The Empire A Night of City Lights | Ragash

[Al'qadim Valar]

Valar would bow his head first at Gerra not dismissing his request, to which he offered his men his spear, even without that being verbally requested to show his intent. The second bow of his head would be in response to Medja, speaking on his behalf.

As the group began to move, he wished he could feign the surprise when the coward bumped his shoulder. And when he spoke, his words were just for Syrus. "Your actions prove your character to be no better than just a boys."

His hands would clasp behind his back as he fell in, ten paces behind his Empress. "Thank you, Regent." He would say, to further prove the point she made. After all. What did politics mean to a mercenary?

Medja Gerra

 

[Gerra]

“No, he will remain here,” ordered the Emperor as he strode forward in the direction of the palace.

He had had his own experience with mercenaries and knew that they were little more than vultures out looking for their next meal. Useful in the right circumstance, but not the sort that he would permit in the palace. Especially given how he had used the Bronze Claw mercenaries to gain control of Annuakat all that time ago.

His own soldiers followed at a distance as Gerra’s stride lengthened and some semblance of calm replaced that burning ire.

 

[Fieravene]

"Different dames have different games," Fieravene offered wryly to Noelani while she retook her previous seat upon the cushions, "and we are both eager seekers of the new. We would love to play."

Though of a refined, lithe build, Fiera's cheeks hollowed as she drew upon the hookah stem and smoothly blew the smoke upwards into the swooping arches of the ceiling. There was movement and excitement in the city beyond, but the dark elf reclined happily into the cushions and luxuriated there with a cup of win and a platter of fruits and cheeses.

Ah but she did miss the luxuries of the Amol Kalit when she was away and it made her exceptionally happy to share them with friends.

 

[Ashuanar]

They moved quickly, soon to delve into passages unseen and less traveled, passages that led them quickly into the bowels of the palace. From there they could ascend with haste, and bring themselves to the chambers' doors long before the emperor and his remaining entourage ever would.

Rasps at the door.

Knocking harder now.

No answer.

Locked doors were booted open, as suspicions required confirmation.

Gone.​

Meekly then, they would have to return, but with all the haste the gods would afford them. Hopefully, their lord's ire would be aimed anywhere other than toward them.

Returning, they would deliver the news solemnly, "they are missing, my lord."

---

There was certainly a warmer side of Ashuanar that had chosen to arise this evening. That it had been stoked by the warmth of his drink, the first of which being quite potent, mattered little. He was enjoying himself for the first time in a long time, meeting with friends old and new and sitting comfortably in a well cushioned seat.

"How about a game?"
​

He quirked his brow. His eyes sought Fieravene as she spoke, and then back to Noelani as he said, "A game?"

His tone was both inquisitive and affirmative. Though he was curious as to what she had in mind, he really only needed to know the rules. He was content to play, whatever it was.

---

Through the streets, one who knew his vizier's perhaps a little better than his peers - a lone cloak moved. He knew not exactly where they would be, but he knew the places to look. If they were out here, it was only a matter of time.

---

@ all yall, dayum. ​

 

[Noelani]

"It is a game I learnt from the Sailors of Prefth," Lani explained after quietly asking a passing maid to bring them some parchment and ink. The woman curtseyed and hurried off whilst the vizier of the moon took a sip of the delightful punch that had been delivered to the table. The spiced peach and berry rum was a tropical reminder of home that made her take pause to savour it for a brief moment.

"You write down anything - an item, a person, an animal, a place," she begun to explain as the maid returned with the requested items. "On a strip of parchment then attach it to someone's forehead - they mustn't know what it says," she ripped off a section of paper and held it up plain to her own forehead. "They then must guess what they are by asking questions everyone else can only answer yes or no to."

 

[Tulio]

Noelani || Fieravene || Ashuanar

Still attached to Fieravene's hip, the shadowy information broker sat alongside his slender companion. After shifting on the mound of pillows and cushions, the Eleth's long legs crossed over Tulio's lap.

"Oh!" Tulio clapped his hands with childlike excitement, flashing a row of straight white teeth as he smiled, "Pōhēh! I know this one. Pirates of Teth play this game while at sea, though they call it Gisse Vem."

Tulio had immediately scrawled the name Dawnbringer on his improvised playing card. When everyone finished, he smiled again.

"Now, we should pass the strips in a clockwise order."

With Fiera to his right, Tulio leaned forward to hand his folded strip to Ashuanar and, with a wink, said, "Don't peek, mate."

After licking the back of the paper handed to him, Tulio stuck the strip to his forehead, where it sat crooked across his brow.