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[Temptation Waits]

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Temptation sent her falcon to Lady Ishtar asking for her armor to be released and old articles of clothing brought to her. After her meeting with the Archon and their devised plan to appropriate information, she would need to go back to a part of her past untouched for many years. She stood taking in her new quarters the Archon suggested for her and smiled. He was a charming and nice man, but she had heard the rumors of his reputation. A shame she thought, since they were very similar.

A knock at the door made her turn around and Lady Poppi brought in a small wood box and a key. Temptation smiled, her friend was quick to come through for her. She went to her old room and unlocked the chest holding her armor and was quick to place it in her pack. Quickly she went back to the new room and opened the wood box on the bed. Gently she traced her fingers over the soft silk and leather of her old dancing clothes. Her adorned jewels and sandals were in the box as well untouched for many years. Ritualistically she removed her dress and donned the old clothes. Then took out a small palette of kohls, rouge, and scented oils, she had not worn makeup in a long time. With great care she lined her eyes and added color to her lips and cheek, as a final touch she took the oil and anointed her neck and wrists with the scent of jasmine.

She almost didn't recognize herself looking in the mirror. She spun a bit hearing the soft jingling of the bells on her skirt. For a moment she felt lighter than air and free of the confines of her self. Yet, she felt a new vulnerability now. She was not accustomed to being this way, that she had almost forgotten. Her thoughts drifted to her youth with Anya her adopted mother of sorts in the gypsy camp. She was a sweet and kind woman with no children of her own and was thrilled to bestow the one gift she had to offer upon Temptation. She was taught the art of dancing, and became well skilled in it. On some nights she would go to the local tavern or inn and dance for the guests and would always leave well fed with money to spare. Temptation looked at herself again and practiced a little, amazed at how she had not forgotten, but now with no armor or blade upon her body to protect her, she had to put her faith that the Archon would do so.

She closed her eyes for a moment before putting the sheer veil across her face and attaching it to the jeweled headpiece she now wore. Carefully, she examined herself and her belongings making sure nothing was forgotten. With a bit of sorrow she bode farewell to the people who cared for her at the Inn who were kind enough to have her horse awaiting her outside. Gracefully she was atop it and waved goodbye and she started the dangerous trek across the lost lands to Delucia.
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"Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead."
Benjamin Franklin