[b]Nahla![/b] Ruz reclines on a couch, surrounded on three sides by dark velvet curtains. On a footrest beside her lie the Sultan’s proclamations (made on her behalf by Ruz herself) and the Vizier’s stamp. So much power in such a small thing. With it, she can direct the shape of the city and its fortunes. With it, she could make you a master yourself, or send you to the tumultuous dock markets for resale. One red nail lies almost idly upon it. A strapping young man, bare to the waist, fans her to keep her cool, his ankle chained to one leg of the couch. He does not look up at you, but feel free to drink him in. It helps with the image of you as rough. Yes, that’s a good reason to look at the soft swell of his arms, the gentle definition of his chest. Ruz herself is watching you through half-lidded eyes. It would not do to give you the impression you have too much of her attention, after all. “Come closer,” she says, softly. “And present yourself for inspection.” Kneeling, knees spread, wrists resting on them— but do you? No, perhaps you’d instead show her how a serving-girl of the Dragons presents herself: chin up, hands folded neatly, seemingly demure. [hr] [b]Birsi![/b] Jekkan cuts the rope holding you up, and you collapse to your knees. When she helps you up, it is with a surprising gentleness, though her hands are still bold; she runs one hand along your sore rump, promisingly. “Momma,” she says, clapping one hand over your mouth casually, her grip firm but not unkind, “I’m convinced. I can use this girl.” “You’ll stake yourself on it?” Bes is not quite convinced, and you immediately get the dynamic. You’re familiar, after all. Jekkan is placing her status on the line in order to follow her intuition that you will be a useful lead, even a subverted asset— but likely not for an investigation. There’s something else in play here. “I will,” Jekkan purrs, and presses your head against the side of her chest. She’s [i]so[/i] strong. It’s not the inherent strength of one of the Host, but something she’s earned, along with the scars on her arms. Her thumb strokes your cheek, and how small do you feel, Birsi? Small and protected? Jekkan is obviously fond of you, and you could use that… That is, if you’re not thinking about that strong, sure hand spanking you. [Take a String on Jekkan; she gives you what she thinks you want, freedom and affection.] [hr] [b]Silsila![/b] Hai Lin nods, serenely. “I see. I suppose this is what I should have expected. You are, after all, [i]just[/i] a Host. And not a particularly capable one, given your current status and ownership.” An insult to Merov Ekh, disguised under an insult to you. When she moves, it is sudden and precise; her fork lifts your chin, the tines gently digging into your skin. “Tell me why I should not have you sealed and dropped into the sea, then.” Her tone is even and conversational, but her threat is dire. Imagine being trapped inside of a vase or a lamp, squeezed down so tight, and then dropped and forgotten in the sea, the end of Silsila Om’s story unless some lucky fisherman should release you… [hr] [b]Soot![/b] Rosethal’s smile is almost serpentine as she lays out a Fool’s Array and slides your chips over to her side of the table. She continues talking as a new hand is dealt. “The Almighty places everyone where they deserve to be in life. It is the duty of the nobility to take care and make decisions for those who serve us, because, little painter girl? You were not made to be a master. You were made to do what we think is necessary— and what [i]I[/i] think is necessary is that you are going to fold, and then you are going to do what I say. Otherwise… maybe I will decide that you no longer require that studio.” Rosethal [i]is[/i] your patron’s daughter. If she decided to go complain to Ruz, it is almost certain that she could convince her to remove some, if not all of your support. And she’s [i]going[/i] to, if you don’t intentionally and humiliatingly lose here. Unless you can come up with some clever plan, that is. But it would be easier to lose and obey her. She’ll make you suffer for it, but it will be a familiar sort of suffering, and not the risk of losing everything here at the palace. What do you do, Soot? Remember that you are not the only ones in play; the Fire Wheels would enjoy seeing Rosethal humiliated as much as they would enjoy seeing you put in your place.