I mentioned in my skeksis sibling groups post that I was also gonna write an urru sibling groups post, especially since the sibling dynamics differ somewhat from the skeksis, but the actual sibling groups are the same as the skeksis ones ofc.
UrSu and UrVa are brothers. Due to their disagreement on the mystics' involvement with other races, they have some tension between them. They still have a brotherly bond ofc, but Urva prefers to visit the valley for just short periods. UrSu respects his brother's choices, but still wishes UrVa would stay in the valley and abide more by mystic ways. UrVa's sacrifice was a big motivator for UrSu to do something to help the gelfling, which led to him adopting Jen.
UrAc, UrTih and UrLii are siblings. These three are fairly tight knit. UrAc was a fairly prolific writer, often spending day and night writing stories and coming up with new words. He would write down any scientific discoveries by his brother UrTih, as well as any stories and riddles by his sister, UrLii. After UrLii decided to stay with her skeksis half in the Grottan caves, UrAc and UrTih found life rather dull without her:( When UrTih had his eye ripped out, he wound up with PTSD and found that reading his siblings' books helped him whenever he had nightmares, especially if UrAc read to him.
UrZah and UrGoh are brothers. These two were surprising close, considering how often UrGoh was away. UrZah even has a specific sand pattern that he creates just for his brother, which is obviously appreciated by UrGoh, who's fascinated by the patterns his brother traces. UrZah did get worried about his brother being so far away from the valley, especially when his brother decided to seek out his skeksis half after his vision. UrZah trusted his brother ofc, it's other people he doesn't trust.
UrSan and UrIm are siblings. Once again, another sibling group with a surprisingly close bond. They enjoy each other's company. Ofc, as the healer, UrIm worried a lot about his sister's swimming excursions, because of the physical dangers. UrSan does try to stay safe so that UrIm wouldn't have to tend any wounds on her.
UrSol and UrNol are brothers. They have a pretty good bond. As the herbalist who sometimes has a lot of free time while waiting for things to grow, UrNol would sit and chant with UrSol. They loved playing instruments together.
UrMa, UrSen and UrYod are siblings. They have a better sibling dynamic than their skeksis halves. Even though UrSen is a monk who prefers seclusion, she makes an exception for her siblings. She is fascinated by her sister UrYod's mathematical theories and patiently listens to her talk about them. She does break her seclusion to accompany her brother UrMa when he has to go on his peacekeeping missions.
UrAmaj and UrUtt are siblings. They're a fairly close sibling group. They help each other out with their respective roles and talk with each other when resting. UrUtt does weave stuff for him as gifts. UrAmaj brings food for UrUtt so that she doesn't miss meals.
This is the end of my post. I hope whoever reads this winds up liking it:)
Summary: SkekMir finds the demands of the Emperor and of Chamberlain to be difficult to balance, all the while, reeling from her latest and most bizarre dream. UrNah is more eager to explore what those dreams mean, and realizes there are some questions that even the Urru will not answer.
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Another dream of the lovers, but one that SkekMir felt awkward about with a mild sense of lucidity. After another tense moment with the Emperor in his chambers that evening, the Butler wanted nothing more than to lose herself into a far flung fantasy with no court politics and no conniving Skeksis staring her down. However, instead of kisses and secret meetings, she was met with something much more intimate.
It was a rather steamy scene. As SkekMir looked around everywhere but the passion before her, she saw something that shocked her. Or rather, someone. Another person stood at the other end of the dream, and of a kind that she only ever saw once in the forbidden records of the library.
It was an Urru, elegant and rotound with its long lush mane of strawberry blonde hair and freckled skin. Upon closer inspection, SkekMir saw that, like herself, it was a she. Her neck heated up with embarrassment at the thought of watching such an private moment with an unknown and mythical stranger.
I must be overworked to have bizarre dreams such as this! The Butler thought to herself. Suddenly, her thought was answered by another, as if a part of a conversation.
Not so overworked to stop the Lovers from their loving, it seems!
SkekMir, wide eyed, turned to look at the Urru. She had a similar reaction of shock over her face. Just then, the dream ended, and she was back in her overcrowded apartment once again.
