The Duel of Magic August All Ranks Tournament felt so far away.. and in truth; it was. Nayun would no longer be in the presence of Batosai, unable to respond to his words.

"What a naughty girl you are. Nayun."

Those would be the first words that met the girls ear in this surrounding darkness. Nayun could feel her heart begin to beat rapidly in fear. She knew who the voice belonged to; the current Lilith of Liltu, Nima. Light illumined the room suddenly, causing the girl to raise a hand to block her eyes as they attempted to adjust.

"Illegal use of the Liltu portal system. You've read the words of your Queen, correct? Fines.." A soft giggle found Nayuns ears. A giggle that caused her to swallow back. ".. or imprisonment." Eyes finally able to focus after a few blinks. Hand lowering itself and allowing the girl to take in the sight of the woman before her. There sat Nima in nothing more than a silk, white gown. Her form sprawled out across the large bed that sat within the middle of the room. Pushing aside lavish pillows and messing her sheets as she moved to lay herself down. Nayun knew, as she had been here once before, this was the Liliths' personal chambers.

".. Does.. she know..?" Finally gathering up enough courage to even speak.. and no response came. Only the soft gaze of those fiery yellow eyes.. Eyes that Nayun couldn't help but get lost in. They called to her, pulsed with arcane energy.. but words had been enough to finally break their hold. "No. If she had this meeting wouldn't be so.. private." Nimas lips pressed to one another and curled into an amused smirk. "Care to tell me why? Why you felt the need to risk so much?" Then a laugh. One that caused Nayuns heart to sink. "Over such a silly tournament? I apologize for pulling you away so soon."

"..I.." The young girl tried to speak. But lips thinned and expression dropped as she looked to the floor.

"Come now, Nayun. Your Lilith has asked a question.. you wouldn't want to upset her?" Another shift of her form. Pillow grasped by pale fingers and drawn close to rest cheek against. The woman in white kept her focus fully on her captive.

".. it wasn't illegal. I made sure to use a portal outside of the cities limits."

"This is what I wanted to hear. Excuses.. But, remember.. Who's portals are you using? Yes.." Nima cuddled more against that pillow, causing soft strands of white to slide over her pretty face. "Mine.."

Nayun swallowed back once more. Something that caused a tickle in her throat.

".. and remove that silly mask. I want to see your face." Nayun did as she was told. Reaching to grasp at that blue surgical mask before pulling it down. Allowing it to now hang about her neck.

"Miss Nima." -- " `` My Lilith `` ". Spoke the white witch with a show of authority

".. My Lilith." Nayun corrected herself. ".. I was told by Sherie tha.." -- "Sherie lied." Nima once more spoke to correct the girl.

".. Why would she lie?" Sherie had no reason to. At least this is what Nayun believed. A girl eight years her senior had no reason to lie. Not with her reputation at stake.

"She's interested in you, Nayun.. The Queens sister." -- "I am my own woman." Nayun pressed fingers to her chest in gesture. "Nayons accomplishments mean little to me. Those are her own.. I have no right to leech off what she has gained." Nima only chuckled her response. ".. and no one is saying you are, but you must remember.. This is what you believe. But others only see opportunity." Nayun moved to speak but was quickly silenced by the show of Nimas lifted hand.

"You are a caretaker to the future King of Adenna.. Sister of the Queen. A possible candidate to join the Siovanui Sorte as well." Nima lips curled once more. All while Nayuns face showed signs of confusion. She could not see where this was going. "There are whispers in Liltu.. Even in the streets of Adenna. My mother, the former Lilith of Liltu, survived a night with the Siovanui Techichi after her ascension.. Do you know why?"

"She was strong in mind and spirit. There is no other truth to than that." Nayun responded quickly.

"They say it's because she was a woman." The ruler of Liltu responded. Once more Nayun only found her mind clouded with confusion. What did this have to do with Sherie? "You are young and very naive, Nayun. Answer me this.. when did Seirichi ascend. At what age?" Nima brushed those strands of hair from her face before leaning to her side to rest on her back.

"Twenty." Another answer that came without pause of thought.

