The Empire A gift fit for a Sultana

[Veena]

"What in the seven fucking pits of Czarterix is that?!"

The docks was a riot of activity. Men shouted to fellows further up to lend a hand and others scurried to get more ropes, harpoons, lances and - well - anything. Every noise and movement sent the beast into a crazed fit. It tossed its giant head and pawed at the ground beneath its hooves. The one wing it had managed to free was wreaking havoc as it swept men clean off their feet and smashed through the other produce Veena had ordered which had been stacked up neatly nearby. Clearly they'd left the most troublesome bit till the end.

"I-it's a lamassu, Lady," the man in charge of the books stuttered next to her. He was a rather odd dwarf with a pair of glasses perched on the end of a nose that had been broken one too many times that rendered it now little more than a mess of bone on the front of his face. Protruding ears that were always red either due to sunburn or embarrassment or fright it was hard to tell. He was an absurd creature and definitely not the type one would instantly call to mind if Veena were to tell someone to fetch her accountant of black market goods. He was just fucking lucky he was good at his job, wasn't he?

"I can fucking see that, Gernis. I didn't lose my sight while you were away. But what in Baal's name is it doing ON MY DOCK?!"

Biscuit echoed her shout by flaring his little wings where he was perched on a nearby barrel and gave a little shriek of irritation. Gernis swept the hat from his head and used it to mop at his face.

"Ah, well ye see you said get the Sultana a present and well--"

"I meant a fucking DOG, Genris. Maybe a three-headed one but still, A DOG. The fuck am I meant to do with this?!"

"Tie a bow around it?" one of the hands attempting to wrestle the creature under control smartly offered. Veena whipped round towards him and he shirked back from the way she suddenly began to loom. People often forgot what it was she was until she got real angry. Just a smidge of her power showing and they rolled over and showed their bellies though. Veena ran both hands into her hair, issued the man a final glare, then turned back to Gernis in what she hoped was a calm fashion.

"If she doesn't fucking like this I'll have your balls. ALL of your balls!"

Because there was no time to return it and find something else. It was Sultana Nym's birthday today and she would have her surprise.

 

[Nym]

Nymeasha Soleiman had quite literally never celebrated her birthday. Twenty-two years she had lived and watched others receive gifts and observance in jubilation of their existence. Not even her own mother had ever acknowledged it, though she recalled her father telling her of the traumatically difficult birth that her mother had suffered with her, and she supposed that she wouldn't wish to remember that every year either.

This year was different. Her mother, seeking to gain favour with her daughter and the new Sultana of Salitra, had spread word throughout the palace, and that word had caught like wildfire. Nym had strode into the throne room soon after waking only to stop dead in her tracks in confusion to see the banners of white and gold draped elegantly from the ceilings, the extravagant bouquets and archways of flowers she was certain did not grow here, cages of exotic birds that did not live here and the tables piled high with fruits, cheeses and casks of wine from everywhere else but Salitra.

Those setting up the soiree all stared at her, stood in utter bewilderment in nothing more than the silken nightgown and with her hair something akin to that of a bird's nest.

"What are- .. Are we hosting someone I've forgotten about?" she asked, wracking her brain for some memory of mention. The last council meeting had been a bit of a blur. It'd been all numbers and it'd bored her, so she'd spent her time considering which one of her council members she'd put money on stabbing her in the back first.

"I.. Believe your mother wished to surprise you, Sultana. To celebrate the anniversary of your birth?..." the young handmaiden answered quietly at her side. Nym only blinked, and her slender brows knit as she considered. Her jaw clenched slightly at the expense on her behalf - precisely the image she had not wished to paint of herself as the new Sultana.

"That's today?" she asked.

"Y-yes, I believe so. Same day as mine." the meek girl beamed at her under the hood of white silk. Nym looked at her and offered a small smile, a huff of resignation spilling free. She noticed that the other thirty-or-so people around the impressive room had not dared move a muscle since she'd arrived, and so she dipped her chin in a nod and they continued at once.

