A very dangerous Game (ATTN Kura)

[Tigara]

Terra examined her handiwork in the small mirror she had in her room. A dark purple lipstick, black eyeshadow, chocolate blush, strongly brushed hair. She was indeed getting better at this. She found that darker colors worked much better with her Tairen skin and that blush was best for covering blemishes, not for adding color. She didn't know what to do about that lump, however. It apparently wasn't Healable unless it was broke first, but her limp had been Healed. That was a definite improvement.

 

She wandered over to the Mess Hall for the evening meal, even if her purposes were to show off her look. Upon entering, she spied Arcon and his little band of buddies. Arcon had become elusive the past month or so, so she wasn't letting him get away so easy this time. She strutted over to his table and promptly sat down across the table from him. "So, what do you think?" she said gesturing to her face. You've been missed the last while. What were you up to?"

 

Terra Cyrene

Sorta pretty now

[Kura]

Arcon was reminiscing with his Pit Fiends, talking of the days on Redpath's ship, and how much they hated Mr. Sweeper, let his rotting corpse lie in the belly of a whale, before Terra showed up. He raised an eyebrow as she approached, he had seen her before the makeup, and the least he could say was there was an improvement. "Oh, you know. Keeping my sword sharp, and continuing my training. I've had some rather specialized lessons lately that have eaten up my time." He thought of a new use for his sleep weave while he judged the ugly duckling he had helped raise into a... well not quite a swan yet, but getting closer.

 

The biggest change however, wasn't physically. She went from the timid girl he had found sitting in a library, to a girl whom seemed to possess a mind of her own, to having her own identity instead of one forced upon her by others. He knew he could take at least partial credit for that, and hoped that he was given all of it. After all, she seemed so much happier lately, and gratitude was easy to work with. "Yourself? Working as hard in the power I hope, as you have at becoming a future Courtesan." He tossed her a wink, and a few of the men surrounding them joined in with a laugh, eyeing the girl up and down. They kept it joking though; none of them knew what Arcon really thought of her, and no one wanted to infringe on his territory.

 

They'd seen what happens to those who cross him. Hell, some of them helped him take care of those problems. Safe to say, those smart enough to survive The Merry Pauper knew their place by now.

[Tigara]

A Courtesan? Not likely. A woman of many faces? Definitely. "Oh of course I've been working in the Power. I have to learn the Mask of Mirrors, after all." She dearly looked forward to that day. She could look however she liked with ease and go anywhere! She loved the feeling of...surprising someone.

 

"Arcon, I was wondering something. Would you be able to teach me The Game?" she emphasized "The Game" and Arcon immediately looked as if he knew exactly what she wanted. If she was to hide among the world, it would be a most useful tool. And Arcon being a Cairheinin noble, what better teacher?

[Kura]

Arcon laughed at that, knowing from their first encounter that she wanted to learn that particular weave. He was about to respond, when she asked her to teach him the Game of Houses. He let his recognition show briefly on his face, but banished it shortly thereafter. No sense in letting his friends pick up on this. In fact, he wanted to lead them astray. "Oh, The Game, eh? Oh I'd love to teach you." He tossed her another wink, one asking her to play along.

 

The gathered male Pit Fiends all exchanged glances, obviously picking up on the innuendo, and began nudging each other like boys at a festival. When Arcon stood, motioning for Terra to follow, he slipped an arm around her shoulder and bent to whisper in her ear. "One thing Terra, learn to ask me to teach you in private. Those fools are useful yes, even loyal, but I don't want them to know every ace I've got, do you understand?" When she nodded, he led her to his chambers.

 

Meanwhile, back in the mess hall Arcon's pack of dogs looked at each other nervously. "What is he thinking? He could easily get a better looking girl." Finally, one of his rare female 'friends' from the Dark Hound Pit rolled her eyes and explained. "You are all fools; he is obviously just trying to tie her to him, thinking for some reason that she will be useful to him later." The men nodded, trying not to laugh at the hint of jealousy in her voice...

