Midnight Stroll

ooc Note: This is a snippet of a much larger scene.

Rath Castamir
To the north and south runs the lamp-lit Rath Castamir--south towards inner Umbar, and north towards the Harbour Gate and the bay. The much dimmer black-paved Rath "Sanga" runs to the west, and the also-dim and red-paved Rath "Anga" arcs to the east. The intersection is rather quiet for the night, with just a few Corsairs wandering about. Three small shops, one a massage parlour, another an unmarked building, the last a Shipping and Navigation shop, sit on opposite corners.

The night sky is clear with only slight wisps of clouds overhead. The nighttime winter air is cool and dry around you. The moon is waxing crescent.

Contents:
Suhayla
Sindri
Obvious exits:
Umbar Public Baths, South, North, West, East, and H.B. Valwin's

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri lets his hand go to gently squeeze her when she waits for his name. "Sindri, Miss Suhayla." He says as they walk along, "My auntie is the High Priestess of the Dark Citadel, I can give a good soul destroying service, I think it's a requirement, for I've learned some of the duties of priests and clerics, or what have you." He explains to Suhayla.

[Suhayla(#16877)] "Sindri, it's my pleasure," Suhayla says- sounding genuine. In fact, her cheeks are visibly pink...Sindri seems to have succeeded in making the whore blush. Perhaps it was because he called her 'miss'? Regardless, she smiles as they walk along. "The Lady Mara is your aunt?" Suhayla seeks to confirm. The bangles around her wrists and ankles make soft noises like bells as she moves. "And have you ever? Destroyed someone's soul, that is?" she doesn't sound frightened, just interested.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
From the west approaches a new figure, seemingly melting out of the blackness of the night itself. As she steps closer onto this lamp-lit street, the young girl is suddenly illuminated in the lights it is Tasnim, walking slowly along the road at this late hour. Under one arm she has tucked a tablet, and as she continues, the scribe raises a hand to pull her red headscarf more tight about her. The dark gaze is cast from side to side.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri hasn't quite noticed Tasnim yet, he's a bit to busy talking with his new friend as it were. "Lady Mara, is indeed my Auntie." He says, confirming what she asks as they keep stepping through pools of light, eventually, coming closer to Tasnim, enough so, Sindri's eyes flash in amusement. "Why Scribe, here I thought you were a wholesome type, not prone to laying on your back in the witching hour to birth new horrors for Mordor!" he says to her.

[Suhayla(#16877)] Suhayla searches for words for Mara. "The Lady Mara is...such a...lovely, charming woman, who always dresses well," she comes up with at last, unsure if those are quite the words she would normally have used. She's a little distracted by wondering why she's blushing and looking at Sindri. Finally gazing ahead, she sees the young girl out alone at this late hour. She glances between Sindri and the girl, who seem to know each other, and the exquisite courtesan murmurs a polite, "Hello," in the girl's direction.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
The young Haradrim gives a slight startle, and she flashes her eyes forward at the sound of the voices. Toward Sindri she blinks for a moment, and then her lip twitches with an apparent smirk. "Lovely greeting," she says to him. "Almost like the first time, only minus the dagger." Tasnim grins, before peering to see who he travels with. Curiousity raises a brow a smidge, and she nods to acknowledge the other lady. "I am delivering a report to one of the Towers," she explains simply, patting the tablet under her arm, though the tone is not overtly convincing.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri extends his free arm towards Tasnim, using his finger tips to gesture at her, before speaking. "Miss Suhayla, this is Tasnim, scribe of the Dark Citadel, and probably off to find some man to bed, because I very well doubt the claim of delivering a report, at this hour, for such an act would infer a certain sense of urgency, of discretion, and in either manner, I suspect, I'd be involved." He says, quietly, eyes twinkling with amusement at the mention of a dagger. "You still desire I rip you open with that dagger, I sense it, you and your damning dreams."

[Suhayla(#16877)] "A pleasure to meet you, Tasnim," Suhayla says lightly. "Where is your report destined, hm? I am a healer for Farside, and I'd be happy to take it the rest of the way...your friend Sindri here is kind enough to escort me on my way back," she explains with some odd note of affection in her tone. The insults that seem to be parried between the two, however, make her doubt her use of the word 'friend' between them. She falls silent then, waiting to see if Tasnim will accept her offer, her big copper eyes watching them both.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
At the man's gesture, Tasnim paces closer so as to fall in step with the pair. "Perhaps I tell the truth regarding the delivery, and perhaps I do not. It will not harm things if I am delayed, so I will share your company for a little, if I do not intrude." A pause, and she seems to chuckle. "As for the dagger, I do not doubt you would hesitate to do so, either."

