Mai had to smile at the sight of Liviana interacting with her sparrows, watching as Liviana procured a handful of birdseed and fed it to them. [i]How sweet,[/i] thought Mai idly, and she listened to Liviana's explanation of sparrows in the Lusitanian Empire. [i]I suppose that explains why she has sparrows in the first place![/i] Mai said to herself, laughing silently. Mai noted Liviana's awkward, choppy speech with interest. [i]English does not come naturally to her. I suppose that can be said of all of us here, although it seems like Fareeha and I are much more fluent than Liviana is. I do wonder why; a princess of the Lusitanian Empire should be just as fluent as a princess of Liang or a princess of Mamlakat Alssahra, considering its standing and political clout in the world. Liviana seems intelligent enough, from what I know, so it is surely not because she lacks the ability to learn. Perhaps it is because she was not taught as well as one would expect.[/i] In any case, Mai could only speculate. She did not think that she would be privy to the true reason behind Liviana's awkward speech any time soon. She duly noted how Liviana's hand went to touch something that hung from her neck-a pendant, maybe, or a locket?-filing it away for future reference.

Liviana then turned to Mai. “Princess Mai, you always move so gracefully in those heels… I have never been able to even keep my balance, never-mind move in them, and I was wondering if, if it were convenient for you, you might give me a few tips, at some point during this stay?” she asked rather timidly.

Mai smiled softly. "Of course, Princess Liviana. It would be my pleasure. I'm sure that you'll find that heels are not too terribly difficult to walk in-you just have to get used to them." Here, Mai looked down at Fareeha, who was crouching beside Liv, and her lipstick-coated lips curled up into a teasingly sly smile, as if Fareeha was a boy whom Mai was playing hard to get with. "I'm sure that you'll find that high heels have other uses as well," she continued softly, her eyes flitting back to Liviana. 

"Now, you yourself will have to show me, well, your entire [i]wardrobe[/i] one of these days, of course. I do very much adore the loose style of the Lusitanian Empire. There's something very...free-spirited about it all. Your wrap from the welcoming ceremony yesterday was to [i]die[/i] for," Mai giggled, though the mirth didn't quite reach her eyes. 

Mai sighed and sat down on the ground, her legs bent and resting to her side. She glanced at Fareeha. "So, Princess Fareeha Amari," Mai began pleasantly. "Would you care to tell us more about the snakes that you know how to handle so well, since Princess Liviana here has enlightened us with her sparrows?" Mai asked in a light voice, cocking her head to the side and letting her chocolate-brown eyes find Fareeha's.