[Sadia didn’t get in trouble for her day out! In fact… no on really seemed to notice at all!] -08:58 Jan 18
[Sendri Is being dressed in a stupidly rendered interpritation of his native fassion, the local idea of what his people dress like.] -08:59 Jan 18
Sadia: Sadia was amused with her new friend’s expression. He always remained silent when others were in the room, and his face impassive. But she was sure she could see his eyes narrow at some things, or that subtle exhale of breath when he was trying not to snarl. At least that is what she thought he was doing. As for herself, she was dressed in colorful silks. Light and airy and fun to swish in. That’s what she was doing for the moment as she waited to be summoned! "I can’t wait to tell everyone about our trip through the village! My father will be very interested. -09:04 Jan 18
Sendri: "I don’t know if your father knew you were out." it would be a simple trick, not tell the father and have him be angry when his daughter openly admits to defying him. He had a strange way of trating his offspring, neither trating them like people not leading them to greatness in thier own lives. "Your purpose tonight is to be paraded and sold, like a slave. Are you happy with that?" -09:08 Jan 18
[Sadia enters.] -09:12 Jan 18
Sadia: "Not a slave, a wife! That is what I am meant to be and my duty as a Princess." She made a pose similar to one of the bronze statues adorning the room. "I will be a statue at the table! …well, not literally! But it is polite to remain quiet until you are spoken to. How do you have meals with your people?" she dropped her arms and peered at him curiously. -09:16 Jan 18
Sendri: "So you’ll shut up and be pretty, and the man will want the power that is yours by rights and care nothing for you so long as you do what you’re told. You know what else do what they’re told without question and are bound to people not of thier own choosing? Slaves. Maybe you won’t have to do manual labor but it’s the same thing. A slave for nothing but title and sex. Does you father not want you to be a great ruler in your own right?" -09:19 Jan 18
Sadia: He was surly. Sadia frowned and rest her hands on her hips. "This is the way things have always been. The way it’s supposed to be? Maybe if I was a slave and people were mean to me, I would complain and be upset. But what right do I have to cause trouble, when I have everything I need?" She was happy with the way things were. …maybe a little curious about the world, but what sort of ungrateful brat would complain about being a princess. "Princesses don’t rule countries." -09:24 Jan 18
Sendri: "Queens do, and one day you’ll be one." he cut her off with a wave of her hand. "We are bound, and know. Anyone hurts you, hunband or not. They will not live long enough to regret thier mistake." he squared his shoulders as the doors opened and an attendant gestured to them. "One day you’ll see how much good you can do." one last sentence before he fell silent. -09:29 Jan 18
Sadia: The conversation wasn’t finished! And by the look on her face, she was definitely wanting to continue. However, responsibility came first. Sadia gave him a frustrated stare before she huffed and followed the attendant out the door. Now she was going to have to greet her potential future husband while she was all huffy! -09:32 Jan 18
[(Timeout) Sadia got too distracted for their own good…] -09:39 Jan 18
Sendri: Weapon concealed he followed her in silence, a pet to be admired by this suitor. But he would be there, and he would ‘fix’ this outfit before the next one to truly be something his people would wear, and would intimidate. Right now his place was to watch, and wait. -09:39 Jan 18
Sadia: By the time she entered the grand room her huffyness had faded, leaving her to give that well practiced smile. Unlike her birthday or running loose in the village, Sadia kept herself well contained. A graceful, demure little bird in silk. There were lots of new people she had never seen before, so when she took a seat beside her father it was hard not glance around curiously. -09:44 Jan 18
Sendri: He took position behind her seat and looked out over the guests. It was by his standards decadent, it would take the resources of five tribes to build a hall like this and a week to prepair this much food. But he wouldn’t be eating any of it. That’s how these things went. He, like her, was a statue. -09:47 Jan 18
Sadia: "Greet my only daughter, Sadia. Girl, Kasprus Melchior has traveled a long way to see my shining jewel. He is a handsome fox, as the wee girls say?" The king was very amused by this, nudging her gently as he gestured to the surprisingly tall man who took his seat next to Sadia. "You aren’t very old at all!" The phrase came out before she could think twice, leaving Sadia biting her lip. Both the king and the man erupted in to laughter. "As you can see, most suitors have been nearly as old as the grand vizier! This is a pleasant surprise!" -10:13 Jan 18
