Priya Khagan

Now you gotta deal with this glitch on your shoulder Fuckin' with a goddess, and you get a little colder Yeah, it's colder, colder Fuckin' with a goddess, and you get a little colder

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

“I’ve always loved your directness, Priyaji,”  Avi said, tone airy and light.  He meant it of course - it was probably why they got along so well - but he was happy to keep the topic frivolous.  There were too many other serious topics to discuss right now.

Like the people.  Avi pushed himself up again, reaching for the hookah pipe.  The servant rushed over to get it re-prepared and as Avi waited, he spoke.  “We charm them back.  The rebels spin charming and seductive lies that make it seem like their goals are aligned with the commonfolk.  They fill their heads with goals well beyond their station.”  Avi asked, using his free hand to elaborate.

“And I don’t just mean merchants trading for a better house or finer education for their children.  I mean farmers and miners and the like.  Filling the heads of these innocent, hard-working folk with impossibly grandiose dreams.  Fool’s gold in the form of ideals,”  He smirked, completely oblivious to his own hypocrisy, considering the rise of his own betrothed. But Avi had religious conviction to back up his hypocrisy, were he ever questioned.  So he was content.

“They believe dependency on a ruler is unnecessary; some even believe the elven way of elections for leadership makes sense, but taken to ridiculous extremes - meaning anyone could rule.  Anyone!  Imagine a rice miller, ruling a realm.  Preposterous. They don’t understand that those elections only work because elves live so damn long.”

Avi puffed vociferously to soothe himself.  “Granted, Rajayer does have its better islands and its worse, depending on who rules the Duchy.  But the rebels persuade people that they are oppressed under the yoke of the complete tyranny, or some such nonsense.   If I didn’t love my family, or my family didn’t love me, or if I’d felt ill-done and mistreated, or ignored and overlooked, perhaps I’d think on such simplistic terms as well.”  Avitej had the dissonant empathy of the ruling class.  He felt badly for his people and truly believed he could help them, which translated into reminding them who they were, and keeping them in their place.

“I will initiate a campaign in Rajayer to promote unity and integrity, tied intrinsically to belief in the system.  Explicitly demonstrate the good that House Kumara has done for our people, celebrate it.  Bribe them with assurances and promises, and subtly threaten them otherwise.  Even if half the people agree - and I know they will, we’re quite beloved - then those folk will keep the muttering minority busy with barroom debates.  Commonfolk love ale and debates and wenches.  We shall dissolve and distract.  Prevent any rebel traction by creating too slippery a foothold among the people. Frustrate rebels into abandoning Loqoala’s naval force as a potential corruption. I have dragons to protect, after all.”  

Plus, Avi considered the campaign a perfect priming to bring Catlina into his world, and proclaim her as his divine bride.  It might seem like he was planning all of this to service his own marriage, but to Avitej the two problems - solidifying the people’s loyalty and convincing them to accept Catlina - dovetailed beautifully. 

He listened as Priya formulated her own strategies, and Avi smiled around the pipe.  “Well, I like your ideas too, but I don’t have that level of cunning to infiltrate rebels.  That is all cloak and dagger, and Kumara’s are notoriously ill-suited.  Piracy, yes.  But piracy has a sense of flair, even as underhanded as it can be.  I wish you Ivar’s luck in your endeavours.  And if our plans align, I’d be happy to pursue…I mean, I’m sure my father would be happy to pursue them with House Khagan. Kata will guide us to success, I’m sure of it.”

Avitej nodded at Priya’s assessment, complacent and proud.  “Too often people conflate humility and humbleness with righteousness.  But hardships come in all sizes.  Loqoala understands the value of people working together, rather than striving for individual superiority.”  Avitej said this as he looked over his city, over the balcony of his Keep. He saw no irony in his position, or his words.

An amused smile twitched at the corners of her lips. She propped herself up against the pillows she’d nearly entirely sunk into by then and she realized with all of the growing dissent, that if their parents’ original plans from when they were children had come to fruition, they might have been larger targets of the rebellion. That is, if their lives had otherwise turned out the same. Marrying two members of houses that were not so close to the inheritance was one thing but truly joining a house to an heir… it would have consolidated their power into something that could have easily toppled Loqoala, perhaps even the other kingdoms.

Her directness and ability and willingness to voice her thoughts in clear, concrete ways had served her well. She was wealthy, had many connections, and would continue to retain and grow that power for herself and her family. But she also knew when not to give voice to those thoughts as well. “Lucky you’re so gregarious, then.” If there was one thing she did know, Avi could indeed charm the pants right off of anyone. So now, to see him willing to turn those same skills toward politics and leading his people, well, she was excited to see what he would do with it. “If you had turned your mind to it, you could find a way to convince the most towering of the rebels to be your friend too, I’m sure of that.”

“So is it chaos they want… anarchy?” She rolled her eyes, “Do they not understand that regardless of what kind of leadership they have there will always been those above and everyone else? Look at the elves… there are still problems on their shores they’re just… different.” She shook her head, “The elves traded in their monarchy for councils… and yet they still pass the titles of governor from one generation to the next and nothing’s changed for thousands of years.” Representing themselves? Didn’t they already do that in Elysi, and it wasn’t good enough for them? Sure, they still had a monarchy, but the parliament supposedly had equal power. It made Priya wonder if there were not truly other issues hidden somewhere that the nobility of their kingdom just simply was not privy to.

“I suppose there will be another rebellion to take this one’s place if they get what they want and find they are still unsatisfied.” He was right though, they couldn’t beat a rebellion just on truth and loyalty alone. They had to be smarter, more convincing, more capable of turning the people back to them. “If your ideas can work, House Khagan will stand with you. We’ll start our own campaign… I’ll get the numbers together, show our people how our cities are more populous now, how families can provide easier because of our trade, how there are two orphanages I know of sitting empty throughout the kingdom because of the goods and wealth House Khagan has brought into Loqoala.” Would it be enough? To convince them of the good they did instead of simply dragging down the rebellion? “We’ll make the people see how much we provide and the Kumaras protect… and the Quihons and Baodais guide… if they’re willing to join with us on this.”

That would be a task better suited to a Khagan like herself though, one with more experience in convincing others to work with her. But as she was ruminating over more possible plans for the future, one of her assistants came and whispered something to her. Priya shot a glance to Avi and nodded. “It seems I’m being summoned for more mercantile matters. I should like to see you again before I go back to Jaqar though but for now, I’ll be out of your hair.” She rose from her seat, pressing her hands on Avi’s shoulders and smirking, “Until next time, my friend.”

[speakwithyourcoin]

oggyfromthebog​:

…

“Oh, of course, of course. No use in a transaction that doesn’t benefit us both now is there?” He winked at her. More bloistered than he should have been because she has said she didn’t think him boring. Oggy knew–from being himself in the world–that he could be frustrating, but boring was an accusation that would have caused real hurt. “As for the deck, damn things cursed, or enchanted depending on your way of thinking.” He was grinning and pulled another card from the deck. Again a lone dragon face smiled out at Priya as he put it down on the table, the first card placed not an unexceptional 4 of hearts. “Whatever card you pull it’s always an ace of claws. Always. Clever thing-don’t know how the original mage done it. In any card game it sure is annoying, but that’s just another kind of interesting, innit?”

He returned the cards to the ‘cursed’ deck, shuffling them as he talked. “Well if ya’ want specifics I can give them, sure.” He cut the deck again, this time placing the cards back in his pockets. “See that chest was full of enchanted items. Items belonging got a merchant friend you may know, goes by the name of Gian of Illasqa or Gian Therrhag to his close acquaintances, and you I’m guessing.” Oggy raised an eyebrow sitting back as drinks were placed on the table between them. He reached out to his own cup with a smile. “I have it on his own authority that he intended to sell the objects to you, if he still had them. Now he’s covered his own expenses with insurance and all that nonsense, the gamble of a sea merchant, they all got back ups. Course I don’t have that luxury, but I do have an inkling of how I might find your missing items. Which I can return to you.” He smirked and shrugged with all the congeniality Oggy could muster. “And all for around the same price Gian would be asking even with all the extra trouble.”

-

Priya watched as he pulled another card, again, not really understanding the meaning or significance of the card as she didn’t follow card games, nor did she follow any divination secrets. She shrugged and chuckled, “I think all that proves is that those seers that claim they’re practicing real divination are full of shit. If you can enchant cards to pull anything, you could swindle people out of more than a good cent. Surprised a business like that hasn’t crossed your mind with these.” Priya also didn’t believe there was much point in looking to destiny or fate or any such nonsense. Even if those were real beyond their concepts, it didn’t matter what they chose to do, it was predetermined. And if they had the freedom of choice, then they made their own fate in that way.

Enchanted items from Gian Therrhag that were making their way back to Illasqa and thus back to her family. She was grateful to Gian for apparently downplaying the significance of the objects and she had her suspicions as to how they’d even left his hands at all. She hadn’t heard from the trader since he’d gotten back from Elysi and it was likely he was ashamed for letting the items get stolen at all when she’d already paid him for his services to get them back to Jaqar. “Mmmm… I see…” She ran her fingers around the rim of the goblet and raised a brow. What Oggy didn’t realize was that wristwatch and bracelet Gian had been tasked with tracking down was worthless to anyone outside of her family. Well, not worthless exactly, but the gems and the glass beads weren’t enough to go through the hassle of stealing them off a fallen man and whoever the thief was that had originally, she hoped they were dead too. “Tell you what….” She smirked, schooling her expression into one of light amusement. “I’ll give you part of your service fee now… and the rest when you return the goods…” She smirked. “On one condition. I want you to amuse me. How about a game of dare? I can dare you to do anything and if you complete it, I’ll accept it as a contract.”