"Happy birthday." she said finally, her jade hues drifting around the opulent display. Guests would be arriving soon, she was told. Those coming to honour her with gifts. She had squirmed uncomfortably at that and made a note to up the security. She knew better than most that such a thing would provide the perfect opportunity to get to her, and she had not yet done enough to earn the respect of those who had suffered by the rule of her father.

"Ensure the celebrations are spread throughout the city. If I am celebrating my being here, so shall they.."

 

[Noelani]

"I've... never seen it so busy here," Noelani said to her First Mate as they attempted to wander up the main high street towards the palace. Wander was perhaps a nicer way of putting the way the two were having to slog their way through crowds so thick that if something happened and stirred them into a panic lives would be lost simply because of the crush.

Banners streamed from the houses and bunting was hurriedly being put into place up in the streets. The Sultana had given everybody the day off and people were making full use of the sudden holiday. Lani managed to dodge to the side to avoid being hit by a table being hurled out onto the street for the large communal feast that was being prepared. The smell of roasting hogs was already filling the air and making her mouth water.

"Maybe we should... hang around here for a bit first?" The First Mate suggested innocently when they both happened to pause at a quaint square where music was already in full swing and the attendees were more than a few glasses in to the barrels of rum that had been wheeled out.

"It would be rather rude not to attend all of Nym's birthday parties," Lani concurred then stepped into the festive square.

 

[Liana]

Liana had wrestled with her decision since Laru'Dahl had left on his mission for Ashuanar. He had told her that if she wanted to be of service to the Empire then she needed to go seek out the Sultana of Salitra. She was nervous about going back even though the two of them had taken down Allarahn and his gang.

So here she was back in Salitra about to present herself to Sultana Nymeasha Soleiman in hopes that she would be of use to her. In hopes that she would have a purpose once more. A good purpose. In service to the Empire.

Liana had tried to look more presentable than her normal black on black. She was wearing a long dark blue gown that cinched at the waist and had flowy short sleeves. It wasn't black and it wasn't pants so she counted that as a win in her book. It was not dressy for this type of event but it was dressy for Liana. The orphan. The criminal. The nobody.

The guards had let her into the Palace easily when she told them she had a gift for the Sultana. She thought it was way too easy to get to the Sultana. Yes, it was her birthday but that did not mean you just let everyone and their mother into the Palace. That was not her worry right now.

Liana stepped into the throne room and looked around with a smile. She held the rectangular box against her abdomen as she waited patiently to give the Sultana her gift. The gift she had wanted to make sure was so perfect that she had done quite a bit of research into the Sultana herself. Thankfully...they had mutual friends.

---

Nym

 

[Nym]

This life was taking far more used to than she'd ever care to admit. She knew everything there was to know about such a life, but only from watching her family from the shadows. Now, the spotlight shone way too brightly on her. So many eyes, always watching her now that she was meant to be seen. These past few months had taught her much about her father now that she sat upon the throne that'd been his. Now that she saw the greedy eyes that people looked at it with... The sneers and whispers she caught here and there..

She shrugged off the three handmaidens who'd fussed with her hair and jewellery, offering a small smile in apology for her irritability. They bowed their heads and stepped back, and Nym was left staring back at herself in the polished silver. The gown she wore was the finest of emerald silk, sleeveless and cut low and adorned with gold chains that draped down her shoulders and back. Her hair hung in dark waves, weaved with gold thread, and she wore a circlet of a gold sun on her brow. Even her eyelids were painted a shimmering gold..

"You look very beautiful, Sultana Soleiman.." said the handmaiden who stepped up beside her, now dressed in a sky-blue gown instead of her usual robes. She fidgeted with it, clearly unused to wearing such a thing.

"If you insist on calling me Sultana even in private, Sakira, please at least leave out the surname." Nym laughed under her breath and turned to look down at her. She smiled warmly and brought the girl closer to add a little charcoal to her eyes. "There. Beautiful.. If I must dress up for my birthday, then so must you." she smirked.

The pair were accompanied to the throne room by a parade of guards and handmaidens, and before long, guests were escorted in one at a time to stand before the Sultana and present their well wishes. Nym had never had a birthday gift in her life, and now she sat here accepting the most ostentatious and extravagant gifts from some high-standing families that she'd never met in hopes that her favour would be gained.

