Spirits of the Earth

[ @DaGlobster !]

Ghali was nothing if not a collector.

Only in his case, he tended to collect people, in one way or another.

Some were slaves, like Kuvira. Some were staff, his guardsmen and cooks and such. And some were curiosities, like Juras. Ghali had always had a love of the Colosseum games and he had heard word of the Longknife and how he, a volunteer, was rising through the ranks and starting to make a name for himself. It was definitely worth looking into, and when his men had confirmed that the rumors were true, Ghali decided he needed to be first to leap on the opportunity and sponsor him before others could.

It would be beneficial to them both. Ghali could provide him expert training, medical care, equipment, and better meals, and use his clout and influence to enter him into high profile matches Juras might otherwise not have access to, and as a result make a killing off of the winnings. Really, it was every gladiator's dream, free or slave, to receive the backing of a merchant prince. That was what really opened the doors for career advancement.

To celebrate their new partnership and seal the deal, Ghali invited Juras to dinner that night as a show of good faith and celebration--and because he always did love a good excuse to drink and feast. His cooks were whipping up quite the magnificent meal, complete with dessert, and Ghali was still fussing and getting ready and having his tailor do some last minute alterations to his rick silk robes, hemming it here and there. It was a bit tighter on him these days.

"Kuvira," he called, and she rose from where she'd been sitting on the bed. She, too, was dressed for the occasion, decked out in the gold jewellery (bracelets, anklets, and a lavish decorative collar) provided her by Ghali, though her clothing was simple but elegant; just a white sheath dress that reached her knees and hugged her shape, leaving little to the imagination. "Our guest should be arriving shortly. Be a dear and see he's made comfortable."

"Yes, master," she said with a bow, and turned to leave--but not before he gave her bottom a firm grope, his hand slipping up inside her dress. She was glad her back was turned so he couldn't see her scowl. Instead, she blushed prettily and made the proper noises, giving a coy little gasp and a soft, "Oh, master!"

It was amazing how some people never figured out she was faking.

"You look beautiful," he said. "Ravishing. I've half a mind to bend you over and have myself a little appetizer."

The tailor, who was busily fixing Ghali's other sleeve, cleared her throat loudly. Ghali glanced at her with raised eyebrows as though surprised she was still there, then slid his hand away.

"Right. Run along, then."

Thank freakin' Hakeshna.

With another graceful, "Yes, master," Kuvira smoothed down her dress and slipped out the door.

Finally!

At least tonight would be interesting. She'd get to actually meet a gladiator for more than five minutes, so that was something to spice up her otherwise dull social life. He would no doubt be leagues more interesting to listen to than Ghali's blabbering about things no one cared about but had to politely act like they did, and hopefully Ghali actually let him talk about the arena! Kuvira had been to several of the games over her life, and she quite enjoyed the bloodless ones--and on that league of thought, she couldn't help but wonder if this gladiator had ever killed someone.

As horrible as it was, there was something intriguing about the element of danger such a thing brought to the table.

And better yet, a partnership with him might give her easy access to arena information. She had learned of a few curious happenings over the last few weeks involving certain disobedient slaves--and it would be a good opportunity to get a finger on the pulse of such matters, and learn fact from fiction.

And so she waited near the door to let him in when he arrived and provide him whatever hospitality she could. Hopefully her master took longer; he tended to be fashionably late. She wanted a chance to feel him out on her own.

---5 hours prior to Juras' expected arrival---

The door to Juras' flat swung open, and the gladiator stepped inside. Panting and sweating from his morning exercises, he stepped inside, boot crumpling the message that had been slipped under his door.

He stumbled into the kitchen, where he leaned on the counter, taking a moment to steady his racing heart and splash some water onto his face. He stretched, took an apple from a basket he had in his kitchen, and was about to head back out to the bathhouse when a scent caught his nose.

Was that... perfume?

He looked around, until he pinpointed the source to be a folded letter, slightly crumpled with a bootprint emblazoned upon it. He knelt down and picked it up, unfolding it to read what was inside.

"What the fu--"

---Present---

Five hours wasn't too big of a head start, especially when one's presence is requested by a godsdamned Merchant Prince of Essyrn. Thankfully, he already had suitable clothing, all he needed was to get himself cleaned, and proper.

Not too much, though. He knew sponsors liked to see gladiators as fierce beasts, so he made sure to balance his cleanliness with his, well... manliness, he supposed.

His clothing was little more than a simple, yet distinguished red silk vest, kept open down the middle and sleeveless so that his would-be sponsor could see Juras' perfectly maintained physique and collection of impressive, tale-worthy scars. One thing he didn't hold back on was his hair, naturally smooth and long due to his elven blood, and he had it thoroughly washed and styled so that it ran free. His many silver ear-piercings were replaced by gold ones, and he made sure that the leather for his belt was fine. His pants were of a similar style to his vest, in that they matched the colors and overall aesthetic.

And of course, there was the weapons.

Juras collected his finest weapons to show Ghali. On his back was a flamberge he'd obtained in Adela, and on his hips was a fine, Serenian rapier, and a majestic Essyrni scimitar. The various daggers and throwing knives on his person were elegant as well, balanced in both form and function.

And so it was with this very same getup that Juras strode to the front door of Ghali's estate, once the guards at the gate had let him in. He steeled himself a bit, brushed some loose hairs behind his pointed ears, made sure his handsome, elvish face was free of dust or sand, and he rose his knuckles to the door.

He knocked three times, with both strength and authority. Truly, the knock of a distinguished guest.

A knock sounded shortly after Kuvira arrived, and she took a deep breath to compose herself before she strode to answer it. Unlatching the lock, she pulled the door open.

And stared.

It was only a brief stare, a wide-eyed look as she hadn't been expecting anyone so refined, but she caught herself and dutifully dropped her eyes to the floor and stepped aside to let him in.

"My master welcomes you, sir," she greeted with a bow, her many tiny braids cascading over her shoulders. She straightened back up again, but still kept her eyes down and hands clasped in front of her. "He asks that you make yourself at home, and that he will be down shortly. Can I get you a drink, sir?"

Juras stared too, for a moment. Kuvira's clothing was successful in catching his eye, but it was only for a moment, as Juras tried to remove the distraction from his mind. He strode inside with all the confidence and bravery of a proper gladiator, eyes scanning about.

Finally, they fell back onto Kuvira.

"The coldest water you have."