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

…

“Oh don’t worry about it now.  It makes for a much better hilarious tale than anything else.  If you like, I can find out for you, how they’re feeling these days about the illustrious Lady Priya Khagan.  I’m sure it’s long forgotten.  Your rejected suitor’s probably happily married now.”  Avi spoke blithely, but intending to reassure Priya not to fret.  He was generous and reassuring, because he thought she was doing it for his sake - taking to heart his comparison between the Quihon boy and his own rejection.  Avi thought it was very sweet of Priya.

“Of course they’re being led astray, but how is that their faults?” Avi replied. Political debate was something he rarely got into, because most people were far better at it than he was.  So he appreciated Priya providing him the practice.  Particularly since Avi did have strong opinions about this, as he’d been thinking so deeply on it since Glasswater.   

“The rebels are insidious, crafty monsters with centuries of experience and planning, who seek to manipulate the most vulnerable of our people.  Short-term promises are very tempting for those who are on the brink of desperation; or even those who are looking for someone to blame for their own misfortunes.   The rebels put it into their minds that commoners deserve working hard to achieve a ‘better’ life. Whatever ‘better’ looks like to any of them, that’s what the rebels will promise them.  Filling the commonfolk with aspirations…”  Avi shook his head at the audacity of the idea.

“And without direct action by us, people will be tricked and swayed.  Not all, but enough.  Especially if the rebels have infiltrated the higher echelons as well.  Here, you should enjoy this: it’s like we’re trying to appeal - to sell ourselves to the people as the better choice.  Our governance is the true bargain, while the rebels shill only shoddy craftsmanship at cheaper more appealing prices.”

He grinned at her.  “Too simplistic an analogy?  Just don’t roll your eyes, I’m being clever.  Or at least merely adorable.”

Nodding, Avi ate more.  “You are free to do so, my darling.  I’ve visited Glasswater since its demise, and it is still functioning rather well, despite the Princely betrayal, and the King and Queen so completely indisposed.  And the Crown Prince down for the count, and the other members of royalty scattered save for Prince Theodore…one could argue that Glasswater hardly needed them at all to function.  And as for the rest of Elysi, they’ve all clustered around their respective duchies, which makes sense.”

Nibbling on a persimmon wedge, he smiled around it.  “If you don’t mind me saying, the Empire wouldn’t fracture the way Elysi did.”

Avi gave Priya’s knuckles a kiss before she pulled her hand away.  He stretched out then, staring up at the sky and licking his fingers.  “I would like that too, of all things.  If you ever need assistance in your vengeance, I’m at your disposal, luv.”

-

Priya waved him off, not truly bothered about what the Quihons thought about her or the attempted engagement, she had only hoped he would get over it and find someone who was a better fit for him. They didn’t affect her life too much and she had little interaction with them outside of official matters. “Oh don’t bother… I’m sure he licked his wounds for long enough and got over it. I do hope he found a more suitable bride for himself at least.” She smiled, nodding slightly. Avi was trying to make her feel better in his own way and she appreciated it. “Thank you, though. It’s good to know my declining of a proposal didn’t ruin his life.” She had considered the similarities between that situation and Avi’s, fourteen years ago, and she hoped that he would recover from it one day as well. Not that she really cared for Elysi but she cared for him.

“It’s not but…” She sighed, leaning her head against her propped up arm, “I suppose… how do you even get that through to them?” She frowned slightly, “They turned to them because they don’t want to listen to us and don’t care about what we have to say… so what do we do? Do we send out people working in our interests to infiltrate their ranks? Would that even work?”

Priya rapped her fingers against the glass of cooled water, contemplating exactly what the rebels had over them. “What it comes down to is information… they have people on the inside who are feeding them intel. That’s what we need. They’re three steps ahead because we don’t have anyone who can report on their plans. They have infiltrated even the highest ranking in our society… we have to do the same. Or focus on finding out who leads them and convincing them… they’re not to be trusted. That they’re expendable, regardless of whether or not their leaders think they are.” The easiest way to turn someone against an organization was doing exactly what the rebellion had. Convince the people they didn’t care about them on an individual basis. “Of course we will have to actually make changes if we want to keep them on our side once we do that… so we will have to compromise with their demands.”

She didn’t like it, she didn’t like planning it, and she especially didn’t like kowtowing to whatever demands their people would make. But it would have to be done. Within reason, of course. For instance, they couldn’t give everyone an island, but they could offer some governance or protection over calling in favors with people who didn’t want to divulge. Loqoala was not as hard hit and it wouldn’t see as many changes as the other kingdoms as they, in so many ways, were more progressive. Money meant little, skills, and your person, and bargaining was of far greater worth.

“No… I think building a kingdom based on what someone is willing to do for another person is a wiser strategy than giving power to the richest and most willing to exploit resources. We might not seem like a family to the outside, but Loqoalans are connected in ways the rest of the world would never understand.”

[speakwithyourcoin]

7. cabin in the woods

She hadn’t run away. Not really. She’d go back… eventually… But why did she have to meet some stranger who was supposed to be her betrothed? Their families had gone back as allies for generations, ever since the switch when the Khagans had become more mercantile and the Kumaras had taken the militaristic approach to dealing with the empire. But so what? She was five. Too young to be promised to anyone! She didn’t care if there were ladies and princes and whoever that were promised to each other at birth. She didn’t want it! Boys were. ICKY. She didn’t care that his name was Avitej or that he was supposed to be really nice or that his family was powerful.

So she’d left home with a small bag in hand. She’d packed lightly, she didn’t want to be gone too long, just a few days or so, enough for them to come to their senses and miss her. Not that she’d really be missed in a family as large as hers. The Kumaras, by some twist of fate, were an even larger family too. Gods, she didn’t think they ever stopped.

But as she was running around, knapsack filled with a dress, two shirts, one pair of pants, and her stuffed bear, she’d gotten lost and caught in the rain. And Priya, in all of her youthful sensibilities and intelligence plopped to the ground, crying crocodile tears.

But Priya wasn’t the sort to simply give up. She let herself carry on for a few moments, before she sniffled, wiping her nose with her sleeve as she stood, looking around. In the distance, she saw the faint flickering light of a candle in what could only be described as a…. quaint little cabin. Of course, quaint to her was anything that wasn’t the massive Khagan homestead in Jaqar.

Running toward the cabin, she tripped a few times, her dress and stockings soaked to the knees from rain and mud puddles. But as she reached the cabin and pulled the creaky door open, she peeked inside. “Hello?” She asked timidly, stepping inside, one soaking foot in front of the other. “Hello? Is anyone here? My name’s –“

Just as she was about to explain herself, a young boy, almost a real teenager, came bounding into the room and knocked her over. He scrambled to his feet, “Priya?” He asked, his eyes large and pleading, as if he’d done something wrong and he was looking for help. “Ivar’s fishhook! My family and yours has been looking everywhere for you!” His eyes were warm and kind, even if she felt like she was in trouble.

Priya got to her knees, clutching her stuffed bear. And she felt it then, the stinging pain. She pulled her dress up, seeing a splinter the size of her finger, sticking through her stockings and straight into her leg. The scream and sobs that followed could only be described as piercing and blood-curdling.

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

“It’s just logistics,”  Avi echoed Priya.  He wasn’t agreeing or disagreeing with her, just mulling over her insight.  Tasting her words, to decide later what would suit Rajayer.  He did believe that what Priya said` was an opinion voiced by Khagans in general, and Priya was not an outlier.  He made a mental note to ask his uncles and aunties, and also his siblings.  He’d always gone along (for the most part) with his parents’ decisions about a great many things.  But his mother had been drowned for nearly a decade, and his father’s opinions were no longer of use.  He couldn’t rely on them any longer, not with the world changing as rapidly as it was.

He couldn’t help laughing at the idea of Priya rejecting some poor hopeful Quihon.  “Well.  You know how us Loqoalan men can’t deal with rejection,” he self-deprecated lightly, referring to his own slight with Ainsley Amaranthe.

But he sobered up at the talk of rebels.  “I can’t afford to consider my people fools.  If they are turned to believing in this ‘cause’, whatever it is, then they will be turned against the very people who are dying for them.  That’s what concerns me, Pri.”  Rajayer was sound at the moment, but Glasswater probably thought the same thing, before the masquerade.  

Nothing during the festival that led up to the ball had given Avi any indication of something so destructive, so wantonly violent being planned.  Granted, he wasn’t looking for it, but that was the point.  He knew commonfolk could be duplicitous, but hadn’t realized how much.  

Rajayans paid their taxes and then cheered when Captain Yue stole it all back.  And then they complained when infrastructure projects were paused.  And then the cycle repeated.  He’d considered it a mostly benign cycle, but now he wondered if all these hundreds of years, it had actually been a slow escalation.  

And to Avi, that mattered.  But it was too soon to bring up these thoughts with Priya, who still ached from her grievous loss.  So Avi tabled the discussion of rebels, for now.

He was pleased, though, when she pointed out Beric Stoneward’s treachery.  “Well, yes,” he said, since that was originally his point.  Although he had asked in a circumspect - and therefore callous - nature.  “The Stonewards were devastated at the discovery.  That their own sibling could be so deceptive.  A painful tragedy.”  And Avi knew that the public decry of Beric’s rebel connections would only lead the commonfolk to looking at their own rulers and wondering who was a rebel.  Even in Loqoala.  He’d already discovered Loqoalan boys who’d been seduced by the rebel promises.

