[center][h1][color=732F35]Nahir[/color][color=silver] & [/color][color=9AF781]Leo[/color][/h1][/center]
[right][color=silver]collab with[/color][@Rodiak][/right]
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[color=silver]Leo, as with most things he did, put conscious effort into his movements, careful not to allow any flaws to be seen by those around him. His steps were deliberate, mindful of the Shehzadi’s dress that wisped against the marble floor, and his timing in sync with the music. He hit the right marks at the right time but the in-between lacked the finesse of a true dancer. What he lacked in gracefulness he made up for with confidence. His eyes kept focused on the rich amber eyes of Nahir, rather than scanning the rest of the room as they so often did during these dances of chance. 

[color=9AF781]“So, how does Caesonia stack up against Alidasht? I hope the events here aren’t too dull for your tastes.”[/color] Leo, who so rarely found himself without words, struggled a bit to find a proper topic of conversation. A situation he could only chalk up to the strange bit of nervousness that caused the echo of his own quickened heartbeat in his ears to overshadow his thoughts. He had settled on the topic of the Shehzadi’s homelands, a place he saw as being as rich in excitement as it was in wealth.

[color=732F35]"If we were in Genasea,"[/color] Nahir had placed her hand gracefully on his shoulder as he took the lead. Being this close to Lord Smithwood she could see the specks that adorned his cheeks, cute, Nahir thought. [color=732F35]"the [i]tanbur[/i] and the [i]kudüm[/i] would be ringing across the halls drowning the noise of celebration."[/color] She smiled at the memory of Alidasth's lively parties always filled with laughter and joy. [color=732F35]"Caesonia is a welcomed change to my home's festivities."[/color] 

Nahir met his eyes, tilting her head with curiosity. [color=732F35]"Do Varian celebrations differ from Caesonian ones? I've never had the pleasure of attending to your home's festivities."[/color]

[color=9AF781]“Varian is a very welcoming place, but events there are normally not as extravagant as they are here.”[/color] Leo chose his words carefully, nothing that would be an outright insult to Caesonia, but the way he spoke of Varian made his bias towards his own home clear. 

[color=9AF781]“Where Varian truly shines is outside of palaces and ballrooms, deep within the forests and top her mountains, where the land is unconquered and serene. And in her people; those who have thrived in a harsher land and who welcome strangers as friends, who despite the cold carry a hearth within them. It almost goes without saying, but you, Shehzadi, are welcome there anytime.”[/color] Then with a swift motion, Leo lifted their joined hands beckoning Nahir to twirl. 

She could picture it as he spoke, the lush green mountains touching the clouds. [color=732F35]"How quiet and peaceful it must be to be surrounded by so much beauty,"[/color] she twirled, the gems and decorations of her dress jiggling in the air. [color=732F35]"I would be delightful to visit sometime,"[/color] Nahir smiled, looking down momentarily, amber eyes taking him in. [color=732F35]"To see what Varian has to offer."[/color] She looked back up again, battering her lashes as she did so. 

[color=732F35]"Of course, I would love to welcome you into my home in Alidasht. Show you some of our most exotic animals and the most marvelous temples Genasea has to offer."[/color] She remembered the way he had looked at Nala, the excitement had almost been contagious. 

The brief break in eye contact as Nahir twirled gave Leo the chance to admire a very different form of natural beauty. Her dress flowed in a way that only drew more attention to her figure, the gold and jewels that adorn her only enticed more of his attention. Nahir, much like everything that he admired in the world, was built to stand out and demanded full attention without effort.  

[color=9AF781]“I doubt Alidasht is in short supply of beauty,”[/color] Leo said as their hands met again and his eyes were drawn back to hers. [color=9AF781]“I’ve always dreamed of seeing such a place for myself. Somewhere so different from my own home, and there is so little one can learn from books and paintings alone. Tonight has only made that more clear.”[/color] He added. Alidasht had entered the palace with a show, unlike anything he’d seen before. From the dance to the fashion, the exotic animals that came with them; it all spoke of strength, beauty, and freedom. 

