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[sup]A collab between [@13org] and [@SilverPaw][/sup]

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Mayet couldn’t help but to let out a chuckle, shaking her head as she heard Munir’s reply to her and his small ‘introduction’ to Lady Mina, the red-headed noble from before. Always the smooth-talker, Mayet could already see how effective Munir’s honeyed words would be with the Caesonian women, should they not build a resistance to his charms as soon as possible.

Giving another glance back at her father and the Grand Vizier, Mayet let out a mischievous smirk, satisfied. It seemed that even now, more and more nobles continued to approach both of them. Despite how annoyed the Sultan was, it seemed like he would still have to face all those annoying nobles, something that Mayet did not envy. In fact, she couldn’t help but be satisfied on seeing the Sultan suffer like that, after the harsh words he directed at her.

Turning her attention towards Wulfric once more, Mayet noticed him observing her. Despite being less obvious than Mayet herself was when looking at him, she still noticed his stare. Just like Mayet herself, both his image, his posture and the very air around him made it clear that he was someone who carried himself with pride. Someone who knew exactly who he was and was proud of it, something which both of them had in common. Despite that, she could also see in his eyes the overwhelming curiosity and excitement in his eyes.

[color=d3c28b]“Playing with fire is always a gamble, Prince Wulfric. It can warm you and bring you comfort, but it can also burn and scar you if you are not careful enough…”[/color] Mayet said as she looked at Wulfric, curiously watching his reaction to her words.

[color=ab274f]“Oh, I am aware,”[/color] his voice deepened, and the shift in his smile hinted at approval. He had the self-satisfied mien of someone whose expectations were being met - or surpassed.

[color=d3c28b]“Hence why some people are comfortable in simply watching it from far away but others… Others are [i]attracted[/i] by this danger… The thrilling sensation of gambling with your own life on the line… The thoughts of the wonderful rewards waiting for them, should their gamble be successful… I wonder which one of those you might be…”[/color]
 she said, with a mischievous smirk as she looked straight into Wulfric’s eyes, almost as if she was trying to read his very soul.

The prince laughed; a slow chuckle from his chest and throat, air sharply exhaled through his nostrils, shoulders twitching with the gesture. It was unclear if the sound was truly startled from him or something he allowed to happen, but it did not last long, as Wulfric brought himself under control. [color=ab274f]“Excuse me, please,”[/color] he shook his head ruefully. [color=ab274f]“But it is as if you have read my very thoughts,”[/color] he explained, eyes still a tad narrower in pleasure.

Upon hearing Wulfric’s next words as he mentioned that her companion, Nala, suited her well, asking if they enjoyed hunting together and even inviting her for a hunting trip, Mayet couldn’t help herself but let out an amused smile.

[color=d3c28b]“You are quite an observant man, Prince Wulfric… It seems you definitely took your time ‘studying’ me, didn’t you?”[/color] Mayet asked, curiously watching his reactions with an amused, provocative smirk as she gave a step forward and leaned forward, only making it even more obvious on how revealing her dress was.

[color=ab274f]“That I did,”[/color] he teased, with the tone of ‘you’ve caught me’. As he judged that Mayet wished to show off, he let his eyes sweep downwards, appraising her assets. For her sake, Wulfric issued a small hum of approval. He was perhaps equally curious about the material of her dress; some of it was akin to cotton gauze fabric, while the rest was likely silk. The colour and jewelry had been chosen well, and while the cut was unlike anything one might see in Caesonia, such was to be expected from Alidasht. 

All in all, his inspection had taken but a few seconds, and he soon raised his gaze to a respective height, peering into the green-speckled hazel of her irises. He did shift his body to mirror her open position, leaning slightly into her space.

Mayet was amused by Prince Wulfric's reactions. He certainly seemed to be much more interesting than the rest of the nobles. From his laughter as she mentioned him being someone who liked danger to him not being reserved about observing her, letting his eye dance on her body as she leaned forward, his reactions were definitely amusing to Mayet.

[color=d3c28b]"You are an interesting man, Prince Wulfric... Not many are courageous or foolish enough to openly observe and look at me the way you do..."[/color] Mayet said, looking to Wulfric with an amused expression. It was clear to him that Mayet wasn't offended but instead, she seemed to be satisfied.

[color=ab274f]“I’d prefer to be classified as the former, if it’s all the same to you,”[/color] he drawled, though the quirk of his lips and his raised eyebrow were signed that he was entertained rather than offended. Given that he hadn’t been clearly rebuked for his actions, he did believe his judgement of Mayet’s aim had been correct.

