NT veRse (P-tier) - Aniyub 1 - Introduction

“Why do you have to leave?” Sandra asked in an exasperated tone. Her son had already consumed so much of his time with work, and when it was over finally he was simply leaving for a far off land that was a little over a month of travel away. It was too far for consistent correspondence. Their contact would be so far between and so few.

“Relax, mother.” Neil smiled gently and rested a hand on her shoulder as he leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. There was very little she could say or do to stop him. He was quite free to do or go wherever he wished. As a Tryskan Noble he was unrestrained by basically everything, let alone one woman.
“Remember Ceirel?”

Her expression brightened. “The delegation from... That one place? He was so kind and considerate. So curious.”

Neil nodded. He remembered having to stop the Jackal from attempting to serve his Mother tea in place of the servants. It was amusing that the young man was so taken with her that he would try. At least, that was what he took it as.
“He left back for Aniyufar a while ago but stated that he would attempt to convince his family and people to extend an invitation for me to go there and visit similar to how he came stay here with us. Well, I forgot about it at the time but I received word back from him finally and it seems the trip has been approved on both ends. I visit my friend and I get to bill it as official business.”

The woman sighed. “I suppose it will be good for your career. I just wish you would have told me sooner.” She complained.

“Like I said, I thought he was simply being polite up until the moment I received his correspondence.”

His Mother seemed to concede that it was happening as she added. “I see. Please send my regards to Ceirel when you arrive. He was positively lovely as a guest. You should try to appear as such to them.”

“I know, Mother.”

-

Neil gasped, moving to the edge of the ship. Boats traveling from the south of Trysk to Alkebulan had to be sturdy as the waters were treacherous even in such a narrow sea. In stark contrast to the deep, dark, inhospitable water that he stared out onto for most of the trip, the moment land was sighted Neil was treated to crystal-blue sea with colorful reefs meters down that hid untold quantities of life such that he had never seen. The ship took a far deeper route to skillfully skirt the shallows but off to the side he made out long fishing vessels where bronzed Jackal men were persistently diving down with nets. It seemed difficult but he did catch one instance of a man coming up with a nearly fully net that he tossed over the side of a larger, submerged net attached to the boat they used.

As they got closer he was treated to an even greater sight. It was the spires of the library that Ceirel had told him about. The archive that held hundreds of thousands of tomes gathered from across the whole world. The Jackal would often brag somewhat dubiously that it was the site of the very first bound book. Xandrya sat on the delta of an extremely important river that emptied out into the sea. All of Aniyufar's cities sat on the shores of the Lilu but Xandrya was the greatest of them, being a center for trade and commerce throughout the world. The denizens known as Jackals by outsiders, were the Aniyub and Neil resolved that he would try to make sure not to slip up and address them rudely. He had come prepared and learned a passable amount from Ceirel, though his friend actually spoke very little about his home aside from the most brag-worthy landmarks and traits and a statement that he would quickly come to understand; that it was host to the 'Greatest Women in the World.'

As the ship pulled into dock Neil grinned ear to ear as he spotted his friend standing attentively off to the side in wait. As sailors unloaded cargo, Neil found a window of time to descend the ramp and greet the man he had not met in months.
“Ceirel!”

“Neil, I am so happy you made it! I am so eager to hear every aspect of your journey, even the boring parts.” Ceirel claimed. Neil knew the man to be incredibly polite with just a slight tint of the somewhat stereotypical Aniyub 'venom' that people come to expect from a people that consider themselves to be the center of the known world. He did not want to hear every detail, but he would sit and listen politely simply because that is who he was, and Neil always did think Ceirel was quite  a strange one.

He took in the sight of his friend and commented. “Look at you, you are so...” He was not quite sure what to say. The Anayub was about as tall as Neil but with chiseled form and bronze skin. He had short, smooth hair styled in a round bob cut. His ears, in very typical fashion pointed straight up and were swiveled attentively in Neil's direction, though one would turn quickly at the slightest sudden sound on the dock from the unloading. Ceirel wore a loose, bright robe where the chest was quite open and there were not arms to speak of so his biceps were on display. It was quite like every attractive part of him was there to be looked at. To add to that impression her wore jewelry around his neck. Gold chains and a very beautiful gold choker with a red gem in the socket to match his eyes. Ceiral saw Neil's eyes center on it so he touched it lightly and asked.

“This? It is so I do not get moved on, friend. I am quite a trophy so all of the women need to be able to see that I am taken.”

