It was night, and for this she was grateful. She had spent her fair share of time in the daylight of late, as she assumed the role that Mauja had so thoughtlessly vacated. Her followers, her kindred, they all preferred the light of day. It was easier to see, for them, easier to forage, or fight, or whatever else it was that normal beings did. But not her. She was a creature of shadows, of darkness. It was a comfort to her, to be wrapped in it, shrouded by that which had become a part of her very name. She was not tired; she preferred not to sleep in the night, when she could accomplish so much, when she could plan, or carry out plans, when she could scout, or steal, or attack. It was so much easier to gain the element of surprise.

But that night, she did none of those things. Her captor was nearby - she could sense his presence - and for her to act against those he considered family would be a very foolish thing, indeed. But one wondered: did he consider them kin, after all? The jackal thought back to her arrival, when the Snake had been congratulated, albeit uneasily, by one lead, only to be admonished by the other. Neither had any true respect for the Serpent and his talents - did they give him leave to reside here out of fear? Certainly it was not out of mutual affection. A sneer crossed her maw briefly. It was a waste, such a shame. She would utilize him, if given the chance. She would not even hold her capture against him. He acted to do as his leaders bid - he was loyal to them, if they were not to him. There was no sin in that.

And he was fascinating to her. Perhaps she felt a certain kinship with him, several of her own qualities serpentine in nature. She liked him, a hard enough accomplishment for her own kind, much less one who had stolen her away from her responsibilities. And yet, here she was, in the dead of night, considering the asset that was the Snake thief. How strange her life had become, that she would view him with any other emotion than hatred, fury. "Speak to me, Psyche. Tell me about yourself. Tell me why." The voice was a hiss from the dark, appearing from nowhere, and yet it came as no surprise to the shadow-mare.

How should she answer his question? What was he asking of her? To tell him about herself would be impossible - she did not describe herself well, and even if she did, she would like as not lie. And did he not know why? Why would he steal her without knowing why he did so? How could he not know of her perceived crimes? Is it possible that they trusted him so little that he was entirely out of the loop? It was incredible - how did they expect to hold their minions without giving them even the illusion of trust? The Dark Empress would use this; she would use him, though not in the way that she used others. The Snake, she would value.

"The Qian and their allies, including your leaders, invaded my home and exiled my family to the far northern wastelands of Helovia. We have taken three of them prisoner, something that I am not ashamed to admit. I am not sure what your leaders hope to gain by my imprisonment, but that is why they have requested my presence." It was an honest answer, lacking, perhaps, in detail, but honest nonetheless. "What else would you like to know, Snake?" She address him in her usual tones, but with respect; she trusted that he would recognize the difference, having heard her address the Sultans so unkindly previously. Still, it was a seductive nature that she had, and her words reflected such.

[W/C | xxx]

There is something in his voice, something that she cannot name, and yet something with which she can relate. She knows that there is much of his past of which he won't speak, many emotions coursing through him that he will not relay. She wonders if her guess is correct, if he feels used and lied to. She knows that she would, if she were him; and somehow, she wants to give him more than the promise of mistrust. His restraint, his control of his most primal instincts, impresses her more than anything else thus far, and she knows that should he cross to her side, his loyalty, his blood-lust, his protection, his skills - all will be utilized and appreciated, at least by her, and certainly by some of her brethren. Not all of them - no, many of them will greet him with fear. But some of them - and the faces roll through her mind in quick succession - some of them will see the gains that will accompany the great Serpent.

She allows him to finish speaking, and then ponders his words for a moment. The choice is any easy one for her, as drawn as she is to the Snake. "My home now is fresh, newly gifted to my kin by the God of Time," she begins. "It is beautiful as no other land I have seen. It would suit you well, I think. As I would suit you well. You are unappreciated here. Even I, an outsider and a prisoner -" the word is a sneer "- can see that you make the Sultans uneasy. How can they put you to proper use if they do not trust you? You have many talents, many skills - you are a better thief than their highest ranking sneak, you are gifting them with better protection than they could ever hope to attain without you."

She pauses. Her words ring with truth, a tone that is often left unused by the Empress. She may lie, and she may sneak, and she may be deceitful, but she has every desire to gain the Snake as an ally and, perhaps, as a friend, or as close to one as the jackal can get. Of course she has ulterior motives - of course she does, doesn't everyone? - but her motives with hold her actions in check where he is concerned, and will rule how she treats him. Is that not enough? "You may hunt whatever you wish, though I would ask that you refrain from making my - your, if you wish - brethren your next meal. And, if you are to accompany me and mine, I should know your name."

[W/C | xxx]