Her sight shifts to observe Suhayla, and she tilts her head in consideration. "Nice to meet you as well," nods Tasnim. "You said Farside? Yes, you may bring the tablet if you do not mind." She holds out the item, on which is written a flowing script, cut into the hardened clay by a stylus. As to what it contains, the scribe does not yet elaborate on.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's eyes flash towards the tablet, he doesn't move to grab it, but he'll read what he can, for he is as versed in literature as the scribe is, given his up bringing, before he lets his eyes wander back towards Suhayla. "Well, since I'm one of the few sober men on the streets.." he says, concerning those who stagger from brothels, almost to drunk to walk, or even crawl..

[Suhayla(#16877)] "Intrude? Why, not at all!" Suhayla insists immediately. "I've only been lancing boils for an old woman near the public baths," she explains, "And it took a lot longer than I expected.." She reaches out with her free hand to take the tablet, and tucks it under her arm. "I'll keep it safe and make sure it gets delivered tonight," Suhayla promises. She frowns, then, "Someone sent you out alone this late, just to deliver a message? As Sindri just said, there are way too many drunks on the streets at this hour.." She looks at the man again when she says his name, and her smile widens a little. "You are that," she agrees, "And that's a rare thing. Do you ever visit the Oasis, hm?"

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"No, I was accompanied by another, but she conveniently became rather--distracted--along the way," the scribe inclines her head to the drunken city-dwellers, "if you take my meaning." Tasnim grins as the conversation reverts toward Sindri. "Rare, indeed."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri lightly inclines his head at the praised, fake or not. "I try my best to stand out, so far, I think it works in my favour, for I'm alive, and no one is willing to test my luck, to much." He says, looking towards Tasnim, who might have room to argue he isn't all that lucky. "I haven't been to the Oasis in some time, should I have gone there?" He asks Suhayla, looking down at her for a response to that question.

[Suhayla(#16877)] Suhayla grins at Tasnim and advises, "If I were you, I'd remember to take someone more useful along next time..not that there is much to choose from." The courtesan laughs softly, gesturing at a drunk curled up in a doorway to serve as an example. Then she answers Sindri, blushing again to explain, "Well, the Oasis is where I work when I'm not healing. I meet clients there- not that I want your money," she quickly adds. "I only meant, if you were inclined, you might come visit me there some night."

She quickly looks back to Tasnim and wonders, "And have you ever been allowed inside? The singing and dancing are fun to watch, if nothing else," she tells the girl with a smile.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
If Tasnim considers Sindri unlucky, she says naught on the matter now that the man is no longer forbidden to speak, the girl decides it is best to not bring the Citadel incident back to mind. Instead she remains silent, listening as Suhayla replies, yielding a nod to the woman. "Yes, I remember going there once, though the memory is faint. It must have been a considerable time ago. I will have to come see to the singing and dancing then."

Sindri snickers quietly at a stray thought, and gently squeezes Suhayla's hand again. "If you get Tasnim naked with you, dancing upon tables, I'll pay." He says, snickering again at the thought of such a well behaved scribe doing such things. "More so, if she passes out drunk on the table that night."

[Suhayla(#16877)] Suhayla looks at Tasnim again, then shakes her head at Sindri, protesting, "She is but a child! I would do no such thing to one so young!" Another glance to Tasnim and, in case the girl is older than she looks, Suhayla adds brightly, "But I do accept female clients as well, for certain things..." She grins sheepishly then. "I merely meant, Sindri, that you ought to come visit me, for the company- I don't know how naked table dances with children got added into the offer." She smiles at Tasnim apologetically and adds, "I could teach you a dance or two, for the fun of it?"

[Tasnim(#16424)]

At this the girl openly laughs. "And you accused me of having desireful dreams? Nay, you are more likely to get a mumak to dance, than to entice me to do such a thing."

Tasnim nods gratefully to Suhayla's offer. "Thank you, I shall make sure to ask for a lesson if I stop by the Oasis. As for a job," she peers over to the Haradrim healer, "could you possible elaborate on these 'cetain things' you mentioned for clients?"