[(Timeout) Sendri was consumed alive by feral plot bunnies.] -10:23 Jan 18
Dinner was a boisterous affair, at least for the men at the table, and the women that were… special guests! When the King found himself engaged in conversation with a very unhappy vizier, Kasprus Melchior was draping his arm around the back of Sadia’s chair and tugging gently at the silk over her shoulder. “You are quiet, small bird… Understandably. I am known for slaying hundreds of men with these hands. But I would be very gentle with you, little bird.” -Sadia
[Sendri ] -10:24 Jan 18
Sadia: Sadia was bored. She wanted to talk to Sendri, or to anyone really, but this was business. Not a day about her. So when she was addressed, she jumped on the opportunity to speak! "I don’t mean to be quiet. Have you really killed a lot of people? I admit I’ve never really heard your name before… But I also don’t hear of many people, so I hope that doesn’t offend you? Do you carry a weapon?" Sadia was already leaning towards him to see if he had one on his belt. -10:26 Jan 18
Sendri: He shifted uncomfortably but shaid nothing, his hands clasped in front of him as if bound. His eyes were narrores as he watched every movement the suitor made. Did he carry a weapon indeed… -10:28 Jan 18
“I do.” There was a quick motion of him pulling it out, pointing the curved blade under her chin with a smug look of satisfaction at her surprise. Then he was handing it to her. “A bird interested in weapons and tales of murder, that is a rare gem…” As she examined the knife he was glancing over her shoulder at the slave standing closeby. He might have even smirked. The weapon was taken out of her hands and placed back where it belonged. “Two hundred and twenty six men, Princess. Perhaps some from your slave’s tribe and that is why he eyes me like I am a prized piece of meat.” He grazed his fingers down her arm, giving Sadia a wide charming smile. “Join me for a walk, little bird? Away from prying ears. I would enjoy a private conversation with my could-be bride.” -Sadia
Sadia: The knife startled her a bit, if only because he moved so quick and she was a little worried that he would scare someone. The Vizier had seen, but didn’t alarm her father about it, so Sadia was content to examine the knife! She was sure she had spotted blood stains on it before it was pulled from her hands again. "That is a lot of people… and he is my friend, not my slave. A walk would be wonderful, though! I would love to talk and get fresh air." Escape a boring dinner and talk about adventures? That sounded like way more fun! It helped that when he smiled it made her smile too. A husband that wasn’t as old as her father would be rather nice. -10:39 Jan 18
“Your friend will not mind waiting behind, then.” He rose, taking Sadia’s hand to help her from her seat. Giving a pointed stare to the slave that it wasn’t a request. As he led Sadia away, he nodded subtly towards the vizier, who continued to hold the King’s attention in conversation. He whisked her away through an open set of doors, to a small enclosed garden area. Too small for any guards to worry about, and open enough for plenty of privacy. No one would see. -Sadia
Sadia: Poor Sendri, he was as likely as bored as she was. But she didn’t argue about leaving him behind, and played her role the way she was meant to! "Will you be visiting her for very long? What is your country like..? Why have you killed so many people, were you in a war?" Or maybe not completely the role she should. Sadia was still curious! -10:49 Jan 18
“I will not remain here for very long. My business is almost concluded.” Taking her hand, he led her farther in to the garden. As far away from the open doors or windows that he could. Where there were taller trees, thick garden bushes, and a small pond filled with fish. “They have called me the Assassin of the Sands, little bird. And I am a very good one…” -Sadia
Sadia: "You must be the very best if my Father thinks you would be a good King." Sadia smiled at him before she let go of his hand and tip toed over to the pond. She knelt down by the water, pulling out some of the bits of bread she pilfered from the table. It was meant to be a stolen snack for her and Sendri, but feeding fish was fun too. "And extra especially good because you don’t have any scars. Have you ever been caught before?" -10:54 Jan 18
“No, Princess. I have not.” Her back was turned to him, and there was not a single guard in sight. This was as simple as murdering a child. A blade would be too messy, so he pulled out a braided cord and wound it tight in his hands. He stepped forward silently pulling it taunt. -Sadia
