01/4/6242
Louise stood in the barren expanse that was beneath the purple sky, gazing out at the nothingness that surrounded her.
"So, gave up your birth name have you?" asked the voice she had heard in this place before.
That was right; she had given up her name. She was no longer going to be known as the weak and pathetic magic devoid third daughter of the Valliere, Louise. No, now she was Zahri, a Djinn, and once she felt up to it and had the right knowledge, the Court Djinn of Khali!
"And your point is?" Zahri asked as she turned to the voice, only to again find herself on the ground beside her bed. "Ow . . . I hope this isn't going to become normal thing. A voice in my dreams is bad enough, but waking up on the ground every time I try to find it is going to get ridiculous if it keeps up!" She grumbled as she stood up and went over to her wardrobe and began changing out of her sleepwear.
Once she was clothed, in what was quickly becoming a common style of Khalisean clothing for her, she snatched a few small lived of metal off a small shelf and walked over to her rooms mirror and looked herself over for a moment. The night before she had spent a large amount of time trying to shift her skin tone, with initially mixed results. The color being splotchy, as black as night, as white as snow, but eventually she managed an even color across her whole body that had seemed okay, and could now see it in the mirror I'm all its splendor. Her skin was now a light brown color, looking like it was just slightly tanned, not dissimilar to warm caramel, but a bit lighter. It was not so substantial a change that she looked strange to even herself, but it was enough to make her feel like she was changing, to make her feel more like what she now was, A Djinn and a citizen of Khali.
Taking a deep breath Zahri temporarily placed one of the pieces of metal, a simple silver rope chain band, around her wrist and began reaching up at her hair, pulling it into knots. Her mother had been strangely against her doing much with her hair, and few nobles did much with their hair as if its length for women was a mark of wealth. Now though, she felt no qualms about doing shat she wanted with her hair, it had always felt a bit too long, and under the Khalisean sun she had felt it making the back of her neck increasingly warm. She wasn't sure if cutting it was a good idea just yet, but after a second of deliberation she pulled it up into a ponytail and wrapped the silver band around it, holding it in place at the back of her head so to keep it off her neck, but not so high it would attract attention. Looking it over and being pleased with how it looked she placed the other hair tie back in the wardrobe, closed it and left her room.
Pale orange light filtered into the hallway from the high set windows, telling that the sun had not yet fully risen. As she passed by the empty room between her own and Hassan and Veera's, Veera came out with a yawn, stretching her arms above her head, while her sleepwear was dishevelled. Zahri opened her mouth to speak as she got closer, but stopped as she wiggled her nose, catching an odd scent in the air.
"Ah, good morning Zahri!" Veera exclaimed with another stretch, her gaze locked on Zahri for a few seconds before nodding. "Looks good, that skin tone suits you!"
"Oh, uh, good morning, I mean thank you," Zahri replied hastily as she came up in front of Veera, noticing that the smell was stronger, coming from her or her and Hassans room. It smelled odd and made Zahri feel funny, immediately making her realize what it was, which made her blush just as fast.
Veera nodded with a smile, seemingly not noticing Zahri's discomfort. "I'm surprised you're up so early considering how late you slept in yesterday."
"Well, after changing my name and getting my skin tone right I figured I'd get up early and see what Jafal's answer would be. I haven't had a whole lot of practice with weapons in the past, but since my magic seems to be just coming to me, I figured it would be a good thing to learn. Before I knew it I guess I was looking forward to it," she explained as she took a little step back from Veera as casually as possible.
"That's sensible. Jafal's awake for sure right now, but he likely won't want to be bothered until later, so what are your plans for now?"
"Well, I was thinking of finding food, and then maybe going to the university before or after meeting with Jafal and doing some more studying."
"Okay. I was heading down to the baths and then was going to make Hassan and myself some food. Would you liked to join me? I did neglect to actually show where everything here in the palace was after all."
"I'll take you up on that offer. A bath sounds wonderful," Zahri replied honestly as she then realized it had been quiet a while since she felt truly clean.
"Then let's go!" Veera exclaimed as she led the way down the stairs to the main level, and then down a second flight of stairs that Zahri hadn't noticed due to a curtain that hung tightly over its opening. As soon as they went past it Louse could feel a bit of magic pass harmlessly over them, and a second later as they went further down she began to smell the scent of warm water.