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri is very amused, his eyes are dancing with mirth and he smiles a bit. "Very well Miss Suhayla, I shall attempt to come by and provide you with company, surely, it must be better then being stuck in the Citadel all day and night." He murmurs before letting his eyes look at Tasnim, canting his head a bit, amused she isn't aware perhaps..

[Suhayla(#16877)] "I'm glad I am your choice over certain boredom," Suhayla says, amused, to Sindri. "They must have taught you, at Citadel, how to talk so sweetly to women?" she teases. "But I'm pleased you'll come," she says more sincerely, seeming happier for it. Tasnim's question then catches her completely off-guard, and she blinks, stalling for a moment by fixing her hair before answering. "I. Well. Sometimes female clients might want me to ah, brush their hair and make their faces up a bit prettier...or, you know, to give them a private dance, if it please them.." she says, trying to think quickly of tamer things to elaborate upon for the girl. Nonetheless, she looks slightly embarassed by the time she's finished speaking.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
Again the eyebrow quirks an inch as Sindri speaks. "Stuck inside the Citadel all day and night? Clearly it is not so, for am I not out here at this hour?"

Then Tasnim blinks, and she seems suddenly occupied with a meticulous observation of the ground ahead. Ignorant she might be due to her age, but the girl has nevertheless sensed the other's awkwardness in answering. "Ah, yes," the scribe says weakly. "I see. Thank you, but I think I will stick with my position in the Citadel for now." A glance to Sindri again. "Studying does not have to be without its enjoyments. Boring at times, yes, but it can be as fun as the students makes it."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's eyes flash again when Tasnim speaks, who opens her self up for further teasings. "Is that how you've been appeasing priests at night?" he says, gently moving his arm about Suhayla's waist, instead of merely holding her hand. "Tasnim fools you, she's seen far more then she'll admit, and will some day, witness sacrifices, and record various things..she's not naive, just polite." He insists.

[Suhayla(#16877)] "Studying, ah, that sounds very fun for a girl your age," Suhayla hastily agrees, being not so old herself at nineteen. She smiles at Tasmin and again the gesture is full of apology for the awkward turn their words have taken. "You get to read and write a lot, that must be nice.." she mutters, expounding upon it pointlessly to shift the conversation away from her clients, female or male. Suddenly feeling a touch at her waist, Suhayla looks down, then smiles up at Sindri and leans against him, muttering an excuse about how cold the air feels tonight. "Witness sacrifices? Have you yet?" Suhayla wonders to the girl, as though unsure what she thinks of this. And though she guesses the answer, she asks the same to Sindri, "Have you?"

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"I...that's not--!" frowns Tasnim to the man, but she seems unable to get the correct words out. "Why, curious are you?" she finishes lamely, ere nodding anew and turning her attention to Suhayla. "Sacrificies I would have witnessed one already if events had played out differently..." Sindri is given a look, before Tasnim's eyes find the other woman once more. "But I am glad that they did not. Since I had begun my work there, I have read a few tomes regarding such proceedures and practices." A small grimace marrs her tan features, as if she has just recalled something rather unpleasant. "Intriguing, but disturbing."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's eyes dance with amusement when Tasnim flashes him a look. "I've helped sacrifice people to the Eye, and consumed their flesh and blood as is the rights of his worshippers." He says to the lady he so politely holds around the waist, seemingly her proximity doesn't seem to bother, nor excite him. "Tasnim will no doubt, some day, be a priestess, for educated beings are rare in Umbar.."

[Suhayla(#16877)] "Y'consumed...you con...what, why?" Suhayla stammers through it, nearly dropping the tablet she is holding. She doesn't move away from Sindri in the slightest, seeming comfortable still while pressed close to him. However, she is a little pale and wide-eyed wondering about that. She can't think of anything to wonder but, "Does it taste good or something?" She manages to smile at the girl again. "A priestess, hm? I think I will stick with healing...since I am more educated than most in matters of the flesh."

[Tasnim(#16424)]
The girl's grimace deepens. "Wonderful," she says sarcastically, "then it seems I will have to get used to the idea of consuming my sacrifices. I would rather the typical daily food, but I suppose, if it is for the Eye..." Tasnim swallows. "Then I shall do it..lest the same befall me for being neglectful. That is, if I do indeed ever become a priestess."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri cants his head a bit at the question from Suhayla and licks his lips a bit. "Really does depend on the sacrifice, age, where they are from, all of that type of thing. "He murmurs quietly, as if with fond memories, or flavour in his mouth..

