The Family Business (Dark please)

[Nessani Kemenlo]

TS: First week of Junctior



Sapphire eyes stared blankly across the row of fabrics, the doors to the wardrobe open wide. She had been standing there for nearly a candlemark, trying to decide what to wear. This meeting could be very important in the grand scheme of things, or it could just be routine. She wasn't certain how Musif would see it, thus the reason for her indecision. Should she dress humbly and beg his indulgence, or should she wear her best and play the part of beloved 'daughter'? And not only did she have to face Musif, but she was to say goodbye, at least for a time, to the man who had become closer to her than her own brothers.

Crossing the room, she fell onto the bed, falling back to lay across it. She never thought that she would become so attached to one place. Her gypsy blood was a traitor to allow her to fall in love with this city and its people. She should be ready to move on by now, but she was not.

But there were obligations, commitments that Musif had walked into this being well aware of. Perhaps he knew this day would come. She wondered if he had hoped it would not. And Khalid? What had he hoped?

Rolling off the bed, her feet caught the ground and pushed her again to standing. It would only be for a short time, just long enough to fulfill her obligations to Anora and then she would be free to return, she assured herself.

Moving back to the closet, Nessani sorted through the clothing that her big brother had assembled for her, pushing each to one side and considering it carefully. She decided to wear a garment that resembled what the dancers in the Rose wore in a cloudy blue that made her eyes shine. Perhaps it would soften the blow and make him more amenable to the propositions that she had to offer.

Running her fingers through her hair, she arranged the curls artfully before heading down the stairs to find the large Nairu. One of these brightenings she would find out what his name was, but not today. Besides, the lack of a name seemed to add to his mystery. It suited him much more than it had the gypsy girl.

She walked over to where he stood, not the least bit intimidated by his large frame, despite what she knew him to be capable of. "I need to see him," she stated in her rich alto. She didn't quantify who she needed to see, but knew that it would be implied.

[Darkmavrck]

The nairu only gave the girl a small shrug and slight grunt as he pointed toward the room she had once used for her initial meeting. He traveled in the opposite direction, disappearing into the main section of the bar. Inside, the room was much the same as always, two chairs set on opposite sides of a square table. The rest of the room was fairly dark, the corners softly lit with small saucers of oil burning. It didn’t take long for the door to open again revealing Musif.

Inside the shadows of the barely lit room Musif’s attire helped hide him. Today his robes were a combination of dark blues and grays. He entered silently, walking to the table, and sitting quietly, motioning for Nessani to sit. “Have a seat with your father Zayn, tell me what troubles you, normally you relay your messages through your brother. Though it is always a father’s pleasure to visit with his most promising daughters.”

[Nessani Kemenlo]

She was familiar with the room and waiting expectantly when Musif entered. His point of entry had been missed the first time she had stood waiting in this same spot, but this time, she was watching diligently for his arrival. Her hands were clasped at her waist, holding one another firmly to keep from wringing them in nervous anticipation.

A smile crossed her lips as he entered, the look of pleasure spreading across her features as he voiced the compliment. She crossed the span of the room as he moved to sit, going first to his side. A butterfly soft kiss was left on his cheek.

"My apologies for interupting your brightening, father. Thank you for seeing me."

Her legs folded beneath her, depositing the gypsy into a tight bundle on the floor at his feet. Her hands fiddled nervously with the hem of her dress as she pondered how to say what she needed to. Should she ask permission? The thought was considered carefully before being discarded. Musif was a fair and just man. He would understand, she decided.

"Father, the time has come for me to leave Arakmat for a time. My heart is saddened, but my previous obligations require me elsewhere... for now."

She paused, letting her words sink in before she continued.

"These same obligations will bring me back - though even if they did not, my heart would." She gave him a soft smile. "Before I left, I wished to speak with you regarding the task Anora has set before me. She wishes to start a spice trade enterprise and is in need of a warehouse for her goods. The second thing she's tasked me with was finding caravan drivers for the route.

