Fic: Risks and Precautions
Jan. 20th, 2012 04:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meridian_roseTitle: Risks and Precautions
Fandom: Original
'Verse/Series: Kat
Rating: Teen. Discussions of, but no 'onscreen', sex
Word Count: 1235
Prompt: For the![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
writerverse prompt 'Capricious'
Summary: Honor confronts Kat about the risks she takes with her future.
Notes: Takes place after 'A Taste of Paradise'
Warnings: None
Rafiq had kissed her on the cheek when he'd said goodbye and assured her that his staff would be along later to clear away the blanket and wicker basket. Kat had watched him walk away until he was out of sight.
Once she was alone, she slipped her dress off again, and stepped into the river, wincing at the coldness of the water. Quickly she rinsed her face and body, and then climbed back onto the bank. Shivering, Kat unashamedly used the blanket to dry herself off.
A few more minutes of activity saw her dressed and booted once more. She tucked the royal seal under the dress, snug against her cleavage, and fussed with her hair. She'd have to comb it later.
Presentable, despite her somewhat tangled locks, Kat made her way up and over the slope that kept the riverside area sheltered from the strong winds.
The rest of the party were gathered at the foot of the hill, waiting for her. One of the horses was cropping at the grass. Riku was polishing his dagger, though he sheathed it the moment she approached.
Kat went straight to Vince and flipped open his saddle bag. She pulled out a white handkerchief, took a brown root from the stash concealed within, and popped it in her mouth. Honor watched, glowering, as she put the precious bundle away.
"Make sure you chew it," he said, his tone as bitter to her ears as the taste in her mouth.
"I always do," Kat retorted, her jaw working furiously. She pulled a face and swallowed. Honor handed her a wineskin and she took a long gulp. "We ought to get more tincture."
"Tinctures are less reliable. If you haven't made it yourself you can't be sure what's in it."
Kat rolled her eyes, which only served to further infuriate him.
"Hey, have you seen what's in here?" Cal said, looking up from his inspection of the packages provided as part of the tribute. "Chocolate covered dates! Maybe Kat should sleep with all the nobles and ministers."
"Those are for everyone," Kat said automatically, despite her distraction. "And I don't think so, Cal, thank you very much. And besides which, those were packed up before I slept with Rafiq."
"I'm sure he was quite certain where things were leading," Honor retorted.
"I will have sex with whomever I want to have sex with," Kat said, tossing the wineskin at Honor with more violence than finesse. He caught it, but his eyes never left hers.
"Your capriciousness will get you killed or dethroned," Honor told her tightly. "Why are you willing to risk everything for a man you've known for less than a day? What if his culture was that a sexual act was equal to a marriage ceremony? He'd be High King now!"
Kat shook her head fiercely. "I asked you and Cal before we set foot in this place what the customs were. I take precautions, both before and following sex."
"Oh, look, fortified wine," Cal said loudly. "Three bottles, that's very generous." Tara took a side step towards Kat. Vince nickered and the other horses shuffled around nervously in response. The rest of the men stayed silent, uncertain how best to react. Neither Kat nor Honor took any notice of these things, each preoccupied with the other.
"It meant nothing," Kat said. "I found him attractive and I wanted to have sex with him. That was all."
"Do what you will. I'm not the one who'll end up pregnant and losing my throne," Honor said.
Kat slapped him, hard, across one cheek. He was too stunned to react immediately, still clutching the wineskin. Everyone froze, all eyes on Honor. He dropped the wineskin and stared at Kat. He found Tara had appeared behind him, one hand on her sword hilt, while Cal had moved to stand at Kat's side.
"That's enough," Cal said, quietly but firmly. "Both of you."
Honor put one hand to his reddened cheek. The tension held, making Black Thunder toss his mane in protest. Honor nodded once, and broke eye contact with Kat. As sudden as the warmth when a cloud had passed from in front of the sun, the atmosphere was calm again.
"Riku, take the lead," Honor said. "Tara, Ryan, with Kat. I'll finish organising the new supplies."
"I'll help pack," Cal said.
Honor nodded. "The rest of you go on ahead. We won't be far behind, but if you reach the state boundaries, wait for us."
Kat turned her back on them and fiddled with the saddle bag. She mounted easily and turned Vince around, dashing off to the east. Riku had to make his mount gallop around the party to catch her up. The others moved off in ones and twos, leaving the last three horses and the two men with the tribute.
Honor knelt on the grass and quickly assessed the gifts – yes, these were more than just a directly given portion of the tribute, no question of that. Fine linens and a bottle of scent were not usual, nor useful, supplies. He took some of the food for his saddle bag, gave the wine and spices to Cal to store, and secured the rest onto the packhorse.
"It meant nothing to Rafiq, either," Cal said as Honor checked the horse's tack. "I spoke to some of the domestic staff. Rafiq's a decent man and a good leader who likes intelligent women, fine wines, and expensive bed linen. What he also likes is being Chief Minister and the opportunities it gives him to acquire wine and linen and meet intelligent women."
Honor rubbed the packhorse's nose, listening without giving any indication that he was.
