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The Scheherazade / Harem Shipping Meme

Straight out of the Arabian Nights, or any variety of the spin-offs and spoofs since, in a beautiful and fantastical realm of magic and djinn. You may be the great ruler, prince, or sultana of the realm, or you may be the tribute, captive, or arranged marriage spouse brought before that ruler.

Scenarios:

1. Arranged Marriage - You’re both royals or nobles of some variety, but one of you has been sent far from home to be wedded to a stranger in a foreign land.
2. Ambition - You’re just one beauty in a harem of dozens—or hundreds—but you’re determined to stand out, to earn the exclusive attention of the ruler, and to take your place by their side as the ruler of this land.
3. Scheherazade - One night with the king (or queen). Perhaps your one-night spouse had their heart broken, like in the story. Perhaps they’re simply a monster, or they have other motives. They may kill you in the morning, unless you can convince them to delay, by at least one more day.
4. Tribute - Perhaps your land was conquered, or perhaps you’ve been sent here to secure an alliance. Either way, this wasn’t your idea, and you aren’t particularly happy about it.
5. Within the Harem - Both characters are residents of the harem. You hardly see the ruler, and they don’t matter. What does matter is the friendship—or love—that you have found within the harem, and, possibly, your plans for escape.
6. Outside the Harem - You’ve fallen in love with someone you shouldn’t. A guard, a servant, or someone outside the palace entirely. But in order to be with them, you’re going to have to break all the rules.
7. Arabian Nights - Wildcard scenario, play any elements from the Arabian Nights that you please. Magic carpets, powerful djinn, curses and treasure!

How to play:

-Post with your character, preferred role (ruler, harem, other), and any other relevant info
-Reply to others. Use RNG or choose your favourite scenario!

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originally posted by marlowe_tops

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[Yuri will probably never be good at speaking to royalty, at least not the way he's supposed to. He never learned how, never needed to, and that makes everything he says simultaneously rough and sincere.

He's not expecting Viktor to start saying his name like that over and over again. His breath catches in his throat and he has to press his face closer against Viktor's neck to hide his expression. Why does hearing him say it like that cause Yuri to feel so strangely? The possessiveness isn't scary at all - in fact, Yuri finds himself liking it, responding to it. He's never belonged to anyone before, at least not like this.

When Viktor asks if this is what he wants, the tiniest noise floats up Yuri's throat and past his lips. What the heck is going on? He can't deny it, though, and it's becoming more and more difficult to hide his true feelings around Viktor.]

Yes. [The confirmation is accompanied by a meek nod. His fingers squeeze nervously around Viktor's where they're joined beneath the furs, and he still doesn't look up.] I - I really like it.

I'm glad.

[Now there's something else he can offer him that pleases him. Maybe it's just his voice, but that's better than just dancing. So he keeps his voice in that low, rumbling place, full of admiration and desire.]

There's so much I can offer you if you'll let me. So much I can make you feel.

[He lifts Yuri's chin delicately, with a single finger, to look him in the eye.]

But I don't want to force it. I'd much prefer for you to want to let me. That's the only way it would be worthwhile.

[He presses a soft kiss to Yuri's lips, but it's brief, gentle, and affectionate, the way a teenager might kiss their very first love after climbing the boughs of some tree somewhere, after an afternoon of playfulness. His words might be possessive but the gesture isn't, it's clearly meant to offer him something soft and beautiful, a small bit of pleasure.]

Just know that it's there, waiting for you, if you ever want it.

["If you ever." Implying that he understands and respects that Yuri might not ever want it.]

[Yuri doesn't understand what's happening inside of him. When Viktor tilts his chin up, when he speaks in those sweet, honey-coated words, it makes Yuri feel almost as though he wants those things. He's never experienced desire like this before, not with anyone in Happone and definitely not with his previous master.

But Viktor is still his owner - how can it possibly be normal to feel like this? Surely this is just some trick to get Yuri into his bed. Yet Yuri trusts him, after a mere twenty-four hours; trusts him to keep his word, to be gentle and kind, to only do things to Yuri if and when he asks.]