"I'm aware that both of these are rather mundane requests and might be found by equally mundane means, but there is also an opportunity to be had here. A caravan would give excellent cover for people of... our profession... to travel into and out of other cities without suspicion. Anora, of course, knows nothing of the 'family'... It is my desire to offer something back to the family that has given me so much over the past few cycles. Even if it does not fit your needs at this time, I at least wished to bring it before you."

She stopped, her eyes dropping uncertainly to the hem where her fingers toyed with the cloudy blue fabric. The Air'riela was normally full of herself and confident, or at least put on a good show of it, even when she was not. Something about the 'father' of the guild managed to strip her of that facade.

[Darkmavrck]

“An interesting proposition.” His fingers interlocked and gently tapped his bearded chin as Musif began pacing around the room considering what she said. “I know of a place that we keep, though I have my concerns about allowing access to our resources to an outsider. Also, while giving us a viable cover to expand out network are you truly willing to use your cousin in this matter? You do realize if we were caught she would be an accessory to imperial crime?” He continued pacing about tapping at his chin pondering the situation.

Stopping at the side of the table opposite of the girl he slid into a chair and motioned for her to sit with him. Only after she sat, he let off a soft sigh and smiled gently at her. “I imagined this day would come soon due to your situation. Khalid will have the necessary preparations completed by now, speak with him, otherwise I give you my blessing. Do you have the details of this trade plan worked out yet, who will be controlling its financial aspects, and what other oppertunities make it worth our while?”

[Nessani Kemenlo]

"My cousins are your children, father," she replied softly, still not looking directly at him as she moved to the seat. Nessani couldn't say what was making her reactions so muted today, but figured it had something to do with the melancholy of departure. Goodbyes were always difficult to say, she supposed, and she had one more yet to say.

"The details are still being ironed out, I believe. She wishes an audience with the sultan before she'll settle them all - though what good blue gold is, save to spend, is beyond me. It is her money in this endeavor, though she has suggested I would profit from it for the help she's given."

Her chin rose until her eyes met his curiously, the sparkle of interest playing in their blue depths. Perhaps she had misinterpreted his inquiry, but she would ask nonetheless... "Are you suggesting you would consider being a partner to her in this? Assist her in getting started for a share in the profits?" It wasn't a subject that she could speak for Anora on, but Ness wanted to make certain she had understood him correctly before she brought any such ideas to Anora's attention.

[Darkmavrck]

“Ah, you are as sharp as ever Zayn. It is a possibility to be considered, I would have to speak with her first, obviously as Musif the business owner. However, as you said, I could provide some of the men mixed with her own employee’s under the guise of native caravan workers. With you already working both sides of the business, and with no fears as to where your loyalties lie, with a bit more training I think this endeavor would be the perfect time to give you a command position. As the native partner we could house her goods in one of my tobacco warehouses and use the business as a front for transporting goods to and from Arakmat across the empire.”

Letting his elbows rest on the table surface, his hands interlocked, and his index fingers gently tapping against his lips he paused momentarily considering the plan. Then as he revealed it to the young woman it was obvious why his sharp mind headed the guild. “After speaking with Khalid and retrieving your care package from him I want you to bring her before me. Tell her you did research on local merchants and found that I am the most prominent tobacco dealer in the city. You feel that as I already import and export goods across the empire I have an understanding and strong foundation of what she will need in her business. My men already know the desert routes, and I have all the necessary licenses and contacts for the shipment of agricultural goods, not to mention I am a respected, long standing merchant in the city, and hold rank in the noble houses of Arakmat that afford me ears and loopholes not accessible to outsiders. Tell her I am interested in making an investment into this upstart company and would like to further discuss the opportunities I see.”

