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[center][color=6ecff6][h2][u]Ashkevron Residence in Askavi[/u][/h2][/color][/center]
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[center][sup][@LadyRunic][@eclecticwitch][@nohbdies][/sup][/center]
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Despite the misunderstanding already being solved, the atmosphere was still really tense. Mikhail's words to Fatima were showing to be more accurate by the second. But despite all that, under all that heavy atmosphere, Fatima's kind and honest smile was still a bright light amongst all the darkness that seemed to always surround him wherever he went. For a second, Mikhail almost forgot all the situation that was happening when Fatima smiled back to him, but Belor's voice made him clear his head once more as he corrected him, insisting him to not call Fatima just by her name. Even Fatima herself didn't exactly agree with Belor as it was shown clearly by her expression.

Without saying a word, Mikhail looked straight to Belor's eyes with a penetrating, ice cold stare. Even without actually saying a single word, that single stare was worth for thousand of words. Castes meant absolutely nothing to him and he wouldn't be anyone's possessions. Differently from others, he didn't fight for a queen. He fought for himself. His sole preoccupation was his own survival. If he ever choose to bow down to anyone, it would be on [I]his own terms[/I] and he would choose himself whom he would bow down to.

[b]"I think, in this day and age everyone has a sad, ugly story to tell.  I don't mind it at all, I want to hear all about you.  And if you would prefer to talk about it in private I am happy to oblige.  I just want to get to know all of my..."[/b] Fatima said, making Mikhail turn towards her and making his ice cold stare immediately disappear. The second she stopped though, Mikhail's eyes hardened and became colder as he waited for her to finish her sentence. Depending on how she finished that sentence, Mikhail's attitude towards the woman would drastically change. Such heavy stare would be easily perceived by Fatima herself though. If isn't wasn't clear before, with Mikhail's reaction now it became even more clear that it was difficult to earn his trust. Whatever was his past, it made him a man that always had his guard up and it was highly unlikely it would be easy for him to open himself with anyone so soon.

The second Fatima finished her sentence though, Mikhail's eyes immediately became softer and the kind and warm smile he had when he first met her appeared on his face once more.

[color=6ecff6]"Friends... It's been a long while since I heard that word. It is... pleasant to hear it once more."[/color] he said, with a chuckle.

[color=6ecff6][I]"Even if it turns out to be just a sweet illusion."[/I][/color] he thought to himself as he looked to Belor with the same cold, penetrating stare from before.