Your highness...

[The kiss is unexpected, but he finds himself closing his eyes and yielding to it. It's wholly unlike the way his brother kissed - but Yuri doesn't want to think about his brother right now. He wants to hold this moment in his memory forever, pure and untouched by cruelty.

When Viktor pulls away, Yuri can't keep from staring up at him, wide-eyed and rosy-cheeked. That feeling from the dance has returned, taking up all the space in his chest and making it difficult to breathe properly. He's overcome by the desire to lean up and kiss Viktor again, so he leans forward -

- and is abruptly thrown back as the carriage comes to a sudden halt, his hands grabbing at the furs in an attempt to hold on. Outside the horses whinny unhappily, and in a moment there's a knock at the door, followed by a servant's voice: "My liege, there's a lord out here that seeks audience with you."

In the background, Yuri can hear someone else speaking, loud and abrasive: "Tell him to get out here if he knows what's good for him! King JJ waits for no one!"]

[Victor sighs.]

Work work work.

[He holds a finger in the air.]

Hold that thought.

[He's pretty sure there was about to be a another kiss there, and he'd really like to get back to it.]

[He readjusts his very regal outfit so he looks nice and dignified, tugs the furs up more tightly over Yuri to keep him warm, and gets out of the coach.]

Your majesty, what is it I can do for you today?

[There's little Yuri can do other than watch with a mixture of confusion, concern and curiosity as Viktor exits the carriage. It's not hard to hear the voices of the people outside, so even if he didn't want to know what was going on he'd still be able to.

If he looks out the window, he'll see a small contingent of men on horseback - about ten altogether - with their leader pulled up next to Viktor's carriage. He's dressed in flashy clothing: purples and reds, with lots of gold decoration. Most noticeably, he's got a huge grin on his face.]

Viktor, is it? [Even to Yuri, who knows little about formal language, it's obvious that this man is being very disrespectful. The fact that he hasn't gotten off of his horse just adds to that.] You're passing through lands that belong to me. As such, you must pay a toll.

[Although the Nikiforov family owns most of the land here, there are patches that have been claimed by other tribes, usually those who provide something too valuable or rare to wipe out.]

[Viktor only gives JJ a level stare at the disrespect, clearly annoyed but still patient and diplomatic. It makes it clear how carefully controlled he can be.]

Of course, of course. I came prepared, naturally.

[Viktor snaps his fingers and Georgi gets a small chest out of one of the carriages of their caravan. He opens it for the king, showing the gold and jewels inside, then closes it again, to hand it to JJ's men.]

I believe you'll find that more than adequate as payment.

[After Viktor hands the chest off, JJ makes a show of reopening it and inspecting it a second time, his eyes narrowing. As he does so one of his men leans in to whisper to him, and he frowns - but in a moment he's smiling over at Viktor once again. For someone surrounded by the strongest, most deadly armies in the world, he doesn't seem at all bothered by the tiny size of his own group.]

Very nice. On behalf of my clan, I thank you. [He gives a short bow, more a tip of the head than anything else, then lets his eyes track over the carriages.] If you bring a tribute next time, I'll trade you more cloaks. The good ones, not those rags they make in your cities.

[He's mouthy, but he's got a point - his people are known for the absolute beauty and warmth of their furs, especially those made from the pelts of the rarely-seen white bears that live in their forests.]

I will be sure to see what else I can offer you in trade goods next time. See if anything is to your liking.

[It's very careful language, something that makes his open-ness to make a deal obvious, but clearly keeps the offer limited to material goods.]

[Not people. Never ever his people.]

For now, I bid you farewell.

[He turns back to get into the carriage, hoping to leave the unpleasant king behind him.]

[The clever wordplay leaves JJ frowning again, but his power is limited. He's free to make demands, but the truth is that even Viktor, with his meagre forces, could put up a decent fight against him. If Viktor's brothers got involved? Well, JJ would soon be little more than a slave, if they kept him alive. He wasn't exactly popular.

