The Gift (Aymelek, Talia and Mika)
Dec 16, 2013 23:00:19 GMT -4
Post by Empress Aymelek on Dec 16, 2013 23:00:19 GMT -4
AYMELEK: The Empress Aymelek stared at the girl, unsure what to do with her. The Province of Emtala apparently forgot that the Serraf Province had laws about slavery. Yet here she was, petite, white haired, innocent faced, wearing a sparkling golden collar and barely enough clothing to cover her, standing in front of the Empress. Aymelek swallowed, her large brown eyes darting to the one who delivered the "gift." It was said he was for them both, though Aymelek was most surprised to find out that this slave girl was actually a gift for the Emperor. Though the reasoning was, as her maids informed her, was to keep the Emperor busy until such time that the Empress wished his presence in bed. That made Aymelek's brows quirk. While it was true she and Mika had not yet consummated the marriage, they slept together each night. She was at a loss. "What is your name, girl?"
TALIA: "Talia, Your Imperial Highness.." and she curtseyed again.
AYMELEK: Aymelek closed her eyes and swallowed again. "Will you show her to the Emperor's chambers? He will decide her fate."
TALIA: Talia followed the guards in meek silence toward the Emperor's chambers. She was raised from birth to serve, she knew no other way. It was not shameful or stressful, it was merely her place in life. As she walked the tinkle of little bells at her ankles gave notice to all that the slave girl was present. She waited for the guard to announce her and then for permission to enter. As she did, her eyes lowered and without delay she lowered to her knees, sliding them apart, and turning her head to the side with eyes remaining downcast. The attitude and posture of a well trained slave of Emtala.
MIKA: Mika stared when the guards brought in a girl, and she promptly went to her knees like that. He had a few papers in hand - he tended to move around as he read, so he'd been pacing his room. Now he stood there, looking from the guards, to the girl, and to the guards again. One of them informed him that this girl - Talia - was a gift from Emtala. Mika didn't say anything, just walked past them and stuck his head out into the cooridor. "Find the Empress, bring her here. Quickly," he said to the nearest servant. He went back inside and shooed Ghost away from the girl - the massive wolf had been sniffing her curiously. Mika regarded her again and just shook his head. "You don't-- you don't need to be like that," he said, gesturing with the papers at her posture. He looked almost relieved when Aymelek appeared in the doorway. "Please explain this." Because he was sure he would breech some kind of etiquette if he were to handle this completely on his own.
TALIA: Talia said nothing, nor did she move from her position. The Emperor's accent in the common tongue confused her and while her brows may have drawn together slightly, she did not so much as waver in her position, even when the gigantic monster in dirty white fur sniffed at her and made strange noises.
AYMELEK: The Empress appeared a few moments later, wearing a gown of fushia trimmed heavily in gold and pearls. Her dark hair was left loose though braids were scattered throughout heavily entwined with threads of shimmering gold and small seed pearls. She looked down at Talia. Oh my. Then back to Mika. "I have no explanation. She is a gift from Emtala, the leaders there have obviously ignored our rules on slavery in Sarraf. She was sent to..." She put a single index finger to her eye brow and smoothed it, then said softly, "She is to keep you entertained, in the event that I, wish a reprieve from you in my bed." Just for good measure, Aymelek added, with a darkening of already dark kohl lined eyes. "I have no wish for such a reprieve as yet."
MIKA: "We don't keep slaves here," he said, as if that would somehow negate everything. Why would they send a slave if they did not keep slaves? He pushed his free hand through his hair, frustrated and a bit flustered. He had been captive once, and he had sworn he would never keep a slave. His eyebrows went up and an incredulous look crossed his face when Aymelek explained the exact situation to him. "To keep me entertained? No, Aymelek-- No." He swept his arm as if to make it more final. "If you wish to reprieve yourself from our bed then all you need do is say." And he would not seek company elsewhere - just a different place to sleep. He'd not even consummated this marriage yet and now some emissary was offering him a loophole in the vows. He made imself sit down - his wound was still healing, though soon it would not need to be bandaged anymore. "She cannot be a slave here."
