Lion Head Mesa It's already too late

For @Makono!

The mazoi appeared before the doors of the amiirad's chambers. But unlike the other times, he would not seek to enter.
Waiting just outside, he waited for the fellahin he'd sent to retrieve the girl.
It seemed odd, in a sense. A mazoi summoning one of court. But she would not mind it too much, he was sure. Not once he knew what the man had in store.

assuming this is present day, let me know if i'm wrong <3

she was crown prince.

her brother gone.

she began to plan her trip to mereo, who she would take and who would be left behind. a mazoi and a fellahin were necessary. she had images of both in her mind. some part of her dreamed of bring the we'eb along as scribe and priest-from-home, but this had not been discussed.

and she would not ruin his training.

all of this considered as she finished her lunch. sayf came to her, soft mumbles in her ear of a mazoi here to see her.

the giant one. khaba.

why did he summon her? why did he not ask for an audience with her in her court?

she collected herself with a deep breath and exited from her room. lapis gaze immediately upon the mazoi man. her gaze remained warm, even if curious and questioning in silence.

When she appeared from the doorway, the mazoi wasted no time. 
With a heavy wag of his tail, he beckoned her to follow through the corridor.
Down and through, he led. The two would travel in silence, Makono likely with confusion and or anticipation. 
Only once down past the shabti's chambers, Khaba would tuck himself tight between the walls leading to the pools hidden deep within the many caves of the palace. It was secluded and peaceful. 
There within, a spot on the floors was adorned with many soft pelts. Many leaves and grated bark were set out, filled with small piles of berries and chunks of newly torn meat. It wasn't much, but there was only so much a mute mazoi could achieve. The display was something, though. That was all he cared for.
Turning then to the amiirad, a swift flick of his muzzle invited her to select a place to sit. Only once she had done so, would he do the same.

she followed.

patient, even if she was busy with other thoughts. she could plan things out while they wandered. it was easy when the mazoi did not speak.

but then there was a...

her face grew warm for a moment. this was not the work of a fellahin. clearly the mazoi had done this by hand. it was nearly romantic! and she quickly brushed that thought off. far too old a man, not divine either. her days could not be filled with growing crushes.

they must be filled of diplomacy and soldier's training.

she seated herself, prim and proper on a dusty-toned skin. a beast that had been fit for the mesa at once point in its life. now nothing more than a thing for comfort.

her eyes turned to him now, silent still.

patient as ever.

Makono seemed content about the setup — surprised, even. But the mazoi couldn't quite gauge any further reactions.
When she finally sat and seemed settled enough, Khaba pushed one of the bark trims closer towards her. They were for her enjoyment while in company.
There was not much intent to this, more-so simply one of his... desires. He knew little of the amiirad, and he so dearly wanted this to change. 
In silence they would wait, Khaba pleading behind sealed lips that she would speak and share words of her heart, for this he enjoyed.

what could be say?

she toyed along the presented bark for a moment. her gaze remained upon him with all the confidence of crown prince.

when i think of warriors of akashingo, i think of you.

she did not know why she told him this, other than to simply say so. just so that he may know he was not forgotten in such turbulent times among the royals.

she placed the bark between them, sitting tall now.

you are proving to be much, khaba.

loyal.

but still she wondered how deep, how devoted.

Plot twist time, XD

She told him of how she saw him. Much. Was she praising him? Even still, the comment was vague. How was he supposed to take it.

Khaba soon found himself lost in a stare. It was one of confusion.

Shifting in slight discomfort, the mazoi glanced down to his feet. When his eyes finally lifted, he inhaled heavily, then released it unto a deep grunt. M-.. mooh.. No, that wasn't it. How had she pronounced it? Mm-.. muh-.. muhck? It was quite evident he was struggling; but then, this was the first word he had attempted to speak in years.

The beast gazed curiously upon the girl, wondering how she would receive what she likely thought to be the last thing he would ever do: speak. None, including her, had ever heard him speak. But he had his reasons... reasons he may later share, should he continue to learn the words of the world.

was it...

he spoke.

if it could even be considered that, but she saw it. the way he moved his lips and attempted to form the words. when she looked upon him now it was with a near fire in her gaze.

much, khaba. she whispered with awe and neared closer to him.

it means i see the things in you.

but not this. she had not anticipated it by any stretch.

She was surprised, no doubt, as was he himself. The attempt had been so feeble, but it was louder than silence.

Mh... A short pause, doubt of the success in his second attempt. But with a forced breath, he pushed. Much. It sounded similar enough, right?

yes,

she whispered in soft encouragement.

was this why he had brought her here? somewhere secluded and tended to by himself? she flattered herself to think such things. to wonder if he did everything just for her!

you hide treasures within, don't you?

her voice a warm tease.

Yes. Yes! He'd gotten it right! Oh, what a relief.

Then she asked of treasures. Of his treasures. Did he? She seemed to think so. But how would she know if his answer were true. Thus, he would reply with a cool tease of his own. M-.. may-.. Now.. he'd heard this word many times. How hard could it honestly be to pronounce!

Ma-..haybee. Close enough. Hopefully the small, playful grin he'd added towards the end would dismiss his, yet again, feeble and almost utterly failed attempts.

she was delighted!

riled!

how could she have ever anticipated this? nor had her father whispered words of a voice belonging to this man. had she been the first to break this? to hear the husk of his tone cut along words?

you are being cunning!

she laughed, warm and charmed.

She certainly seem pleased, if nothing else. The mazoi was glad.
Cuh-nee-ng? He sounded the syllables out individually. Perhaps that would make things easier for himself.
But as for this word: cunning — he hadn't heard it many times. What was its meaning? By the laugh, he knew it was nothing bad. But still, he wished to know what it meant. For future reference, of course.

it was close enough for her to give a soft nod.

it means you are being coy and escaping me. when you answer with maybe it is with a playfulness to evade.

none of it bad, none of it angered her.

she could not escape her own delight.

Oh. He replies with, not immediately recognizing that the noise he'd made to be an actual word.
Ee-ss-kape.. n-no.. Why would he desire to escape her? Since the day the mazoi had met the girl, she became his life. It now revolved around her.
Sure, he spent some time around Ramesses; but such was out of duty. Khaba truly enjoyed his moments near the amiirad.

i know you would not. not truly.

everything about her dripped approval for him. entirely, wholly. unhidden like it may have been before.

do you know what teasing is?

she asked him in earnest, blonde ears alert and facing towards him.

H-herd (heard of), yes. Was this what she was doing? Teasing him. He couldn't quite tell. None had ever interacted with him in a humorous, playful, or even flirtatious way before. Though, he doubted the amiirad's intent was to appear flirtatious.

fading <3

that is what i do, when i say you escape me. i tease you.

she reclined. relaxed, delighted.

prepared to spend time in this newfound company of his own. how he had morphed and changed, right before her very eyes!

there was no doubting her pleasure with things.