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tampered2007-01-21 01:51 am
chokhmah.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2007-01-21 01:51 am
Log; complete
When; Jan. 20th [early evening]
Rating; PG to be safe?
Characters; Zaheela (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
henkonasuisho) & Peony (chokhmah)
Summary; Zaheela goes and visits Peony's rappigs. Which turns out to be an unexpectedly serious visit aside from the giggle fit in the middle.
Log;
Zaheela was regretting her decisions to both let Eisen rest in his room and change into this ridiculous outfit. It showed too much skin, too little sensibility, and achieved far too many stares. The skirt she had managed to dig up must have been one from her childhood as it only fluttered over the tops of her knees. Her top was even more revealing, the black band of her restraining cloth looser and a pale red cloth tied over it, the rest firmly secured with a jeweled pin. Her hair was loose for now, but the effect was still evident. With each step, she cursed herself for her lack of sensibility. She SHOULD have just worn her normal wear, SHOULD have ridden her chocobo, and SHOULD have remembered that she was visiting someone of a higher station. She felt like a cheap prostitute overall, and it made her uncomfortable.
Peony absently scratched Luke behind one soft, floppy ear. The human Luke had been by earlier, returning the three rappigs that he’d sent over last night. Jade had long since tired of bullying Saphir and was resting peacefully nearby next to Nephry who had inserted herself neatly between the two. It had been a rather idle day, spent mostly exploring these computers and the communication system.
By some miracle, or perhaps talent, Jade had managed to tell Peony all he knew about the city while getting a good deal of other things done. It was a lot to digest but Peony was nothing if not flexible in all senses of the word. He wasn’t overly worried yet about his kingdom. If nothing else he expected the advisors to be competent, they’d been with him and some of them his father, annoying as they were not without worth. Luke climbed clumsily up his leg, trying to put himself into Peony’s lap.
As building ten came into view, Zaheela's doubt and shame grew heavier and heavier. She was sure that she had heard a few whistles and howls, but she ignored them and entered the building. Part of her, the greater part was screaming at her to turn back, run back to her apartment and don some more appropriate attire, but she couldn't place the reason why she didn't. She glanced down the hallways of the first hall and then realized that she had forgotten the room number.
“...of all the things.” She groaned and pressed her face into her palm, unsure of what to do.
Naptime over it seemed Jade had decided it would be a good time to start harassing Saphir again. Peony dutifully turned to watch with a raised eyebrow as Jade started “playing” with Saphir. He was sure that Jade was fond of the other rappig, much like his human namesake, he just had a poor way of expressing it. He continued to believe that as Jade charged at the unresisting Saphir, making the poor thing roll right into the front door with a loud thud. He was glad the door was sturdy, he wasn’t sure Jade would be terribly pleased that two days into his stay his rappigs was already tearing the place down.
It was poor timing, Peony was expecting Zaheela, but Jade was persistent once he decided he needed exercise. If he was expected to behave at all they’d need a little more space. He opened the door, pushing Jade aside firmly and righting Saphir. Hopefully no one would mind too much if they ran through the halls a little. If he had his leashes he’d take them on a walk but even though they listened to him sometimes they got a little excitable.
Jade pushed through, brushing around Peony’s legs and into the hall, taking pleasure in the chance to stretch, Saphir temporarily forgotten. And with Jade out Nephry followed, Aslan and Saphir after that. Luke seemed to still be at a bit of a loss, lingering where Peony had been seated, Gaillardia waiting by his side patiently. Unlike the stampede that it became back in Grand Chokmah this was more like a lazy parade.
“Well, hello,” Peony greeted with a smile when he noticed Zaheela standing not far away. Peony didn’t let his eyes linger on her figure too much, by the sound of it she was stressed enough and by her expression she didn’t seem entirely comfortable in her own clothing. That said it did beg some comment. “I feel mightily underdressed next to you,” he commented teasingly, laughing as much about his own lack of proper attire and her very deliberately suggestive outfit. His own clothing had been dirtied the day before, furthermore he’d been in his sleeping clothes. He’d yet to acquire more suitable clothing he’d been lounging in nothing but Jade’s pants. He was only a little taller than his childhood friend so the pants were a decent fit. But the shirts were less comfortable, Peony being broader in the shoulders than Jade was.
Zaheela nearly jumped as she realized that the person she had come to see was RIGHT beside her. For a moment she contemplated running out the door, but she stamped down the urge. The first thing she realized was that he was tall, far taller then her. She was a petite 5'5”, though slightly toned due to her swordwork, small by mithran standards, but compared to this man, she was TINY.