AYMELEK: Aymelek entered the room fully when she saw Mika's fatigue show. As he sat, she indicated to Talia to do the same. "Take a seat over there, Talia." She went to her husband and sat by him, her hand touching at his arm. "I said I do not wish it, Mika, and I mean that. However, to return the girl would be an insult to Emtala. No, she cannot be a slave here. Perhaps there are other options..." She glanced over to Talia. Talia sat with her eyes downcast. She was trying to follow the conversation, but it was difficult at best. She wanted to tell them she could service them both, keep them both entertained, but from their tones she doubted that would be welcome news. So she sat, and waited. Hands folded in her lap and her eyes on her fingers. "Mika, please, do not become overwrought. You've only just regained stamina.." and that was not ready to be tried to this level yet. Aymelek had fretted and fussed over Mika for weeks. He'd gained a fever, lay in delirium for two days, she bathed him, helped him eat, dressed his wound and remained vigilant by his side. She would not see him go backward over this. "How is this..I make her one of my ladies temporarily, until such time that we can either set her free and make her understand she is free...or she wishes to return to her own family...or another sees the benefit of having a wife such as her?" They were all viable options.
MIKA: "Yes, that is fit," he agreed. Talia belonged tending to a woman, not-- not him. He barely let the servants do anything as it was, and they were paid. "She'll get a salary." Even if Talia didn't want it, he was sure he and Aymelek were in thorough agreement that she could not remain a slave. Mika's hand gently caught Aymelek's. She was growing to understand him, and he her, even if the progress had been slow at first. He lightly kissed the back of her hand. "Thank you," he said in a quieter tone. "I do not mean to offer this girl insult, but I have been a slave, or near to one. And I cannot keep one."
AYMELEK: Aymelek gave a faint nod of her head, immense relief flooding her system when she saw Mika calming. "Of course. A salary and options to leave should she receive a decent offer. I will treat her as all my ladies, ensuring she makes only a better situation for herself, not worse.." She felt her heart pang when Mika mentioned his being a slave. She squeezed his hand tenderly. She felt the sting of tears in her eyes. Over the course of the past several months she had developed a deep affection for Mika. She adored the way he was, and ensured he had everything he needed or wanted at his beck and call. To think of him being hurt, hurt her, the thought of anyone mistreating him made her furious and she wanted to seek revenge on his behalf. Though he was a strong, fit, capable man, she could not help her own need to protect him. Perhaps it was love, or a form therein, but Aymelek had never loved so she wasn't quite sure. "There is no need for thanks, Mika. I will speak to her, though a slave of her type knows no other way." Aymelek started to rise to leave Mika and a small squeal came out as she realized that Talia was kneeled in front of them both.
TALIA: Her voice was soft but urgent. "Please, send me not back. I will be seen as displeasing you. I only wish to please..."
AYMELEK: Aymelek sighed. "Of course not. We are not sending you back. Come.." she rose and called for the attendant to stand with Talia until she was ready to depart. She closed the door momentarily and took a breath. Her dark eyes landed on Mika once more. She drifted to him and leaned to kiss his forehead as he sat. She whispered against his skin. "Never fear, consider it handled."
MIKA: "Thank you," he said to his wife when she assured him it would be handled. He did not want to turn the girl out, and he certainly couldn't send her back - not when he knew it could mean something awful for her. No, they would keep her and, hopefully, give her the chance to unlearn a lifetime of training. Mika wondered if it could even be done for someone that had no sense of what it was to be free. He got up to follow Aymelek and Talia as they left, and he gently caught the empress by the arm. He drew her close and kissed her forehead. "Thank you," he said again. "Dinner tonight?" Sometimes they weren't able to dine together due to obligations - or they had large dinners. But tonight, he was hoping for something more private - just the two of them. He would always ask. Ghost had followed them and was sniffing at the girl again. Mika nudged the beast to urge him away. It was obvious he made Talia uncomfortable.
