[Flashback] The Concubine-in-Training (ha'na & ifran)

[Ifran]

"Please," he said, forestalling any more apologies with his own self-mocking words, "that sort of things does wonders for a man's ego. Just be sure to tell everyone what happened." He was still gazing at the painting. In fact, she had not been long unconscious, and art deserved time and attention. He wasn't the sort to glance at a work of art and then look away when he had the opportunity to linger over something beautiful, peeling away the layers until he understood that beauty fully.

[Hana]

She moved in close. Before realizing what she was doing, she wrapped her hands around one of his arms and then slithered her own until she could hold him there, pressing against him. After finally in place, she froze, eyes widening at betraying herself so. She had no intentions or motivations. Sometimes she was just movement and thoughtlessness like any young person could be. However, it seemed rather stupid to pull away and give away the fact that her actions had not been planned. She wasn’t completely uneducated in the arts others were trying to teach her… Just rather horrible at them. Her attention turned to the painting again, head tipping slightly. Very softly she said, “In my culture certain things symbolize others… Does this painting hold hidden meaning, my lord?”

[Ifran]

An errant arm slipped around her shoulders, another stroking her hair. He was ignorant neither of her charms nor her training, but he was adept with intrigues both political and sexual, and he did not object to her closeness. Her manner cottoned rather nicely to the Eypharian sense of superiority, which was likely why they were so generous with her. "You remember the story, yes? It is, of course, a symbol of our divine nature in union with our humbler, material side. Of course, all sentient creatures attribute themselves an emanation from divinity except, I suppose, the golem-pycons. Even kelvics are merely humans recombined with animals. "We are proud, though. Arrogant, even. This is the foundation of our pride. Of course, every artist encrypts their own ideas into this representational language. What do you see with your human eyes?"

[Hana]

She listened to what he had to say, but she was picking apart the painting in a way that would not be expected. She grasped at the little pieces of details littered about in the painting, trying to fit them together with symbolism that she knew from Benshiran pottery and other various arts. Surely they were not too far apart on a very basic level, though she’d never try to tell an Eypharian that. “Well, my lord,” she said, clearly relishing in the attention he was giving her. It had been too long since anyone had showed her an affectionate touch, and she perhaps read too much into what he was doing. “The truth is…” It was lost on her. But suddenly a little detail clicked into place as she looked over the work. She cleared her throat. “Lord, I do believe this is a painting expressing the greatness of your house… Royet is the highest placed in the picture. Above even the moon and stars… The stars I recognize as those of a northern direction in the summer sky. If that is so, then the wind is blowing to the north in the painting, also. The North Winds, the divine higher than even the heavens… And the way the figures rest – A triangle. Three parts. It can symbolize the family. Father, mother, child. But clearly there is no seen child in the painting. So perhaps it speaks of the fertility and power of your people above the commonness of humanity in the form of Eyphra…” She blinked a few times slowly. That was the most helpless ramble of nothingness she had ever let out in her life.

[Ifran]

"Oh, Rabat," he said, stroking her hair. "Notice also that he changed the pose. If Eypha was removed from the composition, Royet's arms are dangerously close to a gesture that implies kingship... He goes too far. If the Pressorah saw this, well... She owes too much to my grandfather to become unduly upset, but it would be in terribly bad taste. Such a shame. The execution is beautiful." There was a thoughtful hum at the back of his throat, the sort to warm up the vocal folds. "I suppose it can't be shown to a wider audience. Perhaps when you own a home, it can decorate a wall..."

[Hana]

“A home?” This was asked like she hadn’t ever considered owning one for herself. Her lips pursed a little in thought. “With art in it? Paintings?” She blinked a few times, still looking at the painting.

[Ifran]

"Courtesans tend to have a home of their own unless they are live-in mistresses," he told her, figuring Rabat's wife was keeping Ha'na in the dark as much as possible to keep her on a leash. "One must have goals." For her, perhaps, a home. For him, though, the Noble House. Barring that, leading the Royet Theatre as its principal performer, perhaps later as artistic director. But why not both?

[Hana]

“Oh…” She didn’t understand how it all worked. He was right. The artist’s wife was keeping her in the dark. The ignorance, though, she’d keep to herself. She was from Yahebah. The sort of thing they were suggesting she do tended to get one thrown into the snake pit and all of your wealth taken away – Not earn you a home of your own. She nodded slowly. “I suppose I ought to make a few goals then…” She glanced at him after saying that. Yes, she considered… “What are your goals, Lord Ifran?” she asked quietly.

[Ifran]

"To be the best artist Ahnatep has ever seen," he said, with a mocking sort of tone. "Nothing too ambitious." He chuckled and broke away gently to move toward the food, a hand trailing behind him and maintaining contact as long as possible before separation.

[Hana]

“Ambitious,” she said gently, too gently to mean anything rude by it. It was just a statement – Like the sky was blue. Or he was endlessly handsome. When he moved away, she followed along like some puppy vying for attention. No one was around to scoff at her, and only he would be there to see himself reject her if he chose to. “And for someone like me? A human… A Benshira. Do you think it’s wise to be ambitious? Here? In Ahnatep?”