"My Lady, you must understand…" The zebra nervously wrung his striped fingers. "Your husband was certainly an unloved despot, but it is the manner in which you… dethroned him that has your people on edge."
Her Majesty Queen Zariqua lazily licked the back of her paw. "That does not seem fair to me," she said. "After all, I am much less vile than he."
Nervously shifting on his hooves, the zebra retainer made it noticeable that he shared the common sentiment, a hint of fear in his eyes. "All are agreed on that, Your Highness." He bowed slightly. "It is only that most who decided to settle here wished to escape the… unpleasantness of the wild lands for a more civilized atmosphere, and many believe that having a ruler so quick to violence bodes ill for the future. Forgive my impertinence for explaining this to you, the ruler of these lands."
"There's nothing wrong with being violent when necessary," the royal lioness stated flatly. She puffed out her furry cheeks and grumbled petulantly as she stared at her claws. "Sometimes you have to take what you want by force, after all."
"That is just it," her advisor began. "Your people fear you will turn that same vigor on them."
Zariqua stared at him in befuddlement. "But I won't," she said, as if he'd made a silly, juvenile argument.
The zebra sighed and bowed his head again. "Perhaps, if Your Majesty thinks it prudent, you could make a show of humility during your coronation. Show the people that you are not like your husband in this regard."
With a twitch of her whiskers, the lioness queen gestured dismissively. "If that is what you think proper, I suppose it does not hurt." The sandy-colored monarch's tone was brusque but civil. "As long as it does not interfere with my coronation, of course." With a swish of her luxuriously groomed tail, Zariqua stretched out on the throne as if to rest, crossing her paws behind her head.
Sensing his audience had concluded, the zebra quickly added, "Then, I will seek your approval for the necessary preparations over the coming days." The striped aide bowed once more as he backed away from the throne, then retreated into the audience chamber, his hooves clattering across the stone floor.
***
Queen Zariqua crossed her arms, unimpressed by her counselor's plan. "Fashion? Explain yourself," she demanded. "How does making myself some kind of gaudy spectacle placate the public?"
Responding with an awkwardly formal bow, the zebra hurried to explain, "If you look too severe, Your Majesty, you risk being perceived as a threat—particularly since your husband's reign was often characterized by his strong, militaristic approach to handling the city's issues." He paused momentarily before adding, "Allow these two weavers I have hired to expound on the matter."
Looking past the zebra's shoulder, Zariqua noted the pair of excitable hyenas standing by the dais. Before addressing the anthros, she studied the array of textiles draped artfully about their shoulders, colorful fabric rendered in flowing lines and curves. Inlaid stones of various colors and materials accentuated the patterns, almost like colored glass windows, each piece unique and enchantingly elaborate.
Survey complete, the feline queen picked up on the sharp, impatient scents the males gave off. "Fine," she said curtly, already growing bored of the subject. "Spit it out and make it quick."
"We understand your plight as described to us, Your Majesty," one of the hyenas began, "and we're happy to say we have something that will easily and simply solve your problem."
The other one interjected, "Your Royal Highness, what do you know of shamanic practices?"
A paw tapped impatiently against the throne, Zariqua staring down the hyena, wondering how much longer she had to listen to this drivel before the man would be finished with his spiel. "I have never so much as stepped inside a tent or seen a totem during my life," she snapped. "Why should I care?"
"To put it succinctly, our weaves and gems come from the earth, a gift engendered by the spirits themselves. We can take that gift, and then use it to inspire people beyond common ken," the hyena elaborated, sweeping a finger through the air dramatically.
Jumping in to deflate his colleague's efforts, the male next to him said, "Ah, but you must understand, the spirits are fickle things. They do not bear inspiration to everyone, only those who are in harmony with the native surroundings."
"I would not worry, however," the first hyena added, "the people of Wati seem to possess a rather favorable disposition toward the nature around them. Truly, the only ones shunned by this land would be brutes such as the late king."