AYMELEK: Aymelek smiled and closed her eyes at the kiss, being near Mika brought a waterfall of emotions and sensations. She would always marvel at the way he aroused her and made her want to be even closer. . "Dinner would be lovely. I'll be waiting.." The scent of him sparked a primitive response in her brain, this was her mate. The one she was bonded to. She met his eyes a moment before they departed to give him the leeway to see to the affairs of state. Running an Empire was not an easy job no matter how strong you were.
TALIA: Talia followed the Empress dutifully, the train of her thin garment dragging along behind her. She glanced once over her shoulder to look at the Emperor and his large gray beast. He was something of a legend in her mind, those of Emtala spoke of him with great reverence. Her big blue eyes lingered there a moment, then she turned to look ahead and disappeared around a corner to keep up with the Empress.
MIKA: Mika was content to watch them both go, and for his space to become peaceful again. He returned to his work and kept at it for the rest of the day. Come evening, he found his way to the little dining room where he and Aymelek shared intimate meals when they could. It was nice not to have to put on a performance just to eat a meal. Their dinner was already waiting for them, covered to keep it warm, with fresh juice and water in glasses at each place. Mike had never had more fruit juice in his life since he'd come here, but he enjoyed it. He liked the sweetness of most of the concoctions the people in the desert came up with. A far cry from the water-or-beer (or mead) options in the north. Though, to be fair, cider season was one of the best seasons.
TALIA: Talia watched the Empress for nearly an hour when they disappeared. When the Empress talked to her, Talia was surprised, but pleasantly so. After a while, the revelation came. The Empress had not yet been bedded. Talia's eyes widened and her brows lifted, but then...she did what she did best. She began a lesson in seduction the likes of which Nerida had never seen. The Empress was much too beautiful to remain a married virgin. Talia would earn her keep accomplishing that, at the very least.
AYMELEK: Aymelek arrived moments after Mika for dinner, he waited on her as always. She entered the room and immediately there was a change. Her face was glowing, her adornments left little to the imagination though nothing actually obscene showed, there were hints and flashes of honeyed skin, the subtle outline of curves, the diaphonous material was an array of pastels, peach, lavender and pinks. Her movements were smooth and confident. The glittering dark eyes were lined in their usual kohl but a spray of glitter was on her lids, making her eyes stand out in their smoldering darkness. "Mika..." she said quietly, and brushed her mouth against his before taking her seat. Her fragrance was an alluring concoction of musk and spice from the oils rubbed into her skin. When she took her seat opposite Mika, she inquired "I trust the rest of your day went well?"
MIKA: And Mika... noticed. He looked twice at his wife when she came in, and he rose from his seat. The kiss left him staring at her lips until she settled in her seat, then he sat again. He was still looking at her, as if trying to sort out what was different, but it seemed like... everything. Even her scent was different. "What? Oh, yes. It was... productive at least. Is Talia settling in? Do you think there's any chance of.. of rehabilitating her?" He tried to focus on discussing Talia but... he felt like he lost his train of thought every time he looked at Aymelek. He uncovered his food and gestured for her to do the same.
AYMELEK: Aymelek lifted a berry from the plate, she always started and ended her meals with fruit. The luscious red fruit was placed on her tongue and bitten into, slowly, the juice licked off by her pink tongue. Swallowing the bite, she mmm'd, and then answered Mika's questions. "She is settling in quite nicely." Quite nicely indeed, dear husband. "I think, given time, Talia could see the benefit of having a husband, or at least a life outside of simply serving. " The candles in the dining area were set up with purpose, so that each time Aymelek reached for a bite of food, lifted her arm, turned to the side, a silhouette of her body was framed in the back light. The curve of her breast, the angle of her shoulder, the nip of her waist. She ate her usual amount, but sipped her wine with more relish than usual. Talia had informed her at times like this, wine was courage in a goblet. So she was ensuring she had the courage to continue on. She met Mika's eyes and smiled, a slow, knowing smile. Her dark sensual eyes lingering on his with the look of a woman who was seeing something she desired.