Only water? Head bowed, Kuvira lifted an eyebrow at that but quickly smoothed out her features. Well, there would be plenty of wine with dinner; perhaps he didn't want to spoil it. Either way, it wasn't her place to question one's choices.

"As you wish, sir," she said with another bow before she turned. "Please, follow me."

There was a lush lounge outside the dining room used to entertain guests, and it was there that Kuvira lead him. There were several plush couches, capable of seating several people, arranged in the room with a table before them, and she bade Juras to sit where he please. "Be at home, sir," she said. "Make yourself comfortable. If you wish, you may hang your weapons so that you might rest easy." She motioned to a rack on the far wall used for that purpose, and then bowed again. "Please excuse me. I'll return with your drink shortly."

She slipped off past the large doors that lead into the dining room and kitchens, and returned several minutes later with a tray balancing a pitcher of ice water, a glass, and a bowl of sliced lemon. She knelt beside the table, set the tray down, and poured a glass of water from the pitcher. "Lemon, sir?" she asked.

Juras sat himself down at the edge of one couch, deciding that it would be okay to slouch, since his sponsor had not yet arrived. Juras pondered the implications that the man was somehow late to an event held in his own house while he waited on the water, fingers tapping the armrest of the couch.

Juras' ears perked up a bit when Kuvira asked him if he wanted lemons, and a thoughtful look passed over him.

"Just the plain water, actually. I'll have a few lemons separately."

He crossed one leg over the other, and shook his head to set his hair back into place.

"As you wish, sir," Kuvira said, and slid the water glass and the bowl of lemons over to him. She rose back to her feet. "Is there anything else I can provide you while you wait?"

And she watched him from beneath her eyelashes, trying to get a good look at him without looking at him directly--or at least not while he noticed. Really, she was dying to talk to him, but this sort of thing was a precarious balancing act. She could speak freely around others of her station, but with other folks it was safer to be invited to speak first. Unfortunately, few had reason--or desire--to speak to a slave.

Juras almost thanked the girl, before he remembered that thanking a slave was a faux pas in Essyrn. He took a sip of his water, and sighed pleasantly, closing his eyes.

Nothing like ice water to beat the heat.

Kuvira might have been used to sneaking looks on mundane people, but Juras' elvish eyes were much sharper than the average man's. He noticed her trying to look at him, so, he decided he'd indulge the poor girl.

"Gladiators pique your interest much?" he asked, giving Kuvira a friendly smile to let her know it was okay to speak to him.

It was an effort not to smile. Instead, Kuvira ducked her head in feigned shyness and humility, letting a light blush rise to her cheeks as though embarrassed to have been caught.

"Oh, yes, sir, very much so," she said, keeping her eyes lowered. "My master, ever gracious, has taken me to many of the games, and I have always enjoyed them. The killing I find difficult, however, I..." She trailed off, biting her lip as though uncertain. "I apologize, sir. I may have spoken too much."

"Oh, don't worry about it. Speak freely. It's better than sitting here in silence, waiting for my gracious host to attend his own event."

Okay, that might've come out a bit too sassy, but in the end, his audience was the right one. He just hoped she wasn't one of those slaves who actually liked their masters. Those were weird.

Kuvira's eyes widened in genuine surprise at that, and she covered her hand with her mouth to keep from laughing outright. She had...never really heard anyone insult her master like that. Had never really been in the presence of anyone who dared, even in private! He was a powerful man, after all. Of course she knew people disliked him, but they always kept it on the inside.

He had eyes and ears everywhere, so most were too nervous, just in case.

She cleared her throat and tried to subdue her expression. "I...yes, sir," she said, struggling to recover from her own amusement, and deciding that, yes, she liked this one. When she was composed again, she said, "How long have you been fighting?"

In Juras' defense, it could've been an insult, or it could've been a completely objective statement of truth.

"Well, I've only been with the Colosseum for, say... a year and a half. But I've been fighting ever since my mother died."

He paused to take a sip.

"A long time then, sir?" Kuvira ventured, still a little cautious. One never knew where one's boundaries were unless outright stated--and there were always boundaries that could be crossed, even when told "speak freely".

Juras nodded.

"I'm fifty-three years old, and my mother died when I was eleven."

He was quiet for a couple of seconds, before he realized he might have to clarify something.

"Fifty-three's young for a half-elf."

It was good he clarified, because Kuvira just about choked. He didn't look any older than her!

"That is quite a long time," she said instead, recovering from her surprise. "No wonder you have been so successful in the Colosseum, sir. You must have made quite a name for yourself, for my master to show such an interest in you." She offered up a smile. "He only enjoys the best."

Juras smiled at that, and continued to sip his water. He took up a lemon, and squeezed some of it into his water, and the rest into his mouth.

"Well, I aim to please. I'm nothing if not a professional."

"And to have survived so long!" Kuvira continued in a whispered rush. "I have heard most gladiators do not have so long a career. You must be very skilled."

"Well, in truth, I've only been a gladiator for a year and a half. Ever since I turned sixteen, I've made my fortunes as a mercenary. With the two side by side, by career as a gladiator is little more than a hiccup."

He looked at Kuvira, reading her eyes with his incredibly sharp elven ones.

"Two dangerous careers then, sir?" Kuvira said, eyes wide with surprise and admiration. "I should love to see you in action one day. It is my hope that Master will take me with him, when you next fight." She cocked her head curiously. "When will that be?"

"Well, I have a fight coming up in a couple of days, but I presume your master has many more in store for me."

Another sip of his water, another lemon slice.

"Does your master frequently sponsor gladiators?"

"No, not since I have been in his possession, sir," Kuvira said with a shake of her head. "To my sparse knowledge, you are the first. You appear to have made quite the impression on him in your last match, sir."

It was bold for a slave, but she couldn't help but scoot just a little closer to where he sat, even as she remained kneeling on the floor. "I have rarely seen him go to such lengths for a guest. The feast is to be a grand one, indeed."

And then she leaned in with a hand cupped to her mouth and pitched her voice low, "I made the peach cobbler, sir. Master likes to show off his influence through subtle means, like the import of hard to attain fruits. And he's always liked my cobbler, Adelan in origin though it is."

"Peach cobbler?" Juras said, and his eyes brightened with some measure of joy. It'd been a long time since he'd fought as a mercenary on Adelan soil, and frankly, peach cobbler had been his solace.

"I'm rather partial to a good slice of cobbler," he said, and he patted his abs, smiling wistfully.

