Lion Head Mesa got me with that feline guise

Given the opportunity to pine over the trip to Mereo, Nazli could focus on things outside of her usual routine and that opened her up to all kinds of things.

She looked thoughtful a moment, then animate.

I did, I really did. She thought of the trip to Mereo initially, where she was alone more often with Makono and the dour-faced guard was nowhere in sight; they'd thought themselves to be scoundrels for escaping his view, unaware at the time that they'd never really been in danger.

The faraway look vanished as she returned to the present moment.

The work there is different, but only a little. They are very self-sufficent there. The men hunt and guard, and there is a place where the women live with the children. I spent most of my time with the princess, working hard to be quiet and attentive as usual, and I think... I think her highness made a very good impression.

Upon Nazli, at least, that could be confirmed.