There was silence for a moment, his fingers returning to the soft tap that had before. Slowly he let his hands fall to the table surface when it seemed the last of the details had been processed through his mind. “On the surface I will be nothing more then an independent advisor, financial and real estate backer, with no links to the administration of the business. This will keep us clean of any suspicions relating to business being a front. I will also ask that men native men I have hired be included in transportation of goods and at the distribution center’s she sets up to help protect my investment. Of coarse, secretly they will all be taking orders from us, performing the tasks set before them and expanding our reach. An excellent opportunity indeed, once again Khalid’s choice to bring you into our house has proved profitable. Do you feel you can carry out the task I have set before you?”

[Nessani Kemenlo]

Pride swelled Nessani's chest as Musif laid compliments on her. She had wanted to impress him with her usefulness ever since that brightening when he had walked into this very room, followed by her new 'brother', and it seemed that today it was finally to come to pass. Not only that, but she was one step closer to fulfilling her goal in life - to take up where her mother had left off as leader of the Medonian thieves guild. The guild would be different - Nessani was growing quite fond of Arakmat - but the position would be the same, if she had her way.

She offered her father a warm smile, a look that was seldom doled out since she'd been enslaved in Vortex. She watched him in silence, allowing him to think things through without interuption. The more he spoke, the more her excitement grew, noticeable only in the quickening of her breath and the light in her eyes.

The final question brought her to her feet as she prepare to take her leave. Khalid was waiting with a 'care package' he had said. She wondered where to find him but knew he would find her in his own timing. He might have trained her in the ways of stealth, but she was still not his equal.

"It shall be as you say, father," she said again, echoing the words she had uttered the last time they were in this room together. Nothing in her demeanor spoke of uncertainty or doubt in her own abilities. She waited patiently for him to either continue giving her instructions or to end the audience with a dismissal before planting one last, fond kiss, softly on his temple and heading back to her room to change into clothes that were her own. Somehow, she thought she might find Khalid easiest by waiting for him to find her there.

[Darkmavrck]

The candlemarks burned by, but after three there came a sharp knock on the door followed by the sound of the locking mechanisms slipping out of their home allowing the latch to turn free and permit entrance into the room. The door slid slowly open allowing Nessani more then enough time to cover herself or protest had she needed a moment more. “So you have decided to leave us so soon Zayn… No need to explain though, Musif has already spoke with me.”

Shutting the door behind him, Khalid pulled the hood of his cloak back from his head. His eyes glistened like the sea as he watched her every movement in silence. Turning away from her he walked to her wardrobe and slid his key in letting the locks free and opening it to reveal its contents. Slowly he walked away from the small closet returning to his normal place of leaning against the desk. “Take a few sets, you may need them in your travels and they will keep you cool as you leave the desert.”

“Here.” As she was retrieving the clothing his hand retch below the fabric and pulled out a small leather bound hip pack, laced on a thin belt with a small brass buckle. Inside she found a black leather booklet that held a perfectly crafted visa with the name Zayn Kadri and a description of Nessani down to the tatoo’s that covered her body. Also there were banknotes for one hundred and fifty crowns, and a small bag of tobacco. “Money to keep you fed, papers to get you back into the city, and a bit of Musif’s smoke to keep the truth flowing from peoples mouths.” Having worked in the tavern Nessani would be all too familiar with the clouding effects the tobacco had on the minds of those unaccustomed to it. “Musif directed me to inform you that he would be in his office through the bar when you bring your… business associate bace.”

[Nessani Kemenlo]

The empty room had stopped the gypsy short; Musif’s words had led her to believe that Khalid would be waiting for her already. She waited a few moments in silence, but when he did not immediately appear, she began to make ready for her departure.

By the time Khalid knocked on the door, Nessani had bathed and donned her cleaned gypsy clothing, white blouse and blue-green skirt. Her hair hung down about her shoulders much as it had when she had first come to Arakmat, but this day, she had treated it with fragrant oil in the way Nahara had showed her, creating glossy black curls. The same oil had been rubbed into her skin after the bath, leaving her tattooed flesh soft and supple and smelling of vanilla and honeysuckle.

