[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190811/ebaf9cbdde92c7897e853938cfe68fe5.png[/img] [color=6E8E67]Location:[/color] Linda's Shop[/center][hr][hr] She could hardly keep up with the woman as she piled her arms high with clothes. So many different types of fabrics brushed her arms and face. It was sensory overload. And that wasn't even to speak of all the colors! She felt dizzy from it all. She had to use a bit of Craft to keep from buckling under the weight of the treasures. Fatima was then urged and rushed into a fitting room - a literal room in which to try on all of these lavish clothes. She felt uncomfortable being in there alone with Linda but was not keen on having either man in the room either. She did not see Dareen in the building, having her there would have made her her feel less exposed while she became more exposed, as it were. Of course, she was just being a tad silly. There was nothing to fear from Linda. And Jandar was there in the store. The shopwoman was unlikely to pull a knife on her. In fact, the worst wound she could expect from the woman might be to accidentally get stuck with a pin. Perhaps a small way the townsfolk could fight back against the Aristo. Or perhaps they would be too afraid of retaliation to even do something that could truly be a mistake. [center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200731/7b0275756646d73c6e29c8c33a546a01.png[/img] [color=B2E0DD]Location:[/color] Winton - Linda's Shop[/center][hr][hr] Sybl was enjoying watching the little Queen flit about and talk fabrics with the shop woman. Especially found it quite adorable when her arms were quite overloaded with cloth. She took it so charmingly. Not a complaint. She didn't call for him to come carry the clothes for her though he would have gladly done so. She was quite singular. A knocking at his mind's door called him from his thoughts. He listened without any outward sign that something was disturbing his peace. The psychic scent surprised him and that surprise passed back along the thread as the connection was made. [color=B2E0DD][i]'It is not her, dear friend. This one is different. I could spare a moment. What do you need?'[/i][/color] [color=Gold][i]”Not her?”[/i][/color] There was silence before the mental voice of the Black spoke against with a hint of less an edge and curiosity. Pain traveled down the connection. Something Saetan wouldn’t allow if he could help it. [color=Gold][i]"I am in need of assistance, but who are you with then?”[/i][/color] [color=B2E0DD][i]'She calls herself Fatima. She is a Queen without a castle. You are hurt?'[/i][/color] [color=Gold][i]"A Queen without a castle?"[/i][/color] Without a court? [color=Gold]"[i]Laska was less than pleased by my excellent tongue. Especially when I noted her for what she was."[/i][/color] Was. Was no longer. But there was no hiding the pain and curiosity that shook the bond between the two men. [color=B2E0DD][i]'Aaaah, well. When one dabbles with fire… I am her escort in town, I cannot leave her without it becoming suspicious. Where are you?'[/i][/color] But, truly, he did not wish to leave her. The despair of that thought sang along their psychic thread. [color=Gold]“There is a cave down on the beach. That unpopular spot…”[/color] Which was unpopular because that was where the Blood had been drowned for ‘disloyalties’. No one knew outside of the Court, but the feel was there and thus the townspeople avoided it. [color=B2E0DD][i]'I shall come directly. I must excuse myself first.'[/i][/color] With that he broke the thread. He did not think to excuse himself to Jandar or Dareen. That was not how things were done. He approached the fitting room door and knocked politely. [color=6E8E67]“I’m decent,”[/color] came the call and so he opened the door. He had to stop a moment for the pale cool blue, nearly grey gown of taffeta that she wore was stunning. There were deeper grey pipings on the dress and black embroidery along the skirts. She shimmered. With a smile, he closed the door and approached Fatima. Bowing deeply he said, [color=B2E0DD]“I’m afraid I must leave you.”[/color] His voice was horribly cracked now and the words pained him deeply. He straightened and coughed. Sybl felt the gentle brush of her mind against his. It was like warm summer rains come to soothe him. He readily allowed it entrance. [color=6E8E67][i]‘Let us speak this way, I am sure it is easier for you.’[/i][/color] She folded her hands in front of her and Sybl was refreshed by her kindness. [color=B2E0DD][i]‘Yes, thank you.’[/i][/color] [color=6E8E67][i]‘What is calling you away so soon?’[/i][/color] The tone he heard from her voice, that coquettish whine did not match the calm energy of her mind’s touch. [color=B2E0DD][i]‘My humblest apologies, but I must see to a friend in a bit of trouble.’[/i][/color] [color=6E8E67][i]‘Trouble?’[/i][/color] [color=B2E0DD][i]‘Yes, do not worry. He shall be fine. I will return soon.’[/i][/color] [color=6E8E67][i]‘Do you need a healer? I am well versed in the arts.’[/i][/color] He thought on this moment. He wasn’t sure how well Saetan would take the young woman appearing alongside him. But Sybl knew himself to be no healer. His only balm and potion being alcohol. He sighed. [color=B2E0DD][i]‘I’m afraid your entourage will not be welcome. And you might not be as well. He is a private man.’[/i][/color] [color=6E8E67][i]‘Private or not, if he is in need of help I am poised to offer it.’[/i][/color] The stern and collected way she was speaking with him now was so very different and took him off guard. His brows furrowed as he surveyed her. What was this little lamb of a Queen? She was unlike anything he had ever experienced. How delightful she should be his. [color=B2E0DD][i]‘Alright, I will take you. I just hope your hounds do not do me grievous harm.’[/i][/color] [color=6E8E67][i]‘I wouldn’t let them.’[/i][/color] He doubted she could keep them from hurting him but, regardless, he had a friend to attend to. And a chance to see what his Queen could do. He passed Linda a handful of coins, scooped the tiny Queen into his arms, and used a site shield to hide them both from prying eyes. He exited a back way, thrilling in her arms around his neck and, for to make haste, he ascended into the air as if climbing a flight of stairs to the sky. She gasped and her pure ecstasy of it tickled him. [color=6E8E67]“We’re flying!”[/color] She exclaimed. [color=B2E0DD][i]‘No, just walking on the air. I have no wings,’[/i][/color] his tone was bemused and he looked down but her face was turned away, looking out across the vast ocean. And Sybl knew, in that moment, as the salty breeze tousled his hair and brushed her across his face, that he would die for this woman. For she meant change. [center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190811/ebaf9cbdde92c7897e853938cfe68fe5.png[/img] [color=6E8E67]Location:[/color] Winton - Linda's Shop[/center][hr][hr] Before being entirely whisked away Fatima sent Jandar and Dareen a simple message. [color=6E8E67][i]'Someone needs help. I will be back soon. Worry not.'[/i][/color] Naturally, they were going to be very worried. And very, very cross with her. But as it stood, she could not leave someone in need if she could help them.