 

"Now, I suppose I can teach you the Game of the Houses, but these won't be easy lessons to learn, but before I teach you I have to make a few things clear to you. In order to enter the world of politics, you can't trust anyone. Most of those fools would stab you in the back, quite literally, to make an attempt at power, especially in my home land. Admittedly the Andorian's are a simple folk, but regardless. Allies are valuable, but enemies are the currency of power."

 

He waited, letting this sink in. It was a hard thing to learn for most, especially for those not born in the world, but the young noble knew it to be a fact. "Secondly, I was spoon fed this information from birth. That being said, don't expect to pick everything up immediately. Daes Dae'mar is a bloody complicated game, and if I am available to you, you can come to me for some help, assuming you find yourself in a difficult position." Of course that was designed to form a dependence on the Adept that would be difficult to break, but from what he knew of her it was a bit redundant. She was more loyal than your average puppy.

 

"Thirdly, I am breaking the first rule by teaching you. You are not my offspring, you won't be carrying on my house legacy, and by teaching you I am putting myself at risk. Another player only further muddies the water, so to speak. I'm giving you a weapon that you could use against me, and I need to know now Terra." He laid his hand against her cheek, forcing her to look into his eye. "Is this trust misplaced? Is there even the slightest chance that you will turn on me?"

 

He awaited her answer eagerly, almost certain that this would be a test to see if his above-average treatment of the girl had paid off.

 

[Tigara]

Terra nearly flinched in expectation of being hit. Had she said something she shouldn't have when she was living with her mistress, she would have been beaten. But Arcon changed his expressions so quickly that she wasn't sure what was going on. He put his arm over her should er and led her away, leaving his companions with the impression that they were going off to have some "fun". "One thing Terra, learn to ask me to teach you in private. Those fools are useful yes, even loyal, but I don't want them to know every ace I've got, do you understand?" She nodded. Obviously, she had no experience in this game whatsoever.

 

Once in his quarters, she took a seat on a chair as he sat down on another. His first point came across as...different. She had never thought of not trusting anyone before. She never had to. She trusted her mistress and whoever she trusted, Terra followed suit. She would definitely need to develop a "suspicious eye". The second point was easier to handle. She never expected it to be easy. That was a given with almost everything.

 

His question to her was rather intense. She took a quick moment to collect her answer, then answered with as much confidence. "Arcon, I once read in a book that in the Age of Legends, the best things were made by the combined efforts of men and women. We both serve the same Master, we're both fighting for the same side, and if we work together, we can achieve more than we could alone. I have no reason to turn on you."

 

[Kura]

Arcon's grin was wide when she spoke. "I am glad to hear that Terra, and I couldn't agree more. Together we may be able to create truly magnificent things."

 

He stood, striding gracefully at first, and then adapting the odd mix of sailor and swordsmen gait that learned aboard the Merry Pauper. "Walking is a subtle thing really, but by it you can tell quite a bit about someone. That first walk was that I learned from my father, the gait that I grew up with. It expresses in a way my high birth, while the second shows that I know a bit about the sword on my hip." He rested his hand upon his sword hilt almost affectionately, "Though a warder's stride is completely different, and not something I can mimic."

 

After reoccupying his chair, Arcon looked again into Terra's eyes. "Though it may seem like a bit of a rant, I assure you this all has purpose, and actually brings us to our first two lessons. Gathering and Manipulating information. First, gathering. The way I walk, talk, dress, and especially my facial expression all give away information about a person. You must learn to read people, even when they are trying to hide the information from you. It truly is an invaluable skill to have."

 

He allowed this information to sink in, hopefully giving her an idea how very important this fact was, before continuing. "Of course it is also valuable to manipulate that information you give to others. First and foremost, watch what you say, secondly how your face and body react. A good example of this is the encounter in the mess hall. You charged in, asked a question very bluntly. I allowed you to see I understood, before quickly masking the situation to my friends. I don't want them to know how much I trust you, and I certainly don't want them asking for lessons."

