<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/>Only a handful of minutes passed while Shaza waited for the plucky young capuchin to return with her coffee. All the while, she made herself comfortable, reclining further into the plush pillows after arranging them to her satisfaction. By the time Jamal came scampering back to her table with his tail curled around the handle of her cup, held high above the customers as she slipped between the tables, she was lounging back against across several cushions, enjoying the sight of Nadal’s well trained staff as well as the delicious aroma of the brewing coffee.<br/><br/>“Thank you, Jamal,” she said, smiling at the monkey as he deftly set her steaming cup on the low round table. Reaching into her belt, she produced two small coins and placed them into the capuchin’s outstretched hand. “Thank your master for me, and ask him if he would exchange this coin, for a bowl of dates.” Reaching out, she pointed to the image of the lovely medjools on the coffeehouse’s menu, and chuckled as the monkey ran to do as she asked. Picking up the cup, she stared down into the dark brown liquid, closing her kohled eyes as she inhaled deeply, savoring the rich sent. “Mother, I give thanks for the blessing of this coffee and the plants that gave their lives to make it, my brothers and sisters, and for the water that is life. May it strengthen and refresh me, and above all, bring me pleasure and through me, You.” Prayers complete, Shazadi opened her eyes and took a sip of the strong, spiced drink, relishing the flavor of the coffee as it flowed across her tongue and sailed down her throat to warm her belly. And when she looked up from her cup, a smile growing on her lips, it was to see a sight even more pleasant than the flavor of the delicious coffee; an old and welcome friend approaching her table.<br/><br/>Shazadi couldn’t help but grin at the praise the man heaped upon her, chuckling softly as he bowed with the grace of a dancer, which she supposed he was, in a manner of speaking. “Rashid, your tongue as is sweet as ever,” she replied, nodding and gesturing with one graceful hand at the empty seat next to her. “Please, join me. Have you just returned to the city? I did not See you within the walls. But then again, my night was full of hopefuls looking for information or solace.” Placing a slight emphasis on the word, she knew he would be aware of her meaning. “I swear, they know I’m back in town at least an hour before I arrive these days.”<br/><br/>Accepting the polite kiss transferred through the medium of his fingers, Shadazi moved closer to her friend as he settled himself next to her, smiling warmly at his words, conveyed with more genuine feeling and in a voice more suited for private conversation. Smiling again, she waited for Rashid to order his drink, accepting the bowl of dates from the returning Jamal in the process, setting the bowl between them before speaking. “You are too generous with your praises, as always, Rashid. But my heart is glad to see you.” Never one to be shy, Shaza picked up one of his hands in her own, the ink on the back and on her fingers a stark contrast his, and turned it over in her hand. Bending down, she placed a soft kiss in the center of his palm, letting her lips linger there as she held his hand in place before releasing it to look up into his face. “As you said, it has been far too long since we have seen each other, and my day is far more pleasant now for having run into you.”<br/><br/>Releasing his hand, she reached for one of the dates, nodding towards them in the process. “Will you share my little breakfast?” she asked, taking a bit of the dried fruit. “And then, tell me what brings you back to Sha’ib, and more importantly, of your latest adventures. What have you been up to, my friend?”<br/>