Sendri: The tree above the stired and a pair of bare feet shot downwards to hook around the man’s neck and then with his hands wrapped around the branch Sendri pulled his upwards and away from the princess. "Four hundred and thirty eight." he whispered. "Assassinations and battle." In the branched he drew the man’s own blade and in an instant burried it in the man’s ribs, then stripping the cord fron his hands he pushed then assassin against the trunk of the tree and wrapped the cord around his thoat, tying him to the trunk with his full wieght on the cord digging into his windpipe. "Goodbye, second best." -11:02 Jan 18
Sadia: "That is lucky, then! Though, how would anyone know you have really killed so many people if no one has ever seen you do it?" Sadia emptied all her bread crumbs in to the pond, amused at the frenzy of fish. But when she turned… no one was there! She blinked at the empty space, turned and glanced around at the garden. "…I think I understand now!" she mumbled at the empty space. But still there wasn’t an answer! Did she say the wrong things? -11:07 Jan 18
Sendri: He jumped down in a silent crouch and put a hand on her shoulder. "We should go back." he said quietly before turning. "Enjoy the food, and the company. I’ll be right behind you if you need anything." He walked towards the doors and paused. "He wasn’t a real price." and then, still barefoot he moved off into the bushes to sneak back in. -11:15 Jan 18
Sadia: That was strange. …the entire thing was strange! Sadia waited a moment, just to see if her suitor would return. When he didn’t, she rose and made her way back to the hall. No one seemed to notice her arrival, just as they missed her departure. Except the vizier who was giving her a strange confused look. Sadia shrugged her shoulders, equally as confused! Assuming he too was wondering where the man had disappeared to. She slipped in to her seat beside her father, just in time for him to pat her on the head and chortle about another story. -11:24 Jan 18
Sadia: The rest of dinner was equally as unevenfull. The suitor never returned, which left her Father grumbling about great insults. The vizier was also disturbed, though he spent the evening mostly just scowling, and Sadia stayed silent and… confused! Once it was all done and she was free to go, Sadia was relieved to be somewhere quiet and out of sight. She immediately threw herself in to bed and pulled a blanket over her head. Somewhere she had done something wrong, but she had no idea what it was! -11:33 Jan 18
Sendri: He followed and immediatly tore the hidious garment from his body, the top part at least. He needed a wash and his knife but… "Sadia." he said "You should take the look off your face, it doesn’t suit you. You should bathe and get comfortable, I think there is a meal for me in my room… be happy, there are better men than that, and if you want storied of battle and murder, you always have me." -11:38 Jan 18
Sadia: "Am I so terrible to talk to that a few moments alone with me sends a man running as far away as possible?" she was sulking! Sadia was frustrated, and didn’t understand.. and of course HE didn’t understand either! That was the first suitor that didn’t havea grey beard! Sadia tossed away the blanket, and was in a huff as she tugged off silk and fabric and shiny bits of jewelry. "I will have a bath… but I won’t like it!" -11:43 Jan 18
Sendri: "He faked being a prince and he asked to see you alone, I don’t think he was a good man." he said frankly. "I’ll he here waiting for you and we can continue our talk, if you want." a distraction for her. "I think you had something to say." he had fetched a simple down a gruel from his room and was stiring it slowly, a far cry from the rich meal she had just eaten but enough for him. "Then I’ll tell you a story." -11:48 Jan 18
Sadia: "I don’t want to talk anymore." she mumbled, crossing the threshold in to the bath. Almost immediately she stomped back out again. "…but I would like to hear a story. Come in here and tell me?" Sadia was irritated, but it wasn’t fair to take her mood out on him. -11:55 Jan 18
Sendri: He entered and sat on a stool to spoon gruel into his mouth. "How about the story of a soldier hoping to win the heart of a maiden in the lands of the north?" he eyed her, it didn’t matter if she was getting undressed to him so long as she didn’t mind. "Or of a bird who thought it had everything." -12:01 Jan 19
Sadia: "Any story will be fine." A story and a hot bath, that would settle her thoughts down enough where she could think without having a tantrum. She was too old for tantrums. Sadia busied herself with making sure there was hot water for her bath and lots of sweet smelling bubbles. Getting undressed with him there didn’t phase her a bit and soon she was stepping in to the water and sinking under it with a sigh. -12:09 Jan 19