He looked at Kuvira, and glanced about, as if searching for her master. He looked back at her, and smiled.

"You know, if you want to sit up here with me, I won't object."

Well! That was rather bold of him, to offer a slave the same luxuries as himself. But with permission granted, Kuvira was not about to object. And afte rall, if her master mentioned it, she could always plead that it was not her place to object.

"You are most gracious, sir!" Kuvira said as she rose  to her feet, smoothing out her sheer dress. She plunked herself down next to him, hands folded in her lap, and smiled over at him.

"You will have to tell me how mine compares to what you've had, sir," she said, and laid a hand on his knee. "I have gotten many compliments--not to be prideful."

"And I will," Juras said, politely ignoring the hand on his knee. Whether it was an advance of sorts, or this woman simply getting comfortable, he wasn't going to be the one to ask.

"Although if your cobbler has the tongue of an Essyrni merchant prince, I doubt it'll be anything less than stellar."

Kuvira beamed with delight, and opened her mouth to say more when a movement by the stairs caught her eye. She raised her eyes and looked to see that her master was there, descending the steps and trailed by the flustered tailor who was still removing pins from his clothes as they walked.

"Ah, there he is! The man of honor himself. Juras, my lad!" Ghali said as he reached for the bottom and started for them. He wasted no time in greeting Juras, clasping his hand and pulling him in for a customary cheek kiss. "I'm so pleased to see you made it! I hope Kuvira here saw you properly settled in? I'm Ghali, my lad. Ghali Omarza. And I have high hopes that tonight can mark the beginnings of a long, solid partnership."

Juras could only stand there helplessly and be swept away by the opulent tide that was Ghali Omarza. Before he knew it, he was being pulled in for the standard Essyrni greeting, and it was only by his natural grace and quick reaction times that he successfully returned the gestures put towards  him.

"It is a great honor to meet you, Omarza," Juras said once he was parted from him, and he offered the man a polite bow. He looked to Kuvira, and smiled.

"Kuvira's the name, then?"

He looked back to Ghali.

"She's quite the charmer. She got me settled in just fine."

"Wonderful to hear!" Ghali said with a smile, and swatted at the tailor as she sneaked in to pluck the last of the pins from his sleeve. She got them, though, and the triumph was clear in her grin before, with a long-suffering look his way, she excused herself and slipped away.

Kuvira had risen with Juras, and as soon as their introductions were finished, she dutifully took her place on Ghali's offered arm. He gave her hair an affectionate stroke--though it was rather akin to how a master stroked a cherished dog.

"Ah, yes, she's the best I have. Remind me to reward you later, dear, for a job well done," he said, tipping Kuvira's chin up to look at her. She smiled demurely and lowered her eyes.

"You're most gracious, master."

"Indeed. Perhaps a new trinket for your hair? Ah, but I'm getting off topic! I'm sure you're starving by now, lad, and I deeply apologize. My tailor can just be so slow, genius though she is. Come now, this way! Into the dining hall. We'll talk more over appetizers."

And the two of them quickly lead the way, into a grand dining room with an impressively long and low table. Only the back end of it was being utilized for this meal, however, and it was only that space which was set. But already large, steaming trays of appetizers were set out, along with several different bottles of wine and plenty of candles for light. Plush cushions were utilized as seats.

There was a bench set apart from the table, and it was there that Kuvira would to sit while Ghali took his place at the head and invited Juras to sit at his right. For now, however, she stayed standing as she took to serving Ghali his favorite wine, before she looked to Juras. "What kind of wine does our esteemed guest desire?"

Juras stayed quiet, but there was something about the way Ghali treated Kuvira that just made his skin crawl. He had an idea of what he did with her behind closed doors, and really, the thought was almost enough to make Juras lose his appetite.

A woman like Kuvira was wasted on a creep like Ghali. Unfortunately, it was a sentiment he couldn't, nor wouldn't, share.

When he sat down to eat, he pondered a bit at Kuvira's question. He was tempted to test the depths of Ghali's pockets by asking for something extravagant, but he opted for the humbler choice.

"Elven White."

"As you wish, sir," Kuvira said with a polite bow of her head, before she picked up one of the many bottles laid out on the table. She uncorked it, then poured some into Juras's glass.

When she was done, she took her seat at her bench and began the long, boring process of just waiting until she was called upon. Really, these dinners were often dreadfully dull, but on the bright side, tonight, at least, should prove interesting. That didn't mean it was any less of a torment, though! As usual, she would only eat when everyone else had had their fill--which could make this a long wait, indeed. But there was a bright side to that, too, in that she'd get to eat any of the leftovers she wished, and as much as she wanted--dessert included.

Ghali always made sure there was more than enough.

"Help yourself to whatever you like, don't be shy!" Ghali told Juras, as he began to serve himself from the many appetizers. There were boiled eggs and local and imported fruits, sweet breads and flat breads and dips for them, there were little fried, breaded things filled with cheese and sauce for those, as well, and even stuffed grape leaves filled with a mix of rice and seasonings.

And Ghali was certainly taking a generous portion.

"Now tell me, Juras, have you thought about my offer?" he asked as he snacked on a stuffed grape leaf. "I know you may not have had much time, considering the abruptness of my invitation."

"Hardly abrupt, but I've been dreadfully busy these past few days. The Colosseum's seen it fit to give me a match every day now, for whatever that's worth."

he took a sip of the wine, and smiled. Perhaps it was a subconscious effect from his elven half, but Juras was definitely a man of sophisticated tastes. It was odd, given his impoverished upbringing, but he supposed it was just a natural predilection that all elves had.

"So busy, in fact, that I discovered your invitation only five hours before I was expected here. It was quite the rush, making myself presentable, but the important thing is that I made it."

He took a few of the stuffed leaves, one peach, and a boiled egg.

"And I must say, it's an attractive offer. I didn't have much time to read it, for previously stated reasons, so I'd be grateful to hear it from your lips. For clarity and all."

"Oh, that's completely understandable. You are a busy man as I understand it, as am I. I can certainly relate!"

Ghali took a long gulp of wine, finishing off his glass, and Kuvira rose without a word to refill it for him. He smiled at her, and reached out slyly beneath the table pinch her ass as she retreated back to her seat. She jolted, used to such gestures, but surprised because she genuinely hadn't seen that one coming! But she hid her irritation under a flirtatious smile and a wink, and sat back down.

Ghali returned his attention to Juras.