At the bottom of the stairs was a well lit room that sort of reminded her of Halkeginia. The floor was made of a light colored wood while the walls were stone with darker wood bracings, and the ceiling was covered in even darker wooden panels with softly glowing crystals inset within it. On the walls were shelves with wicker baskets and folded linens, and a single wooden door was at the end of the room with a steam covered window covering the upper length of it.
"Do you know how this works?" Veera asked with a smile as she slithered into the room and up tyo one of the shelves.
"I think so, but run me through it anyway," Zahri replied as she followed Veera up to the shelving.
"Alright. To explain it simply, the bath is designed like a cross of Kahlisean and moonfolk baths from the east. You can change here, leaving your clothes in the baskets and you can use a towel to cover yourself up outside of the bath area. It's is a mixed bathing area for everyone that lives and works in the palace and university, but if anyone tries anything they would regret it and everyone knows what their not allowed to do," Veera explained as she began undoing her clothing right in front of Zahri with seemingly no embarrassment whatsoever.
"Wait, so everyone changes here, men and women, together?" Zahri asked nervously. She had never liked anyone seeing her body and its pathetic growth in the past, but even with her new bodies shape, she was till nervous about even other women seeing her body fully naked. Even worse was the idea of man, especially one she did not know, seeing her naked body, especially with its knew and respectable shape!
"Yes, it is the only bath for the university and palace so being mixed makes more sense," Veera said with a smile as she pulled her top off and placed it in the basket before wiggling out of her skirt and doing the same to it. "There are of course other baths throughout the city with mixed and unmixed bathing areas or times. Is bathing with others not common in Halkeginia?"
"Not among men and women!" Zahri nearly yelled, causing Veera to let out a giggle.
"It's fine. I'm sure you've noticed already with your clothing that men are very respectful of women in Khali, it's something that has become part or our culture. In any form of public setting, be it a bathhouse or on the street or inside or a bar, women are any mans equal and treated as such. Only in private will the majority of men make unwanted advances or look upon a woman's body with a revolting gaze. Besides, as I said this bath is only used by those from the palace and university, the most respectful, sometimes overly respectful, people in Sha-Khali!"
"That does not make the idea of being naked in front of people I barely know any easier!" Zahri hissed back, still in her clothing as Veera looked at her and shook her head.
"There likely is not anyone even in the bath right now; most people use it in the evening. Are you going to strip and join me, or not?" Veera asked as the tip of her tail was lightly tapping the floor impatiently.
"Ugh, I swear if some on is in there and they look at me inappropriately," Zahri said with a sigh as she began carefully slipping her clothing off her body.
"That color does suit you very well, " Veera suddenly said with a smile. "It complements your hair wonderfully."
"Are you talking about my skin color, or my clothing?" Zahri asked as she quickly took a towel off the shelving and wrapped it around her body.
Veera simply smiled as she turned to the door, opened it and slid in with a flick of her tail. "Coming?"
Zahri let out a groan of annoyance as she held the towel with one hand and followed Veera through the doorway and into the bathing area. Her mouth went agape in surprise and awe as soon as she could see through the light and warm steam mist that permeated the room. The bathing area was large, easily twice the size of Tristains academies. The walls were made of a light brown stone that was carved smooth with intricate columns every few meters around, each column connecting to a large arch that curved up to the center or the ceiling were a large orange crystal glowed warmly to illuminate the whole room. To their right around the curve of the wall was another doorway and between were a large number of racks holding buckets, baskets, linens and anything else one would need to clean themselves. The center of the room was dominated by a large pool of clear water that let little wisps of steam rise up from it. The pool was fed by a canal of water that flower down across the floor from a small waterfall on the far wall, and beside the canal and waterfall a number of mirrors and stools sat idly.
As Zahri finally stopped looking around the room in surprise she found Veera letting her towel fall to the ground beside the pool as she slithered in with no hesitation, a warm and clearly enjoyable expression covering her face as she sank up to her shoulders. "The water is lovely, come join me," she said with a wave of her hand.
Zahri let out a sigh as she came closer and then realized that, after a it of a dip at the edge, the pool was like a shallow bowl with some sections of steps, allowing Veera's whole length to stretch out into the pools center. With a slightly nervous glance to the sides Zahri took off the towel around her body, dropped it folded to the floor and stepped into the water until she was at her waist and the sat down on a ledge. The water surrounded her body perfectly, and Zahri let out a light relaxed sigh as she leaned back against the wall. "This. . .does feel very nice."
