Ackrland

[SunnyLore]

She nodded in agreement to his own skill assessment. "Were we not good at what we do we would not be living long enough to do it" she mused with a bit of morbid humor.

She caressed the box with her fingertips and looked at it pensively. "It is your skill I am relying on. I feel that I am lacking in proper understanding of just what it is that you're forced to do. Of course I've read documents and been regaled by boastful tales but... I would assume that nothing compares to firsthand experience. I want to be well-rounded in all aspects of what it is that I do and so I've a proposition for you"

Idina took a deep breath and in a rare moment she appeared uncertain before her cool confidence was back. "There is another 100,000 kisos if you allow me to accompany on your next retrieval mission. I will not hinder you in the process and I will not freely take your wares. I'm there as a casual observer and possibly an extra helping hand"

Her eyes met his and she stared, showing her resolve in the matter. "I'm aware that it is dangerous, but I've never balked at it before. This is all in the interest of bettering myself and by proxy my business. You are the only one I would trust in this, Fahim"

Her words said she put the box down again, letting it drop slightly so he could hear the extra weight caused by the added 100,000 kisos. This time she openly removed both hands before he even put the scarab down, blatantly displaying the trust he'd earned from her.  

[SunnyLore]

She stood and walked over to him, extending her hand for him to take. "Do not take me for some simpering ingenue, Fahim. You know me well enough to know that I do not fawn over pretty words. If I tell you I am serious then you know it to be true. I've just put a pricetag on my own life in a gamble of trust so you will not condescend and insult me in this moment. I know the risks I have taken and still I choose to have faith in you"

She reached for his hand and clasped it in both of hers. "We have an accord. I can be ready as early as the morning so long as I am given advance tell of when we are expected to depart. I'm not so foolish to wear my gowns in the deserts but I do need to ask if I'm expected to bring my own tools or if they will be provided for me. And perhaps a list of what those tools might be"

A tiny blush grazed the tops of her cheeks as she admitted her ignorance but she didn't look away from him. "Thank you" she said under her breath.  

[SunnyLore]

She watched the door close and then let herself relax, falling to land on her hindquarters and letting out a sigh. She had honestly expected him to flat out refuse her and when he didn't she thought she was going to faint from shock.

Idina knew he probably only agreed due to the incentive money and the chance of watching her make a total fool of herself but he'd still agreed. That was what she'd wanted and getting it was a victory.

There was the task of preparing her things to be done and arranging for things to be handled while she was away. She trusted Amani, her right hand woman, to take care of things.

Set with her plans to get everything in motion she spoke to Amani at the bar and had one of the girls help her pack her things. She packed lightly, but wisely and had a suitable outfit of tan trousers, a safari shirt, a helmet, and a feminine royal blue wrap that she would wear to protect herself from sand, dust, and to remind everyone that she was a woman.

With everything set she had someone on watch at the door to fetch her the moment Fahim arrived and she went to rest in her lavish bedchamber. She knew it was going to be a while before she got to enjoy sleeping in such luxury so she was determined to enjoy it. When her mind refused to calm down she helped it along with a nightcap and settled into slumber.  

[SunnyLore]

Idina opened her eyes slowly, her hand slipping out from under her pillow to cover herself since her nightdress was on the revealing side. The action was more to draw attention away from the pillow- where she'd been gripping the hilt of a dagger until assessing that she wasn't in peril- and to her expression, which was far from thrilled.

She slipped out of bed and walked to her armoire, opening the carved doors to retrieve her traveling clothes that she'd prepared the night before. "If you intend to stay as I dress it is advised that you turn your back or lose your front" she finally said sharply, the only indication of her displeasure.

"I should probably act surprised that you slipped past my guards and found my private chamber but then you are a tomb robber... Such underhanded behavior is expected of you" she sighed.

When he made no indication to turn away she shrugged and walked behind her dressing screen in the corner and set about a quick rinsing of her skin with the water and cloth in a basin waiting for her then donned her clothes and pulled her hair back into a limp ponytail.

As she walked out she fixed her wrap around her person and slid her feet into functional and sensible shoes. It was awkward to be dressed so plainly and she missed the mask that makeup provided and the jingle of pretty jewelry.

"Do you approve?" she asked, not looking at him as she bent to pick up her pack of belongings and tools she'd bring along. From a bowl placed near the door she grabbed a fig and bit into it, figuring her comrade had already eaten.  

[SunnyLore]

"I appreciate your use of restraint" she mused, walking out and shutting the door behind him when he joined her in the hall. She took note of a guard laying against the wall unconscious and frowned but continued onward.

After a few minutes of leading him down a needlessly longer route that would throw off any sense of direction he might have they came out from a doorway located behind the bar behind another hidden wall panel.

A few of the women she employed were there to see her off and quickly swarmed around her to wish her well, give her small tokens that might help in her travels, offer advice, and give her warm hugs and pecks on the cheek.

Idina's eyes lit up and a rare but entirely genuine and unguarded smile lit up her face as she gave a quick farewell to each girl and made a few final arrangements.

The gaggle of women reluctantly broke away and watched her go with mixed expressions ranging from worry, sadness, and a few knowing grins here and there that were directed between her and Fahim.

She gave one last wave and walked out into the street, waiting for Fahim to join her and take over the lead.  

[SunnyLore]

Idina looked at the creature warily and when it stomped the ground she backed up a few steps until she bumped into Fahim. The grin on his face told her he saw her anxiety and a stubborn urge to prove him wrong spurned her into action, approaching the phisket gingerly while whispering soothing words to it.

She reached out and lightly pressed her fingertips to its side then slowly pet it a few times. Once she felt a bit more comfortable she tried to figure out how to mount it. She had no idea, used to either walking or traveling by drawn carriage.

Finally she let out a defeated sigh and looked to Fahim for assistance. "I am not sure what I need to do" she admitted.  

[SunnyLore]

Idina wasn't even afforded time to protest or ask what sounds would get them killed. They went from perfectly stationary to full gallop in an instant and she swallowed a yelp in favor of wrapping her arms tightly around Fahim so she wouldn't fall off.

She squeezed her eyes shut and ducked her head down so that her cheek was pressed to the center of his back. Words failed her as she tried not to yelp in panic or snap at him in her distress.

Each time they crossed a hill or galloping turned to gliding her grip on him would tighten until she was pressed so close to him they were practically skin-to-skin. She was totally unaware of it, too busy using him as her grip.