Sendri: He set the bowl aside and took a breath. "Once, in the north where there is always snow for half the year and rain for the rest there was a young soldier, and although he had taken lovers before he had never felt true love, until one spring the chieftan’s daughter caught his eye and they spoke, int he fields and in the vilage, and beneath the stars, but she could never be his. He was just a soldier, and she was a princess so he promised to become the greatest hero there ever was. And to he left, and for many years fought and watched men die, but he kept his promise and a moon before he would return home there was a terrible battle, and he knew there was no way he could win. But to his people running is worse than death. So he fought and.." he paused. "Do you think she would miss him?" -12:21 Jan 19
Sadia: Sadia had her arms resting over the edge, and behind her she’d occasionally kick her feet in the water. At his question she simply nodded. "I think so. If she cared about him too, she would miss him a lot. …Did he die in the battle?" Maybe she should have specified the type of story to tell… though this one already had her interest. -12:26 Jan 19
Sendri: "The morning before the fourth day of battle thos left alive looked to him for guidance. When he lookd into thier faces he saw that the all knew there was no chance they could fin. Thier generals were dead except for him, thousands of their friend lay on the ground with not eough hands tleft to burn all the boddies. He only said two words to them before he picked up his sword. ‘Follow me.’ and then all of them, all that were left, as the sun began to lighen the sky threw themselves into the drozen river to swim across to the enemy camp. They killed many while they were still asleep but it wasn’t long before the alarm was raised, the enemy grabbed weapons and they were outnumbered and surrounded and exhausted from thier swim. They didn’t last long, and the hero… he fought until he sank to his knees on the stained earth, every last drop of his strength spent and surrounded by his enemies. He didn’t die, no matter how much he wanted to." -12:35 Jan 19
Sadia: She was frowning, and it was fairly obvious she didn’t like the way this story was going. Sadia readjusted her position, now resting her chin on her arms and still frowning. "So he was captured? This is sad. What about his princess? She went to rescue him, didn’t she? That’s what I would do." -12:39 Jan 19
[Sadia enters.] -12:44 Jan 19
Sendri: He looked at her. "She is her people’s greatest warriour, but like yours her duty is to her people, and not jus one soldier who got captured." he said. "But that’s not the end of the story, the soldier met another princess, this one of the people who he killed. An innocent girl who wanted nothing more than happiness and to please her father. But there were men trying to kill this other princess too. And the soldier, with his skill he would protect her, even if she never knew about it. Because if he cannot go home, then he must make a new one?" -12:49 Jan 19
Sadia: Sadia shook her head at him. "That is not how a story is supposed to go. The soldier’s princess should come to rescue him, because he sacrificed everything for their people. Even if he didn’t win. And the other princess doesn’t have her own soldier or a prince? There should be more story." -12:55 Jan 19
Sendri: He shrugged. "That’s because life isn’t a story, not everything happens the way it doesn in books and the way it’s tols by men with beards around the campfire. The princess is too far away, doesn’t even know the soldier is alive, and they don’t think the same way you do." -01:01 Jan 19
Sadia: This story hadn’t helped her mood at all! It just added to the confusion and frustration. Which now had her scowling and eyeing the floor like it was to blame. "You make everything complicated. I don’t like the ending to that story, so I would like to change it. But I can’t change it because that is just the way it is. Is it supposed to be a moral, or a lesson? It gives mixed messages. What am I supposed to think." -01:09 Jan 19
[(Timeout) Sadia doesn’t post enough.] -01:13 Jan 19
Sendri: "You’re meant to make up your own mind." he said stnding slowly. "To think for yourself." he stretched and there was a click in his shoulder. "But if you want me to mke things simpler I will. The soldier, is me." he stooped to pick up the bowl and then stepped closer to the door to take it away. "Maybe you can help decide the end." he slipped out and placed the bowl on the tabel to servants to come and cart away. Soon she would emerge, and then he would take his turn to bathe. -01:13 Jan 19
