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Intrigue and Distant Lands
Mar. 25th, 2019 05:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
palemaskIshiko has spent the last few weeks working herself up to this. It's honestly been on her mind ever since the ambassador and his honor guard arrived at court, welcomed with careful dignity and courtesy by her own lord - a ruler of a border march, distant from the prying eyes of the Imperial Court and a bit more independent in these sorts of things. She, like almost everyone else, had been incredibly curious about these strangers. They were huge, it was said, beasts and monsters; perhaps even tainted. But she and the others who were attuned to the spirits cast divinations, said their prayers, and the answer came back - they were clean. Different, strange, but not touched by any taint or vile, evil force.
So they were welcomed and the whole court - in their silks and their robes and watching from behind fans - had seen them enter and be welcomed. Her eyes had almost immediately been drawn to the one in armor (well, one of them). Broad and taller than her - almost twice a large, she was sure - with a smile full of sharp, white teeth and glinting, intelligent eyes. They were supposed to stay for a good, long while, to set up their embassy and negotiate trade and other matters of state. Which mean that they had the run of the town and its castle, for the most part, and had been provided quarters, a place to stay, servants. A host of comforts as cultures and peoples collided.
It had taken her some time, but she'd finally managed to speak to a few of them - and especially that one she'd noticed, with the dark fur and the smile and those eyes. He was exotic and different and she'd almost immediately wanted to know more about him, even if he seemed more like a soldier than anything else. There was a thrill that ran up her spine when she spoke to him, peering up through lidded eyes and long lashes as she played the courtier's game, making coy little comments and laughing and trying to explain something about her homeland. It had taken another day or two and a few private, flushed moments before she'd come around to the idea that she was flirting. It was the first time in ages where she'd felt a bit like a lovesick girl and that was also incredibly exciting.
Ishiko was fortunate that he seemed to return her interest and there had been batting eyelashes and a few more back and forth conversations - a subtle touch against his furred wrist, a bright smile to catch his attention, the strategic dip of her head to show off the nape of her neck or the curve of her throat. Not that she'd needed to be subtle, in the end, because they understood one another easily enough when it came down to it and now she'd invited him to a private dinner - just the two of them - in her own townhouse, down the hill from the castle, nestled into the courtier district. He's due soon, of course, and she waits for him in her little garden in the evening light, the low table waiting. There's a pot of tea, two bowls for drinking, a plate of mixed fruits and other delicacies.
No need for servants tonight. She wants... privacy.
Now all she needs is him.
So they were welcomed and the whole court - in their silks and their robes and watching from behind fans - had seen them enter and be welcomed. Her eyes had almost immediately been drawn to the one in armor (well, one of them). Broad and taller than her - almost twice a large, she was sure - with a smile full of sharp, white teeth and glinting, intelligent eyes. They were supposed to stay for a good, long while, to set up their embassy and negotiate trade and other matters of state. Which mean that they had the run of the town and its castle, for the most part, and had been provided quarters, a place to stay, servants. A host of comforts as cultures and peoples collided.
It had taken her some time, but she'd finally managed to speak to a few of them - and especially that one she'd noticed, with the dark fur and the smile and those eyes. He was exotic and different and she'd almost immediately wanted to know more about him, even if he seemed more like a soldier than anything else. There was a thrill that ran up her spine when she spoke to him, peering up through lidded eyes and long lashes as she played the courtier's game, making coy little comments and laughing and trying to explain something about her homeland. It had taken another day or two and a few private, flushed moments before she'd come around to the idea that she was flirting. It was the first time in ages where she'd felt a bit like a lovesick girl and that was also incredibly exciting.
Ishiko was fortunate that he seemed to return her interest and there had been batting eyelashes and a few more back and forth conversations - a subtle touch against his furred wrist, a bright smile to catch his attention, the strategic dip of her head to show off the nape of her neck or the curve of her throat. Not that she'd needed to be subtle, in the end, because they understood one another easily enough when it came down to it and now she'd invited him to a private dinner - just the two of them - in her own townhouse, down the hill from the castle, nestled into the courtier district. He's due soon, of course, and she waits for him in her little garden in the evening light, the low table waiting. There's a pot of tea, two bowls for drinking, a plate of mixed fruits and other delicacies.
No need for servants tonight. She wants... privacy.
Now all she needs is him.
