Ziz's Questionnaire

Age: 0

The child wails as it is born. Messy, frail, with a mop of stark white hair on their head. They want food. They want warmth. There is a sound. Then a spray of liquid.

Ziz can't understand what the liquid spraying over them is. Ziz also doesn't understand what a mother is. They will learn eventually. But not from their mother.

It took hours of washing before the last of Ziz's mother was washed off of her. The sacrifice completed successfully. Wealth, and power ensured.
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Age: 3

Ziz toddles around the compound. The walls are thick and high. They block the vision of the statues. Ziz looks up at them. The great lady of wings. She is beautiful. Ziz will meet her someday. Because she is special. That is why she lives here full time while the care takers need to leave. It is why her clothes are all white and spotless. 

She is special. The great lady of wings has chosen her. And one day she will meet her. Until then, she will stay here.

Age: 8

Ziz washes herself. The bathroom is fine, and smells of rose pedals. Her towels are soft, and the clothes she wears are silk. A white silk outfit. All of their clothes are white.

She needs to be in all white. 

When she is dressed her servants come in. The keep their eyes down. Ziz isn't one of the blessed. She is one of the servants. But she is a special one of the servants. She has a special purpose. To die as an offering to the lady of the wings. 

It is right that she be served by other servants.

-----

Ziz is presented before the council. 

She is growing well. Her hair is still pure white, a clear blessing from the great lady. She will continue to live in luxury. With books, with tutors, with trainers. Learning, growing. Gaining potential so that when the Lady takes her, the sacrifice is greater. Loving life so that when the lady takes her, there will be a loss endured for her.

Age: 12

Ziz kneels on a pillow. White. Silk. She wears one of her nicest dresses. Hand sown, soft. Beautiful. Perfect. She closes her eyes and keeps her face still.


The blessed examine her. She doesn't watch them, but she knows what they look like. Men and woman. Dressed in the nicest of clothes. Some with objects of great power. Some with strange features. They sit. Elevated. As they should be.

The blessed had seen the great lady. Or at least they have seen similar great one and been changed. Mad Better. Ziz hopes she is good enough for them.

Being good enough for the blessed is all she wants. Her life's purpose. To die for the blessed and exchange her life for their welfare. To ensure their wealth and power. To give them power to tear down those in their way.

Ziz shivers a little, although she quickly works to suppress it. Thinking of her death always caused that reaction in her. A weakness. At least it will increase the value of the sacrifice.


Another servant moves around her. Lifts her arms. Tilts her chin. Runs their fingers through Ziz's hair, undoing her careful braids. Ziz doesn't complain.

"Good. Her physical condition is satisfactory. How is her mental condition?"

"Excellent. She is flawless." Ziz's watcher says this last statement. With focus Ziz is able to prevent a blush.

"How long until she is ready to be offered?"

"2 years. Then she will be perfect."

Ziz's body moves to swallow. Small sweat begins to form. With an effort of will she forces her body into obedient calm.

"Excellent. She will be a fantastic offering."

Ziz continues to do her best to be the perfect servant, as her betters examine her, planning her death.

Age: 14

The bonds on Ziz's arms are tight. They are ropes of white. Her mouth is gagged by a binding of white rope. One of Ziz's eyes is covered. The blue one, so her white eye can look out on those around her.

The blessed are all around her. One of them has the knife.

It is time.

She can't breath. 

Her heart is racing.

Something in her insists that THIS IS WRONG.

That SHE NEEDS TO RUN.

She DOESN'T WANT THIS.

Her watcher had prepared her for feeling like that. Had told her that the regret and the loss at her death is natural. That the feelings will make her a better offering to the great lady. 

It's hard to keep that in mind. She begins to struggle and push against her bonds. She doesn't want this. She is just a kid. She shouldn't have to die. Please.

The knife shines bright. The candles burning bright. Soon that knife will be covered in her blood.


PLEASE GREAT LADY I DON'T WANT TO DIE!


The knife moves over Ziz's chest. The cold of it touches her bare skin.

Then the blessed raises it up.


Then there is a flutter.

A bird. A pure white dove lands on the hand holding the knife.

The blessed stop. 

Ziz stops.

Is... My Lady... Is she saving me?

-----

The ritual was delayed. The blessed interpret the dove. They look. They learn. They commune with Her.

Ziz will not be sacrificed in this way. Something is coming. Ziz must be prepared. And then she will make her sacrifice. She will make a sacrifice to the great lady 10 times, and at each will she sacrifice her life. 

And shall she accomplish this, she will be blessed. Become the avatar of the lady on earth... Not a servant, but one of the blessed. And then she will continue. To make sacrifices and remake the world for the great lady of wings.

But she must be prepared.

Ziz starts her training the next day.