The red mazoi had left her glowing.
For days, she had thought of him, the stern eyes alight with hunger. The power she held only within his grasp, the taste he left upon her tongue. Fluttering in and out of her thoughts as she went about her work, leaving her with a flushed face that she would speak of with no one.
And perhaps she had lost focus. Perhaps, just a little bit, she had unlocked something within herself. Where men, she felt, had hunger, she had thirst. And maybe it was naïveté, but naïveté be damned!
And so she wanders the halls rather aimlessly with curious eyes. A suitor would have to find her, lest she come across as anything less than dutiful.
From the doorway of his provided chamber, Thutmose does not miss the passing form of one he had yet to meet.
This one walked so absent-minded. It was likely they may trip over their own feet at this rate!
He would not dare speak so boldly, as to not offend them. But a warning to be mindful would still be offered through a low chuff.
Still, he did not move, gaze fixed upon them. They would heed him, or ignore him. Either was up to them entirely.
The gruff sound of a throat-call grabs the attention of the fellahin and sends a chill down her forelimbs. Oh,
blink, blink.
This one. She'd never seen him before.
She stares absently at the wearer of a silver cloak before smoothing the hairs atop her head with a paw. Sorry, sir. Hadn't been paying much attention.
a smile cast his way; innocent, half-genuine and half pleasing. I don't think we've met. I'm Jendayi. Most people call me Inji. Fellahin.
aflutter, she takes a small step closer. May I... help you with anything?
Closer. He sees her in full now, as she sees him all the same.
The soft smile is welcomed with one of his own, chin lowering in a curt nod. Thutmose,
His name in return for hers. Titles were left unnamed, as he'd done often as of recent.
She asked if he needed anything. At first, he fumbled for the reason as to why she asked this. But soon he remembed. She was fellahin. It was common for them to seek out the wellbeing of others.
No—not at this time.
He answers simply, followed by a shake of his head. I am glad to meet yet another new face. I have made quick work of it since I have first come to the palace.
Perhaps quicker than he'd intended, but he was grateful for how welcoming everyone had been thus far.
Ah, he, too, is new here! This brings a new curiosity to her as her head tilts toward him.
I'm new too,
she beams to him, outstretching a nimble paw. Questions, questions, questions she had! where are you from, sir? Perhaps we could take a walk? I still have a lot to learn about, um, these hallways, though. They're very complex.
She takes a step out of his way, tail curling up over her hips in an excited ribbon. Her eyes; inviting.
Where once there was nervousness, delight now beams within her.
Slipping from the doorway, he joins at her side, so subtly accepting the invitation for a walk. How could he say no?
I come from a valley just a few deserts away. It is here that I have come in search of marriage and alliance. Both with your Queen, if she'd have me.
He explains, filling in what empty spaces she needed most to know.
And what of you? Where is it you come from?
Ah, so he is like Naberius in seeking the favor of the Queen. Interesting,
is what she says, but quickly realizes how rude that must have sounded. oh, I just meant, like, um... that's cool. Maybe she'll like you!
A cheesy smile.
I'm from a place called Minya, near a desert to the south,
she lets herself ramble. He seemed interested enough. but I didn't live there long. I spent most of my life traveling. My family went from pack to pack to get by, and my parents thought the Wilds would be a good place for me. That's how I found Akashingo,
her ears fold to the sides of her head. but I like it here. I got lucky. The Queen is so nice!