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Anneke returns to Lazaro's side when he beckons her. "Very well, I will hang the tapestries that my mistresses have sent for the tournament as time allows. I will also see that the guests are greeted and serevd as they arrive."
Anneke glances from Lazaro and back to the stump at the end of her right arm. "Don't fret for me too much. This misfortune, I have brought upon myself. I sought to make slaves of free Chelaxians, so it is only appropriate that I should feel the slave's yoke myself. Perhaps someday, far from now, I shall again sail the seas, feel the wind upon my face, and walk the shores of my homeland, but again, those things are far from now."
Shade, may I interest you in some food. Maybe a drink? So tell me my friends will you be participating in our tournament?
He takes a drink from his ever present wine glass.
(the shade declines the food politely and appreciates the offer; unfortunately he may not have the time to participate in the current events properly, so he shall stand in the back and watch silently)
(now, that's saying a lot with a simple nod!)
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Sensing the shade's intentions from his curt nod, Anneke rises, bows again, and backs away from him. With all of the guests properly served barbecue and wine, Anneke begins to hang the tapestries donated to the event by House Ederus.
The heavy red and black works display state symbols, hunting scenes, and fugitive slaves being torn apart by dog and devil alike.
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<<wanders by with some barbeque of, errr, dubious origin>>
Oh, such lovely tapestries. Reminds me of home. I should have brought some of my sculptures. My 'Two Ghouls in Love' would look nice here.
<<looks at plate>>I have to have this recipe. It is really tasty.
Are all the events at the Asmodeus Cup physical? Will there be any events to test one's arcane metal?
<<eyes the slave>>Lass, would you happen to have anything to wash this down with?
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Anneke, struggling to hold up a tapestry with her handless right forearm while getting the hanger in place with her one good hand, shoots a curious smile in Lazaro's direction. 'Never have I met such an oddly pleasant, helpful even, Chelaxian,' she thinks to herself beofre saying simply, "thank you."
Taking note of the newly arrived wizard, Anneke steps down from the stool that she had used to gain adequate height for hanging the tapestries. She makes her way quickly and quietly to a serving station and returns to Klaus's table with a decanter of wine nestled in her right arm and a galss in her left hand. Placing the glass before the man and filling it carefully with a rich, red wine, she says, "your wine honored master."
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Anneke smiles at Klaus's compliment, comfortable with the fact that the man has made no move at all to help. 'And why should he,' she thinks to herself, 'after all he is master and I am slave.'
Anneke returns her attention to Lazaro, hopeful that Klaus will not chasten her for talking whilst she works. "A paladin of Aroden, eh? How did your brother happen upon that dying, er, dead faith?"
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Well we, he gets it from our late father. Our father was a worshipper of Aroden, as was his father. He passed that faith on to us. My brother though took his devotion very seriously.
*SIGH
Some people say that since he shows the grace of Aroden, that Aroden truely isn't dead. Others say it is merely a gift from Asomedues. Personally I think it is sheer faith. Faith can move mountains...
*His voice trails off, and his mood becomes suddenly dark.
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Anneke quickly and quietly makes her way to the comfortable chair where Samir now sits. She kotows and touches her forehead to his slippers, askin, "how may I serve you this evening honored master?"
Anneke is a tall, unhealthily thin, Ulfen woman. She barefoot and clad in only a slave's smock. A heavy iron band rings her neck.
Samir might notice her stealing curious glances at his sitar.
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Anneke quickly finishes hanging the last of the red and black tapestries, then hurriedly makes her way to Radavel, not wanting to leave him waiting for too long. Anneke kotows low before the man and presses her forehead to his shoes. "Welcome honored master. How may I serve you this evening?"
<Waves the off the Bow>
Call me by my name. We try to be informal here, as well as, infernal.
We need to brainstorm of the rules for the planned events though.
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The organizing committee has already decided on the Jousting and Melee Events. I am however thinking of an spellcaster chess event. We might also have an entertainment contest, for the artistically- inclined.
Spellcaster chess? What's that my friend?
*Though a smile adorns his face, the dark scowl remains.
"I think an entertainment competition would be lovely. Perhaps I could even, er, no, nevermind..."
*Laz raises an eyebrow
What is it, Anneke?
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Anneke takes Lazaro's hand and follows him to the sofa. Rather than sitting beside Lazaro, she assumes a comfortable, cross-legged position on the floor at his feet. "I suppose if I were to compete, I would tell a story, maybe about my rise and fall. It's suitably tragic, don't you think?" she asks using her left index finger to trace invisible designs on the sole of her left foot.
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I think your story would do well in the event.
*He watches as she traces designs on her foot. He wants to sit beside her, but knows it's best not to push it.
I personally don't know if I'll compete yet or not. I've never had a skill for combat, nor the spoken word.
*SIGH
*He casually lays on the couch, facing Anneke.
Anneke, have you ever wondered what you would be doing if you weren't here? Or what you would do if you were free?
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Anneke shifts her position on the floor so that she is face to face with Lazaro. "Interesting questions? I'm not sure my answers will live up to their quality? I suppose, that if I were not here, I would still be on my ship, surrounded by my father's warriors, my warrior's, sailing, fighting, raiding, plundering. If I were free, but still here in Absalom, I'd probably be doing mercenary work. You should have seen me before I was captured. I had muscles," Anneke squeezes her long, thin arm as if to illustrate the amount of muscle mass she has lost since becoming a slave, "and a sword, a two-handed sword." She can't suppress a light chuckle at that.
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*Anneke's chuckling causes Laz to chuckle a bit
I don't know what I would do if I weren't here. I see the town everyday from a small cramped room, filled with papers. I look out and wonder...why can't I be one of those people walking about. Not a care in the world.
What a drag
*sigh
*He reaches down into his belt poch and retrieves his Harrow deck. He takes the top card off and looks at it. The Cyclone.
It's always the Cyclone. Every since he passed away, this card has followed me.
What a drag.
*He places the card back into the deck, and puts the cards aside.
I have to say. You really have been a boost in my gloomy day.
*He places a hand on Annekes chin, before he gently kisses her forehead.
Thank the gods for you showing up.
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Anneke sits quietly, almost meekly, as Lazaro kisses her forehead. Hundreds of questions are racing through her mind, but she can only ask one at a time. "What does the cyclone mean?"
*He sits quietly for a moment trying to remember of the card.
If my father was here he would know. This is his deck after all. But of I'm right, which I'm probably not, it means destruction and cataclysm. But like most cards it can have a reverse meaning as well.
Again if my father was here he would know.