"See? After long days, it feels wonderful to just lie here and soak!" Veera said with a smile as she let herself sink down to her chin.
"Yes, it does feel good . . but why show me yourself and go to well the trouble? You could have just told me where it is and leave it at that," Zahri said as she looked at Veera.
" . . . .yes I could have, but I didn't. I needed to show you because when the moonfolk send a delegate every four years or so, they insist on using the bath area to conduct at least some of the meetinghouse in. It is a cultural thing of theirs, so I figured I'd tell you about it so you could get used to it," Veera admitted passively.
"It would have been easier to just tell me why in the first place you know," Zahri said with a shake of her head before she based at Veera once more. When was the last time their delegation came to Khali?"
"Almost three and a half years now."
"So they should be coming again in a few months, so you wanted me to be at least knowledgeable about how to use the bath before then, right?" Zahri asked, getting a nod from Veera. "Okay fine, but how dumb do you think I am? Did you think I would not understand how to bathe myself?"
"That is not it. I merely wanted to be sure, as our information on Halkeginian society is limited at best. All we see are their merchants, and we have never had a real contact with any diplomatic entity from those lands in over three hundred years I believe."
"Three hundred years?" Zahri asked in surprise as she stood up in the bath and climbed out, wrapping her towel around her body before sitting down on the baths edge and leaving her lower legs in the water. "That's, a long time. No wonder Halkeginian information on Rub all Khali is so inaccurate."
"Indeed, that's why I showed you around the town as well. As clearly intelligent as you are, Hassan and I do not wish to make assumptions that could cause you confusion later," Veera explained as she reached her arms back and lifted her body out of the pool before wrapping her own towel around herself, her tail wiggling in the water.
"I see. There's a lot I need to learn it seems, and quickly if I'm going to earn my keep. . . .I think after meeting Jafal and maybe figuring out a time to learn to defend myself I'll figure out a time to start studying up in the university as well."
"That's a good idea, you can learn a lot there –"
"By reading, or by teaching!" Veera and Zahri turned to see an old man with dark skin and a short beard walk into the bathing area from the other door, a towel tied tightly around his waist and hanging down to his knee's. Despite his age he looked to be in very good health, and his eyes were filled with wisdom. He smiled at their gazes as he lightly bowed. "I apologize, it was rude of me to interrupt your conversation, but knowing what I have heard of the young Djinn, I felt I needed to mention it at least once."
"I . . what?" Zahri asked, seeming to flustered to understand what was going on as the man walked past the bath over to the waterfall and sat down one of the stools.
"This is Al-ajim, the headmaster of the university," Veera said with a sigh as she then glared at him. "And as this is the first meeting, Al, this is Zahri, our new Court Djinn."
"Yes I know, and again I do apologize, but from what I have heard you are highly intelligent and from Halkeginia to the west, is that right?" Al asked casually as he looked in Veera and Zahri's direction.
"Yes, I am," Zahri replied as she nervously held a hand to the towel over her chest while her other hand pressed it down against her lap. Despite what Veera had said, the idea of a man being in the same bathing area was still very foreign her, and the idea of only a towel hiding her body from view made her very nervous.
Al simply laughed as he noticed Zahri's action. "You do not need to worry girl. While I can respect the beauty of the female form, I am both happily married, and have long since been unable to and unwilling to lust for physical contact. I am only interested in your mind, and am wondering if perhaps at some point in the future you would like to teach at the university?"
"Y-You want me to teach?!" Zahri asked in surprise, almost moving here arms away from her body, but quickly realizing so and pushing herself chin deep in the water.
"Of course, many Djinn have in the past and it would be an excellent way to settle yourself and better others at the same time!"
Zahri stared at him for a few pregnant seconds before letting out a sigh that rippled the water. "Have you somehow managed to miss the fact that I am not even seventeen yet? No one would take me seriously."
"Ah but they would. You are a Djinn, no matter your age you are capable of knowing more than most. Additionally, while it is not proven, many think that nobles of other lands are the only ones learned,and you were a noble, yes?"
"Just because I am or was something, should not mean I am capable of teaching, " Zahri countered quickly.
Al smiled. "Very true, however your previous stint of rampant studying, and your quick and intelligent reasoning just now give credence to the idea that your could!"
"You tricked me!" Zahri said after a few seconds of silence, her tone more annoyed than angry.