'Reminds me of San d'Oria and the fact that i'm bloody tiny there too,' She sarcastically thought before the second detail kicked in. He was shirtless. This fact made her feel even more indecent, even though by all standards, she had more cloth on then he did. Luckily she didn't turn red, but her nerves were thoughtly shot and she seemingly went into auto mode. She kneeled down on one knee and bent her head down, the way a noblewoman of San d'Oria would greet one above her station.
“I'm sorry to appear before you in... such inapproprate rags, but I had plans to head over to a gathering of sort afterward and... this... seemed to fit the clothing...requirement.” Zaheela was babbling, but who could blame her? She was dressed in feminine clothes for one and it was little more then a wrap then an outfit. With that thought, her face did turn bright red.
Peony crouched as well, ignoring his precious pets for a moment, reaching out to tilt the young woman’s face back up to face him. “Were you not the one that told me here I may be treated as a simple man? Such formality is not needed, Zaheela,” he told her with a kind smile as he urged her to stand back up. “Please don’t apologize for you clothing, really I should be the one apologizing. The city caught me by surprise. It whisked me away in my sleep and running around the city yesterday rendered them less than presentable. I apologize if I’ve shaken you.” Pulling away he allowed himself a slight smirk, “Besides I find it quite cute, your getup.” Peony just wouldn’t be himself without that.
Luke had wandered into the hall sometime ago, poking his curious little snout into everything and anything, Gaillardia only steps behind him.
She may have been a bard, but currently Zaheela felt like she couldn't even speak correctly. It was true, she had said that in this world he was one of the many faces in the crowd and titles did not matter. Infact has she not stated in her battle yesterday that her rank didn't have much more power on a battlefield then a piece of paper hanging on a wall? However, all she could studded out was a “Please forgive me.” She would NOT mention that this 'getup' was common Mithrian dance wear, for what he didn't know couldn't be used to torture her later.
Before she could attempt to embarrass herself further, her eyes caught sight of what had drawn her to visit this building in the first place and a smile immediately appeared on her face as she dropped to her knees and smiled at the cute little creature. Holding out her hand, wrist out, she cooed to the little creature, her tail curled up around her ankle.
“They're even more adorable then I thought!” She declared, keeping her voice soft in case loud noises scared the rappigs.
Luke had wandered off pawing at the door of Gaillardia and Luke’s apartment. He was terribly fond of both of them, Gaillardia as well. It was cute really, how much his pet resembled the people he’d named them after. One of the rappigs sniffed curiously at the woman’s hand. They wouldn’t survive very well in the wild, Peony knew. They weren’t afraid of anything, so used to people pampering them and having their way. But they were sweet creatures and kept Peony company when no one else could.
“This one is Aslan,” he spoke gently, tone fond as he crouched, petting the soft bristly fur that covered the animal. Aslan pushed his snout against the proffered hand. He was probably the best-behaved of the bunch. Though Gaillardia was calm as well he would get worked up depending on Luke. Saphir was hiding behind Peony timidly, peering out at the stranger one moment and then looking another way as if to check to see where Jade was.
“Very nice to meet you Aslan.” She smiled sweetly before slowly, so not the startle the creature, stroke it between the ears and then scratched softly behind the ears. It was a common place that most animals (and admitingly, herself) prefered to have lavished with attention before sliding it down the side of it's face to pet it's cheek.
“Aslan... Doesn't that also mean Lion?” Zaheela questioned, glancing upwards at Peony before she moved her hand back up to once again scratch Aslan behind the ears.
The hair under her palm was much like one of a dhalmel's, somewhat rough but not irritating. She smiled as her tail unlooped from her ankle and swished back and forth. As she continued to pet Aslan, she noted that an obviously shyier Rappig was hiding behind Peony's legs. She sat on her her achillies heel for a moment before deciding to see if the saying that music could tame the savage beast could work in opposite. She closed her eyes and began to hum softly. She was not a bard at the moment, but a white mage, but she still retained her natural talents, which included the gift of song. She hummed a soft lullaby, one to soothe calmed nerves, and added a tone of gentle acceptance to her song, her voice pleasant.
“Hm, yes it does. Aslan is named after someone I’m rather fond of, as are the rest of them.”
The song reminded him a little of hymns of the melodists, soothing and gentle but with greater meaning than most people could understand. It was a whisper of Yulia’s Hymn almost, though he’d only heard that very rarely. Shifting slightly Peony urged Saphir to approach Zaheela. The rappig sniffed, nose running as usual, but slowly approached the woman. “This one is Saphir,” Peony pet him encouragingly as the rappig peered curiously at Zaheela.
She smiled as sweetly as she could before deciding that obviously the gentle persuasion wouldn't work.
“Is he always this friendly?” She asked in a teasing tone, obviously relaxed even though she should have been stiff as a rod in the presence of her betters.
