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Post by Fa'raazhin Azhani on Jul 20, 2010 15:21:47 GMT -5
"Oh?" Azhani raised a brow. Part of her was curious about the princess's confession, but another - slightly larger part - was more concerned about why the two of them were now holding hands. The few times she'd touched Anactoria before, she'd always drawn away as soon as the opportunity presented itself. What had changed her mind now?
Azhani smiled. If there were no pre-set rules, that meant she couldn't break them. Disappointing as that was, it also meant that she hadn't yet ruined her chance at winning Anactoria's hand. It would be a shame to lose just as she'd begun getting interested, too...
Azhani nodded and lead the way out of the alley. She felt oddly...enthusiastic. Relaxed even. She constantly reminded herself that she was in an unfamiliar environment and that she should always be on her toes, but all she really wanted to do was focus on making the cute girl behind her smile. She truly was beautiful when she smiled. Azhani lead them into the only place she was already accustomed to: a tavern of questionable company, but Azhani herself was questionable company, so she hadn't thought twice about entering.
She smiled and pulled out a chair at a table in the corner for Anactoria, waiting for her to sit before asking her what she'd like. "Wait here," she told her. She leaned in to whisper, "And try to keep a hand on -" she paused as she looked around the tavern "- everything."
Azhani went to the counter to order their drinks and returned a few moments later. She placed Anactoria's in front of her and took a seat against the wall. "So," she started with a sigh, "little Annie's interested in my homeland, is she? Just what is it you'd like to know?"
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Post by Anactoria IV on Jul 21, 2010 1:03:28 GMT -5
There was a thrill in being where she knew she shouldn't be. Anactoria knew that, even if she didn't like that fact. It made her feel shallow somehow, and guilty that she might just be using Azhani to get her own illicit jollies. But not liking the fact that she felt that thrill did not make it go away.
And it was such a nice feeling.
When the foreign princess retruned though, that guilty feeling abated almost at once. What had happened, exactly, in that alleyway? Something had changed, she knew, even if she was not sure what it was. Yes the thrill of danger was still there, but it was a drumline now, no longer the whole peace of music. There was a full on symphony warming up inside her, and she was keen to hear their performance. Would it one-hit wonder? A diddy that gets caught in her head, like it or not? Or the kind of arrangement that stands the test of time, still performed generations after it was frist penned?
There was only one way to find out.
"Tell me your favorite thing about your homeland, and the worst thing about it," she said after only a moment to think on the question. "I can find the fact and figures in any book if i so choose. But what I want to learn, is the truth."
She brought her cup to her lips, sipping it carefully. She trusted Azhani, but the bartender was another matter together. Not bad, she decided, and chanced another sip.
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Post by Fa'raazhin Azhani on Jul 21, 2010 16:55:52 GMT -5
Azhani leaned her chair back on its back legs and smiled. Not many people were interested in her kingdom. It was infamous, if for no other reason, for being infamous. What most people were unaware of, though, were that most of the rumors about Z'hakaat were just that.
"My favorite thing, you say?" Out of habit, Azhani lifted the cup to her nose to sniff it before taking a sip. She'd learned the hard way that she couldn't assume her drink was safe even if she'd watched the bartender take water straight from a river, pour it in her cup, and give it to her. It was why she didn't drink alcohol. It made people sloppy, careless, stupid. She thought for a moment on her answer to Anactoria's question.
"Loyalty," she said finally, leaning forward again. She set her cup down and propped her elbows on the table with her head in her hands. "What you won't find in any book is that in Z'hakaat we have a code. It's called honor among thieves. It means that we trust each other, but no one else. I have no fear that anyone in my kingdom will ever try to harm me. What happened to you - with that thief - doesn't happen in Z'hakaat. Not to the natives.
"Don't misunderstand, though. We're not too fond of...strangers. An attractive young woman such as yourself wouldn't make it very far alone." She brushed her hair back. "My least favorite thing..." She paused again before smiling slightly. "When my father gives me assignments and won't explain them. Sometimes I feel as if he doesn't trust me..."
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Post by Anactoria IV on Jul 22, 2010 9:16:34 GMT -5
"In the matter of fathers, I believe we my have something in common. Granted, the scope differs, but lack of trust is lack of trust. One could say that your father has every confidence in you ability to figure your assignments out. Mine... is less certain in my tastes I fear."
