Hasaan belongs to @thatbism
She could wait no longer, she had to see for herself.
Creeping into her father’s chambers, Princess Atefeh saw exactly what she was looking for sitting atop of the nightstand by the sultan’s bed. She had to be careful, knowing well the trouble she would get in if she were caught. A few months ago, her father had conquered a neighboring kingdom and claimed the territory for his own. Before their king was executed, his treasury was raided and taken back to her father’s, including a peculiar little lamp stationed in the very back.
“No!” the king begged. “You cannot take that! I beg of you! You shall bring ruin to yourselves AND your people!”
Her father had no interest in what the former monarch had to say, and his head was quickly removed from his shoulders.
Atefeh wasn’t told much of what had happened next, having only gotten hushed whispers from her servants, yet upon sneaking around, she once heard her father having a conversation with someone behind his chamber doors. Someone that, she realized, was NOT the vizier or either one of his councilmen. No, this voice was different, smooth, silky, and dare she say, rather attractive. She listened in each and every time she got the chance, listening to the voice, her mind conjuring up images of handsome, gorgeous young men that would surely sweep her away and carry her off far from here.
True, her servants told her that she shouldn’t dwell in such fantasies, but she couldn’t help it. She was nothing more than a possession to her father. He may have birthed her, yet he felt nothing for her, and she knew next to nothing of her mother before her death when Atefeh was but three years old, a younger brother had died along with her. Perhaps that was why her father held such a cold, distant attitude with her, she thought. Instead of a son, an heir to the throne, all he had was one that he would pass off to be someone else’s. A way to another’s inheritance. Her father had remarried, yet again, yet this new wife displeased him by having a multitude of miscarriages, and thus, she was banished. She was to be executed, yet seeing as she had committed no crime, the council thought it better that she merely be sent away.
A pity, Atefeh thought. She liked the woman. The closest thing to a mother she had. Sure, her servants were good, yet they were more like sisters. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on such things. She had what she was looking for and quickly made her way back to her own chambers with the lamp. She sat on her bed and analyzed the peculiar object. It appeared to be rather old and somewhat dingy, but all the same, there was just...something about it. A glimmer or spark that it possessed. She ran her hand along the shoulders, feeling the surface. Dry, yet smooth and cold.
Yet it was only a few moments after that she noticed it becoming somewhat warm.
Then, she noticed something had begun emitting from the lamp’s mouth. Smoke. Violet, wispy smoke began to pour out from the object, pooling around at her feet, and soon, billows of smoke engulfed nearly all of her room. Then, the smoke began to take shape, forming and twisting, limbs growing more defined, hands, feet, a torso, legs, arms, shoulders, and finally, a head. The smoke had transformed to resemble a young, dark-skinned man, Atefeh jumping back in fright when he turned to face her.
“And what do you wish for THIS time…” the man spoke, only to realize that he was no longer in the sultan’s chambers and that this young woman was NOT the overly dressed blimp of a man he had been with for the past few weeks.
Atefeh’s brown eyes were wide, not sure whether to try and escape or keep still and wait for what would happen next. His eyes were golden and sharp, and he looked rather displeased. He wore an assortment of jewelry consisting of an earring of gold hung from his right ear, a gold necklace, and armbands. His skin was dark and he appeared human, save for his hair. His hair appeared flowing and lively, constantly shifting this way and that as if it were made of smoke. Atefeh already had an idea of what this being was, yet, even so, the prospect of it filled her with fright.
“Who are you?” the smoky-haired man asked.
The princess struggled to make her tongue cooperate with her. “Ate...Atefeh.” she struggled to say. “I...I’m his majesty’s daughter.”
“Daughter?” the man raised a brow. “He never mentioned a child.”
The young woman sighed. “That wouldn’t surprise me,” she said sadly. “But...who are YOU? After all, I’ve already introduced myself.”
The man was silent for a few moments before answering. “Hassan.” he said bluntly.
Atefeh, feeling somewhat braver, rose from her bed and approached him. “Are you...are you truly a…”
“A djinn?” he finished for her. It was then that his eyes grew dark and narrow. “I suppose you could say that.”