"No, I simply did not say every point for my argument at one time, allowing me to lead the conversation toward the end I wished for," Al said with a chuckle. "I do mean what I said however, I would feel it a privilege for myself, the other Scholars and the university itself if your would join us, even just occasionally in sharing your knowledge."
"Would it be that bad?" Veera asked as Zahri sat there contemplating the idea.
"No," Zahri said after a few more seconds with a shake of her head. "But if, and only if, I decided to, what would I even teach? How to speak Romalian? I don't think that'd go over well."
"Perhaps it would, many merchants already know it after all," Al said with a hum. "If I had to say, I'd think either a class on Halkeginian culture, magic, or on simple mathematics or magic theory would be good, considering your knowledge base. I'd have to see exactly what you all know to narrow it down, and confirm that you could teach successfully of course. For legality and the university's reputation mainly."
"So you're saying you want me to teach, but I'd still have to prove I can?" Zahri asked for clarification, getting a nod of conformation from the man that made her sigh and nearly gargle the bathwater with her face. "You are ridiculous."
"Why do you say that?" Veera asked, looking somewhat shocked by Zahri's words.
"If you have to ask, then you won't get why," Zahri replied with another sigh before she looked up at Al. "Can I give you my reply in a few days so I can think about it?"
"Ha, you could make your decision by next year of you wanted! The option will always be open to you!"
"Oh, I see, uh-" Zahri stopped as Veera suddenly stood up from the bath, clearly not worried at all by Al seeing her fully naked form as she stretched her arms over her head and then turned to her.
"Well, as much as I like just lying here, we should get going. You were going to talk to Jafal right?"
"You said it'd be better to later though," Zahri said in slight confusion. Had Veera said that just to bring her down to the bath of all things?
"Yes, but that's just so were not in the way of the morning drills, if we leave now we should get there around their end as the guards switch their patrols. That will be the best chance to talk to Jafal." Veera explained as she slipped her tail slowly out or the pool while tying her towel around her waist.
"I see, very well then," Zahri said as she turned back to Al and bowed her head a bit. "It has been a pleasure meeting you and . . . I will likely take you up on the idea of teaching at some point. It is an, interesting idea that I had never considered before."
"Then I shall look forward to when you shall join us as a fellow academic, " Al said with a smile as Zahri carefully climbed out of the bath and covered herself with her towel, being very meticulous about covering her body the entire time as she followed Veera back to the changing room.
As soon as the door to the baths closed behind her, Zahri let out a breath she hadn't even realized she had been holding in and stared accusingly at Veera. "Did you know?"
"Know what?" Veera responded as she took a second towel off a rack and began drying her back and sides casually.
Zahri sighed as she grabbed a towel and began drying herself off as well, her time in the academies shared bath making that at least bearable. "Him coming into the bath."
"Oh. No not really. I know that most of the universities scholars come every few days, but they usually come in the evening after their classes or research is done," Veera said as she took a pie e of cloth, twisted it around and then pulled it over he had and cupped it around her breasts. Zahri hadn't even realized it had been her top until it was on.
"I see," was all Zahri could say as she began dressing herself, noticing that while Veera had put her skirt on, she was now toweling the length of her tail down. It looked like a pain.
"Worried I'm leading you on?" Veera asked with a giggle as she continued to dry her tail. "Hassan and I may be curious as to what you know, but leading you on like we did was a one time thing. I had simply forgotten about the bath and earlier had seemed the perfect chance to show you."
"Uh, sorry . . for being paranoid I mean," Zahri said quietly as she finished redressing and then slid her footwear back on.
"Its alright, until Khali becomes a true home for you, it would only make sense you'd have some worries," Veera stated as she finished drying her tail and hung the towel up on a rack. "Now then, were nice and clean, so let's had over and find Jafal, alright?"
"Yes, please lead the way," Zahri replied quickly.
Once the pair left the bath and palace it took them almost an hour to weave through the city, stopping for a quick snack that caught Zahri's attention being part of the reason it took so long. The other reason was that while they went Veera kept a slow pace as she explained the basics of how Kahli's military was organized. It was similar to Halkeginia in many ways, but also radically different just because of the lack of disparity that nobles caused. It was also different in that even the lowest soldiers were in the military constantly, unlike in Halkeginia were most low rank and file soldiers were conscripts from villages, forced to join the army. This meant that Kahlis army was likely far better trained and organized as everyone in it had similar basic training, where In Halkeginia an officer might have years of experience compared to a regular soldiers week.