"My offer is thus: I'll fund your battles. I'll provide you what you need: medical care, equipment, food, training, you name it. I'll also provide you with better opportunities. I'm a powerful man, Juras. I can get you into matches you wouldn't have dreamed of qualifying for--because I can set them up and fund them. I'm talking high profile matches against highly successful fighters. We'll make a killing on the earnings."

Juras listened intently to the offer, popping bits of food into his mouth as he listened. At the end, he slowly nodded.

"Sounds all good and dandy, but what'll be my cut of the winnings?" Juras asked, leaning back in his seat, and taking another sip of wine.

"I ask for a 30% cut," Ghali said. "The rest is yours. You'll be required to wear my colors when you fight, and my uniform when you attend special functions, of course, which benefits me as it's good advertising for my business, and better advertising when you win."

"Sounds fair. Real fair," Juras said. A seventy percent cut for him? That was way better than the forty percent he got from the Colosseum. Then again, those were the minor leagues. Juras figured that he was about to go big.

"Then I really don't see what's left to negotiate. You've got yourself a gladiator, Omarza."

Ghali stretched his hand out to Juras with a grin, expecting to shake on it. "Fantastic! Then with business matters all taken care of, let's eat!"

And as though on cue, several slaves appeared from the kitchens hefting trays of steaming food. There was rice and kabobs, falafal and kofta, stuffed vegetables, koshary, seared lamb--all of it was an exercise in excess, in showcasing Ghali's wealth. Most dishes in Essyrn had very little meat in them, for it was expensive, but Ghali's dishes had more than was even necessary.

A high protein diet like that would definitely be beneficial to Juras.

Juras shook Gali's hand powerfully, giving him a little display of power. He wasn't crushing his hand or anything, just giving him one hell of a firm handshake.

When the food came, Juras was at a loss. Most important to him was the meat. Meat was expensive, but it was a necessary part of his diet. Given his income, he didn't consume as much as he'd have liked, but now?

Juras piled his plate with meat, rice, and vegetable, intent on getting as much as he could out of this patronage.

Ghali certainly wasted no time loading up his plate with a bit of everything, and he dug into it with gusto. Which, of course, left Kuvira on the bench, to wait until they were finished and ignore the grumbling of her belly.

She rose to refill Ghali's wine glass again, and paused by Juras. "More wine, sir?"

While she tended to Juras, Ghali spoke up between bites. "So, Juras, where are you staying? In the Colosseum?"

Juras glanced up to her, and he smiled.

"Yes, thank you," he said, and shifted his quarter-full glass over so she could fill it out of the way. He looked back at Ghali, and took a bite out of one of the kebabs.

"Oh, they don't keep us volunteers there. I have a flat on Warrior's Street. It's housing the city put up to accomodate us volunteers. Nice and close to the colosseum, and the market's not too far away, either."

"Ah, I know the place," Ghali said with a nod, as Kuvira refilled both their glasses. "Sounds like a convenient set up. If you're happy there, I won't offer to move you, but if you're ever interested in other accommodations, I have space here. Not here, but on my land. Several buildings are currently unoccupied."

Juras looked a bit interested in the possibility of alternative housing. Of course, the flat he had a stone's throw away from the arena was convenient, but it lacked a certain... prestige to it. Even then, it's not like a longer walk bothered him in the slightest, either.

"What kind of buildings?" Juras asked, stealing a glance at Kuvira when she came to refill his cup.

Kuvira caught Juras's look and smiled back, leaning over just a bit more than was necessary as she refilled his glass--enough to give him a good peek at her breasts. Not that the garment concealed much to begin with; it was designed to leave her accessible.

To Ghali. Eugh.

Straightening up again, she winked at him and then turned and strode back to her bench with a swish of her hips.

Ghali was oblivious. By that point, he'd had enough wine to make him careless. "Oh, nothing fancy," he said with a wave of his hand. "They're simple homes, large enough to house a single family, so it would be more than enough space for a single person. I use them to house my men. Keep them close to me. If they can bring their families along, they raise fewer objections."

Juras appreciated Kuvira's decision to lean over that extra distance, finding nothing to object over. When she straightened up and winked to him, he smirked, and looked back to Ghali. Deciding to give Kuvira something to look at as well, he stretched in his seat, fully extending his arms and rippling the muscles on his back.

"Well, I'd be both happy and honored to accept one of these homes, if it's no trouble to you."

"If it were any trouble, I wouldn't have offered," Ghali said around a mouthful of food. "I'll have it set up within the week, and then you'll be free to move in whenever's convenient. The sooner the better. Don't dally."

He washed his meal down with another long sip of wine, which was already going to his head. Kuvira noted that with a sigh of relief; it meant as soon as he was full, he would basically just go and fall asleep, for her had no tolerance for alcohol even though he loved it. It only made him tired. The nights when he drank were the nights she had freedom.

As Ghali clapped for the servants to start bringing out dessert, she watched Juras's little display with a smile, both appreciative and relieved.

It seemed, at least, that the flirting had been welcomed.

Juras nodded, and he ate a few more bites of his food.

"Oh, I never dally. Dally on the sands, and you end up a dead man," Juras said, and took a sip of his wine. With a hint of curiosity, Juras noted that Ghali apparently had the alcohol tolerance of a five-year old.

"If you don't mind me asking, what kind of goods do you deal in as a merchant? I find myself curious."

"Spices and perfumes, mostly," Ghali said. And sure enough, as he spoke, the peach cobbler Kuvira had spoken of was brought and and laid out on the table, among myriad other delicacies. Chocolates, tarts, candied fruits, cakes. It was indeed a meal fit for a king. Or a merchant prince.

"The wetter nations pay a ridiculous amount for both of those. You would think their food was bland, from the way they gobble it up."

"Well, I was born in Uthlyn, and I can say with certainty is that Essyrn, Thanatos, and Yoreiq are the country's sole suppliers of spices. I don't think the climate agrees with growing them over in the greener areas."

Juras eagerly took two slices of the cobbler, and when he took a bite, he groaned with pleasure.

"Compliments to the chef, this cobbler's amazing!" Juras said with chuckle, and he took another bite.

"Reminds me of my days in Adela."

"Adela, eh? You're well traveled, then?" Ghali said, his chair creaking as he leaned back in it and munched on a slice of chocolate tart.

"As for the cobbler, you have Kuvira to thank for that. For a slave, she's delightfully talented. Isn't that right, dear?"