Her guards stayed close to her and closer to her guests. They occupied every doorway, every pillar, every corner, and they were as ready to act as she was.

"My Lady." a tall, armed male gestured to Liana . They would ensure she had no weaponry upon entry to the throne room. They would take her name and announce her as they led her to the steps to the throne.

 

[Veena]

The upside to the Lamassu was that traffic suddenly melted out of their way.

Somehow they had managed to get the thing into a cage. It turned out it rather liked anything that was the colour red and by like, of course, that meant it wanted to kill it. Throwing a red ball into the cage had sent the monster storming in after it. The stupid thing had ran straight into the dragon-forged steel bar and nearly knocked itself out. Veena counted the small blessing for it made then loading the cage onto the cart a lot easier and the rest. Well the rest was practically smooth sailing.

Especially when the traffic got the fuck out of her way.

"Comin' through, move over! Present for the Sultana coming through, that's right," people gawked and pointed, whispering or running after her like she was some travelling circus. Hey that wasn't a bad shout. Maybe if it all went south that was what she, biscuit and the Lamassu could rush off to start. The cart peeled into the grand courtyard and a few servants waved her into a parking area where she could unload the gift.

"WAIT!" a short man with a large belly raced over, red in the face. The Lamassu fixed his beady eyes upon him and Veena wondered if the thing were licking its lips. "You can't unload that thing here! Is it trained?!"

"Of course it's trained," Veena lied and slapped the bars of the cage. The beast shied away from the noise her rings made against the metal. "See? Harmless as a baby lamb. The Sultana needs a good guard and what better creature, hm?"

 

[Liana]

The guard would only let Liana speak to the Sultana if the guard was holding her present for her. Liana had acquiesced. She was not here to cause a problem or to hurt the Sultana. Liana had no problem with someone loyal to her carrying the package since the options were that or get the fuck out.

Liana stepped in front of Nym and bowed deeply. She had tried to figure out the right words to say in order to ask the Sultana for a job without seeming like a crazy person.

"Sultana Soleiman, I am pleased to wish you a happy birthday and to present my gift to you," Liana gestured for the guard to give the box to Nym. Once it had been handed over, she continued, "My name is Liana and I was sent to you by Laru'dahl. The gift was picked out with some help from him as well."

Inside the dark green box sat a cushion of fabric that was a dark burgundy color. Resting on the fabric was the most beautiful dagger that Liana had ever seen and she knew as soon as she saw it that it needed to be in the possession of the Sultana. The dagger was gem-set with a jade hilt and a gem-set scabbard. The steel blade was chiseled with a design of scrolling split-palmettes decorated with overlaid gold tendrils. The dark green jade hilt was inlaid with gold split-palmettes and a floral gem-set pommel. It was as beautiful as it was deadly.

"Laru'dahl also believed that I would be a good asset to you, my lady," she said with a smile and another small bow.

 

[Nym]

A dark and slender brow arched as the woman spoke of Laru'dahl and Nym straightened ever-so-slightly with intrigue. She knew Ashuanar, and so she knew Laru'dahl. He was an assassin, like her, and a damn good one, like her, and so for that alone he had her respect. Her lips twisted into a soft smile as she took the box and opened it, the light that bounced against the steel and gold and gemstones glinted on her face and speckled it with a myriad of colour. It was instantly obvious just how enamoured she was by the weapon as her smile grew more radiant as she plucked it from its cushion and turned it over in her hands.

Her gaze rose to the woman once more as she spoke again, and her head tilted slightly as she considered for a moment before replacing the dagger and snapping the box shut. "This is a very beautiful gift, Liana. Thank you." she dipped her chin.

"My guard is going to bring a seat for you, so that you might tell me why it is that Laru'dahl believes such a thing." she smiled to her, but there was an edge to her tone that urged the woman not to take her for a fool. If there was any trick that Nym did not yet see, she was ready for it regardless, as were her guardsmen and women.