“That’s why we’d need to be subjected to telempaths first.  But we can talk about it later, Pri.  I’ve already embarrassed myself enough by bringing this up while you’re still in mourning.  Highly inappropriate of me.”  He reached out for her hand.  “How is your mother faring?”

Avi couldn’t help but smile at her play on words.  “Please, don’t mention ‘rebel’ and ‘Rhiss’ in the same sentence.  I don’t think my heart could take it.  She’s my baby.”

-

“Only when your heart’s involved. If you’re not emotionally invested you’ve no trouble at all moving on.” It was simply their way, most Loqoalans didn’t find the need to lay claim unless their hearts were wholly wrapped up in someone else. And even then, it might have been more of a bruised ego if someone were to reject them than an actual heartache. The sea gave them what they needed, and just like the sea, love could be swept out with the tides. But in regards to the Quihon boy, “We were much younger… I barely knew him then, we’d met perhaps twice… I think he saw me as a chance to get away from his family more than an actual match.” She shrugged and sighed quietly. “I hate to think his family chastised him because of my refusal… oh I hope that isn’t the case. Though… aren’t they more superstitious than most Loqoans?”

That was where Avi and Priya differed, she did consider their people fools if they thought the rebels would bring them a better future. Sure, they were targeting nobility and they were trying to knock them from power and in some ways that made sense. They saw nobility as the oppressors, they saw them as caring so little for the commonfolk. But she didn’t believe if their intention was to stop with nobility, or to simply uplift the commonfolk. After all, would they have targeted a party where so many of their own peers were just trying to make a living and were killed? Caterers, servers, maids, butlers, handmaidens, hundreds had been killed in the explosions and the chaos that had ensued, and not all of them were nobility. There were many of the lower class. Someone was misguiding these people, they had to be. “Perhaps not fools… but shortsighted then, certainly. They’re killing each other as much as they’re killing us. Seems counterproductive. And it feels like they’re being led astray. But I don’t know their intentions so I suppose I can’t truly say.”

She had not met the youngest Stoneward prince often either, the older ones seemed more astute, more inclined and suited for politics. The younger had always seemed more interested in knightly pursuits, romancing and courting, honing his skills in jousting and swordplay rather than manipulation. But perhaps that was exactly what was so deceptive about him. Still, she had only really spent time flirting with the prince, never engaging in political talk or even social conversation. He seemed utterly disinterested in most of it. “It is surprising to think that it was Beric though… no offence to the other Stonewards but he seemed rather dull when it came to politics. And I… for one… would like to find out if it truly was him or if he was being used by someone else. And if there was someone pulling the strings… I’d like to see justice brought to them.”

Priya squeezed Avi’s hand, her thoughts still lingering on justice. Mostly for her fallen family. She was lucky in that she genuinely liked and loved her family but the losses seemed to hit hard and true when they happened. And many of her family, like her mother, were still in a state of shock and had been since the ball. “She’s still reeling. She isn’t like me, I can push through if I have something to focus on. Like work or…” She pulled her hand back gently, shrugging slightly. “Sleuthing, I suppose…” She would start looking into these rebels, if only to find out who had actually planned the attack that had killed her family. “I’d like to see them pay.”

[speakwithyourcoin]

oggyfromthebog​:

…

“Compensation?” His brows shot up at the incredulous suggestion. Grin returning. “ ‘Spose I could offer you my services, of any kind, for free. I’ve many tricks up my sleeve if you care to put them to the test.” Oggy winked, producing a card deck from his sleeves to show off a few shuffling tricks. The motion so ingrained in his muscles it was like his fingers acted alone. “Course  that would just be subjecting you again to my most odious company boring company. Which case I would offer to give you my most interesting possession I have on me, as a secon case sorta scenario.” He flicked one card out, spinning it in the air and catching it between two fingers as he smirked. This particular deck was claws, hearts, spades and diamond and a lone dragon face smiled out at Priya.

“What? No. What?” Oggy was already denying it before he heard the full question. Didn’t bode well, but he smiled through it as he tucked the cards away. He once worked for the fleet, but it was ages ago and human memories were short. He left before making much of a name for himself and hoped his lack of fame would help him here. ”I mean, of course no. The captain’s reliable but a bit thick.  Hoping the name entills a bit of confusion or sentimentality among. So pirates may see the turtle name and give it a pass. Plus I think they’ve got a bit of a thing for turtles.” Oggy shrugged again. “No need to be worried about direct deals with pirates.” Not current ones anyway, but Oggy only thought that last part. 

The elf, missing the window to remark on his order just nodded at the waitress’ back. “From what I understand it was a chest, fairly heavy.. With objects presumed dear, and expensive.”

-

Card games and parlor tricks were of little use to Priya unless she was actually gambling. And she rarely took part. She preferred investments and moving goods as her chosen form of gambling to any other. “I didn’t say I thought you were boring. But if I’m to be investing in your skills, even short term, I want to make sure I get something out of that investment. Preferably whatever it is you’re promising to do for me.” Which was something he’d dropped hints about but hadn’t come outright and said. That was another quirk that bothered Priya. In business, if things weren’t straightforward and succinct, it often meant they weren’t worth the trouble of buying as they were poor quality or weren’t what they were promised or any other such thing. And she wasn’t in the business of wasting her money. “What makes this possession so interesting?” She raised a brow at the deck of cards. Plenty of those around from all sorts of vendors, some with dragons, some with gryphons, sea monsters, you name it, they made it.

The elf was quick and eager to dissuade her concerns and while she was, for the most part, no longer concerned that he was doing business with a notorious pirate, he seemed to be scared of Yue. Scared or at least intimidated. That in its own way was comforting, the man was smart enough to keep his cool and to keep away from the truly unsavory people on the high seas. “Ah… well if that’s all it is…” She eyed him, scrutinizing him for a moment. With a small wave of her hand, she let the conversation drop from pirates and moved on to his next statement. “Do you know what was actually in that chest, or who was carrying it before it went missing, at least? I have a great deal of things shipped all over the world and so do many of my contacts and people I simply don’t know… before I agree to pay you for your services, I’d like to be sure that shipment was meant for me and not someone else.”

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

Avi tutted.  “Look at you, purposely leaving out the Quihons,”  Avi lightly chided her, teasing mostly.  “Don’t tell me there’s been any new feuds.  The Quihons do their own thing, on their own, this is true.”  It was a happy circumstance in Avi’s opinion, that the four major Houses of the Empire all got along, more or less.  At least in this current generation, and the one before them.  Avi took pride in the united front.  A true Empire, facing the rest of the world.

“Yes, the Northlands.”  Oblivious at the moment to the sharp turn in Priya’s words, Avi was occupied with eating as he listened to her speak.  He misunderstood her, thinking Priya was agreeing with his point.  “Exactly,”  Avi said, between bites.  “So many have suffered losses after Glasswater, so many nobles, yet it garners little sympathy in the commonfolk.  If anything, I hear news every day of people becoming further aligned to the rebel’s supposed ‘cause’.”

He looked annoyed, thinking of the Moruk Priestess Cassandra, and her idealistic prattle about rebels actually caring about the people.  After what he’d witnessed in the north of Elysi, he knew that was a desperate fallacy.

“So the great Houses will get verified first, and publicly.  Show them that even with the tragedies suffered, we are just as vulnerable to the rebel’s insidiousness as everyone else.  Which of course we’re not, but.  You understand how it is.”

When Priya teased him, Avi smiled in a good-natured way and shrugged.  “Well of course.  I was only fifteen. I believe my severe lack of experience was the point.  They…fed off my innocence…”  Avi’s expression went floaty for a moment, before he returned to the present, and shook his head.  “But it’s different with Rhiss.  She actually is a good and innocent child.  I was not.  She should never be corrupted, not if I can help it.”

He looked up in surprise when she insulted him, especially considering the significance of the bodily trifecta.  Blood, urine, and sweat - all connected to Ivar and the ocean, produced miraculously in a living being.  The redder the blood, the clearer the piss, the cleaner the sweat - a salinzied signifier of a mariner’s health and quality of life.  

But upon reflection,  Avi realized her comment wasn’t about sweat at all.  He put his plate down.  “I’ve offended you again.  I’m sorry - you’re right.  I’m planning callously about demonstrating the veracity of our Houses to commonfolk, while you are still in mourning.  I’m hasty about our plans only because I feel urgency, despite - or perhaps because of such tragedy.  I wouldn’t want anything worse to happen, as unexpectedly as what happened in Glasswater.  And especially not in Loqoala. I don’t even want to consider it. Will you forgive me? Please do, Pri.”

He made a face of disgust.  “Besides, those mainland livestock beasts don’t even really sweat, do they?  Gah.”

-

“Nothing against them of course… they’re experts on spiritual matters, certainly. But it simply takes far longer to win over an empire with beliefs than it does money or power…” She shrugged, though she knew that beliefs and faith were the way to make true, longer lasting changes. “It’s just logistics.” Priya held fewer grudges than Avi as his attitude had soured toward the majority of Elysi after his broken engagement. But Priya? There were very few people she couldn’t tolerate. Why bother hating them when she had better things to do, after all? The less energy she spent worrying over people’s opinions or what they’d done to her, the more she could focus on furthering her and her family’s ambitions. “Although one of their sons might have asked for my hand. He was incredibly drunk and I disregarded it entirely but he hasn’t spoken to me since…”

Gods, sometimes Avi could miss the point entirely. “I don’t care what cause they think they’re heralding, people are dead and more will die because of their actions. Fools.” So many fools to take up arms against the great houses across the world. The conflict hadn’t broken on Loqoalan shores yet, at least not as violently though perhaps if Avi was talking about their mindset and their thoughts it would be there sooner than they knew. But their people were taken care of and fed and lived well. For the most part at least. Those that didn’t… well they were the ones who slipped through the cracks. It was honestly hard not to live well when your livelihood was bartered on favors instead of currency. No one could hoard favors as a way of making other people poorer. It simply didn’t work.

