Tae

Avalia

Wumong & Faye

Time: Morning
Location: Tavern in Roshmi

Faye Equipment

Outfit
Wings
350 amas
Dagger
Berries
Nuts
Map
Backpack
Pouch full of healing herbs and different seeds
Waterskin

Wumong

Monk clothing
Strength enchanted bracers
Enlareduce Enchanted Quarterstaff
Backpack
Rations
Waterskin
350 Amas

---

---

The monkey and the fairy had traveled the entire day and even into the night with only a brief stop to rest. Faye was rather anxious about getting to Roshmi and also didn’t want to spend too much time in the jungle, not wanting to run into something dangerous. While she had full confidence in Wumong’s fighting ability, she had very little confidence in her own. Sure she’d begun taking lessons from Wumong, but her abilities were still very lacking. She had a feeling she’d only be in the way if they were to fight something. So every time Wumong would ask if she needed any rest she would push herself and tell him she was fine. He’d had to force her to stop and rest for a while, to which she’d tried to protest but he was having none of it. So rest they did and thankfully nothing had happened while they did so.

They had made it to Roshmi in the early hours of the morning and this was when they’d discovered what had transpired in Roshmi the day before. Entering the city was much more of a hassle than she remembered it to be, dark elves standing at the gates and questioning all who wished to enter. When it was their turn it took everything in Faye to keep her anger in check and tears from spilling onto her cheeks. Wumong had to speak with them instead as Faye knew she would only cause suspicion if she tried to speak. She wasn’t even sure if she hadn’t already caused suspicion by constantly trying not to look at the dark elves. Thankfully after a few minutes they were let into the city and, while Faye wanted to look for Bastian immediately, Wumong convinced her to find a place to stay first and then they could continue their mission afterwards.

That is what led them to the tavern they were now in. Faye had first gone up to their room to rest for a bit while she left Wumong to his own devices. After a bit she found him again and they were now sitting at a table finishing up a meal. Faye had overheard lots of gossip, mostly about what was happening within Roshmi. Apparently there had been lots of dark elves gathering up anyone who spoke out against the Twins and many bodies were on display in the major courtyards. The thought of this made her ill and she fought off many dark memories from surfacing. The dark elves had caused so much pain, Faye just wanted it all to stop. ”It seems like this city has been through a lot lately. It scares me to be here for too long. I do hope we can find Bastian and hopefully Helio quickly.” She said softly as she glanced up at Wumong, obvious fear in her eyes. Whether it was from the fear of the state of Roshmi or the prospect of seeing Helio was hard to determine, however. ”Did you hear any interesting information while I was resting by chance?” She went on to ask curiously.

Wumong looked towards Faye. He could see the fear in her tone and eyes. “Settle down my dear, I have heard some things around the city I may be able to find our little pup.” Wumong had found out that Bastian was frequenting this tavern or so he had heard. “Everything will come to us in time darling, you need not fret or worry.” He gave a comforting smile to the young fairy.

Faye took a deep breath, trying to calm herself more and then gave Wumong a small smile. ”Okay, I’ll try to keep myself a bit more calm. I’m sorry.” After a minute she began looking around the tavern, watching for Bastian. She’d met him a few times, but she worried she wouldn’t immediately recognize him.

As if on cue, the door swung open and was pushed against the wall by a claw. Yellow, predatory eyes searched the room as the dark-haired canine took in his surroundings. A low growl emitted from his throat to ward off a glare he received. He had a lean muscular build and a scar across his face. It was easy to tell from his long claws that he could tear the skin off one’s face if he so wanted. Not many looked over as they were used to his loud entrances.

Bastian’s gaze caught on the fairy and monkey demi-human seated and his stoic expression suddenly brightened. “Oh hi!” He exclaimed and began to eagerly make his way over, only to trip over the leg of a stool and fall into the table of other patrons. They gasped in indignation but he collected himself without even looking their way as he continued his journey to the table of his old friends, ”Aha! Here I am!” He flashed a grin that could make the elderly faint as he put his fists to his waist. The wolf demihuman was in a long, dramatic coat and had spiked boots, “What are you two rascals doing here, huh? But wow am I happy to see you !” His tail was subtly wagging behind him.

Faye watched the scene with wide eyes, gasping as Bastian tripped and fell. She was concerned he’d injured himself, but he was quick to jump right back up. ”Bastian, um, are you okay? That looked like it may have hurt a little…” She said softly to him once he got to their table. Bastian had nodded eagerly in reply to her question, still smiling. He stared at her for a moment as he debated on hugging her and decided against it, thinking that it would invade her personal space.

