by Max Barry

Latest Forum Topics

Advertisement

Post

Region: Commonwealth of Liberty

| [ Dasht-e Lut Desert, Iran ] |

The Dasht-e Lut Desert known as one of the deadliest places in Iran, held some of the deadliest creatures amongst Iran, and it wasn't only in regards to the animals. Isolated, deadly and filled with passionate hatred, the Dash-e Lut Desert was a symbolic place of meeting between Joanna Pahlavi and Roah Eskfab. Both tied to the Pahlavi Dynasty and both shamed or destroyed in some way by the dynasty itself. Joanna Pahlavi, the most hated woman in the country, as she was referred to after her husband, ex-Crown Prince, escaped to France with her. Roah Eskfab, the first and only son of Soraya, Queen Soraya. Who...by what some call an accident, died in a car crash in the 1960s. Having alleged documents against Empress Farah, the documents never seen the light of day and nor has she.

With two cars parked behind them, they look at each other for a moment. Joanna was supposed to be in France right now, taking care of her son and her husband and Eskfab should have been in Germany right now, selling off his mother's apartment. Wearing a short green dress and her hair up, opposed to him wearing black jeans and a blue jacket, it was like two different worlds meeting. One, still feeling and living the "Royal Fantasy", the other...normal and human.

    Roah "Mrs Joanna...the famous British Serpent as they call you, right?"

    Joanna "Indeed, meeting with a man who lost his mother to a power struggle. Right?"

Biting his lip, Roah replied with a slight smile as he took off his sunglasses.

    Roah "Unusual place for a meeting, don't you think?"

    Joanna "Nothing is usual in this country. Why should people know that I'm back...here...?"

    Roah "I suppose you're right. You know, I was quite shocked when you reached out to me. How did you even get my contact details in the first place?"

    Joanna "It wasn't easy, I can tell you that. But now that I do, you probably read my letters and listened to my voicemails. And you still agreed to meet me, so clearly you are up with the plan."

    Roah "No. I...I simply wanted to know why you want such a thing to occur."

Looking at him, she'd lose her smile before turning towards the vast desert.

    Joanna "Because I lost a lot...a lot, and I have no more to lose. And nor do you."

    Roah "I have a job, I have a life in Germany. I don't need to be tied up in anything. I am living a great life in Germany right now and I uh---"

    Joanna "Is that why you're selling your mother's apartment? Is that why you changed your surname? Is that why when people ask, you claim to be German and not Iranian?"

Staring at her for a moment, with confusion and crawling anger behind his eyes, he'd smile again.

    Roah "I decided to cut myself away from the Royal things. No one knows who I am, and I want that to be remained."

    Joanna "And you have no vengeance in you as to what happened to your mother?"

    Roah "And what did happen?! Huh?! She died in a car crash...God! You all are conspiracy theorists! Always claiming to have the best answer, always seeking the goddamn truth! Since the 70s, I remember watching a documentary on her death, on people claiming that she was murdered. Why would she be? She was a nobody after she divorced the Shah, a nobody!"

    Joanna "Oh...how wrong you're, how little you know about your mother and your heritage."

    Roah "Maybe I do! But I don't want to be part of you, so don't contact me ever again. Okay? I'm going back to Germany today, and that's that."

Getting into his car quickly, Roah would drive off. Joanna slowly sighing would look up before getting into her car and driving off.

--------------

[ Golestan Palace, Tehran ]

    Shahnaz "How irresponsible can you be?! How stupid can you be? Do you not understand who you are? Who you will become?"

    Cherlynn "Oh please!"

Cherlynn would start to storm off from the room before entering the long corridor filled with staff. Shahnaz would quickly follow her up as the staff bowed as she walked past, shouting at Cherlynn.

    Shahnaz "Don't you please me! You're a Princess for the love of all! So start acting like one!"

    Cherlynn "I'm a Princess with my own rules, I don't need to act the way you want!"

    Shahnaz "Oh but you do! And you will!"

    Cherlynn "Or what?!"

    Shahnaz "Or you'll be sent to Europe!"

Cherlynn would stop and turn around sharply. Laughing and shaking her head at her annoyed mother.

    Cherlynn "And what? Do you think in Europe they don't have men or clubs?"

    Shahnaz "To the countryside of Europe. You wouldn't last a day in Germany, in France, in Poland or Britain. They're very different, very different. Don't tempt me to do something you will regret."

    Cherlynn "Then go on, send me to Europe. But you won't be telling me anymore what to do. Empress...have you ever thought what type of a Queen I'll make? Ten times better!"

    Shahnaz "Oh...well, we'll see if you even get a chance to sit on the throne!"

    Cherlynn "Women in this family are weak, you won't last another five years---"

Slapping her across the face, Cherlynn almost falls to the ground as Shahnaz looks at her own hand. Looking back at Cherlynn and the staff around, she'd storm off.

Bomoko, Nevbrejnovitz, Nosautempopulus, Molbovia, and 7 othersVictoria Harbor, Valijun, Antillian, Otsla, Liberalina, Not xav, and Ranponian

ContextReport