[Suhayla(#16877)] "Tasnim...really do come see me, at the Oasis. Perhaps you'll want to be a dancer after spending some time there!" Suhayla suggests cheerfully. "And the food is excellent," she adds, eyeing Sindri. "All sorts of fresh game, basmati rice.." She listens then, as Sindri describes it all, her copper eyes calm on his face. "Really?" she asks, still with her mild curiousity. "I would have never known, if you hadn't told me," she says, slipping her arm about his waist as well as they walk along.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"That is--interesting," supplies the scribe after a moment of silent listening to Sindri's explanation. To Suhayla she smiles again. "Sure, I will come visit. You have tempted me to with your talking of dancing and singing. It would be a nice change after spenting most of my time in the Citadel." Tasnim flashes her dark-eyed gaze back to their male companion, as if daring him to tease more on this matter of studying.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri grins faintly at Tasnim, and moves to poke at her form with a hand. "She needs to get out, before she turns into another boring scribe, who gets upset when I take maps to copy." He says to the dancer quietly. "You know, even though I work in the Citadel, they don't want me to use maps for my own purposes.."

[Tasnim(#16424)]
Tasnim eyes Sindri when he pokes her, but the look is playful rather than menacing. Instead of arguing she agrees, "Fine, I shall get out more often, all right?" But then she frowns. "What do you mean? Did you get in trouble for copying those maps that day? That arrogant priest better not have gone and spread bad rumors after that, er, 'pleasant' conversation you had with him in the library."

[Suhayla(#16877)] "We'll do your hair," Suhayla promises Tasnim excitedly. "I've a private room there we can use, and we'll fix you up until you won't recognize yourself!" she exclaims as though this is both fun and a privelege. "And maybe you can tell me about your favorite books or something," she says, assuming that the girl must read quite a bit. Then she looks up at Sindri once more. "Well, what exactly are your purposes with them?" Suhayla asks him, her fingers stroking his side-- it's hard to escape her usual mannerisms in new company, it seems.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri smiles a bit at the constant source of affection, he isn't entirely used to it. "No no, the priest didn't care..the scribes act like I'll ruin their damn maps." He mutters before looking at Suhayla. "Eh, I want to find the Gray Havens.."

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"I look forward to it, Miss Suhayla, was it?" grins the young girl. "Perhaps not even Master Maps here will be able to recognize me afterward." Tasnim falls quiet again as Sindri mentions the mysterious Havens, but she gives him a relieved look when he mentions that the priest gave him no further trouble. The deepning gloom of night earns her attention as she fixes her regard ahead, harkening both to the slapping of their feet upon the stones, as well as the discussion.

[Suhayla(#16877)] "You offended a priest?" Suhayla asks of Sindri, sounding amused and warming more to his company the longer they walk together. "What's the Gray Havens, Sindri?" she wonders, "I've never heard of this place." She looks interested. "Yes, it's Suhayla," she answers Tasnim, grinning at the nickname the girl has given to Sindri. "We'll have fun, I promise," she adds to the young scribe. "There is certainly more to life than books and maps."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri offers his free hand to Tasnim, since apparently, he's becoming rather center stage. "The priest thought it would be..wise to taunt me, concerning some thing." He murmurs before canting his head about the Gray Havens. "The Gray Havens are these elven ports, where they set sail across the known sea, and I wish to raid them, and steal from the elves, some of their vessels.."

[Tasnim(#16424)]
Tasnim accepts the proffered hand, yielding its owner a smile. "The priest will not be bothering you again anything soon, I think. I am sure you won't mind about that, hmm?"

"The Grey Havens are only mentioned in passing in some of the books I have read," she says to the other lady. "Most people would not know about them at all. They are far from here."

[Suhayla(#16877)] "Steal from...elves?" Suhayla raises a brow, then purses her lips and contemplates it as they walk. "Well," she says at last, "Will you bring me back some Elven treasure?" she grins broadly. Looking back at Tasnim, she wonders, "What happened to that priest, then? He became someone's afternoon meal?" she supposes this is a reasonable guess, after the talk earlier. "I'd never heard of it before now. Is it supposed to be beautiful?"