Wumong took his staff and gave Bastian a small smack on the top of his head. “You shouldn’t go stumbling around causing issues with the other guests.” Wumong laughed, “We were looking for you so we could get into contact with Helio so we could learn more about this resistance.” Wumong said to him his tone taking a more serious turn.

Bastian winced and whimpered, “Monkey! That hurt! Why have you done this?” After a moment of rubbing his head he snapped his fingers his way with a chuckle, “Sike. I’m fine. Gotcha!” He seated himself down and transferred his excited energy into tapping the table as he spoke, “Well Helio is not involved with the resistance anymore. As far as I know, he’s off in Port Vanarosa with a bunch of degenerates… But.” He leaned in to speak softer, giving them a wink, “I happen to be.”

”Bastian,” Faye began as she reached out and gently took his hand that was tapping the table. ”You know as well as I do that before everything happened with Helio he did wonders in the resistance. They killed his brother, if he’s truly back to the good Helio we knew before then why isn’t he doing anything about this? Why is he hiding out in Port Vanarosa? I just need to talk to him, to get answers and to see if I can sway him into joining this fight. Do you have any way of getting in contact with him? She pleaded with him as she trembled slightly.

Bastian squeezed her hand and then put his other hand over both of them as well, ”I do know. He’s… just… Well… He’s probably not taking it well.”He told her, his tone saddening. ”Even the people in Roshmi kinda run screaming for the hills whenever they see him. He got real depressed and left. Now I’m sure the guilt is eating him alive for leaving after what happened to his br-” He broke off, his expression breaking as everything dawned on him. ”I’m so sorry… Are you okay? Well of course you’re not-!” He pulled her into a tight hug.

Faye welcomed the hug, but it also broke her a small bit as she let out a small sob while burying her face in his chest. "I feel like I'm in a nightmare, but I can't wake up." Her words were little more than a whisper as she tried desperately to keep from breaking down completely. It was at this moment that she realized Helio must be feeling the same, if not worse and for an instant she wondered if they could help each other out of this nightmare. Perhaps that was the real reason she sought out Helio. Did she need someone that understood this hell she lived in?

Bastian had hugged her tighter when he heard the sob and gave her pets on the head. When he was sad, he liked pets. He was silent as he let her vent.

She finally pulled herself away from Bastian, looking up at him with a new determination. "I want to help him, Bastian. Help me bring him home?"

Wumong watched the two converse. It hurt his heart to know Helio was somewhere, perhaps in as much pain as Faye but alone in it. “We will bring him back. Do not worry yourself too much, my dear Faye.It’s not good for your health to stress.” Wumong placed a hand on her shoulder and looked towards Bastian. “Do you still have a way to contact him?”

Bastian tapped his transmission bracelet, ”Yup. I’ll give him a call right now.” He took it off his wrist and put it on Faye’s to use, holding down the correct button to contact Helio. However, as he was doing so, the door was suddenly kicked down to the bar with a loud thud.

“There he is! Over there with the monkey and the fairy!”

Dark elves as well as a few Roshmi demihuman guards began pouring into the bar. A dark elf with his hair in a ponytail came forward, obviously leading, ”Get both him and his accomplices.”He ordered. ”Arrest them.”

Bastian jumped to his feet and growled. This was his fault. He should have relocated their conversation elsewhere. He took only a moment to collect his thoughts as the foes were coming toward them quite slowly. He looked down at Faye and smiled at her,”Sorry.. This is my mess. Go ahead and call Helio.” He unleashed his claws and threw himself at the oncoming enemies, starting to slash away at them like a parent animal protecting its cubs.

Wumong grabbed his staff, and immediately right after Bastian, jumped at the dark elves enlarging the staff while in the air. He slammed it down on one of the elves' shoulders before kicking another one in the chest. “You really think you can win? You should have minded your own business.” Wumong continued repeatedly beating the oncoming dark elves with his staff, using many techniques as the size of his staff changed with each movement.

Faye's eyes widened in fear as the dark elves came in, but Bastian had already initiated the call. She quickly stood, backing away from the fighting that ensued. What should I do? What should I do?! Just then the call was answered and she stared at the recipient. "Helio…" She breathed, but then her head whipped to the side as she noticed someone coming towards her. She quickly looked back to the transmission, eyes wild. "Help!" She yelled and then let out a scream as a hand wrapped over her mouth and the transmission ended.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Early Evening
Location: Caesonia Ballroom
Attire: Outfit
Interactions: @Rodiak Nahir
Mentions: @Omni5876 Amir @Infinite Cosmos Munir @Aerandir Verrick @JJ Doe Ryn

---

Saiya studied Nahir for a moment, trying to decipher what was going through her head. Whatever it was, Saiya had a feeling she retreated to a dark place for a moment and her heart ached for her friend. The Kadir family had been through so much, far more than many would ever truly know and Saiya feared there was only more darkness in the future. She wanted to protect them, all of them, the ones that took her in. They chose her as their family and she would watch over them to the best of her abilities.