And at that, Kuvira mustered up a bright smile as though she adored the praise, though behind her smile, her eyes were smoldering.

"Well, before I was a gladiator, sir, I made my gold as a pit fighter in Thanatos, and before that, I was a mercenary. I've been pretty much everywhere."

He took another bite of cobbler.

"And this cobbler's as Adelan as it gets."

"No wonder you're so successful. I assume you've picked up a variety of fighting styles from the places you've been?" Ghali said around a mouthful of desert, swallowing it down with more wine before hiding a yawn behind his hand.

"And from the looks of your ears, you've got a little more in you than human, correct?"

Juras caught the small yawn, and while Ghali was distracted by yawning, Juras flashed Kuvira a sly look for the briefest of moments.

"That's right. Essyrni Double-Khopesh, Serenian Street-Fencing, and the Wudang Sword style from Thanatos, just to name a few," Juras said, smiling proudly.

"And I am half-elf. On my mother's side."

"Mmm, I see," Ghali murmured, and hid another yawn behind his hand. He blinked dully for a couple seconds, seeming distracted by something, and then took another bite of cobbler and stretched.

"Ah, my apologies, Juras, my lad. I don't mean to be rude, but I'm afraid I didn't sleep well last night." Sitting up straighter, his back popping, he sighed and looked to Juras. "Feel free to stay and enjoy the meal, as much of it as you can fit. My servants are yours to command, and if you need lodging for the night," he added with a pointed look toward all the booze, "then my servants will show you to one of our guest rooms. For now, however, I'm afraid I must retire for now."

And he rose from his seat then, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. "Kuvira, see that he's comfortable."

With that said, and a polite but shallow bow, Ghali strode from the room.

"Thank you. I'm honored to accept your hospitality," Juras said, and he gave Ghali a little bow of his head. He watched the rotund man leave the room, and when he was sure Ghali was clear, he sagged in his seat and groaned.

He looked back to Kuvira, and he had a sly grin on his face.

"You wanna show me to my room?"

She thought Ghali would never leave!

Kuvira let out a sigh of relief when he was gone, and caught Juras's eye. With a knowing smile as she caught his own sly one, she rose to her feet, poured a glass of wine for herself, and drained it.

With Ghali gone, she was free to eat what was left. But it looked like that would have to wait for now.

"Tired already, sir?" she asked, amusement in her eyes, as she set the glass back down and motioned him to follow her.

"Oh, I could do with some good bed rest," Juras said, and he stood from his seat. He picked up a bottle of wine from the table, and took a hearty chug from it.

He followed behind her, grinning like a bastard.

With her back to Juras, he couldn't see her smile as she lead the way through Ghali's spacious home, an extra sway to her hips, all too aware of how the fabric left so little to the imagination. Bed rest, indeed! Of course she had a feeling of what the gladiator wanted, and she was happy to provide--and hopefully seal a deal of her own, whether he knew it or not. A gladiator would have access to information she didn't and she could likely squeeze much of it out of him with pillow talk. And if he was Ghali's, then they would be seeing each other again.

Hopefully she could convince him now to keep coming back to her.

It was risky, for so many reasons, and she kept her eyes peeled for servants as she lead him down a hall and to a room off to the left. Trading information was dangerous business in and of itself.

Laying with someone who wasn't Ghali? He would kill her for that, she was certain.

But he was indisposed now, and would be for a while, so she opened the door and ushered Juras inside--and shut the door behind them.

Leaning against the door, she let out a held breath, face slightly flushed from the wine, and looked at him. "We shouldn't be doing this," she whispered--and yet everything in her tone and wicked smile suggested that was part of the thrill.

In all honesty, if Kuvira was doing this to get information out of him regarding slaves and the operations of the colosseum, then that was information he would give freely regardless. He had absolutely no love for the slavemasters of Essyrn.

Juras looked at her, and smiled as he took another swig from the bottle.

"I know," he whispered back. "That's the best part."

He stepped up to her and fearlessly joined his lips to hers, hands flying down to her hips.

Kuvira would be lying if she ever tried to claim information was her sole motivator.

That was just part of it.

And as she sealed her lips to Juras's and tangled her hands in his hair, her body boldly pressing into his, all the tension of the day began to melt. This was also why she did this, for sheer enjoyment, for pleasure and for a few moments of freedom. It was a rare moment of autonomy, where she actually got to choose and do something because she wanted to, and got to lay with someone of her choosing. Ghali never beat her, and he wasn't rough with her, but she didn't like him, didn't enjoy anything about their time together, and rough or not she was still forced. Perhaps not physically, but she couldn't deny him, either; he owned her.

In rare moments like these, she got to enjoy herself and know that her body was still hers.

Slipping her tongue into his mouth, her breath coming out in bursts, she trailed her hands down his back and finally to his hips and began to wrestle his pants open. "Hurry," she breathed.

Juras helped Kuvira get him out of his pants, and she'd find that he had a tool to match his gladiator physique. He crushed their lips together, and then pulled away. He undid his vest and it was off in a flash.

"Your turn," he whispered, and pulled away from her and took a seat on the bed, watching and waiting.

Kuvira was dearly looking forward to making use of said "tool".

But before she could even touch it, Juras pulled away, and she let out a soft whine of complaint. But then he was on the bed, waiting for her, and, well, it was only fair! With an amused smile, her eyes hooded, she reached down and stripped the dress up and over her head and let it fall carelessly to the floor.

And, as was hinted to by the sheer fabric, she wore nothing but her skin beneath.

She stretched, gathering all her tiny braids and tossing them over her shoulder and letting him admire her for a moment. She had a body many craved, soft and voluptuous with breasts that drew attention even when she was fully clothed. Her navel was pierced, a silver leaf design dangling just below, and her left nipple was also pierced--on Ghali's order. The veil she wore in public marked her as a slave, but he had wanted something that more intimately marked her as his.

Striding over to Juras, she gave him a little wink. "Do I please you?" she asked, even as she slid down onto her knees.

"Is that a trick question?" Juras asked, and he grinned at her, giddy with wine. When she dropped down onto her knees, Juras preemptively started to harden up in anticipation.

"Because yeah. You do."

"Good answer," Kuvira purred, meeting his eyes, before she took his hardening cock in her hand--and wasted no time in trailing her tongue along him, from the base of his shaft to the tip. She swirled her tongue around him and kissed the head, slicking him up and stroking him with her hand, then slipped him in her mouth and took him in deep, wetting every inch of him.