 

Arcon scrutinized every detail of her; how she carried herself, her face, and what he knew of her from previous talks. That last part forced him to suppress a sigh. "Alright, I will give you a bit of a head start on the gathering information part. A basic overview of the fortress. Everyone here has ambition, and will work towards that ambition. Some are small, like surviving a class, and some are great, like eventually serving as a Mae'Shadar," Arcon let a smile slip onto his face at this. Of course it was planted, but it was also a test. Would she recognize this as his particular ambition? "Still, the fact remains that we all want something. I'll admit it; I am working for myself by teaching you. This brings us to the third lesson. Always search for people's desires; it is key to not only their destination, but the moves they will make to get there. Now, a question Terra. How does helping you serve me, what information have I given you, and what do you think has been manipulated?"

 

It was a bit of a doozy to throw at her all at once, but he had to see exactly what her natural abilities in the Game were. He had hopes for her in the first two questions, but the last was a bit trickier. "Don't worry Terra, right or wrong on any of the questions and I'll still teach you. This is just a test to see how much I have to teach you."

 

[Tigara]

Terra eyed her teacher as he walked. There was a distinct difference of how people walked. She would have to keep note of that. Read people? Not as easy as reading a book by any means, but it was doable. She had no experience whatsoever in that, but it seemed like it would be easy enough to pick up. Manipulating information that you give? That sounded an awful lot like what Aes Sedai do. If course it was said that the Aes Sedai invented the Game, so it was no surprise.

 

How does helping you serve me, what information have I given you, and what do you think has been manipulated?"

 

She pondered them a minute. "By helping me, you gain a partner who can hold her own in the world without exposing you. You have given me enough information that I'm beginning to be suspicious of everyone's motives. And I don't think you have manipulated anything."

[Kura]

Arcon nodded as he spoke. “Good, you’ve got the basics down it seems.” Arcon was secretly proud of himself; he had never taught anyone anything before. It was a new, almost gratifying experience for him. Still, he doubted he’d find himself in front of a class if he could help it. This one on one tutoring though, he could better learn to use it. After all, the students would have to hold some inherent trust in order to accept private study with him, if they didn’t then his word, and by extension his lessons, wouldn’t be believed. Unfortunately, this setting was unfamiliar with him. However, Terra here seemed to provide the perfect learning curve.

 

“Now Terra, I believe it is time for our lessons to end, before everyone gets to suspicious of us spending so much time alone together, after all, I never seemed like a particularly caring individual.” He laughed, a full sound as opposed to his more familiar hollow ring. Perhaps he was genuinely starting to approve of this girl? “Still, I need you to practice. Go out and find out some people’s motives and try to hide your intentions from them. Lying and cheating are recommended, and I’d start with my ‘friends’ if I were you. They will be less suspicious than the other denizens of the Fortress. Report back to me in a week or so, and be discreet.”

 

((I’ll leave it up to you Tig, we can leave it here or we could continue and have a few days time skip when she comes back and continues the lessons. Oh, and sorry for the wait on this one…))

[Tigara]

OOC: Timelapse in the same thread works for me.

 

IC:

 

Terra nodded at Arcon's instructions. She left the room discreetly ans slipped down the halls. It would certainly be an interesting experience. His friends weren't in the mess hall where they had left them. Perhaps that was better. If she could catch one on an individual basis, it would be easier ot get information. One of the girls in his posse apparently roomed near her, so she lurked in the hall until she came out. In her head, she plotted a way to break the ice and converse. The door opened and the dark-haired girl left going the opposite way as Terra was. Now was the tie to act.

 

She clumsily bounded down the hallway and nearly ran into the girl. "Hey, watch where you're going, jerk." She noticed who exactly it was, then added in a disapproving tone, "Oh, it's you." Her arms were crossed and her tone exuded jealousy. Terra resisted the urge to grin. "Yeah, sorry. I was on my way to the library. Can never have enough books. Where are you off to?" The girl looked her over. "I was on my way to meet with my friends, like Arcon. What's so great about books anyway?" Terra smiled. "Oh there are endless reasons."