So he gives a weak-armed salute before riding off, his men close behind. For the time being, they've avoided a confrontation.

Back in the carriage, Yuri's curled up more tightly beneath the furs. It's colder without Viktor there, and he still gets frightened when unexpected things happen - what if he was somehow taken away? Viktor's return makes him smile with relief, and he doesn't really think about what he's doing when he reaches out to pull the taller man back onto the carriage's seat next to him.]

Is everything alright?

[Viktor sits next to him, throwing the furs over the both of them, and puts a comforting arm around Yuri's shoulders.]

Everything is fine. That idiot just likes throwing his weight around, because he hates knowing he'd be crushed by my brothers if he tried to gain real power.

[The little caravan starts up again.]

All of the wealth he gains from military victories goes to my brothers and he's only allowed to keep whatever they say he can, or receive it as gifts from my family. He's always egging for slaves of his own so he can have them as a sign of his status.

Edited 2016-12-11 00:53 (UTC)

[Despite the short amount of time they've spent together, Yuri is finding it incredibly easy to lean up against Viktor and share his personal space. Perhaps it's because Viktor is so casual about touching him, or maybe it has something to do with that strange feeling that's blooming inside of Yuri's heart. Either way, he snuggles back up to him without hesitation.

A frown touches his lips at the explanation. In Happone, they don't really have things like this. Sure, there are lords in each of the prefectures, but their duty is more diplomatic than anything else. There's a reason they ceded to Rusla so quickly - they didn't have much of a military.

He can't think of anything intelligent to say on the matter - he knows so little, even with that explanation - but he wants to prove that he's more than just a dancer, more than just a pretty face for Viktor to look at. So, softly, he replies:]

You don't want to give him any slaves, do you?

They would be wasted on him.

[Viktor's expression goes tense again, like it has several times before.]

He would probably just work them half to death, or have them stand around pretending to look happy, instead of finding ways to enjoy their company.

[Happy slaves meant you had a happy palace.]

[It doesn't take much for Yuri to realize that Viktor really dislikes this whole slave thing. Even though he doesn't seem totally aware of exactly how they feel, it's clear enough that he cares about their wellbeing and thinks they should be treated with basic human respect.

He doesn't say anything to that, but his fingers reach out to curl through Viktor's, giving his hand a light squeeze. He settles his head in the crook of Viktor's shoulder again and lets his eyes drift shut. He doesn't think he'll ever be really happy like this, but he's thankful that he gets to be with Viktor, at least.]

[The rest of the ride to the lord Viktor's visiting, who lives right on the edge of Viktor's country, is largely uneventful. The royal banquet that goes on is fairly uneventful, too. Phichit hovers around Yuri, mostly quiet, but helpful, making sure he understands where he's supposed to be and what he's supposed to be doing at any given time. Part of his duties involve serving his new master wine, but mostly he's expected to sit on a cushion at his master's side at the low table where all the royals are kneeling and sitting.]

[Yuri gets more than one compliment on his beauty, but is largely left alone. He's Viktor's property, after all.]

[What none of them know is that Viktor's older brother, the one that had originally had Yuri in his possession, was also invited to discuss certain military matters.]

[Yuri and Phichit are in one of the hallways, carrying some of Viktor's extra clothes to his room, when Emil approaches. Phichit stars shaking the moment he sees him, freezing in place like terrified deer. Then he bolts, leaving Yuri and him alone in the hallway, seemingly abandoning him.]

[It's awkward to assume this role, but Yuri genuinely does his best. This is the first time he's been expected to perform such duties, and while he makes a few minor mistakes no one really seems to notice. It helps that Viktor gives him reassuring smiles every now and then, and that Phichit is there to guide him.

The compliments make him flush and duck his head. He's glad that he isn't expected to respond - he wouldn't know what to say if he did - but at the same time it feels strange to so obviously be an object for others to look at. None of them care an ounce about him beyond his appearance, that he knows for sure.