It made sense considering that Kahli had the elves and Nubians as imperfect neighbors, but those facts and the information failed to give Zahri an idea of just how expansive the military was in Kahli until they got to the militaries area of the city.
Walls easily as tall as those back at Halkeginia's magic academy or Tristania's castle rose up from the earth, their sunbaked color making them look little different than the walls around the outside of the city. They surrounded the military area stretching from the cliffs of the palace all the way to the harbor, and it was then that Zhari realized these walls likely connected to the walls outside the city, and the Walls that split some areas of the city or crisscrossed over others. A network of walls and pathways that could allow the forces of the city to move were they needed and force invaders to specific areas.
As they passed the gate guards, who simply nodded at Veera as they passed, the two of them came into the actual military encampment area, and found it abuzz with activity. Buildings hugged the walls while stairways between them led up. The open areas that took up most of the main encampment was sectioned off with fences of wood and rope, forming separate training and drilling areas. Most such areas only had a few dozen in them, taking command from their own superiors, but one group was different. While every other group wore light brown or tan colored cloaks over themselves, cleaks that were clearly part uniform in nature, one group wore the black ones, and appeared to be getting drilled by Jafal himself. Lamia, Elves, Humans, even a few Nubians all trained under him, each showing only an expression of focus as they moved.
Their training was different than what Zahri thought it would be. Just like in Tristania they were practicing footwork and their sword swings, but unlike Tristania they were practicing them at the same time, and in pairs against each other! Their swordplay was completely different than Halkeginean swordplay. Where Halkeginean swords were mostly straight, almost every sword that she could see being used had a curved blade. Some had a gently sloping curve along the whole edge, while some others started straight then massively curved like a crescent. They were strange, but as she watched their sweeping motions and fluid strikes began to realize that the curves would increase the ability to slash open flesh and cut through leather and cloth. In a land where wearing metal armor would most certainly end with dying of the heat, it made a lot of sense.
"Let's keep over here," Veera suddenly said as she gestured to the front of a building with a long stone bench out front of it, nestled under an overhang that partially shaded it. "I already saw Jafal notice us out the corner of his eye, so he'll come over when he's able to see us."
"Not right now?" Zahri asked in surprise as she followed Veera to the bench and took a seat, carefully crossing her legs and getting comfortable while Veera simply moved her coils until they sat around her on the ground.
"No, just because I'm here does not mean I can just take all of his time. After all, if it was extremely important I would have interrupted."
"Ah, right, sorry," Zahri said as she glanced back at the various groups of soldiers. "Question, are they all those Magi you mentioned, or just the black cloaked ones?"
"The black cloaks are the uniform of the Magi. The others are regular military forces, our soldiers and guards who watch the city. All Magi start out as regular forces, and only the head of the Magi can induct new members into their ranks. They are our lands special forces, extremely skilled in most weapons; And with knowledge of how to fight magic if they themselves do not know how to use it as well," Veera explained simply.
"And they only train with each other then? " Zahri asked as she noticed that was exactly how it seemed.
"Most prefer too as the regular forces have some trouble keeping up," Jafal stated as he walked up to the two girls, his expression neutral yet serious. "What do you need from me Lady Veera?"
"Actually it's what our cute little Djinn needs!" Veera stated as she glanced at Zahri, who took the hint and stood up, bowing slightly to Jafal.
"Um, I'm sorry to bother you, but I've come to realize that my knowledge in non magical means of protecting myself is, lacking. I was hoping that perhaps someone could help me rectify this?" Zahri asked, doing her best to be polite. Being polite was not the hard part. But acting humble felt a bit strange.
Jafal looked at her for a moment before nodding. "Very well, I can have one of my men give you lessons if that is all that is required Miss Louise."
"Oh right, forgot to mention that. Our little Djinn will be going by the name Zahri, to help her settle in and restart," Veera explained sheepishly, seemingly embarrassed that she had not told Jafal.
"It is fine, I shall remember your new name in the future, Lady Zahri," he said with an apologetic nod as he then turned and suddenly walked over to the training group of Magi.
"Is he, usually like that?" Zahri asked as she glanced over to Veera who simply smiled.
"Usually, yes. He's usually to the point and doesn't dance around things well, but he's a good man."
"I guess, I don't really know him well enough to say one way or another," Zahri admitted slightly nervously as she glanced around at the training guards. Their training was so different, far more elegant and quick than the Halkeginian style of brute force. As she looked she began to notice something else as well, that not all people were using just swords. Some were practicing with spears and maces, while other were using even stranger choices of weapons, like whips, blades on the end of chains, picks and even strange blades that seemed to be worn over a closed fist like a punching weapon.
