Syri let out a sigh as he lay on the twin-sized bed in the room provided by the manager of the outdoor workers. The room was stationed in the wing of the palace designated for the workers and maids and was humble in size. Syri was grateful he had a large window just above his bed out of which he could watch the sunrise and sunset and observe the birds floating about the courtyard. The furniture was plain, but the zeta did not mind. It was better than what he had growing up.
Syri had passed the interview and would begin working the next day. He had been given the rest of the day to settle into his new environment and become familiar with the workers' side of the palace, the side that the royals never saw. The workers' corridors were always lively as servants and maids came and went throughout the day. Syri turned to look at the set of clothes provided to him that had been set on the single chair positioned in the far right corner of the room and rolled onto his stomach before letting out a long breath.
The zeta closed his eyes and relaxed as he felt the warm, summer breeze float through the opened window and caress the slit of skin on his lower back that had become exposed when he rolled over. A knock on the door brought the zeta from his blank thoughts. Syri slowly opened his brown eyes to gaze at the wooden door. The zeta raised himself on his arms before swinging his legs off the bed and standing to his feet. Syri's bare feet padded on the stone floor softly as the zeta walked to the entrance to his room. The pink-haired rubbed his eye sleepily as he opened the door to reveal a well-built man standing just before the entrance.
"Afternoon, sleepyhead," the man greeted with a wide smile as he lifted his arm and leaned against the frame of the door. He was dressed in the outfit that had been distributed to the zeta. "Are you the new guy?" The male asked with a short lift of his chin. Syri nodded silently in response. The man smiled slightly as he saw the zeta's big, warm eyes staring up at him.
"Who are you?" Syri's voice was quiet as he addressed the stranger.
"I'm Kip. I'll be your mentor and help you settle in. I'm a beta. I'm guessing you're an omega?" Kip raised his brow as he inquired of the pink-haired.
Syri nodded his head in response. "Do you also work in the stables?"
"Spot on," Kip answered chirpily. "So, what's your name?"
"Syri."
"Okay, Syri. It's nice to meet you. You'll be seeing a lot of me from now on. Let's try our best to get along, hm?" Kip said as he extended his hand.
The zeta looked at the outstretched hand for a hot second before slowly reaching out and shaking the beta's hand. The beta's grip was firm as he shook the zeta's hand, the smile on his face growing bigger as he befriended the adorable 'omega'.
"Why don't you follow me, and I will show you around?" Kip offered as he took a step back and tilted his head to the left to gesture down the hall.
"Thank you," the zeta bowed in thanks as he ducked back into his room to grab the key lying on the table before cautiously stepping out into the hallway and shutting the door. Kip waited patiently as Syri locked the door and turned to face him. The beta pressed his lips together and raised his brows at the zeta who came to a silent stand-still.
"Ready?" The beta asked as he bent down slightly to grab the zeta's attention.
"Mm," Syri sounded in response with a short nod. Kip nodded his head a few times as he turned around and began leading the zeta down the hallway. Doors opening and closing sounded as the beta and zeta made their way passed the many doors on either side of the corridor. The zeta stepped closer to the beta as several workers rushed passed him. Kip looked back to make sure the small zeta was faring well in the hurried stream of workers rushing off to continue their duties.
Syri took a deep breath as he and the beta finally broke through the stream of workers and entered the common area that connected three other hallways lined with just as many rooms. Several sofas and chairs lay scattered about as workers took a short break to catch their breaths before continuing their work.
"This is the common room," Kip informed as he gestured to the wide space. "Feel free to come and hang out whenever you're on break or after meals." Syri looked around the room before quickly following the beta down the hallway straight across from the hall from which they had come.
"Kip Inso!" A young voice rang out from behind the two. Kip stopped and turned to see an omega running to him. The beta smiled as he ruffled the boy's hair when the youngster reached him. Syri tilted his head to one side as he observed the omega. He was young, could not be older than fifteen and had light blue hair with bright green eyes.
"Heyah Ibbi! How ya doing?" Kip asked as he smiled down at the boy brightly. Syri remained quiet and still as the beta and omega conversed.
"I need your help. The captain's vorst is back, but I can't even reach his reins to bring him into his stall." A whine left the boy as he pleaded with the beta for help.
"Okay. I'll be right there," Kip told the young omega as he pursed his lips in thought. "Hmmm." Kip turned his gaze to the zeta standing beside him, his eyes lighting up as he thought of a solution. "Syri, why don't you come and watch as I stable Tryst? It will show you some of what we do, so you won't have too big of a day tomorrow. How does that sound? You down?"