Redsand Canyon crocodile

in the oasis, she soaked. she had asked @Nazli to join her — if her time was not allotted elsewhere. her days had become so full of soldiers and hard labor. it was the very thing she had come for, but it still served to exhaust.

especially as she ached and muscles formed in places she had never worked.

the cold water eased these things as she floated near crocodilian.

the water here was somehow warmer than the mesa.
nazli enjoyed it while she could, but knew to focus her attention on the crown prince. it was fortunate makono wasn't her brother - if nazli had found herself in the springs with him instead and as eager to serve, who knows what sort of things might happen.
was her author drunk? maybe.
they work you too hard, she murmured as she worked at tidying makono.

a tall, blonde ear turned.

she leaned into nazli's form. touch had become common in the oasis.

they work me like crown prince. she confessed in a soft murmur. i must know all things. i must be a tactician and a warrior...

her head turned, water droplets lining her smudged eyeshadowed gaze. lapis admired lilac.

she was silent a long while, then. corrected. preoccupied.
when it was done, or mostly done, nazli found her tongue again.
i have heard rumors of... a shift. a departure. mereo lost some warriors to their neighbor, there are less bodies to do hunter's work. this would feed the crown prince with knowledge, and hopefully bring to light an interest of nazli's.
as there is no need for me among the warriors, i wonder if... while you train, i may be put to work. she arranges some tangled fur idly. germanicus says i am a guest, like you. but you know me. i need... i want, to be working.

a humming sound that dared to teeter into a soft coo.

nazli would learn much in a hunter's work — and mereo was not akashingo. nor did makono operate here as she did there.

it would be good for you — and mereo would see such kindness of you...filling in gaps. she offered a momentary, toothy sort of smile. uncharacteristically mischievous. you plan to be a hunter here? proper?

it was a job that would serve them both.
nazli could learn of a life outside the palace, and bring the gossip of strangers to makono; but also it would give nazli freedom in its own way, and skills that other fellahin did not oft carry.
makono sounded happy - then jested, and nazli tried not to feel wounded.
yes! why not? It would be a good use of my time. besides, makono would not be the only one to grow here.

i see no why not!

this beamed with a wider smile now.

i agree. the more you learn, the better we can be.

we. we. we.

she did not speak upon it but it burned her heart feverishly and for a moment she submerged to the edge of her nose.

the crown prince sank in to the waters and lingered there, a gilded crocodile.
nazli etched that sight in to her mind; she would remember it often, fondly.
I'll bring the best of my catches to you first. You'll be better fed than the soldiers and have them beat in no time.
that was unlikely, but a sentiment worth sharing.

cooould be a fade? <3

when she broke the surface fully, it was with a soft laugh.

i can only hope so. thank you, nazli.

warm and content. carefree, even if she knew she must soon return to her training — or worse. that eyes may pry and steal away this moment.

at least she knew they were safe for now.

together.