"Wonderful!" the royal lioness spoke with false enthusiasm. "Do it then; if your… garment can do as you say, have it made for me immediately."
At that, both hyenas grinned. The zebra, catching sight of this, also seemed pleased. "It shall be done, Your Highness. The material has already been procured, and your royal gown will be completed within the week."
Not wanting to linger any further upon the subject, the queen waved a claw dismissively. "If it is not ready in time for my coronation, then I will simply wear my usual attire." Turning her head, she flicked her tail in the direction of the doors, the noise of their footsteps fading until they were gone from view.
***
Fighting to keep her face impassive, Zariqua eyed the loom where the weavers were currently putting the finishing touches on her attire. Supposedly, anyway. All she could see was the device as the hyenas mimed the movements of weaving. By now, several of her courtiers had spoke praises for the exquisite detail and finish of the garment, even if she herself apparently couldn't see it. Nonetheless, there was no mistaking the effect the material had on those around her, judging by the way everyone watched the process with rapt attention. Suddenly turning to her retainer, the queen questioned, "What do you think of it?"
Stiffening, the zebra stammered, "Well… uh, it is certainly a fascinating, intricate design. One that certainly leaves an impact on anyone who sees it." Nervously scratching behind his ear, the zebra added, "You will look marvelous in this garment, Your Majesty. A wonder of the ages."
Satisfied for the moment, the lioness awaited the end of the process, standing in silence while the hyenas twirled the strings of the loom in a dizzying manner. Finally, the loom fell still, and the weavers came to stand in front of their ruler. They held up their creation for inspection, displaying the outfit between their empty paws.
"Uh, yes, it's quite remarkable," Queen Zariqua muttered, reluctantly faking scrutiny of the garment, hoping they couldn't tell that she was unable to see it at all.
The first hyena smirked. "Your Majesty, I'm sure your subjects would love to see you crowned in this," he enthused. As if cued by his comment, a hush fell over the hall as all eyes turned to Zariqua. Their ruler flinched inwardly, praying nobody noticed her momentary trepidation. Still, spirits, magic or not, she needed to rule with aplomb.
Placing her ears forward imperiously, Zariqua declared, "Very well, attend me in my chambers to don this wonderful new garment. It is time to present myself to my people." With that, she swept out of the throne room with her retinue, hyenas included.
Back in her private quarters, the finery was whisked off the monarch, leaving the lioness bare-furred as she stood before the tailors. Taking position around her, they began to work with their vacant hands. Zariqua tensed under their stares, but she resolved to pretend nothing odd was occurring. As her attendants tentatively assisted the weavers, the queen of Wati heard snatches of praise for her clothing and the blessing of the spirits. That, she thought, would have to suffice.
Once finished, she emerged from her chambers, keeping her expression stoic as she felt the cool air swirl around her. Though she wasn't blind to the effect, the tawny-furred royalty figured the weavers' clothes acted like a veil, allowing those outside to see her garb properly but not shielding her from physical effects, such as the chill or heat. Not for the first time, Zariqua wished she understood what exactly made these garments so amazing.
Straightening up proudly, the queen attempted to appear majestic and confident, the perfect ruler. Hoping no one else detected her unease, she strode out of the palace and down to the main square, flanked by her escorts. Hundreds of gazes looked up at her as she moved, watching her approach with slack jaws. Such unwavering interest filled the lioness with unease, causing her to grow increasingly uncomfortable. What did they see, if not her unclad body?
It was a simple mutter from the side, barely discernible above the noise, that broke the spell. "By the spirits, what beautiful breasts," a male voice breathed, nearly causing the queen to topple sideways. Someone in the crowd had noticed and commented on her nude appearance. The anthro to his side quickly shushed him, but the damage had been done.
Caught between murderous rage and acute panic, the lioness brought quivering paws across her obviously exposed parts in a feeble effort to cover them, the deception she was subjected to becoming agonizingly evident.