 

About a week after, Terra found Arcon in his rooms alone. "Well, I did as you asked, Arcon. I have to say, you're friends are rather uninteresting. But I did find a few things out. All the girls are jealous that you're giving me special attention and at least one would try to kill me if the chance came. Many of the guys are very loyal, but wish you would include them more in your plans."

 

 

[Kura]

Arcon laughed, "Good, you've reached the same conclusion that I have." He briefly embraced the source, weaving a ward of silence around his room. "The truth is most of the men are idiots, who can't truly comprehend the subtleties of most of my schemes... these subtleties that I'm teaching to you." Said aloud so bluntly, it almost made him kick the girl from his rooms. This was a huge risk, but a loyal dreadlady would be a huge asset... "These men are bound to me though, as I led all of them through at least one... challenging ordeal. As for the women, well, I think you can figure that out." He flashed a charismatic smile, before settling down upon his bed.

 

He sat there a moment, thinking, what was he to teach her next? The Game of Houses was so very intricate, it was hard to teach. He stopped himself from sighing, he'd simply have to experiment some more to learn how to teach Daes Dae'Mar. At least this way he'd know how should the need ever arise.

 

"Alright Terra, I suppose this leads rather nicely into our next little discussion. I've surrounded myself with a good number of people, and very few of them ever likely to rise to any great esteem in the shadow. I chose them for a reason, the question is why?" He stood, pacing, not done with his lecture quite yet. "You see, a key factor in The Game is allies, who you surround yourself with, and often more importantly is who you make enemies with. As my father always told me," He took on a deep, stronger version of his own tone, "A man is measured by the list of his enemies." A hollow chuckle slipped past his guard at the mention of his father. Oh, he had plans for that man...

 

"You've already pinpointed pretty well what I gain from you, what about them? Would you take them under your wing? Why or why not." Arcon inwardly smiled, again recalling the old man's lessons. That was his favorite phrase, again and again Arcon was asked that damnable question, but it had helped him. It gave him the chance to develop his own style, adding to the Dadread legacy. Or at least, that was the plan...

 

[Tigara]

A smile crept over Terra's face. She was catching on quick. He figured out the same things as she, and they were around him far more often then they were around her. She listening intently as he lectured, seemingly trying to figure out where he was going next. It seemed odd to her that a man would be measured by his enemies. To her, Allies are much more important than enemies. Why have enemies at all?

 

"You've already pinpointed pretty well what I gain from you, what about them? Would you take them under your wing? Why or why not."

 

She pondered her answer. She rather enjoyed using logic. She never had used it until she came here, so she relished any chance. "For the large part, what you get is a loyal clump of pawns for you to use in any way. Disposable people. Many of them have little use beyond swinging a sword, as far as I can tell. There are some who seem to have useful abilities that I would take under my wing if given the chance, but largely I would take them if only to be disposable pawns." That sounded so cold, but it was true. Pawns were always useful, unless they were retarded pawns who got in the way, or smart pawns who think for themselves. Otherwise, she could easily think of ways to use them.

[Kura]

Arcon nodded, getting an idea of this woman's natural skill in the game, even her style. "I see. Well, I'd say a group of blindly loyal dreadlords who each knows how to wield the sword on their belt would count as useful. Every noblemen has his retainers, after all." Arcon could think of little else to say about the game, knowing that she would have to learn for herself the true intricacies first hand in order to fully grasp it. The Fortress would be a great place to learn, but the man had other ideas. Now wasn't the time for that however, so he waved his hand towards the door.

 

"You are learning very fast Terra, and I welcome you into my rooms anytime you wish to visit me, I'll even stop by to visit you sometimes. Still, there is little else I can teach you in this," he gestured around his room, "improvised classroom. I'll be there to advise you as you vie for power in this place, but you'll need practical experience from now on. Maybe I'll even take you to the Carhieren Court and beyond someday, but for now, I have much work to do."

 

When she left, Arcon sat on his bed, pondering the new possibilities. He hadn't been joking about getting into the court someday, and with her, he may just have a way in. A smile crept onto his lips, I'll be seeing you soon old man...