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's eyes flash with amusement about being asked to return with elven treasure for the pretty dancer. "I'm sure that some how, I can bring back a few trinkets from the Gray havens if we ever reach them.."

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"Um, well," the scribe begins. "Let's just say the priest found out how hard Master Maps' strangling grip is." She changes the subject. "I do not know much about the Havens, nor the elves for that matter. They are more myths...but, yes. Myths tend to be beautiful. But, I think I would be happier to see their lands burn than to travel there myself. High and mighty they are said to be, terrible even."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri laughs quietly at the mention of the priest and his poor luck. "Elves are no myths, no more then the Gondorian's cities and their ancient myths of treasures of ancient kings." He murmurs.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
Tasnim cants her head slightly. "Well, if you do raid the Havens, then you should definitely bring back some prisoners to show our people their existence. I am sure they will find some--fitting--purpose for the light-lovers."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri grins a bit, but it's rather a dark twisted affair, he has fully unwholesome ideas for the light lovers. "I suspect of course that many Elven Maidens will be..taken." He says, letting Tasnim catch his drift.

[Suhayla(#16877)] "For what purpose?" Suhayla chimes in with a glance to Tasnim, then back at Sindri. She's caught his drift, alright, and it makes her frown. She squeezes his waist and mutters, "The only sort of man who'd need the spoils of an Elven Maiden is the sort who doesn't realize there are perfectly elegant women right here in Umbar.." She gives a big, slow grin.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"Indeed," adds the scribe. "We are better than any tree-monkeys, as the Lady Mara referred to them." She grins again. "Wipe them out entirely, and not worry about it any further, aside from perhaps claiming their treasure for our own."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri quirks a smile at the name of tree monkey for elves. "Well, there is an issue of, we actually don't know whats beyond the ocean, they go beyond the known waters, and to what? We should sail to it, and kill them in their paradise.." he mutters.

[Suhayla(#16877)] "Why hate them?" Suhayla wonders, knowing nothing of elves really beyond what little was once described to her of their appearance. "Is that all they are good for, dead?" she asks them both. "Do we deserve paradise more than they?" the courtesan muses. "And- more importantly- do they really live in trees?"

[Tasnim(#16424)]
Tasnim frowns. "I do not know," answers the girl to both her companions. "They are strange and mysterious...the combination seems to arouse fear, and uncertainty, at least for me. But, they do not seem to like the Great One...surely His enemies should likewise be our enemies?"

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's eyes flash with madness for a moment, as if he hears a distant call upon the winds. "The elves are the brethen to the Uruk of Mordor, faint images of true power, who have convinced men, they are superior to them. Do we not use the Uruk as our slaves, as fodder for our designs? So should elves be used, for they cause doubt and fear into the heart of our brothers, and turned them to worship mortal heroes, who tried to kill the Dark Lord of Mordor! They have cast blood in the waters, and stirred them, to cause confusion and cloud judgement in lands like Gondor. Now they begin to feel their noose tighten, and they flee this world, going to places not of our reality, a land in which in stranger aeons, even death may die, a land promised to those who follow the true God of this world, the Dark Lord of Mordor! They damned the Uruks to their unholy forms, with their dissident beliefs! They caused the tribes of men to war and kill each other! They are a source of vile unpleasentness, and they seek to rob us all of our free wills, and bind us to the beliefs in their archaic magic and it's ...ill outcomes, which have damned them to worshipping paltry trinkets of old!" he says with overwhelming strength in his tone.

[Suhayla(#16877)] Suhayla is, for once, very quiet, with no witty remark to be offered or idle caress, instead seeming deep in thought about all that Sindri has just said. She walks in silence a few moments more, then looks at Tasnim and begins to grin, asking her, "Are you writing all this down, scribe?" Yet she means it in no disrespectful way.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
There follows a minute during which the girl does not speak, eyes blinking, and mouth slightly agape as she listens to the unexpected sermon. "Oh my," she sighs at last after the woman's comment, glancing sadly at the tablet that Suhayla bears. "I should have brought along a few spare tablets or scrolls to write that down on. I shall try and remember what you have said, so I can do so later. It will be a proud contribution to the Citadel's library."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri grins a bit at this demand for writing his words down at the end of his speech. "I'm sure some one has managed to write down a similiar speech in some sacred text." He says, gently squeezing Suhayla's waist. "Besides, I suspect, they'd some how find it wanting, or heretical, because priests always do that if you happen to say some thing more truthful, and of convincing intellect, then they."