When the dinner is finally over and he and Phichit are given some small measure of freedom, Yuri allows himself to relax a little. It's nice to walk around without chains, even if he has to wear a collar - it's a symbol of his position, and it's been engraved with Viktor's personal crest, to show who he belongs to.

It's not until Phichit starts to run that Yuri notices who's standing in front of him.

The sight of Emil is enough to chill the blood in Yuri's veins and he freezes, not knowing what to do. His eyes widen with panic and every muscle in his body is torn between escape and obedience, knowing that pain will come no matter what he chooses to do.

Gripping the clothes in his hands more tightly to hide their shaking, he summons up all of his courage and murmurs weakly,] H-hello, your grace.

["You look different," Emil says. Less stiff and frightened. "It becomes you."]

[He doesn't look entirely pleased with it, though, perhaps because of the knowledge that he couldn't get what he wanted from Yuri himself.]

["Perhaps I let you go a little too soon. How convenient then, that you're here, and that we're all staying the night. I'm sure my brother won't mind if we enjoy each other's company one more time."]

[He reaches out a hand and takes Yuri's wrist in his own, just a little too tight. But another voice comes from behind Yuri.]

I'm afraid that won't be possible, big brother.

[The man looks up, his expression going a little ugly, as he looks at Viktor -- and at Phichit, who is not-so-subtly cowering behind his master, afraid he'll suffer for fetching him.]

["He was mine first." Emil nods in the direction of Phichit. "They both were. Where is the harm in having a little reunion? Do you really feel that you can't spare either of them for the night?"]

[Viktor's eyes flash dangerously.]

You always did enjoy taking away my toys, but you know better now. My servants are my own, to do with as I please.

[The hard expression fades and Viktor wags a finger at his older brother, as if he's reprimanding an errant child.]

No take-backs!

[It's not that Yuri thought he'd never see Emil again - things being the way they were, he had a feeling they'd meet again sooner or later. It's just that he hadn't thought about how he'd react, what he'd do, when facing down the man who had been so cruel with him in so many ways.

The thought of spending another night - no, another moment - with him makes Yuri want to scream, but he holds it back. It's not until Emil grabs his wrist that he lets out the smallest sound of fear and pain, helplessness washing over him. There's nothing he can do. He can't say no; they'll kill him. But he can't take whatever it is that Emil wants do to him.

When Viktor's voice cuts through the air it's as though some sort of angel has descended, and Yuri sends thanks up to whoever's looking out for him. Emil doesn't let go right away, but when he does Yuri takes two quick steps back, so that he's pressed up against Viktor's side. There's no hiding the fear written plainly across his face.

He's so frightened that, when Phichit reaches down to give his hand a squeeze, he almost jumps out of his skin. A quick glance at the other boy tells Yuri that he's just as afraid, if not more so; he's shaking visibly.]

[Emil tenses, staring down Viktor for a long time. The silence finally ends with, "You're lucky our eldest brother favors you so. "And with one last glance at Yuri and Phichit, he walks away.]

[After he's gone, Viktor draws in a long breath and lets it out, and his voice goes distant.]

He was kind as a child.

But you would never believe it now.

[With that, he ushers Yuri and Phichit away, a hand clasped on each of their shoulders, steering them along. After they turn a corner into a new hallway, and it's clear that it's empty, he lets go and wraps an arm around each of their shoulders instead, warm and comforting, until they reach the little suite where he and his servants are staying. The moment they're in through the door and it's closed behind them, Viktor turns to the shaking Phichit and puts both hands on his shoulders.]

You did well, coming to fetch me so quickly.

[Very briefly, he takes Phichit in his arms, for a short hug, a hand resting against the back of his neck.]

I promised you, remember? Never again.

[He finally lets go.]

Take a deep breath and go rest for the evening. I'll have Georgi and the others handle anything I require.

[Phichit nods, giving Yuri one last reassuring look, and goes off to the servants' quarters in the suite.]

[Then Viktor turns to Yuri, taking him by the hand and leading him towards his room.]

Come along, Yuri.