The warmth of a hand in hers pulled Saiya out of her thoughts and she smiled up at Nahir. ”You need not worry about me, I’m doing just fine.” She gave her hand a squeeze of her own before Nahir let go. ”And thank you for the compliment, but I am quite plain compared to you and your sisters. You had many admiring eyes upon you and I’m positive you’ve already won the hearts of many here.” She nudged her playfully, smile still in place as she finally took a sip of wine. She didn’t often drink the liquid, but when at events like this she would allow herself a glass or two. She much preferred to keep her wits about her, however.

She glanced back out at the crowd of people briefly, watching as Amir left the group he was once in. She also took note of servants now going around passing out pieces of paper and found it quite curious. Nahir instructed her not to worry about either herself or her siblings and Saiya merely nodded, but she didn’t voice the fact that she would always keep an eye on all of them no matter what. ”There are a few here that I find intriguing, but I wouldn’t say they’ve caught my eye as that redhead has caught Munir’s eye.” She said with a small laugh, but her eye flicked to the white haired man she’d seen with the Varian princess and then to the nobleman who had used the ‘Golden Tongue’ when greeting the Sultan. ”And what about you? Any of these intriguing Northerner’s catch your attention?” As she asked this, a servant approached them with one of the bowls and urged them to take a paper. Saiya complied and soon her question was answered as numbers were being called for random pairings of dances.

Avalia

Mikazuki & Rosaria

Time: Evening
Location: Desert
Interactions:Kuroi @hide on mana Uzul @dragonpiece @baraquiel Jomari, @13org Nuallán

TIME SKIP TO EVENING

The night set in on the desert and the hot air quickly became cold. It was now late evening as the group had stopped to make camp. Unfortunately for Jomari, there would be no relief from the sand any time soon. A reptile scurried by as Mikazuki exited the tent she and Rosaria were to share, one of three they had with them. A fire crackled upon some logs. It was a relief to not have the sun beating down on them any longer, however, it was fairly surprising just how cold it was getting. She had retrieved her scarf from the tent, now wrapping it around her arms as she sat down next to Rosaria.

Rosaria sat in the sand, bow drawn and arrows attached. She shivered and took the palm warmers out and offered them to Mika. “The desert is a contradiction. Super hot in the day, then cold at night. Who would have thought?”

”Thank you. Yeah, I certainly would have never guessed it would get this cold. Quite a bizarre thing.” Mika replied, giving her friend a smile as she utilized the palm warmers. The two had insisted on taking the first watch, claiming they wished to catch up as they did so. Jomari, Kuroi, Uzul, and Nuallán had all been asleep for the past hour or two. ”I feel like I haven’t really gotten to sit and see how you’ve been since all this happened. How are you holding up, my dear friend?”

”You are welcome.” She paused and then nodded. An exhausted sigh left her and rubbed her face, finally letting her guard down. ”I’m well but I’m tired. It took a lot out of me to summon the six humans. I couldn’t have done it without my family or friends though. I feel bad for bringing them into this insane world…. I just hope I’m doing the right thing. I love them all and will do anything to protect them, even the defiant and sassy Jomari. He’s a delight isn’t he?” She paused, amusement in her voice, and then added, ”How are you holding up? It’s been rough for you too. I can’t imagine being in your shoes.”

Mika nodded, having a feeling she was far more exhausted than she’d let on to the others. She couldn’t blame her, the power she exerted was one very few had the capability of wielding. ”Your strength and power is truly amazing Rosaria. We’ll protect these humans to the best of our abilities, even the delightful Jomari.” She chuckled, but her face fell some as she let her own guard drop some as well. ”Honestly I’m scared and hurting more than I want to admit. I knew my father was a coward, but never would I have expected this to happen. Suddenly I’ve gone from a meek, forgotten princess to the heir of a kingdom overnight. I wasn’t prepared for this…got any advice?”

Rosaria wrapped an arm around her friend and pulled her into a fierce side hug. She remained silent as she spoke. She nodded finally but didn’t let go. ” It’s a shame he was a coward because the demihumans deserved better. The whole city does, in fact - including you. I will give you advice: take it day by day, and if that’s too hard, then hour by hour. Nobody should expect you to turn into a ruler overnight. We didn't build Roshmi in a day so neither will you be built in a day. I know you can do it though. I believe in you. You’re one of the strongest people I know.” Mika let out a shaky breath as Rosaria spoke, but found her words quite comforting.