She stood, staring out of the crack between the window and the blue fabric that kept prying eyes out. The street could be seen below with people passing now and again but Nessani’s eyes saw none of them. She was lost in a numb, unfeeling haze.

The tumbling of the locks echoed loudly in the silence of the room bringing Nessani painfully back to her senses. She half turned from the window and watched as he pulled back his hood, her thoughts running back to that first day. Her eyes met his for only a moment before she forced herself to look away, lest she fall under their spell. Moving about the room, she busied herself, carefully folding the clothing she had borrowed for the morning’s interview as he watched her. It wasn’t until she no longer felt his heavy gaze upon her that she turned again to face him. Her arms folded across her bare midsection as she watched him unlock the wardrobe.

His business-like handling of her departure stirred the fire within her and she felt her anger flare, flashing in her eyes and the hard set of her jaw. There was no ‘I wish you didn’t have to go, Zayn’ or ‘hurry back to us, little sister’. She knew it was childish and petty of her to obsess over it, and had he known, she was sure Khalid would lecture her on the dangers of emotional attachments in their line of work, but she let the feeling remain. Anger was easier to deal with than melancholy self-pity.

Nessani brushed past him, focusing on choosing what she would take with her, rather than the disappointment she felt. Her head nodded curtly in response to each of his remarks as a pair of trousers were folded and laid on the bed, topped by the pink skirt he had offered her on their first meeting. A small mountain of fabric was piled on the bed when she was finished. The pouch was laid atop like a cherry on the cake before the latch was opened and the contents leafed briefly through.

Everything seemed to be ready and when Nessani couldn’t think of any other excuse not to face him, she turned and looked her big brother in the eye. Those turquoise orbs drew her in and her anger seemed to melt against her will, no matter how she worked to wrap herself in it. The silence grew between them and for a moment it seemed as if she planned to leave Arakmat without having spoken another word to him. At last, she crossed the room to stand beside Khalid. Rising onto the balls of her feet, she leaned in toward him, her hand rising to rest against his chest for balance as she pressed her lips softly to the skin of his cheek.

She pulled back, leaving just a fraction of space between them and whispered a simple. “Thank you”, her sweet breath still brushing his cheek. She didn’t expound on the phrase, offered no explanation as to whether she meant for teaching her his craft, for the generous bounty he and Musif had just given her, or for believing in her enough to defy Musif and invite her into their family – or maybe for all of these. Her body relaxed, lowering to the flat of her feet, her hand falling from where it perched on his chest to hang by her side.

[Darkmavrck]

Her kiss met Khalid’s ever smooth flesh, his own fragrances filling Nessani’s nostrils as she pulled away. There was nothing but silence between them for just a moment more as she fell back to her feet, his body un-wavered by her lithe frame or gentle touch. It seemed he had said all he had planed to, when as she started to move away, his arm wrapped around her shoulders and pulled the woman into his embrace. Pressed against him she could fill the tense muscle hidden beneath his shirt, bare in contrast to the normal leather armor that usually rested there. His heart pounded beneath his ribs, the pulse of his body high in comparison to what it should have been for his callous demeanor.

As they stood together the man’s hand slowly patted at her back while he held her in his arms. The moment stretching on longer then it should have for a simple farewell hug. “Remember, always keep your senses about you, and strike for the throat. Uphold your honor, and use your mind as it is your strongest weapon.” His voice was little more then a whisper caressing her ear as the hug tightened a bit before letting her go and straightening her stance. “You had best be off now, lest I teach you another lesson about reaction.” The word all to familiar to her as it were a key phrase he used when training her in the Arakmatan martial art just cycles ago.

There was an obvious sadness in his eye now, similar to the time she had asked about his familia. Khalid watched her every movement, helping her gather the clothing she had chosen into leather pack she could wear across her shoulders. He didn’t say anything more less to respond to her as they prepared her gear and when it seemed everything was order his hand found her cheek, giving her one last soft caress as he looked into her eyes and smiled. “Take care Zayn… may the western winds guide you home.”

