Knightly Duties (Sahal)

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


The well-bred lady looked aghast when suddenly the 'savage' dared to touch her! She seemed eager to live up to the stereotype of the average blue blood being very dim. "How dare you?! Unhand me, you disgusting savage. Lady Kerrigan, control your pet!" she declared pompously, though there was a good deal of fear in her voice.


"Firstly, she has a name. Secondly, you came here and insulted her, so I don't see why I should. You think yourself better than her because you have shiny tech, yes? Humans gave it to you. You have no right to belittle her. Now get the feth out," Siobhan growled angrily.


The lady's companion, who seemed to realise that crossing the Destroyer was a bad idea, took her companion's arm. "Come, Elassa. The Queen will hear of this." Reluctantly the lady turned away.


"Oh, get lost. Who do you think is more important? The woman who saved your race or brainless trash like you?" Siobhan could not resist making one last barb when the two elves fled the room with as much control and dignity as could be expected.

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
They were all looking at her. Blushing and ashamed, she fell into her chair and stared at her plate.
“I’m sorry, Mistress. I should have controlled myself better…but they were so mean and said terrible things about you. I had to say something!” she said, downcast. Perhaps she expected punishment for talking out of turn.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


The two arrogant elves left, and Siobhan was left alone with her knight. Siobhan took a breath, trying to control the rage bubbling up inside her. The woman had many flaws, such as arrogance, pride and cruelty. However, she could not understand how someone could be this...cruel and petty. What gave the Eldorai the right to think themselves better? Their religion was a fraud, their goddess-given manifest destiny a lie and almost all of their queens had been cruel tyrants.


However, Sahal's words pulled her out of her musings and she realised how upset the girl was. More than that, she realised the elf expected punishment. Her heart almost broke for Sahal, for this hit home how cruelly she'd been treated till now.


"Sahal, dear. Don't apologise. You did nothing wrong. I suppose threatening to filet them wasn't the best thing to say, but, feth it, I wanted beat the crap out of them for what they said about you. You're not beneath them. You're not a savage." Impulsively, Siobhan pulled the smaller woman into a hug. "No one has any right to insult you."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal smiled so happily and returned the hug. “Thank you, Mistress. You’re so good to me!” she said, seeming awed…and a little surprised. It was like she expected this to be a dream she would wake up from into her old and bad life.

She finished the meal in silence, occasionally giving Siobhan quick, awed looks. Genuine devotion was never out of place!

“Thank you for the food, Mistress. It was…different…nice!”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


All the awe and devotion was probably putting Siobhan in a very good mood. So she smiled again. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, dear. I'll have the cooks serve at home some time! And, Sahal, you're not a slave anymore, you're part of the family. My family. So don't hesitate to speak up if something's bothering you. Or someone is giving you grief. I'll never punish you for that, ok?"


She finished her glass of wine, savouring the taste. "Well, we can go get you a Jester now. But I was wondering whether you'd like your...brand removed," she imagined this was a sensitive topic. "We've got the technology to erase it, minus some scarring."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Sahal looked up into Siobhan’s eyes, her gaze unwavering for once.
“Yes, I would like that, Siobhan,” she said deliberately. “I am no longer anyone’s slave, I do not need that reminder burned into my flesh anymore. I am your vassal, but I will never be a slave again.”

She nodded and rose from the table. “Yes, let’s go choose the Jester.”

The waitress came over with the bill, doing a good bit of fawning, no doubt hoping for a tip! Somehow another button on her top had come open….

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


"It was pleasure to host you, Lady. We profusely apologise for the behaviour of those Eldorai. They won't be guests again." It was unlikely that Siobhan was paying that much attention to the waitress' words because her eyes had dropped beneath her chin. In all fairness, the woman's bust was rather impressive and kind of in her face. Somehow, several buttons on her top had come undone.


"Oh, there's nothing to apologise. I put the two bitches in their place," Siobhan said jovially. "I was very pleased with your service." Having said that she paid and gave the waitress a quite generous tip.


