A Change Of Plan

A Change Of Plan

Blinding light pierced the Jali designed windows and broke through delicate lace canopy surrounding the luxurious bed splayed with intricately patterned throws and pillows. The theme of rich reds and vibrant gold carried across the space, reaching even the floral scene on the folding divider, the sofa and multiple items of woodwork.

Forearm resting over lids desperately trying to keep the light out, the female moaned at the crippling hangover she had brought upon herself. All was going well on the front of ignoring the world up until the point where there was a knock on the thick barrier.

“Complementary breakfast, M'Lady.” A couple of hand maids ushered in baring platters of exotic fruits, breads, smoked fish and a pitcher of water.

The woman groaned as she thrashed along the mattress and out the bed. Padding along the cool stone flooring, the female grimaced at the feast she'd received. Her  stomach churned as serpentine eyes landed on the evidence from the night before. Empty jugs, more than was responsible – More than was  humanly possible – littered the round dining table and its surrounding area. Even a small puddle of the best grape wine the place had to offer had been sitting by the window from when the guest had sloshed it out of her cup in a drunken stagger.

Placing down the food on the table, the tallest of the uniformed girls spoke. “The King has asked for you. But before that, he told me to ask you if you enjoyed your drinks last night?”

“What do you mean?” The guests head was still spinning as she scowled at everything that moved.

“Oh,” The young woman paused her duties to glance at the ashen girl clinging to the wall. “I don't know about the details. You'll have to speak to him when you get there.” With that said, the two employees scurried off out of the room before questions could be asked.

Choking back the nausea, the female that was still drunk practically crawled over to one of the trunks that had been lined up at the other end of her temporary abode. “This shall be fun.”

 

As soon as she had arrived at the palace gates, someone had already been waiting to escort the guest to where the King was waiting.

Verdant eyes rimmed with onyx kohl liner immediately landed on the man slumped back in his chair. Presumably he was already tired of waiting for the woman but that didn't stop him from jumping up from his seat when he had noticed the hungover female frowning at him.

Clapping his hands, he held his arms out as a welcome. “I'm glad you could make it, Malikah.”

“What do you want, and how do you know my name?” The words came out as a slur.

Obviously taken aback by the cold attitude, Sinbad tried to reattach his smile. “I hear you used to tutored the royal children of the Ko.” He told, but ignored the later part of her sentence.

“What of it?”

Now by the girl's side, the beaming man proudly patted her shoulder. “To teach royalty, you must be pretty knowledgeable.”

“Yes, I am. Would you like a lesson or two?” Peeling the hand of her, Malikah scrunched her eyes to relieve the burning. “I think how not to contact hungover women so early in the morning will be the first course of action.”

The man's mouth hung ajar for a few seconds as he just stared at the woman who'd used an underhanded comment. “Maybe having you stay in here would be good for everyone.”

Somewhere along the chattering, the duo had started walking. “I can't. I have to leave today.”

Furrowing his brows and slowing his pace, the King hummed as if in thought. “But you said you'd be staying a while.” He remembered what she had said to the keeper at the hotel.

“There's been a change of plan.” Unknowingly skimming the black tattoo below her right eye with the tips of her fingers, Malikah stared off down the white pathway.

“Do you hold something against me?”

Waving her hand, the girl played. “No, but I wish I did.”

“Oh, what?” The man asked, interested in what could possible be wrong with his perfect self.

“My body.” She matter of facted without looking away from where she was going.

Sinbad, thinking it was going to be a good day, reached out for the female only to have her take a step to the side away from him. “I already said I was busy right now.”

Putting his serious face on, the Sovereign gestured ahead with an upturned palm. “But there's someone here who hasn't seen you in a while.”

 

A short time had passed of the pair walking down the empty corridors of the inner palace. Hardly a word was spoken until Sinbad stopped just short of one of the many doors lining the hallway. “He's waiting for you and already knows you were to be arriving.”

Holding her head with her left hand, Malikah pulled open the barrier and strode inside the open, airy space. “Mornin'.” She said without so much as even checking who was around.

Hakuryū shot up and bowed his head to the advancing woman. “Good morning.” He remained in the same position until she had passed him and headed straight for the drink at the other end of the room.

“Are you okay?” Alibaba asked under hushed breath.

Standing tall, the newest edition to the team carried out his countries greeting gesture. “It's important to greet your seniors properly.”

Eyebrow twitching, the blonde's eyes darted from his deluded friend to the woman and then back again. “With the state she's in, I doubt it if can even see straight.”

“Even so, she'd still know and I don't want to annoy her. Especially this early.” Retaking his seat, Hakuryū placed his hands on his lap and faced the boy that was so interested in his words. “Along with a few of my other family members, I was taught by her.”

Not quite believing it, Alibaba gave the female's back another once over with a weary eye. “She doesn't look like the teaching type.”