"You are fourteen.. Your birthday is in two weeks if I recall, correct?" Nima waited, but Nayun shook her head. She was growing tired of the woman's games. "Apologies, My Lilith.. but could you please get to the point?"

"She wants you to be her Techichi. That is why she has been spending much time with you.. That is why she risked her own future to give what you ask for."

Nayun took in those words and attempted to wrap her mind around what was said. "She told me herself.. after a small chit-chat over tea just a few moments ago." The newest Lilith of Liltu broke her thoughts only for a moment with her words. Nayun attempted to look back into her memory.. She could see Sherie, what she had been doing for her. The gentle touches to her shoulder, the grasp of hands with her own. The time she spent away from the Ichi household had been either for three things.. Training, doing tasks for Seirichi, or spending those brief moments of time together with Sherie. Nayuns brow furrowed.. But wasn't that friendship? Sisterly bonds? There had to be no other motives than that. "I do not understand.."

"Nayun. You want to be a Siovanui.. you want to protect the city that has taken you in. Isn't that correct?"

"Yes.." Nayun spoke back softly, slowly.

"Women like Sherie just want what they feel is owed to them. Riches, power, status. Everything you could give her if you become a Siovanui. Does this make her a bad person? No, far from it. It makes her strong.. To want is a strength, Nayun. Do you understand?" Nima was now on her stomach. Delicate fingers laced between one another while chin gave a rest against them. "Liltu women are such schemers. Do not be upset with her."

Nayun still couldn't grasp the situation fully. ".. I only wanted to duel.." -- "and you failed to do so tonight because you took the word of a friend instead of your Queen." Brows furrowed in discomfort. She had been anticipating the tournament for many weeks. A chance to bend the arcane and elements with those who were her betters.. did she blame Sherie? No, Nayun could only blame herself.

"What becomes of us?" -- "I am not done with my fun, Nayun." The younger white witch gave out a pout. "You haven't even told me what you think of your friends actions.." Nayun looked to her superior in silence. Silence that caused Nima to only grow more interested in what her answer would be. "She can do what she wants. She's still my friend, but if she's attempting to become my partner once and if I become Siovanui.. I cannot say if it would be her bedroom that I appear in.." Nima only gave a grin and spoke ".. Could it be that you would appear in mine?"

"No."

Nima gave a half lid expression at the sudden answer. Not even a pause of thought? How uncaring this girl was to her feelings. "You're still young.. Seirichi says you have a hard time connecting with those your own age and you have yet to show any sort of interest in the opposite sex."

"I like Dyarhk." -- "Everyone likes Dyarhk, that doesn't count." Nima spoke with a wave of her hand. "and I meant the subject of love."

"Karaichi." Nayun spoke flatly once more. "That's the love of a child. I mean intimate.. someone you wish to share your body with once the time comes." Nima responded with another pout.

"Can you just tell me our punishments..?" Growing tired of this little game, even if it was to please the Lilith of Liltu. "You are lucky you are so close to my family.. Normally I would punish those who speak out against my fun." A sigh leaving Nimas lips as she finally rose to sit up on the bed. "Missing the tournament is your punishment.. as for Sherie? I couldn't help but admire her tactics.. She's being reassigned to night portal duty."

Nayuns brow furrowed. The time here.. it was true, she had probably been already disqualified from the tournament. ".. and?" Spoken after a small moment of awkward silence.

"....?" Nima blinked. "You wish to be punished more?"

Nayun looked to her in confusion. ".. But my sister spoke of.." -- "I am not your sister. There is something you need to know when it comes to older siblings, my young Nayun." Digit uncurled and pointed to the ceiling. "Their rules are meant to be broken.." Giggles passing her plush lips.

Nayun looked to the giggling woman with even more confusion.. Liltu women are weird.

"You wish to use my portal systems, correct? Then I will give you the means of using them on your own. Stay the night with me.. and in the morning I will give you what you desire."

Lips began to thin. Nayuns mind working once more to take in what was just said. The ability to use the portal system without having a Liltu representative open it for you. There were only a few within Adenna who had the ability, and her sister was one of them.

She wanted this ability.

"Now remove those awful rags you call clothing and come here. I wish to be kept warm."

Yes... Nayun thought; Liltu women are weird.