Suddenly Zahri felt Veera nudge her and she looked up to see Jafal coming over with one of his men, one who made Zahri admittedly slightly nervous. The man looked young, likely only a bit older than she herself was. His skin was a light grayish color, and his eyes were a dazzling blue that was well complemented by his pale white hair. What made her nervous however was that his ears were long and pointed, marking him as some form of elf.
"I apologize for the wait ladies, This is Dastgir, the youngest member of the Magi. He should be able to teach you what you need, Lady Zahri."
"No, thank you for doing this when you have other things to do," Veera replied with a smile before she stood up and turned to Zahri. "You know your way back to the palace, yes?"
"Yes, I'll be fine," Zahri replied.
"Good, then I will return to the palace and see you later,"
"I shall a company you, Lady Veera. I have business with the sultan myself," Jafal stated Ashe quickly followed Veera out of the area, leaving Zahri and Dastgir alone by the bench while guards and Magi continued to drill nearby.
Both were quiet for a moment before Zahri stood up from the bench. "Right, uh, thank you, for taking time out of your own training to help me in this matter."
"O-of course Lady Djinn, it's my pleasure too help you!" Dastgir replied quickly with a slight bow. A second later he glanced around for something then gestured to a smaller area of the encampment where there were nearly no people, an area out of the way. "Why don't we head over there? We'll be out of the way and will not be interrupted by everyone else's drills."
"Fair, lead the way!" Zahri said, seeing the idea as sensible.
"Ah, right, this way please," Dastgir said uncertainly as he turned and began walking over to the area, Zahri following behind him. Once there he turned and looked at Zahri, his eyes wavering and wandering as he spoke. "So, uh, Lady Djinn, uh what did you need training in exactly? Master Jafal was not specific when he told me what you needed to know."
"Oh, well everything really. I know the barest basics of some swordplay, but its Halkeginian swordplay I know and I don't think it will do me well here. I need to learn at least the basics, preferably with a few different types of weapon so I. . –" Zahri stopped as she noticed that Dastgir seemed to be fidgeting slightly, and his eyes would look at her for a second and then look away. He was not looking at her eyes however. "Is there something wrong?" She then asked. She may have been somewhat naive in the past, but she did know how boys could act and how they looked at some women.
Dastgir immediately took a step back, his arms flinching as if they wanted to swing up, though he seemed to hold back that desire. "No, I mean, perhaps. I realize you are a Djinn, but uh, do you think perhaps different clothing would be better for training?"
Zahri felt herself scowl a bit on reflex. Veera had told her that her clothing was fine, she had seen many people walking around with even less on than she wore and no one batted an eye. She even had been getting use to wearing such clothes and knew that what she word would not effect her ability to move or act in any way from being a Djinn. So hearing someone basically asking if she could over up, in a land where showing skin was not uncommon or even looked down upon, by an elf, was more than just a bit annoying to her at this point! "May I ask why you think my current attire doesn't work?" Zahri asked slowly, making sure her tone was calm, but clearly displeased. "No matter what I wear, I do not think it will impede my movements or my bodies durability."
Dastgir looked visibly taken aback and looked Zahri in the eyes as focused as he could. "Well, you wouldn't want such nice clothing to get dirty, and its hardly appropriate for weapon training," he explained, his eyes wavering a bit as he spoke.
Now it was clear why he was asking, he found her body attractive. It was something Zahri knew was possible with how her body now looked, but was still something she was very unfamiliar in dealing with. She had never been hit on, stared at or anything like that by anyone of the opposite sex before. And it felt strange. "You find my body distracting," she said bluntly, deciding that it would be better than trying to dance around the subject.
Dastgir tensed a bit before he sighed and nodded at her words. "I apologize Lady Djinn, but I do."
"Well, I find your ears distracting," Zahri countered, much to his surprise.
"What? Why?" Dasdtgir asked, seemingly unable to understand why.
"You first please. Why do you find my body distracting?" Zahri asked in response as she crossed her arms just under her bust.
Dastgir swallowed and forced his gaze towards Zahris face. "I am new not just to the magi, but to Khali as well. Up until last year I lived further north in the elven lands, in a small out of the way and unimportant village that tolerated my families presence."
"Tolerated, so the elves are not unified then?" Zahri asked curiously.
