p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Finally, the present, /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"When Ahri delivered the last body to the River King that night with the cobbler, he regretfully admitted that his contacts were slower than usual to respond. He promised when the time came, he would call. Disappointed and upset, Ahri demanded he help in her accommodations in the meantime. She was tired of constantly being chased with the hounds at her ankles. A deal was a deal. His murky majesty, a courteous gentleman through and through, obliged our foxy femme, and gave her this information./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I am not one to inconvenience those that are famished for finality, so I'll set an arrangement. Sally forth to the serpentine soothsayer, Cassandra. Tell her the old river king Tahm sent you. I'm sure she will be accommodating." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Lost in any other way, Ahri had to trust Tahm and take his advice. With a few directions along the tangled river she rew her row boat in the dark, lit only by dancing fox fire. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The tropical rains were sometimes relentless, and at this particular instance, made the journey through the river networks miserable. In a sopping wet second-hand cloak, Ahri rowed along. Every hour or so she had to bail out the bathtub which became her boat. The locals that were out were mostly naked, fishing along the shore. Ahri wished she could don off her clothing as well. Every garment was clinging to her and the cloak was massively heavy. Finally, she eventually reached her destinated shore. She tied up her bow line on a tree and climbed up the bank to a camp of stilled wood frames and locals. Usually, more eyes would be on strangers like her but shady cloaked characters seemed to be more common here. Her destination wasn't hard to spot, it was the largest A-frame in the small hamlet. It was painted with reds and purples and it's supporting pillars were adorned with winding snakes. The steps lead up to a small door with the head of a viper carved and stained into the wood. Ahri ascended and turned the knob. When she entered she saw a slight local girl on a desk, reading and writing letters. Her garb, as opposed to the simple loin cloths of the other villagers, was a red silk robe, embroidered with hot white writhing serpents. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You were expected." she said nonchalantly, barely looking up. Ahri was taken aback. One, by That fact but two, the A-frame was furnished so finely, way too finely for a small village in the middle of nowhere. Red and black diamond patterns lined the carpet that led to the the "receptionist". In fact most everything had a pattern of some sort. Diamonds and stripes were the most common motifs and it was all very dizzying and clashing to the eye. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I was told Cassandra could help me. I was sent by the river king."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" The villager brushed a few pitch black strands of hair back behind her ear, leaned back into her cushioned seat and smiled to herself./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Making deals with old Tahm eyy? And now you're here. You're quickly tying yourself up into a lot of dangerous knots now, aren't you Miss…" she quickly looked down to her notes. "Ahri."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Ahri felt hopeless. Ever since she became human, her agency had slowly been chipped away bit by bit until she was left to this accursed jungle being constantly chased by villagers, making deals with demons and now she was led to this queer little hut with a woman telling her that even more danger was coiling around her throat. How much longer till her luck ran out, till she would be squeezed to death by mere chance. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Where is Cassandra and how will SHE help me." Ahri said sternly. She was done with games. She wanted answers and some f*%#ing solutions./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The villager raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. "A bit demanding for a favor aren't we? Do you realise what caliber of clientele counsels Cassandra of the Sands? I suspect you don't. For if you did, you may be kneeling right now in respect. Perhaps, You, can practice on me." The tone was more of a command than a question. The agent coyly put her pen to her mouth, enjoying her power. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"This of course wasn't necessary, Ahri knew this. She had half a mind to leave, maybe start over somewhere else. A boat to anywhere else would be nice. A barren wasteland with no people, dogs, mosquitos, rain, loquacious catfish and cocky receptionists with condescending requests. She looked around and ran it all through her head. Maybe if it wasn't raining like an open faucet she would leave. But right now, she might as well play long and stay dry. She could always leave later and maybe tourture a lonely male villager for his essence as a petty form of payback to this miserable life. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Ahri, bent a knee and sarcastically looked up as if to say, "are you pleased you sick f^#k?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The receptionist was hoping for a little less attitude, but it would have to do. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Well dear Ahri, you are allowed to stay here. But the mistress will not see you until she is ready, until we are more comfortable with you." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""What, is she scared of me?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh the mistress? She's not spineless. But flexible, extremely." The receptionist smiled in spite of her bad joke. It of course passed right over Ahri's head. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Ahri spied a couch and longed for a little rest. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""MAy I plEase rest on your couch…. Miss….?" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Aisha, and you may. But you will have to leave your boots outside for the remainder you are here. The mistress never wears boots and neither will you." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"This made sense, as the linens were fine and her boots were dirty. So she obliged Aisha, then threw her cloak on the floor and promptly plopped on the couch. The receptionist raised her eyes to the Ahri's nine tails but returned to her work, sometimes smiling to herself once she heard the cute high pitched snore the fox lady emitted./spanspan id="docs-internal-guid-72d9356b-7fff-a727-9035-d3eb821b0b3b"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"When Ahri delivered the last body to the River King that night with the cobbler, he regretfully admitted that his contacts were slower than usual to respond. He promised when the time came, he would call. Disappointed and upset, Ahri demanded he help in her accommodations in the meantime. She was tired of constantly being chased with the hounds at her ankles. A deal was a deal. His murky majesty, a courteous gentleman through and through, obliged our foxy femme, and gave her this information./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I am not one to inconvenience those that are famished for finality, so I'll set an arrangement. Sally forth to the serpentine soothsayer, Cassandra. Tell her the old river king Tahm sent you. I'm sure she will be accommodating." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Lost in any other way, Ahri had to trust Tahm and take his advice. With a few directions along the tangled river she rew her row boat in the dark, lit only by dancing fox fire. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The tropical rains were sometimes relentless, and at this particular instance, made the journey through the river networks miserable. In a sopping wet second-hand cloak, Ahri rowed along. Every hour or so she had to bail out the bathtub which became her boat. The locals that were out were mostly naked, fishing along the shore. Ahri wished she could don off her clothing as well. Every garment was clinging to her and the cloak was massively heavy. Finally, she eventually reached her destinated shore. She tied up her bow line on a tree and climbed up the bank to a camp of stilled wood frames and locals. Usually, more eyes would be on strangers like her but shady cloaked characters seemed to be more common here. Her destination wasn't hard to spot, it was the largest A-frame in the small hamlet. It was painted with reds and purples and it's supporting pillars were adorned with winding snakes. The steps lead up to a small door with the head of a viper carved and stained into the wood. Ahri ascended and turned the knob. When she entered she saw a slight local girl on a desk, reading and writing letters. Her garb, as opposed to the simple loin cloths of the other villagers, was a red silk robe, embroidered with hot white writhing serpents. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You were expected." she said nonchalantly, barely looking up. Ahri was taken aback. One, by That fact but two, the A-frame was furnished so finely, way too finely for a small village in the middle of nowhere. Red and black diamond patterns lined the carpet that led to the the "receptionist". In fact most everything had a pattern of some sort. Diamonds and stripes were the most common motifs and it was all very dizzying and clashing to the eye. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I was told Cassandra could help me. I was sent by the river king."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" The villager brushed a few pitch black strands of hair back behind her ear, leaned back into her cushioned seat and smiled to herself./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Making deals with old Tahm eyy? And now you're here. You're quickly tying yourself up into a lot of dangerous knots now, aren't you Miss…" she quickly looked down to her notes. "Ahri."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Ahri felt hopeless. Ever since she became human, her agency had slowly been chipped away bit by bit until she was left to this accursed jungle being constantly chased by villagers, making deals with demons and now she was led to this queer little hut with a woman telling her that even more danger was coiling around her throat. How much longer till her luck ran out, till she would be squeezed to death by mere chance. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Where is Cassandra and how will SHE help me." Ahri said sternly. She was done with games. She wanted answers and some f*%#ing solutions./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The villager raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. "A bit demanding for a favor aren't we? Do you realise what caliber of clientele counsels Cassandra of the Sands? I suspect you don't. For if you did, you may be kneeling right now in respect. Perhaps, You, can practice on me." The tone was more of a command than a question. The agent coyly put her pen to her mouth, enjoying her power. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"This of course wasn't necessary, Ahri knew this. She had half a mind to leave, maybe start over somewhere else. A boat to anywhere else would be nice. A barren wasteland with no people, dogs, mosquitos, rain, loquacious catfish and cocky receptionists with condescending requests. She looked around and ran it all through her head. Maybe if it wasn't raining like an open faucet she would leave. But right now, she might as well play long and stay dry. She could always leave later and maybe tourture a lonely male villager for his essence as a petty form of payback to this miserable life. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Ahri, bent a knee and sarcastically looked up as if to say, "are you pleased you sick f^#k?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The receptionist was hoping for a little less attitude, but it would have to do. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Well dear Ahri, you are allowed to stay here. But the mistress will not see you until she is ready, until we are more comfortable with you." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""What, is she scared of me?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh the mistress? She's not spineless. But flexible, extremely." The receptionist smiled in spite of her bad joke. It of course passed right over Ahri's head. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Ahri spied a couch and longed for a little rest. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""MAy I plEase rest on your couch…. Miss….?" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Aisha, and you may. But you will have to leave your boots outside for the remainder you are here. The mistress never wears boots and neither will you." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"This made sense, as the linens were fine and her boots were dirty. So she obliged Aisha, then threw her cloak on the floor and promptly plopped on the couch. The receptionist raised her eyes to the Ahri's nine tails but returned to her work, sometimes smiling to herself once she heard the cute high pitched snore the fox lady emitted./spanspan id="docs-internal-guid-72d9356b-7fff-a727-9035-d3eb821b0b3b"/span/p