Lion Head Mesa I'll probably get soup. Or something light.

for @Charles, backdated to her heat - a couple days after the Glaukos thread

She felt the guardian on her tail at all times, which was more than likely true. She didn't hold a grudge against the young man for doing his job, but she did feel very watched. Especially given her recent. . .condition, which hadn't yet gone away.

Lilitu was craving sweet things, and was headed back to her chamber after a bath. She hated to ask the fellahin to serve her, but she could do with some berries.

She stretched out languorously on the shade-cooled floor, idly looking over a chipped nail on one of her forepaws while she decided which of the servants to summon. It was nice to get out of the sun, but she still felt hot all over, as if fevered.

Not fevered, though—or at least not sick. She felt great. Quite confusing.

The demands made of him were quite clear. Charles had felt a pit in his stomach ever since the demands were made concrete, even though of course he knew that Lilitu was going into heat. He had eaten ample berries before finally gathering his courage out of his toes. By the time he reached her chambers Prince Charles was rather drunk and high on berries, and ready to prove his manliness again. He'd done it again, with Nyra — Now, he was in a much better position, and he had a lot more to prove.

Princess, Charles drawled as he appeared at the entrance to her chambers, a charming smile on his face as he looked at her with clear (albeit faux) interest.

Her betrothed appeared, slinking by with a smile on his face. She gave him one in return, and felt her stomach grow watery. Again—not in a bad way. She felt tingly all over.

Prince, Lilitu replied coyly, eyes near slits in her relaxation. She dipped her muzzle downward, beckoning him closer. Come in. Can I help you?

She wanted him near. She hardly knew him, and wasn't sure if she even liked him, but she wanted him near and she didn't know exactly why.

There was something exhilarating about being called Prince. Charles entered her chambers as she invited him. He wasn't really sure how to get were this was most certainly going, but he would do his best.

Her scent gave him a physical response, though he did not enjoy the feeling. How you doing? Asked Charles, his lack of vocabulary making him sound rather crude and unprincely. The berries only stood to worsen that effect. You look good today.

I'm fine, thanks, she replied. Her mouth curled more at his compliment, basic as it was. She didn't think she looked different than any other day, but hey, if he wanted to help bloat her ego, she would run with it. How about you?

He looked. . .well, like Charles. But there was a light in his eyes she hadn't seen before; it reminded her of the own flame within her, and she wondered if some sort of strange, satisfying sickness had fallen over the mesa.

The smile remained upon her slightly parted lips as she awaited his response.

Charles was not sure what 'I'm fine' really meant and it made him feel a little uncertain, but he hid the feeling. It was easy enough to boast false confidence in his inebriated state. At her question, he smiled and returned, Good. Honestly, Charles wasn't sure how he was feeling. Nervous, unsure, ready, totally not ready. Somehow it was harder now, because he knew he had to call the shots. With Nyra, it was easy enough, because she decided everything.

Do you want berries? he asked her as he took a step forward. We should maybe get comfortable, lay down on furs? He knew it was kinda rude to suggest this himself, but Charles was too afraid for silence to fall between them and he didn't want things to get awkward; as that would surely keep him from his duties.

Um. . .sure? she replied, and shifted, making way for the Prince to lay upon her furs. She looked at him with eyes that were maybe too enticing, a smile, breath catching in her throat—

Oh, God!

What was happening?

He wasn't cute!

And yet. . .  Lilitu gestured toward her side, near her hindquarters, a soft and cool place for him to lay.

She invited him to lay on the furs, and Charles could see that there was something in her gaze that invited him in. He smiled, feeling his confidence grow at her enticing gaze. He knew this look. He'd seen it on many girls before, especially in Firefly Glen when he had been young and cool and tried to make a new life for himself. This was something he could use.

He lay down and shot her a smirk, which actually made him look more charming than she'd seen him before — considering the effect confidence has on a person. Tell me about you, Charles asked of her as he lay down. What do you like to do? Where are you from? I hear you are from a different place than here, also.