The Viper's Den: a club in one of the more upscale regions in Ragash. Once upon a time it had been a meeting ground for the notorious gang, the Blood Asps. It had been a sordid place where women danced in exchange for coin, drugs were taken in dark corners, and shady deals were made beneath dirty tables. That was many years ago, however, when Medja was an employee and not the owner of the establishment. Now it was almost exactly the same, but it looked nicer and was regulated and paid taxes.
Like all things that operated how the Vizier of Stars preferred, the Viper's Den rode the line between order and chaos. Crime, while not traditionally ideal, was something that could actually be beneficial to the Empire when carefully watched and kept under control. Though she had mostly separated herself from Ragash's underbelly since the Empire had annexed it, Medja still had her fingers in certain aspects of it, and the Den was a great method of keeping tabs on things. Greasing the right palms and eavesdropping on the right conversations often yielded information that couldn't be acquired otherwise.
The biggest reason Ragash's Unseen Hand kept the venue under her ownership, however, was one that she'd never openly admit: she had a soft spot for the dancers. Working as one had made her intimately familiar with the hardships that many of the women had to deal with. There were few places that a dancer could perform and feel safe these days, but since Medja had acquired it the Viper's Den had built up a reputation for both the quality of its dancers and the importance it placed on their safety. Bouncers could not be bought at the Den; no amount of money or influence could spare you if you broke the rules. Even still, it was one of the most popular clubs in Ragash. The drinks and entertainment provided at other venues simply couldn't compare.
So it was that Medja happened to be visiting the Viper's Den one evening, waiting in an elevated, private booth near the back of the club. "Booth," of course, was a loose term; it was more of a series of plush, luxurious couches surrounding an equally extravagant seat that resembled a throne. Some might call her indulgent for choosing such a throne as her perch, gazing down upon those who would find their way into her presence, but Medja didn't care. After all, she was nothing if not resplendent.
While the vizier did have a couple of her beloved dancers to keep her company, there was one person who she was truly eager to see, who she had sent a personal invitation to. The one who she thought would appreciate a change in the usual scenery. The one who she gifted one of her own precious artifacts to some months ago. The one who her informants had told her was back in Amol-Kalit. Medja awaited Fieravene.
Like all things that operated how the Vizier of Stars preferred, the Viper's Den rode the line between order and chaos. Crime, while not traditionally ideal, was something that could actually be beneficial to the Empire when carefully watched and kept under control. Though she had mostly separated herself from Ragash's underbelly since the Empire had annexed it, Medja still had her fingers in certain aspects of it, and the Den was a great method of keeping tabs on things. Greasing the right palms and eavesdropping on the right conversations often yielded information that couldn't be acquired otherwise.
The biggest reason Ragash's Unseen Hand kept the venue under her ownership, however, was one that she'd never openly admit: she had a soft spot for the dancers. Working as one had made her intimately familiar with the hardships that many of the women had to deal with. There were few places that a dancer could perform and feel safe these days, but since Medja had acquired it the Viper's Den had built up a reputation for both the quality of its dancers and the importance it placed on their safety. Bouncers could not be bought at the Den; no amount of money or influence could spare you if you broke the rules. Even still, it was one of the most popular clubs in Ragash. The drinks and entertainment provided at other venues simply couldn't compare.
So it was that Medja happened to be visiting the Viper's Den one evening, waiting in an elevated, private booth near the back of the club. "Booth," of course, was a loose term; it was more of a series of plush, luxurious couches surrounding an equally extravagant seat that resembled a throne. Some might call her indulgent for choosing such a throne as her perch, gazing down upon those who would find their way into her presence, but Medja didn't care. After all, she was nothing if not resplendent.
While the vizier did have a couple of her beloved dancers to keep her company, there was one person who she was truly eager to see, who she had sent a personal invitation to. The one who she thought would appreciate a change in the usual scenery. The one who she gifted one of her own precious artifacts to some months ago. The one who her informants had told her was back in Amol-Kalit. Medja awaited Fieravene.
