Taye was an interesting city to say the least. Khira hadn't travelled much, mostly because her parents were quite content in Ivria and Khira didn't like being too far away from her father. She had visited Olencia a few times with her aunts, but that was it. But her parents had considered it necessary to attend in this wedding, and Khira just hadn't even considered staying in Ivria. And Khira was certainly not going to spend her first day in the new city just sitting in the inn library with her parents.

She did have to argue a bit because her mother didn't want Khira to go out alone, but after an hour of pouting in her room her mother had agreed. Of course she wouldn't be going out alone; her father had persisted that she took a few of the more muscular of his men and Khira graciously agreed to let three of them accompany her. Khira was a bit relieved to know that they would be there, though. Of course no one would dare touch her because her father would skin their behinds, but some of the commoners here in Taye might be so ignorant that they didn't know who she was. So the men were there just for their protection really.

Khira smiled as she chose one of her finest dresses. It was dark blue around the hem but the colour faded gently upwards so that the bodice was pale blue. The dark hem was necessary because paler colours would show dirt more easily, and Khira wasn't sure how dirty the streets were here. She wanted to walk, because it was pretty hard to see the city in a sedan chair, especially since the streets were so busy in preparation for the wedding to come. As her maid helped the dress on she slipped a few coins to her belt pouch and started arranging a few sapphires to her hair. She smiled widely as she slipped a fine dagger to her belt too and left the inn.

The three men were waiting for her outside, all big and muscular. Khira nodded to them and started walking down the road. She didn't pay attention to her guards as they walked by her side. The street was one of the better ones in the city, so the streets were lined with shops advertising fine fabrics, delicacies, fine weaponry, jewellery and other luxories. Other nobles could be seen in the shops or entering an inn, but even this street was busy with servants and commoners carrying and running, apparently all striving for the wedding. Khira smiled and laughed with childlike delight as she watched the busy street. She walked on until a particularly fine and large sapphire necklace on display caught her eye and she stopped to examine it. And then someone dared interrupt her!

Seyira had never really been to a wedding before. Her mother hadn't thought to give her any siblings and her immediate family had tended to cluster themselves away from their relatives. So really, the chances of her even hearing of a wedding were rather slim to none. It was amazing that she'd heard of this wedding from that young woman at the horse fair, and even more amazing that Lady Altariel had invited her along. Seyira certainly didn't have the status to go to the wedding on her own, and while Atariel did trust her, Seyira hadn't exactly been of much use in the past.

Still, it felt good to be somewhere other than in Ivria. Seyira did love her home, but sometimes it was good to get away, see what the world had to offer. She couldn't learn if she was stuck in one place all the time. And there was so much in Taye! It was a city designed for nobles, and Seyira felt slightly out of place. She had been too used to lurking in shadows and staying invisible that it felt almost awkward for her to be out in the open, on her own. It was something she was going to have to get used to.

Strolling through the streets, the young woman idly looked around, taking in the sights and smells. Of course, she kept her eyes and ears open for anything that might be of use to the High Seat, but mostly, she was just enjoying herself. When was the last time she had a chance to do so? A long time ago, that was for sure. She could drop her guard here, let the past go, not have to worry. Although....

Looking up ahead revealed a person Seyira recognized. A noble from Ghayth. How fitting. Part of her training growing up had been to learn and memorize, and then recognize, all the nobles in Ghayth, starting with the High Seat and branching outward. This particular lady happened to be Lady Khira Mayada. She wasn't a woman with whom Seyira was familiar with, but perhaps that would change soon enough.

Seyira stopped a few feet away, careful not to attract the attention of any of the rather bulky guards around Lady Khira. She really didn't want to be injured by one of her own. It was clear that Lady Khira was marveling a rather lovely (and expensive) piece of jewelry. It was something Seyira would never be able to afford.

"Well, well, if it isn't Lady Khira Mayada, here in the streest of Taye."

"Well, well, if it isn't Lady Khira Mayada, here in the streest of Taye." Khira spun around quickly as she heard her name said, although she did it with cultivated grace. A tall, slim woman stood a few feet away watching her. Long black hair surrounded the woman in a way that made Khira very conscious of her own blond locks which she brushed quickly with her hands. Pale skin like Khira's but slimmer forms. She might have been called a beauty by some, but Khira quickly came to an opinion that the woman would not be a rival when it came to appearance. Only then did she concentrate on her other features.

