"The coast." Zarya replied without hesitation, her eyes seeming to swirl and brighten at the mention, though her expression didn't change. "As predictable as it is, my affinity with the water leads me to a soft spot for the ocean. And our oceans are gorgeous."
Symphony of A Crown // oxo romance // CLOSED
Mishal nodded as she spoke, considering the testament.
“I see. Vyrnia only has lakes and ponds, mostly in the forests. Legends tell of magic in those forest’s, but I cannot testify to the validity of those claims. My point is, I have yet to see the coast for myself. I would quite like to. Some day.”
"Perhaps you should come to visit us sometime then." Zarya said, her eyes flickering to Amira as she stepped back up next to the two. They resumed the tapping on each other's wrists subtly, as Zarya continued to speak. "While you may not have ever seen the coast, I cannot for sure say when I last saw a forest."
“I think a travel exchange is in order,” he replied. “While you two are here, I can arrange for an excursion to one of our nicest forests.”
Mishal noticed the tapping again, this time more curious as it was an obviously frequent occurrence. He considered asking about it, but he thought it might not be welcome at the moment, so he refrained. For now.
"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Amira said, nodding as her smile brightened. Apparently, neither of them had issue holding the simultaneous conversations, as the tapping didn't cease. "You have many songbirds here, I couldn't help but note. It will be fun to see more of them up close."
“Are you particularly fond of birds, Princess?” Mishal inquired. He decided that Amira was a little less disinteresting than he originally thought, but he continued to wait for her to really subvert expectations before really changing his view.
"I am, somewhat." Amira admitted, fiddling with her sleeves once more. Zarya, now with her hands free, rolled her eyes as her fingers danced at her sides.
"I would hardly call raising a hunting falcon and starting up a rehabilitation center for injured birds somewhat fond of birds, but if you say so." Zarya raised an eyebrow at her friend, who was starting to look slightly flustered.
Mishal smiled, “So you do have hobbies, Princess.” He turned to Zarya, “What about you? Do you share the Princess’s fondness of birds, or do you occupy your time in other ways?”
(I’m so sorry that took so long!!)
((It's fine! I get it!))
"While I enjoy the company of a bird or two, I am not as fond of them as my Princess." Zarya said, her eyes sparkling playfully as she looked at Amira, who bit her lip to hide a smile. "So I occupy my time with other things. Reading, learning anything from languages to music and instruments, and collecting items." What she left unsaid was how she acquired those items, but he wouldn't know that. For all anyone except Amira knew, she had given up the thieving ways of her past years ago, when she began her training.
Mishal regarded her with a pensive gaze, “Interesting…. I myself enjoy a good book from time to time. Have you any favorite authors?”
"Oh, yes, plenty." Zarya nodded, meeting his gaze with a slightly arched eyebrow. "Viria al Abbas would have to be my favorite though. She's written everything from poetry, to theories on Alchemy, to articles analyzing the state of our economy and other political matters. You?"
Mishal chuckled, “I couldn’t possibly chose just one! On the other hand, I do not think I have had the pleasure of enjoying a book written by Miss al Abbas. Do you have any recommendations for an introduction to her work?” Mishal was genuinely interested in the conversation, though he thought his manner of speaking might lead them to think otherwise. This concerned him, as he did not want to intentionally leave a negative impression.
"I do believe I packed a few of her works, and I would be more than happy to lend one to you." Zarya said, her lips quirking up into a small, but genuine smile. "The first of hers I ever read was one of the aforementioned Alchemy works, detailing her studies on the converting of one substance to another. Finding a translation might be somewhat difficult though."
“Oh, I very much look forward to it. If you would like to visit the library while in the palace, please notify any member of the staff. I would be more than happy to lend you a copy from our collection here.” He then turned to Amira, “Is there anything you desire to make your visit more engaging, Princess?”
"I can't really think of much, but thank you." Amira said, shaking her head softly. "I am mostly just looking forward to learning as much about your various cultures as I can." Her eyes flickered to Zarya for a second, before she spoke again. "Actually…do you happen to have any flower gardens?"
“As a matter of fact, we do indeed. If you wish to have a tour, do not hesitate to notify the staff. They will see to a prompt arrangement.” Mishal concluded, “Now, I believe we must catch up to the rest of the entourage.”
"You two go on ahead." Zarya said, her eyes sparkling slightly as she tilted her head subtly in the direction of the group a ways ahead of them. "Nazari has looked back here, at me specifically, five times in the past two minutes. I do believe he wishes to have a word with me."
"Try to stay out of trouble, will you?" Amira teased, flashing her friend a smile before looking to Mishal. "Shall we?"
“I suppose we shall.” As he turned to guide the Princess through the Hall, his eyes lingered on Zarya, his invasive curiosity begging to know her secrets.
Zarya flicked an eyebrow up in question at Nazari, who scowled, but dropped back to talk with her. The two whispered quietly with each other in the common tongue of their Kingdom, the Sorceress's face never betraying anything. Though, if one was looking closely, they might notice the way her hand drifted somewhat towards the slit in her kefta, before stopping. Almost like she'd been habitually reaching for something.
Mishal heard nothing but whispers of an unfamiliar language. His curiosity was unbearable. He didn’t give in. Instead, he lead the Princess onward through the palace, but never once stopped wondering what the pair were discussing.
Eventually, the two stopped walking, focusing instead on their discussion.
"I do hope nothing is wrong." Amira said, her brows drawing together in concern. The warm brown of her eyes, so different from Zarya's ocean blue, showcased her worry even more. "It's so odd. Commander Nazari isn't very fond of Zarya."
“Is that so?” Mishal responded. By now, his curiosity was treating to become it’s own sentient force. How he wished to hear their discussion. Zarya would likely tell Amira, but Amira seemed like the kind of person that would keep a tight lip with her friends secrets. What a shame. But one could hope… “Tell me about the Commander, if you please, Princess.”
"Oh, he is a great man, really." Amira said, pursing her lips for a moment. "If a bit…traditional. Incredible on the battlefield, Zarya says. Like he was born with a sword in hand. But, as I said, he is traditional. And Zarya most definitely is the complete opposite, from her background, to her mode of Magic, to the rules she lives by. And he absolutely cannot stand that." She huffed a soft laugh, shaking her head. "He has served my father since he was old enough to walk."
“I see,” Mishal nodded. “So they do not often get along. Then I do wonder: whatever could they be discussing?” A small voice in his head warned Mishal against such prompting, but he did not give it the satisfaction of being heard.
Amira, lucky for Mishal, was fairly loose-lipped in casual conversation. And since she had no clue what the other two were talking about, nothing she said would cause much issue. Well, hopefully. "The most likely option would be the Commander complaining about something Zarya did, likely to do with how she greeted you and your family."
“Ah, that seems like a likely enough explanation.” Mishal finally decided to let it go, but only on the account that he doubted he would get any real answers, just speculations. “Shall we continue, Princess, or do wish to wait for her?”
"We should probably continue on." Amira said, casting a glance back at the Commander and the Sorceress. "Zarya will catch up when they are done, I'm guessing. I would love to see more of your home, if you don't mind showing me around a bit."
“Of course. Right this way.” He guided her as the walked onward, away from Zarya and the Commander. “Is there anywhere you want to see?”
"More specifically than all of it?" She asked, a small and almost playful smile on her face. "What are the best places to hide out from overbearing Advisers?"