“Aren’t we though? Perhaps not as much here… we have little reason to be… but wasn’t one of those Elysian princes the reason they got in? I can’t even recall which one, they all look the same to me.” Handsome, boring, open faces with blonde hair and blue eyes. “We sent condolences but if he was a rebel, I hope he gets lost in the After.”

If he was, if he had been the reason her family had suffered, she’d find a way to bring his soul back only to shove it into a bottle like an angry Djinn. That would be as much as he deserved.

It always took him a while to grasp emotional responses but eventually Avi did. Usually. Priya had long since learned to be patient, especially considering the majority of their conversations didn’t usually get too deep. Playful, happy, and light banter between two old friends is what she’d usually call it.  She waved a hand as if to say it was already forgotten but in truth, it wasn’t, his part in it might have been, but she still ached over the loss of her siblings and father. “Gods, the Elysians smell like dogs at best. If you catch them just out of a bath it isn’t so bad but obviously they never picked up on the delicacies of perfumes and fragrances.” She sighed and rolled her eyes just slightly, “You’re forgiven… but you should give Rhiss some freedom. Better to help her learn than have her rebel and you have to deal with her broken heart.”

[speakwithyourcoin]

oggyfromthebog​:

…

“Right,” With a short nod Oggy circled around their table. “Best to take out time, as I am sure your Ladyship will find me most interesting.” He smirked, settling comfortably in the chair. The elf leaned on the table, arms extended with elbows rudely laid on the table without so much of a thought. 

“Or at least a purveyor of interesting information.” He quirked up his eyebrows with a turn of his head. Oggy leaned closer and gestured for Priya to do the same before imparting his delicate information. “See I was waiting to receive some important cargo, antiques, artwork, the usual sort of thing.” Considerably more illegal then he was letting on but that was only incidental; not something Priya should be interested in or Oggy was very interested in sharing. “Stocky little import ship, goes by the name of Sea Turtle, which I am sure you are familiar with as we seem to be in a very similar boat.” He grinned, teeth catching the tip of his tongue as he did.

“Forgive the pun. Couldn’t help me self.” He pressed his hands together on top of the table. “Thing is, my cargo went missing from that ship, along with some other very important cargo. Seems you and I have the same pest problem. Lucky for the both of us I also have excellent skills regarding pest control.”

-

Interesting, amusing, Priya didn’t mind what he turned out to be as long as it wasn’t a waste of her time, or he could give her a few laughs. Priya kept her posture straight, poised, even as she leaned forward to tap her fingers against the table. “Do you promise? To be interesting?” Her laugh was soft, quick, fleeting. “If I hold you to that and you break it, what would be my compensation for your broken promise?”

Oh no, Oggy might have made his second mistake. The first was assuming Priya would entertain his services without much verification on her end. The second was mentioning the name of this import ship. She didn’t know whether the Sea Turtle was any relation to the Black Turtle captained by one Jiang Ying Yue but the woman did have a proclivity toward the sea creature. Although as far as cargo ships went, it wasn’t a name she knew by heart. “This Sea Turtle…” She drawled, mindlessly brushing some of her dark curls back into place. “It wouldn’t be any relation to the Black Turtle would it? Not in the same fleet… we may… turn a blind eye to the trading and business of certain enterprising types as long as they don’t cause a raucous but… we don’t take part in direct deals.” Priya glanced at the waitress bringing them a round of drinks. “Your usual, my lady, and the house ale for your guest.”

Priya thanked her and the girl went on her way. “And what cargo are you suggesting that I’m missing?”

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

Priya took his jest in more seriousness than he intended, but Avi supposed it was only because she’d given the idea (and subsequently buried or shelved the idea) many times and in many ways before.  So he listened, plucking idly at his food as she explained her distinctions between different sorts of bonds.  Business, family, marriage.  He nodded, to show he’d absorbed her thoughts, but lightly scoffed at any mention of other’s infidelity.

“Trust me - any marriage that shaky would’ve ended regardless, or extended into deeper misery until death.  I love seducing discontent spouses…I loved it, I mean,” he corrected to past tense.  “Wicked, yes; but we were only catalysts, darling.  Not causes.”

He nodded with a cheeky earnestness, taking one more hit off the hookah before he started to eat.  “Definitely.  I always used to make Sijari do my classwork for me when we were young.  I could trade favours with you to do the same for me in Juaqoan, hm?  I’d call it delegation,” he grinned.  He was only teasing; Avi happy to just spin silly fantasies for the fun of it.  Nothing he said was meant to be taken seriously.

Placated at the idea of working with Jaqar on the trade manifests, Avi nodded.  He wanted to say it felt like wearing two hats right now: as an Empire Admiral, and as the Rajayer Archduke.  But he couldn’t say anything.  All business he discussed with Priya, as far as she knew, was at the behest of his father.  As far as anyone else outside of the Kumaras and staff knew, Archduke Aman was still at the helm, and Avi was just his second-in-command.  

“I should talk to the Empire about this” he mused.  “The Northern Queen caught a prominent noble family off their eastern coastline funneling supplies to rebels - I have no doubt some of those supplies came from Juaqoan.  If Jaqar and Rajayer succeed, we can present evidence to the Baodais of our effectiveness. Then it’s just a matter of extending to the entire Empire.  But Priyaji, tell me something…”

Avi shifted, looking at her straight on, his own dark eyes meeting hers.  “How do I know that you’re not a rebel?  How do you know that I’m not?”

He laughed in convivial sympathy as Priya recalled her own first time.  “And here I thought you would’ve at least experimented with one of your distant cousins or handmaidens first!!  Certainly would’ve been better than some dandy. Handmaidens are wild, worldly things.”  Avi deftly ate with his hand, wiping his fingers on the napkin on his shoulder as he tutted at her.  “My poor Priya.”

The mention of a good role model for Rhiss made Avi slow, his heart tightening into a familiar ache.  Rhiss had their siblings, but they were always at sea - Avi included.  Rhezi was drowned, and so was their mother.  Two wonderful role models for the shy, solitary girl, both gone.  Avi thought of Catlina then - ‘someone like you or me’, Priya said…and yet.  

And yet.   Avi gently nodded at Priya, all seriousness now.  “You’re right.  I will.”

Lazily pouring her more rum, Avi motioned for one of the servants to place hard frozen grapes into Priya’s cup of water, while Avi had some tea.  “I like eating that makes me sweat,” he smirked.  Between the peppery food and the hot tea, he certainly was.  He dabbed his forehead with his napkin. 

“The ocean right under my skin.”

-

And that was perhaps yet another reason Priya was not keen on being married off. She didn’t want to get tied down when she herself didn’t want to be faithful to just one person and with her luck, her family would pick someone from Elysi whose moral compass swung heavily toward monogamy. It would have made perfect sense for her and Avi to have fulfilled their betrothal then, neither would have resented the other from straying and they would have performed their duties and had children and fulfilled any obligations without the jealousy and possessiveness that could result from them trying to be monogamous and failing. But she would have also liked there to be some romance in her marriage bed. Not just duty, not just obligation and responsibility. She would have preferred love, just love with someone who thought like she did.

Priya plucked a rolled cheese and meat dish from the plates in front of them, dipping it into the hummus and taking a bite. “As I get older, I seem to do more and more wicked things… as most people of acceptable age are already married.” She shrugged, sighing quietly. She’d work out her situation on her own, eventually. “As long as you don’t delegate too many tasks, I need to keep up with businesses and appearances, darling. Trading favors in Juaqoan would be fine otherwise.” She chuckled softly. “It would be something to fear though… the Kumaras and Khagans officially working together. If we could get a Baodai to join us in our endeavors the world would would bow before the three of us.”

For that reason, she wouldn’t put much thought in head to Juaqoan with one of her dearest friends. Too much power was dangerous and changing the world into an image that was freer, more loving and accepting, came with its own set of issues that Priya was simply not interested in battling. She would do what she could with what she had, in Jaqar. And she would help fight against the rebels. Beyond that, she was content and happy with the world for the most part.

“By Northern Queen you mean the Northlands?” Priya asked, wondering how much of their precious food and goods had been shipped off to rebels’ hands after it left their own. Their people might go hungry this winter because of the rebellion’s actions in Glasswater and there were still more trying to bolster their positions. It seemed thoughtless and cruel. Priya’s gaze darkened and she pursed her lips, shaking her head at Avi’s question. She hadn’t considered that he might be a rebel until that moment and considering how unharmed he’d been after Glasswater, she had to reconsider. “I suppose we can’t. If it makes you feel better, bring forth a telempath. But you do my kin a dishonor suggesting any of us are rebels when they lost their lives in the attack.” Her tone was sharp, sharper than she had probably ever been with him.

“Oh shut it.” She turned her nose up a bit at him, losing a bit of the humor she’d had before his last question. “I experimented but I mean I lost it in the most technical sense then. I’m sure you were no good to that couple your first time either. Thank the gods they had each other.” Her gaze narrowed a bit and her smile had returned, though not as brightly as before. “Good… she’s a smart girl and probably more independent than you’d like her to be.”

Priya’s lips slid into a smirk and she drank the cooled water, glad to have it rather than spiced tea. “You men… this is why I prefer women over men. You sweat like pigs doing just about anything.”

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

“Ha! Cheeky little octopus,” Avi crowed, absorbing all of Priya’s stances on marriage.  And politics as well, for that matter.  It made sense that she’d given all this considerable thought already.  Likely because she’d had these conversations before and knew how to hone her thoughts into words.  Both about marriage and politics, which in their status of life were often intertwined.

