|
Lessons to be Learned
Square of Knowledge This is the center of the intellectual community of Esharra, a gathering place for those who delight in scholarly pursuits to gather, discuss and debate on any and every topic conceivable. Institutions of learning surround this square, drawing students and scholars from all over the country and the known world. The square itself is divided into four quadrants, with the customary Esharra gardens dividing them. There is plenty of seating in the square, giving visitors a place to sit and read or to listen to the latest discussion between learned scholars. Podiums dominate each quadrant of the square, and rarely are they left empty. Impressive are the buildings that surround the square. The Library of Esharra, a U-shaped structure, is one of the largest in the known world, with countless volumes on an untold number of subjects. Its smooth-faced exterior rises three stories and is capped with a red tile roof. At the southern end of the square is the University of Esharra, a building that dominates the square and is home to a wealth of knowledge. Twin towers rise up on either side of the long four story building, an exterior very similar to that of the library. Walls separate the grounds of the university from the rest of the square, but the wide gates are open at all hours, providing access to any who wish to learn. In the distance to the east the golden dome of the Lumite temple can be seen, as if floating over the enormous public garden that covers the acres of land between this district of knowledge and that district of faith.
----------------------- IC Time and Weather in Castana ------------------------
Time of Day : Morning
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The morning is bright and clear, marked with a brilliant azure sky that has not a wisp of cloud in sight. A breeze filters through the streets and rustles the leaves of the trees and shrubs, keeping it pleasantly cool despite the warmth of the dazzling sun. In the Square of Knowledge, there is a fair crowd already, though most of the pedestrians are traveling towards the university's gates. One man in particular, garbed in a scarlet coat, is idly seated on a bench with his legs crossed. A book lies open on his lap, and every so often he turns a page in his reading. Nicolas' attention isn't truly centered there, however. Now and again his dark eyes lift up from the fine writing to the passers-by, idly perusing them. Most visitors to the square travel alone or in small groups of two or three. Thus the arrival of a much larger group catches the attention of more than a couple scholars and students as a woman draped in red and gold silk appears the lead the serpentine procession. Her dark hands gesture toward various buildings and the eyes of each member of the group seem to follow her fingers as if they were connected to an invisible string that was controlled by the dark woman's hand. Members of the crowd appear finely attired and most wear the traditional costumes of the Kuredin race in Castana. There is some murmuring among them, but most seem more interested in whatever tidbits of knowledge the tall woman in red and gold is telling them. Trailing a bit behind is a figure in green and gold, her light brown eyes are looking about with the air of the youthfully bored rather than of interest. Toeing at a cobblestone as she passes, she manages to pull it from the mortar, much to her surprise. Glancing about to see if anyone saw, she carefully crouches down and puts it back in its place. By then, the tour has gotten a little ahead of her, so she scurries to keep up. Such a procession does not miss Nicolas' attention. Lifting his head and narrowing his eyes just a touch, the man slowly lays a thin strap of leather across the page of his book to mark his place. Each figure is studied in turn, most met with a bland expression and a registering of disinterest. Well... until he espies that little green and ivory-clad lady scurrying up towards the rear of the group. One black eyebrow arches upwards and his eyes widen. Then abruptly he squints, trying to see more clearly, and he slowly rises up to his feet. One might assume he recognized her, but wasn't entirely sure of it himself. "As you can see, our city's largest library is just as the stories claim," comes the smooth voice of the dark-skinned woman, with a touch of a natural Kuredin accent. However, it sounds practiced; the accents are too perfect and the pronunciations of some vowels sound a touch overdone. "If you wish, you may spend some time within its many halls, to see the truth for yourself." Shahrazad looks to each member of the tour - all men save for Lidee - and gives them a smile meant to make them feel comfortable. "You will find the University here in Esharra just as impressive, I assure you. You are welcome to visit it as well. Take your time and we can meet back in the square before returning to the palace for your lunch with the Sultan." There are some murmurs of appreciation from the men, though some seem uncomfortable being told what to do by a woman. One by one or two by two the group drifts apart to explore this portion of the city. Lidee merely stands still, like a good little Kuredin woman as the men pass, a guileless smile on her face under the