Juras was going to speak, but his thoughts trailed off as she took him in, placing his hnds on her head to encourage her. A soft breath left him.

"Gods..."

Words were hardly necessary, when the soft breaths escaping Juras were answer enough. Smiling around him, Kuvira bobbed on him, sliding him out of her mouth before slipping him back in deep until she could feel him against her throat. Men always seemed to love that, and marvel at her skill at doing it without choking, and she moaned around him as she so he could feel the subtle vibrations.

She raked her nails lightly along his inner thighs as she worked, down and then up, and higher still, until she gently took his balls in her hand and stroked them, all the while still sliding him in and out of her mouth. Finally, though, she had to come up for air and she released him with a soft pop, smiled up at him, and then licked him from base to tip, sighing her pleasure--and already imagining him inside her.

Juras was content to sit there and enjoy the amazing blowjob Kuvira was giving him. It definitely made up for having to put up with Ghali.

When she finally released him, Juras let out a breath that he wasn't even aware he was holding.

"Mm, where would you like to come, sir?" Kuvira asked softly, watching Juras as she teased him with her tongue, swirling it around the tip. And then, before he could answer, she slipped him past her lips again and sucked him deeply, eyes fluttering shut in enjoyment.

"Hah..." Juras said, and he leaned back, taking a moment to enjoy the sensations.

"I'd rather not leave a mess," Juras said, hoping Kuvira got his intent.

Hmm. Well, he could mean a few things by that. Perhaps he hadn't intended on fucking her and didn't want to chance leaving behind any evidence? Kuvura decided to play it safe, and play the role of the humble slave; until he told her otherwise, she would just continue down the current path.

Her eyes fluttered open as she gazed up at him, watching him as she pleasured him and continued to slide along his cock, slowly picking up her pace, bobbing and sucking and swirling her tongue around him until he was slick, the sounds she made quite lewd. And then, just to give him something else to look at, she lifted suddenly, cupped her full breasts, and slipped his cock between them, sliding him between them even as she sucked on the head.

It seemed Kuvira got Juras' message, and to be frank, he was a careful person like that. When he wqs young, life as a street urchin was all about being careful and taking things from richer people
Than him without being caught.

This actually was a pretty similar situation, save for the fact that the things he stole didn't really offer themselves to him.

"Does your master have any upcoming business trips?" Juras asked, looking down at Kuvira with cheeks flushed.

"Mm, always," Kuvira purred, licking her lips and gazing up at Juras. There was no harm in saying as much; it wasn't secret information. She dipped her tongue down to glide along his head, idly teasing.

"He will be gone two days this coming week." And then, cocking her head, she gave her most demure smile. "Why do you ask, sir?"

Juras caught that smile, and he gave her a sly one of his own. Yeah, this girl demure. Riiiiiight.

"Well, I'd like the chance to acquaint myself better with you," Juras said, although his tone suggested anything but light conversation.

"I would very much enjoy that," Kuvira murmured, and once again slid him into her mouth, moaning around him as she let him glide between her breasts. She pressed them in tighter around him as she worked him, the wetness from her saliva letting him move with ease, glistening along her dark skin. Gods, he tasted good--leagues better than Ghali--and she loved the way he felt against her tongue. He was a challenge even for her--and yet she welcomed it as she took him in deep and bobbed on him, simulating what she dreamed of him doing to her.

"Oh, I'm getting close," Juras said from behind his teeth, and he situated a hand on her head, although all it was doing was resting there.

Actually, something about her hair was rather peculiar. He'd have to ask her later.

"Can you take all of me? All the way down to the balls?"

Kuvira didn't bother to respond with words.

Instead, she took a breath in through her nose, relaxed her throat, and let go of her breasts to give herself space to work. She steadied him with a hand, gave him a long and teasing lick, and then slowly took him into her mouth and slid teasingly down him--until, indeed, she was swallowing him clear to the base, her eyes on his all the while.

Juras watched her the whole time, and when she finally came to a stop at his base, he let out a breath.


"Hahh... Come on, just a little bit more. I'm almost there."

Mm, so demanding! But Kuvira was happy to please, a thrill going through her with his every hitched breath, every twitch and tensing of muscle. Hands sliding along his inner thighs, she lingered just a beat longer before she decided to have mercy and slid off him with a wet slurp. But it was only so she could wrap her hand around him and stroke him quickly, taking him in her mouth again to lick and suck, tongue tickling along his shaft and glans, before she slid down onto him again and took him in balls deep--again and again.

She moaned around him as she bobbed on him, alternating shallow and deep, teasing here and there with the gentlest scrape of her teeth, one hand sliding down to cup and massage his balls as she worked. She picked up speed gradually, lewd little sounds and lusty, muffled moans escaping her, deciding to cave into his demands and give him the release he craved.

Gods, it was all too much, and all he could ever hope for.

He lasted for only another minute beneath that onslaught of pleasure. With a stifled noise, Juras came, blowing quite the enthusiastic load into Kuvira's mouth.

Kuvira took him in deep when he came, so that he shot it directly down her throat. She swallowed around him, so he could no doubt feel the flexing of her throat, and when she felt his spasms die down she released him and licked her lips.

And then paused to lick him, cleaning up whatever was still left on his cock like it was a sweet nectar.

When she was done, she sat back on her knees and smiled up at him, her tiny braids falling over her shoulders and framing her breasts. "Did that please you, sir?"

"Oh," Was all Juras could manage.

"Like you wouldn't believe."

He managed to get his back up off the bed enough so he could look at her.

"I know I said I didn't want to leave a mess," Juras said.

"But I really want to put my cock in you right now."

Music to her ears.

After all, why shouldn't she have a little fun? She got so little pleasure in her everyday life, she saw no point in not mixing business and pleasure. It was moments like these where she could be rebellious--and do something because she wanted to do it, with someone she wanted to do it with.

"That's your decision to make, sir," she challenged with a smile, peering up at him through hooded eyes and thick lashes. But her heart skipped a beat at his words and heat burned in her core at the forbidden thrill of it all, her skin flushed, and in a smooth motion she rose and crawled onto the bed. Her hips swayed as she made her way to the head of the bed, before she turned over onto her back and reclined against the many pillows there, her knees bent and legs spread invitingly--and it was readily apparent there that like many of the upper class, she was shaved smooth. Everywhere.