So Avi just looked sidelong at her, his own eyes sparkling with a teasing expression to match her own.  “Oh well.  You know I’m just being selfish and lazy.  If you got married before me, then I could just observe you doing it first and well, and I’d learn how to be a good spouse.  And if you joined me in Juaqoan, then I’d have a trustworthy and ready ally to cover me when I open my mouth and say stupid things.  You see?  It’s all about me.”

He didn’t want to bring the mood down, so he avoided any more conversation about the state of the world.  At this moment, Avi was happy to keep his apprehension tucked away, even as they discussed plans for Rajayer.

Tilting his head,  Avi considered what Priya suggested.  “The Dockmaster in Cobra Bay archives all records of sea vessels going in and out.  All the cargo and shipments, ship and Captain names, dates and times of arrival and departure, all of that certainly.   She - or rather, the position of Dockmaster coordinates with the other ports around Rajayer Major, as well as the main docks on each island…granted we don’t keep official records on the, er, hidden ports.  Nor the wildling…bays or whatever they have.  But I could find out, if I pressed hard enough.”

He smiled at Priya.  “A useful way to organize, which we learned from the Khagans.  The Kumara family books record visits from dignitaries and the like.  People of import who make an impact.”

Brow raised, he eyed Priya curiously.  “Are you implying rebels among religious factions?  Or are we just talking about Kalama and the Halani’s specifically?”  That pesky yet necessary island that sat along the border of Rajayer and Jaqar. 

“I recently located their missing daughter, but I didn’t return her.  She…assured me that the Halani’s do not dally with the rebellion.  I believe she was in earnest, but I don’t believe she’s correct.  Not that anyone from Kalama visits anywhere else…but I wouldn’t be surprised if they trained and released spies.  Do you like using spies?” He asked it suddenly, thinking of Cecily Gwynne.

Did Avitej ever remember being fifteen.  “I think that’s when I broke my virginity. Or was that fourteen?  I can’t remember.  All I remember is a flurry of plump breasts here, a stiff shaft there, and lots of limbs.  A Baron and Baronness took me together, I recall.” He smiled fondly, then realized what Priya was saying: that Rhiss was also fifteen.  That age, which to Avi at the time made him feel like a man, with Rhiss he still only saw a little girl.  

He looked comically alarmed.  “So what you’re saying is, I should build a tower and lock her in it, hm?  Oh, she’d love that.  I’d make the tower a library and I’d braid her hair every day.”

He could tell Priya thought dining outside was strange, but he blew the whistle anyway.  And as the servants quickly placed two trays each with multiple little cups of food and flatbreads for scooping,  he hoped the delicious scents and offerings would distract Priya.  Maybe she’d later just chalk it up to Avi being unconventional.  

Still lounging, he took a smaller plate for the soft thin flatbread and one cup with a spicy fish stew.  “Do you want mineral water?  From the Chuttar volcanic springs.  Or tea.”

-

Priya’s jaw slackened and she scoffed, shaking her head. “You really think you’d learn how to be a good spouse from me?” She waved a hand, clearly Avi had injured his head in Glasswater or since because the thought was just preposterous to the Khagan. “Business and pleasure require similar skills, I know what people like and I can give it to them… marriage requires something I don’t know that I’m fundamentally capable of.” She fidgeted with her dress, shaking her head. A strong relationship, a betrothal, a partnership, required trust and commitment and compromise. She wasn’t willing to really give much thought to any of those. “Besides, I’m fairly sure I might have broken up a marriage or two before… that doesn’t bode well.”

She rolled her eyes and smirked again, “So you’re saying if I went to Juaqoan with you my work would easily triple…?”

The regions operated separately for the most part, which until their conversation, had made it easier for rebel sympathizers to pass goods on. Because if something wasn’t extremely out of the ordinary, they might not notice. But with Glasswater so fresh, and with Avi mentioning trade deals that might not be entirely legitimate, Priya knew she had to act. And quickly. “Good… we will compare ships docking at both of our ports. If their numbers from their holds and offloading match up, we move on. If not, we question them, bring in the telempaths.” She sighed deeply, “If there are lies detected… then the telepaths will have their way with them.” It didn’t sit well with her, that sort of invasion, but the rebels had killed her father and two of her siblings. They would pay.

Priya nodded, now that the business of how they would begin to root out rebels was settled, she could focus a bit more of her attention on why and when. She raised a finely shaped brow as Avi questioned the religious fanaticism that could be rampant among the islands. She pursed her lips together and nodded. “Partly, yes. What I’m really implying is that there could be rebels in every religion, every temple, every noble family too as much as we wouldn’t like to admit it… But every walk of life could be harboring them. SO we’ll start with the ones we’re familiar with.” She tilted her head and sighed. The Halanis had always been a bit of an… issue… as they were fanatical and overzealous and Priya, and the Khagans as a whole, did not agree with their… customs. But they’d never broken away from their island. Still, that didn’t mean they couldn’t be helping or harboring rebels. “Spies are a necessity… I have never personally used any and as far as I’m aware, none of the Khagans have… to gain entrance into Rajayer but I wouldn’t put it past the Halanies or other families to do so.” She smirked, “But every dignitary we sent to Juaqoan or Glasswater or those other kingdoms…” Ones she didn’t think of as quite as threatening, “They’re not just there to negotiate and act diplomatically. And they’re sent with servants who know how to be silent.”

“Scoundrel!” She laughed, “I’m jealous though, at least they were experienced. I lost mine a little older… he was a lord from somewhere in Elysi but I swear by Kata he didn’t know what to do with any part of his body. Such a disappointment.” She wondered if that was what her older siblings had thought of her growing up. The next oldest to her was closest to Avi in age, although her younger siblings weren’t as distant as Avi and Rhiss. But still, it wasn’t fair that he got to grow up unbridled and she wouldn’t. “I’m saying she’s becoming a woman and you should look to get her good role models while you can or she’ll find someone like you or me to look up to.”

Well, if they were going to be dining out on the patio, she was going to get comfortable. Priya kicked off her shoes and lounged back in the couch, throwing an arm over the side and looking to Avi dramatically. “Water is fine… do you have magi that can cool it with ice? It’s so hot outside.” She grinned, “And more rum.” She offered a little pout, holding out her glass. “Please?”

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

“As do you, luv.  As do you,”  Avi replied at Priya’s unexpectedly kind and sincere well-wishes.  It was better to wish it back upon her than ask why she thought he deserved any of that.  Avi didn’t want to corner her in any position to explain such kindness.  His instinct was to take her at face value, find genuine hope and pleasure in her flattery.  Later, his growing cynicism would point out that perhaps she was just being nice and polite.  As friends do.

“If that’s even what you want.”  It occurred to Avi.  Perhaps she preferred to remain unmarried; and the longer she stayed that way, the older her parents would get and cease to care about any political alliance.  Sometimes it just turned out that way for certain children in big families.  After Ainsley,  Avi thought he was destined for the unmarried rest of his life as well.  

But before Ainsley, he knew he’d loved the idea of being married, having hundreds of children.  Finding Cat brought him back to that mindset, although it took him ten years to figure it out.  Avi decided he needed to make that clear to Cat as well; that he wasn’t just marrying her because an Archduke should ideally be wed (and he fell short of ‘ideal Archduke already, in so many ways).  It wasn’t just a political convenience, tied into love.  It should’ve happened ages ago.

“Yes - no, yes don’t bring me up,”  Avi exhorted, then laughed.  “Maybe I’m being ridiculous, but best to err on the side of caution, yes.  I trust you’ll do fine and make better arrangement for Loqoala than I did.”

And Priya did have a point; politics were a whole different beast, and he nodded thoughtfully at her words.  “You may be surprised at yourself.  I thought I hated politics as well, but spending time in Juaqoan as much as I have these past two years has been surprisingly interesting.  I might not be adept at playing the game, but I have learned sometimes playing just means listening and observing.”  Although Avi also knew that some subtleties and conclusions went over his head as well.  Sometimes he observed things he knew must be important, but he had no clue how to decipher its meaning.  

“I just have to find my place there,” Avi decided, trying to remain positive.  “And maybe one day I’ll see you there as well.”

He nodded, pleased at how Priya considered his idea.  “Not just skilled but trustworthy as well.   Perhaps it’s paranoid of me, but I believe rebels could be embedded in any group, any echelon.  I don’t want to populate a task group with powerful rebel mental mages.  I have a friend - he’s a truth-seer, and I trust him implicitly.  He said he’d help me create such a group, making sure the mental mages were not rebels.”  

Avi nodded and shrugged about her thoughts on telepathy being more invasive than telempathy.  “People may argue that it’s invasive regardless,” Avi pointed out, heeding Erin’s warning.  “I will just maintain that doing what’s good for Rajayer requires some sacrifice on the individual.  Plant individuals of good standing to spread word of how easy and honest it is, to hand oneself over to the task force for inspection.  Commission street skits and songs about the task force as incorruptible heroes, and the good of Rajayer. Design a newsworthy tale of actually catching a rebel or two, even if we don’t initially.  If the idea takes in my - my father’s realm, then I’ll propose it to Loqoala.  Weed the rebels out across the entire Empire.”

Avi stared at Priya though, when his friend suggested Rhiss getting drunk while he was away.  “No,” he decided firmly, although he knew their other siblings likely let Rhiss experiment, if she wanted to.  Still he obstinately shook his head. “No, she’s too good.  She wouldn’t.”