[Suhayla(#16877)] "Well, I am no priest, nor am I incapable of recognizing greatness and intellect.." Suhayla murmurs, her large, expressive eyes smiling at Sindri with her approval. "Do you often record his speeches?" she asks of Tasnim, being rather interested in her new friends of the Citadel, where she mostly keeps to herself while at Farside.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"A pity for them then," replies Tasnim. "Let the priests feel jealous, if they will. Many of them are arrogant and haughty. They flap their tongues, but fail to grasp the true meaning of their own texts." She turns her gaze back up toward Sindri. "I would still wish to document your speech, if you do not mind?"

An inclination of her head to Suhayla, and Tasnim pulls her headscarf closer against the cold night. "I have had the opportunity to write down one of his 'mantras' before."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri looks towards Tasnim when Suhayla questions her about recording his sermons. "I could have entered the priesthood, then every thing I say, would be held with utmost regard, given the circumstances of my birth." he says quietly to Suhayla.

[Suhayla(#16877)] In contrast to Tasnim, Suhayla wears no scarf at all, her hair blown back from her face in the breeze her long dark curls smell faintly of jasmine. "What circumstances were those?" Suhayla asks Sindri in a solemn tone to match his, though she's unable to keep curiosity out of her voice as well.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"They are most unique circumstances," mentions Tasnim, but leaving Sindri to explain his story. "Yes," she then says to the man, "you would have made a good priest. He is convincing, is he not, Suhayla? Surely there would be no lacking a group of loyal followers, or apprentices even."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's eyes flash with amusement again, and delight, he likes his ego to be so finely stroked and toyed. "My mother was a priestess of the tower, and there is no known father, save that the Dark Lord him self. A virgin birth as it were, and my mother disappeared shortly after, and Lady Mara took care of me." he says.

[Suhayla(#16877)] "Virgins. Hmmm." Suhayla murmurs as though it's a foreign concept to her. "That is quite...miraculous? I think is the word that describes it. You are a remarkable man indeed," she says lightly- but something in her eyes when she looks at him says that she appreciates this on a deeper level. Then she looks across to Tasnim. "He is convincing I'm surprised he hasn't got more followers already, in fact..is that what you are, Tasnim?" Suhayla leans against Sindri a little more even as they walk, and laughs, "I suppose it was my good fortune tonight when we crossed paths, mm?"

[Tasnim(#16424)]
The young Haradrim flashes another broad smile. "No doubt the priests would be jealous, nor do I doubt that some of them are at this very moment. A union with the Eye is the utmost honor...and you seem to have accomplished this in some way effortlessly--verily through your very existence."

The girl gives a small nod to the other lady's question. "Being a follower makes it easier to document the things he says, doesn't it? But, yes, there is something about his sayings...a hidden light in them, perhaps?" Tasnim redirects her grin toward the man.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri looks towards Tasnim with an expression thats rather curious. "Shouldn't you follow the Eye, and not a mere servant of the Eye, least ill fortune falls upon you?" he playfully chastizes her before looking back upon Suhayla. "You perhaps, should leave your..current profession, seek to join the Citadel, you could like Tasnim, be a scribe, or petition to be allowed to join the order of Priests." He says quietly, but also adds "Or perhaps, you could become a tool of his will, and train to kill in his name, for his honor."

[Suhayla(#16877)] "You must misunderstand me, Sindri," Suhayla says suddenly, very softly. The tone of her voice is something like warm fingers running down bare skin. "I was not born in this body to merely be a scribe- nor, with a woman's fragile frame, to be a killer. But what I do gives tribute and honor to the Dark Lord all the same. You must know little of me...and what I can achieve, close to divinity. Why else would Umbar's finest be willing to give me so much of their hard-won money? I believe in the Dark Lord's cause, but I am doing what I was certainly meant to...though perhaps words aren't enough to make you believe me." After all that said, Suhayla is rather quiet.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
The scribe purses her lips, but then she quickly peers skyward, as though suddenly afraid of some imminent danger. "Shh!" she hisses urgently to Sindri, looking quite serious. "I did not mean it that way, of course...now hush, lest He very well hear you. By follower I meant the same as you yourself would listen to Lady Mara. Certainly the Dark Lord is my Master."