The sound of some sort of commotion echoed around the high, domed ceilings, catching Nym's attention. She cleared her throat, the sound alone sending two guards to the entrance to sort out whatever problem there might be.

"You can't bring that thing in here!"
"She insists the beast is trained."
"What's going on, The Sultana is waiti-- what the fuck is that thing?"
"A gift apparently..."

"Best just.. bring it in then...Clear her for weapons first."

"Weapons?...THAT'S a fucking weapon!"
"You're a fucking weapon. Bring them in, now."

Nym pinched at the bridge of her nose...

 

[Veena]

Veena all but kicked the doors of the hall open drawing every gathered eye towards her. It was common knowledge amongst the citizens that she was one of the owners of one of the most popular taverns in town. It was even greater common, albeit unspoken, knowledge she was also the person you went to when you wanted something that wasn't strictly legal. It was safe to say that most of the people gathered in that hall knew exactly who she was and so a ripple of anticipation, curiosity and fear spread throughout the crowd. Was she there to reveal them? To give gifts? To start a war?

There was a collective sigh of relief when she flourished a bow, quickly followed by biscuit who alighted onto the ground in front of her.

"Aww," murmured a young noble girl somewhere to the left making the tiny dragon preen.

"Your eminence!" Veena boomed before the creature decided to show off drawing all eyes back to her. "It is with greatest pride and my deepest pleasure to present to you a gift befitting of your status, your holiness, your beauty and strength!" she motioned subtly behind her back and suddenly the cage was hurled inside. The Lamassu bellowed causing the whole room to shake.

"One of the last Lamassu's!"

 

[Liana]

Liana held her breath as Nym opened the gift. She did not let the breath out until she saw that the Sultana loved her gift. It had been a long shot based on what Laru would have liked and what Laru thought Nym would like since they were of the same profession at one point.

“Happy birthday, my lady,” Liana replied when Nym offered her thank you. Liana smiled and nodded as she waited for the guard to bring her a seat like instructed. The edge was not lost on Liana as she thanked the guard and sat in the provided chair.

She was about to start speaking when the commotion interrupted. Liana stiffened out of sheer habit and put her hand where her dagger usually was. It wasn’t there since she couldn’t bring weapons into the throne room. Of course, that did not mean she was weaponless. No, Liana had a few hidden daggers on her body.

Liana watched the woman enter and continued to sit rigidly until she bowed. Yes, everyone knew who Veena was and Liana had no doubt that Veena knew things about her that she did not want to get out. It was the way of Veena’s business.

Her eyes widened as she looked at the cage and let out a delighted gasp.

How exciting!

 

[Nym]

Nym was on her feet the moment the doors opened and the woman strode into the room, guards rushing in at her back. Emerald orbs set firmly on the female, one she had watched for many years, whether she knew it or not. One she knew to be wary of, but one she could respect for the little empire she'd built of her own. She was a woman who knew what she wanted, and how to get it, and that had to be admired.

"Veena." Nym dipped her chin, her lips curling slightly at the string of compliments that poured from the woman's lips. She'd been about to comment when the cage was pulled in, and her mouth parted at the sight of the creature within it. "What in the Gods' name..." she spoke, but the bray of the beast drowned her words and caused more than a few gasps and shrieks within the throne room.

She was already making her way down the steps and along the aisle toward it, guards and mages having a close eye on her, Veena, and the lamassu. Her eyes were wide with wonder, and as she approached she looked to Veena briefly. "Lamassu?.." she asked and shook her head.

"Forgive my ignorance, but I had no idea that they were real, and not in fact myth.." she said, hesitantly approaching the bars.. "This cage is far too small for a creature so large, but I fear Salitra herself might be in ruin by sundown if it is released from its confines.." she laughed under her breath in awe at the raw power..

"Your talents are evident, Veena, and I thank you for the gift.. But, what am I to do with such a thing?"

 

[Veena]

"Put a collar on it and teach it to dance?" muttered one of the men who had had the unfortunate task of helping to wheel it in to the audience chamber. Veena shot him a death glare, as did little Biscuit, who then promptly flew to land on the Djinn's shoulder all puffed up like a prized songbird.