[color=d3c28b]“While Nala might be well behaved, she is far from being a ‘tamed’ animal. I consider her as being my companion instead of my ‘pet’.”[/color] Mayet said with a chuckle as she gave a step back, patting Nala, whom despite being apparently calm, still kept a watchful eye on Wulfric.

At the change in the topic of conversation, he straightened back up, listening attentively. He glanced at the tiger - tigress - and saw it - her - watch him. [color=ab274f]“I assumed that might be the case,”[/color] he nodded. [color=ab274f]“Here, in the Northern Kingdoms, animals are generally treated either as tools or as pets. The bond you share with Nala is quite novel, though it may be typical for those of you hailing from Alidasht.”[/color]

[color=d3c28b]“I first met Nala when I was 14, on my first hunt. The tigress we had hunted ended up having a cub and as the one who dealt the final blow, she was given to me as my ‘reward’. I have been raising Nala ever since. She has been my precious companion for quite a long time.”[/color] Mayet said as Wulfric mentioned the ‘bond’ she shared with Nala.

The prince hummed to show he was paying attention, but besides curiously tilting his head at the pair, observing them with new information in mind, didn’t comment further. If they did go on a hunting trip together at a later date, he would show her how hounds, horses, and bird of prey were sometimes used to assist in the procedure. At this point, however, he didn’t feel a need to mention any of those.

[color=d3c28b]“I heard rumors saying that Caesonian nobles dislike such… [i]barbaric[/i] hobbies such as hunting or sparring… It’s quite a pleasant surprise to see that these rumors are wrong!”[/color] she said with a satisfied smile, clearly appreciating Prince Wulfric’s invitation.

At the mention of a rumour, Wulfric huffed lightly. [color=ab274f]“Now [i]that[/i] is most certainly false,”[/color] he shook his head in bemusement. [color=ab274f]“There are plenty who enjoy either hunting or combat - or both. Though there may be many others who do not,”[/color] he lifted one shoulder in an elegant shrug.

[color=d3c28b]"It seems like my stay on Caesonia won't be as boring as I previously thought it would be. Who knows... If the rumors I've heard are indeed false, Caesonia might have more in common with Alidasht than both me or my siblings might have thought."[/color] she said with a chuckle.

[color=ab274f]“Well, I certainly look forward to establishing…[i]further commonalities[/i],”[/color] though he did mostly mean that diplomatically, he’d put a certain emphasis on those last two words. It gave his statement a more personal, intimate touch. Though he did not intend to insinuate anything improper, it might have come across that way.

[color=d3c28b]“I definitely look forward to [i]our[/i] next hunting trip.”[/color] She said with a curious smile as she looked at Wulfric.

[color=ab274f]“So do I,”[/color] he affirmed, pleased his offer had been accepted. Adelard then quickly looked around the ballroom, judging the mood, and the time passed. Turning back to Mayet, he issued another invitation. [color=ab274f]“There should be time enough to partake in the feast before the transition to dancing. If you would agree to dine with me, I would be most glad,”[/color] he bowed perfunctorily, though gallantly. Acknowledging the tigress, he added, [color=ab274f]“Fresh meat would be brought for Nala as well, of course.”[/color]

Mayet couldn't help but let out a mischievous smirk as Wulfric mentioned that there should have some time for them to dine before the dance.

[color=d3c28b]"That was a very smooth invitation. A dinner, undoubtedly followed by a dance, am I right?"[/color] Mayet asked with a chuckle, looking to him almost as if she had already discovered his 'plans'. According to her expression though, it seemed like having mentioned Nala and offered some food for her was a step on the correct direction as she seemed to be satisfied, both by the invitation and Prince Wulfric's offer to have some fresh meat for Nala.

[color=ab274f]“That is correct,”[/color] he acknowledged, inclining his head. [color=ab274f]“I had intended to ask for a dance,”[/color] he confirmed.

[color=d3c28b]”I would be delighted to accept your invitation…Maybe even the other one too…."[/color] Mayet said with a mischievous expression towards Prince Wulfric.

The only indication that Wulfric was aware of what Mayet was referring to with her last remark was a light dusting of pink upon his cheeks. He realized he’d been a bit too in the flow of things to notice earlier, and had thoughtlessly implied something he usually wouldn’t have. Ignoring that, he verbally responded only to the first part of Mayet’s assent. [color=ab274f]“Wonderful. Shall we then?”[/color] he turned to sweep a hand to the food laden tables.