkened eyes now had a soft glow about them as she traced a small scar on the Incredibly large and broad chest. Her sensitive skin glowed in the after effect of their activities, the void imbedded in her skin flicked and swirled just out of touch. She attempted to adjust herself but a delightful pain shot up from her legs further anchoring herself to Raksis. A pleasant hum came from the Queen as she reveled in her soreness.  "Oh, Raksis" she breathed, shifting as much as she could to look up at the large Kell  "I have....never shared myself in such a way...with anyone." She started, carefully choosing each word that followed  "I want you to know....I have had many allies, those who sworn themselves to the reef, I have had betrayal and loss. But none....none have been like you." The Queen shifted a bit, leaning up to brush her face against the Kell's, pressing her lips gently against the curve in her mouth.  "This is....we are something unique and I hope you share my feelings in....continuing" she had hoped she made herself clear. Becoming one with the Eliksni had unlocked a deep and lonely ache within the Queen, one she wished for Raksis to fill.

The kell was relaxed into the soft and deep pillows at the head of the queen's bed, the large eliksni quite surprised the bed was just large enough to support her entire form. The only other bed that matched the size was her own on the ketch. A deep and pleased purr resonated from her chest, never having been quite so satisifed but still longing for more from anyone she may have laid with in the past. Raksis held the queen carefully on top of her, a pair of hands idly tracing the faint scars across Mara's form. She wanted to know the detail of every story behind each scar, wished to know everything she could about the queen. But for now she was content with the moment they currently shared.

Her head looked up when Mara addressed her, using her other pair of arms to gently bring Mara closer to her face. The purr in her chest grew a little louder at her words, her hands stopping their rub to rest them on the Queen's back. "You have an ally until Midnight falls." The kell rumbled, her voice raspy with the purr in her chest. "Though I doubt we ever will now. Eliksni bonds with mates are...strong, hard to break, impossible. You have that now." Faint excitement backed her deep voice, her head leaning forward to meet Mara for a short kiss. "I do, I wouldn't want anything else." Her head remained forward, gently pressing back against Mara's before leaning her head back to admire her.

The Queen stretched for the hands that rubbed against her sensitive skin. The tough hands of the Kell stimulated her skin in the most pleasing way that caused a soft mmm to rise. There had never been a partner so worthy, one she trusted so deeply then the large Eliksni in her bed, a bond they had formed was one she had almost abandoned until her ketch docked in the reef.

Raksis' words sent a warm shock down her spine, the Kell considered them mates. The Awoken Queen mated to the Kell of House Midnight. A genuine smile found itself on her face as she leaned in to meet the kiss. Her lips finding comfortable purchase as they had so many times the night before. "The reef and your house are strong allies, but I believe you and I" she spoke against Raksis' mouth, etching her words against her skin "we are much more."

The Queen managed to scoot herself up on the large body, her body singing from being filled. A feeling she knew now only Raksis could provide. Mara wrapped her arms around  Raksis' neck, she had come to understand a few Eliksni gestures, seeing them usually dip their heads to their captains, exposing vulnerable necks. The Queen thought for a moment before doing the same for Raksis, exposing her neck to the Kell as a sign of trust.

The Queen closed her eyes, allowing the feeling of them both together take over her as she pressed herself more into her new mate.

A terrible loud sound ripped through the silence. Quick beeps in succession as a comm device went off across the room. Mara buried her face deep into Raksis, hoping the ringing would subside. Whoever it was would be found for breaking her golden rule of disturbing her in her Chambers. "Mara? Mara it's nearly mid day and not a single Paladin has heard from you, where have you been your room is locked. You have several meetings you need to attend and these Falle-....ugh Eliksni keep following me around asking for their Kell, what am I supposed to tell them!" Uldren's message rung out in the room before silence fell once more, the Queen sighed against her large lover before leaning back "it seems we are both needed.....I'm....not sure I can walk."