Commoners clothes. That was important. She didn't look exactly poor, but she certainly wasn't a noble. A merchant, maybe, or a servant. No, too young to be a merchant. A merchant's daughter? It didn't matter to Khira really, a commoner was a commoner. A few years older than Khira, five at the most. She didn't look threatening or dangerous, but Khira still shot an annoyed glance at her guards. They had the sense to look alert, and Khira was sure that they would remove the woman if Khira wished so.

But who was she? Khira didn't recognise her, but the woman knew Khira. Of course Khira didn't socialize much with the servants, so she could well be a servant of another noble of House Ghayth. There were a lot of nobles in Taye at the moment, so some of the servants were bound to recognise people such as Lady Khira Mayada. But servants usually had the sense not to disturb ladies or talk to them without permission. And Khira certainly hadn't given this one permission to talk to her.

But Khira was in a good mood and didn't want to cause harm to the woman, at least not before she knew who she was. And besides, she enjoyed a little chat. So she smiled widely in a way that made her eyes sparkle. "It is wonderful to meet people who are educated enough to recognise nobles. Taye is a wondrous city, but some commoners here just don't know what is good for them, even with the city full of nobles awaiting for the wedding." She sighed slightly, but smiled again. "The wedding brought me here, of course. I just can't wait for the festivities, it all seems so exciting. But I can't help but wonder who exactly I am talking to," she finished, raising her eyebrows curiously.

Lo and behold! Lady Khira spun around when her name was called. Seyira felt rather pleased that she had surprised this obviously fine lady, though what good it did her, she wasn't quite sure. Lady Khira wasn't going to hvae any particular interest in her, and from what Seyira had heard, the young woman hadn't made any particular strides in Ghayth policy. While the High Seat, of course, was a brilliant politician, this Lady Khira was known less for her skills and more for her temper - or lack thereof. Apparently she was still more of a child at heart. Then again, she could still afford to do that. She had parents that still spoiled her, protected her....governed her life for her. Seyira envied her a little. If only...

But there was no time now for 'ifs.' Lady Khira might have that luxury, and the old Seyira might have had that luxury, but she didn't anymore. She was alone...well, no, she wasn't alone. Not completely.

"It is wonderful to meet people who are educated enough to recognise nobles. Taye is a wondrous city, but some commoners here just don't know what is good for them, even with the city full of nobles awaiting for the wedding." Seyira arched an eyebrow slightly. That comment had been about her, though a lady would never say it outright. Well, it was true. Seyira wasn't a noble, but she wasn't exactly a peasant either. She didn't like the word 'commoner' but that was what she was.

"The wedding brought me here, of course. I just can't wait for the festivities, it all seems so exciting. But I can't help but wonder who exactly I am talking to."

Time for introductions. At least, on her part.

Seyira gave a half-curtsy, perhaps a little less than she should have considering to whom she was speaking, but Seyira had never been one for timidity. True, she might have played that part for the last five years, but she was also someone whom the High Seat of Ghayth trusted, and nobody who had Altariel's respect was going to bow down and scrape before some half-grown girl.

"My apologies. Seyira Vivienne of Ivria at your service. Technically speaking, my first priorities are to the High Seat, but if you ever need me, I shall be happy to assist. Though, you look a bit...." - she searched for a word, and finally came up with a weak sounding answer - "..young to need my services." Lady Khira probably had no idea what Seyira was talking about, but that was just fine. She didn't really need to know.

The woman curtsied, and Khira decided that she couldn’t be a mere servant. Or if she was, she would be in big trouble. Servants curtsied a lot deeper than that. The woman had to be wealthy or otherwise powerful to curtsy like that, especially since she most likely knew who Khira’s parents were. Whoever she was, Khira would have appreciated a bit more respect. She was a lady after all.

"My apologies.” Now that sounded a bit better. “Seyira Vivienne of Ivria at your service.” No wonder she knows me. Most commoners in Ivria did recognize their nobles, if not necessarily by name. But she wasn’t aware of commoners being invited to the wedding. This Seyira probably worked for a noble. Khira still couldn’t say she recognized the name, which was a bit of shame if the woman really was somewhat powerful. A commoner, yes, but maybe a useful commoner.

“Technically speaking, my first priorities are to the High Seat, but if you ever need me, I shall be happy to assist.” Khira nodded to herself. The High Seat had many kinds of servants, and Khira assumed that Seyira wasn’t one of those who did the laundry. The High Seat had the greatest power in House Ghayth, and Khira was sure that Altariel Katrei would need special kinds of servants to make sure that remained so. Khira had her parents to keep her position for now, but her aunts employed people to make sure their reputations weren’t stained. Whatever the woman did, her employer did have power.