Edited 2016-12-11 02:22 (UTC)

[For a long, tense moment, Yuri feels as though the two brothers might burst into an argument. Experience has taught him that Emil doesn't like when people disobey or otherwise disrespect him, and Viktor himself said that his brothers weren't above harming each other.

Thankfully, Emil leaves of his own accord, and Yuri lets out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Viktor's voice sounds strange, unlike anything Yuri's heard before, and his heart throbs with sympathy. How could Viktor turn out to be such a kind person when he grew up around people like Emil?

When they're safe within the confines of the servants' room, Yuri backs off a little to allow Viktor to properly address Phichit. The two of them haven't had much time to get to know one another yet, but Phichit's reaction to Emil and his current state of being is enough to tell Yuri everything about his experiences with that particular brother. His heart throbs again, and he wishes he could do something more to comfort the other boy. If the treatment Yuri received had been awful, he could only imagine what Phichit had gone through.

When they're left alone, Yuri turns his full attention back to Viktor. He follows along eagerly, wanting to stay close to his new master's side even more now that he knows who else is sharing the castle with them tonight. As the adrenaline of seeing Emil fades, Yuri begins to realize something - he's going to Viktor's room, not the servant's quarters. A flush spreads itself over his cheeks and his stomach flips a little.]

Thank you for saving me, [he says softly, almost inaudibly, trying to keep himself focused so that his mind doesn't wander too far into the future.]

There is nothing to thank me for.

[The words are said darkly. Gratitude is understandable, but that Yuri had to deal with the situation at all...]

[It feels like he's saying "thank you for being a remotely decent human being" and isn't that something everyone should be? Isn't that the bare minimum?]

[They reach Viktor's room and he lets go of Yuri's hand and closes the door behind them.]

You'll sleep with me tonight, so I know you're safe.

[Never mind that he thinks Phichit is safe enough in the servants' quarters of his suite, with the others.]

[He pours some water from a pitcher into a wash basin and strips naked, casting his clothes off onto a chair. Then he uses a cloth to give himself a sponge bath, his muscular body glistening as he gets it wet.]

And when I say sleep I mean just sleep. Everything I said before still stands.

Edited 2016-12-11 02:47 (UTC)

[Viktor's reply makes Yuri frown a little, his face falling. He's right, of course, but that doesn't change the fact that Yuri is grateful. After experiencing what Emil is capable of, after seeing how cruel the world can be, it only feels right to be grateful when someone kind comes along. Still, he drops the subject, not wanting to give Viktor any more reason to be upset. He's a little frightening himself when he gets that dark tone in his voice.

When his hand is released, Yuri lingers where he is, suddenly unsure of what to do. Phichit had shown him around Viktor's palace, but this place is different, and he isn't totally used to serving someone just yet. The things Viktor tells him are reassuring, and he manages a soft smile - but when the other man's clothes are cast off so casually Yuri can't help but look away, his eyes going wide and his cheeks growing hot.

He'd gotten a sense of Viktor's body from the dance and the cuddling they'd done in the carriage, but this is different. Shyly, he raises his gaze, feeling as though it's not okay for someone like him to look at such a beautiful creature. Viktor's strength is obvious now in the way his muscles curves around his limbs, accentuated by the reflection of the water.

Despite everything, a strange urge rises in Yuri's chest, and after a moment more of just staring he takes a few steps forward and reaches up to take the cloth from Viktor's hands. His eyes remain downcast, but he begins to wash Viktor gently, making sure to wipe away whatever dirt he can find. If he can't show his gratitude with words, perhaps he can at least do this.]

[At first Viktor looks a little surprised. Yes, he's used to being pampered like this, but after making it clear he's willing to give Yuri a little space until he's more comfortable with him, having him willingly step forward and do something so intimate comes as a slight shock.]

[Then he relaxes, enjoying Yuri's gentle ministrations. The silence that passes between them is filled with tension, and Viktor has to struggle to avoid thinking about how it might feel for Yuri's hands to touch all the places the cloth is touching. Normally, he's entirely un-self-conscious about nudity, having been bathed and clothed by servants all his life, but under that brown-eyed gaze, he feels as if he's somehow naked in more ways besides the physical.]