She knew not what she had said to get such a reaction out of him, yet still, the princess felt apologetic. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” she trailed off, biting her lip.
“I’ve answered your questions, now you will answer mine,” Hassan told her. “Why did you bring me here, and why would you be foolish enough to potentially invoke your father’s wrath to do so?”
Atefeh looked at the floor. “I just...wished to see if it were true. If he was keeping some sort of prisoner,” she said meekly. “I wanted to see...if there was anyone that I could perhaps…”
“...find some common ground with.”
Hassan was confused. “Explain yourself.”
The princess stroked her long hair. “I...I suppose it doesn’t matter to you.”
“No, it probably doesn’t.” the djinn answered. “But I have nothing better to do, so continue.”
She then began to tell him of her life, past and current events, and of, above all else, the crippling knowledge that she was nothing more than a means to an end for her father to gain power. How she was nothing but an object, a possession, someone that he would happily trade for a son, and how once he had one with one of his new wives, she would surely be given away to further secure power. And now that they had conquered a neighboring kingdom who had done them no wrong, she knew now that the man was capable of anything.
Hassan listened, taking in every word she said and realized that perhaps being found by her was a blessing in disguise. “Sounds like we’re in agreement that your father isn’t exactly a good man.”
Atefeh nodded. “I feel ashamed to say...yet I’m not sure if I have any love in my heart for him.”
“Nothing to be ashamed of.” the djinn said. “You see him for what he truly is and are honest about it.”
“Not openly.” the princess confessed. “He could see fit to banish me if I went out of line.” She then rubbed the back of her neck. “But...enough about me. You look like you’ve had a hard time as well.”
Hassan was surprised to hear such a thing. “You know nothing about me.” he told her curtly.
“No, I don’t.” the young woman admitted. “But...you don’t seem to be that happy of a person. Er, djinn.”
“So what if I’m not? What business is that of yours?”
“Well, none, but…” she shifted nervously. “I...I guess I just wondered if you, you know...needed a friend.”
Hassan looked at her, weighing his options. True, ever since he was found by her father, he had been subject to fulfilling his whims and desires, yet this far from meant he wished to do so, ironically. He hated it. He hated each and every aspect of his ‘curse’, how he was bound to the word of whoever had found his lamp. And frankly, this young woman’s prattle was wearing on his nerves, the fact she was his captor’s child only made things worse. It only made the fact she clearly pitied him even more infuriating. Still, regardless, she was not the sultan. She was clearly stupid, yet overall, she was harmless. She was just an ignorant child, nothing more.
“If it means anything...you’re quite handsome. For a djinn. Oh, uh, assuming that a djinn looks different from humans. Or…” she trailed, off, the princess realizing that she was beginning to sound rather dumb.
Hassan took in these words. Not that he had any feeling for this young woman that was apparently already smitten with him (she WAS naive), yet upon hearing that, he began to ponder. His master had been careful in how he had worded his wishes, apparently having taken the conquered king’s advice to a degree. Hassan smirked thinking of that. The king DID wish for his kingdom’s splendor to be known by his neighbors...he just didn’t think that they’d be interested in taking it for themselves. Still, his current master seemed to be somewhat wise to his ways, and thus, the djinn couldn’t cause any collateral damage as of yet. So for now, he was just biding his time.
That was until the princess came along. Perhaps he could work with this.
Thinking of the steps he was going to take, Hassan smiled. She had no idea what she was getting herself into. “So, you think I’m attractive, do you?”
Atefeh’s cheeks grew hot. “Oh! Um...well…” she stammered. “I...what I mean is…”
“You already said it. You can’t take it back now.” the djinn told her. The princess lowered her head to conceal her red face, yet she found her chin being held gently and turned up to face him. “You know...it’s just dawned on me that you’re not too bad yourself.”
Atefeh swore her entire body was on fire now. “O-Oh! W-Well...th-thank you, dear sir.”
“Please, Hassan will suffice.”