MIKA: She had never looked at him like that before - not with such purpose. Mika forgot that he should be eating, and it took him a moment to catch up. He swallowed thickly and ended up taking a sip of juice to wet his mouth. "That's good," he said at last. "That she might have some idea of a will of her own..." He trailed off again, caught staring at her figure. No, he was certain Aymelek had never worn anything quite like this before. He tried to focus on eating, if only because he had been hungry before his wife arrived. Every now and again he caught the scent of her perfume and got distracted again. By the end of the meal, he'd almost completley given up any attempt to have a conversation. "Will you be late to bed tonight?" he asked at last. Sometimes she had things that kept her up; sometimes he did. But not tonight.
AYMELEK: Aymelek studied her husband through thick dark lashes as she toyed with her food. Talia was right. He seemed distracted, shaken. He did want her, he had merely been waiting for Aymelek to indicate she was ready. Which, in her defense, she'd had no idea how to go about that...until today. She stood and drifted around the table, the flutter of the sheer fabric dancing the dance of seduction. Aymelek arrived at Mika's side and slid her arm through his, making sure to press her curves against him. Her voice was soft, her eyes were roaming over his face, his eyes, his nose, the full mouth. She was distracted as well, for once a journey such as this was started, it tended to gather energy and gain momentum. "Nothing is more important than being with you in our bed tonight, Mika.." She kissed him again, this time soft, not timid, but she knew her husband well enough to know that when it came to this, he preferred the more tender touches, the gentle approach. Mika did not like surprises or being overwhelmed with anything out of the ordinary. So her mouth tasted his, carefully and with curiosity, her tongue swept across his, warm, wet and eager. She shuddered, the fell of him so close, even like this was thrilling. The idea that he could be closer, even moreso.
MIKA: Mika shivered and he leaned down to meet the kiss as she pressed her lips to his. She tasted sweet, and she had never kissed him quite like this before. By the time they parted, he felt as if he had a fever, but the very best sort. He touched his forehead to hers. "Then I will see you soon," he promised. He kissed her once more and lingered at her mouth before he forced himself away. He had just one or two more pieces of business to take care of before he could retire for the night, but he finished them quickly. He found his way back to the bedroom they shared, no longer needing a servant guide to get him through the expansive palace. He wet his lips as he entered their bedroom - there were only a few candles burning, along with the fire in the hearth. "Aymelek?" He was quite certain she would be hear already, but he wanted to be sure. He didn't like surprises... not big ones, at any rate. He started unbuttoning his tunic as he moved through the bedroom. He'd already slipped out of the soft shoes he wore while in the palace.
AYMELEK: There was a rustle behind a curtain and Aymelek appeared. She was wearing nothing but a thing piece of fabric held up to her front. It left nothing to the imagination but it gave her the needed confidence to walk across the room toward him. Her hair was loosened fully now, it hung around her frame to her waist in long dark mahogany highlighted curls. Her fingers touched his where he was unbuttoning his shirt, "Let me..." she nearly whispered. Both hands then went to his buttons, inevitably causing the fabric to fall in a white puddle on the floor. She slowly she unhooked each one, her eyes following her fingers movements. When she tenderly pushed the shift from his shoulders her eyes met his; then she smiled. "I want this. You said when I was ready..." She was more than ready. In every possible way. The form of the Empress was the topic of many conversations in pubs and taverns about Nerida. How beautiful she was purported to be, how flawless her skin, how large her eyes, how beckoning her smile. Those who had caught a glimpse of Aymelek after her years of being confined, celebrated for they had speculated she was a hideous creature with six fingers and ugly growths which is why the old Emir kept her confined. Now they knew the opposite was true. Mika and Aymelek was the image of male and female perfection to their people in the lower provinces. Their likenesses could be found in the marketplaces in the form of statues and paintings, dolls and pendants. At this moment, however, Aymelek was a woman enamored with the man she was undressing. When her fingers touched his pants top, she tugged gently, stepping closer so that her skin touched his, the heated chemistry between them seeming to spark with that gesture.
(to be continue
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TAHYA SUSA!
TAHYA SUSA!