"It would make a might guard... bull, your Royal Highness. Or perhaps a source entertainment for the people in the Pits!" She said loud enough for the rest of the room to hear. An excited murmur rippled round the room at the prospect of such a fight. It would be the bloodiest fight in the history of the pits. Of course Veena was not thinking of making history per see but rather about the fact she had a great investment in the Pits and such a beast would make her a tidy profit. Maybe enough to recover how much it cost her to get it here.

 

[Liana]

Liana pursed her lips to keep from laughing at the exchange between the two women. She had stood when Nym stood but she stayed in front of her chair. She could still read everyone who spoke clearly enough from her vantage point. Veena meant no ill will towards Nym and it was a gift. As strange as it was...it was an actual gift.

Her eyes darted around the room as she picked up snippets of conversation in the murmurs that now rang out in the room. She could read crowds if they were talking out loud but it took more concentration. She closed her eyes and picked up strands of words to feel if there was a lie.

"I am so excited to be here, my dear." Lie. He was not excited to be here but his wife had forced him.

"That Veena is one I would let boss me around." Truth. The crass man was elbowing his friend as he looked at Veena.

"I have a gift for the Sultana of Salitra." The prickle that she knew too well crawled up her spine and her eyes snapped open and looked over at the door.

Lie.

That man in red was not here to give a gift to Nym. The guards checked his box and allowed him into the room. Liana did not take her eyes off of the man as he moved into the loosely formed line to gift the birthday girl her gifts.

She did not cause a stir but she would watch him like a hawk.

 

[Settra]

Time had become something that Settra had precious little of since he had relocated to Salitra alongside Nym. It seemed that, of late, his work drew him ever further from her. In fact, it felt like he'd all but disappeared in recent months as life's various duties had pulled him ever further into the abyss that was stress and solitude.

His love's day of birth, however, was not something he could rightly ignore. In fact, this was one event he'd had marked on his calendar for some time, and one that he'd been quietly squirrelling money away for. He'd talked to the right faces, pulled the right strings, made sure the right materials got into the right hands. Hell, Medja might've been proud of him were it not so ultimately insignificant in comparison to her now much grander schemes.

All of this to say that, in spite of his efforts, he'd still managed to slink in to the event late, clutching a small, hand-carved, wooden box beneath his cloak. And what timing he had! Right as he silently made his entrance in some forsaken corner of the room, some woman he didn't recognize roared in declaration of a gift given. No sooner had she done so that a great and terrible, if majestic, beast was pulled unceremoniously into the hall.

A massive, winged bull creature, draped in colors that would make the most audacious of nobles blush. Settra stared down at the humble box in his hand and sighed. Right. Nym was Sultana now. Perhaps she'd outgrown his trite offerings.

He tucked the thing back into his cloak and silently took his place near his Sultana, making his presence as diminutive as possible. Dull eyes stared out into the crowd and preened for threats more subtle than a bull in a throne room.

 

[Nym]

Nym's emerald gaze drifted oh-so-slowly to the one brave enough to make a mockery of her question.. She held the stare, and the guards around her shifted as though anticipating an order. "Perhaps.. We shall put a collar on you, and teach you how to mind your tongue - lest you lose it." her head tilted, but there was no question in her tone, only sincerity. A sharp breath later and her attention returned to the creature who stared down at her, its eyes crimson orbs that seemed to study her. She reached up a hand that glistened with golden rings and chains, and the creature lowered its head to huff against her palm before she pressed it gently to its nose.

"I wouldn't dare use such a beast as entertainment. Though, watching it trample a certain few would surely bring me great joy." she said with another sharp glance toward the comedian. "He shall be a guardian of Salitra. Ravaan." she called, and a guard stepped up and bowed. "Have a more suitable residence built for him in the courtyard, and find me someone who knows how to train him. His name will be Nakoa." The guard bowed once more, and left to attend to his tasks.