‘To first names already?!’ “Ah, y-yes. Ok. H-Hassan it is.”
The djinn gazed, studying her features. True, while it meant nothing to him, she wasn’t that bad either. Large, bright eyes, smooth skin, long, silky hair, and her body was proportioned right as well. “How old are you?”
“I just turned nineteen on the last quarter moon.” Atefeh answered him.
Ah, that would explain it. She was built enough to be an adult, yet she had just emerged into that stage of life. Hassan could tell that she knew little to nothing, naive and innocent to the ways of the world.
“Well, if I may, how old are you?” the princess then asked, covering her mouth when the djinn turned from her. “Oh, oh no! I’m sorry!” she immediately sputtered. “I didn’t mean any offense! Truly!” Hassan remained silent, Atefeh lowering her head, ashamed she had screwed things up so quickly.
After a while though, he finally spoke. “I’ve been here since probably even before your father’s time.” the djinn responded. “I’ve seen the deaths of civilizations, the rise, and fall of kingdoms, and many rulers come to catastrophe. Indeed, I have, as you may say, seen it all. Or nearly all.”
Atefeh was speechless, Hassan turning back to her and cupping her chin again. The princess found herself studying his golden eyes. They were fierce and sharp, yet there was something different about them. As prickling of coyness and anticipation, as if he were primed for something.
“But back to the subject at hand. I’m appealing to you, yes?” Hassan questioned, Atefeh surprised he caught on.
“W-What?! Um, well...you see, I didn’t-”
“No, no, it’s fine.” He had her right where he wanted her. “You’re not the first.” he stroked her lips, feeling the young woman seize up. “But I am curious, which part about me do you like most?”
Atefeh swore she was about to die from how her heart pumped thunderously in her chest. True, it was a simple folly, something that would never be a reality, yet for so long, she had fantasies of men coming into her life and whisking her away from this place. Whether he be a prince, a traveling merchant, or even a swashbuckling thief, she didn’t care. She’d immediately give her heart to him and go with him to the ends of the world. Oh, how she dreamt it for nights on end. The tales she was told as a child were one of the few comforts she had in this cold, unforgiving place where she has been paraded around as an object of status.
True, she hadn’t expected this, yet...could this man, er, djinn be the one who could set her free?
It was then that she remembered his question. “Oh! Sorry. I got caught up in my thoughts.”
‘Somehow, I suspect that’s a common occurrence.’ Hassan thought.
“Well...you’re built rather nicely. Lean, but with development in all the right places,” she said, gazing at his chest, pondering what his muscles looked like underneath. “And your skin is smooth,” she gained the courage to touch his face, feeling a surprising warmth on her palm. “And...well,” she fidgeted and began to feel very much like a child. “Your eyes, they’re very…” It was then that she saw, to her shock, a shift in them. “They...huh?”
The djinn’s eyes had changed. What was once a golden iris seemed to ‘spread’ outward, covering the entire eyeball. Then, a lighter shade of the same color emerged from his shrunken pupil, then another, and another, and another, taking on the appearance of several rings pulsating from the center.
“Yes?” he said. “They’re what?”
Atefeh stepped back a bit. “What the?” she could scarcely believe what she was seeing. “What IS this?”
Hassan smiled. “Just one of my many talents,” he said. “There’s no need to fear, princess.” He gently cupped the side of her face and took one of her hands, clasping his fingers over her own. “Tell me, what do you like about my eyes?”
“They’re...they’re...very…” Atefeh began, yet found her tongue struggling to work with her. “G-Gold.” she managed to get out. “They’re gold.”
“And?” Hassan pressed her further.
“And...and…” the princess leaned in closer. “R-Rings. So many...rings.”
“Yes, that’s right.” the djinn told her. “What about them?”
There was no hope for her now, she was ensnared in his trap. “Then look into them.” Hassan gently commanded. “Drink in them. Take each and every one in, and with each passing ring, a wave of peace falls over you.”
Atefeh didn’t need to be told that, having already been drawn in too deep now. The repetitive, soothing pattern soon began to overtake her own eyes, her pupils shrinking and allowing reflected rings to replace her brown orbs.
