Two Eyes Cenote Sed Feast

this was an event more grand than she had ever witnessed before. larger in scope than makono's rise, than treva's wedding, than the passing of the queen.

it was like the sun had come to set unto the temple, despite the late hour. toula was radiant, her consort a charmer.

around her was set the first course. she tried to wave away the servants, tried to thank them with careful smiles and polite refusals, honestly too tired to imbibe; yet, nazli knew she could not refuse for long for propriety sake.

nibbling at the food.

oh, what wonderful food, though!

she had never seen anything like it. carefully curated, delectable, the sort of morsels fit for royalty. a taste, then, but only to be polite. some of the fish, some of the sides. a touch of sweetness somewhere.

nazli was nervous to take a drink of anything. when had she last imbibed? she would not darken this celebration with bad memories; so she withheld from that, and ate instead to appease the hard working fellahin.

there was laughter, and she spied upon some faces which were red from drink; there was the customary batting of lashes, implications which made her turn her eye away. there was senmut, and she smiled - until she saw where his attention was focused.

somehow her appetite evaporated with the drop of her eyes again. this time to her chest, where rests her amulet is suspended with reeds. the overflow of gaiety presses in from all sides - and suddenly she excuses herself; apologizing to the staff, smiling to toula if her eye is caught.

congratulations, spared and, wonderful night and i am so tired, goodnight.

she does not look at senmut again, and takes her leave quickly, seeking the open air.