Avi tugged at Priya’s hand.  “Stay here, luv, the servants’ll bring it out.  There’s no need for us to move,”  Avi laughed and scoffed.  “Food comes to us!”

-

Coming from families that didn’t understand people might not end up in the molds prepared and laid out for them hadn’t made learning to be an archduke easy for him. Priya had shut down conversation when it had happened around her about his ineffectiveness and had often wanted to tell them they hadn’t the slightest clue what Avi was really capable of. That he was trying. Although she knew that there had been points he’d fallen so easily into his role as a spare without responsibilities, without much direction save what the winds gave him. And she wanted him to be better, too. She believed he could be and she believed he deserved a chance to be, and deserved happiness for it all.

“I’m not sure.” She shrugged, it was as honest of an answer as she could give. “I’m in no hurry and I do truly appreciate my freedoms. But I’ve never had a deep love to know whether or not it would be good for me.” She had siblings who had already produced more heirs and more siblings that would produce even more. She wasn’t even really fourth in line anymore as her older siblings had children of their own. And she was quite alright with that. “Don’t get any ideas to set me up with anyone either, one broken betrothal was enough.” She teased, “And I’ve moved on.” She laughed, it was a low jab, taking aim at Avi’s tenderness to the broken betrothal between him and Ainsley. But he was forty, and he had a kingdom to serve and run. He couldn’t afford to be wounded forever over it.

Priya waved a hand, dismissing the idea that she’d be good at politics. She might be, she probably would be, and she could admit that. But she didn’t want it. “You may be right and I could be the best thing the realm has ever seen at court but I…” I don’t want to be pushed into it. “I like working behind the scenes, I don’t want to be anyone’s focus. If the realm requires it of me, I will do my duty but… I’d rather not.” Avi might not have a choice any longer, but she did. She could choose to remain a spare. She could choose to slip further and further down the line as her siblings had more children and her name became only what she made of it. That was the sort of life she’d always wanted. “Maybe if the world goes tits up I’ll willingly join you.” She sighed, but then her smile softened. “More than it already has, I mean…”

Another idea occurred to Priya, one she was unsure that Avitej might consider. The Kumaras were a warm people, with an abundance of love for their neighbors, but they did hold their secrets. She listened as he went on about this mental task force and it was a solid plan, but there were things those without magic could do as well. And she might have more ways to help him than they’d considered.

“Avitej… your family… they keep records of major shipments and events and deals that happen, right? Would it help to compare them to my family’s? Granted, ours will focus more on trade but I could even as the Quihon’s if they were willing to share… they’re a more elusive bunch though.” Indeed, the Quihon’s were more paranoid than the Khagans and Kumaras and where the Kumaras were the military might and the Khagans the economic powerhouse, the Quihons tended to lead the realm in religion, education, and cultural studies as many around Illasqa did. “Any discrepancies might be lead us to pinpointing those who at least are perhaps selling weapons or artifacts, religious or enchanted, to rebel sympathizers… I wonder if they have records of any… religious zealots… or of people coming trying to use religion or education to sway people to the rebellion. We’ll have to work together on this. We can use magical methods and the more mundane kind…”

“Have you forgotten what it is to be fifteen?” She grinned, but shook her head, relenting. Avitej did know his sister better. But Priya also knew what it was to be a younger sister to more effervescent and impressive siblings. Even if they didn’t always see it in themselves. “She is good, isn’t she? Better than I was at her age.”

He tugged on her hand to sit back down and she fought the urge to roll her eyes. She flopped back against the pillows once more with a light huff. Not receiving guests in a dining hall in the keep would have been considered a faux pas in Jaqar. She knew Rajayer was different but she hadn’t thought it was so different, changed even from her last visit. She wouldn’t entertain the idea that he was trying to keep her out of the palace, she’d grown up with them, what harm could she do? But it was always a possibility. “Fine, have them hurry up. I’m hungry.” She pouted.

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

He hummed and laughed, eyeing Priya.  “Imagine if we did end up getting married, Pri.  We could’ve conquered on the Empire’s behalf, plowing our way through royal sore arses and noble wobbly legs, hm.”  

For a brief moment,  Avi did genuinely wish that he’d fallen for Priya Khagan, instead of Ainsley Amaranthe.  He did love Priya, and she was interesting, clever, and beautiful.  But for whatever reason he’d always seen her like a cousin more than a lover.  When their parents talked of arranging them together,  Avi had been amiable enough to the idea.  Young enough to just be happy that his marriage so very far in his future, would be to someone he enjoyed and could grow to love romantically.  An ideal, Loqoalan match.

But then the Elysian Ainsley came into his life, and everything changed.

Maybe that was partially why Avi now had so many biases against Elysi.  Because Avi regretted his own rejection of his Empire for sweet Elysian wiles, and had his heart was trounced for it.  So very Avitej Kumara, to have his beliefs led by the bitter pettiness of his heartbreak.  

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll like dealing with you much better as well,”  Avi said.  “I might be biased about her, but she is the same to me. I have no doubt.  Talking with her about…personal matters was actually nice, you know.  But when it came to matters of state, well.  We clashed.”  He gave Priya a grateful look.

“If you ask me, the Empire should grant you Ministerial rights over all trade in Loqoala.  You have the chops and you’re not going to go get married and make babies anytime soon.  You have the most innovative head for trade that I know.”  Aside from Catlina of course, Avi internally conceded.  

He didn’t exchange praise just because Priya flattered him first.  Avi’s regard for Priya was genuine, and although he appreciated Priya’s regard, he still had a cloying feeling that he had to live up to it, rather than it just fitting.   Avi didn’t mind that discomfort over the idea of becoming Archduke.  As the Commander of the Empire’s Navy though, he was just annoyed at himself.  

Avi tilted his head towards Priya’s ideas.  “I’ve already redrawn the routes for East Reach’s supply, tightened them up, heavily regulated by our Loqoalan merchant navy.  Are you thinking about rebel interference?  I have an idea about that, actually”  Avi sat up, using his hands to describe his idea.  

“Organizing a group - a task force, if you like - of mentally-inclined mages to use their abilities and seek out rebels in our midst.  Truth-seers and telempaths, and the like.  Spin it so that Rajayans - and Jaqaris, if you like - are confirming their loyalty to the Empire in these trying times, by being probed.  I’d demonstrate by having my entire family put through this rigor first, naturally.  What’s good for House Kumara should be good for the people.”

Laughing lightly,  Avi said,  “Rhiss will never drink, not if I have anything to say about it.”  So convinced, as the eldest sibling (and almost like a father to her) that he could stop her.  “Mm, now you’ve awoken my appetite for these corn-roll things.  Are you hungry?  We can eat, food’s been prepared.”

-

How different her life could have been, living in Rajayer with Avi instead of Jaqar with her own family. She couldn’t imagine it, not really. Yes, she had been promised to him at a young age but their families were so close they didn’t really need a marriage to secure an alliance. Perhaps their parents had just seen something in themselves that was connected. And in many ways, someone like Priya and Avi couldn’t afford friends outside of their families, but because theirs had always been close, the Kumaras were some of the few people Priya would trust and consider true friends. “It would have been a fun marriage, certainly. We would not have lacked in joy, even if we would have lacked in romance together.”

She was glad too, in so many ways, that she hadn’t ended up marrying Avitej. He was a confidante, a friend, and their lives were so different even if they themselves shared similarities, that it would have been hard to balance a family and maintain the businesses she did. And she’d have hated the idea that she was tying him down in some way, that he could be sowing his oats and finding real love, not the young puppy love he’d shared with Ainsley, somewhere out in the world, and had to come back to her. She didn’t want that for him, she wanted him to find real joy and true love. “Besides… you deserve to find someone who truly meets your sun with their moon. No less.”

Priya smiled and nodded slightly. “I’ll keep that in mind and keep my biases in check once I do deal with her. And if she is an important player to Elysi for Loqoala, I shall maintain good faith. I’ll refrain from bring you up as well.” She laughed then, “Better to play it safe than irritate her.”

“My mother would be a more ideal candidate, or one of my older, more experienced siblings.” She answered, shaking her head. “I’m fourth in line, and I know my trades but politics is a different game. Convincing them that I would be the best candidate isn’t just about convincing them I have the skills. It’s about leverage and maneuvering.” That was something he’d have to learn more about in the coming months and years. She might run her businesses like he ran his ships, tightly, securely, efficiently, but it took more than that to convince the Baodai family of one’s merit. “I’m sure they would not have granted your request to be Fleet Admiral if they didn’t’ think you’d earned it.”

She leaned forward as he did, interested to hear what might be done about the rebels. Priya, for all her wit and cleverness, had no military training and no mind for battle. But if she could help in any way eliminate those rebels, she would. “A task force…” She paused, tapping her fingers against her chin. It sounded like a good idea to her, invasive perhaps but these were desperate times. “I’m no expert on how telempaths operate… but don’t they just feel the truth in a situation or one’s emotions… or when they’re lying I suppose? If you limited this task force to simply those who are most skilled at that, it wouldn’t be considered as invasive as telepathy and you would still root out rebels… and only bring in telepaths if something was amiss and the likeliest suspects were rooted out? And you couldn’t be considered a tyrant for invading anyone’s mind because… you wouldn’t be, right?”

She shrugged, grinning. “That you know of… I bet you five favors to one that girl has gotten piss drunk at least once while you were out at sea.” She finished the glass of rum and stood, “I’m starving. Thought you’d never ask.”

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

“Mmm.  Merchants daughters are always so affable.  Merchant’s sons too, if you ply them the right way.”  If there was anything Avi learned in his sexual adventures, it was that with the proper convincing, most consenting parties would happily let him take control and give them a good time.  Everyone liked to be taken care of, and Avi happened to like taking care of anyone who wanted it.

