Tales of the Jewel

Arash left his room and sat down in the communal dining room. The day was just starting, and he knew it is going to be a long one before the contest.

He started pouring some tea for himself, alongside something to eat.

The sweet scent, almost too sweet, of apricot filled the room as his betrothed swept in.

"Ah, beloved! It is good to see you. I hope this morning finds you well?"

No matter what he may think of some of her behaviors even Arash could not dismiss that Kareen Rafiq was a beautiful sight. Not a hair out of place, makeup in perfect order - subtly enhancing without overpowering, and as graceful as a willow... if lacking in the compassion such a tree implied.

If the pettiness and cruelty he thought her capable of were true it did not yet carry to her eyes for they were warm and bright this morning.

"Ah, good morning my bride to be." He replied with forced cheer. Maybe he was just imagining things. He did felt stressed about the whole wedding.

"So far so good. Just having breakfast. Care to join me?"

"Of course!"

For even something as simple as sitting to eat she keeps her movements proper and elegant.

"You are competing today, yes, beloved?"

"Yes! That is certainly the plan.2 He seemed pleased with himself, and gestured towards the tea if she wanted any.

"I am sure there are many great warriors among our hosts here, but hopefully I can manage well."

She carefully pours a cup for herself then tops off his cup if not waved away.

"I should attend so that my cheers may guide your arrow to victory. What time precisely is it?"

Jewel wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 29, 2021 5:31 pm

She carefully pours a cup for herself then tops off his cup if not waved away.

"I should attend so that my cheers may guide your arrow to victory. What time precisely is it?"

"The competition will be later in the day, when sun's glare is less distracting, I am given to understand." He took a sip of tea. It was nice, but...perhaps some coffee later would help.

"Have you explored the city so far?"

"Only a little so far. A walk along the Thoroughfare and some of the other markets." She sips here tea, "I was thinking perhaps we shall purchase one of those slaves or two. For the tasks that are a little beneath even the Shudra. No Invindi, of course." She laughs and waves off the thought, "I'm not letting any of the truly unclean within out home."

Jewel wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:53 pm

"Only a little so far. A walk along the Thoroughfare and some of the other markets." She sips here tea, "I was thinking perhaps we shall purchase one of those slaves or two. For the tasks that are a little beneath even the Shudra. No Invindi, of course." She laughs and waves off the thought, "I'm not letting any of the truly unclean within out home."

Arash nodded happily along the first point, but as it later went... "Or maybe not? I am sure the staff can handle everything that we need." The thought of slaves still irked him. There was a caste system for a reason.

Meanwhile, he reached for a date, and offered it to her.

She frowns a little but happily takes the date.

"I simply don't see why one of the Shudra should need to dirty themselves with cleaning our chamberpots when an outsider could do it. I mean for important service we would still rely on them of course - but I am sure they would be most pleased to not have to handle the more foul tasks."