[Nessani Kemenlo]

The recently named Zayn was startled by the sudden show of emotion by her mentor, but she did not resist as he took her in his arms. Her own arms came up to complete the circle, stretching around his back as she buried her face against him. Her nostrils inhaled deeply, taking in his scent as if to memorize it to endure in her absence. The lack of armor beneath his clothing was another pleasant surprise and she couldn’t help but feel that it was symbolic of something greater.

The embrace stretched on into eternity and yet was over too soon for the gypsy girl. Despite her reluctance, she let him go just as easily. His comment as he set her up straight again put the mischievous sparkle back in her eye and brought a smirk to her lips. She didn’t trust herself to respond but she couldn’t resist the chance to reach out and playfully pinch at his unprotected flesh.

Once the new items were gathered, she tossed the satchel over one shoulder. Her eyes closed as he touched her cheek in benediction. It was a gesture she had grown familiar with since coming to this family and one she would miss while she was gone. When her eyes opened again, there was no sadness or regret, just a sense of purpose. There was a job to do now and she knew Khalid would not resent her for it.

She made her way through the familiar halls of Musif’s bar and back out into the sandy streets of Arakmat. The path between Musif’s and Anora’s was well-worn, though Ness took a variety of different paths to reduce suspicion. Her mind was active as she moved, sorting through the things that she needed to say to her cousin and debating the best way to approach things.

The door opened and Nessani stepped into the room that, so far as Anora was concerned, the cousins shared. The leather satchel slid off of her shoulder and was deposited quietly on the floor out of the way. She turned to help her cousin ready her things for departure, though Anora tended toward fastidiousness and would likely redo it all anyway.

“I’ve been spending my free time in the bazaar, running errands in exchange for goods – mostly clothing since I had only what I was wearing the day you found me.” She gestured vaguely in the direction of the abandoned satchel, hoping it would assuage Anora’s suspicions over the parcel. “It gave me a good opportunity to win confidences and make inquiries as to your needs for the spice trade you are proposing. I may have a promising lead for you.”

Nessani paused, not wanting to rush into what she had to say, but rather wanting it to sound as if she were just working through it all herself. She would have gone on, but decided against it, opting to let Anora inquire further as Ness appeared to focus her attention on returning the crimson vials to their travel cases - it would not do to seem too eager with the proposition she had set up.

[Anora Eventide]

She didn't expect time to slow at the wave of her hand. In Daltina the candlemarks passed slower, unrolling in broad swaths across afternoons and warm evenings. Guests would come and go in halls and parlors murmuring through the long days, their voices would soften the toll for the hour until time dissipated. Beyond Cloudkiss, the candlemarks severed themselves and plans whelmed into the next unable to be contained.
Anora drew a breath as she leaned over her valise. It was almost time to depart, her private holiday had been unearthed and a shepherds crook was drawing her to Jaedaxia. Nessani found her in this posture when she entered and began to put things in Anora's bags.

Patiently, Anora adjusted each item to fit her order and let Nessani drop words in her ears.
"If you wanted clothes, you could have asked me."
A piece of fabric was being folded between her hands,
"But you seem to make do, as Air'riela do."
By hook or crook, Anora knew the gypsies gathered a living from hour to hour. Suspicious or not, she did not have the time to reform every inch of Nessani if she was unwilling. That subject passed through her hands like the fabric, without Anora even raising her eyes. Her mild voice did not alter at the promise of aid Nessani offered, and the procession from drawer to valise did not hitch.
"Careful with the red ones please, Vitsa."
A few moments passed as if Anora had not heard about the lead, as she finished packing her things.
"So, what have you heard?" Blue eyes finally lifted, betraying a human tiredness.

[Nessani Kemenlo]

The lupunza chorillo's feathers ruffled at the implication she drew from Anora's words. It was ironic that the thief's pride railed against being accused of thievery, but it could be said, perhaps, that was characteristic of her people. As interested as she was in the gaje world, Nessani was still Air'riela down to her bare toes.