Unfortunately, due to the heartfelt conversation between the two, neither of them caught onto the shadowy figures silently approaching. The sand completely muffled the footsteps and the dark clothing kept them shrouded. Mikazuki watched a large hand clasp over Rosaria’s mouth suddenly and almost gasped, only for a hand to cover hers as well. She could just barely make out the figure behind Rosaria when everything went black.

Rosaria had then crumpled like a cookie in milk onto her side. Her bow slipped over her lap and onto the sand, emanating a loud thud. Her eyes slid shut instantaneously when a cloth covered her face.

When Mikazuki’s eyes opened a few moments later, she found herself over the shoulder of a large man, her wrists bound. All she could do was scream for help.

All that was left behind when the four men came back outside their tents were footsteps in the sand going in opposing directions.

Good luck boys

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Early Evening
Location: Caesonia Ballroom
Interactions: @Mole Prince Felix @Helo Leo @Aerandir Verrick @Inertia Prince Auguste
Mentions: @Rodiak Nahir

---

”Yes, very thrilling Leo. However, next time you decide you wanna dance with death like that when I’m around can you include me in it? I’d rather die with you than watch you die.” Thea said with a sigh to her brother, doing her best to keep her composure and not yell. She did manage, however, to give him a small smile in order to indicate that she was alright now. That smile quickly turned into a grimace as Leo went on to greet Prince Felix and kindly reminding her that she was to eventually marry this man. She found her gaze trailing over to the wine table as she longed for another drink now, especially as it seemed Felix grip tightened on her. It took every fiber of her being to keep from shoving him away from her. Could she find some way to justify another drink after her promise?

Her attention was pulled back to what was happening in front of her as one of the Alidasht princesses introduced herself. Seeing Nahir up close, Thea found herself entranced by the woman’s beauty. She couldn’t admire her for long, however, as Felix nudged her once again into a bow and irritation ran through her once more. This time she couldn’t hold back the small glare she gave him, but still she kept her mouth shut. She swore she could taste blood as she bit the inside of her lip in order to keep herself in check.

Thankfully Verrick pulled her attention and helped to create a bit of a distraction from her internal thoughts. Did he just…compliment me? She thought to herself briefly, taken a bit aback by the kind words, but then she found herself smiling as she saw an opportunity. ”Thank you Verrick, your compliment has brightened my night.” She responded before he left, then found herself briefly glancing at Felix, wondering what his reaction would be. She did take note of him loosening his grip on the hilt of his sword once Verrick was gone and it only caused her to grin even wider.

It was the approach of Prince Auguste and she knew the greeting that was coming that pushed Thea over the edge. Before he could nudge her into another bow, Thea yanked herself away from Felix. ”I am aware of when it is customary to bow, my Prince! No need for a constant reminder as I am not an imbecile!” She snapped at him, letting out a huff of irritation. She straightened herself, looked to Prince Auguste, and dipped into a perfect curtsy all on her own.

”It is a pleasure to see you again, Prince Auguste. I do hope you can forgive my outburst. While my mood has been soured, I assure you it is not from you or the early event of the evening.” She stood straight once more, forcing a small smile on her face before glancing around the group. ”Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find the powder room.” She spun around and made her leave, though she wasn’t truly heading for the powder room. Instead she made her way to one of the wine tables as she now desperately needed a glass.

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Beach
Interactions: @Helo Bowyn @princess Annya, @Potter Rue, & @Shard Inori
Mentions:
Outfits:
Eris New Outfit
Raven New Outfit

---

”It’s that exact thinking that’ll end up causing more problems!” Raven suddenly whirled on Bowyn, fury in her eyes. When he’d started talking she’d felt ice creep into her veins, but now it was replaced by fire. ”You speak of genocide and that…well, that is evil. So who’s the real one here letting evil creep into them, hmm? What’s your plan after you wipe them out? What happens when Avalia ends up not exactly like you think it would be without the Dark Elves? What happens when it’s not any brighter? Gonna blame it on another race? Maybe it’s the Light Elves since it’s obvious you aren’t a huge fan of them either and their obviously not innocent in all this.” She hadn’t taken notice of anything else happening around them, instead she was hyper focused on Bowyn. A soft breeze started to swirl around the group, but Raven had yet to notice that either.

