<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/d/dc/Arouj.jpg)<br/><strong>Name:</strong> Arouj al-Qadir (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=141932.msg6401727#msg6401727)<br/><strong>Location:</strong> The Blue Iguana<br/><strong>Languages:</strong> English, Arabic<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong> Govad, Mary, open<br/></div><br/><br/>Arouj was having difficulty deciding whether this was the most marvelous night he'd ever had, or the worst. Precious gems all around but thus far no opportunity to cut them the way he wanted: slowly, with great precision and attention paid to their unique qualities. Portions of his anatomy ached. He adjusted himself with one hand while the other gripped the handle of his heater until his knuckles went pale. It was not a good time to talk business.<br/><br/>He approached Mary from behind as she stood boldly in front of the drunken captain. Next to her was the beer-loving sailor. Not far off, the captain's other men hovered with their jittery slave. Everything felt wrong – dangerously wrong – but it was too late to withdraw now. He could not lose the little rabbit or the white bird. His right hand fell heavily on Mary's shoulder.<br/><br/>“I am Arouj al-Qadir and my boy is rather outspoken.” He studied the other men with naked suspicion. “I've seen fifteen years on the sea and if god guides my blade I will see fifteen more. Whatever your business may be, I will spill blood for your colors alone. And if the boy does not prove his worth I will slit his throat and send him over the side myself. A fair offer, captain?”<br/><br/>His fingers dug under Mary's collarbone as he smiled politely at the swaying infidel.<br/>