veil...until only she and Shahrazad are left. "Arrogant toads..." she huffs, moving towards the older woman and glaring at the men's backs, "It would be a miracle for any of them to find a decent wife...much less two." Crossing her arms at her chest she continues to glare after them, "I don't know why you host them. It would teach them a thing or two to be forced into a harem..." If there had been any lingering doubts over the young lady's identity, they are soon dispelled when Nicolas catches wind of her words. A slow smirk twitches at his lips, one that does not broaden into too obvious an expression. He gently sweeps his coat closer to his body, reseating himself on his bench. His book is laid aside for the moment, though his hand remains protectively close to it. Once he has finished his perusal of young Lidee, he turns his gaze contemplatively up towards the taller, fiery-garbed woman, Shahrazad. A small crease appears at his brow when he frowns, and after a glance is tossed towards the departing men, he returns to watching Lidee. His book is taken up, opened and laid upon his lap again, so that his staring is not so overt. Shahrazad watches the men depart in silence, though the strength of her smile weakens and her accent is not as strong when she next addresses the woman beside her. "I am certain they will all find fine wives, Lidee. They are men of high worth in their respective cities and no doubt there are many fathers offering them their daughters to marry. As for a harem, I doubt you would need force most of them to enter one. They would go quite willingly, I would imagine." The tall woman glances down at Lidee, whose frown seems to be quite contagious. "Please, Lidee, these are respected guests of the Sultan and it is my duty to see to their comfort while in the city. Do not frown at them as if you were trying to burn them with your stare." Shahrazad fusses a bit with a part of Lidee's attire before taking great care to see that her veil and kubar are laid perfectly. Lidee tsks and gently bats Shahrazad's fussing hands away, "Please...you are not a servant..." she glances over to the other woman before straightening her own clothes briefly. "Men of high worth indeed. And how many of those men will take young, nubile wife and use them before tossing them into their harem when another, younger, more nubile wife comes along? How many will treat them well until they do not give him the sons he wants? And then how many will beat the wife until she is nearly dead...and too ruined to be considered attractive so she will be relegated to the lowest position in the harem, never to be touched again? How many of them will not give their love to their wives?" Turning around swiftly, she moves so that her back faces the other, her arms still crossed before her. Try though he might, when he hears what is being said by the younger woman, he laughs out loud. Oh, it's kept quiet and brief; little more than a baritone rumbling that soon fades. Nicolas keeps his eyes down upon the page of his book, putting up the pretense that something in its pages must have amused him. The two women stand near to the laughing scholar, or at least close enough that the brief outburst catches the attention of the Qadiya. Shahrazad peers at the man curiously; he is passingly familiar in that she has seen him before, but her brow furrows as she searches in vain for a name. She comes up empty. Next she looks to Lidee to see if the other woman has taken notice of the man. Turning around at the laugh, Lidee immediately recognizes the man, "Ugh, that's the horrible one I mentioned...who smart-talked the guard after I told him not to stare at me. He's just the rudest thing..." typical of all men. Now that he's been recognized, at least by one of the ladies, Nicolas slowly eases the pages of his book closed once more. He keeps his gaze there, as if he were most reluctant to drop his reading, so that he might lift his dark eyes and openly looks Lidee over. In one smooth motion he tucks the book into a pocket of his coat, rises up to his feet, and sweeps a half-hearted bow from the waist. "A pleasure to see you again as well, Dona," he calmly replies, his tone too light to hold any sincerity. As he rises, he allows his gaze to center upon Shahrazad, and his eyes narrow a touch with perhaps the slightest hint of wariness. To her is offered a nod and a more solemn, "Good day, Dona." "Qadiya, please," Shahrazad responds, giving the man a similar generic smile she had given each of the men she had been showing around the city. "You will pardon me I trust if I find more comfort in my own title than one I have not earned by birth or marriage. Not that I do not respect our native Castanan women, you understand." She, at the moment is the image of grace and Kuredin femininity, though that image is scarred by a look of concern as she looks away from the scholar to her companion, as if waiting for an eruption of words and scowls. Lidee merely ignores the man's words to her...or even his presence with a practiced arrogance. The buildings are appraised with a bored glance, as are her fingernails. The man before the two isn't even worth a glance much less a greeting. Unperturbed in the slightest by the girl's cold shoulder and the lady's request, the man sweeps another bow, one