For once, SkekMir dared not write in her dream journal. Secure as it was in her hidden dress pocket, it was simply too unbelievable for her to take seriously. An Urru? Interrupting her one escape from the hell she lived daily? She wasn’t sure if she should feel annoyed that her dreaming became odd, or confused as to why it happened to begin with.
And that was before she considered how they seemed to read one another’s minds. Overworked, indeed. SkekMir chose to focus on her duty that morning instead of dwelling on the mystery further. Doda came in, always punctual, and helped her ready for the day. However, she was dismissed as soon as both left her little chamber. The podling servant didn't take it personally, and happily walked away without a heavy cart to push. SkekMir sighed and pushed it instead, ringing bells along the way to get this over with.
The cart was placed on a clever track system along the stairs, pushed upwards, and quickly she made it to the top level, where her leader resided. Upon arrival at the Emperor's chamber door, however, SkekMir was once again deflated. Of course the Chamberlain was waiting for her. He smiled knowingly, holding out the key to the new chambers she desperately wanted. She stopped the cart and curtsied with a frown.
“Butler know what to do, yes?”
“Of course, my Lord…Though I must warn you, this may take time.”
“Hmmm.” He crooned, pocketing the key again. “Chamberlain will be waiting for your return, and your report. Patience is a practiced virtue of Chamberlain's...”
He opened the door for SkekMir with another croon, and she did her best not to look bothered. She would have to come up with a lie quickly then, as she worked. The trolley was set before his desk, and her work began.
At least the Emperor was not an overly needy Lord, and they followed much the same routine as the day before. It went smoothly, and his stares had greatly diminished this time around. Perhaps he grew accustomed to SkekMir already, or no longer found it necessary to scrutinize every movement she made. With Chamberlain to do that for him, why would he? She accepted the grace for what it was and felt relief. Though, he was snorting and scratching at his beak more than usual. SkekMir made a mental note to send a list of cleansing herbs for Doda to fetch from the greenhouse.
Suddenly, her leader spoke up, last second, with a strange request.
“Do you sing, Butler?”
SkekMir looked up from her curtsy in surprise. “Ah, me?”
The Emperor frowned with a cough. She quickly straightened herself upwards to answer less stupidly.
“I mean, uh, well, it’s not that I haven’t, I simply don’t do so as part of my duties here.”
“A ‘yes’ would have sufficed.” The Emperor noted with slight impatience. “Well? Go on then. Show me.”
The Butler blinked in shock. “I…right now?”
The hard look he gave her made SkekMir squeak quietly in her throat, and quickly flattened her apron front and fluff out her floor-length veil as if to prepare.
“Of course, my liege, of course! Ah…”
For just a split moment, SkekMir considered what to sing. A Gelfling melody came to mind, one that Daya had taught her before she was taken. But as soon as she began it, the Emperor struck his staff down with displeasure.
“No! Not from Gelfling.” He said with disgust. “A proper Skeksis song, one you would sing.”
She had no idea what constituted a “proper” Skeksis song, nor whether she even had the same musical tastes as the others. The Butler heard their version of “music” before and found it…discordant, at best. Still, her master waited, and she dared not risk losing the little status she gained thus far over stage fright.
A melancholy tune came to mind, subconsciously sourced from her dreams, her fears, and even the strange Urru she saw within them. SkekMir recited the verses slowly and carefully, giving her time to adjust to the song and soon losing herself to the story…
The starlight falls and gathers around
When should it fade?
When should I bade
Thee farewell? By not cosmic shroud!
The dust in the shade, home never found.
The starfire warms and it burns abound
When shall it chill?
When shall I fill
the one hearth? Again the sound
of unwanted fate now eagerly found.
The stardeath crumbles and loses its crown
When will it rise?
When will my eyes
Open again and leave this shroud—
The dust left behind, home finally found.
SkekMir gasped a little at its end, surprised at how intensely she immersed herself into the moment. Her eyes refocused, and once again, the Emperor stared back. This time, something glinted in his eyes. She found herself preferring his old stares, calculating and piercing, but at least more guarded than what he did now.
“…Very well. You are dismissed.”
Before she could even begin to curtsy, the Emperor walked past her and slammed the door at his exit.
