Djerb, capital of the Tamoran Empire.
Imperial Palace
Alya, the First Wife of Emperor Abbas, was having a talk with Princess
Thekla:
-Your people are too liberal about these things, praising a prostitute for her "achievements" in the same speech that is supposed to be about role models is taking things too far.
-She wasn't praising her for her activity as prostitute.
-I don't think you get it. That woman is should be condemned; there is no excuse to present her as a victim. She is no victim she is profiteur of the worst kind.
-I don't think the purpose was…Thekla didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence.
-I get it, they want to get along with everyone. I don't really get what the Soter see in the Lodjans. Anyway, I will go nowhere near that event, I rather not be seen near a prostitute.
Thekla did not reply since she knew it was no point in arguing. She was beginning to understand just how strict were Tamorans in general and the Safavids in particular when it came to things that were deemed immoral. Not even associating with individuals engaged in such practices was permitted, and associating could mean something as minimal as attending the same event. Before she moved to Djerb, she always assumed that the Safavids were putting on a show for the world and that behind closed doors they would be more relaxed on such matters. Nothing could be further from the truth, if anything they proved to be worse and generally the kind of people that didn't like anyone outside their faith, even other Tamorans. So Thekla knew better than get into an argument. She was more concerned if she was allowed to attend. She missed home and wanted to see Ipsus palace and her family. She never knew how much she cared for them until she started living with the Safavids.
-Can I go? She said meekly expecting to get a scolding and being prepared to make up an excuse.
-Yes, of course. We need to send someone there from the Imperial family as not cause offence and they are your family.
Thekla was surprised to see that when it came to family matters or at least to what they perceived as family matters, they were generally very understanding. She noticed that with her mother which was allowed full access to the women's palace without any restrictions. Even when she would get in a fight with Alya ,she never cut her access to her mother in anyway.
-One thing though. Remember that we have good relations with the Soter.
- Yes. I understand.
At first when she got to Djerb she always assumed that "remember this and remember that " were some traditions or customs. She later found out that it meant much more than that, they were basically orders from the head of the family, in this case Abbas. So "having good relations with Soter" meant that Thekla would have to keep a secret any discussions as the one she had with Alya.
Royal Seleucid Air space
Musaevna's private jetPrinces Thekla and Musaevna were traveling together in Musaevna's plane to the IWC. Thekla didn't really understand what was the deal with Musaevna. She was a commoner after all with no trace of noble blood in her or her husband and held no government office. Yet she was a friend of Alya and had much influence at the Imperial Palace, influence which translated in both good business for her company and lots of money. Thekla would have preferred to travel alone but it wasn't her decision to make. She hadn’t really said a word other than the bare minimum much of the flight.
-Your Highness, it does help pass the time when you talk.
-I apologize, I didn't mean to offend.
- Tamoran nobles don't apologize, especially to non nobles. I think it's best if you don't do that.
- Sometimes I have a feeling that I will never be able to fit in no matter how much I try. I never seem to be able to get things right and half the time I don't get what the fuss is about like for example the latest… Thekla stopped before finishing, for a moment there she forgot that she was talking to one of Alya's friends.
- The Lodjan prostitute
scandal, you mean. Musaevna finished her sentence for her. I take it you have not paid much attention to what your Imam is saying. Prostitution is heavily frowned upon in our faith, prostitutes aren't seen as victims but criminals.
- Tamora is not unique in that regard a lot of faiths see it like that.
- Perhaps. However, from what I've seen in my travelling abroad religion often doesn't play such a big role in other societies as it does in ours. It's mostly ritual and a private matter, the faithful don't act like they have a responsibility to police the faith and enforce good behavior through their actions.
- …
- You are not convinced?
- I was wondering more why are you going if that's the case.
Musaevna started laughing before replying:
-Not all of us are so… strict. It's not like I am going there for that woman anyway. I am interested in meeting the rest. That might be useful and talking to others helps.
Thekla relaxed a bit, Musaevna for some reason didn't seem so uptight and allowed her to feel more comfortable.
Musaevna and
Thekla spent the night at the Seleucid Royal Palace. Both women also mentioned to Queen Chyrssa how much Alya wanted to come but work at the Foreign Office stopped from doing so. Musaevna also said to Chyrssa just how much Alya enjoyed her time at the Jewel festival while Thekla for her part brought jewelry as gift from Alya.
In the morning, princess Thekla and Musaevna came at the canopy. Musaevna was glad that this seemed to be a woman only event and there were no men around so she decided to take off her hijab. She kept it close to her in case of an "emergency". Both women wore
abaya dresses in dark colors as it was appropriate for Manist women.
Thekla went to her sister
Afroditi and gave her a hug as she missed her. Thekla arrived late the night before and didn’t get a chance to see her before now. She knew she would have to make this quick since she was supposed to go greet the mother and the quests rather than her sister.
"How are you sister? I am so glad to see you are here. I missed you a lot. I swear I should ask Heydar to reassign you as envoy to Tamora. That way I could see you more often. " she said jokingly. " How are the Lodjans treating you?"
Musaevna made its way to the guests. She noticed the Helusians and Lodjans were already there. She decided to approach and greet them but first she greeted the host as the higher ranking of them all and frankly friendliest of them. She then greeted the Helusian Sword and afterwards the Lodjan priestess and lastly the Helusian sailor.
Musaevna noticed that the others expect for Maria Shvets seemed to be already engaged in a conversation so she decided to not interrupt and instead approached Maria:
”Priestess
Shvets? It’s a pleasure meeting you. I am Musaevna Kadyrov, I help my husband run a business in Tamora. I admit never had the chance to speak to a priestess of Sessifet before. I also hear that you are “Priestess For Youth”. I think it’s wise that your faith places a focus on the young. If your youth are anything like ours then they need all the guidance they can get. As parents we are of course the first responsible to provide moral guidance but the Church or equivalent organization should be a close second I think.” Said Musaevna trying to strike a conversation about Sessifet faith but attempting first to start with some common ground.
“ Is this your first time in
MidAranye? “ she also asked. “ I am asking since I see you are” properly” dressed for the weather here. “