He quietly amused himself, feeling sorry for all those people henceforth, with raised bottoms or spread legs, who’d no longer find their release by way of Avitej Kumara.  They all had Catlina to blame, and Avi chuckled to himself at the idea.  Cat would love it.

He scratched his jawline idly, returning to the talk of business. “I don’t think it would’ve mattered, five or three. I get the feeling now Ainsley would’ve just agreed.  Acha - but of course that could just be me.  You know my feelings towards the woman, and how easily they can cloud my mind.  I was curious if you’d dealt with her as well in a similar vein, so I’d have a less…biased touchstone than my own mind.  It’s hard to trust my instinct about her.”

But it was fine if Priya hadn’t.  Avi had dispatched Cecily to do the spywork necessary for confirming his suspicions.  She’d return with facts; and Priya could help Avi - and the Empire - with making alternate provisions should Avi’s agreement with East Reach fall through.

“Oi - you calling me stupid?  You little urchin,”  Avi laughed, because there was nothing new about the implication.  He never worried before, about not being as intellectual as Sijari or as accomplished as Tazar.  It mattered now though; and Avi could look at Priya and realize where he’d gone wrong.  Priya wasn’t born to rule Jaqar, but she still applied herself, made her reputation powerful and respected.

Avi nibbled on his bottom lip, and wondered why even assuming command of the entire Loqoalan navy, still carried little impression on his peers and elders. Was he just being too genteel, too easy-going?  Were people too willing to forgive his actions thus far, as ineffective or unimportant?  What did he need to do, to enforce his presence to the world?

“No, I haven’t, not personally,”  Avi replied, a half-lie.  He never demanded Catlina for the profit of her gain, but he knew her plans intended to benefit Loqoala. Not out of loyalty to the Empire, but out of love for him. 

“If you can broker with this vixen, the Empire would certainly be eager to diversify our grain trade with both the East and the West…but Ivar’s blood.  What are we supposed to do with corn,”  Avi sighed, but he knew it would have to do, if Loqoala abandoned East Reach.  He also took some pleasure in hearing the way Priya spoke about Catlina, with such great esteem and praise.  Considering Priya had been in the world of trade for her entire life and Catlina was relatively new to it, the praise was very indicative of Cat’s savvy and acumen.  She was truly exceptional.  

“I’m glad to hear it, and reassured by your opinion. The people will make do.  Perhaps devise some rice-substitute using corn, hm.  Need breeds innovation, after all.”

As prompted, Avi refilled Priya’s cup.  “I’ll get you nice and falling-over drunk. Then if Rhiss does decide to show up, she’ll get even more angry at me for it.”

-

Priya laughed honestly and heartily, shaking her head at Avi. They were so alike in so many ways. She hated knowing that the weight and stress of a burden that was never meant to be his had been placed upon his shoulders by grief itself. But he seemed to be maintaining good spirits, for the most part at least. “And so bendy, from the little I recall.”

There was a time when she and Avi had made it a game almost, to see who could win the interests of any given mutual interest throughout an evening, plying them with conversation, dancing, wine. Sometimes it led to more, sometimes it just led to lavished attention. This was a common game they’d played once she’d become an adult, often settling on someone roughly halfway between their ages to make it fair. But it seemed age had dimmed both of their interests in games like that, age and duty and responsibility. She didn’t mind the fun and the chase but she also occupied most of her thoughts with the chase of deals and business. And she’d be married off to someone eventually… she simply had a great many siblings to work through before she could be. So what was the point of getting truly interested in someone if they didn’t end up together?

“I’m sure I’ll end up dealing with her more from now on if she’s the official adviser of East Reach but I have not had much interaction as of yet. The way you make it sound that’s a good thing, but I’ll try not to hold your bias too close to heart.” She smiled slightly. Loyalty as a necessity in Loqoala. It was the backbone of their currency, really. To trade in favors and acts owed rather than physical goods like the other kingdoms, it could quite easily become a system where every man was out for themselves. But their people were respectful and honest overall. At least with locals.

She boxed him lightly in the shoulder, a look of surprise and perhaps even disappointment tugging and hiding behind the otherwise playful smile she carried on her features. “I’d do no such thing, but I also won’t remind you of your talents and how our waters are safe because of you.” Those that knew Avi and his family knew his skills at sea and in the navy. And no ruler had to be good at the same things as their predecessor, she only wished he would realize that. And if the rumors of rebellion were true, they would need a warrior and a leader more than they’d need someone good at business and trade and diplomacy.

“If I may hazard a suggestion… your forces will need to be stronger than ever if battles are going to become more common. Perhaps reminding people of Rajayer’s true talents would be advantageous?” She didn’t’ just mean his prowess in the navy. They came from pirates and sea-lords of clans and tribes long forgotten. They could root out issues and rabble rousers better than any other if he embraced those inherent skills. Pirates were skilled at finding lost and hidden things, after all. “And if we can squeeze any trade routes to help in… routing these problems… we certainly will.”

Priya’s smile returned, soft and honest, “Loqoans always rise above. It’s just in our nature. We’ll find something to do with corn, I hear they turn it into flat bread-like wraps in Vailen and scoop vegetables and meat onto them. Never tried it but I’m a creature of culinary habit.” She happily accepted the refill Avitej poured for her and shook her head. “Rhiss is fifteen now right, old enough to start drinking herself.” She raised a brow, ignoring the fact that they were younger than that when they’d started.

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

…

“Some people just have that knack.  That, or I’m just remarkably inept at fibbing,”  Avi said breezily.  He didn’t care if he was.  Wasn’t honesty, after all, one of those attributes that people valued? He grinned at Priya, tossing a cushion her way.  “What about your love life?  Or just spare me the romance and give me all the salacious details of your sex life instead.  I’m a filthy old man.”

Family always had to come first, and especially something like funerals, so Avi nodded, inhaling long and slow from the hookah.

Leaning his head back, Avi made smoke circles up in the air before he answered. “Ahhh, a small convoy of cargo ships - Loqoalan and Elysian mix - for the supply, and then five naval full-rigged escorts for protection.  Distribution within Loqoala handled by Loqoalans, not Elysians.  She wanted more, I negotiated less, she agreed and I thought I was doing her a favour and advantaging Rajay - well, the Empire.”  He didn’t mind sharing the details with Priya; it was why he’d wanted to talk to her, after all.

“Alek Ashcraft, yeah.  Ivar’s piss he’s a pretty one, isn’t he.  And you know what they say about the pretty ones…”  Avi chuckled, a bit meanly.  But it was just Priya, so he didn’t care about sounding mean.  “I’m a hypocrite to tease him so.  After all, I know what people say about me.”

And Avi hadn’t really considered the signature aspect, but he shook his head.  “I looked over the details of the agreement, it was written by my people and hers…er,  Alek’s, I suppose.  Controlled by Ainsley, I’m sure.  The Ashcraft seal was on it.  I do believe Ainsley’s very aware of her tenuous position as an Advisor, if that counts for anything.”

Lolling again, Avi only perked up when Priya idly mentioned a ‘Loqoalan woman’.  “What d’you mean then - in Vailen? What’ve you heard?”

He flicked the pipe to the side, finishing his drink and refilling immediately, offering Priya the same.  “Yeah I liked all of that too,” he muttered, swirling the contents in his cup.  “Freedom and ability to choose….”

Avi was silent for a moment, before he gave Priya a wan smile.  “Don’t worry, I’m not going to devolve into whining, I promise.”

-

Priya offered a fake gasp, putting her hand over her heart. “You are a dirty old man and a lady never kisses and tells.” She smirked, finishing the glass of rum. “Good think I’m not a proper lady… the last romp I had was during the masquerade. Some merchant’s daughter or such… I didn’t actually catch her name, to be honest I was three sheets to the wind. All I remember is she was my age and had the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen.” Priya gave a shrug and leaned back, taking the pipe from Avi to take a drag of the hookah herself. “I’ve been woefully deprived of any intimacy since and too busy to try to seek any out.”

The deal he had negotiated was mostly fair, although Priya would have started out with a far lower offer and not budged quite that high. “I would have negotiated for three naval ships at most, they’re twice as fast right?” She tapped her fingers against her chin, “It is odd that she relented so quickly… I would assume she asked for the whole fleet? Something she knows is ridiculous…” That was probably the point though, catch him off guard and negotiate for what the duchess actually wanted.

“That you’re so very pretty too?” She grinned, laughing along with him. She didn’t want to give any credence to the rumors and naysayers regarding Avitej. Not so long ago they were in the same position. Spares, with the world at their fingertips, with money and power and influence in spades. They were members of powerful families in the greatest empire Vailar had ever seen and such rumors were not only cruel but they were beneath them. Avitej wasn’t raised to be archduke, he was raised to be married off like she was. They were raised to enjoy that freedom. And they had every right to.

“Probably had something to do with her quick acceptance then too… if she can make it seem like she got a good deal… Alek wouldn’t necessarily know…” Priya raised a brow, smirking a bit at his sudden surge of energy. “So far they’re rather confused by her. She’s upset some of their sweet elven sensibilities… they call her a very pretty vixen. She apparently is offering a rather profitable deal… for grain of all things… one of my contacts is going to take the deal, she has trade in corn and wheat. She won’t say what she plans on doing with the goods after, they all think she’s rather myserious…” Priya brushed a hand through her thick curls, and scrunched her face a bit when she thought about why Avi had perked up. “Wait… is she bringing the grain back here?”

She happily took the rum offered and shook her head, patting Avi on the shoulder lightly. “It’s alright, you can whinge and complain as long as you keep feeding me alcohol.”