Sadia: That didn’t help. That was worse! Now she was sinking lower in the tub, pondering her first impulses verses what made sense and… what it meant! When Sadia scrambled out of the tub and wrapped a fluffy towel around herself, she was still dripping wet when she stomped after him. "….well then… that soldier is stupid!" she nearly shouted at him. And made sure to point a finger at him just in case he wasn’t sure who she was talking about. "I am supposed to think for myself, yes? Why haven’t you! You can leave any time you want to leave, I have told you so. And you won’t because your culture says so? That isn’t thinking for yourself either! That’s being a hypocrite and it’s stupid and it’s not fair!" -01:19 Jan 19
Sendri: He half turned. "If my people see me they will kill me." he said. "I can’t go home because of a very practical reason. I would either be seen as a demon wearing the skin of the dead of as a defeated warriour whose death will restore the honor of my family. My own sister would kill me and I would not stop her. Going home accomplishes only my death, would you go home?" -01:23 Jan 19
Sadia: "Yes! Because someone there loved me and should know I am alive and I loved them too. That’s what love is supposed to be, isn’t it? Something that transcends rules and laws and beliefs? Unless that is just another story too." There was a realization she hadn’t want to come to. There was always duty and responsibility, for everyone everywhere, and not once was love a part of the equation. "…I shouldn’t have shouted. Nevermind it, I will go to sleep.." -01:30 Jan 19
Sendri: "I don’t believe she ever moved me, it was puppy love on my part." he said turning fully. "Not every time your first love is the one that’s meant to be. He holded his arms and looked at her. "Besides, I am a murderer, and do not hide what I am. I have killed over four hundred men in my life, and I have a place where I’m needed. Weather you know it or not. And I’ll be thre as ling as I am." -01:51 Jan 19
Sadia: "Now you are just trying to keep me from being upset. Which is a little too late to do, seeing as I am the princess people want to kill? If I believe you, then everything I think is wrong and people want to kill me too. What am I supposed to do with that?" Sadia wasn’t really looking for an answer this time. She moved away, dripping water every where as she walked. And stepped behind a screen to dry her hair and dress. "Everything you tell me is a contradiction." -01:58 Jan 19
Sendri: "Then untangle the mess." he said "You have a sharp mind, use it. I for one want to be clean." he grabbed a towel and moved towards her and the bathroom. "If you can’t untangle things then just go with what you see with your own eyes, it works for me." -02:06 Jan 19
Sadia: Sadia opened her mouth to complain that untangling things was not what she was taught to do! Or told to do. Or ever expected to do, ever! She quickly shut her mouth. Why was it that they were both fussing at each other to do the exact opposite of what they were taught to do? THAT was what made no sense! Once Sadia was dressed she was persuing him to the bathroom. "Then how do I look. What am I looking for? Do I stop doing what I always do?" -02:14 Jan 19
Sendri: "Do what you WANT to do." he said pushing his pants down and pulling them from his ankles. "I have nothing more to say. Telling you my story was a mistake. You can’t fix me, there is no magic button that will make everything better. I have accepted the way things are and I will make the most of what I DO have. I am content." -02:30 Jan 19
Sadia: "I accepted the way things were, and I was content. And you have been telling me this is wrong!" No he was nude. That disarmed her for a bit. Leaving her resting her hands on her hips and staring with her head tilted. "….and I don’t understand why everything I do is wrong, but it is perfectly acceptable for you to just… roll over and do nothing when I am sure you could do everything." -02:39 Jan 19
Sendri: "I am doing things." he said. "I just don’t let you see." he gave her a look. "I like you the way you are, but you beng nothing but a trophy wife would leave you open to potential abuse and I don’t want to see that happen." he sat down in the water and splashed it over his scared chest. "Did you know my people fight in the nude?" -02:48 Jan 19
Sadia: "You are not responsible for me Sendri. I am responsible for you." This was complicated… enough that her head was starting to hurt. Sadia sat on the edge of the tub, poking at the few left over bubbles. "Nude fighting couldn’t be a good idea… Isn’t that challenging with delicate parts exposed?" -02:53 Jan 19