Well, so much for thinking up a lie for Chamberlain. He must have heard it and known there had been no time for SkekMir to do any sort of sleuthing, pretend or otherwise. He mentioned as much when she finally unrooted herself from the stone floor and left the imperial chambers.
“Hm, quite happy with the Butler, yes…” He mused, tapping his beak. He then prattled on about his tasks for the day. His underling simply stared forward as the song looped endlessly in her mind. Perhaps she could write something in her journal after all.
——
“UrNah! Since when do rocks need a brushing?” A half-amused UrMa shouted from across their stone and dirt garden. He had been so focused on his morning meditation (balancing on various feet and hands, and moving his staff alongside him) that he had not even noticed her go outside with a large broom. The Maid stood atop a boulder now and huffed proudly.
“I brush whatever I please, Peacemaker! Return to your meditation or I will brush you too!”
“Of course.” UrMa said with a bow of his head. There was a short moment of silence only filled with the brushing of rock, and the slight of movement with his plain staff. But then, his eyes opened again and they twinkled.
“Master is better seen from outside the courtyard, you know.”
UrNah stopped her brushing and spun around as fast as an Urru could to yell at him. “I was…! I was cleaning! What does he have to do with that?!”
“It’s true, is all. No need to brush me!” UrMa said with his four hands up in the air. “I now return to my meditations…”
Once he had, UrNah gave up her facade and walked away to lean the broom against the outer wall of their rickety wooden and stone home. She then waddled out of the dusty courtyard and towards the meadow that surrounded them, deep in the Valley.
Her desire to see UrSu aside, the Maid adored their home. The grass was rich and strong, filled with gentle creatures and lovely flowers for picking and decorating with. She smiled, half-distracted now, as she picked flowers here and there to put into her mane. Others were worn about her sleeves, and still more placed in her pockets for later use. Once satiated, UrNah snapped out of it and refocused on her main task. She fluffed out her mane just a little bit and began to walk again.
Thankfully he was not far. UrSu sat with his back from her, staff in hand as he stared off into the horizon. Midday was coming though the heat was not unbearable. A light breeze made his hair shift with the air. A bit of grey peeked through his blonde at the roots now.
“Master?” UrNah called for him once close enough. He turned his head to her and smiled.
“Ah! The little maid! Out of shelves to reorganize?”
She hated that she flustered so easily at his teasing, even if she enjoyed it. Hopefully her admiration of him was not so obvious as it felt. “Something like that. But I had no shelves to fuss over to begin with. Something else has been on my mind.”
“Hm.” UrSu hummed, his face softening. “Sit, speak. I have bread to spare, if you have a blossom you can part with.”
“I have plenty, Master.” UrNah replied with a small smile, and took a seat next to him. The grass was flattened and soft, like a nest. Before she could reach in a pocket for payment, she felt fingers brush in her hair, tickling her ear. The Maid paused and looked up.
UrSu had taken the largest flower she had found, placed at her side temple, and admired its beauty for a moment. Then he turned to her, smiling again.
“It’s good that you thought to clear your mind out here first. I find that Thra is better than I in many things, answers included.”
“What sort of answers?” UrNah asked. UrSu placed the flower among his front robes, and took out a roll of bread as promised.
“Answers that are gifted to us, even ones we never asked for. Answers for peace, healing, understanding. Has Thra given you what you seek?”
“N-no.” UrNah admitted. “I’ve never been good at that. I can only ever clean, and maybe cook.”
UrSu gave her a sad smile. “Only ever? Yet you seem so joyful when you work, and the others enjoy your company. Thra is much the same: giving and receiving in a great balance. You more than anyone excel at that.”
UrNah didn’t know what to say to such high praise. It was embarrassing enough that her dreams were becoming more strange; it was worse that she lacked much of the mystical gifts that her Urru friends possessed. “Thank you, Master. I will remember that.”
He hummed agreeably and ate a little of his bread, as did UrNah. When she had a few more bites, UrSu continued.
“But that still leaves you a question for me. What is it, my Maid?”
UrNah swallowed and placed the half-eaten roll in her pocket for later. “I…I seem to be having dreams.”
“Oh?”
“It’s…it’s strange, yet it feels real. Like I’m watching someone’s story come to life, and perhaps it is real. Or is it? I can never tell! I just enjoy them as they come, I suppose. It never seemed that important to figure out.”
