[center][h1][b][url=https://fontmeme.com/fonts/blackened-script-font/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220310/d7ebce471ad32b205c634c91e012331a.png[/img][/url] & [color=DAF6C7]Ríoghnach "Riona"[/color][/b][/h1] Interaction(s): Munir [@Infinite Cosmos][/center] At first, Riona didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. There was no litter on the floor or tables to pick up, nothing got broken, no one’s clothes were ruined, the animals were surprisingly well-behaved, and for the most part the guests appeared to be satisfied. Even if she knew it was only a matter of time that would change, it was a moment of relative peace for the maid and she planned to enjoy every second of it. It was the frantic movements of a handful of her colleagues that tipped Riona off that something had gone awry. They turned their heads, left and right, searching for something, or someone in the ballroom. Riona was about to offer to help look for whatever it was they were trying to find, when one of them caught sight of her and immediately started pointing. The heads of the servants who were also searching all turned towards Riona and they started to point at her as well. She stared at them with one eyebrow cocked. With the exception of a few who ventured farther away, most of the servants were standing near the “Alidasht side” of the ballroom. Then it clicked. That could only mean one thing. Riona quickly reached for the extra cleaning supplies the servants brought just in case the animals had “an accident”. “Riona!” Riona turned to the source of the voice as she changed her gloves to ones that were more suited for the messy task ahead. The other maid rushed over to her and tried to whisper to her in a voice a bit too loud to count as a whisper, “Quickly, the Shahzade is requesting for you.” Riona nodded and wrapped a white cloth over her nose and mouth and tied a knot behind her head, [color=DAF6C7] “Don’t worry, I got this.”[/color] Riona was guided by her colleague to the opposite side of the ballroom, where the color gold dominated. She followed until the other maid bowed in front of a young man wearing glittering gold and red. Riona stopped and bowed as best she could with two hands occupied with cleaning equipment. “This is she, Shahzade.” [color=DAF6C7]“Many apologies for making you wait. I am at your disposal.”[/color] Riona’s head remained lowered. [color=DAF6C7]“If you would kindly point me in the right direction, I will immediately start cleaning.”[/color] Just as Munir was looking around for his dance partner, another servant rushed up on him and brought another with them. “This is she, Shahzade.” Munir turned around and simply waved a hand to dismiss the extra servant. [color=ffce00] “Disposal? Cleaning? Just what do you think happened, [i]girl[/i]? You’re not here to clean. You’ve been chosen, it seems.”[/color] Munir said, making it quite obvious that he was measuring her up. She was his height, with a smaller, but still voluptuous build. Skin was nice, for a working class woman. Fierce eyes, ones that Munir liked to see in women he might pursue. The hair can use a washing, however. Much less luster and wonder about this one. But, with some dressing up, and cleaning up for that matter, this one can turn out to be rather nice. It’s just down to whether she would let him do that or not. [color=DAF6C7][i]Chosen?[/i][/color] Riona was only able to exchange the quickest of confused looks with the other maid before she was essentially forced to leave. [color=DAF6C7][i]For what?[/i][/color] [color=DAF6C7]“I humbly beg your pardon, but I am not sure I understand what you mean.”[/color] [color=ffce00]“Look. Yes. You were chosen, but not by me. You’re my dance partner.”[/color] He said and offered a full Alidashtian bow.[color=ffce00] “Shahzade Munir Ibn Raif al Kadir, at your service.”[/color] He said again, offering her his hand. [color=ffce00]“I didn’t get your name?”[/color] [color=DAF6C7][i]I am WHAT?[/i][/color] Riona was very close to dropping the items in her hands. This couldn’t be happening. She had worked in the castle long enough to know about King Edin’s famous random-dance-partner-selector, but never in her 12 years of service had Riona’s name been placed in it. Not that it was unheard of to place a servant’s name into the bowl. It happened once every blue moon, but when it did happen it was done with the explicit intent to humiliate the person who drew the short straw or, in even worse scenarios, it was done to select the servant who would be given as an offering to placate the offended party. The latter supposedly helped redirect their anger and frustration of the royal family to the family’s property. By doing so, the royal family was never directly harmed, and the offended party would be satiated by breaking the proxy, whatever that entailed. Either way, the servants were just pawns, tools to be used for someone else’s amusement. Riona eyes looked away from the shahzade and narrowed at King Edin’s direction before she looked back at the shahzade’s feet. [color=DAF6C7]“I am no one, as such my name is of no importance to you, Shahzade Munir.” [i]Don’t think he’d remember my face or name after this anyways.