She didn't think purring would do anything but scare the poor thing into thinking she was going to eat the creature, with a sigh, she flicked her hair back with one hand and the other continued giving attention to the first brave little Rappig. She doubted she could pick one up, but this was getting nowhere. She decided to at least try purring, just for the hell of it. Purring had put her in a hundred and three sticky spots, but perhaps it would work out nicely in this case. She shifted slightly close to Saphir and let a motherly, slightly rumbling purr escape from her chest, all the while continuing to pet Aslan.
“Probably shaken from the sudden change of environment, they’ve been living in Grand Chokmah for a while now. Saphir isn’t usually quite so bad.” The purring made Peony arch an eyebrow, she had a cat-like appearance but he hadn’t guessed that she would purr really.
Saphir inched closer, finally giving in to his curiosity, sniffing at Zaheela curiously. Luke had apparently given up on the door, coming up behind the stranger and nudging at her back. It was a friendly gesture, almost like a head rub from a cat but it was disconcerting to some. Even though Peony’s pets were not large by rappig standards not everyone was ready to have a one hundred something pound animal bumping against them, let alone six when they all got excited.
Peony settled himself into a comfortable seat in the hallway, the rappigs had already made themselves comfortable, spread out in the area, there was no reason he should maintain the half crouch. Soundlessly Jade sauntered up to him, plopping into his lap as if that was his throne.
“I suppose that would do something to anyone, but Eisen seemed to adjust weelllll!!!!!!!!!!” She wasn't expecting the bump to the back and nearly lost her balance as she tilted her head to see the Rappig that had snuck up behind her and was rubbing himself against her back. She made a curious noise before lifting her tail to rub the tip of it under its chin, much like a soft hand. She suddenly realized however, that there was another nose poking at her knee and the rappig she has momentarily ignored had taken it as a snub and became a little more insistent. This was slightly worse then when Eisen wanted to play, only slight because Eisen, though gentle, did possess razor sharp claws and a sharper beak. Plus at least they didn't try to lick her face. Eying the way that particular Rappig had claimed Peony's lap and the way it held itself in a “I-am-holier-then-thou” way, she couldn't help but chuckle. Not because of the image it portrayed, though it certainly did ruin the kingly look. No, she remembered an interesting lyric from a song.
She tried to stifle her snickers, but the verse kept replaying in her head until she was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. She could barely gasp for air as she continued to giggle, the song just too perfect for the situation and yet she didn't dare sing the verse out loud, which only made it so much harder to breath.
“King... Gamely... Archer...Ah hahahahahaha.” Oh this was just too much!
Oh the laughter got their attention. All of them tilted their heads in that adorably curious way, even Nephry who was calm and motherly by most accounts looked puzzled. Peony shifted, adjusting the way Jade fell on his lap so that the weight wouldn’t paralyze his legs. “Care to share what’s so amusing?” he asked with an amused grin of his own. Peony rarely took offense to anything, anyone bold enough to sunbathe in the nude in an open public space, emperor or not had to have some special quality that made them immune to feelings of embarrassment and shame.
Jade peered at her from the side of his vision, but mostly ignored the little scene, preferring to lazily enjoy Peony’s affection. Of course seeing Jade like that made Saphir inch back towards Peony, wanting some of Jade’s attention for himself, almost inciting the other rappig to abuse him. It reminded him of how they’d been when they were younger.
Zaheela cracked a eye open but all she could imagine was the silliest looking man with a over decorated crown and her mad laughter continued on it's rampage through her sanity before she simply fell onto her side, not minding the fact that hundreds of dirty feet had walked through it that way and continued to giggle, clutching her middle.
That was a position that asked for trouble, Peony tried not to find too much amusement as Luke took that position as a sign of free play, charging at the unsuspecting woman. He didn’t need to worry, Luke while enthusiastic was generally fairly gentle. But he was quite persistent as he pushed at her with his piggy strength. At the very least he seemed to realize that he was stronger now though he still couldn’t seem to remember he was bigger than he’d been a month or two back.
The problem came when they decided it wasn’t a game for a single rappig. Gaillardia was always too fond of Luke to refuse an invitation to play, both of them pushing at Zaheela as if playing with a log or barrel.
“Luke,” he gave the youngest rappig a gentle warning, reminding him that people were different than inanimate objects. That and most people didn’t take kindly to being pushed across the room, or in this case hall, by several rappigs. Jade seemed to be taking interest too until Peony started to stroke him, keeping him in his lap.
The push didn't phase her much, as she had been treated a the private chew toy of a three headed demon dog before. And at least the Rappigs didn't have poisoned razor sharp teeth and a serious need of 8 crates of pure mint powder.
“Don't worry, They can't hurt me any more then Cerberus himself did...” She had managed to control her giggles but with one more glance, fell victim to her self-inflicted laughing fest.