"I didn't steal them, if that's what you're implying. It was a fair exchange of goods for services." More or less. "And I owe you enough. Besides," she continued, her tone lightening as if dismissing her concerns, "it gave me a chance to befriend merchants and make subtle inquiries."

She settled down on the side of the bed, one sanguine vial held gently between her fingers. Her eyes bored into it, lost in the liquid as she considered how best to broach the subject that she'd thusfar only alluded to.

"Everyone I spoke with seemed to agree that Musif, the owner of the Desert Rose, would be a likely person to speak with. I'm told he's the prominent tobacco dealer in Arakmat."

Nessani paused, pressing the last vial gently into place, careful not to let it clang against the others. She stood again, moving to the drawer that Anora was intent on emptying, taking up a handful of fabric within her hands. Her thumbs moved across the smooth fabric, absently noting its feel as she retraced her steps to the valise.

"Suraj told me that Musif is of a noble house in the city and a long standing, respectable merchant. He would have connections not available to you as an outsider. Not to mention that he already imports and exports his tobacco. He would have the proper licenses and contacts that you would need to get started. They say he holds large warehouses in the city and any people he could provide to help with your caravans would know the desert routes - a benefit only to be found in natives, I would guess. Even my own kumpania disliked crossing the deserts."

The article in her hand was placed carefully into the lady's luggage. Nessani sat again on the edge of the bed, abandoning her efforts to help Anora ready herself to leave. Her feet folded on the bed before her and her hands fell into her lap as she regarded Anora seriously.

"I went to the Rose and asked for an audience with Musif. He could have all the contacts in the empire, but if he did not have the interest, then the information was worthless to you. It took me awhile to get in to see him, but when I explained why I was there, he seemed interested in the chance to invest in a new trade and agreed to at least talk with you and hear your proposal."

[Anora Eventide]

A pleased smile touched Anora, but it was over her cousin's performance as opposed to the news she brought. Like it was all some quaint exercise for Nessani to try her hand at, and the woman didn't really give a fig over maintaining trade.
"Thank you, cousin. You seem to have done quite well."

Anora gently clicked on valise shut, and her hand lingered on the clasp. While Nessani had come bringing business, a topic Anora frequently favored, the woman was drifting towards other subjects. Those eyes that could be flat as uncut gems rested myseriously on Nessani as she arranged herself on the bed.

"I wouldn't tally clothes against you, Nessani. I'd give them to you." Her expression was still placid as a garden sculpture's.
"I'd give you more than that if you had need of them." Her face bore a smile that mocked itself for existing, "I am not kind but I recognize what is good."
Anora gestured with an open hand, "You may even forget your purchase price, Nessani."
It hung in the air and was left to Nessani's wondering as Anora had had enough of trying to express what might have been fondness. It seemed sometimes that the graceful thing could only summon enough feeling for a household pet. But there had to be more on occasion, didn't there? Or was it just in a strange form of works and fairness? She had only the motion but not the spirit.

The woman turned to subjects she knew better, eager to leave the messy affair of trying to approach feelings. Packing was resumed with a more severe pace.

"It is important to know with whom you deal, but it is more crucial to discern one's self in relation to others."
Moving towards her satchel, Anora began to winnow her hands through it, searching for something.
"This Musif has more leverage than I like. I seek a warehouse, not a partner."
Anora's expression was crisp as if she could take or leave the world with little more than a curtsey and a yawn.
"Though I thank you, I have had enough of other's entering my affairs. If I wanted such involvement I would have let Dimitri pay my way."

A cunning sliver entered her look as she removed her hand from the satchel. Her fingers were clutched about a small object.
"While it is usually clever business to let a man lavish you with presents for no more than your company."
The object was revealed and fixed on her finger: an engagment ring.
"I trust no one more than myself to look after my interests."
Anora glanced up from the costly bauble on her hand, "What is your opinion of the matter, Vitsa?"
It was impossible to tell whether Anora truly cared or was merely beginning another test.