“And now it is.” UrSu put forward, more as a statement than a question. UrNah fiddled with the end of the lone braid in her hair.
“I can’t help but feel I’m connected somehow, like I’m where I should be. When the dream ends, I feel as if I have left home instead of returning to it. And then…then I saw her.”
“Her?”
UrNah hesitated a moment. Should she be honest about seeing the Skek? She knew full well how her Master would react. But she saw the blossom in his robes, how good it felt to feel his touch and hear his kind words about her. Perhaps, once more, she could try to reach out to him. At least a little, to ease him into it. Finally she responded.
“She was a strange creature, though not unwelcoming. She was there too, watching. I heard her thoughts, and she heard mine.”
UrSu’s face didn’t stiffen, though it grew closed off. It made UrNah’s heart sink, as if she disappointed him. So much for easing him into her true self: he still detested talk of their other halves.
“Master, I know it’s not permitted for me to dabble with the Skeksis. But I think this is something good to consider. Its not as if she sought me out, or I sought out her. We simply found each other.”
"You mean like UrGoh?"
"This is not like that!" UrNah said with more resistance now. "My Master, please, I don't intend to betray the Mystics. I can't control my dreams, no one can. And it's like you said: Thra is about giving and receiving. I was given this dream, and now I have received it. Would you have me reject Thra's wisdom now? All because of a Skeksis?"
UrSu looked out towards the horizon as he hummed. A pale blue sky was brushed by rolling hills of waving wild grasses, with the occasional tree here and there. UrNah wondered what he could see that she did not. For a moment, she held some hope that he would understand. But his long mouth remained grim and certain, making her hope falter.
“If you see that Skeksis again, do not engage with her.”
“But Master—“
“They cannot be trusted to wait until the Great Convergence, not anymore.” UrSu insisted. He looked to her again, his gentleness there still but shrouded with firm concern. “If she knew about you, she could use that against you, for whatever plots she could further. Us Mystics, we stay here, and wait. We learn and wait until we have taken what we learned and prepare to become one again.”
“But Master, she had no malice, I could feel it!”
“You may feel many things from your half, but trust will never be one you can feel from a skeksis. That is final, UrNah.”
His tone was more commanding now. For the Maid, who knew him as well as the others, he may as well have yelled at her. She lowered her gaze and looked away. For all the daydreams she conjured of him, of all the real life, tender moments they shared, it hurt that he refused her this deep part of herself.
“Yes, Master.”
UrSu hummed in confirmation and made moves to stand up. “UrAmaj no doubt has a meal ready for us. We should go there, and sit with the others. It will be good for you.”
UrNah stood up also, but much more quickly.
“Perhaps I shouldn’t. Turns out I have more shelves to clean up than I care to admit. Good day, Master.”
And then she hustled away through the grasses and bushes, ripping out the petals she decorated herself with along the way. They scattered themselves to the growing wind and wherever the grasses caught them.
By the time UrNah made it back to their mound home, her entry way was, thankfully, empty. Everyone had gathered for lunch and that left her to her own devices. In her little room, a small hovel just above the Master’s, she flung the carpet over the doorframe and fell into her bedding. One tear, then another, fell down, before she decided to lay down for some rest.
Perhaps she would dream again, and pretend that she was never heartbroken.
Did urMa or urSen do anything as far as lore goes 🤔 I don’t believe I remember thing being in any of the books.
UrSen does have a slightly notable role in the manga continuity. He acts mostly as the narrator of the story, but also indirectly helps the main character solve a problem in typical urRu fashion. That's really it though. Outside of the manga, he's a hermit who spends most of his time in solitude contemplating about his eventual demise. (Side note, interestingly enough urSen in the manga is heavily implied to have also seen his future as he was very sure he would not make it to the Great Conjunction).
UrMa, on the other hand, doesn't have much going on. We have only three sentences worth of description for him and it boils down to he was one of the few urRu who disagreed with urSu, was moreso involved in Thra's affairs and acted as an arbiter between species, and believing the Skeksis could be reasoned with despite their deceitful natures. However, it's noted that even urMa could not have reasoned with them nearing the end of the Age of Division.
