9889/Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights
Date of Scene:	03 November 2019
Location:	Somewhere in Turkey, 1753
Synopsis:	Amanda infiltrates a sultan's harem in Turkey to rob him, and ends up meeting Hercules the legend. And getting more than she bargined for!
Cast of Characters:	Amanda Deveraux, Hercules

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Amanda Deveraux has posed:
1753: Turkey, about 40 kilometers south of what will become Ankara. A local sultan has just taken a new group of dancers to his harem, not knowing that among them is a thief. And that this thief is an immortal who has been perfecting her craft for almost 900 years.

Wearing the veil, head scarf and traditional silks, Amanda blends in well with her brown eyes. Her complexion is a bit light for the desert people, but the silks hide that. She is brought to the harem chamber, not knowing that the sultan has another visitor today as well.

Hercules has posed:
    The massive Olympian God stands before the sultan, his arms crossed over his broad and muscled chest. What was being discussed before Amanda was brought to the chamber of the harem, along with the other dancers, wasn't entirely clear. But the sultan seemed to be most nervous, and was nearly cowering in his rather ornate chair, whilst the large figure of the Olympian God of Strength loomed over him.

    "Your assassins failed in their task. They never really came close to harming me, either, for I am the mighty Hercules, son of Zeus." He pauses. "You might not have sent them had you known that, I would wager."

    Those long, strong arms unfold and fall to his sides, where they are balled into tight fists. "Foolish mortal. You don't know the affairs of which you are tampering with. I meant no harm to the people of these lands. I couldn't care less about the unscrupulous affairs that you and your people were up to on the coast. I was merely passing through."

    He takes a step forward. "But now I must take an interest. How many innocents have you had killed simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? How am I to know that you won't continue that behavior?"

    The large Olympian looks up just in time to see the dancers brought in. As soon as he sees them, his angry visage softens a bit, and a smile begins to pluck away at his hardened face.

Amanda Deveraux has posed:
One of the dancers glances over towards the hulking Olympian. Actually more than one. And who can really blame them for -not- noticing such a specimen. Amanda has -heard- of the Mighty Hercules, of course, but until now had never seen him directly.

The new dancers are led away, and more than a few of then let out carefully-controlled sighs. It would not do for word to reach the sultan that some in his harem have wandering eyes.

Back in the audience chamber, the sultan notices a change in his guest. Being observant and clever are two traits he credits to his success... the unfortunate matter of the assassins not withstanding. But the Greek has an eye for the ladies. Yes. This is very good. An opportunity.

Rising to address his guest (something which is never done!), the sultan smiles broadly and gives a sweeping gesture towards the departing ladies. "A misunderstanding, of course! And a regrettable one at that!" No, he does not deny the assassins at least. "But rather than have you -bore- yourself with our local affairs, perhaps I could offer some manner of recompense as a manner of repayment?"

Hercules has posed:
    "What could you offer? I have gold already. Moreso than everyone in these lands combined, yourself included." He has yet to take his eyes off the dancers, even as some of them are whisked away. After a moment of looking each of them over, a lingering glance is laid upon Amanda, before the Olympian turns his gaze back to the Sultan.

    "It is forbidden for me to interfere upon your affairs. While I am known to go against my father's wishes at times, I do so very judiciously." He pauses. "What can you provide that might stay my hand? I am not one to bribe, but I am at the very least curious as to what you might be willing to provide in order to escape justice."

Amanda Deveraux has posed:
    The sultan's smile remains as the Olympian's wandering gaze confirms his initial supicions. He claps his hands twice, firmly and loudly. The parade of dancers halts, and Amanda fights back a few choice words in French under her breath.

    "Behold! The newest women for my harem! From as far north as Gaul and as far east as Persia." He gestures broadly once more and the new dancers are hustled forward into a line. Each girl has her own color combination, with Amanda's being blue and gold.

    "Choose, my friend! As my honored guest you should enjoy my -proper- hospitality, beginning with the honor of my harem."

    Amanda manages not to roll her eyes at the 'generous' offer, and she does mutter beneath the veil. <Merde... bon dieu>

Hercules has posed:
    Seemingly fortunate enough for her, Hercules does not notice the mutterings of Amanda. He casts a suspicious glance at the sultan, but then turns to look upon the offering of the girls. Yes, it was true. Hercules did have an eye for the ladies. It was almost as well known as his ridiculously high levels of strength and his desire for a good time.

    Unfortunately for Amanda, however... he still had his eyes set upon her, whether he had heard her or not. "Alright. I suppose this offering will do, although I do not deal with slaves. Whomever I choose will be a willing participant... or they shall be allowed their freedom to leave and I will make sure that noone gets in their way." A warning, sort of, which is spoken out towards the sultan.

    The Olympian nods his head in confirmation, and makes a slight pointing gesture towards Amanda. "That one."

    He then steps toward her so he does not need to speak too loudly. "What is your name, lovely woman? No doubt you already know who I am..."

Amanda Deveraux has posed:
    The sultan gestures magnanimously towards the line of women, then. "Not slaves, of course! All of these are -honored- to be here, I assure you."

    Amanda's big, brown eyes meet the Olympian's evenly at first, unlike many of the others who avert their eyes immediately. Whoops! She corrects but half a moment late.

    In a soft voice she replies to the Olympian. "I am called Aergul. And we have all heard of your might."

Hercules has posed:
    Hercules smiles warmly as soon at the contact of eyes meeting his own. He shifts a bit, stepping slowly closer to her. The eye contact reassures him, despite her quickly looking away. He was used to that, however. Many people he has encountered are nervous to look so evenly upon the Divine, even though her would personally never judge them for doing so.

    "Aergul. A lovely name, surely." He smiles. "If you are as honored as he claims you are, then I would be equally as honored to have your company." For now, it would seem the sultan was forgotten.

Amanda Deveraux has posed:
    Amanda, or Aergul, manages to keep her eyes averted as a long string of French profanity runs through her mind. No, this really wasn't how she planned on spending the evening although she certainly knew the risk. (She had exactly 1 chance in 25 of being singled out as the 'lucky' one tonight.)

    Smiling beneath the veil, brown eyes flicker upward towards the Olympian and she dips a little in formal response. "The honor would be mine, good sir."

    The sultan's jewels will have to wait until the is finished with the Olympian, apparently. Best to play along and be a good little dancer in the mean time.

    "Excellent!" the sultan roars, arms sweeping wide. He claps his hands again. "Show our guest and his prize to the finest chambers!"

Hercules has posed:
    Hercules lets his gaze linger upon her for a moment as her fellow dancers are ushered out of the room. He looks up away from her for a moment as the last one is ushered out, and a rotund, elderly man approaches to lead them. "Please, right this way, Hercules. The Sultan has has granted you the use of his finest bedchamber. It is bigger and more luxorious than even his own personal chambers." This was obviously a lie, one that Hercules picks up on easily. He chooses not to call him out on it though.

    After a short walk, they are led to what is indeed a very large and fancy room. Complete with all sorts of furniture and decorations. A balcony overlooks the city. A large four post bed with a rather impressive silk cover dominates the center of the room. There is also a small table with some chairs, and a rather large and ornate couch.

    They are led in, and the door shut behind them without further word. Footfalls echoing down the hall would indicate that they are, indeed, alone.

Amanda Deveraux has posed:
    Amanda walks along, with the excort between her and the large Olympian... careful to stay two steps behind and to the left as is proper. Once they are alone in the chamber she pads very deliberately towards the center of the large, open room.

    Her outer attire is a long, silken robe of blue to match the head scarf and veil. "Be comfortable, my lord. Allow me to dance for you."

    And so the night begins...