“Yes, that’s right.” Hassan guided her. “Tension is leaving you, your body feels warm and calm.” he brought her closer. “Your mind is warm and calm. Everything is warm and calm.”
Atefeh slowly nodded. “Warm...and...calm…”
“Yes...fall.” the djinn whispered in her ear. “Fall deep. Deeper…deeper still.”
The princess then wrapped her arms around Hassan, the djinn taken back by this sudden display. “My…” Atefeh sighed, her mind little more than mush at this point. “My prince…”
Prince? Hassan was startled by her sudden forwardness, the inhibitions that held Atefeh back before were gone, allowing her to truly convey what she felt. Still, he had come this far, he had to go through with it. “Oh, I’m more than that, princess,” he told her. “In fact, my eyes aren’t the only magic I have.” then, he produced something, smoke forming in his hand and steadily growing solid until an object rested in his grip. “I play quite a tune if I say so myself.”
Despite her entranced state, Atefeh recognized what Hassan held. It was a pipe, that much she knew, yet it was shaped with long air passages and wound around itself, resembling that of a rope. Or even more, snakes that had lain together to form an intricate yet bizarre shape. The djinn placed the pipe to his lips and blew, a tune was played that met Atefeh’s ears. She was puzzled, even in her stupor. It was a pipe, not a musical instrument, how could he play music on it? Nevertheless, she found herself listening, all the same, the song one she had never heard, yet at the same time, struck her as familiar, as if she had heard it in a distant dream long forgotten.
Then, the pipe/flute began to produce smoke, billowing and smooth, the same color as Hassan’s hair. Atefeh registered several scents wafting through the air: ginger, cinnamon, all of her favorite things as if the smoke knew just what she would like. Then, she noticed that the instrument/pipe in Hassan’s hands began to move. Slowly yet surely, the winding form began to unravel from itself and draw near her, and before she knew it, she could feel something coiling around her lower half. The pipe’s smooth, chilled surface briefly gave her goosebumps, yet there was a part of her that was thrilled. Yet another trick the djinn was showing her perhaps? Whatever the case, she would happily take it. The pipe slowly traveled up her body, securing her legs and arms until finally, it reached her head. The end of the pipe was that of a snake with an open mouth, fangs bared and looking as if it were ready to strike, yet this serpent didn’t have any venom to deliver her. Instead, it breathed out more smoke, her nostrils taking it in and her senses overpowered by the concoction of pleasurable scents.
Speaking of pleasure, Atefeh was in nothing short of absolute bliss. Her mind was completely rendered to only being able to perform the most basic of acts, yet complicated thoughts and actions were beyond her. Nothing existed past what Hassan would want for her, and she could trust him completely. He was her hero, her prince, her love. He was the one she had been waiting for her entire life. From her rippling eyes to the scents assaulting her senses (it appeared to be made of porcelain, yet she swore she could feel smooth scales meeting her flesh), the princess was left completely at the djinn’s mercy, and she found absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Her legs gave out from underneath her, yet Atefeh didn’t fall to the ground, Hassan had conjured a cloud where she landed, bound and deeply entranced, her eyes rolling to the back of her head and a small smile of pleasure on her lips. Hassan stared down at her, analyzing her current condition.
Right now, she was perfect.
“So, tell me,” the djinn said, his words enough to give her pleasure. “What does the little princess wish for?”
Atefeh stirred a bit, trying to make her thoughts known, and those thoughts only came up because Hassan willed them to with his question. “I…” the princess breathed out, taking in more smoke. “I want…”
“I want...to be free.” she finally sighed. “Free...and far...far away...from here.”
Free and far away...he would have to remember this for later. From now on, things were going to be a bit different around here. And, he thought, looking at the floating form of Princess Atefeh, he perhaps could make use of his new ‘friend’ in getting closer to his goal.
“Silly girl.” Hassan cooed, stroking her cheek. He had no intention of harming her, but she had no idea what she would bring to this place. “You should really be careful what you wish for.”
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