that is deeper and a little more well-executed than the one previous to it. "My apologies, Qadiya," Nicolas smoothly replies. "I hadn't realized." After straightening his posture, he folds his hands behind his back. His smile is kept firmly fixed in place, "My name is Nicolas Martinez del Aguerra. I am a professor of history at the university, so if there is any way that I might be of any assistance to you, you have only to ask." Shahrazad brightens as if to make up for the cloud of disinterest that hangs over Lidee. "Ahhh, yes I have heard your name many times, all spoken of well, I assure you." She pauses and looks to Lidee again. "Well, almost all well spoken," she amends with an apologetic smile to Nicolas. "I fear, however, that my tribeswoman believes you have wronged her deeply. Have there been some difficulties between the two of you?" Lidee continues to ignore the man...not letting herself enter into the conversation. She has told Shahrazad that the man was openly staring at her and he merely talked back when he was told to stop. That's all there is to it. While the young lady does not answer, a pause of near-tangible silence hangs thick in the air. The corners of Nicolas' lips quirk with yet another smirk that is ill-concealed. "I believe the silence speaks for itself," he smoothly replies, canting his gaze down to let it bore into Lidee's head. "Since you ask, Qadiya, allow me to explain the situation from my point of view? A one-sided tale can be so... biased." His gaze flickers to Shahrazad, and quite bluntly, he states, "It is true that the young lady caught my eye. Perhaps I did watch a little overlong than society considers appropriate, but I thought there no harm in it. I had no intentions of approaching her. When she turned to glare at me, I smiled and offered a bow. I still had no intentions of approaching. I was going to return to my own business when her servant came to me and made threats against my safety. Naturally, Qadiya, I did not take kindly to this." Shahrazad looks from Lidee to Nicolas, listening to his explanation without even attempting to interrupt. "I fear she has suffered some rather boorish behavior from other Castanan men in the past, Senor, and as she is rather new to this city, she might have felt that overly long stares would lead to further harassment. She is from Kuredin, you must understand, and in our home nation is it considered quite rude to stare at women overly long. It suggests that they man is thinking unsavory thoughts about the woman in question, a woman about who he has no rights to be thinking such things." She pauses in her attempts to be as diplomatic as possible and hopes that perhaps Lidee might speak up for herself this time. She is silent a little while longer until she whirls around, "He threatened -you-?!" It's all Lidee can do to refrain from pummeling the man, "You were the one who threatened my guard! You said I was a...a...woman of ill-repute...or that I dressed like one. -You- insulted -me-!" Expecting that a storm would erupt sooner or later, Nicolas is able to meet the outburst without so much as a blank. His smile is smooth and bland, calm and unruffled, and he turns his gaze away from the Qadiya to the young lady. "Indeed, Dona, your servant threatened my safety. Both personally by promising to poke out my eyes and with threats of apprehension from the City Guard. Not once did I speak a word against the safety of yourself or your servant, rather, I said only to depart my presence and leave me in peace. I will also say, Dona, that I did not state you were a woman of ill-repute or that you dressed as one. Only that the brightness and richness of your garb attracted a great deal of attention. Surely you have noticed by now that many people have been watching us three quite intently? Do you intend to threaten them as well?" Now his eyes turn back to the Qadiya, and some of the smoothness slips away into a hardening expression, "If you will forgive me, Qadiya, I have little wish to engage in a heated argument. If my presence offends, then I shall bid you a good day and be on my way." This little play appears to be above the Qadiya's head. She tries to retain the smile that charms visitors to the city, and speak with a voice that soothes and comforts, but in her eyes is a harried expression, as if she knows she's about to drown. "Certainly some arrangements might be made so that such misunderstandings are not made in the future," she asks both of them as she wrings her hands together beneath the semi-sheer material the overlong sleeves of her kubar. "Perhaps, Lidee," she says to the woman, "You might take some lessons here at the University and get a better understanding of Castanan culture, while our good professor might be willing to learn further of the social attitudes of the Kuredin nation?" Lidee gasps, looking deeply offended, "Here? With the common folk?" What a terrible idea! The thought gives her the shivers...ugh...they'd all stare at her more. "I can learn about them without being immersed in them..." Blech, to be pressed up close with all those men who just stare at her kubar and veil... While one might say the professor does not look ecstatic at the prospect, he does give himself time to mull it over. He slowly unclasps his hands from behind his