[/i] “I am sorry for your misfortune. This lottery was intended as a chance to meet new people… other important people. If you wish, you can bow out from this round of dancing or request for a partner worthy of your station. Is there someone who has piqued your interest? If you have a name, I can go ask them on your behalf.” [/color] Not only did she ignore his hand, she did not answer his question. Understandably, this irritated Munir somewhat. However, given his nature, Munir took this as a challenge. This girl thinks herself so far below him, she wouldn’t offer him her name. Servants in Alidasht, while servants, still had names. Munir assumed it would be no different in the North. Matter of fact, servants here might be treated nicer than they would be in Alidasht. Given that no one lost their heads due to the earlier events. Nevertheless, the fact that this one in front of him chose to defy his words, which should realistically be taken as commands given the difference in their social status, brought a small smirk to Munir’s face. [color=ffce00]“Girl. I asked for your name, and I’ve extended my hand to you. Not only did you not give me your name, you’ve also ignored my hand. Tsk Tsk. I would have thought whichever plump noble’s house you served trained you better than this. I’ll do this again. I am Shahzade Munir Ibn Raif al Kadir. May I have this dance with you?”[/color] Munir said, bowing his head lower than he needed to, and extending his hand to her once again. There wasn’t malice in his voice. Instead, it was warm, and gentle. Munir is a firm believer of destiny. The fact that this girl has been paired with him must have been the doing of the Gods. Whether its her destiny to dance with him, or it was his destiny to dance with her. Surely the announcer would be either waiting for their arrival, or would soon call their names… [color=DAF6C7][i]He’s a persistent one isn’t he?[/i][/color] Riona exhaled slowly through her nose. It was obvious he had no intention of letting her free, but if there was no escaping this, she wasn’t going to do it with the cleaning gear on, [color=DAF6C7] “As you wish, Shahzade.” [/color] Riona finally eased out of the bow only to turn away from the man and raised her hand. A moment or so later, two servants wearing the same uniform as her swooped in. One retrieved the mop brush and bucket filled with other cleaning items in it while the other held on to the items Riona was removing from herself. The gloves, makeshift mask, apron, and mobcap. She touched her brooch that served as a collar in contemplation before removing that from her person as well. Now she looked like some random commoner who somehow got herself lost in a royal ball. As she fixed her hair into a neater bun, she turned around to appraise Shahzade Munir. He was a gorgeous man, the type that would be immortalized in oil painting or marble statues. Nothing about him suggested that he knew anything about labor or hardship. Which made the fact that he insisted on dancing with a servant all the more confounding. What did this man gain from this? Surely servants weren’t a novelty in Alidasht. Once her hair was properly set, Riona gave the man a proper Alidashtian bow and “sang” to him, [color=DAF6C7]“[/color][color=Gold]<<[/color] [color=DAF6C7]Shahzade Munir Ibn Raif al Kadir, peace be upon you. How can I, ‘Girl’, deny one such as you? It would be my pleasure to dance with you. Let us be the envy of the ball, that even the Sun has no choice but to rise early to see Your Highness’s radiance.[/color][color=Gold]>>[/color][color=DAF6C7]”[/color] Riona stared directly into Munir’s eyes as she reached her hand out, making sure to show that it was not the kind of hands the shahzade would be used to touching. They were rough, with numerous cuts both old and new; worker’s hands. Riona’s last attempt at dissuading the man from dancing with her. Munir patiently waited as two more servants appeared to retrieve the cleaning gear the girl previously carried. He glanced at the girl’s hand and noticed all the small wounds and the obvious signs of her leading a life of hardship and labor. Munir simply smiled and raised her hand to his lips, and gave it a small kiss. His eyes, fierce but warm, met her gaze and did not falter one bit. Quickly, Munir spun the girl softly closer to him, taking her hand and waist. All of her hasty preparation was not lost to Munir either. It would at least seem like she made sure she was as presentable as possible before beginning the dance with Munir. A gesture Munir appreciated. Oftentimes, as it has happened in Alidasht, when Munir set his eyes on a servant girl, they were always so awestruck that they forgot about such things. With the dance slowly progressing, Munir naturally leaned in closer. [color=ffce00]“Are you really going to make me [i]beg[/i] for your name?”[/color] Munir said in a teasing tone. [color=ffce00]“Or are you just challenging me because you detest royalty? I may be royalty, but I believe that humans should be treated with dignity and respect.”[/color] He said as he swayed to the sound of the music. [color=ffce00]“Also, please, Munir is fine. My name, in its entirety, is far too long.”[/color] He said with a small chuckle. Of course he knows that the crowd would be watching him. Not only is he a guest of the royal gathering, but he was also paired with a commoner. That fact alone would surely raise questions. However, Munir will not let that deter him. With a small gather, he turned and subtly dipped Riona just enough to serve as a surprise to her, but not so much that she would lose her balance. As the dance continued, Munir was determined to make conversation. He has never seen someone this distant to him. It was common for peasants to avoid talking to him but this felt different. Somehow, Munir sensed more tension than there should have been. [color=ffce00]“So… Tell me more about yourself. I’m curious. Also, we ought to get you a proper dress the next time we dance. Surely these stuffy nobles will be even more awestruck than they are now. I’ll have my personal clothier come by and take your measurements after the dance.”