*whispers back, when I realize I'm not being heard by our escort*<br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 8pt;">"Oh no, I was wondering what their position on torture was.  Quite effective, I would say.  Much more effective than the crude methods in my country.  Those books had me wanting to rip my own eyes out rather than wait for some torturer to come around to do it."</span><br/><br/>*cheerfully smiles at our escort, and continues to walk with my hands down in front of my long metal-disk embossed skirt, now noticing the other harem girl as well*<br/><br/>"Very pleased to meet you, Aisha.  You are a new harem girl for this new Empress?  Well, I can see she doesn't mess about.  Has her priorities straight, that one.  Clear out all the vipers from their nest on the very first day and then gets her entertainment sorted before some inept assistant can jump in and botch the whole thing.  I like this Eclypsia.  Plus the free show at the end of the speech ought to make any assassin think twice before getting any ideas.  Very shrewd.  I'll bet the idiot scholars all around her must be wringing their hands with worry regarding that one!"  *laughs*<br/><br/>"Oh, but Baalther take me, I didn't catch you lovely friend's name."  *glancing at Aisha's companion, the other dancing girl*<br/><br/>