Dastgir's eyes went wide in surprise. "You do not know?"
Zahri smiled slightly. "So it has not spread, good. Truthfully, I am not from Khali, or anywhere near Khali. I am from Halkeginia and this existence was bequeathed to me by the last court Djinn."
"Halkeginia!?" Dastgir exclaimed in surprise, before his expression changed to one of realization. "I see, that makes sense, both your not knowing, and my ears making you nervous."
"Yes, for most of my life I was told that elves were evil and enemies of the church and humans and all that, but I had never see an elf, only heard stories of what they looked like. Fair skinned with blonde hair and thin bodies. Beautiful enough to tempt and convert the weak of faith, we were told."
"heh, I don't exactly meet such lofty expectations then, do I?" Dastgir said slightly sourly.
"Err, well your hair and skin color struck me as strange, that's all," Zahri said, realizing she may have brought up something of a bad point. "As I had said, I had never met an elf before, and I didn't want to make any assumptions, I just, wasn't sure."
"You didn't know, its fine. There are actually three species of elves. The elves you know, who often arrogantly call themselves High Elves when comparing them to the other species, the moon elves from the far flung east that have blue or white skin and blue, pink or white hairs and the grey elves, my kind. Grey elves once lived with the other elves, but at some point in history were exiled to live underground I'm told. Few do anymore because our numbers are small, but the 'High Elves' Still think little of my kind for reasons they do not stop to even think about. They consider us a lesser form of themselves, and some even pity us for it."
"That sounds …similar to how mages in Halkeginia act actually, some at least,"
"I would not know, as I had only heard stories of how all of Halkeginia was controlled by an insane church aiming for human supremacy and the extermination of all non human races," Dastgir said, sounding slightly sour.
Both of them were quiet for a few moments, seemingly unsure what to say or do. Then, very suddenly, Zahri began chuckling, the outright giggling to herself.
"Uh, are you alright? " Dastgir asked nervously. After all, to him it looked like Zahri might have suddenly lost it, which was a disturbing idea considering he had never heard of Djinns going insane.
"Yes, I am fine," Zahri stated as she wiped at her eyes with the back of her wrist. "I just realized how absurd I was being."
"How . . absurd?" Dastgir asked, not understanding what Zahri was referring.
"Yes," Zahri said with a chuckle as she calmed herself down. "I left Halkeginia behind to start anew, something becoming a Djinn is already helping me with. But here I am, still making assumptions from my old knowledge and being nervous of you, instead of keeping an open mind."
"But, you are Halkeginian, does the Brimiric church not declare elves as evil, or something similar?"
"They do but . . . . admittedly I decided to forgo the Brimiric faith when I left. I had after all, already proven myself a failure in their eyes when I was unable to prove my nobility by summoning a familiar."
"Oh, I see," Dastgir said in a solemn tone. "I . . my family was blamed for a minor crime in the elven lands, a crime that had clear evidence as to who did it. But he was the village chiefs son, so when he blamed my sister, everyone agreed as it was simpler. We were ordered to leave, but then were attacked after we left by the chiefs son and his allies who all wanted us gone. My parents stayed back to allow us to escape to Khali."
"Did, did your sister . . ." Zahri asked carefully.
"She's here in Khali, she was never much of a warrior, and more of a, uh, she's here. She's safe," Dastgir explained, oddly reluctant to say much about his sister.
"That's good then," Zahri said, causing an awkward silence to reign for a few moments. "Perhaps we should start again?"
"What?"
"I mean, let's do this over, our introductions and assumptions I mean. So we can start the right way, without making assumptions about the other," Zahri explained.
Dastgir's eyes widened with a bit of realization before nodding a bit. "Yes that, would likely make thing between us go smoother if we just, forget this occurred."
"Agreed!" Zahri stated as she nodded and took a step toward Dastgir and offered a hand toward him. "My name is Zahri, the soon to be Court Djinn of Khali!"
"And I am Dastgir, a member of the Royal Magi of Khali!" Dastgir de later as he placed his right hand over the left side of his chest and bowed ever so slightly with a smile. "May I ask what you are doing though with your hand?"
"Uh, It's a handshake. Though, I guess from your reaction that is not a way to greet someone here in Khali, is it?" Zahri asked as she dropped her hand to her side.