Sendri: "I gave you my knife." he said "That means I gave myself to you. I look after you and you look after me, like family." he sighed and sunk deeper, closing his eyes. "And we do it to show no hear, to glide like water around the enemy’s attacks, to flow through thier guard and peirce their hearts. We wear no armor to show we do not fear them, we paint our bodies to show we do not fear death. Before every battle leaders hold mass funerals for all their men and we greet our ancestors who have died before us so that even before we join battle, our spirits are safely with them, the body no longer matters." -02:59 Jan 19
[Sadia enters.] -03:01 Jan 19
Sadia: "I think fear is good. If you fear for your life, you are more likely to fight for it? Otherwise you go to battle believing you will die no matter what, and then not fight as hard?" Her annoyance had faded and now she was back to being curious. Reaching under the water to grab one of his toes and lift his foot out of the water. "We’ll be a strange family. But I’ll take care of you. I would like to be less confused by you.." -03:07 Jan 19
Sendri: "Being tense is good, being angry is not, being afraid is not. Just… clarity of mind, no distractions, no fear, just crystal clear purpise and relaince on yout skill. I feel nothing when I kill in battle, it’s very different to killing out of battle. I hope you never see me in battle. I hope you never see me kill at all. You shouldn’t have to see death." he placed a wet hand on her cheek. "We have no women like you. Everyone in my tribe is a soldier. Everyone has killed." -03:24 Jan 19
[(Timeout) Sadia was sacrificed to the roleplay gods by a tribe of wild newbies.] -03:29 Jan 19
Sadia: Why did that make her heart break? Thinking about people that knew nothing but killing? Her hand rest over his and she offered a small smile. Possibly the first genuine one from her all day. "Then maybe it IS better that you are here. You won’t have to fight or battle or go to war and I will keep you safe." -03:29 Jan 19
Sendri: "I will always fight." he said "It is what I was born to do and I do it well. That assassin today… we have tribesmen little more than children with more experience than him. We fight because we have to to survive, because people want to take what is ours, and because… yes we take what isn’t ours to have enough to survive the winters. Our biggest enemy are your people, is it selfish of me to think that if you take the throne for yourelf you can end all the fighting for my tribe?" -03:32 Jan 19
Sadia: Sadia pulled back and frowned. "Then you want me to rule, so you can control the choices that I make, instead of a man you do not know…" -03:38 Jan 19
Sendri: He narrowed his eyes and looked at her. "I do not manipulate people. I want you to rule so you can be happy without being the plaything of an arrogant degnak." the word of his native tongue was as harch as the winter cold, a racial slur. "But I know… or hope that you wouldn’t want to let the killing go on. And if I can explain to you enough to understand why me people act the way they do… before they all kill themselves instead of running." -03:41 Jan 19
Sadia: "I do not want there to be killing or wars. …and I do not like feeling as if you’re misdirecting me and confusing me and getting me in to trouble. I want to trust you…" He seemed to drag up things she had never experienced before. Confusion and frustration she could deal with, but doubt…? "I really want to trust you.." she mumbled. -03:47 Jan 19
Sendri: "You can stop them if you choose to rule. But if you really do not want to I will not mention it again." he sighed and by bending his legs submerged his head to wed and rub his face before coming back up. "By the customs of my people, and yours, my life is yours. I would die before betraying you." -03:58 Jan 19
Sadia: Sadia watched him in silence. Not once had she ever considered ruling the country herself. She wouldn’t know what to do or where to start… but if she could stop terrible things from happening, wouldn’t it be right to try? She was new chewing on her lip when she finally responded. "I won’t know what to do… but I can try. I would like to try and change things." -04:05 Jan 19
Sendri: "Then I suspect you have a lot of peaning to do, watch what your father does to rule and learn from that is one way to do it and not be noticed." he sighed. "The rest i can’t help you with, I don’t know enough about your people or ruling them, but I’ll help any way I can." he said wisking the rest of himself and standing. "For now you should rest, one day you will meet your prince, don’t worry about tonight." Saying this with with his dripping manhood drooping over her almost made him smile as he reached for a towel. "Anything you’d prefer for breakfast in case I go to the market before you wake up?" -04:11 Jan 19
Sadia: Shaking her head softly, she tore her eyes away from her staring to wander back towards bed. "I think I would like it better if you were still here when I wake up." -04:16 Jan 19