Ancient Histories II
‘May we have a moment to think?’ you ask.
Alajeem arches an eyebrow at you. “Awfully polite to ask me. I like that.” He nods. “I shall not eavesdrop on your conversation, though you likely know by now that you can converse without me hearing either way.”
At this, he turns away from you, and you and Ali move closer.
‘What do you think?’ you ask. ‘On the surface, as far as I can tell anyways, it doesn’t seem like a bad deal, in exchange for us learning more.’ You pause for a moment, then add. ‘But I would understand if you felt otherwise.’
‘I dunno, something feels off about it,’ Ali replies. ‘I mean, I love to learn more about this super intricate world I’ve become a part of thanks to Shira. And I’m not usually the sort to sweat over the details like this, but…’ She shakes her head. ‘I suppose it isn’t a terrible deal, all things considered. Shira? Akam?’
Your two genies have come closer to the two of you as well, and though they speak, they do so a little quieter. You get the sense that they’re doing SOMETHING to prevent Alajeem from hearing - magic, probably.
“Leaving his vase in the open, on its own, isn’t a problem,” Shira says. “Though you likely could ask us whatever you want and get the answers you seek - really, if the history of our kind is what you’re wanting to learn about, we are perfectly suitable resources.”
“I know more than you two do!” Alajeem says without turning around.
“Quiet, you!” Shira snaps. She glares at him.
Akam pats her shoulder. “Don’t engage him, dear friend. He cannot hear us when we use our power to be silent, remember that.”
“Yes, true,” Shira says with a sigh.
You feel unsure about this.
Yes, you did want to speak to this Alajeem because you were curious to see what he would be like - you imagine a genie as old as him may have more to say then Akam and Shira. At the same time, you don’t want to push your luck, and, the day is starting to get later. You could go either way on his request, but you want to make sure that it isn’t some sort of deceit.
‘Is he trying to trick us?’ you ask. ‘Is that why he wants to be in the open?’
Akam taps his chin. “It is difficult to say. We djinn, by nature, are not known for being brutally honest most times - and remember, we have our own views on things such as morals and the like, which makes it hard to answer you honestly. That said… I do not get the sense he has any sort of ill intentions, and most likely, he only wishes to be in the open to avoid being stuck underground.”
“Frankly, I would rather he stay locked far, far underground,” Shira says. “He can stare at the dirt for another millenia for all I care - I’d be pleased that way.”
‘You really don’t like him, do you, Shira?’ Ali asks. She sounds concerned.
“I do not expect him to leave his request at what he’s asked alone,” Shira replies. Her lips purse. “We djinn are not usually that simplistic when it comes to our requests. And I cannot in good faith assume Alajeem has turned over a ‘new leaf’ as you say, just because he’s been trapped for thousands of years.”
‘Can he DO anything?’ you ask. That really is the big question.
Akam shakes his head. “No. He cannot. I guarantee you that, on his own, unless he wishes to break his vase and be sapped of a good portion of his power… he will basically be as he was before we let him out. Stuck in place, waiting for a master to come along and free him of their free will.”
“Which is unlikely, but, that’s just how I see it,” Shira adds.
‘Guess that’s okay, then,’ you say.
“The choice ultimately comes to you two,” Akam says. “Alajeem knows much, that is no joke. And you are both wise, certainly enough to make your own decisions on how to proceed. But know, Master,” Akam looks you in the eye and smiles, “that I will stand by you and help when I can. I dare say I’m fond of you, enough to do my best to keep you from any ill effects.”
‘I appreciate that, Akam,’ you say.
Again, a moment of silence falls.
The way you see it, you have two options - you can accept Alajeem’s request and then see what he is willing to say, or, you can deny his request and instead let him go back into the vase. Alajeem doesn’t seem ‘evil’ in your eyes, but then, you don’t know enough to really have a solid opinion on him. And since you’ve been told by Akam that djinn don’t do the ‘good and evil’ spectrum the same way people do, that leaves you unsure what else is in store.
‘You know what?’ Ali says after a pause. She looks at you. ‘I say we take him up on his offer. He said he wants to be left above ground, right? He didn’t specify WHERE we have to leave him, now did he?’ She has a gleam in her eye as she grins. ‘So to be safe… we can always take that literally…’
Your eyes go wide, but you pick up on what she’s saying. ‘I like how you think.’
“Devious,” Shira says, and she grins, too. “I approve.”
Akam merely nods, looking quite content either way.
With this decided, you and Ali figure you can give Alajeem his answer…
‘Okay, Alajeem,’ Ali says. Her voice is clearer and louder now. ‘We’ve decided we’ll take you up on your offer. If you’re alright with explaining more of your world to us, then, we’ll gladly ensure you aren’t left underground anymore.’
Alajeem turns back to all of you and nods. “Splendid.” He appears quite content with the answer, but not in a smug or twisted way - he seems at ease entirely, and he smiles once more. “Now, you’re wondering about the term I used, was it? I assume you don’t know what the Araamakka is, then.”
You and Ali both nod.
“Then sit back and get comfortable, dear mortals,” Alajeem replies. “And I will gladly regale you with the insight you so clearly wish for yourselves…”
Written by Hollowpages on 20 January 2021