“Though, you look a bit...." Khira waited expectantly for the conclusion, but her mouth tightened a bit already. "..young to need my services." Khira’s eyes flared angrily. She did not like hearing that she was too ‘young’ or too ‘childish’ or too ‘uneducated’ to do something. She could do whatever she liked, thank you very much! She was seventeen already, so she was old enough to use any kind of services anyone had to offer! Unless Seyira offered assistance for the elderly, she was highly mistaken.

“That would depend on said services,” Khira said with frost oozing from her voice, “but I am sure that you would not find me too young to need them.” She pursed her lips angrily. “If the High Seat has need for such services, I am sure that you could be of use to me too.” Altariel was only a few years older than Khira!

Oh no, Seyira had obviously offended the lady by implying she was too young (and thus too childish, petulant, and all those other things that came along with being too young). But it was true. From the bits and pieces of information she had heard about Lady Khira Mayada, the girl was an incompetent, unskilled at the arts of manipulation and secrecy. The girl wouldn't know a secret if it hit her on the head.

To tell the truth, Seyira hadn't meant for it to be insulting. Well, maybe she had, just a little, but she hadn't been trying to be cruel outright. 'Young' wasn't necessarily an offensive term. Seyira didn't measure age in years, but rather in experience. She herself was probably no more than 5 years older than Khira, but she didn't really consider herself young. And the gods only knew she didn't feel young. And Altariel was only a year her elder, but she was already the High Seat of Ghayth, an extraordinary accomplishment for someone of her age - espeically considering the fact that it hadn't been passed on to her.

It really wasn't Khira's fault, though. She didn't have any particular reason to need those skills yet. She still had a happy loving family, was still cosseted and protected (hence the several burly guards around her) and she was smart. Granted, that wasn't the same as being clever, but Khira had intelligence nonetheless. She was a noble of Ghayth blood - she couldn't afford to be anything less.

However, Seyira had still offended the Lady, clear from the ice in her voice when she replied, and now she was going to have to try to make amends. She couldn't afford to have angry nobles hounding her wherever she went.

"I apologize, my lady. I did not mean to be impertinent." Seyira didn't like groveling, or acting humble, but sometimes, it was necessary. It was easier if she liked the person, as with Altariel, or had some ulterior motive, as with Jaylyn, but otherwise, she really did detest it. "If you ever need information about a specific person, place, or object, I shall be happy to get it for you. Or, if you just need connections, I'm sure I can do that to."

(OOC: Seyira doesn't really like Khira, if you can't tell. :look)

(OOC: It's alright, Khira is annoying.)

"I apologize, my lady. I did not mean to be impertinent." Khira nodded, the sour expression melting from her face. Khira hadn't expected anything less, but she was still just a tiny bit relieved that Seyira knew her place and apologized. Khira still didn't know how powerful Seyira was and how much the High Seat valued her opinions. Seyira was haughty for a commoner, which meant that she did have power, and Khira didn't want to get across the High Seat. Even her father, mother and aunts combined probably wouldn't be able to do much if the High Seat decided to do something with Khira. But then again, the High Seat was just a young woman whereas her parents and aunts had mingled in Ivria for decades. Nevertheless, the word of the High Seat could be more than her parents could handle without harming themselves.

Even so, that certainly didn't mean that she would let a commoner insult her. She would of course be a bit more lenient on her, but that was it. The High Seat should understand that there was behaviour that nobles just couldn't accept coming from a servant. If Seyira went too far, Khira would not hesitate to take action.

But for now that would not be necessary. "If you ever need information about a specific person, place, or object, I shall be happy to get it for you. Or, if you just need connections, I'm sure I can do that to." Khira nodded again, satisfied. It was true, she had no need for her services at the moment, but it certainly had nothing to do with her age. Her parents and aunts had all the connections she would probably ever need. But if she ever needed to find some information without them knowing about it... Khira couldn't imagine such a thing to occur, but if for some reason it should, Khira would need Seyira. A useful commoner indeed.

But she is the High Seat's useful commoner. Khira tried to push that out of her mind. Why did politics have to be so complicated? Thinking hard made her forehead wrinkle, and she didn't like wrinkles. But she knew that she would have to learn, otherwise she would never be perfect.

Now the anger had left her face and she graced Seyira with a sweet smile. "When I have that kind of needs, I will come to you first," she said. And that was all that needed to be said about the topic. "Are you here with the High Seat?" she asked.