She attempted to take a few deep breaths, but the imagery wasn't allowing for anything but the song to play in her head. She stifled another bout of giggles before singing in a flitting voice.
There he stands, king of the world,
With his peacock crown and ruby sword!
There he falls, the king of the mud,
Overthrown by the Silliest of the boars!
She didn't care if it insulted him, all she could think of the rest of the song and how it went to go on about how the boar and the king chased each other throughout the days, neither one gaining much ground until the king of the world, in a mighty tumble, fell into the mud with a mightly plop with the silliest of boars resting upon his lap.
“Oh perhaps you don’t have to worry about being hurt but the state of your clothing…?” he trailed off with a pleasant smile. He was teasing of course, since she was comfortable enough to laugh thus Peony didn’t see any harm in some gentle teasing. And of course there was a very real risk of her top coming out of place. If not that her skirt was hiking dangerously. He may have had no intention of forming intimate relationship with women but that didn’t mean he didn’t look. And while no one could compare to Nephry in Peony’s mind Zaheela was very different, exotic. And rolling on the ground in giggles like that she was rather adorable.
Zaheela shrugged before standing up and brushing off any dirt that may of collected on her person and smiled impishly.
"Though I'm sure that you may know, this outfit is the traditional outfit of my race's dances. How it got into wardrobe is a mystery, but if it can survive the dances, it can survive a little tumble or two." Zaheela answered, unsure of why she was being so relaxed with a man she had just about met and with someone above her station.
She fingered the armlet around her right arm before pausing.
"Besides, I don't think I'm at any threat with being ogled or fondled at the moment, unless one of your adorable little Rappigs is secretly a pervert."
“Oh, so I’m no danger then? I’m glad you trust me so, Zaheela,” he smirked slightly, amused. “You shouldn’t make such a challenge though, lest someone decide to take you up on it.”
Jade shifted as if in silent agreement though he made no move to take up the challenge himself, quite sedate for the moment. “The poor boys are quite deprived, they don’t see female company very often so I wouldn’t know. But if I had to guess at one I’d guess Gaillardia,” he mused partly to himself. Of course at the end of the day Gaillardia still ended up sleeping next to Luke no matter who he’d been flattering with affectionate little bumps earlier.
Zaheela's tail swung back and forth, as if irritated, but she merely shrugged.
“I don't believe they would venture to court anything larger then themselves for one thing. Secondly, it's far too easy to tell you are not interested in me in that way.” She said, her head slightly tilted as she leaned against the wall. Her jovial mood instantly gone as she thought of her world. She wasn't as exotic as most men thought, considering that where she came from there were almost always 2 of her kind walking down the street. Most taller, bustier, and far prettier then she was.
“Besides, it's impossible to woo someone who knows exactly what is to become of them.” She murmured, yet she didn't stop. “Part of some mindless male's harem to produce more of my kind after I fail in my role as the first daughter of my house to marry into the appropriate lines. Not the most appealing of fates. So, yes, you are no danger because I am fated to be one thing anyways.” She couldn't help but snarl softly at the thought of some strange male touching her in such ways. Her father, the only man she truely loved, understood why she had flung herself into death's jaws so many times, but he had hopes and dreams for her.
Dreams she couldn't fufill anyways.
“Rather young to be so hopeless, isn’t it?” Even he hadn’t been quite so bad when he was a child. “Politics is heartless, placing the youth at the center and robbing them of their freedom and dreams. That doesn’t have much variation no matter the worlds.” He wasn’t bitter, he’d outgrown the bitterness years and years ago. Just wistful now.
There was no shame in being the emperor of Malkuth, he loved his country, loved the people. But then Jade and Saphir in the past had their research, research that they engaged in together and Peony had his country. Maybe it would have done him some good to find a wife, someone to share the love of his country with. But that had fallen through in the end. And now…Peony had no plans to drop dead so an heir was not his immediate concern much to his advisors’ dismay. Nephry came to his side, as if knowing she was thinking about her. “While I don’t know much about your world I don’t think it’s so hopeless as you think. You’re not unattractive but more than that your character I find quite admirable. Not many can proclaim their love of their nation so ardently and genuinely, nor put up with a moronic prince for precisely that love. You have greater value than you realize.”
Zaheela was silent for a moment before closing her eyes.
“Perhaps. But society has a way of declaring otherwise, no matter how hard you try.” Zaheela trailed off before pushing off from the wall and then smiled.
“I best be off.” She waved and slipped out the door without another word.
“Zaheela,” Peony called out from where he was seated. “Come visit them again if you like. I’m sure they would enjoy your company again.”
Zaheela stopped, the door barely held open but she nodded once, refusing to look at him.