”You are adding to the darkness of this world with how you think, Bowyn. I understand you’ve probably been through some dark things as have a lot of people, but that does not give an excuse for genocide.” She now glanced between Bowyn and Annya. ”So if genocide is either of your goals in this war then I will have absolutely NO part of it. Send me home now if that’s even a thought.” She stood up, now focusing on Annya. ”I’m going down to cool off in the water. Don’t worry, I’ll stay in sight.” The last sentence had a hint of sarcasm to it, born purely out of her mood. She began walking towards the water now, still not having noticed the newcomer or when Rue collapsed.

Meanwhile Eris had just watched things unfold in silence, finding some amusement in Raven’s outburst and small display of magic. Truly, she was impressed that the girl’s magic didn’t explode more in her anger. Even angry, Raven was still trying to keep her magic under control. She glanced up at Inori now, having noted him before he’d even come over, yet said nothing about it. ”Well that was all awfully exciting, was it not? I’ll accept your invitation for drinks. That sounds-” She was cut off as Rue collapsed and she looked at the young fairy in some alarm. She quickly moved to the girls side and knelt down, assessing her for a moment. ”Rue, dear, can you hear me?” That was when all hell broke loose.

Above them all a broadcast appeared showing a demon, a human, and dark elves. Pride was this demon's name and prideful they were it seemed. Eris watched as the demon pulled the human apart in a horrific display, but her attention was quickly caught by a horrified scream. Raven, not far from the group, had paused to see what was happening. As the human began being pulled apart, she felt terrified and ill as she let out a scream. She dropped to her knees, closed her eyes, and covered her ears almost in a panic. ”I wanna go home! I wanna go home1” She started sobbing as she rocked back and forth, but that wasn’t all that happened. Her magic broke loose as wind began to swirl around her rapidly. Swiftly a tornado had formed, kicking sand up everywhere and rising higher into the sky. In the center of it was Raven, not realizing she was now being lifted off the ground, as she remained in a state of panic.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Early Evening
Location: Caesonia Ballroom
Attire: Outfit
Interactions: @Rodiak Nahir
Mentions: @Omni5876 Amir @13org Mayet @Potter Layla

---

Nestled within the dancers of the Alidasht party was a young woman who had been with the Kadir family for the past ten years. While technically a servant of the family, thanks to Esrin, Hafiz, and some of the Kadir children, Saiya was treated more like a family member. She wasn’t blood, however, so she wasn’t allowed to walk within formation with the others. She had been offered to enter behind all of them, but she instead chose to join the dancers as dancing was one of the few things that actually brought her joy. So when the chaos struck, she was one of the last to realize what was happening.

She ended up silently slinking back behind the Alidasht party and blending into the crowd a bit, quietly waiting for it all to end as she knew there wasn’t much she could currently do. Things ended up calming and the Alidasht party dispersed with the guards taking point at different areas within the ballroom. Three of her six brothers were a part of those guards here within the ballroom and she could feel their eyes on her occasionally. Over the years she’d kept a relationship with them, but in truth she’d grown much closer to the Kadir family than to them. While they were treated with respect, she knew some of them resented her for the position she was in. Not quite a noble, but treated far better than any of the servants, they envied her. Still she felt caged, unable to truly be her own person.

She was about to retreat into the shadows of the ballroom, merely to observe the festivities, when she spotted Grand Vizier Hafiz coming straight for her. She steeled herself for whatever the man was about to ask of her, knowing she wasn’t going to get off easy tonight. ”Dearest Saiya, you don’t need to stand off to the side with the other servants. You are like my daughter, you should mingle and have fun. Engage in conversation, take the chance to get to know these northern kingdoms.” He gave her what others may perceive as a kind and even loving smile, but Saiya could read between the lines of his words. Gather information, listen to conversations, and make sure no one here meant any harm to the Kadir family. Learn what she could about these people, uncover secrets that could be used against them. Of course that’s what he’d want, he always wanted to know everything about everyone.

She understood, now, why he had her dress in a far fancier dress than the other dancers. She was to play an Alidasht noble tonight. ”As you wish, Your Excelency.” She said softly to him as she dipped down into a bow before silently walking out into the crowd. If she was to mingle then she was going to take the chance to speak with those she already knew and make sure they were okay. Amir seemed to be occupied with the woman who pleaded for her father, Munir was engaged with a lovely redheaded woman, and Mayet was speaking to a prince. She could go speak to Layla, but the chances of her being venomous to her were rather high, especially after the fiasco. Nahir seemed to be unoccupied and a small smile formed on Saiya’s face as she headed towards the woman.