Perhaps if Lady Khira had been a little less imperious and haughty, or perhaps if she hadn’t been prone to such extravagant mood swings, Seyira would have found it in her to like the lady, even a little bit. But there was…something that didn’t quite appeal to Seyira, something that put her off. The ex-lady’s maid couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was that bothered her, but it as there nonetheless. And really, it was quite strange, considering how much she liked and respected Lady Altariel, who not only had the same haughty behavior, but also was slowly edging towards paranoia. Maybe it had something to do with their different levels of maturity… Whatever it was, Seyira decided to push it out of her mind and revisit it at a later date.

The lady appeared moderately satisfied with her apology, though Seyira made sure to still remain a little subservient so she wouldn’t arouse any more suspicion. By appearing confident and assured, she had made it clear that she was no average commoner. That was true, but it could put it her in a dangerous situation. Stupidity had never been one of her qualities – she knew not to act so with any other House – but she didn’t know much about Lady Khira, and whether she could trust the young woman or not. Hopefully, this conversation would give her a little more insight.

“Are you here with the High Seat?”

Seyira gave a nod of her, head, though she kept her eyes on Lady Khira. Seeing as how the guards were slightly relaxed, they had obviously dismissed her as any sort of threat to their mistress. It truly was unfortunate that they were correct in that assumption. No matter how good she was at spying, she would never be any good at fighting. There were several knives on her person, a few of which were dipped in poison and given to her courtesy of Lady Altariel, but she wasn’t – and never would be – a match for those men.

“Lady Altariel was kind enough to bring me, yes, along with a few other members of her retinue. We’ve rooms in the Golden Thistle, though where she currently is in the city, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. Not because I don’t trust you, but because I truly don’t know. I could find out, but the choice is up to my lady whether I share that information or not.” A subtle warning that she would never betray her mistress. “But no need to dwell on such matters. Are you enjoying the outing, my Lady?”

Seyira nodded, and Khira smiled a bit. Of course the High Seat would be present in the wedding which most nobles were invited to. “Lady Altariel was kind enough to bring me, yes, along with a few other members of her retinue.” Khira’s father would probably know all the others by name. Father and the aunts were the sort of people to find those kinds of things out. They quite probably knew Seyira too. But Khira didn’t understand why she should be interested in servants. She didn’t even know all of her family’s servants by name.

“We’ve rooms in the Golden Thistle, though where she currently is in the city, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. Not because I don’t trust you, but because I truly don’t know.” Khira’s eyebrow twitched a bit and her mouth tightened again. First of all, Khira hadn’t even asked where the High Seat was at the moment, and she hadn’t even wanted to know until Seyira mentioned it. Now that she had, Khira’s curiosity arose. The movements and actions of the High Seat were hardly her business, but it didn’t mean that it wouldn’t benefit her to know. Secondly, it told of incompetence on the woman’s part that she didn’t know where her mistress was. And finally, Khira didn’t like the woman’s implication that there was a chance that she wouldn’t trust her. “I could find out, but the choice is up to my lady whether I share that information or not.” Another implication on Khira’s untrustworthiness. Of course Khira would punish all her servants who told others information that she didn’t want to be shared, but Seyira’s choice of words indicated quite clearly that she was reluctant to tell Khira things. True, it was a show of loyalty to her mistress, but it came very close to being an insult to Khira too.

Close, but not quite enough. Maybe Seyira hadn’t intended to insult her, maybe she was just clumsy with her words. It wasn’t enough to complain to the High Seat or otherwise punish the woman. So Khira would let it go. For now.

“But no need to dwell on such matters. Are you enjoying the outing, my Lady?” Khira’s tense expression melted a bit. But just a bit. She was enjoying herself, or at least had before Seyira almost insulted her repeatedly, and just thinking about it put her in a better mood. “Yes, I have to say I am. It is a pleasure to see what Taye has to offer,” she said, turning to the necklace she had been admiring. “Beautiful craftsmanship,” she said with a smile as she turned to Seyira again.“This is my first visit here, so I still have a lot to see. But I’m sure the city will please me.” It had so far. “Have you visited Taye before?”