[Then he's nice and squeaky clean, so he steps away to dry himself with a towel.]

Thank you, Yuri.

[He understands the level of trust involved here, in Yuri being so close and touching him while he's naked. Especially after the scare with his brother.]

[After drying off, he slips on a silken robe, almost thin enough to be sheer, and stokes the fire in the fireplace, adding more coal with a shovel, to make sure the room is nice and toasty for them to sleep. Normally, this would be the work of a servant -- like Yuri -- but it's easy enough to do himself.]

You can bathe as well, if you like.

[As he goes over to lie on the bed, he gives Yuri a smile that's pure mischief.]

I'll only peek a little. [He holds his fingers close together, as if holding something small.] Just a teeny, tiny bit.

[He's hoping the joking around will put him at ease.]

[It's definitely more than a little surreal, but to Yuri, Viktor and his brother are so different from one another that doing something as intimate as this is easier than providing his own body for more carnal activities. It helps that Viktor doesn't force him at all - in fact, the prince's willingness to give him space makes Yuri want to get closer to him.

When he's finished he sets the cloth back in its basin and remains where he is, watching Viktor's movements from under his eyelashes. Somehow, all the fear that had filled him only a short while ago has disappeared, and now all he can think about is the way Viktor's body looks in his robe. It's not a sexual gaze, not really; it's more that Yuri is simply appreciating how beautiful Viktor is, how the curves and edges of his body come together so wonderfully. He's much prettier than his brother, and in better shape, too, if only by a little.

Despite himself, Yuri laughs softly at Viktor's joke, his lips curling up into a shy smile. He turns so that his back is to Viktor, and, ignoring the way his breath catches in his throat, begins to remove his own clothing.

Being naked is different with Viktor than it was with Emil. Because Yuri is choosing to take his clothes off, he can take his time; because he wants Viktor to see him, he doesn't try to cover up. He's still a little too nervous to face him, though, so as he washes himself he keeps his back turned.

The water is cooler now, but it feels good nonetheless, and for a moment Yuri lets his eyes slide shut as he enjoys the feeling of the cloth against his skin.]

It's okay if you peek, [he murmurs suddenly, glancing back over his shoulder for just a second, just to see if Viktor's looking or not. He actually wants him to look, which doesn't make any sense, but that feeling in his chest is back and he's growing tired of trying to fight it off.]

[Viktor had keened one tiny glance but just a tiny one. When Yuri looks at him, his eyes are closed as he lays there on top of the covers, his hands folded behind his head. But Yuri saying it's okay makes him open his eyes again, and then his gaze roves over Yuri's body the way Viktor wishes his tongue could.]

[In this moment, he could say something highly inappropriate, or lustful, but in an effort to keep things light, and keep Yuri at ease, he opts instead for a playful whistle.]

Edited 2016-12-11 04:21 (UTC)

[Yuri didn't mean to keep looking at Viktor. No, he was just going to check and see if the other man's eyes were open, then go back to the task at hand. But when those blue eyes so plainly take in the slope of Yuri's body he finds it exceedingly difficult to look away.

The whistle makes him flush, and he finally forces his gaze back down at himself, but the damage has been done. That feeling in his chest? Yep, it's just gotten about a hundred times worse. He doesn't understand why this feels so entirely different from his nights with Emil, but there it is.]

Um. I'm glad that you like looking at me. [Again, he's not the best at this whole flirtation thing, but it feels strange to just stay silent. Depositing the cloth back into the water, he reaches for a nearby towel and dries himself off quickly.

It's not until he's done that he realizes the extra sets of robes in the room are behind him, closer to the bed, and retrieving one means having to face Viktor head-on. He can't exactly wear his old clothes again - they're not exactly dirty, but it's still inappropriate. So, taking a breath, he turns and hurries to dress himself, his eyes steadfastly refusing to look up.]

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want to move onto the palace stuff after Yuri's next tag?

sounds good!

does that work?

it's perfect! but omg my baby emil how could you

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