She was sure if he saw her eyes, he knew she would be lying. She would not visit again.
Rating; PG to be safe?
Characters; Zaheela (
henkonasuisho) & Peony (chokhmah)Summary; Zaheela goes and visits Peony's rappigs. Which turns out to be an unexpectedly serious visit aside from the giggle fit in the middle.
Log;
Zaheela was regretting her decisions to both let Eisen rest in his room and change into this ridiculous outfit. It showed too much skin, too little sensibility, and achieved far too many stares. The skirt she had managed to dig up must have been one from her childhood as it only fluttered over the tops of her knees. Her top was even more revealing, the black band of her restraining cloth looser and a pale red cloth tied over it, the rest firmly secured with a jeweled pin. Her hair was loose for now, but the effect was still evident. With each step, she cursed herself for her lack of sensibility. She SHOULD have just worn her normal wear, SHOULD have ridden her chocobo, and SHOULD have remembered that she was visiting someone of a higher station. She felt like a cheap prostitute overall, and it made her uncomfortable.
Peony absently scratched Luke behind one soft, floppy ear. The human Luke had been by earlier, returning the three rappigs that he’d sent over last night. Jade had long since tired of bullying Saphir and was resting peacefully nearby next to Nephry who had inserted herself neatly between the two. It had been a rather idle day, spent mostly exploring these computers and the communication system.
By some miracle, or perhaps talent, Jade had managed to tell Peony all he knew about the city while getting a good deal of other things done. It was a lot to digest but Peony was nothing if not flexible in all senses of the word. He wasn’t overly worried yet about his kingdom. If nothing else he expected the advisors to be competent, they’d been with him and some of them his father, annoying as they were not without worth. Luke climbed clumsily up his leg, trying to put himself into Peony’s lap.
As building ten came into view, Zaheela's doubt and shame grew heavier and heavier. She was sure that she had heard a few whistles and howls, but she ignored them and entered the building. Part of her, the greater part was screaming at her to turn back, run back to her apartment and don some more appropriate attire, but she couldn't place the reason why she didn't. She glanced down the hallways of the first hall and then realized that she had forgotten the room number.
“...of all the things.” She groaned and pressed her face into her palm, unsure of what to do.
Naptime over it seemed Jade had decided it would be a good time to start harassing Saphir again. Peony dutifully turned to watch with a raised eyebrow as Jade started “playing” with Saphir. He was sure that Jade was fond of the other rappig, much like his human namesake, he just had a poor way of expressing it. He continued to believe that as Jade charged at the unresisting Saphir, making the poor thing roll right into the front door with a loud thud. He was glad the door was sturdy, he wasn’t sure Jade would be terribly pleased that two days into his stay his rappigs was already tearing the place down.
It was poor timing, Peony was expecting Zaheela, but Jade was persistent once he decided he needed exercise. If he was expected to behave at all they’d need a little more space. He opened the door, pushing Jade aside firmly and righting Saphir. Hopefully no one would mind too much if they ran through the halls a little. If he had his leashes he’d take them on a walk but even though they listened to him sometimes they got a little excitable.
Jade pushed through, brushing around Peony’s legs and into the hall, taking pleasure in the chance to stretch, Saphir temporarily forgotten. And with Jade out Nephry followed, Aslan and Saphir after that. Luke seemed to still be at a bit of a loss, lingering where Peony had been seated, Gaillardia waiting by his side patiently. Unlike the stampede that it became back in Grand Chokmah this was more like a lazy parade.
“Well, hello,” Peony greeted with a smile when he noticed Zaheela standing not far away. Peony didn’t let his eyes linger on her figure too much, by the sound of it she was stressed enough and by her expression she didn’t seem entirely comfortable in her own clothing. That said it did beg some comment. “I feel mightily underdressed next to you,” he commented teasingly, laughing as much about his own lack of proper attire and her very deliberately suggestive outfit. His own clothing had been dirtied the day before, furthermore he’d been in his sleeping clothes. He’d yet to acquire more suitable clothing he’d been lounging in nothing but Jade’s pants. He was only a little taller than his childhood friend so the pants were a decent fit. But the shirts were less comfortable, Peony being broader in the shoulders than Jade was.
Zaheela nearly jumped as she realized that the person she had come to see was RIGHT beside her. For a moment she contemplated running out the door, but she stamped down the urge. The first thing she realized was that he was tall, far taller then her. She was a petite 5'5”, though slightly toned due to her swordwork, small by mithran standards, but compared to this man, she was TINY.
'Reminds me of San d'Oria and the fact that i'm bloody tiny there too,' She sarcastically thought before the second detail kicked in. He was shirtless. This fact made her feel even more indecent, even though by all standards, she had more cloth on then he did. Luckily she didn't turn red, but her nerves were thoughtly shot and she seemingly went into auto mode. She kneeled down on one knee and bent her head down, the way a noblewoman of San d'Oria would greet one above her station.
