<div class="floatleft">(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/Jagwaar/Shazadi%201a_zpsql8ohgqw.jpg)</div><hr/><strong>Name:</strong>Shazadi<br/><strong>Race/Culture:</strong>Jinn-Blooded Bedu<br/><strong>Location:</strong>The Thirteen Monkeys Coffee House<br/><strong>Day/Time:</strong>Yaus al-Niwt (Day of Houses), Amt (first month) of Alak Paret (Harvest Season), Mid-Morning<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Rashid, Open<br/><hr/><br/>Shaza laughed as the dates danced in Rashid’s hands, but more so at the way he managed to continue to praise her while simultaneously managing to downplay his own import in the world, as if a man that could navigate his way through the great Sand Sea and safely guide others through its shifting dunes were anything short of miraculous. “<em>That</em>is the Rashid I remember,” she remarked with a wry grin, “ever too humble for his own good.”<br/><br/>As she listened to him weave his tale, Shazadi sipped her coffee and gave him her undivided attention, grateful for such a fine companion to share such things with. She marveled at his story, eyes widening at the idea of traveling with a group of people who didn’t value the fine taste of coffee, the beauty of a masterfully crafted, well told story, or – most shocking of all – women who valued their purity above the pursuit of pleasure. Such things were almost unfathomable to her, for whom the quest and experience of all kinds of pleasure was the very reason for living, and not simply because it pleased her Goddess. But Rashid’s clever impersonation of his employers had her chuckling along with him, and she did not move away as he settled in beside her, instead leaning into his strong shoulder with an easy familiarity. “My poor Rashid,” she said with genuine sympathy and a little amusement, curling up beside him. “However did you cope?” Especially with no lovely ladies to share his bed. Add to that his employer’s unwillingness to seek out any of the desert’s treasures and the trip must surely have bored the man to tears. No wonder he was now seeking out other experiences.<br/><br/>Shazadi laughed softly. “Are you looking to change your allegiances Rashid, and follow my Lady, perhaps?” she teased, aware that his eyes were drinking her in as surely as the man himself was imbibing his coffee. “I find myself in Sha’ib for much the same reason,” she added, taking another sip as he went on with his tale. “Today especially, since it is Tamarni’s holy day. Today of all days, I must indulge.” Her copper eyes sparkled playfully.<br/><br/>“I’ve seen so very few of those ancient places,” Shazadi admitted, marveling that he had found yet another of the great cities buried under the desert. “Truly, you are blessed by Upuaut, my friend.”  But as conversation turned towards her own activities, she simply waved a long fingered hand in the air before reaching for another date.<br/><br/>“You know I go where the Goddess takes me,” Shaza explained.” Highborn or low, city or desert, tribe or clan, I follow Her will.” She slipped the dried fruit between her lips and chewed thoughtfully. “Though, I did honor a request from the Sheikhah Fayruz of the Abraha tribe, and spent some time at the Oasis of Dreams. Somehow, the lady Fayruz came to know of my Gift, and so wished to have me use it to look into one or two matters of import, though this did not please the wizir handmaiden that serves as her bodyguard. Though the Sheikah was a gracious and hospitable host I’m glad to be out from under her the watchful eye of her dark and somber shadow.” She lifted her cup towards Rashid.<br/><br/>“Your company is<em>far</em>more welcome, I assure you.”<br/>