The girl appears rather flustered after this, and her nervousness is perceptible even in the darkness her free hand goes about its habit of fiddling with the beads of her necklaces. "We must all do our part to serve Him," Tasnim breaths to Suhayla. "Healing is just as important as the blade. If it were not for the healers, then our wounded would never return to their battles against the Stonelanders."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's voice rings with confidence at his next sermon as it were. "You speak as if sleeping with them, and giving paltry coin to the Citadel is equal to working in his name, for his will. You shouldn't fear failing, for there is no failing, as long as you come to us, and accept the duties given to you. Do you enjoy being the play thing of drunken men, and forced to worry about an unwanted child every night?" he asks Suhayla, attacking her profession, but with sympathy in his tone. "You should give up such things, and petition to Lady Mara, to be taken in as a Priestess." He insists quietly.

[Suhayla(#16877)] Suhayla halts their walking for just a moment, a little pause as she stamps her foot hard against the ground in its sandal. "I am -not- the plaything of any drunk. You sound so ignorant, you- have you never known the pleasures of...?" she stops, considering Sindri again and wondering in silence. "Before you attack me and what I do again, I would ask something of you. If I may." Her calm and level gaze waits.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
Clink, clink go the beads as Tasnim slows to a stop as the other woman does, and her eyes flicker back and forth between the two, watching the exchange in silence. A door slams nearby, and she jumps slightly, ere resuming her observance of the situation.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri slows to a stop and looks at Suhayla as she begins her little tangent with an amused smirk on his lips. "I have." He says concerning the pleasures, he can have many girls given his position with in the Citadel, being so close to Lady Mara and all. "But go on, ask your question, though it may disappoint you.."

[Suhayla(#16877)] Suhayla shakes her head at him. "You may be wise, but you might be the most arrogant man I've ever met," she tells him, speaking exactly what she thinks. She holds up one finger as she says, "One night. Spend one night with me, before you ever criticize what I do again. And if you find it be sufficiently lacking, and you truly believe I could serve the Dark Lord better elsewhere, even after...well then, I will be forced to consider it, because you are closer to him and must know these things better. Otherwise, don't speak ill of what I do."

[Tasnim(#16424)]
The girl's cheeks color a little bit, as she realizes Suhayla is not refering to healing as her profession. "I should-I think that," she starts, struggling to make her words come out correctly. "It is late, that is clear. Again, thank you for offering to see it delivered," Tasnim says to the woman, and she indicates the tablet. "Also, I thank you both for your company, but I'd better return before someone begins to wonder." She gives a small smile, and begins heading south.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's dances mischieviously as he watches Tasnim and her embarassment grow to epic proportions. "The Scribe who can't stand the thought of nudity and a man pleasuring her." He says, gently releases Tasnim's hand. "You have fun back at the Citadel dealing with boring old men then!" He says before turning his attention to Suhayla's face again. "You realize, you are damned to follow me to the Citadel already?" he teases.

[Suhayla(#16877)] "I- I'm sorry, Tasnim!" Suhayla calls after the fleeing girl, realizing how she must have been embarassed when she realized what all the talk was about. "Oh, poor girl," she says with a rush of sympathy. And that leaves her alone once more with Sindri in the middle of a dark street. "Oh, is that so?" she asks him lightly, grinning. "How do you figure?"

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri laughs quietly at Tasnim's retreating, it sounds sincere, and given the somber tones of tonight's discourse, it may seem out of place. "Alas harlot, you will find in me, and a conquest no mortal can claim, though I will not deny there is pleasure, I will tell you, right now, the soft caress of his words admist the hallowed grounds of your mind, will make it seem the sweetest lover, was stagnant."

[Suhayla(#16877)] "Harlot!" Suhayla exclaims, and glowers at him, "I grow increasingly weary of your insults. I offend you that greatly with my existence?" she arches a slender brow. "Your words are beautiful, but...my offer still stands. You cannot keep insulting that which you know nothing of. Which is to say- perhaps you know whores, but you don't know me. And you speak as though I were not already pure in my thoughts for the Dark Lord."

Sindri lets his body draw closer to hers, and he lets his free hand touch her belly as his eyes dance in madness. "You invite his Son to plant with in you, life, for his service?" he asks, seeing if she's visibly disturbed by the madness in his eyes, which are those of his father, when he yet walked in a mortal form.