((Sorry this took so long. I didn't have access to a computer with internet. x.x))

Lady Khira didn’t like her, that much was clear. Thankfully, Seyira had no great affection for Lady Khira either. It was a wonderful start to their relationship, truly it was. And their different social classes made things even more difficult. Seyira was naturally difficult to like, being an extremely outspoken and judgmental person. She was also a commoner and a woman, two strikes against her in the eyes of any noble, though being a woman wasn’t all that bad. Lady Khira was a noble. No further explanation needed. Perhaps if they’d started out on the same level, they might have warmed up to each other, but Seyira disliked haughty commoners and the lady disliked assertive commoners, so there was nothing to be done to rectify the situation.

At least the lady was enjoying the city, which directed most of her annoyance off of the maid. It was one of the few things they both had in common. Of course, the things Seyira enjoyed were probably vastly different from those the noble lady enjoyed. Lady Khira was one of those attention-seekers, people who would do anything to be noticed. She probably liked parading around, drawing all eyes to her and creating as much gossip as she could. Whereas Seyira liked doing just the opposite. She was one of those who gave attention, trying to blend in with the crowd so she could gather as much information as she could without appearing suspicious. Putting together seemingly unrelated bits of information was her hobby, what she lived for. And she was, naturally, good at it. It was probably the only reason she was still living.

“Have you visited Taye before?”

“Never, my lady. This is my first time here. It’s proving to be a very interesting experience. I’ve spent my entire life cloistered in Ivria, and outside of this trip, I’ve never been anywhere outside of Ghayth. Except for Olencia,” she amended, seeing no harm in revealing that. There were a great number of reasons for why her presence might have been needed in the capital. Let the lady try to puzzle that one out. The most logical of reasons would have been that it was the home of the king, the self-same king that Altariel was trying to bring down. There was the slightly problematic issue of the newly-discovered heir, but they would deal with him one way or another.

“I was kept at home until my father died, and then I had no chance of leaving Ivria, being shackled to a family and their single daughter as her maid. I was incredibly lucky to be able to visit Olencia, and now Taye. But I am rambling now, and I’m sure I’m boring you.” She nodded to the necklace. “Are you planning on purchasing that?”

“Never, my lady. This is my first time here." They did have something in common it seemed, and Khira hoped that there would prove to be more, otherwise she could very well loose her interest in the woman altogether. She was unpleasant, and Khira wasn't even sure why she had engaged in the conversation. If there was no improvement, she would soon end it. The city was too wonderful to be missed simply because she stopped to talk with a servant. "It’s proving to be a very interesting experience. I’ve spent my entire life cloistered in Ivria, and outside of this trip, I’ve never been anywhere outside of Ghayth. Except for Olencia,” she finished. Another thing in common. Olencia was a wonderful city, and Khira wished that she would have the opportunity to visit it again soon. After the wedding they could perhaps take a little detour before going home. Father wouldn't probably like the idea, but Khira could be very persuasive. And she was sure that Mother wouldn't object. Oh yes, she would certainly present the idea.

Seyira rambled on, and Khira let her thoughts remain in Olencia. She hadn't asked for the woman's life story, and she wasn't too interested. Of course she listened enough to see if she revealed something that could prove useful, but as far as she was concerned, the life story of a maid was not very useful. But Olencia... That was a very interesting thing to think about. She was already looking forward to her trip there after the wedding. The wedding of course would be a wondrous event that Khira would surely enjoy. All the nobles from different cities and Houses... Khira loved Ivria, but it grew tiresome to see all the same faces of House Ghayth every day. Yes, she should certainly travel more often.

Finally the woman stopped and Khira concentrated on her again. She was looking at her expectantly, and Khira quickly tried to remember the last things she had said. “Are you planning on purchasing that?” Yes, that was it. She quickly masked her dreamy confusion with a look of indecision. She did have more than enough coins in her purse to provide for anything she could think of buying. "Yes, I think I will indeed purchase it. It truly is beautiful." Khira had an eye for jewellery, and the piece she was looking at couldn't possibly be fake. "Expensive of course, but such is life. I'm afraid that none of the dresses I have brought with me will be the right shade to wear with that colour, but I can always have more made." She was already in a better mood. Talking about dresses and jewellery always put her in a good mood. "Or maybe... Yes, I shall have a look inside and see what else they have to offer. If I cannot find anything more brilliant than the necklace in display, I shall purchase it." It also meant that she could get rid of the woman without being particularly rude. She didn't like her, and she didn't really care if she offended a commoner, but it never did to be rude when you could be polite. "I am sure you have things to attend to, so I shall not keep you from your duties. I am sure we will meet again later and I can show you what I have chosen to buy." She flashed a quick smile that was almost genuine, gave her guards a sign to follow her and stepped into the shop.