"That is a Halkeginian gesture, yes?" Dastgir asked as he continued. "But no, due to the many peoples that live in Khali, I have been told that the greeting depends on the race. However, I have also been told that what I just did can be considered a universal greeting, whether it is between those who barely know each other, or between friends."
"I see, is it, like this then?" Zahri asked as she placed a hand over her left breast, finding if slightly odd and uncomfortable when she noticed it caused Dastgir's gaze to hover over them. She was getting used to wearing Khalisean clothing, but she still was a young girl, and still found the attention of the opposite sex to be unnerving. After all, the only attention she was used to was being picked on, teased, bullied or insulted.
"Um, a little higher," Dastgir said as he glanced to the side. "Your right hand goes over where your heart is, so your, upper chest, not right on your uh, chest,"
Zahri shifted her hand up a bit as Dastgir suggested, both feeling less embarrassed and more successful as he looked back k at her and did not immediately look away.
"Yes, like that," Dastgir said, letting out a held breath when Zahri stopped holding her hand over her breast and returned it to the side. "So, you said that your skill in swordplay is basically nonexistent, yes?" Dastgir then asked.
"Yes, I was taught some about footwork and the basics of a shortsword, but I was never very good with either," Zahri admitted meekly, sounding a bit ashamed about it.
"I see . . . . hmm, may I ask you a question?" Dastgir asked after looking Zahri up and down in a way that was. Leadly not as a woman, but as a warrior. As soon as Zahri nodded he spoke up. "Before you were a Djinn, was your body the same as it is now?"
"N-no, it wasn't. I was a bit shorter, had no real, uh, curves to my body at all, and uh, yeah."
"It's alright, I understand," Dastgir said with a smile. "How much stronger are you then?"
"I'm, not really sure honestly," Zahri said meekly. "I know that I should have hurt myself a few times, bruises and small, cuts, but have nothing. And I know that I'm strangely sure of my footing now, despite the variety of unfamiliar footings."
"Not used to sand, but you have no trouble with it?" Dastgir asked for clarification.
"Yeah, and is kind of odd. In a good way."
"That is understandable, sand can be an uneven surface at the best of times, especially outside of the city. If you do not have issues with your footing though, that will speed up the process of teaching. What kind of teaching were you given though? Was it for open combat, or more related to say, a duel?"
"Um, dueling a believe. Most of the foot work was for one on one combat."
"I see, then that will be worthless here, not because one on one fighting does not occur, but because I doubt that Halkeginian footwork is similar to our own. Unfortunately that leaves us with a problem," Dastgir said in a conflicted tone.
"What do you mean?" Zahri asked, clearly confused as she raised an eyebrow and shifted her weight onto one leg.
"If I was simply teaching you the basics of how to wield weapons common in our lands, it could be done either in one very long day, or better yet, multiple days. But if you are needing full training and teaching, it will take a long time," Dastgir explained.
Zahri however did not seem very upset as she simply shrugged. "I was not expecting to be done in a day. How long do you think it will take?"
"That would depend on how much you wish to learn. Just the basics of footwork, basic swordplay, equipment maintenance and basic strategy could take upwards of a couple weeks easily. If you want advanced instruction on those, or wish to learn how to use other forms of weapons beside a basic sword, many weeks could be easily added. You are looking at anything from a couple weeks to multiple months of training and teaching. And that is assuming some sort of regimen."
"I understand, how often shall we do this training then?" Zahri asked instantly and without hesitation.
Dastgir stared at Zahri, his mouth partly agape from surprise. He had expected, something else. He wasn't sure shat, but knowing that Zahri had been Halkeginian nobility he had figures that hard work would be something she would shy away from. Not willingly commit to without a seconds hesitation! "Well, Jafal told me to assist you however much you need, so it depends on how often you want to I suppose."
"When is such training normally done then? The morning or evening when its cool?" Zahri asked.
"Those are normal times yes, but to have it be cooler it would require it to be done in the very early morning or after the sun has set," Dastgir explained.
"Then which would you prefer?"
Dastgir let out a breath as he realized that Zahri was not just doing this on a whim. She wasn't about to change her mind. "I would suggest the mornings then. It is coolest then, and it can help one wake-up fully in the morning I find."
"That makes sense," Zahri speaks just as her face darkens. "I wonder if I can weave a spell to wake me up in the morning?"
"Pardon?"
"It's nothing! I just, never mind. It's decided, mornings it will be. So, what is first for today then?"
"The basics, maintenance, weapon understanding, and maybe some footwork!" Dastgir said with a grin.