“I'm sorry to appear before you in... such inapproprate rags, but I had plans to head over to a gathering of sort afterward and... this... seemed to fit the clothing...requirement.” Zaheela was babbling, but who could blame her? She was dressed in feminine clothes for one and it was little more then a wrap then an outfit. With that thought, her face did turn bright red.
Peony crouched as well, ignoring his precious pets for a moment, reaching out to tilt the young woman’s face back up to face him. “Were you not the one that told me here I may be treated as a simple man? Such formality is not needed, Zaheela,” he told her with a kind smile as he urged her to stand back up. “Please don’t apologize for you clothing, really I should be the one apologizing. The city caught me by surprise. It whisked me away in my sleep and running around the city yesterday rendered them less than presentable. I apologize if I’ve shaken you.” Pulling away he allowed himself a slight smirk, “Besides I find it quite cute, your getup.” Peony just wouldn’t be himself without that.
Luke had wandered into the hall sometime ago, poking his curious little snout into everything and anything, Gaillardia only steps behind him.
She may have been a bard, but currently Zaheela felt like she couldn't even speak correctly. It was true, she had said that in this world he was one of the many faces in the crowd and titles did not matter. Infact has she not stated in her battle yesterday that her rank didn't have much more power on a battlefield then a piece of paper hanging on a wall? However, all she could studded out was a “Please forgive me.” She would NOT mention that this 'getup' was common Mithrian dance wear, for what he didn't know couldn't be used to torture her later.
Before she could attempt to embarrass herself further, her eyes caught sight of what had drawn her to visit this building in the first place and a smile immediately appeared on her face as she dropped to her knees and smiled at the cute little creature. Holding out her hand, wrist out, she cooed to the little creature, her tail curled up around her ankle.
“They're even more adorable then I thought!” She declared, keeping her voice soft in case loud noises scared the rappigs.
Luke had wandered off pawing at the door of Gaillardia and Luke’s apartment. He was terribly fond of both of them, Gaillardia as well. It was cute really, how much his pet resembled the people he’d named them after. One of the rappigs sniffed curiously at the woman’s hand. They wouldn’t survive very well in the wild, Peony knew. They weren’t afraid of anything, so used to people pampering them and having their way. But they were sweet creatures and kept Peony company when no one else could.
“This one is Aslan,” he spoke gently, tone fond as he crouched, petting the soft bristly fur that covered the animal. Aslan pushed his snout against the proffered hand. He was probably the best-behaved of the bunch. Though Gaillardia was calm as well he would get worked up depending on Luke. Saphir was hiding behind Peony timidly, peering out at the stranger one moment and then looking another way as if to check to see where Jade was.
“Very nice to meet you Aslan.” She smiled sweetly before slowly, so not the startle the creature, stroke it between the ears and then scratched softly behind the ears. It was a common place that most animals (and admitingly, herself) prefered to have lavished with attention before sliding it down the side of it's face to pet it's cheek.
“Aslan... Doesn't that also mean Lion?” Zaheela questioned, glancing upwards at Peony before she moved her hand back up to once again scratch Aslan behind the ears.
The hair under her palm was much like one of a dhalmel's, somewhat rough but not irritating. She smiled as her tail unlooped from her ankle and swished back and forth. As she continued to pet Aslan, she noted that an obviously shyier Rappig was hiding behind Peony's legs. She sat on her her achillies heel for a moment before deciding to see if the saying that music could tame the savage beast could work in opposite. She closed her eyes and began to hum softly. She was not a bard at the moment, but a white mage, but she still retained her natural talents, which included the gift of song. She hummed a soft lullaby, one to soothe calmed nerves, and added a tone of gentle acceptance to her song, her voice pleasant.
“Hm, yes it does. Aslan is named after someone I’m rather fond of, as are the rest of them.”
The song reminded him a little of hymns of the melodists, soothing and gentle but with greater meaning than most people could understand. It was a whisper of Yulia’s Hymn almost, though he’d only heard that very rarely. Shifting slightly Peony urged Saphir to approach Zaheela. The rappig sniffed, nose running as usual, but slowly approached the woman. “This one is Saphir,” Peony pet him encouragingly as the rappig peered curiously at Zaheela.
She smiled as sweetly as she could before deciding that obviously the gentle persuasion wouldn't work.
“Is he always this friendly?” She asked in a teasing tone, obviously relaxed even though she should have been stiff as a rod in the presence of her betters.