Neil laughed out loud. “That must be inconvenient for when you go to pick someone up. Do you take it off?”

Ceirel stared at Neil sympathetically. “Be careful.” He took Neil's hand and began to move, intending for them to be locked as they walked side by side off of the dock.
“I do not take it off.” Ceirel stated casually with a shrug.

“I understand, you are very faithful to your partner. I apologize.” Neil corrected diplomatically. He had thought that they were meeting as friends but the tone had shifted from when Ceirel was a guest in Neil's land.

Ceirel smiled coyly and stared up in thought. “Faith is part of it, yes. The other part of it is that I am promised to my Wife by my family. If I were to disrespect that bond or break it in any way I would jeopardize my family's position.”

“I see. I didn't know you were to be married. You didn't mention it, Ceirel.”

The man chuckled softly. “I... Honestly did not want to think too much about it. It is a lot of pressure and signifies the 'end' for a lot of men. I am not bothered, but I simply wanted to enjoy my youth a bit without having to consider what was to come.”

“Sounding very... Apocalyptic. We have marriage back where I'm from as well, remember. It's not so bad.”

“For you.” Ceirel rebutted. Without context Neil did not have much to consider. It felt cryptic.
“I was very curious when I visited; how the women in your society function. I thought that it would be cathartic to see them in that state, and it is not quite the same but against expectations I felt less satisfied to see it and instead, now more than ever I feel I connected quite closely with your Mother. I wish I could have spoken to her more.”

“Careful, Ceirel.” Neil chuckled.
“I'm going to get the wrong idea.”

“More jokes.” Ceirel seemed tired.

“My apologies, again, friend. I'll try to show a bit more deference.” Neil bowed his head in apology.

“For your sake, please do.” He requested seriously.

-

Ceirel's home was about as grand as it was described. It was a large structure with a walled courtyard. Inside children playing together, boys and girls. Ceiral stared wistfully at them as they passed.
“Most are Nieces and Nephews of my Sisters.”

“Sisters in law?” It was strange to Neil, as the women and children would typically be present at the Father's family home. But he guessed that they were visiting.

“No.” Ceirel corrected.
“They are my Sister's.”

“Ah, so your brothers and their wives, do they all live in this place, too? The whole family?” It was a large enough place that Neil could have believed it.

“My older Brother is with his Wife's family and my younger is still awaiting his arrangement.”

“Oh.” Neil continued to be pulled by the hand into the main hall. Seated centrally in a comfortable chair, with a younger male Aniyub hanging off of her outstretched arm affectionately, was a Matronly Aniyub woman. Like Ceirel she had darker bronze skin. She wore her long dark hair back, bound by loose gold rings. Unlike with Ceirel's state of dress she wore a fairly conservative gown adorned in golds and reds. It was lavishly constructed to fall loosely over her figure. It was something that seemed to be a dream to wear in comparison to the female clothing of Trysk with its corsets and lifting braziers and stockings and garters and uncomfortable shoes. As Neil and Ceirel entered the woman gently lifted her arm from the boys grasp and gave him an urging pat on the back.

“Water.” She spoke very certainly and with an aura of command.
“From the well, darling. The bottom. See that it is chilled.”

Ceirel released Neil's hand and huffed. “Mother, please let me.” He implored. He shrunk as the woman stared him down and the boy ran off towards the courtyard.

“He is learning.” She paused, leaving those words hanging, then her stern lips curled into a welcoming smile.
“You are already perfect, child. Come.” Neil followed until a few feet before reaching the woman. He stopped and watched with interest as Ceirel took steps towards the woman as he had done with his mother a thousand times before. Instead of standing over her as he would have, resting a hand on her shoulder and leaning down to greet her with a kiss, Ceirel instead carefully slid down to one knee at first, then both and inched the rest of the way until he was leaning over her lap with his head lower. He closed his eyes and breathed slowly and gently until her raised hand landed comfortably on his head between his ears. At that point his body relaxed. The woman glanced up in Neil's direction assertively and elegantly shifted, crossing one leg over the other to make room on the other side. Her hand raised slightly above the armrest beckoningly.

Neil raised his hands. “N-” Before he could say anything, Ceiral turned his head to stare sharply from the woman's lap. Neil sighed and mimicked what he saw as best he could. He got close, slid down to one knee, then the other and scooted close. Something about his posture or demeanor must have been off because Ceirel audibly cringed as her hand landed on Neil's head, fingers wove into his blonde hair, and gripped, just shy of it being too painful. She was careful not to yank or pull suddenly, it was just a constant, ever-present tight sensation that broadcast clearly that he had done wrong somehow.
“Ah!” He grunted. Neil relaxed as she loosened her grip and guided Neil's head into the same lowered position near her lap with her hand stroking his head as she did Ceirel's.