back, folding his arms over his chest and lifting a finger to slowly rub at his bottom lip. A dark frown settles over Nicolas' face, black eyebrows knitting together as he studies first Shahrazad and then Lidee. "Likewise, I can learn more deeply and much more thoroughly of Kuredin culture without subjecting myself to Dona .. Lidee's presence." His hand drops and is tucked comfortably between the crook of his arm and his chest, then he turns his eyes fully upon Shahrazad, "However, I am willing to teach all who come asking to learn more of Castanan history and society. If the Dona can be civil, I will oblige." Shahrazad gives Nicolas a brief and polite nod to thank him for the offer, but when she turns to Lidee she actually looks stunned and a little hurt. "Lidee, you speak of the University as if it were some swamp festering with the lowest of society. Indeed, I have spent many years in study here at the blessing of the Sultan himself, as has everyone who serves on his Qadim. Not to mention other members of the royal family. Certainly if the Sultan sees such benefit in the education to be found here, you certainly cannot think it to be beneath a tribeswoman from Kuredin?" Maybe not a tribeswoman, no. "I don't wish to go to the University. I don't wish to be taught by this...this letch." Nicolas is given a glare before Lidee's look softens as she turns to Shahrazad, "You have done so much for me...and I thank you deeply. But...I would rather learn about Castanan customs through observation than to be taught by a man who makes threats." The professor rolls his eyes skyward, but having already stated his defense, he does not do so again. Standing still with his arms folded, Nicolas calmly watches Lidee before glancing aside at Shahrazad. He remains silent, apparently waiting for the Qadiya to speak. "Then perhaps another instructor can provide you with lessons, Lidee," Shahrazad suggests, trying very hard to remain calm though her voice wavers slightly with the effort. "There are some texts in the palace you can borrow, as well as a wealth of information in the library. Observation is fine, but sometimes it is not enough. Your current argument with this professor is testament to that, I think." Lidee tilts her head in a haughty pose, "The 'professor' is arrogant and lascivious. I no longer wish to speak with him." He can be taken from her presence now. A muscle tics along Nicolas' jaw, and he has to draw a deep breath to keep control over his own temper. Burning black eyes sweep to Shahrazad, and he smoothly dips down in another bow for her, "I will not stand here and be insulted any longer, Qadiya. My apologies for what must be a very stressful situation for you." His sidelong glance at Lidee should make the meaning of his words obvious. But it would seem he has something more to say, for as he rises, he pivots slightly to fully face Lidee. "Ignore me as you wish, Dona. I know you can still hear me. For all your finery and pride, you are less civilized than some beggars I have met. Be very grateful for the Qadiya. I will wager that few have her patience." Taking one step back, he offers a nod in the ladies' direction and adds a heated, "Fare you well." Shahrazad offers a bow to the departing professor; it is a gesture that allows her to hide her disappointment at the conclusion of the situation. "Perhaps we shall meet again under better conditions, Senor, for I have been meaning to spend some additional time in study myself" she replies with a forced smile. She doesn't speak a word to Lidee, but she does study the girl out of the corner of her eye. Lidee goes back to studying her fingernails, her lips pursed under her veil. At the professor's words, she jerks her head up to glare at him, obviously affronted, but the bows prevent her from saying anything more. "Perhaps we shall, Qadiya. I shall be looking forward to the day," Nicolas replies, though one might think he was forcing himself to say the words, for they are of a rather bland tone. Adding one last, tight smile for Shahrazad's benefit, the man whirls away, his scarlet coat flaring about him, and he strides towards the gates of the University. Before Shahrazad can say anything to her younger companion some of the men begin to emerge from the university and the library. The sun is much higher in the sky now and no doubt their stomachs have alerted them to the hour. Shahrazad again takes a moment to smooth her veil and hide the concern from the earlier conversation so that the men are only greeted with a welcoming smile and gentle words. "I pray that you have enjoyed your visit to the capital, but I know the Sultan is awaiting your company at the palace. If you will follow me, we will make our way back." She casts a warning look to Lidee, though hides it behind her veil from the men so that only the other woman is aware of her disappointment. "Come Lidee," she says, trying to sounds as cheerful as possible. "We would welcome your company." Lidee glances back over her shoulder at the departing Nicolas before she gives a shiver and moves into the crowd of men going to visit the Sultan. With her head held high, she glances at the departing Professor before taking up her position once more within the crowd. She is not Qadiya; therefore she has little respect from the Kuredin men.
|