Unexpected Company

JP with Winteroak and White_Caribou

An unexpected knock came upon the Ascendant’s door. By the hand of a guard, under the instruction of an esteemed guest.

Shalia stood waiting between two of his guards at the chamber door. If she did not have her status, she thought that she might have been turned away and told to arrange a formal meeting, or with her luck he not be in at all. On the walk here her palms had been clammy and a finger tapped anxiously at the side of the robe, in fact it still did so absently. Any effort to restrain panic or an overwhelmed outburst. An effort that always seemed hopeless. When was the last time she, body and mind, was calm? At ease? At least a month before leaving Fang, the moments before her constantly being instructed on what to expect, what to do, how much banked on diplomacy she hadn’t been too familiar with. Before it all felt real and dangerous. It had certainly become the latter.

She had bathed and combed her hair attentively, notably leaving both her ribbon and ring behind. Items she rarely went without until recently. The woman even asked a servant if she knew of any scented products she could use as perfume. Shalia carefully patted a few drops of the sheer oil onto her wrists and neck, something slightly floral but distantly fruity, she decided while taking in the aroma.
Maybe excessive measures, but if she was going to waltz up to the temporary leader of the Ozainae in the privacy of his own space, hit him with questions, she was at least going to be presentable. Also no sense in showing up like a slob when the luxury of a bath and nice oils were at her fingertips. He never bothered her during her alone time, either…time that was exceedingly lonely now that she kept only to the basilica area. They had gotten along fairly well before and made unforgettable impressions. Company would be pleasant regardless.

Tamazzalt opened the door to his quarters almost as quickly as the knock came. If the Trail was over he would want to be be the first to know.

He was not expecting the site that greeted him. Shalia Nix, stood at his door, flanked by his guards. He was surprised to see her but welcomed the distraction from his current thoughts that were turning rather dark.

He checked himself and smiled, waving her in, holding the door so she could enter.

He grabbed another cup from a nearby tray and poured her glass. He didn't ask her if she wanted some. He just didn't want to drink alone tonight.

He handed her the cup with a smile.