“Such a poor man. You were not wrong about the stock on 'that' side of the world. I had thought you were telling jokes initially.” She cocked her head to one side and exhaled deeply.
“Are we meant to teach this one how to behave? Did you have issue when you went over, Ceirel?”

“No Mother.” Ceirel admitted timidly. He kept his head lowered and turned so that Neil's and his eyes could meet as he spoke. He seems somewhat apologetic.
“Where Neil is from, males are favored, so I was not scrutinized as much. I was left to my own.”

“Hmm...” She passed her gaze from Ceirel back to Neil. As she spoke her hands idly stroked them on the head like one would a favored pet in their lap.
“Are you engaged?”

“W-what? No?” Neil uttered in complete surprise.

“How long will he be with us?” She questioned Ceirel.

“Indefinite.” It was true. He had not set an end date for the trip as it was on his families dime, all of which was his. He was able to freely travel, move, stay or leave as per his wishes. Or so he believed.

“What is this child's stock?” The Mother asked forwardly.

The question hung for a few seconds before Ceirel very awkwardly stated. “H... He is of good stock and standing. His connections are substantial and his resources are adequate. His ability to produce value is quite high.” He seemed to be offering some important metrics. The woman nodded along. She turned her attention back down to Neil.

“Are you interested at all in being with an Aniyub woman?” She clicked her tongue.
“I feel slightly responsible for you since you've landed at my door like some stray. But I've already cared for my own. I have a child still to guide and my Daughters and Grandchildren still deserve a Mother's attention... I would have a suitor if you are interested. I believe my child would know her.”

Neil had no idea how to answer, but when he tried to gauge Ceirel's reaction Neil found that his chin was forcefully turned to acknowledge only her. Only she filled his vision with her deep red eyes boring demandingly down into him. It was almost hypnotic how much of a dominant Aura she struck, and how. She was not overly forceful or strong. It did not feel like a masculine kind of dominance that projected strength and threat and protection. Her's was a calm dominance where the threat felt far more abstract and confusing. Her words weighed on him and did not beg a response. He felt free not to answer, or to refuse, but with that would come disapproval. Judgment. A withdrawal of something that Neil felt instinctively like he would sorely miss. He gave in somewhat pitifully but with that came a welcome sensation. Goosebumps.

“I suppose I'm interested.” The look of approval on her face and the shudder he felt as her hand wove more gently into his hair and rubbed his scalp was all the explanation he needed for the woman's power. Where he acted in accordance with what she wanted he felt a pure and innocent nurturing air that would undoubtedly be stripped and denied the moment he acted poorly. It was the same feeling he felt as a child while directly in his mother's care. It was a feeling he thought he had grown out of. His own mother had lost the ability to utilize those feelings as a threat and even when she was at the height of her influence with him it felt so much like those emotions and feelings and thoughts were owed to him as a boy, that it was barely a threat at all.

Ceirel stared at him sadly. The woman released them both, but even while it was overbearing and strange to Neil, he felt a firm longing for that tentative affection. Ceiral took Neil's hand and lead him out as the boy from earlier entered with a crystal glass of water.
“There he is.” She cooed comfortingly. Neil caught his expression. That even in that small instance the euphoria of obedience to the matronly figure was being instilled in him at such a young age. Neil guessed it had been so for Ceirel, too.

“You made a mistake.” Ceirel claimed frankly.
“I could have passed you off as an outsider if you refused.”

“I- I wanted to, but I just felt so...”

“Powerless?” He let out a short laugh.
“Yeah. Mother is the Patrician of Xandraya. She controls the men of the guard and the soldiers that protect this place so easily, so I suppose it makes no sense to expect you to be able to resist.”

“I don't understand... These women are-”

“Quite powerful.”

“It's a female centered society? You never offered a hint to that. So the guards and the soldiers and all of them are-”

“They're men. Mostly. A woman could if she desired, I suppose.” Ceirel shrugged easily.

“They're not in control but they still fight?” Neil asked as he and Ceirel took a shaded seat in the courtyard.

“It's hard for you to understand, but it is just expected of them and they accept it. It is a man's duty to work and provide value. At the base level, that may be going out to catch food, or make money through some service for the household to survive. They must. If they do not they are useless. Pointless. Unable to give life and unable to even assist it...”