[color=9AF781]“For me, it is the constant search for a new adventure, new experiences, that gives life its true meaning. What is it that drives you, Shehzadi?”[/color] Leo asked of the woman in front of him who remained just as mysterious as the land she hailed from.

[color=732F35]"What is life if not an adventure itself?"[/color] Nahir had smiled at the question, [color=732F35]"Admittedly, I do not know."[/color] Her gaze fell, [color=732F35]"There had been a time when I strived for freedom- to leave my home and explore what the gods gave us. To learn more about the beauty of other cultures. Similar to you, Lord Smithwood."[/color] She often felt like a caged bird in Genasea, and guilt would wash over her every time. 

[color=732F35]"But my responsibilities and duty is to Alidasht and its people."[/color] There was a glint of sadness in her eyes as she finally looked up at Leo again. 

Leo smiled in agreement at her first statement, life was indeed meant to be an adventure. Even while Nahir smiled her amber eyes held a touch of sadness. He understood the need to see the world and everything it held, a need for freedom, a wanderlust that his spirit craved just as much as his body craved breath. Her acceptance of responsibility resonated as well.

[color=9AF781]“Ever since my father disappeared I have felt like there is a clock ticking away at my freedom. One day the hour will come when I will be called to serve Stravy before myself, but that time is not now and all I can do is enjoy the time I have. I’m sure the responsibility of a royal is so much greater, but surely even a Shehzadi has time for a break every now and then? And at the very least, you have the summer here, I’m sure we could make it memorable.”[/color] He offered, hoping to return her eyes to the brighter shimmer they’d held before. 

What Leo had said felt right for Nahir. She could at least enjoy this summer without worrying about everything she had to do to prove herself to her father, away from the long sleepless nights and the dread of what would become of her if she failed. Instead, all she would worry about would be her next adventure or who would be her summer romance. The thought of the momentary freedom no doubt pleased her, but that tiny voice in her head continued to pester her mind like a parasite. 

Nahir looked back at him, brows raised slightly when she heard about his father. [color=732F35]"The responsibility to our home is all the same, and we both wish the best for our people. But I suppose you are right; one summer to enjoy the limited freedom won't hurt."[/color] She agreed with a slight nod.

[color=732F35]"All there is left is to find a suitable adventure."[/color] She pulled back before he could in time for a twirl, lifting her arm and, with a smile, encouraged him to spin this time. 

Leo hesitated for a moment, the invitation to twirl catching him off guard. But rather than the concern of looking foolish or strange in front of the entire court, Leo was only focused on Nahir and her smile. He made his best attempt to mimic a move he’d only ever watched before and felt no sting of embarrassment at the awkwardness of his unpractised movements. He returned Nahir’s smile, grateful for life’s unexpected pleasures, no matter how small. 

[color=9AF781]“Might I have earned your name Shehzadi?”[/color] He asked as the music began to wane and the dance came to an end. As he awaited an answer a man in a mask tapped Leo on the shoulder. He turned, his face wore an expression of confusion as this was not a masked ball. Before he could speak, however, a piece of paper was handed to him, the masked man bowed, turned around, and left. [color=9AF781][i]Strange.[/i][/color] He thought but as he scanned the paper his confusion turned into a grin. [color=9AF781][i]Another party?[/i][/color] He thought with amusement. The address, 420 Wicker St, the only warehouse insight, was easy enough to remember. So he folded it back up and checked that the masked man was no longer in sight before passing the letter to Nahir. 

[color=9AF781]“Sometimes, with a bit of luck, an adventure finds you.”[/color] He added.

She had laughed softly, enjoying the effort he put into the twirl that made Nahir appreciate him even more. Unfortunately, it seemed that the dance was coming to a stop. [color=732F35]"You have Lord Smithwood; my name is Nahir Aysun Kadir."[/color] She had pulled back and readied for a curtsy just as the masked man approached them. She eyed him, golden eyes looking at the masked man with suspicion before Leo turned to face her. With one raised brow and clearly intrigued, she took the letter. 

As soon as she was done Nahir looked up at him, excitement gleaming in her eyes.[color=732F35]"The first of many this summer."[/color][/color]