Today was her Lord's birthday. Looking her best was without question.
Thankfully, Razi thought almost smugly,
that will be the least of my problems tonight. Sha-Razi took in several deep breaths as a servant finished applying the heavy khol around her eyes. She was dressed in one of her finer costumes. A vivid green top that covered her chest with black beaded straps and red and gold beads dangling from the bottom. Her two layered silk skirt were two different shades of beige in color, but it was accented with the beaded belt. She wore beaded bangles and cuffs up her arms with a gorgeous beaded head piece to help keep her elaborate bun in place. Her necklace and earrings were beaded, too, with sparkling golds, reds, greens, and blacks. They were all gracious gifts from the naga. Razi was sure that the presentation would please him. Her diamond stud nose piercing shimmered in the light as Razi turned her head, observing the effect in a mirror a servant girl held up for her to see.
"You look beautiful, m'lady," the girl said humbly as she tucked an orange-pink flower into Razi's hair.
Razi smiled in return, weak in her nervousness.
"Yes, thank you," she agreed as she rose from her cushion and draped a green sari with gold embroidery over her shoulder.
Yes, today was The Holy Charik's birthday, and that meant, gods help her, entertaining his
family.
The concubine was escorted towards the dining hall for the day's festivities. Before entering, she turned towards a scribe, who was positioned by the door way.
"Sha-Razi," he said with a slight bow to which the woman nodded back to.
"Are the dance troupes for tonight in order?" she asked. The court usually hired troupes of dancers to perform before the king, as well as some of the villagers. As such, she was sometimes put in charge in this aspect of the festivities, especially since the woman sometimes danced during parties that she wasn't required to play as ambassador in. Tonight, she was not to be a politician, but an enchantress. The man nodded.
"Good," Razi replied.
She regally entered the room with elegant and soft steps. Sha-Razi was pleased to see that the musicians were already set up to play to entertain for the evening.She salaamed before Charik and his siblings, smiling warmly.
"Greetings and welcomes, O Mighty Holy Ones, Lord Chimalli, Lady Izta, and Lady Kisa," she greeted.
Flattery most always won favor from the nagas. The woman was familiar with all three naga. She liked them all well enough, though they could be overwhelming, particularly Lady Kisa. Speaking of which, Razi made it a note to be extra nice to her. The woman could tell right away that the beautiful and outlandish naga was molting, and that meant her patience was cut short.
The woman approached the table with quick strides, straight towards the birthday naga.
"My lord," she said proudly, excitement dancing in her eyes.
Sha-Razi knew how much this day meant to Charik, and it was exciting for the whole harem. Though the sacrifices of families offering up their children still left her uncomfortable, the wonders the day brought always made some of the best tales for the rest of the year. Still, she was his concubine, not his queen or wife. Though there was a level of informality and intimacy she was allowed to take in public, those were limited during days like these, especially in front of Charik's family. Sha-Razi salaamed again. Personally, she found such regulations tedious and ridiculous, especially with the elaborate titles, but the woman knew enough to just go with it.
"I wish you the best of birthdays, dearest King Charik," she elegantly stated, as was also custom.
"May my Lord King scales forever shine and his reign long and prosperous!"
Where's Ziya and the others? she wondered, trying not to think about that too much. The day had really only just begun, and she was going to need all her wits at hand.
OOC: Razi's outfit is sorta based heavily on this:
x just because, lol. It's kinda fun coming up with these stately praises XD