Her and Nahir had almost always been incredibly close, but they really bonded after Esrin had passed. Nahir treated Saiya as if she were another one of her sisters and Saiya greatly appreciated it. So she had no hesitations in approaching her and making sure she was doing alright after everything. The woman was at the wine table and Saiya placed herself beside her. ”Well it’s been quite the eventful night, hasn’t it?” She gave Nahir a smile, but her eyes showed her concern. Saiya took a glass of wine for herself, if only to appear like everyone else as she wasn’t fond of the stuff. She swirled the liquid for a moment, watching it before looking back to her friend. ”Are you doing alright?” There was genuine concern apparent in her voice.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Interactions: @Inertia Auguste @Helo Callum
Mentions: @Silverpaw Wulfric @13org Mayet

---

As Sultan Raif approached King and Queen Danrose, he noted that there were two new young men with them that weren’t there before. He could only assume these were the other two princes of Caesonia, had they arrived late? It had seemed like they were potentially being scolded for something as he approached, but he said nothing of the sort. He merely gave them all a charming smile as Callum and Auguste introduced themselves to him. ”And upon both of you, may there be peace. Truly I am honored to be here as are my children.” He said as he gave a small bow before glancing up to King Edin and his wife.

”King Edin, I do hope that the rest of this season goes by smoothly. My children are still learning your customs, I do hope you can forgive them for any…missteps they may take.” It was the the best apology he could give for the earlier drama and any other drama that may occur while his children stayed for the season. Truth be told, Sultan Raif was actually looking forward to some peace and quiet away from his children. He couldn’t wait until his week of stay here was over and he could return to Genasea.

He then glanced over to his daughter, Mayet, and Prince Wulfric as he grinned a little before looking back to Edin and Alibeth. ”And who knows, perhaps by the end of this season we may be related?” He said, a little playfully, though he had a feeling this king would not be too fond of that idea. ”Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go enjoy this wonderful feast you have prepared.” With that he left for one of the food tables.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Early Evening
Location: Caesonia Ballroom
Attire: Outfit
Interaction: @Infinite Cosmos Munir
Mentions:

Thankfully things seemed to simmer down as it seemed everyone interjecting annoyed the Sultan to the point he gave up on wanting Lorenzo dead. There was a small part of Mina that had hoped that would be the case, though it had been quite the risk. Worst case scenario was a war starting over this, but something had told her that the Sultan wasn’t that delicate. It seemed no one would lose their head tonight.

As people began to disperse, Mina caught sight of the Alidasht Shehzade now approaching her and a small smirk found its way to her lips. She internally winced at the curtsy, but kept her mouth shut as to not potentially bruise another Alidasht ego. She dipped into a curtsy of her own as she went on to introduce herself. ”It is quite the pleasure to meet you, Munir. I am Lady Mina Blackwood, but perhaps you’ll call me Mistress tonight.” As she said the last bit she looked up at him playfully through her lashes. If he wanted to play a game then she would oblige.

He went on to offer up the contents of his flask and she accepted saying, ”Sounds delightful, however, let’s make a trade.” With that, she reached between her breasts to produce a small flask of her own. Within her own flask there wasn’t wine, but instead the best of Kolonivka’s vodka. If he liked a stinging bite then she would give him a stinging bite. She went on to place the flask in his hand and, as she let go, trailed her finger along the back of his hand. She took a sip of what he offered, licking her lip as she finished and then nodded in approval. ”Definitely much better than what they offer here.” She complimented.

”So, ignoring the fiasco that just occurred, how have you been enjoying our little area of the world?”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Saiya Ansari

---

Height

5’3

Weight

104 lbs

Eye Color

Light Brown

Hair Length/Texture

Straight, thick hair that falls to her hips

Hair Color

Dark chocolate brown

Skin Color

Light tan

Facial details(freckles, moles, etc)

Her nose is pierced

Distinguishing features

Saiya has faint scarring down her hands and arms, also along her back.

Clothing Preferences

Saiya often wears a lengha and choli combination in various different colors. She prefers to go around barefoot, as she’s quieter that way, but if she must she will wear sandals. She also sometimes wears a scarf draped over her hair.
Example
Example
Example

Likes:

❀ Singing
❀ Dancing
❀ Rain
❀ Daggers
❀ Tea
❀ Children
❀ Music

Dislikes:

❀ Feeling caged
❀ Her scars
❀ Arrogance
❀ Abusive people
❀ Violence

Sexuality:

Heterosexual

Hobbies:

❀ Singing
❀ Dancing
❀ Daydreaming

Life Goals/Dreams:

She longs for freedom, adventure, and to find happiness. True happiness.