She didn't think purring would do anything but scare the poor thing into thinking she was going to eat the creature, with a sigh, she flicked her hair back with one hand and the other continued giving attention to the first brave little Rappig. She doubted she could pick one up, but this was getting nowhere. She decided to at least try purring, just for the hell of it. Purring had put her in a hundred and three sticky spots, but perhaps it would work out nicely in this case. She shifted slightly close to Saphir and let a motherly, slightly rumbling purr escape from her chest, all the while continuing to pet Aslan.
“Probably shaken from the sudden change of environment, they’ve been living in Grand Chokmah for a while now. Saphir isn’t usually quite so bad.” The purring made Peony arch an eyebrow, she had a cat-like appearance but he hadn’t guessed that she would purr really.
Saphir inched closer, finally giving in to his curiosity, sniffing at Zaheela curiously. Luke had apparently given up on the door, coming up behind the stranger and nudging at her back. It was a friendly gesture, almost like a head rub from a cat but it was disconcerting to some. Even though Peony’s pets were not large by rappig standards not everyone was ready to have a one hundred something pound animal bumping against them, let alone six when they all got excited.
Peony settled himself into a comfortable seat in the hallway, the rappigs had already made themselves comfortable, spread out in the area, there was no reason he should maintain the half crouch. Soundlessly Jade sauntered up to him, plopping into his lap as if that was his throne.
“I suppose that would do something to anyone, but Eisen seemed to adjust weelllll!!!!!!!!!!” She wasn't expecting the bump to the back and nearly lost her balance as she tilted her head to see the Rappig that had snuck up behind her and was rubbing himself against her back. She made a curious noise before lifting her tail to rub the tip of it under its chin, much like a soft hand. She suddenly realized however, that there was another nose poking at her knee and the rappig she has momentarily ignored had taken it as a snub and became a little more insistent. This was slightly worse then when Eisen wanted to play, only slight because Eisen, though gentle, did possess razor sharp claws and a sharper beak. Plus at least they didn't try to lick her face. Eying the way that particular Rappig had claimed Peony's lap and the way it held itself in a “I-am-holier-then-thou” way, she couldn't help but chuckle. Not because of the image it portrayed, though it certainly did ruin the kingly look. No, she remembered an interesting lyric from a song.
She tried to stifle her snickers, but the verse kept replaying in her head until she was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. She could barely gasp for air as she continued to giggle, the song just too perfect for the situation and yet she didn't dare sing the verse out loud, which only made it so much harder to breath.
“King... Gamely... Archer...Ah hahahahahaha.” Oh this was just too much!
Oh the laughter got their attention. All of them tilted their heads in that adorably curious way, even Nephry who was calm and motherly by most accounts looked puzzled. Peony shifted, adjusting the way Jade fell on his lap so that the weight wouldn’t paralyze his legs. “Care to share what’s so amusing?” he asked with an amused grin of his own. Peony rarely took offense to anything, anyone bold enough to sunbathe in the nude in an open public space, emperor or not had to have some special quality that made them immune to feelings of embarrassment and shame.
Jade peered at her from the side of his vision, but mostly ignored the little scene, preferring to lazily enjoy Peony’s affection. Of course seeing Jade like that made Saphir inch back towards Peony, wanting some of Jade’s attention for himself, almost inciting the other rappig to abuse him. It reminded him of how they’d been when they were younger.
Zaheela cracked a eye open but all she could imagine was the silliest looking man with a over decorated crown and her mad laughter continued on it's rampage through her sanity before she simply fell onto her side, not minding the fact that hundreds of dirty feet had walked through it that way and continued to giggle, clutching her middle.
That was a position that asked for trouble, Peony tried not to find too much amusement as Luke took that position as a sign of free play, charging at the unsuspecting woman. He didn’t need to worry, Luke while enthusiastic was generally fairly gentle. But he was quite persistent as he pushed at her with his piggy strength. At the very least he seemed to realize that he was stronger now though he still couldn’t seem to remember he was bigger than he’d been a month or two back.
The problem came when they decided it wasn’t a game for a single rappig. Gaillardia was always too fond of Luke to refuse an invitation to play, both of them pushing at Zaheela as if playing with a log or barrel.
“Luke,” he gave the youngest rappig a gentle warning, reminding him that people were different than inanimate objects. That and most people didn’t take kindly to being pushed across the room, or in this case hall, by several rappigs. Jade seemed to be taking interest too until Peony started to stroke him, keeping him in his lap.
The push didn't phase her much, as she had been treated a the private chew toy of a three headed demon dog before. And at least the Rappigs didn't have poisoned razor sharp teeth and a serious need of 8 crates of pure mint powder.
“Don't worry, They can't hurt me any more then Cerberus himself did...” She had managed to control her giggles but with one more glance, fell victim to her self-inflicted laughing fest.
