The golden serpent, Kaharabu, wound herself around Su's forepaws before coiling up around her neck; looping there like an extravagant necklace. All golden scales and ruby eyes. She was a beauty and a beauty who was growing fast--and heavy. A small, red paw reached up to loosen the coils about her neck and, with a soft huff, Su stretched out on her belly on the sand.

"You're growing faster than I am, Kaharabu."

The snake gave a soft hiss and, in her strange, clipped speech - to avoid the irritating snake-lisp - she replied: "I shed my skin as I grow. It is quicker." There was a momentary silence and then Su was up on her paws again, moving slowly and awkwardly across the ground with the added weight of the snake draped around her neck and shoulders.

"Something bothers you, little Su?" The snake asked.

"Not a bad bother." The juvenile replied. "A good bother. Mother and Father have asked me to attend the pride voting with them." Her voice was tinged with pride and her head lifted just that little bit higher. "Everyone will see me sitting there with them! They'll get to see their future magistrate!" This was her first step into a life of grandeur and importance! The first of many successes in her career. She could not have been more proud of herself...or more nervous.

"You will be wonderful." Kaharabu encouraged. "I will be there in the background watching."

"You won't be with me?"

"This is your moment, little Su. Your first moment in the spotlight. It is yours alone, but fear not. I will join you in your second and all those that follow. I think, for now, it will be important for you to stand alone."

"But my parents will be there."

"Yes as the Regents. As the authority. Not simply: mother and father."

"I suppose."

The snake nodded agreeably, her head lifting to glance out across the desert; her fanned neck flexing. "Looks like we have company."

"Hm?" The juvenile looked up, narrowing her eyes to fix on the approaching shape. Ah! She'd know that swagger anywhere! A small smile spread across her maw and with a small sniff, she moved forwards in as ladylike a manner as she could muster. "Morning, Elda! What are you doing? Have you been out on duty?"

The other female was slightly larger - both in height and muscle. Whereas Su was elegant and lithe, Elda was heavy and bulky with a slight, unkempt wave to the fur around her neck. It gave her a slightly ruffled and menacing appearance, though there was a friendly enough light in her eyes. The girls were of similar age and had found companionship early on in life despite being rather different. Su was the brains of the operation whilst Elda was the brawn. She was a bit of a simpleton, but loyal and strong and worked very, very hard. It was Elda's ambitions to become strong that had won admiration in Su. Working hard, after all, was in her blood and she could not help but respect it when she saw the same trait in others.

"Yep." The female replied in her low and strangely guttural voice. "Training. Training. More training. Getting bigger. Getting more responsibility." She gave a shrug and sat in the sand, casting a glance across Su's face and then to Kaharabu.

"Have you heard about the pride meeting that's happening in a couple of days?" Su asked.

Elda flicked an ear. "Uhh...think so, yeah. Where we get to say what we want to happen about the water, right?"

"Correct!"

"What about it?"

"I'm going to be there in my position as apprentice Magistrate. I'll get to hear the votes and listen in on the choices my parents make." Her heart was hammering wildly in her chest just thinking about it. Responsibility sure was...fun? A strange word to use, but one that Su thought appropriate. After all, it was exciting!

"Oh...great." Elda sounded like she was trying to sound genuine. She also failed at it.

"It is." Su insisted. "Tell her, Kaha."

"It is her first step into greatness." The golden snake added, sliding down to the sand and lifting her head up so she could meet their eyes. "It is very important."

"Well...in that case...well done!"

Su had to forcibly stop herself from rolling her eyes. After all, it wasn't a very ladylike and magistrate thing to do, now, was it? Particularly to a friend and...her only friend, come to think of it. "Will you be there?"

"Where?" Elda blinked.

Su steeled her patience. "At the meeting. To vote."

"Oh...uh...maybe?" She gave her a wide but strangely nervous smile, edging back a little.

"Maybe? Maybe?" Su drew herself up and fixed her friend with a very stern look. "This is an important moment in Firekin history and all you can say is 'maybe'? Come on, Elda. You're of age. You can vote and make a difference. You had better be there, or else."

"Okay. Okay. I'll be there." She was looking slightly harassed, but was clearly not going to disagree with the little spitfire. "Uh...what day was it again?"

Su's jaw tensed. "In two days."

"Alright. I'll remember."

"You had better."

There was a long moment of silence between them which was interrupted by the low sigh from the golden snake. Only then did they relax a little, getting back to their paws and turning around to head back towards the dens. Elda wasn't much of a talker, but Su was quite happy to do that for her anyway.

"Are your teachers impressed with your learning?"

"I guess."

"Is that a yes? Are you being modest?"

"I'm alright."

"Please, Elda. You train all the time. You must be one of the top students by now!"

"They seem happy with my progress."

"Well that's something! Because, well, when I'm grown up and important and I take on more duties, I'm going to need a good soldier to help me and I want that soldier to be you. We're friends, aren't we? You do want to work with me?"

"Yep."

"Well then, use that as motivation! One day you will be hand-picked by the Magistrate to aid her in her ambassadorial role! Just imagine the envious looks that will be cast your way."

"I don't know..."

Su frowned. "Yes you do. Come on, now. You're going to get opportunities others can only dream of. Won't you show me a smile?"

Elda smiled - the expression brief and forced.

Su sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Insist on dragging me on all your adventures?" Elda answered with her dry humour.

"Yes." Su replied with a smile of her own. "Yes I will."

And at her side, the golden serpent smiled, too. Building friendships was a good thing, particularly if those friends could be put to use at a later date. She could not have been more proud at Su's cunning.


/fin