[speakwithyourcoin]

oggyfromthebog​:

…

“Of course. I’d have to be awful thick to approach you without doing my research.” He grinned wide. His eyes wide and interested, hoping his expression conveyed that he knew many things besides, secrets, rumors, research. Which was true enough, but if there was a mischievous sparkle that slipped through he couldn’t help that either. “I’ve been known to drink.” He grinned. “And for you, my lady, I would double my efforts.” He offered her a small bow, feeling a full tit about it despite the smile

It would disappoint him to know that his efforts so far were modest and unimpressive in her eyes. Disappoint him, but obviously not surprise him. It was easier to con the desperate, people who didn’t get out much. Offering his services straight, as he did with Zahra and was trying to do with Priya, had a lot more hoops to jump through. Typically the rewards made it all worth it. Which was what he had to repeat in his mind as he strode in front of her, long legged, to open the door.

“Course I shall.” He bent down forward opening the door for Priya and her most obvious guards to step through. Trying not to jostle against them, no need to get them jumpy, as he quickly darted in after. Looking toward the seat Priya was eyeing so he could pull it out for her before she sat. Hoping to earn back some genteel favor in her eyes. His eyes turned off of her briefly as he looked over the tavern, taking stock of his surroundings. “Shall we wait for the serving girl while I proceed to woo you and promise my favors, or would you, Lady Priya, prefer I speak to the counterman and get us something straight off?

-

Whatever angle he was playing, whatever he had decided she would be worth to him, Priya at least found him amusing. For that, she would keep him around for a bit. Of course if he’d done enough research, he’d know that she was interested in only a few things. Namely, how much money could she make and make for Jaqar and by extension, Loqoala. After that, she just wanted to keep her family safe and whatever else happened, she’d roll with. “Well lucky for you I’m parched and was on my way to the tavern anyway.”

He closed the distance to the tavern in a few long steps and she followed at her own leisurely pace, head tilted high, the same slight smirk giving way to a small polite smile as she entered the establishment. She knew which people to look out for as they sat at the bar but anyone else would have thought them just more patrons. Taking the seat at a table he pulled out for her, Priya thanked him then gestured to the seat across from her for Oggy as one of her guards took a station near the door, the other near her table.

“We’ll wait a moment, no need to rush them if they’re busy…” She arched a brow, “You were saying you have some skills you think I require?” She rapped her nails against the wood of the table, propping her chin against her other hand. “Can you elaborate more, there are many who cross my path who say I need their services and I generally like to work with only the most interesting of people.”

[speakwithyourcoin]

avitejkumara​:

…

“No hook, no siren,”  Avi answered with a grin that he couldn’t get off his face as Priya teased him.  He smoked more of the hookah, to have something to do.  “Be kind to me and don’t ask any more questions, bahani.  Then I won’t have to lie to you,” Avi chuckled, extending a hand to her, like a bard brandishing a verse of his poem.  “You know I do so hate having to lie to you.”

But the conversation turned to business, Priya’s eyes getting sharp and shrewd.  A look that comforted Avi, and was exactly the reason he’d wanted to talk with Priya specifically.  “I should’ve asked you to accompany me to East Reach,” Avi mused, scratching at his cheek.  

“We don’t trade exclusively with them either, except for the rice and wheat. So we made arrangements for this year between Loqoala and East Reach, and for Rajayer to a certain extent.  With the option to revisit the new agreement and distribution - handled by the individual Loqoalan realms, not by the navy - after that time.  But I don’t know, Pri.  I suppose I don’t quite trust her.  She agreed too easily, like…”

Avi frowned, trying to phrase it.  “…like she already had something else planned to compensate for whatever I negotiated.  She barely haggled. I left East Reach thinking I’d made a good arrangement but once I returned home, I wasn’t so sure.”  Avi worried at his bottom lip.

“I understand East Reach has her own interests to look after, of course.  I don’t fault her that.  I suppose this entire exercise was another hard reminder that I’m not as savvy at all of this…politicking as I should be, if I’m to make arrangements like this.  She knew this - perhaps she used my naivety to her advantage, but  I can’t be too upset about that.  I would’ve too, if I were her.”

Avi looked over at Priya, his dark eyes silently asking for her insight.

And she was right, about large families.  “I replaced the natter of children for the creaks and noises of my ship,”  Avi said fondly, if a bit wistfully.  “A substitute that suited my needs to…not be here.”  

He looked up at the fort then, exhaling smoke.  “Were you ever jealous, Pri?  Because you aren’t the Heir Apparent in your family.”

-

“Fine…” Priya rolled her eyes a bit though the smile did not fade. “I’ll get it out of you eventually, I usually do.” She chuckled, though more often than not the truth had a way of exposing itself on its own. “You only hate lying to me because I see through it.” When you had grown up with someone, you also learned their tells and their mannerisms well. But she wasn’t one to use that against him outside of teasing. Like a younger sister.

“It’s good that you didn’t…” Priya shook her head slightly, there was a sense of pain behind her words and her expression. “I’d have been torn on whether to accompany you or stay with my family during mourning… I’m sure you understand.” She knew he would, better than most actually.

It was never the smartest business decision to maintain one solitary avenue of trade and she had expected Rajayer to have multiple just as Jaqar and Illasqa did. He was right though, it was strange for an Elysian not to haggle for the best possible outcome for themselves. They sometimes fought and argued for an age before they agreed to anything. Priya listened to Avi, her gaze darkening and she nodded slightly. “What was the agreement you made, if I may ask?” She pursed her lips, tapping her fingers against the glass of rum and she hummed quietly. “We mostly dealt with the old duke or his trade advisor… she’s been recently named advisor to what is it… Alek? He’s closer to my age and inexperienced in ruling but I’ve heard she’s got a keener mind than people assumed from her demeanor. So I wouldn’t put my trust in her… only the contracts signed by the duke.”

Priya took a long drink from the glass and glanced up at Avitej again. “I’ll work Rajayer into conversation the next time I speak to my contacts in Vailen. If East Reach is diversifying their portfolio there’s no reason you can’t strike a deal with someone else for grain and rice. You might not have been taught business but you’ve got friends who were.” She lounged a little more, propped on some pillows. “And perhaps it’s time to unite some of the smaller houses and merchants around Elysi. East Reach isn’t their only center of agriculture just the largest. Though they did tell me last time that there’s someone stirring up all sorts of intrigue over there, some other Loqoalan woman.”

Avi had a soft heart, it was part of his charm and his virtues. But it was a wild one as well. She understood the desire to not stay at their family’s seat of power as well as he did. “Oh Kata no… no I’ll take my place happily far down the line. I like the freedom and the ability to choose how to spend my time.” To choose love or business over duty, to choose when to go and stay, to choose not to have anyone depending on her. It allowed her to operate much more independently.

[speakwithyourcoin]

oggyfromthebog​:

@speakwithyourcoin

Oggy actually managed to clean up for this, or as clean as he was possibly going to get. His clothes for the day, hat, tunic, vest, and breaches, had the least amount of stains–blood and food–in quite some time. Which was all part of the presentation.

You couldn’t just rock up to a noble woman smelling of stale beer and street filth to say ‘I know where your stolen jewels are’. Not that was likely to get him shot or imprisoned. No, this one, thi lady, deserved a bit of flair, a little drama. And plenty of pre-planning just to talk his way into her presence.

“My Lady,” He approached Priya with a smile and a bow, sweeping his hat downward and up again. It felt awkward to do it like this, rough and tumble as he was used to being and looking. Still he decided on a character and he damn well was going to stick to it. “I am Og’thannir” Oggy clipped his name in a creative way, pronouncing it Oh-guh-than-ear, and stressing the syllables with more of a Vailen accent than was necessary. “Adventurer, treasure hunter, and finder of lost things.” In his mind it was less a character he was playing and more the most complimentary spin he could put to his own life. He went on adventures, he hunted treasure–though more often in other people’s possessions–and he knew where her lost things were. With a growing grin he donned his cap again. Jaunty enough the brim cast a shadow over his milky white eye, while the opposite pointed ear was on full display.

“Not to be presump-shious.” He mispronounced the word, loosing a bit of the effect. “But I’m thinking you might be in need of my services.”

-

“Mm?” Priya quirked an eyebrow, turning around to glance over the man who had approached her. Her guards apparently thought him either not a thread or easy enough to kill they hadn’t stopped him. Which wasn’t strange, in her line of work they were used to people coming up just to talk deals and business and money with her. Her dark gaze scanned him, not wholly impressed but he had the audacity to approach so evidently he at least had some balls.

“Priya Khagan but I’m assuming you knew that.” She caught a glimpse of his ears. Vae. Interesting. It wasn’t often she found a Vae in Jaqar who hadn’t come invited or by some act of diplomacy or business. But then again, who was to say he didn’t intent on doing business with her? Perhaps his modest appearance was a ruse and he was truly an intelligent and savvy business man. Perhaps his nomenclature was a call sign of his profession rather than an inflated con. She tilted her chin up and licked her lips, motioning to the tavern across the street. “Do you drink, sir elf? Because if you’re going to proposition me for business you might as well take the effort to court me a little.”

“So, Oh-guh-than-ear.” She said in an equally clipped and dramatic way, giving a glance around. Her guards were spread about both in plain clothes and the two beside her in regalia, it was easier to blend in and catch potential threats while also warding off any attempts. She caught some movement out of the corner of her eye and knew one of them had already slipped into the tavern to keep an extra eye on her. She led the small group with Oggy forward, pausing before the door and looking to her new friend. “Well, aren’t you going to open the door for a Lady?”