[/color] Quickly but quietly, he moved both of his hands to her waist and gently lifted her a few inches off the ground as they spun slowly… The shahzade was not what Riona expected. While she would’ve been mildly surprised if he had simply taken her hand even after looking at the state it was in, he shocked her by kissing her hands without hesitation or any hint of disgust. Shahzade Munir continued this streak while they danced by insisting on conversing with her, as if he was interested in some foreign nation’s servant. Maybe he was just chatty, but it was nice to be noticed once in a while. Riona let out a startled laugh when she felt herself being lifted and spun around. It had been years since anyone did that to her, and, though it wasn’t the most flattering thing to think of while dancing with an eligible bachelor, it reminded her of her father. Of happier, innocent days. She smiled at Shahzade Munir, [color=DAF6C7]“The time remaining for this dance may be too short to give you a satisfying answer, but I will do my best. Let’s see… Well, as much as I appreciate the gesture, I am afraid I would not have the opportunity to wear such a gift. The castle has a strict uniform policy, and I would never be invited to a party such as this. The clothes would be a waste on me.”[/color] The maid’s dance movement subtly changed by the addition of a little flair to her steps, not enough to throw her partner completely off, but enough to disrupt the pace the shahzade maintained up until that point. [color=DAF6C7]“Secondly, no. I do not detest royalty.” [i]At least, not your family.[/i] “[/color][color=Gold]<<[/color] [color=DAF6C7]So, fear not, Shahzade Munir.[/color][color=Gold]>>[/color][color=DAF6C7]”[/color] Mischief twinkled in her eyes. [color=DAF6C7]“[/color][color=Gold]<<[/color] [color=DAF6C7]I agree wholeheartedly that humans should be treated with dignity and respect… but I must confess the idea of you [i]beseeching[/i] me… is intriguing. It is rare to hear people of royal blood beg for anything.[/color][color=Gold]>>[/color][color=DAF6C7]”[/color] The irony of using the Golden Tongue as she said this was not lost to Riona. How horrified her father would’ve been had he heard her use it in this way with an actual shahzade. In a rapid succession of movements, Riona managed to reverse their dance roles so that Shahzade Munir was following her lead. [color=DAF6C7]“There is no need to beg, however. Though you may not believe me, Your Highness, you already know my name. How else would you have requested for me?”[/color] Riona leaned in so she could whisper, [color=DAF6C7]“You just weren’t able to read what was written on the paper, could you?”[/color] [color=ffce00]“No no. I insist. A woman with your figure deserves nice dresses, no matter the social status. I will speak with whoever I need to make sure you have the occasion to wear that dress. My clothier is…I guess he is quite good at what he does. He, from time to time, designs dresses for my sisters so I suppose his work with women’s fashion is up to par. Look, if it makes you more comfortable, I won’t be there for it. I know my reputation precedes me.”[/color] Munir said with a small chuckle.[color=ffce00] “I like to enjoy the finer things in life, nothing sinister.”[/color] The music was starting to wind down. Munir, with his keen ears, noticed this easily. He smiled softly and nodded to nobody in particular. He assumed that the dance would simply conclude with him leading from start to finish. However, it would seem Riona had something different in mind. He furrowed his brows in surprise as she added a few small steps to change up the pace. It would seem like the girl was finally opening up to him, at least a little. [color=ffce00]“Ah. So you do know how to dance. Here I thought they didn’t teach that here.”[/color] He said as a tease. He did not resist the change, instead allowing the girl to continue. [color=ffce00]“Well. I’m glad you do not detest those of royal birth. It is known that there are jealous folks out there who are wishing for our downfall.”[/color] He noticed the small change in the girl’s expression and a small smirk appeared on his face as well. Her next comment gave him perhaps a look at who she was when she isn’t donning her uniform and answering to someone’s beck and call. Munir leaned in much closer than before, and whispered to Riona [color=ffce00]“Well. You’d be worth it. I’m not above begging for it…” [/color] Riona continued to change up the dance for Munir to the point where she was now taking the lead. Munir gave her a nod of approval and admiration. It would seem there is much more to this girl than the shahzade had first thought. Munir let out an airy chuckle when Riona mentioned the slip of paper. [color=ffce00]“Well. I didn’t request you directly. If I remember it correctly, your colleagues brought you to me, thinking that there was something to be cleaned. But yes. When I saw the name on that slip, I may have had some choice words. I will be honest here. If I had to try to pronounce it right now, with no guidance, I would pronounce it Re-ohg-Knock. I’m sure I butchered it, but it’s what I would have said.” [/color] The music was entering its final phase now. Munir, while letting Riona keep the lead, simply wrapped his arm around her lower back, leaned in and gave her a small, gentlemanly, kiss on the cheek before stepping back.[color=ffce00] “ My lady. It was my pleasure to have shared this dance with me. You must join me for some more conversations while I’m here for the season. I will send for you when the time is right.”[/color] Munir offered her another Alidashtian bow. [color=ffce00]“Enjoy the rest of your evening.”[/color] Riona took a few steps back and returned the bow. [color=DAF6C7]“As you wish, Your Highness.”[/color] When she stood straight up again, she added, [color=DAF6C7]“I should inform you, though, that this castle does not have an employee by the name of Reohg Knock.”[/color] Riona offered a smirk before curtsying, [color=DAF6C7]“[/color][color=Gold]<<[/color] [color=DAF6C7]Have a blessed evening.[/color][color=Gold]>>[/color][color=DAF6C7]”[/color] The maid then vanished into the crowd of people.