"Kat's not the first diplomat he's taken on a, er, picnic," Cal said. "Won't be the last, either. He's handsome and he knows it, and he's charming too. You can't blame Kat for taking a respite from the politics with a man like that."
Honor shrugged and turned to face him. A warm breeze caught at his hair and he swatted the offending lock from his face. "She has to be careful."
"I understand," Cal said soothingly. "But Rafiq and Brayden don't pose a threat. They're just dalliances. Without substance."
"You're the expert on superficial affairs," Honor said sharply. He immediately shook his head in regret. "Cal –"
"It's all right. I'm not ashamed. And neither is Kat. Nor should we be. We don't set out to hurt people or deceive them. We just sometimes need simple pleasures." Cal laid one hand on Honor's shoulder and, when Honor didn't shrug it off, squeezed gently. "I've watched you watch her for years. And I've watched her look at you, too. You could never be a dalliance. That's why she keeps you at a distance."
Honor nodded slowly.
"She shouldn't have slapped you," Cal said. "But she won't apologize until she's ready."
Honor smiled bitterly. "Nevertheless, you were ready to defend her, even against me."
"Always."
Honor glanced at the ground. "Rightly so."
"We should get going," Cal said, releasing Honor and squinting up at the sky. "Before they get into mischief without you there to sort things out."
Honor smiled and climbed onto his horse. "Kat will be the death of me," he said. Not that it mattered. They both knew he'd lay down his life for her, if that was what was required.
Fandom: Original
'Verse/Series: Kat
Rating: Teen. Discussions of, but no 'onscreen', sex
Word Count: 1235
Prompt: For the
writerverse prompt 'Capricious'Summary: Honor confronts Kat about the risks she takes with her future.
Notes: Takes place after 'A Taste of Paradise'
Warnings: None
Rafiq had kissed her on the cheek when he'd said goodbye and assured her that his staff would be along later to clear away the blanket and wicker basket. Kat had watched him walk away until he was out of sight.
Once she was alone, she slipped her dress off again, and stepped into the river, wincing at the coldness of the water. Quickly she rinsed her face and body, and then climbed back onto the bank. Shivering, Kat unashamedly used the blanket to dry herself off.
A few more minutes of activity saw her dressed and booted once more. She tucked the royal seal under the dress, snug against her cleavage, and fussed with her hair. She'd have to comb it later.
Presentable, despite her somewhat tangled locks, Kat made her way up and over the slope that kept the riverside area sheltered from the strong winds.
The rest of the party were gathered at the foot of the hill, waiting for her. One of the horses was cropping at the grass. Riku was polishing his dagger, though he sheathed it the moment she approached.
Kat went straight to Vince and flipped open his saddle bag. She pulled out a white handkerchief, took a brown root from the stash concealed within, and popped it in her mouth. Honor watched, glowering, as she put the precious bundle away.
"Make sure you chew it," he said, his tone as bitter to her ears as the taste in her mouth.
"I always do," Kat retorted, her jaw working furiously. She pulled a face and swallowed. Honor handed her a wineskin and she took a long gulp. "We ought to get more tincture."
"Tinctures are less reliable. If you haven't made it yourself you can't be sure what's in it."
Kat rolled her eyes, which only served to further infuriate him.
"Hey, have you seen what's in here?" Cal said, looking up from his inspection of the packages provided as part of the tribute. "Chocolate covered dates! Maybe Kat should sleep with all the nobles and ministers."
"Those are for everyone," Kat said automatically, despite her distraction. "And I don't think so, Cal, thank you very much. And besides which, those were packed up before I slept with Rafiq."
"I'm sure he was quite certain where things were leading," Honor retorted.
"I will have sex with whomever I want to have sex with," Kat said, tossing the wineskin at Honor with more violence than finesse. He caught it, but his eyes never left hers.
"Your capriciousness will get you killed or dethroned," Honor told her tightly. "Why are you willing to risk everything for a man you've known for less than a day? What if his culture was that a sexual act was equal to a marriage ceremony? He'd be High King now!"
Kat shook her head fiercely. "I asked you and Cal before we set foot in this place what the customs were. I take precautions, both before and following sex."
"Oh, look, fortified wine," Cal said loudly. "Three bottles, that's very generous." Tara took a side step towards Kat. Vince nickered and the other horses shuffled around nervously in response. The rest of the men stayed silent, uncertain how best to react. Neither Kat nor Honor took any notice of these things, each preoccupied with the other.
"It meant nothing," Kat said. "I found him attractive and I wanted to have sex with him. That was all."
"Do what you will. I'm not the one who'll end up pregnant and losing my throne," Honor said.
Kat slapped him, hard, across one cheek. He was too stunned to react immediately, still clutching the wineskin. Everyone froze, all eyes on Honor. He dropped the wineskin and stared at Kat. He found Tara had appeared behind him, one hand on her sword hilt, while Cal had moved to stand at Kat's side.
"That's enough," Cal said, quietly but firmly. "Both of you."
Honor put one hand to his reddened cheek. The tension held, making Black Thunder toss his mane in protest. Honor nodded once, and broke eye contact with Kat. As sudden as the warmth when a cloud had passed from in front of the sun, the atmosphere was calm again.
