Stay

nine.

          Aaliyah's eyes snapped open and immediately following a return to consciousness, she frantically looked around for a sign of familiarity.

The first time she was kidnapped; she was afraid and unprepared. This time, however, she was still frightened, but not as unprepared.

She took note of her surroundings. She was in a large bed, the sheets white and comfy. Looking around, she noted how the room had a nightstand, a dresser, but what stood out was the large window to her right.

Blinking her eyes, she kicked the blankets off and shuffled to the window.

"Oh my...." She'd only seen the city in books and magazines, but there it was right before her. She had to look down to see the street, as whatever room she was in was certainly located on one of the top floors. Cars and trucks honked as people scrambled to and from. She looked up again to see tall buildings with too many windows for anyone count.

She certainly wasn't in Nanda Parbat anymore.

"Russia." She spun around and saw Ta-er al-Safer smirking. She looked over her guard, shocked to see her not in League attire, but regular clothing. Dark jeans, white shirt, leather jacket and combat boots. "Far cry from what we're used to, huh?"

"Wait. Russia?" Aaliyah finally caught on to what she said. "We are in Russia?" She breathed out in disbelief. Last she remembered, she was in her room with someone...."The League is responsible for this?"

The blonde nodded. "I am sorry for how it was handled, but you know how we are with secrecy...."

She understood, but that didn't mean she liked it any better. Taken in the middle of the night was not an ideal way to start off a trip. "Why am I here?"

"Because he demanded it."

She already who the 'he' was. "And what of me? What about my wishes? What are Samirah and Nadura to think?"

"They believe you were already aware of the trip, but forbidden from saying anything."

She turned her head, feeling the frustration growing. It was bad enough she'dbeen taken again, but now her friends believed she was keeping secrets.

"I want to see him."

"And you will." Ta-er al-sahfer assured and tucked her hands in her back pockets. "But you must be made presentable first."

"Presentable?"

She paused. "We must blend while we are here. This trip is for League business so we all have images to maintain. For instance, the wardrobe. As you can see, no sword in sight." She raised her hands for emphasis. "He's already arranged all that for you. But we will also all have different names we use while out here-"

"Russian trips occur frequently then?"

"Enough." She shrugged. "But I am Sara, Al Jundi is Diggle, and Al Maharib is Roy." She noticed the confusion and continued. "They were our names before we joined the league."

"And Al Sah-Him? What am I to call him?"

Sara smirked. "I will let him tell you that."

Aaliyah nodded. "Well when can I see him?"

"As soon as Naomi helps you get ready."

"Who is Naomi?"

"That would be me." A sultry voice sounded and a woman, not too much older than Aaliyah, walked in sashaying her wide hips. She was a little on the heavier side, but her figure was enviable. Half of her head was shaved, with the other half falling down her back in long black locks. She wore a warm, but mischievous smile.