"Thank you, Veena. Stay, enjoy the food and wine." she smiled warmly to her guest, and had been about to gesture toward the tables of food and drink where many others mingled and cliqued, when she noticed who stood beside her. It was in their profession to be reticent, but for a man his size, he never ceased to amaze her with the talent. She hadn't expected to see him, not for another few weeks at least, and so she forgot herself entirely and let slip a shriek of shock and delight as she turned to him, her arms thrown around him as she leapt without regard for decorum, nor their lack of privacy.

"You're here." she breathed and squeezed for dear life.

 

[Veena]

Gift delivered and certain she had kept the unspoken peace between the black market and local government, Veena bent almost double in a low bow before swaggering off to help herself to the food.

"Now, don't go over indulging yourself," the djinn muttered as Biscuit chirped and chittered in delight at the spread before them, though even Veena had a hard to hiding the noise her stomach made. Of course they ate well in the Bootlegger but a meal was always better when it wasn't cooked by you or your dragon. The green reptile seemed to sense her thoughts for it looked at her reproachfully.

"Not that I prefer this food, of course. Crème Brule by Biscuit is always superior," satisfied the dragon hopped onto the table causing one of the noble women to shriek and recoil. Veena grabbed a plate and together they sauntered down the long buffet table piling their plate high.

 

[Liana]

Liana continued to watch the man who had entered on a lie. He did not seem to be making a move towards Nym though. No...he was here to meet one of her ladies it seemed.

Liana relaxed but continued to stand sentinel. She watched Nym greet the man who had entered and eventually she took her seat again.

She was not needed. Watching Nym hug the man made her heart ache for Laru.

 

[Settra]

Security could wait. Nymeasha noticed Settra's presence and let out a sound of such pure delight, the pure enthusiasm of which he'd not heard beyond a little girl receiving a puppy. It brought a warmth and reassurance to his heart, and the faintest of smiles to his face. He sighed contentedly and wrapped his arms around her waist as she draped herself over his shoulders. Settra had never been so glad to have been wrong.

"You're here."

"I could not have missed this for the world," He replied in his soft rasp. Weeks of hard work melted away in an instant. This is what made it all worth it. The chance to come home. Truly, home.

The assassin tucked his chin over the Sultana's shoulder. "Happy birthday."

All the while, that box he'd tucked away burned in his mind, while the raucous giver of the giant bull creature drew attention to herself elsewhere. There'd be a proper time and place to offer his gift as well, he knew that. It was just a matter of finding that moment.

 

[Nym]

"Hm.." she smiled and allowed a deep breath to fill her lungs and tumble free, as though everything had realigned and was right again. She had grown up here, she knew every nook of it and the faces were familiar, but without him she was alone here, every nook was a shadow in which those familiar faces might hide to stab her in the back the very second her guard was down. She had never understood her father more deeply than she had since returning to Salitra and sitting on the throne...

"Thank you.." she answered, lowering her slippered heels back to the ground to look up at him, a hand reaching to his cheek. It occurred to her rather suddenly that they were still stood in the throne room filled with people and she sighed. Another guard announced the next visitor, and Nym nodded briefly in his direction. "One moment."

"Will you come sit with me?" she asked as she reached for Settra's hands, a glance toward her throne and the chair that sat beside it, occupied by a female. "Her name is Liana. Laru'dahl sent her to me, believing she would be an asset.." she told him with a quirk of her brow. "I've yet to discover why.. Perhaps we can unwrap that particular gift together?" she tilted her head, and then heard herself.

"Not.. in a sexual way. Well.. I mean." she frowned in confusion and shook her head with a breathy laugh. "Lets just sit." she smirked and pulled him along side her, another chair already set up for Settra before they reached the dais. She offered the woman a smile and introduced the two and sat down, ready for the next guest.

 

[Veena]

Veena plopped herself down amongst the plush cushions scattered around low tables. A maid wandered past with a mesmerising sway to her hips and the smuggler watched with appreciation as she carried on her rounds with a tray of drinks.

"Shisha?" a deep, rumbling voice asked opposite. The Djinn popped a tart berry into her mouth and reluctantly looked away from the maid to the man opposite. Her eyebrows shot into her hairline.