There was faltering in Anactoria's smile then, a shadow that was thrown over her confidence. She soon brightened again, but the whisper of that shadows remained in her eyes. "But I didn't bring you here to talk about me. I'm not that kind of p -- ah -- woman. What would a perosn like me, an outsider, have to do to in order to be worthy of the loyalty you spoke of?"
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Post by Fa'raazhin Azhani on Jul 22, 2010 11:16:29 GMT -5
Azhani had...never thought of it that way. Perhaps it was just another trial. Maybe the entire goal was for her to figure it out on her own. That begged the question, yet again, just what was she doing in Terre de Conte?
Azhani noticed the change in Anactoria's mood. She wanted to say something, but what could she? All her life, she'd been trained in various skills she'd need in her life, but comforting people wasn't one of them. She couldn't pretend to know what went on in Anactoria's life, but...she was interested.
"Well... You can start by being as honest with me as I've been with you." She smiled. "Come, tell me your favorite and least favorite things about me. I promise I won't get upset."
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Post by Anactoria IV on Jul 22, 2010 21:34:48 GMT -5
"I can only pick one? I would cry foul, but there's no rulebook to check."
Anactoria took another sip of her drink. Having had wine on numerous occasions she was fairly certain she knew her limits. There was a pleasant fog creeping in on the edge one thoughts, so she sat her drink down, thinking enough was enough. Must have been potent stuff, whatever it was.
"Since I have to pick one, I will pick the same for both. You are dangerous, Azhani. The danger you emit like an aura, it challenges me to look at things slightly different way, open my mind to a different perspective I had not considered. It a learning experience. And its a challenge. I welcome both." Eyes drifted downward to the table they shared. "And if I were to claim that being so close to said danger did not give me goosebumps of excitement from time to time, I would be guilty of deceit."
Her eyes came back up. "But the danger also scares me. You scare me. I'm sharing a drink with a person who knows many, many ways to kill me, and any defense I could offer would be feeble in comparison. I'm scared of how easily I can speak with you and how often those previously denied goosebumps tickles my senses, and how much I enjoy it when it does.
"I'm scared of what will happen when I stop being scared. When I know you well enough to no longer find you dangerous. Or rather, when you are still dangerous to anyone but me. I'm not sure what will happen then.
"Yet, I cant help but to feel optimistic about it."
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Post by Fa'raazhin Azhani on Jul 23, 2010 1:16:05 GMT -5
Azhani smiled. She liked that multiple things came to Anactoria's mind. It meant that she was every bit as complex as she'd hoped she was. Being honest and being one-dimensional were two completely different things. The only time Azhani enjoyed being flat was when she was on her back, in a bed.
Azhani was more than pleased to know that she excited the princess. She didn't like things to be dull and uninteresting. She wanted to make an impact on Anactoria. More than anything, she liked Anactoria's unwillingness to be intimidated. She took it as a challenge and faced it head on - the same thing Azhani would do. It was a rather...attractive trait.
Despite being told that the same danger that excited Anactoria also scared her, Azhani wasn't discouraged. It would have been a bit...odd had she not felt any sort of fear. They were from two completely different worlds - the two princesses. Azhani...didn't deserve that kind of optimism. Not with the life she was accustomed to living and the one she was expected to while staying in Terre de Conte. Yet, Anactoria seemed to have faith in her. That faith...inspired her.
Azhani took a breath before placing her hand on top of Anactoria's and locking gazes with her. "A Ha'zhansin's job is to protect. I would do anything for my father, whether he gave me an explanation or not, because I believe in him, and I believe everything I do is in the interest of protecting Z'hakaat. I want to protect the people I care about more than anything in the world. Annie, I...want to protect you too. I'm sorry that I'm so different from you, but...I promise you that while I'm in Terre de Conte, I'll certainly try not to cause too much trouble. I think I'm beginning to like it more and more here..."
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Post by Anactoria IV on Jul 24, 2010 15:55:16 GMT -5
“Please try not to. It might be awkward if I have to come down to the City Watch and negotiate your release. Though I doubt somehow that they would catch you. But of the off chance they did… I would come.”
Anactoria reached one hand across the table and took Azhani’s once more. “Why in the world would you be sorry that we’re different? If I was looking for an identical match, I would have filled my home with mirrors, not suitors. Difference is a plus, Azhani. If nothing else, our occasional quarrel will be spectacular…”
Anactoria eyes widened slightly, as the implications of what she was saying caught up with her. She tried to cover it up by rushing on, “…You know , you have only seen the beginning of what Terre de Conte has to offer. Venus may be its crown jewel, but there is more to the empire than this city. Perhaps I may show you sometime…?"