She attempted to take a few deep breaths, but the imagery wasn't allowing for anything but the song to play in her head. She stifled another bout of giggles before singing in a flitting voice.
There he stands, king of the world,
With his peacock crown and ruby sword!
There he falls, the king of the mud,
Overthrown by the Silliest of the boars!
She didn't care if it insulted him, all she could think of the rest of the song and how it went to go on about how the boar and the king chased each other throughout the days, neither one gaining much ground until the king of the world, in a mighty tumble, fell into the mud with a mightly plop with the silliest of boars resting upon his lap.
“Oh perhaps you don’t have to worry about being hurt but the state of your clothing…?” he trailed off with a pleasant smile. He was teasing of course, since she was comfortable enough to laugh thus Peony didn’t see any harm in some gentle teasing. And of course there was a very real risk of her top coming out of place. If not that her skirt was hiking dangerously. He may have had no intention of forming intimate relationship with women but that didn’t mean he didn’t look. And while no one could compare to Nephry in Peony’s mind Zaheela was very different, exotic. And rolling on the ground in giggles like that she was rather adorable.
Zaheela shrugged before standing up and brushing off any dirt that may of collected on her person and smiled impishly.
"Though I'm sure that you may know, this outfit is the traditional outfit of my race's dances. How it got into wardrobe is a mystery, but if it can survive the dances, it can survive a little tumble or two." Zaheela answered, unsure of why she was being so relaxed with a man she had just about met and with someone above her station.
She fingered the armlet around her right arm before pausing.
"Besides, I don't think I'm at any threat with being ogled or fondled at the moment, unless one of your adorable little Rappigs is secretly a pervert."
“Oh, so I’m no danger then? I’m glad you trust me so, Zaheela,” he smirked slightly, amused. “You shouldn’t make such a challenge though, lest someone decide to take you up on it.”
Jade shifted as if in silent agreement though he made no move to take up the challenge himself, quite sedate for the moment. “The poor boys are quite deprived, they don’t see female company very often so I wouldn’t know. But if I had to guess at one I’d guess Gaillardia,” he mused partly to himself. Of course at the end of the day Gaillardia still ended up sleeping next to Luke no matter who he’d been flattering with affectionate little bumps earlier.
Zaheela's tail swung back and forth, as if irritated, but she merely shrugged.
“I don't believe they would venture to court anything larger then themselves for one thing. Secondly, it's far too easy to tell you are not interested in me in that way.” She said, her head slightly tilted as she leaned against the wall. Her jovial mood instantly gone as she thought of her world. She wasn't as exotic as most men thought, considering that where she came from there were almost always 2 of her kind walking down the street. Most taller, bustier, and far prettier then she was.
“Besides, it's impossible to woo someone who knows exactly what is to become of them.” She murmured, yet she didn't stop. “Part of some mindless male's harem to produce more of my kind after I fail in my role as the first daughter of my house to marry into the appropriate lines. Not the most appealing of fates. So, yes, you are no danger because I am fated to be one thing anyways.” She couldn't help but snarl softly at the thought of some strange male touching her in such ways. Her father, the only man she truely loved, understood why she had flung herself into death's jaws so many times, but he had hopes and dreams for her.
Dreams she couldn't fufill anyways.
“Rather young to be so hopeless, isn’t it?” Even he hadn’t been quite so bad when he was a child. “Politics is heartless, placing the youth at the center and robbing them of their freedom and dreams. That doesn’t have much variation no matter the worlds.” He wasn’t bitter, he’d outgrown the bitterness years and years ago. Just wistful now.
There was no shame in being the emperor of Malkuth, he loved his country, loved the people. But then Jade and Saphir in the past had their research, research that they engaged in together and Peony had his country. Maybe it would have done him some good to find a wife, someone to share the love of his country with. But that had fallen through in the end. And now…Peony had no plans to drop dead so an heir was not his immediate concern much to his advisors’ dismay. Nephry came to his side, as if knowing she was thinking about her. “While I don’t know much about your world I don’t think it’s so hopeless as you think. You’re not unattractive but more than that your character I find quite admirable. Not many can proclaim their love of their nation so ardently and genuinely, nor put up with a moronic prince for precisely that love. You have greater value than you realize.”
Zaheela was silent for a moment before closing her eyes.
“Perhaps. But society has a way of declaring otherwise, no matter how hard you try.” Zaheela trailed off before pushing off from the wall and then smiled.
“I best be off.” She waved and slipped out the door without another word.
“Zaheela,” Peony called out from where he was seated. “Come visit them again if you like. I’m sure they would enjoy your company again.”
Zaheela stopped, the door barely held open but she nodded once, refusing to look at him.
She was sure if he saw her eyes, he knew she would be lying. She would not visit again.