"Didn't think I would be seeing you here, Shirin," she leant across the low round table and took the offered hose to take a long drag. The man opposite grunted and settled back, his two large meaty hands resting relaxed on his knees. Not that Veena would be stupid enough to ever think he was slow. That was the mistake most people made with Shirin, but his size was a dastardly trap his enemies only fell for once.

"Guard duty, needed the extra cash."

Now that Veena could always respect.

 

[Settra]

"Of course,"
The ghost of a smile on Settra's lips stretched a little wider as his charge, his love, gazed up at him. His glancing up and into the room when the guard heralded the next guest was as close as he could come to jumping in surprise as he, too, had forgotten his surroundings.

Station was something he'd learned was not nearly as dwelled upon as he thought it would be in Salitra. The Council of Eleven, at the very least, seemed to care very little (if at all) that their Sultana was openly romantic with her own bodyguard. That said, he wasn't sure what other dignitaries might think.

The assassin happily followed Nym as she pulled him along, silently nodding his answer to her question. He pondered over the presence of the new, freckled woman.
"Laru'dahl? Hmm..." He parroted back. Intriguing. He was not intimately familiar with Laru; no one really was. He only knew what Medja had cared to tell, that the mysterious man was the closest thing her contemporary Ashuanar had to a Hand. What did that make this Liana?

As Settra sat beside Nymeasha, he let her finish her musing, then took a long moment to properly absorb the words that had just been loosed into the air. He blinked at her once, then twice. He might've blushed, were he capable.
"...Indeed."

That definitely required further unpacking. But for now, there was protocol to follow and manners to uphold, and there were no better at only speaking when spoken to than Settra.

 

[Liana]

Liana smiled and bowed her head to the Sultana as she and the man ascended the dais. Her smile and nod transferred over to the man as Nym introduced him.

Settra. Her mind immediately started to go through the ridiculously huge amount of information that she stored in her brain. She knew his name and that he was currently Nym's bodyguard and lover but she did not have much more information than that.

"A pleasure to meet you," Liana said in a sweet tone. Lie. She did not care one bit about the man or pleasantries. She had not been sent here to make friends. She had been sent here to use her magic to protect Nym when others could not.

 

[Nym]

Nym watched with a smile as her new lamassu was taken back out.. "Veena is quite the wonder.." her head shook in slow contemplation as she settled back onto the cushioned throne and drummed her fingertips on the ornate arms of the seat.

"So, Liana, you were saying that Laru'dahl thought you might be an asset to me.. I'm curious as to what talents you possess that would make him think such a thing." she smiled to her. Beside them, a cupbearer poured them each a goblet of fresh wine, and before them the next gift-bringer was being led up the aisle to be announced.

 

[Veena]

From her pockets a pack of cards was produced and soon a fierce came of Rami had broken out drawing a small crowd to come and watch as the two battled it out. Cards dealt back and forth, there was a good deal of cursing on each side, and more than a few chuckles from spectators who joined them lounging on the cushions and smoking.

What went unnoticed amongst the revelry however was the small green dragon inching its way towards one of the shiny lamps, curious at the taste of the smoke the humans seemed to like so much...

 

[Settra]

Liana's greeting was met with a long, vacant stare. Settra had no social magic--hell, he had no social finesse whatsoever. He was purpose built for one thing and one thing only. It had only been Nym's efforts that had brought him out of that hollow shell. Any hint of hidden malice or false niceties were lost on the assassin. So he simply nodded in reply, a civil, inoffensive nod.

Nymeasha would likely always be the talker between the two of them. That was one of many roles she'd taken on as sultana. It was one she'd taken to like a sidewinder to a dune as well, despite her frequent complaints about the job. It baffled Settra how quickly she'd fallen into it, especially given how she hadn't been raised too differently from him. Perhaps that was proof of her heritage. Was an affinity for politics something that was passed by blood among nobility?

A question for later, perhaps. In this moment, Settra was at least socially conscientious enough to know that paying attention to the conversation at hand was appropriate. Nym's statement was a perfectly valid one, as well. He wouldn't express it aloud, but he couldn't help but be interested in this "gift" that was sent from someone as enigmatic as Laru'dahl.