The Hunt

[Jay Carpenter]

The tapping of a cane preceeded the anonymous voice serving to herald the coming of every pair. But this was not the palace in Bandar Eban where long lists of titles, accolades, and claims perked the ears of those on baited breath to see who whould next sweep into their company. Few turned from their conversations upon the entrance of this or that Lord and Lady. Most were lowborn anyway, there to the serve highborns holding their oaths. At least many from among those names Jai recognized. He made a point to not learn identities where possible when it came to Arad Doman. Anywhere really. Still, all together, there were not so many as to comfortably disappear in the crowd. So Jai remained where he was. The wolves may be circling, but at least he had the vantage to watch every one. For a long time, his socializing extended only with those rare servants dipping trays of pepper-laden tidbits his way. But they walked away disappointed. The top of Jai's mouth was still not quite right. Those deliverying refills, however, found an eager customer for whatever they were serving.

Of the gold faces he recognized, he quickly picked out the three who would be the object of the day's hunt. Not literally, of course, but the hint of a grin wishfully painted a target on more than one back. Unfortunately, one of the wolves mistook his entertained expression and braved the chance to break away. She took her time about it, but was apparently keen on making sure every facet of her figure beneath her misty, opaque slip of a dress could be appreciated by her audience. And sweet as honey, she seethed her taunt while folding herself on the cushion next to him.

"I am suspicious, Asha'man that you have used the One Power to draw me over. I do not think I may resist much longer."


Jai's brows lifted innocently as he leaned closer to share his secret.

"May I share, Lady Rahkal?"
Pleased at how her lips parted in excitement, Jai guided her close enough so to figuratively transport the pair of them from this buzzing room toward someplace far more private. She really was lovely with her eyes glinting with so much anticipation. But those eyes were empty.

"If I wanted you closer, I'd need not but my bare hands and a smile."
He smirked rather than smile at her increasing pace of breathing and leaned away, satisfied with the delivery of his sarcasm. Hands tucked purposefully far from her grasp. The Lady was beautiful, but dimwitted, and likely she'd never understand so backhanded a comment.

Then it seemed his singled out attention attracted another brave wolf. This one's dulcet voice filtered close as she also folded herself into the cushions. This time on his other side. Jai slowly turned toward her.

"Pleasant to see you again, Asha'man. And you as well, Lady Rahkal. I believe your husband wanted a word with you."
One lift of a brow and Nisele's competition was driven away.

Jai wasn't exactly sad to see it go.

Nisele tucked her legs under in a most girlish sort of way. If there was one thing he learned, it was a Domani woman did nothing on accident. But in her close-cropped riding attire, which fit her like a glove, she was most certainly not a girl. From her silk black lashes rimmed in charcoal to her sun-kissed fingers, it was as if Nisele's very warmth was bred for attraction.

"Councilwoman. It is always a pleasure."
While bowing his head, somehow Nisele's hand snaked across his and was pressed to his lips. He smirked at her boldness, but managed to catch a brief glimpse down her line of sight. The parting of shapes revealed the familiar form of their King. Unreadable as ever, Daryen looked back. Well, he couldn't blame her for watching, but did Nisele want him to see? Blasted nobles! They were so bloody stirred up. Jai couldn't imagine a woman at court who hadn't tried every trick to win a permanent place in the king's bed. But driving the man jealous was a creative way to go about it. Well, Jai never said he wouldn't take one for the team. Nisele was one of the three powers to win today.

Suppressing a sigh, he leaned back, snapped them over a pair of drinks to let the show begin and tried not to wonder what happened to Nythadri.

[/color=#b40000]"I had no idea you had a fondness for hunting, my Lady. And what is your game of choice?" [/color]His remark over her attire was met with her glittering laughter. The briefest of touches, the most coy of glances.

"Not hunting. Horses, my dear foreign Asha'man. Surely they have horses in whichever land you hail. Do you not also yearn to ride?"
Jai's smirk broadened in understanding. She had no idea. But it was an easy point to tease: a man with a mysterious past who claims to hail from no country at all, jokes in neutral accent, yet was nearly given away by his extraordinary height. Only a few groups traited such physicality to their sons but so far he was undiscovered. Nisele was brilliant at digging, though. So believeable was her curiosity that he considered whispering his lineage in her ear. But that was one stone he was not yet ready to lose to this board. She wouldn't believe it anyway. Malkier was a myth to most people. Especially in the south.

Their chat continued, and when Nisele thought he looked away, she glanced so predictably across the room to see if Daryen noted their closeness. Jai considered suggesting Daryen just get it over with and bed her. It wasn't as if it would be a chore, considering the partner. Nisele would certainly join their cause then. But anything resembeling committing to one particular woman and Daryen practically panicked.

So Jai was the lucky recipient of her charms for now. Not that he minded. Every curl to her lips and list of her jaw was designed to capture an image - one that magified the Highborn Lady's immense beauty. Such was her skill that she had the power to transform that image into whatever it was she thought the object of her vision desired most. Power? Dominion? Influence? And she would be a wilting flower of submission ready to be conquered. Passion? Darkness? Lust? And she would fulfill every desire a man didn't know he had.

Jai was not immune. Her brush painted a tempting image, after all, but short of direct orders from command, he would do nothing more than lean back and watch her continue to stroke the canvas. Besides, she labored so greatly for a masterpiece.

He scanned the room, half bored and half to give her the chance to pose for Daryen again, and finally found the answer to his earlier thought. This time, Nisele looked down his line of sight and found a girl in the strangest garments she'd ever seen.