Two Eyes Cenote <wp> the veldt

discovery of the open-air room was a blessing. before the wedding, nazli orchestrated the cleaning of the walls and commissioned one segment to be carved, inscribed with the tale of Toula; another, to be painted. all was finished before the royal wedding.

now, having witnessed the crowning of the goddess and her consort, and seeing the many visitors to the new kingdom, nazli felt overwhelmed. she held the instinct of her younger self: as a fellahin, wanting only to wait upon others, and to flit from person to person. now, she was incapable of such a feat. now, she lingered on the outskirts as the revelry commenced, feeling older than she'd ever felt.

there was song and dance, and prayer, and many foods to be eaten, and the bright scent of fermented drinks; there were buzzing conversations, and moments of laughter thrumming in the air.

nazli witnessed all of this and thought, sadly, wistfully, hopefully, of makono, and sighed.