The waitress flashed the Countess a well-practiced smile. "Thank you, my Lady. This is very kind. You are so generous," she gushed.


"I appreciate good service and beauty," Siobhan smirked. "Maybe I shall enjoy your services again soon." Somehow her fingers had found their way into the woman's cleavage and left behind a calling card after some groping. "Call me. Come on, Sahal, dear."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Despite having committed borderline sexual harassment which even the 1940s would have frowned on, the waitress didn’t seem to mind. She’d just made herself two hundred dati, and if she ever needed more…well.

Sahal followed Siobhan out, her gaze high as she walked, even when people stared at her.

The trip to the pet store was uneventful, and soon they were standing before a pen where a half dozen furballs were engaged in various activities. Most of said activities involved eating, bickering or sleeping.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


It was terribly ironic that Siobhan's behaviour was the mirror image of that of sexist, hypermacho men who treated women as sex objects. Clearly it was only bad if you had the wrong set of chromosomes!


In any case, soon they were at the pet store. It was quite well-frequented, but naturally because Siobhan was important the store manager had to fuss over her. It seemed that every employee had detailed orders about how to handle the Lady.


"Take your time, sweetie," Siobhan said encouragingly. "You can take anyone you want," she glanced over to the manager. "Do you have any recommendations?" After all, she might as well make herself useful since she was too unattractive for Siobhan to flirt with.


"I believe Grrfyrr would be a good choice for your friend, Lady. She's smart, but very sweet."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Grrfyrr was sitting away from the other Jesters, casually chewing on some straw. It hadn’t proved particularly edible so far, but one never knew!

When he was picked up he waggled his little legs as the ground dropped away. ‘Scared!’ she complained.

But when she was given to Sahal she looked up at her with big eyes. ‘Hungry?’ she asked and nuzzled her. ‘Like you.’ Grrfyrr nuzzled her affectionately, having learned that this was a good way to get food.

“She’s adorable, Mistress! I want to keep her!”

“Splendid. She is 100 dati, but worth every one!” the clerk said.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


"Then consider her yours, dear. She's cute," Siobhan exclaimed jovially, reaching out with her hand to pet little Grrfyrr. Jesters were high maintenance and kind of a pain in the arse sometimes, but they were so adorable! "I'll pay," she fished the required credits out of her fancy purse. The clerk was spared any amorous advances or sexual harassment.

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Jesters weren’t the sharpest tools in the shed, but they did have a level of base cunning which made them adorable, yet frustrating pets.

When Sahal bought some Jester treats and fed her one, Grrfyrr gobbled it down so quickly it was like she’d never seen food before. But then came the smooching up.

‘Love you. So nice!’ Complete with more nuzzling, cute wide-eyed looks and purring.

“Aww, thank you, Mistress! She’s talking to me!” she said, giving the Jester another treat. She would eventually learn this was not a wise state of affairs!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


"I think she likes you! But don't let her wrap you around her paws. If you overfeed a Jester, she'll just get hungrier and want more. Best thing is to feed them in small doses till they lose interest," Siobhan said knowingly. It had taken her a while to figure that out.


However, she couldn't resist Grrfyrr's cuteness for long and so she petted the little furball when they walked out of the pet store. Now they only needed to get rid of Sahal's brand!

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Such an ability was more than possible in New Santaissa. The city had many top-level medical establishments, and one of these was a cosmetic surgery clinic quite near the palace. Though many highborn ladies had work done there, it was clear that they would also not admit to it.

However, the receptionist knew of Siobhan either by reputation or by previous contact, and she fetched the doctor.

An attractive Eldorai doctor in white coat and glasses came out.
“Welcome, my lady! Doctor Sulani at your service. How may I assist you?”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


Ironically, despite being terribly vain, Siobhan had not had plastic surgery done to doll herself up. None of the vicious scars etched into her face and spread across her body had been removed.