She caressed a hand along her inner thigh, chewing absently on her bottom lip as she watched him. An unspoken offer for him to come and take it if he desired.

Oh, she looked absolutely delicious, like he could just go over there and eat her up. And, well, seeing that he couldn't exactly get hard in an instant, he figured he could fill that time by returning the favor.

He crawled on up to her, and kissed her in the neck, then the collarbone, and then he got lower and lower, leaving kisses on her breasts, stomach and inner thigh as he went. Then he gave her a few swipes with his tounge so she knew what she was in for.

Ohhhhh...

It had been a long, long time since Kuvira had had someone do that for her. In fact, it had been another slave woman she'd dallied with and found pleasure in--and that had been the last time she'd had an orgasm she hadn't faked, several months ago. Ghali certainly didn't taste her; she served him, and she lived for his pleasure. According to him. Masters rarely cared whether or not the people they owned enjoyed themselves, and when they did care, it was only for the sake of their own ego.

But Juras? Goddess.

Whoever he married would be very lucky, indeed.

Kuvira gasped, sighing and arching into his kisses, anticipation building and tightening in her belly as he dipped lower, his lips on her thigh making her burn even hotter until--oh Hakeshna. Her arms stretched over her head, hands tightening around a pillow, and she bit her lip to keep quiet even as her hips bucked up against his mouth. Her eyes fluttered shut, breath shuddering in and out and toes curling into the bedsheets.

"Oh, yes..." she breathed, trembling.

Juras let out a small noise when she bucked her hips up against his mouth, not expecting her to be that eager. Still, his eyes glanced up, and the corners of his mouth turned upwards as he grinned. He started to work in earnest, then, tongue swiping and probing, even as his nose rubbed against her clit.

Kuvira twisted beneath him, biting back her cries so they came out as stuttering, heavy pants instead. Her hands tangled in Juras's hair, her breasts rising and falling with her rapid breaths. It felt wonderful, that slow building of pleasure--and she would have happily let Juras continue, if she wasn't so worried about the time.

She shouldn't vanish for too long, just in case.

She didn't want it to stop, and it took all her self control to gently tug his hair to lift his head. Panting, she met his eyes, flushed with desire and trembling with pleasure, and licked her lips that were dry from her heavy breaths. "Fuck me," she whispered, though it was more of a plea.

Juras took a few moments to process her request, but he smiled at her, moving back up her body, kissing her and slipping his tongue along her lips.

He wanted to give her the full experience of bedding a gladiator, so he only teased her for as long as it took him to align himself for entry. He sank home with a single, powerful thrust that had most of his length buried in her.

The teasing only built the anticipation; by the time Juras reached her mouth, where she tasted herself on his lips, she was ready to beg. But then he plunged into her and she gasped, sealing her mouth hard against his to muffle her cry as she bucked her hips up into him to take him in deeper as he filled her so completely.

She whimpered, biting his lips teasingly, and wrapped her legs around his waist to keep him there, ankles crossed, as her hands gripped his hair and her body trembled. It had been ages since she'd felt true pleasure; she could play the part with Ghali, could bite down on her revulsion enough to pretend even though his touch turned her cold and felt like nothing. But like in all her secret trysts, here she felt alive, felt the passion she normally had to fake--as well as genuine excitement, because she'd never been with a gladiator, much less a relatively famous one.

"Ohh, Juras...you feel wonderful," she breathed into his ear, voice barely a whisper, for she was afraid of getting caught; each encounter was a risk, and one she risked with her life. But that only added to the excitement as she rolled her hips into his and pressed her face against his neck to muffle her panted breaths.

Juras let her whisper, and when she was done, he locked his lips with hers as he started to move. He didn't pound her, mostly because they had to keep quiet, but he delivered slow, forceful movements, grinding his hips against hers with every thrust only to draw nearly all the way back and repeat the motion.

Oh, it was so torturously good, and Kuvira savored every slow, powerful thrust. It too everything in her power not to moan too loudly or cry out when it started to feel too good, but she just pressed her mouth against Juras's shoulder and clung to him tightly, hips rolling gently against his. Her breathing came out hot and shaky against his skin, her manicured nails trailing up and down his back, and she nibbled at his ear and kissed his jaw when she felt like she might whimper.

"So good," she whispered, trailing a hand to her breast to play with her pierced nipple.

"The feeling's mutual," Juras whispered back, mouth descending to her neck as he maintained that slow, forceful pace. His free hand attended her other breast, pushing down on her nipple with his thumb as he squeezed it.

"Ohhh, Juras..." Kuvira panted, her breath coming quicker, the trembling of her body gradually increasing. She couldn't remember the last time someone had fucked her like this--slow and sensual, but powerful as well, taking their time with her rather than racing toward their climax. Ghali simply called her to bed when he wanted her, finished in record time, and dismissed her. But this was wonderful, letting her feel every inch of him, and she let her head tilt back in pleasure, eyes closed and full lips parted.

"Oh, you must visit me again..." she sighed, and pulled him in for another fierce kiss.

"Well, if the great Ghali's offer is anything to go by, you'll be seeing much of me in the future," Juras whispered once their kiss parted, before going in for another one. He cocked her legs up a bit higher to go deeper.

"Didn't he say he's going out on business?"

"Yes..." Kuvira moaned, shuddering powerfully as he sank deeper and arching her back in encouragement, her hips working a little faster heat and tension built between her legs.

"In just--oh Hakeshna. In just a few days," she whispered, clutching at the bed sheets in a white-knuckled grip and bit her lip to hold in her moans.

With Kuvira's encouragement, Juras dared to speed things up a bit.

"We'll have plenty of time, then," Juras said with a grin, although it was quickly broken by a soft grunt from him.

"Wonderful," Kuvira panted as she looped her arms around Juras's neck and leaned up to catch his lips with hers. Hakeshna, kissing. She rarely even got to enjoy kissing, the good kind of kissing, not just the lazy slobbering she got these days. Besides, with her mouth busy, it helped her muffle her heavy breaths and whimpers as his pace quickened, her toes curling in pleasure.

But it was difficult to let go and enjoy completely, for she was still half-listening for any sounds from outside the room, still a little worried about being caught (thrilling as the risk was), and there was one other concern, too...

"W-when you finish," she breathed, nipping at his ear and squeezing him tighter, her body trembling beneath him with each thrust, "you can't come inside me."

Juras nodded.