"Riku, take the lead," Honor said. "Tara, Ryan, with Kat. I'll finish organising the new supplies."
"I'll help pack," Cal said.
Honor nodded. "The rest of you go on ahead. We won't be far behind, but if you reach the state boundaries, wait for us."
Kat turned her back on them and fiddled with the saddle bag. She mounted easily and turned Vince around, dashing off to the east. Riku had to make his mount gallop around the party to catch her up. The others moved off in ones and twos, leaving the last three horses and the two men with the tribute.
Honor knelt on the grass and quickly assessed the gifts – yes, these were more than just a directly given portion of the tribute, no question of that. Fine linens and a bottle of scent were not usual, nor useful, supplies. He took some of the food for his saddle bag, gave the wine and spices to Cal to store, and secured the rest onto the packhorse.
"It meant nothing to Rafiq, either," Cal said as Honor checked the horse's tack. "I spoke to some of the domestic staff. Rafiq's a decent man and a good leader who likes intelligent women, fine wines, and expensive bed linen. What he also likes is being Chief Minister and the opportunities it gives him to acquire wine and linen and meet intelligent women."
Honor rubbed the packhorse's nose, listening without giving any indication that he was.
"Kat's not the first diplomat he's taken on a, er, picnic," Cal said. "Won't be the last, either. He's handsome and he knows it, and he's charming too. You can't blame Kat for taking a respite from the politics with a man like that."
Honor shrugged and turned to face him. A warm breeze caught at his hair and he swatted the offending lock from his face. "She has to be careful."
"I understand," Cal said soothingly. "But Rafiq and Brayden don't pose a threat. They're just dalliances. Without substance."
"You're the expert on superficial affairs," Honor said sharply. He immediately shook his head in regret. "Cal –"
"It's all right. I'm not ashamed. And neither is Kat. Nor should we be. We don't set out to hurt people or deceive them. We just sometimes need simple pleasures." Cal laid one hand on Honor's shoulder and, when Honor didn't shrug it off, squeezed gently. "I've watched you watch her for years. And I've watched her look at you, too. You could never be a dalliance. That's why she keeps you at a distance."
Honor nodded slowly.
"She shouldn't have slapped you," Cal said. "But she won't apologize until she's ready."
Honor smiled bitterly. "Nevertheless, you were ready to defend her, even against me."
"Always."
Honor glanced at the ground. "Rightly so."
"We should get going," Cal said, releasing Honor and squinting up at the sky. "Before they get into mischief without you there to sort things out."
Honor smiled and climbed onto his horse. "Kat will be the death of me," he said. Not that it mattered. They both knew he'd lay down his life for her, if that was what was required.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-20 04:21 pm (UTC)Thanks for sharing with us :)
no subject
Date: 2012-01-20 04:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-20 08:21 pm (UTC)It's a good thing that there is a fairly reliable way to prevent pregnancy in Kat's world.
Is the tribute what is expected of every man who mates with Kat? That has to be especially galling for Honor - to have to gather up the tribute after the act.
As I've said before, you've created a very compelling universe here.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-20 09:20 pm (UTC)In my not explained yet head canon part of the Tour is the acceptance/renegotiation of the Tribute each city or region provides to the Citadel. To reduce on the amount of supplies they carry, Kat takes a portion of the tribute there and then as food, clothing, and other useful goods, at each stop. It's not really meant to be post-coital offerings but in this case that's how it's turned out.
I'm really enjoying exploring and developing the world and it's gratifying that you all take the time to explore it with me :D
no subject
Date: 2012-01-20 09:04 pm (UTC)What he also likes is being Chief Minister and the opportunities it gives him to acquire wine and linen and meet intelligent women.
*flails* Rafiq fangirl here, yeah. :D
And I like the conversation between Cal and Honor in the end!
"Nevertheless, you were ready to defend her, even against me."
"Always."
This just blew me away! I love it! I totally love it! :D
It's a great story, bb! :D Very powerful, very meaningful.
AWESOME. :D
*FLAILS HARD*
no subject
Date: 2012-01-20 09:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-20 10:07 pm (UTC)I'm glad there's a reliable way to prevent conception in this world; although I do wonder, is Kat required to appear chaste, even if she isn't? Or rather, is it important that she not get pregnant because then the father would have too much power, or is there some other reason? I guess what I'm asking is, will she automatically lose her throne if she gets pregnant, as Honor seems to suggest?
I like that she's so matter-of-fact about her affairs, even if Honor can't be ;)
This is a fascinating world :D
no subject
Date: 2012-01-22 11:14 am (UTC)I don't it's good form for the High Queen to appear as if she's sleeping away across the land, although it's probably more expected/accepted in certain parts of the country.
My head canon is that a male child would be appointed a regent early on and Kat would again be forced into a lesser role. A husband would also assume the throne. I'm not entirely sure about a girl child - a disappointment to the Council, certainly, and yes, there might be calls for Kat to marry the father and let him be High King. So it's very important she doesn't get pregnant. That said, Kat isn't one to change her innate behaviours for the sake of tradition, so she just takes reasonable precautions and does what she likes in all things, sexual encounters included.