<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 Crimson Palace (con't from The Thirteen Monkeys)<br/><strong>Day/Time:</strong>Yaus al-Niwt (Day of Houses), Amt (first month) of Alak Paret (Harvest Season), Late Morning<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Rashid<br/><hr/><br/>“Are you saying that I’m<em>not</em>presentable now?” Shazadi shot back over her shoulder, glancing up at Rashid with a twinkle in her eyes, even brighter now that the sun caught them from time to time as they stepped between the brightly colored canopies. “The Crimson Palace is a finely appointed establishment, even if the clerics of the city would prefer it didn’t exist. They think it encourages bad behavior,” she said, leaning in close to whisper in his ear. “But the truth is that the owners, a brother and sister of some esteem simply meet the needs of their customers in many and diverse ways. Not only can one wash away the desert dust and then soak their cares away. There are steam rooms, a hot room and cold rooms, and if all of those are not enough, you can take a massage at the hands of their talented masseuses and let them work the aches and pains away before soaking in one of the two baths, filled with spring fed waters, one public and the other … more private and dedicated to … extended cleaning.” She inhaled deeply and smiled at the memory. “And there are musicians and singers, incense and dancers to entertain. All in all, it is an entirely sensual experience.<br/><br/>Arm in arm, they traversed the length of the bazaar, ignoring the calls of the merchants seeking to entice them to their booths to buy their wares. For the moment, Shazadi’s attention was focused entirely on Rashid and the way he focused on her as they walked. There were always ample opportunities for her to share the beds of others wherever she traveled. Tamarni saw to that through the Gifts she had blessed her with, her propensity to indulge herself in a handsome face, a gifted musician or a talented storyteller and the various permissions She placed on her followers. So, it hadn’t been that long since she’d shared another’s bed. But it had been a very long time since she’d done so with someone that cared about her, and she them. Someone that knew her and what she liked, who would seek to please her from a sincere desire to do so, rather than to impress her. That act alone was enough to make Shazadi walk faster, and bring vivid images of the long lines of Rashid’s muscles to mind as she watched him move beside her.<br/><br/>Soon the baths came into view, and Shazadi escorted Rashid up the steps and into the building, where they met the attendants who received them with grace and gratitude, asking them their preferences and where they wanted to begin. Passing over several coins, Shazadi smiled and said, “At the beginning of course, in the relaxation room. My friend has never been here, and I want to be sure he experiences everything you have to offer.” Turning to Rashid, she rose up on her toes to press a gentle kiss on his cheek. “I’ll meet you there once I’ve changed.”<br/><br/>Following one of the female attendants, Shazadi wandered off to store her clothes and belongings and wrap herself in a fine linen towel, the better to stretch out on the tile in the heated relaxation room.<br/><br/>