Prospernalia's End Feast - Day 5 - OPEN!

"You're welcome," Fairuz said simply to High Lady Naoki. The Emira was aware that that string of words -- thank you for coming...-- was usually a polite aside that cultures and communities like Isra's and beyond use to simply be polite, to be filler words that really don't have much of a meaning, but Fairuz almost always chose to meet those sort of superfluous words head on.

And with the way her green eyes watched Empress Naoki for the moment, it seemed she was waiting for a moment to see how she might react to the directness.. and to the fact that Fairuz did not mention any pleasure (or displeasure) at speaking to Naoki further.

But then there was Annabelle "Bella" Khorudan, pretty little Bella sitting beside her and Fairuz was charmed by her. The Emira gestured, and the golden jewelry that dripped across her temple or at her ears or around her wrists chimed quietly. "Fairuz means, in a very rough translation, 'turquoise majesty'," she told Bella, and then Fairuz's own fingertips brushed against the golden-tan skin of her cheekbone. "For my eyes." And the overwhelming connection to Sakandshrianan, but she did not mention that.

And then she reached out to touch a lock of Bella's dark hair, smoothing the end of it and resting it just so, Fairuz's gaze wandering for a moment over Bella's entire 'look', from her hair to what she might be wearing as jewelry, to her bodice to her hands. "You, I think, we would call Bahijya in Sakand. It means, in a way, 'a unique woman.'"

He chuckled and shook his head as she stood up. He was trying to be well-mannered, but he was hardly an expert on the local customs. Actually, that was a lie. He was inventing excuses to take her hand. And it worked, so it was hard to be upset about it if she made a point of not needing assistance. “I am new in town, so I hardly think I am in much of a position to suggest something. You would know better. But I did hear someone talking about a ranch outside the city I should visit after the festival, yes?”

Kelly sneezed at the same time Bella was away.  As she rubbed her nose she started to wonder if something was up...Eventually she waved it off as paranoia and jealousy and went back to milking her drink and daydreaming about Bella.

"A bit bold my King," she said teasingly, following it with a mischievous glance. 

"Good thing I happen to admire boldness, I'll show you to my ranch then, but I think we shall take the long way. You have a horse to ride upon, correct?"

Looking on as the other two women speak, Naoki is content only to observe. She finds it not entirely surprising but pleasant nonetheless that @fairuz seems at ease talking with Annabelle "Bella" Khorudan , who could in a political context be considered only a private citizen. Though behavior during first impressions doesn’t count for much, Naoki reminds herself. In any case, Naoki has nothing to offer, just maintaining her pleasantly neutral expression until Fairuz turns toward her.

Resting the side of her jaw against one fist, Naoki raises an eyebrow, and the matching corner of her mouth as Fairuz finishes speaking. Stylistically, Naoki decides, she quite likes Fairuz. Looking directly back into Fairuz’ eyes, Naoki spends the space of a few moments considering how, exactly, she might go about thoroughly satiating Fairuz’ “needs,” before focusing her gaze and drifting it downward, in consideration of the question asked.

“Hm. … The evening following the scheduled meeting may be the best time,” Naoki says.

“This is to be a, personal discussion, I take it?”