“But then... What about the woman?” Neil found it to be quite backwards.

“Things are weighted differently. I was surprised by the way things worked in your culture, Friend.” Ceirel remarked.
“The mothers raise the boys, who then participate in society. If you think about it, it all makes perfect sense here. We value things in different measures and women simply provide more weight to to world as a whole. Where you are from a woman's nurturing and ability to give life and contribute to the health of a child is not valued. It is simply expected. To us, it is everything. It is something that is weighted so highly while the man's role, to provide, is simply expected. Any man can provide some value in some way... No man can do what a woman does so Naturally and easily.” Ceirel explains. He seemed to believe it wholeheartedly.
“I... Just wish they could be a bit nicer about it.”

“So men are just expendable here...”

“No.” Ceirel scoffed.
“Are women expendable to you? Possibly. To some in your land a woman is a creature that has a child and then loses purpose and I am sure to some here, a man is simply a machine that produces value and adds some necessary qualities to a woman's life. But that is not normal. We simply 'live' here just as you do. I have it far better than most, so I am grateful for Mother. She raised me quite well and offered me a partner where I will not need to strain to produce value as the common man would. I was given the ability to travel and see parts of the world that most would not. You do not have to participate in such a society. I can beseech mother to take back her offer and explain that you were confused.”

Neil covered his mouth and leaned back. “Honestly, I'm not confused I'm intrigued.” He blushed deeply and felt a deep shudder fall over him as he thought of how Ceirel's Mother made him feel.
“Are all of your women like that?”

Ceiral slumped down. “I know that look. No.” He sighed.
“Not all. Some are better. Some are wor-” He did not get to finish.

“B-but the woman your mother was talking about. She said you would know her?”

Ceirel nodded and reluctantly explained. “My soon-to-be wife has a sister who is seeking a suitor of good standing. They are Royal. Mostly figureheads, holdovers from the old ways, but they are of high status and wealth.” The man leaned over and stared at Neil pleadingly.
“Please listen, friend. You are not 'groomed' into this. It is not all fun head-pats and gentle cuddling. She will want to make you into an Aniyub man. Do NOT do this. I will host you for a month or so, you will enjoy the sights and then I will see you off as you did for me.”

-

“Be polite.” Ceirel hissed, dragging Neil along.
“Please.”

“I am polite...” Neil protested.

“You do not know what politeness means. Please just follow my lead.”

“Okay?”

They entered the room. Standing in the center in a loose white dress with short dark hair and bronze skin was a stunningly attractive girl that Neil was told to be Ceirel's suitor. She held a gentle, meek expression with her hands folded in front of her. It did not seem too bad. She was glancing away, but turned. Her eyes caught Neil's. He smiled and her smile widened. She tilted her head back subtly. Before he could do anything else Ceirel already had to act. Neil felt a forceful hand on the back of his head tilting Neil's head down to stare at the floor. Rather than being treated to the woman's stunning, heavy breasts and child-bearing curves he was instead directed to look down at her cute painted toes.
“I told you.” Ceirel whispered.

“I forgot.” Neil admitted, being brought forward once politeness had been achieved, for the first stage at least. As they got close Neil was treated to the sight of a raised, loose, outstretched hand with rings and chains hanging from it, connecting to unique bangles. Neil likened it to the way the Mother's hands rose just above the armrest to receive them. Neil knew that he had to lower himself. The hand would not rise to meet his head, he would have to meet it. He lowered himself to his knees and committed another mistake instantly. The hand did not touch his head. He looked over to see it was the Same for Ceirel, but he was bent down and his knees had not yet touched the ground in a show of minor endurance. There was a pause, then she landed her hand on top of his bob cut head between his ears, allowing him to finally lower all the way to a resting position on his knees. Neil gulped and hazarded a look up. The woman looked as though she had seen a bug as she stared down at him. She curled and withdrew her hand daintily while her other casually and affectionately stroked Ceirel.
“S-sorry.”

She shook her head lightly and lifted her eyes in condescension. “He knows not what he does or how to behave. This is meant to be handed off to 'that' Sister of mine? Does my Dear, Great Mother in Law have a grudge on this poor fellow?” Neil wondered nervously what she meant.

“I am not sure. I can not pretend to understand.” Ceirel admitted, shooting a stare over in Neil's direction.
“Either of them...”

His wife nodded evenly. “True. You can not.”