When you arrived, Nayla lounged upon a mound of cushions, surrounded by bare-chested men—some combing her long hair with their fingers, others massaging oils into her skin, one holding a tray of gleaming golden jewelry.

At the sight of you and [s1.name], her foot tapped a man’s shoulder, and with a flick of her wrist, they departed. The room’s heady incense lingered. She drew you both onto the carpets, propping her chin on a hand, her gaze bold and curious as it roamed [s1.name]’s face—no man or woman who entered her chambers should be so cold, so untouched.

[s1.name] cut straight to the point: “[player.name] says you are this city’s foremost expert on pleasure. I wish to know—why do humans indulge so? Why sacrifice so much for mere carnal joy?”

“What a dull question!” Nayla laughed, tilting [s1.name]’s chin up, studying its icy composure. “I chase pleasure because I’ve had my fill of propriety. The life of a ‘proper lady’? I’ve seen it in countless women of the empire. Who wants a life like everyone else’s?”

With that, she plucked the cup from before you, drank deep—then, under [s1.name]’s sharp frown, pressed her lips to yours. Oh, the wine was so damn sweet.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Nayla

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Charisma) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000706): Add 1

You found Badriyyah ladling a black, foul-smelling brew from a massive pot, doling it out to a line of grateful poor. The stench was so vile even [s1.name] paled.

“Apologies for the wait.” Badriyyah finished her task, let the curtain fall, and plunged the small tent into darkness. [s1.name] wasted no time: “What was in that soup?”

“Curious? It’s my secret.” She blinked, unflinching. “Powdered insects, dried dung, burnt hair, crushed seeds… Heh. Our lives are cheap. We’ll take anything to survive, to dull the pain.”

[s1.name] disliked observing these people—they couldn’t even afford clear mirrors, and their lives, their suffering, their endurance and tragedies were all the same. “[player.name] says you know pleasure,” [s1.name] said, staring.

“Oh.” Badriyyah shot you a glance, shrugging. “Of course. We own so little! We’re squeezed dry every hour—this body’s the only thing we ‘own.’ Might as well waste it on sex. Else, it’ll rot in endless toil. And I’ll offer this wretched life to the God—better Him than the nobles”

[s1.name] was accustomed to observing, not arguing. So it listened in silence, left without praise or scorn.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Badriyyah

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Physique) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000706): Add 1

Behind the veils of the House of Delights, you found a drowsy Nabhani, his chest bare, marked with the traces of pleasure. He barely caught [s1.name]’s question. “What was that?”

[s1.name] repeated, deadpan: “Why do humans forsake so much for pleasure?”

Nabhani laughed, tossing back his loose hair. He glanced at you first: “Where did you find such an adorable friend?” Then, grinning: “It’s no contradiction, darling. Pleasure contradicts nothing. No matter how wretched the lot, don’t we all deserve joy? It’s the last defiance against fate.”

“Besides—come now, what have I forsaken? Did [player.name] finally open that bottle he’s been hoarding from me?”

[s1.name] remained unmoved by his jesting, only giving him a long, measured look before bowing out.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Nabhani

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Sociability) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000707): Add 1

Junah lived in the small courtyard you had arranged for her. When you arrived, she was trimming the vines of grape branches.

She bowed to you, then led you inside. Refreshments and wine had been prepared in advance—nothing was overlooked. [s1.name] asked her, as a former Lady of Delights, what she thought of people exhausting their minds and wealth in pursuit of fleeting joy. Junah paused, then answered honestly: “I’ve never thought of something so… complicated. But to me… everything has its price. Men paid for a night with me—that was the simplest exchange. But…” She glanced at you, her eyes flickering like a deer’s before lowering them again, “I still don’t know what price I’ll have to pay in the future for the happiness I have now.”

You gently pulled her close, murmuring comfort. As for [s1.name], it seemed to have already found the answer it sought.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Junah

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Survival) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000707): Add 2

After marrying you, Jalila lived a quiet, unassuming life—as if the "Queen" of her past had been nothing but a mask for the world. When [s1.name] asked her, as a former Lady of Delights, what she thought of people exhausting their minds and wealth in pursuit of fleeting joy, she laughed, sharp and mocking.

"Because people are base." Her voice carried a cold arrogance, edged with weariness. "No one treasures what comes easily. On the contrary—even pain, even humiliation, once priced high enough, will have fools clamoring for a taste."

Yet the bitterness faded quickly. "Not that it’s wrong, is it? Men’s desires birthed our trade, and we, in turn, used those desires to claw our way to... well, better lives." With a faint sigh, she refilled [s1.name]’s cup.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Jalila

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Survival) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000707): Add 1

At [s1.name]’s question, Shama turned to you with a look of incredulous confusion: “Do you think the Lady of Delights revel in delight?”

“For us, delight is a tool for survival—a choice made under duress, a mix of blood and tears, disease hidden and death ignored. How can you say we’re chasing delights? We fight, we give up the pitiful little we have, just to stay alive.” She shook her head. “Never mind. Men will never understand.”

With that, she bowed rudely and left, leaving you alone with the unfeeling Mirror, wondering what you’d done wrong.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Shama

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Wisdom) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000706): Add 1

Every time you saw Salwiyah, she maintained an astonishing, flawless beauty, just enough to tug at your heartstrings. Through her violet-hued gaze, [s1.name] glimpsed her endless descent into desire—never satisfied.

"Why do you do this? Just for pleasure?" the Mirror asked, bewildered.

Salwiyah's eyes hardened into mirror as she replied, "Because it's the only way I learned to survive, the only thing I'm good at." Her words flowed smoother, as if spoken straight from the depths of her heart. "Why should I discard my precious gift for dull, vulgar work anyone could do?"

"But youth fades." you couldn't help interjecting.

Salwiyah gave you an unforgettable, eerie smile. "What are you talking about? My mother died in her twenties."

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Salwiyah

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Charisma) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000706): Add 1

For days afterward, every time you saw [s1.name], it was wielding a tiny hammer, attempting to inlay minuscule gemstones into a long belt.

When you asked, it readily explained—that was a technique once taught to princes and lords’ sons, meant to temper the arrogance of future rulers with its grueling patience.

"Every time I muster the patience to understand humans better, I find you’re all so gifted at tormenting your own kind," [s1.name] declared, tossing aside the mangled belt.

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Wisdom) of Slot #1: Add 1

Action:

• Enable Event: The third question from the poet at the start of the small-scale fundraising.