Perhaps her stance would change once she showed more visible signs of aging and got more wrinkles and grey hairs. Then again, somehow Satele Shan managed to look like hottie despite being in her late sixties and living in a swamp!


"Pleasure to meet you, Doctor. I've heard all about your expertise," she said brightly, flashing the doctor her best smile. Those glasses looked really cute on her. "This is Sahal Jai Azal, a knight in my service. She used to be a slave and would like to have her brand removed."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Satele probably only looked so good because ugly women do not exist in most game universes. Whilst TOR is overflowing with rancid old men, the old women still only look about 40. Clearly this is one of those odd gender stereotypes.

Regardless, the Doctor nodded. “She is not the first. A barbaric practice of marking the bodies of their victims. Still, we can quickly grow replacement tissue to cover that area. It will be sore and tender for a few days, and will be a little less tanned than the rest of her, but give it a few months and they’ll be no difference at all.”

Sahal looked to Siobhan, waiting for her approval. She was clearly a bit anxious, and that was reflected by Grrfyrr who started nervously chewing on her sleeve. Or maybe the Jester was just hungry! Either one.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


Of course, it would be unacceptable to show an unattractive woman in a game mainly played by manlings. Hence why even Flemeth suddenly hot a hotness upgrade in Dragon Age 2! Everyone started lusting after her...horns! And somehow General Garza had big breasts with not a hint of sag despite being in her sixties.


Regardless, Siobhan gave Sahal a reassuring pat on the back. "Go ahead, sweetie. You're in good hands here. I'll be waiting for you," she gave the girl a kiss and then picked up Grrfyrr, petting the possibly nervous Jester. "I'll look after her for you."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Grrfyrr whined as she was taken from Sahal. Whether this was because of a deep and personal bond…or that she hadn’t worked out that the Qadiri’s dress wasn’t edible was a matter for debate.

Sahal was led into a sterile room where Doctor Sulani had her lay down on the bed so she could examine the brand.
She sighed when she saw the mass of raised welts. Indeed, Sahal had been branded on top of a brand when her ownership had changed. It was indeed cruel and barbaric.

“Now I want you to drink this little potion here. It will put you to sleep, but it will also mean you will not feel any pain during the process. Don’t worry, Lady Kerrigan is just outside.”

Sahal seemed worried and afraid, but finally nodded and did drink the potion. When she settled into the arms of Morpheus, Doctor Sulani was able to begin work. It’d be a couple of hours for the Doctor and her staff to finish.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


Meanwhile, Siobhan waited outside in the waiting room. She was feeling a little bit anxious, but had full confidence in the doctor's ability. So she kept herself busy by checking messages on her datapad and responding to them.


Some of them were fanmail, others serious business requests, while several of them fell under the category of Dahomian prince scams. An Anzati prince asked for her hand in marriage. She felt like asking Mirien to hang him up by his balls.


<< Hungry! >> she was interrupted by cute little Grrfyrr.


"No, that's not edible," she said sternly when the little Jester tried to eat her sleeve.


<< Want momma! Worried >>


"There, there, little one. Your momma will be OK."


<< Promise? >>


Siobhan sighed slightly. The furball was too cute for her to get cross. "Yes, and she'll give you lots of treats."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Soon afterwards Doctor Sulani emerged. She looked a little tired, but otherwise pleased.
“The procedure was a complete success. That cursed mark has been removed and I’ve grafted replacement skin on. Now, it will be sore for a few days and itchy too, but with some kolto and rest she’ll be fine in a couple of days. Just need to stop her picking at it.”
The Doctor smiled. “I’m sure you have ways of making sure she doesn’t!” she said with a smile. “You can go in and see her now. She’s a bit groggy still from the drugs.”

Sahal was laid out on the bed. She looked up at Siobhan and giggled a bit lightheaded. “I’m still a bit sleepy, Mistress. How does it look?”