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Post by Fa'raazhin Azhani on Jul 24, 2010 17:52:30 GMT -5
Azhani glanced down and smiled wryly. "You and I...come from different worlds." Anactoria had been raised to be a perfect lady, but Azhani... What she knew of courtesy and high society was only for the purpose of infiltration. She had been raised to be a weapon, pure and simple. That had never bothered her...except when she thought it might hurt her chances with Anactoria.
She squeezed Anactoria's hand. "Annie, as far as I'm concerned, you're the beginning and the end of what Terre de Conte has to offer me." She let go and withdrew her hand, staring down at her drink. "Don't get me wrong; I would love the royal tour, but I'm a bit...skeptical that I would be so welcomed in your world. My so-called 'dangerous aura' may excite you, but I'm afraid not everyone would be quite so enthusiastic to meet me."
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Post by Anactoria IV on Jul 25, 2010 6:27:58 GMT -5
Now it was Anactoria's turn to radiate confidence. "One of the pluses about being the crown princess," she said, "is that there are only two people in the empire with veto power over whom I choose to spend time with. And I have already received their pledges not to interfere."
Though her voice had been low, there was a man one table over who's ears seemed to twitch as Anactoria was done speaking. He casually -- perhaps too casually -- stood up from his table and with a a rolling gate that spoke to a long life at sea, made his way over to the bar proper, where three other similarly tan, and armed men were enjoying their own drinks. Their conversation whcih must have been adding a decibel to two to the background noise of the tavern, soon ended as each of them now made it a point to sweep the room, being careful not to let their eyes linger on the table Anactoria was sharing with Azahni.
Anactoria missed all of this. "If anything," she went on, "I'm worried that my life of fancy dresses and protocol will seem rather dull to you. So here is what I purpose: We each give the other a glimpse at what our lives are like. I will take you on a royal tour to one of my favorite locations. There, you will be privy to how I both work and relax. And in turn..." she trialed off, hoping Azhani would supply an equitable trade in sights/experience.
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Post by Fa'raazhin Azhani on Jul 25, 2010 16:05:03 GMT -5
Azhani smiled. She wasn't used to feeling unsure of herself, but it helped that Anactoria wasn't. She was every bit as optimistic as she said she was, and that helped to reassure Azhani.
For a moment, Azhani was distracted. Her eyes narrowed on a man behind Anactoria who had rather interesting timing deciding to stand up. It wouldn't have bothered her, but... No, it would have bothered her anyway. It was a completely inconspicuous action, but that was the problem - it was a little tooinconspicuous, like he was trying. No one else was moving. Why was he?
Azhani seemed less and less invested in the conversation as her eyes glued themselves to the man and his friends. "I'll explain later," she finished. She grabbed her cup and, concealing her hand under the table, tossed it blindly through the tavern. It hit a man in the head, spilling Azhani's drink all over him. Enraged, he stood and began causing a scene. A man tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't have it, and punched him in the face.
Cue bar fight.
It seemed neither of the men were without friends. Soon, the tavern errupted into a battle between two indistinguishble sides. She tried to look for the men she'd been watcfhing before, but her line of sight was obscured by the crowd of fist throwing and roar of indistinct vulgarity. Perfect. Azhani stood and took Anactoria's hand, pulling her up and beginning to lead her towards the door. "We need to leave."
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Post by Anactoria IV on Jul 26, 2010 9:14:40 GMT -5
"I -- you'll -- what?" came the stammered reply. All the speech and etiquette classes in the world did little to prepare Aanctoria for the next few seconds as the tavern broke into a brawl. Then Azhani had her hand and they were well on their way to the door. The whole thing caught her quite flat footed and Azhani had to practically drag her for the frist few steps before the princess feet caught up with the situation. Deciding to trust Azhani and the ensuing explanation, Anactoria picked up the pace to match her impromptu escort.
The door was a heartbeat away when a large, sweaty hand suddenly fell on her shoulder, and pulled. Her small hand slipped free of Azhani's grip as she was spun around to see the towering tanned man she had failed to notice before. "Goin' somewhere, yer' highness?" he slurred. His breath stank of ale and while one eyes was well on its way to being swollen shut, he seemed no worse for having evidently fought his way here.