“On the contrary, she's a specialist in---” The boy explaining was cut off when a clay jug was tapped atop of his head.

“Is it your aspiration to write my biography?” The husk of the woman's voice and the pitiful attack she had landed caused the new dungeon capturer to look up in panic.

“I didn't mean to be rude, it's ju---”

Flapping her hand as playfully as she could manage at such a time, the female being talked about took a seat beside her old acquaintance. “I'm messing with you.”

Deflating, Hakuryū sunk back into the cushions with a small pout at the same-old behaviour.

“So, go on. I'd like to hear how I was seen from someone else's point of view.” Malikah's chuckling was overtaken with the task of downing a good portion of the drink in her hand.

“Terrifying.”

“Hah?” One eyebrow raised while the other dropped from bewilderment as she pulled the beverage away from her mouth..

Examining his tutor's expression, he inched away a little. “Why are you looking so confused?”

“Because you were my cute little student that I love. I didn't think you were scared of me.” Placing a thoughtful finger to her lower lip, the female clicked her tongue piercing off her teeth. “I suppose that accounts for you always getting top marks.” She wondered; more to herself than anyone else.

“D-don't say such embarrassing things.” It hadn't been five minutes of them being in the same room and she'd already caused a furious blush to pain the young Prince's face.

“Ehhh~” Throwing an arm around the boy beside her, she pulled him closer and shook him mockingly. “Are you getting shy?”

“It's like a family reunion.” Aladdin chimed happily as he watched the scene.

Hakuryū's mood dropped and his struggling stopped. “That's somewhat true. You were at the palace for a long time, although...You never did say when or how exactly you started.” His eyes tried to meet hers but by this point she was already looking elsewhere.

Malikah's cheerful demeanour faltered slightly but it wasn't noticeable to anyone but the boy beside her. “Never mind that now.” Her grin widened to the point of it forcing her eyes shut. “It's not really important after all. What is is that my family is doing well.”

“Family?” Hakuryū blinked at the term she had used without a second thought.

Placing her palm on his head, she gave a gentle smile. “You're practically my little brother.”

It felt strange hearing her say that. She was usually such a clown – One with crippling killing intent, but a clown nonetheless. However, the way she was now made her seem like she couldn't be anything less than genuine and something about it made him return the warm gesture.

“That reminds me, have you seen Judal recently?” He remembered the relationship that made him all kinds of curious.

“Not for some time but I bet he'll be showing himself any time soon.” The eldest present went about gulping down the remainder of her drink as a means of not being asked anything more.

“You know Judal too?” Alibaba just had to go and ruin it for her.

Wiping the tiny stream of wine that had escaped her mouth with the back of her hand, Malikah pointed out of the window lazily. “What do you expect when we're both affiliated with the Kō?”

Aladdin scooted along the cushions to come face to face with the guest. “I'd like to know more.”

Ammolite eyes instinctively scanned the chibi kid who had plonked himself down at her feet and was now staring up at her. “Then Hakuryū will tell you.”

Abruptly pushing himself up out of the plush seat, the boy attempted to do a runner from his task. “I have to go and practice---”

Resting her drink on her lap, Malikah glanced to Hakuryū. “Sit down.”

“Yes, teacher.” The phrase fell from his mouth out of old habit as he followed her order immediately.

“Pahaha!” The older female couldn't help but to laugh at what she had drilled into her old student.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, the young prince took a deep breath.

Alibaba joined the jokes. “What a demon.”

“You haven't seen anything.” The dejected boy mumbled.

Cocking her head, Malikah cooed. “Oh?”

Swallowing back the fear of dropping himself into trouble, Hakuryū attempted to redeem himself. “Not that your way of teaching is anything but ethical and wonderfully informative...”

 

Noon had come around and Hakuryū had spilled all the information Malikah had allowed him to – Which was basically just her name, age and a handful of torture stories from way back when.

“I know we haven't talked in a long time, but I have to go.” Forcing her self up, the woman groaned at the thought of the upcoming trip.

“Sinbad said you were staying for some time.”

“That was what I wanted to do – Sindria is such a lovely country after all –" Her eyes shot to the main door for a split second before returning to the group in front of her. “but, what has to be done, has to be done.” Nodding her head to the trio of boys, Malikah bid farewell.

No sooner had she shut the door behind her had she been met with her host himself leaning against the wall.

Looking the taller man up and down, Malikah leaned in closer and aimlessly flicked the gaping fabric over his chest. “I'll be gone for a few days.” Tip toe'ing, she brought her face up to her company's. “You don't mind if I bring a friend or two back, do you?”

Trying to play it cool, the King hummed and ah'ed as if he needed to even think about it. “What are you planning?”

Blowing a kiss, the facetious woman flounced off back the way she had previously came.“If I told you now, it wouldn't be any fun.”
 

Updated: 10th Feb 2013 - 05:32am