"Yeah, I didn't plan on that anyways," he whispered back, and he gave her bottom lip a playful little nibble as they kissed. Even then, he gave her ass a squeeze and turned over, leaving her on top of him.

"Show me how you ride," Juras said, eyes full of mirth.

And just like that, Kuvira found herself atop him, and her own smile was impish as she met his eyes--even if it was also clouded in lust and pleasure. With a soft sigh, she trailed her hands along her thighs and over her hips, caressing up her belly and squeezing her round breasts, before she ran her fingers through her many small braids, arms stretched over her head as, with a bitten back moan, she began to ride him, hips undulating, breasts bouncing, and lips parted with her heated breaths.

"Hakeshna," she breathed, throwing her head back and biting her lip, before she paused but only so she could turn around so her back was to him. Bracing herself with her hands on his legs, she began to ride him anew, this time lifting and plunging down onto him, again and again, taking him in deep and covering her mouth with a hand as she felt herself drawing close. She reached down with her other hand as she bounced atop him, stroking his balls and caressing his cock where they were joined, her body trembling and tensing with each thrust.

Juras' own eyes fluttered closed and his hips bucked as Kuvira rode and rode, and his hands went to her hips and ass to help her rise and plunge with even greater force.

At some point, he wasn't satisfied with just her riding him, and he reached up to grab her breasts from behind, sitting up so that her back touched his chest, yet she still had plenty of space to move and all that.

He kissed the back of her neck.

With his hands on her breasts and chest against her back, Kuvira rode him with greater fervor, biting her cheek to hold in her moans so they came out as sharp breaths instead--and even then she held her breath whenever she heard the passing footsteps of a servant in the hallway outside.

Knowing their time was preciously limited, she reached and wet her fingers with their combined juices, then stroked her clit, gasping and tightening around him in pleasure even as her hips swiveled and undulated, their bodies slapping softly together with each slam of her hips. She was clkse, so close, and soon her rocking turned frantic, her movements harder and jerkier--and then she slapped both hands over her mouth as she tensed and climaxed around him, her body curling forward as her sex spasmed.

Juras moaned a bit when she climaxed around him, holding her close and pressing a small bite to her neck as he thrusted and pounded.

"I'm close..."

Kuvira felt nearly delirious with pleasure, and would have been happy to ride him until she couldn't move--but when Juras mentioned she was close, she knew it was her cue. There could be no evidence of what they'd done. Though he certainly wasn't making it easy for her to leave him, as his teeth found her neck.

She rode him just a little longer, until the tremors of her release eased, and then with a sigh, she lifted and slid off of him, shivering at the sudden sense of emptiness. Quickly, she turned around and knelt between his legs, then pushed her hair out of the way as she bent down and took his cock in hand, bringing it to her lips as she first licked him clean of her juices--and then slipped him into her mouth.

When she lifted off of Juras, his eyes opened. They quickly closed back up when she licked him and started to take him in.

He was already on the edge when she rode him for that tiny bit extra, so he wasn't in her mouth for long before he released.

His hot seed filled her mouth, and Kuvira gulped it down obediently with not a drop spilled. Their lives depended on it, after all.

When she was certain he was finished, she pulled away slowly and licked her lips, then dabbed at the edges with her fingers just to be sure. She reached up and carefully arranged her little braids so they were no longer all tossed and disheveled, and smoothed down her sheer dress. She was a little sweaty, and soaking wet between her legs, but her sweat would dry--and she could excuse herself to a bathing room to dry herself discreetly. Ghali should be passed out dead to the world right about now, but if he woke and decided he wanted her, she didn't want there to be any evidence that she'd been aroused before that. Just in case.

When she was all set back into order, she looked back up at Juras and gave a little smile. "Thank you."

And while Kuvira fixed herself back up, Juras was doing the same. He ran his fingers through his hair to straighten it back out and made sure he didn't have any conspicuous stains on his clothing.

When she thanked him, Juras returned her smile by stepping in a bit closer to give her a parting kiss.

"The gratitude's mutual," Juras said, and he gave her a few more seconds to look at his physique before he put his pants and vest back on.

"So, care to show me to my room?"

"Absolutely, sir," Kuvira said, and she straightened out the bed until it was in tip top shape before she walked to the door and carefully peeked out, making sure no one was near.

When she was sure it was all clear, she motioned Juras to follow. "Quickly, now," she said. "It's clear now."

Juras followed closely behind, knowing the time for intimacies were over.

Kuvira lead the way through the ornate palace, passed many rooms and doors and curious servants. He would get a room on the bottom floor, and Kuvira showed him to one of the larger ones, certain Ghali wouldn't mind his champion occupying for now.

It was a beautiful space, complete with its own modest wash room and a large bed furnished in furs and cushions and silks. She motioned Juras inside. "Here you are, sir," she said with a bow, smiling up at him.

"Thank you," he said, and he lingered by the door.

"Think you can bring me breakfast tomorrow?" He asked, taking a few glances up and down the hallway.

"Of course, sir. It is my duty to serve," Kuvira said with a wink and another smooth bow. "Does my lord have any special requests?"

"How about..."

He put his hands on her hips, looking thoughtful.

"Something that gives us some time together."

Then, he pat her hip and dipped forwards to plant a quick peck on her lips.

"Stars bless your night."

With a final smirk her way, he closed the door to his room.

The next morning, Kuvira came as he requested. She balanced a tray along her forearm while she knocked on Juras's door with her free hand, and waited.

She was not dressed as lavishly as the day before, her gown not so sheer, long-sleeved and cream-colored rather than white, and she wore fewer accessories, like she had dressed in a hurry. But her makeup was thicker, the kohl lining her eyes more dramatic. She had been hoping to hide the dark circles beneath them. A quick red stain on her lips nicely masked the slight swelling, or at least, that was the effect she was going for.

But it was difficult to hide her exhaustion, and there wasn't much she could do about the bruises on her wrists aside from wear a long-sleeved dress.

She didn't have to wait long. Juras was already up, going through his morning exercises. When the knocks came, he finished the last couple of chin-ups before letting himself down from the ceiling beam. He wore nothing but the pair of loose fitting cloth pants he slept in. He opened the door, expression neutral at first, but when he saw Kuvira he seemed to lighten.

His sharp elven eyes flitted downwards, taking her in. He saw the slight disturbance in her lip stain, but he didn't make much of it at the immediate moment.

"I knew it was going to be a good morning," he said, and motioned towards himself with a smile.

"Come on in."