Most of Anactoria's mind wen blank with panic at being discovered, at what this man was planning on doing with her now that he had her, and wondering where Azhani was. It was in the moment of panic that she just... acted.
Anactoria's foot left the floor in a sweeping kick that only ended when the toe of her boots connected with something soft between the big man's legs. His eyes bulged -- one more than the other -- as he crumpled, his hand leaving her shoulder to shield himself from further injury.
He stooped, but did not go down. He was already begging to stand up, albeit slowly. That was all the princess saw however, as she turned for the door, already in motion toward it.
"Azhani!" she called, but would she be heard over the bedlam?
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Post by Fa'raazhin Azhani on Jul 26, 2010 9:52:39 GMT -5
Azhani raced to the door. She had created a large enough distraction, but she knew better than to let her guard down. The man had seen Anactoria, and she had a giant red target painted on her - almost literally. Unfortunately, the same thing Azhani had used to track her, those scumbags could too.
Azhani's fears were justified when she felt Anactoria's hand slip out of hers. She tried to turn around and reach back for her, but before she could even try, someone bumped into her. The next thing she knew, there was a wall of people separating her from the imperial princess. Azhani growled but kept her cool. She still had a weapon no one else in the tavern did.
She had told Anactoria before that she could smell magic, and above all the other scents in the room, she could smell the princess's. It was more reliable than sound or even sight. She locked on to the unique scent and began following it through the crowd. One man in particular tried to block her path, but she quickly cleared the way by kneeing him in the stomach and pushing him away. She raced through the tiny opening, only to have a body collide with hers. She was prepared to toss the person aside before she held the person in front of her and looked at them.
"We really need to stop running into each other like this," she said with a smile. "Stay close," she told the princess, although she didn't give her much of a choice. She held Anactoria close to her side as she tried to get them both out of the door, but another man tried to block their path. Azhani didn't hesitate to kick him with full force towards the door, propelling him straight through it and making an opening. "Go!" she commanded as she pushed Anactoria towards the door. She turned around and followed after her backwards, trying to keep anyone else from interfering with their escape.
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Post by Anactoria IV on Jul 28, 2010 0:58:56 GMT -5
Stop meeting like this? Right then, Anactoria could not think of anything more wonderful than barreling into Azhani's chest at top speed. She nodded, wide eyes and thankful at the command, and stuck to Azhani's side as though she had been sewn there.
The next few seconds were blurs. A living obstacle in the way. Obstacle removed with on well placed kick. Then a word and a shove. And Anactoira was through the doorway. She had managed to keep her balance, but it was a very near thing. Her new friend had some strength on those tanned arms of hers. But then, it was not everyday one is pushed by a child of the gods.
The man Azhani had kicked was not so fortunate. He was sprawled on the floor on his back, more cornered with regaining the wind that had been knocked out of him to deal with anything else at the moment. Anactoria chanced a look back --
And Azhani was emerging from the door, walking backwards to look for followers. The imperial princess breathed a heavy sigh of relief before approaching Azhani and placing a steadying hand on the woman's arm.
"Are you alright?" she asked. "I think it was time we were going..."
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Post by Fa'raazhin Azhani on Jul 28, 2010 6:33:34 GMT -5
Azhani's body was tense. She didn't know if it was simply because she was wary of threats or if she was wary of threats to Anactoria, but she was ready to slice off the hand of the next person who touched her. Which, in retrospect, seemed like a much worse idea when someone did touch her.
Azhani spun around and grabbed the wrist of the hand on her arm. Fortunately, she hadn't actually cut off the hand. It was Anactoria's. She sighed and relaxed as she let her go. "I'm fine. It's you I was worried about." She looked back into the tavern, then at the man on the ground.
She felt responsible for this mess. What if Anactoria had gotten hurt? She'd only tried to protect her, so why did it feel like she'd caused more trouble than it was worth. Without a word, she took the princess's hand and took her to the safest place she knew: another alley. The path was essentially a straight line, but Azhani filled it with frivolous turns in an attempt to blend in with the crowd and throw off any pursuers. It was a habit she had easily picked up.
Though she didn't take Anactoria into the alley, she stood with her in front of it. "You wanted a glimpse of my life, didn't you? Well, that's about it." She crossed her arms and leaned against a wall. "I'm a criminal with a price on my head in at least two different countries. Everything I do is dangerous. Everywhere I go, I have to cautious." She stepped away from the wall and took Anactoria's hand. "You should go home, Annie. I'm sure everyone is already worried sick about you."
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