Day 2 - Late Evening - Light & Shadow - Conclusions

[Soraya al-Menjari]

"A group? ...what, like an organization?"

Sora seemed taken aback, pausing in her sips.

"Whatever could a group of people want ME for? Surely if it were just something silly as money they would give up after their intentions were discovered."

[Aydi al-Qais]

He sighed pensively, the fuzzy atmosphere of sensual tension somewhat waning. Professional approach kicked in. "We don't know what they're after, Sayyeda, but ransom remains an option. It may be less about you personally and more about who you represent. House Mejari's list of enemies is likely extensive, no-one with such power can avoid those."

He supported his chin in thought. "Normally, I'd agree with you. If they were just normal opportunists, they would be lying low now. But we both saw how that one killed herself to avoid capture and being interrogated. Few beyond true fanatics do that. To protect her siblings, and to escape her mother's judgement, as she uttered. So there is a whole family implicated, or something family-like. Also, she had a tattoo of "1" on her. It makes sense to expect that if there is one, there are other numbers. Who would tattoo themselves with numbers?" He let the question hang for Soraya to give it some thought.

[Soraya al-Menjari]

"That sort of thing makes me think of some secret cult or order, like the Jackals or Assassins, or that one Ivindi cult people whisper about. But that is just the wild speculation of a girl who reads too many stories. My father once told me Dahabi work means knowing about such groups and what they desire, but that he would do all in his power to make sure I would never need to know about such things."

A sigh, one of Soraya's fingers rimming around the lip of her juice glass, "I may have messed up his wish for me somehow in my own ignorance."

[Aydi al-Qais]

"I don't think it's like that, Sayyeda. For someone of your birth, it's part of rising to your position, becoming aware of those webs of hostile forces you may face on occasion. They're not going anywhere, and the sooner you figure out how to deal with them, probably the better. I am sure this incident or plot is just going to strengthen you." He offered a confident smile. He wasn't one of those who would patronise her behind her back for her alleged naivete, carelessness, or for a mindset of a sheltered and pampered daughter. Of all people, he knew the value of innocence and the strength that came from believing the world was a better place than it really was, or at least that it could be. If Soraya proved to be cynical, she'd lose much of her appeal to him.

"Once we ensure you come out of the pinch unscathed, and the culprits are subdued. Which I am happy to work on."

[Soraya al-Menjari]

"So the problem is not likely to simply go away in the long term, more or less? That is... unfortunate. Though it does match with what I know about Dahabi business in a way, I suppose, no matter my exact roll in things. Still."

She sat up a bit, looking less thoughtful and pensive, "If you say I will make it through and end up a stronger person in the end, I can but trust in that for now, no matter how much I wish that strength wasn't a necessity."

[Aydi al-Qais]

"I saw a Senpet woman around whose abs could put mine to shame in a contest, as could her wrestling arm." He joked. "And yet I handled the assailant when it mattered, and you managed to get yourself free as well! Strength comes in many forms, Sayyeda, so maybe you needn't wish against that change. Since there's so much to like about the current you, I don't think it's easy to spoil that by whatever personal growth."

He finally took a sip. "But I think I get what you're saying. You wish the underbelly of this city wasn't so dark. I agree with that, I think the same. So the point is to make it less so, chip by chip. And you have more power to do so than I ever will, so if I am not giving up, perhaps neither should you, hmm?" He dared a wink.

[Soraya al-Menjari]

"..."

She thought about everything he said for a moment, continuing to run a finger around her cup's rim. Finally, she looked up at him, "You... like me as I am? You don't think I'm too ignorant or weak or reckless?"

[Aydi al-Qais]

He met her gaze, finding courage, at least initially. "I approached you as a complete stranger with a ridiculous story of what the stars told me but you believed me and offered me your trust. Then in a moment of trial I asked you to run, and you didn't. That was reckless, but also spoke volumes of your heart of gold. So yes, Sayyeda, I like you very much exactly how you are." He chuckled, rubbing his temples in some tension. "Even if it's a bit embarrassing to admit that just like that... A-and so I feel highly motivated to help you get through this predicament, whatever that is."

[Soraya al-Menjari]

"Never be embarrassed to speak your mind, or your heart, Mister Aydi. Hearing those words straight from the source only gives me that much more conviction and happiness, after all. Not to mention motivation, as you said."

Her smile at him widened, lifting her noble cheeks softly.

[Aydi al-Qais]

"Then am I free to be happy about spending time with you tonight, over this juice?" He looked up, appreciating the width of her smile, becoming readily infected. It didn't take much to curve his own lip corners up, but that came with a bright sparkle in his dark eyes.