Personality Summary:

Upon first meeting Saiya you can tell she was raised as a high born noble, speaking only when it’s appropriate and in an eloquent manner. She is quiet, but not for lack of confidence. She has learned that sometimes it’s best to keep your mouth shut and just listen to others speak as words can reveal a lot about a person. When she does speak, her voice is very soft and melodic with a calming quality to it. It makes it rather easy for others to trust her and makes it incredibly difficult to decipher when she’s lying. She is incredibly guarded and doesn’t trust other easily, knowing how easily trust and knowledge can be used against a person.

Underneath it all is a woman who longs for freedom and adventure. A woman who doesn’t want to worry about what she says or how she says it. Someone who isn’t bound by rules and etiquette, who doesn’t have to answer to anyone but herself. She wishes she could speak her mind and not have to worry if doing so could cause her to lose her head.

Current occupation:

Servant to the Kadir family

Any past occupations?:

Was a noble lady, then a servant to Sultana Esrin

Relatives:

Rajesh Ansari - Father - Deceased
Shanti Ansari - Mother- Deceased
Suresh Ansari - Eldest Brother - Alive
Raju Ansari - Second Eldest Brother - Alive
Ravi Ansari - Third Eldest Brother - Alive
Kamal Ansari - Younger Brother - Alive
Arjun Ansari - Second Youngest Brother - Alive
Mahesh Ansari - Youngest Brother - Alive

Skills:

❀ Cooking
❀ Dancing
❀ Singing
❀ Disappearing into the shadows
❀ Stealth
❀ Self defense, especially with a dagger

History Summary:

Born into the House Ansari, Saiya was raised as a noble within the city of Kisoma in the jungles of Alidasht. One of seven children and the only girl, Saiya was expected to be the perfect daughter. To her parents, specifically her father, that meant being seen and not heard, learning all the proper etiquette, she was always to look pristine, and just be an airheaded woman that her father believed all women to be. The only problem was she had three older brothers and eventually would have three younger brothers. Not understanding why she couldn’t do the same things her brothers did, she constantly tried to follow them around and join in their games. Her mother would often catch her outside covered in mud and dirt then would try to quickly clean her up before her father saw.

Saiya's father, she found out quickly, had quite the temper and didn't always lash out with only words. Oftentimes she found herself at the mercy of his fist. On many occasions she was left bruised and was locked up within the house until it healed. Once, he'd become so infuriated with her he threw a vase. She'd attempted to shield herself with her arms, only to have the vase shatter over them and leave quite a few scars on her arms where it sliced open her flesh.

Life was much easier when her father was away. It was only then that Saiya could really be herself. Her brothers adored her and often would train her to fight and use a weapon when their father wasn't around, ensuring that she would always know how to defend herself once she got out from under their father's thumb. She found a love of daggers with the khanjar being her favorite, but this was because daggers were used to defend oneself and that would be the only time she would show violence.

Her favorite time as a child was when they would all travel to Genasea for court meetings. Her mother was dear friends with Sultana Esrin as they grew up together in Kisoma. Because of this friendship, Saiya and her brothers were allowed to play with the Sultan’s children and Saiya was actually allowed to truly have fun.

When Saiya was 14 years of age everything changed. Her father was caught embezzling money and plotting to overthrow him. As punishment, he was stripped of his title and executed, his family was removed from their home, and before they knew it they had nothing. Disgraced, they struggled to find work and make any sort of living. Her mother fell ill and, with one last effort to protect her children, reached out to her dear friend, Sultana Esrin. She begged the woman to show mercy on her children and find them a place in this world. The kind hearted Esrin could not deny her dying friend this, so she took them in. Saiya’s brothers became guards while Saiya became a servant to Esrin herself. Treated far better than most servants, she became like another daughter to Esrin and for once Saiya actually felt like someone really cared for her.

When Esrin died it broke Saiya’s heart, feeling as if she lost another parent after losing her father and mother. The Sultan was kind, keeping Saiya on as a servant, but once again she was ignored and moved to the shadows. The only one who showed her attention was the Grand Vizier who saw a talent in her he could use. She soon became a favored servant of his, some even arguing she became more like an adopted daughter to him as he treated her much better than any other servant. At the end of the day, however, she was still just a servant.

Questionnaire

Did you grow up nurtured or neglected?
My father certainly neglected the opportunity to be nurturing. My mother tried, but she neglected to stop my father from his controlling and abusive behaviors. So you decide if I was nurtured or neglected.

When you were upset, where was your sanctuary?
A small, forgotten storage room hidden behind a tapestry in our home.

What were you like in your teenage years?
My teenage years were probably my happiest years, despite having lost almost everything. It was in my teenage years that the Sultana took me in and I finally experienced love.

How close are you to your parents?
I wouldn’t say I was close to them at all.

Do you have any trauma that haunts you?
Trauma haunts everyone, does it not?

What advice would you give your younger self?
Things are going to change and it may seem like it’s going to be worse, but have faith there will be some happiness. Cling to that happiness for dear life.

Were you an obedient child or defiant?
I was obedient for the most part, though I definitely had moments where I was defiant.

What is your biggest regret?
Not being able to do anything to save Sultana Esrin or even Kahrem.

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Have you ever been in love?
In the sense you mean, no I have not been. Now Nahir is like a sister to me and I love her dearly.

What is most important in a partner to you? Describe your dream partner.
Someone who doesn’t wish to lock me in a cage and will accept me for who I am. Someone who isn’t controlling and realizes a relationship is a partnership where each person has equal say.

How do you display affection? What is your love language?
I do believe I show affection by physical touch. I enjoy hugs and the idea of cuddling sound delightful.

Have you had your first kiss? What was it like?
I do believe they say one should never kiss and tell?

Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not?
I believe it’s a lovely concept, though I have yet to discover if it’s true or not. I’m leaning towards it being a fantasy.

What does marriage mean to you?
I’m not too sure, I’m slightly afraid of marriage.

Are you currently crushing on anyone?
I don’t believe I’m crushing on anyone? (open for plotting)

Do you ever consider having children in the future?
Only with the right person. I do not wish for a child to experience what I did so I must be positive that won’t happen.

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Describe your ideal Sunday morning:
I would very much enjoy a chance to sleep in and then maybe go down to the markets and just take in the sights and smells. Simple really, but I find it enjoyable.

What kind of person do you aspire to be?
I suppose I aspire to be someone Esrin would have been proud of…

What bad habits do you have?
I often stay up too late. I also have a tendency to…actually nevermind, it doesn’t really matter.

If you could go back in time and change anything in your past, what would it be?
I believe I would go back and change never speaking up about my father’s abuse.

What is your greatest fear?
I fear very little anymore so what I do fear I’d rather keep to myself, if that is alright?

What are your pet peeves?
It bothers me when someone invades my personal space.

When you are in a sour mood, do you like to be alone or with others?
I do prefer to be alone, I think, though I wouldn’t deny company if someone were to ask.

Are you more likely to fight with your fists or your tongue?
I prefer not to fight at all, but if I must then I’ll use my tongue before resorting to any form of physical violence.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Early Evening
Location: Caesonia Ballroom
Interactions: @Mole Prince Felix @baraquiel Princess Beatrice @Aerandir Verrick
Mentions: @Helo @princess Charlotte

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When Felix agreed to help her out, Thea wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, however she found she couldn’t. For one, she wouldn’t be able to relax until she knew her brother was safe from the wrath of the Alidasht. Then there was the fact that she’d just promised that if the Prince aided her, she would behave herself. She found herself silently scolding herself for not having drank more before this. Perhaps she could sneak some alcohol later. She definitely would need something before bed otherwise the nightmares would come. She’d rather not sleep then deal with those, but that brought other issues. She would then have to deal with her own thoughts and those could be just as frightening. Panic gripped at her, but she pushed it aside as they now stood in front of the Alidasht party.

Felix bowed and Thea followed his lead, keeping her eyes on the floor. She did take a brief moment to glance at her brother. She wanted to yell at him, tell him he was an idiot, but of course she wouldn’t ever do that. There was enough yelling in their house as they grew up, she didn’t want to add to it by yelling at him.

Things finally seemed to simmer down as the Sultan passed his judgment and it seemed Leo was spared from any backlash. She did finally let out a small, shaky breath, but then sucked it in once more as the Sultan briefly addressed them. It seemed Felix sister had approached as well to introduce herself along with her bodyguard, Verrick. Thea found herself staring a moment too long at Verrick before dropping her eyes back to the floor. ”It is a pleasure to meet you Prince Felix, Lady Thea as well as you, Princess Beatrice. Your praise is greatly appreciated. Now I must finish my introductions with your parents and the King and Queen of Caesonia. Enjoy the festivities as well. Excuse me.” With that, he left them. He also took a moment to give Leo a brief nod before approaching the King and Queen.

Thea took another moment to take a breath before glancing over at Prince Felix. ”Thank you, truly I appreciate you doing this. I was…” She paused for a moment as she tried to find the right words. ”I’ve already lost my father, I don’t want to lose anyone else. I was so frightened, as these people seemed so fierce.” This may have been the most she’d ever really spoken to her betrothed, she really didn’t know what else to say to him. She silently longed to follow Charlotte over to the wine table and maybe even the food table, but she’d made a promise. She would remain next to Felix until he dismissed her as a good fiancé should.