[center][h1][color=gold]Hafiz[/color] & [color=EF950E]Layla[/color][/h1] [color=EF950E]Interaction[/color] [@13org] Mayet [@Rodiak] Nahir [/center] [hr] [color=silver]The music had ended for the icebreaker dance and Hafiz stood lurking off the side of the ballroom like a snake waiting for its prey. He eyed Layla with intensity as he slowly started stalking towards her. On silent feet, he slid up next to her and linked his arm with hers. [color=gold]”Hello [i]niece.[/i] I think it’s time… we talked.”[/color] He told her smoothly, leading her off the dance floor and to the sideline. After finishing the ridiculous dance, Layla had gone over to grab food. She knew Zilal was in good hands, but still wanted to check on him. Munir’s voice interrupted her reverie and she looked over at him. [color=ffce00]"Sister Layla, it looked like you got paired with a rather stuffy dance partner... He wasn't wearing something that really screamed 'I'm a noble, look at me and my finest plumage~'. I'd bet that you had tons of fun there..."[/color] He said, giving her a quick, brotherly peck on the cheek before sauntering over to the next sister. She grinned at him and nodded. [color=EF950E]”You bet I did.”[/color] She replied and smiled softly at the quick gesture. As soon as she found the food she liked, an arm linked with her’s, followed by that [i]voice[/i]. Layla froze for a moment, then remained impassive as she was forced to follow him. Every muscle was taut and she felt her heartbeat quicken. What did he want? Her expression remained unreadable, and she kept her back to the others so they couldn’t see her reactions. Without looking at him or speaking, she raised her eyebrows questioningly. Hafiz remained silent for the time he led her away from the crowds of people, smiling at some who greeted them, before pulling Layla out into an empty hallway. [color=gold]”You’ve been quite the failure this afternoon, Layla.”[/color] He began, now giving her a disapproving look and clicked his tongue. [color=gold]”How could you allow your [i]younger[/i] siblings to outshine you like that? Then you went on to do something to have your father scold you, how utterly shameful.”[/color] He shook his head as his grip on her arm grew tighter. [color=gold]”I thought we agreed that you weren’t going to be this pathetic, weak girl anymore.”[/color] Layla remained silent too while he led her out. Dread rose inside of her and she clenched her teeth. What did he want? She could have growled, but she knew better than to show displeasure around him. When they finally stopped, she didn’t meet his gaze. Layla felt a knife pierce her in the heart while he spoke. His grip on her arm tightened and she bit her lip and averted her gaze. There was a pause as she mustered the courage to reply. [color=EF950E]”Please let go of my arm.”[/color] She requested finally, still refusing to meet his gaze. [color=EF950E]”I’m not pathetic or weak anymore. It… It was an accident… It won’t… It won’t happen again.”[/color] The ringing in her ears grew louder and she wanted to cover her ears but couldn’t with his grip on her arm. Sweat started forming on her forehead. Hafiz grimaced as he took the sight in before him, his grip on her arm tightening,[color=gold]“You’re not pathetic?”[/color] He repeated venomously and low. [color=gold]“Let me point out the [i]sweat droplets[/i] falling down your face… Are you a coward, girl?”[/color] He was practically sneering at his niece. She knew her role very well. Though it had gotten off to a decent start as Layla had shown that Vikena girl the wrath of the Alidasht, things had progressed as the others had grown soft. Layla had done nothing to stop it all. Had his brother had no shame for what they had become? He was sure the Caesonia Kingdom would never respect them now. [i][color=gold]If only… [/color][/i] Layla continued to avert her gaze. Her breath hitched as he tightened his grip on her arm. What did she say? Her heart rate elevated and she felt the room beginning to spin. She bit her lip and shook her head. [color=EF950E]”N-no.”[/color] Her voice shook for a moment while she collected herself and took several deep breaths. [color=EF950E]”I’m not a coward and it won’t happen again. I promise.”[/color] She paused for thought and added, [color=EF950E]”There might be another dance so I c- will do better.”[/color] [color=gold]“N-n-n-n-no.”[/color] Hafiz mimicked her stammering but there was no humor in his tone. [color=gold]”Layla. Do not stutter. Speak with firm assurance. Get yourself together and show me how serious you are. You are not a child.”[/color] He angrily freed her arm, but glared her down. He was thoughtful for a moment before he grinned deviously, his anger remaining but moving to a different target, [color=gold]”Dance with that Lorenzo and instill fear into him. Show him that he won’t be getting away so easily…”[/color] Layla’s cheeks reddened with anger and humiliation. She glared at him as a small fire formed in her eyes. She sighed with relief when he released her arm and then pulled them behind her back. His anger made her shrink back into the wall and continue to avert her gaze. His proposition made her clench her fists. [color=EF950E]”Why would I want to dance with that vermin?”[/color] Layla wrinkled her nose and shook her head. [color=EF950E]”I’m sure dinner with us will be enough.”[/color] She glanced back towards the ballroom and sighed. [color=EF950E]”I want to leave.”[/color] Her voice shook, but held firm as she finally decided to meet his gaze now, however uncomfortable it made her feel. Hafiz knocked on her head as if it were a door, [color=gold]“Hello? Anyone in there?”[/color] He scoffed in annoyance, rolling his eyes as he withdrew his hand. [color=gold]”Have you ever heard of keeping your enemies closer than your friends…? I want you to intimidate him. Punish him. How do you expect to be the Sultana if you are so [i]soft[/i].”[/color] He spat the last word as if it were poison in his mouth. Though he cared for his niece, he knew she would never be able to fill in the shoes of her father unless she was to toughen up. After all these years, she [i]still[/i] showed weakness and it frustrated him to the point of pulling hair out. If this was all for nothing, he was sure he could not die in peace. Layla flinched when he knocked on her head. Each motion felt more intense than the last and as if her head might split open. Her stomach clenched and felt bile rise in her throat. She pushed back any emotion she felt. Any emotion she felt would be ignored. Layla scowled at him and folded her arms. Though her mind raced, she showed none of it outwardly. [color=EF950E]”Fine.”[/color] She replied coldly, [color=EF950E]”I’ll dance with that disgusting vermin. And at dinner I’ll make sure to terrorize the girl. Happy?”[/color] Her voice became dry at the end as she averted her gaze and focused on the ugly wallpaper beside her. Why did everyone in this country have such awful taste? [color=gold]”Ecstatic.”[/color] Hafiz sighed in relief upon hearing Layla’s voice grow cold. He still felt angry but there was hope. [color=gold][i]There’s my girl. As venomous as the snake she holds…[/i][/color] He put a hand on her shoulder gently now. [color=gold]”Layla. You’ll thank me one day. …You know that right? This is for the good of the Alidasht Kingdom. Remember that.”[/color] [color=EF950E]”Oh of course.”[/color] Layla replied dryly, not allowing herself to roll her eyes. She thought they might burn from the effort of not doing so. She glanced at his hand and put her’s over it comfortingly in return. [color=EF950E]”Alidasht is the most important thing to me. You know that too.”[/color] She glanced over at the ballroom and bit her lip. [color=EF950E]”Can I go feed Zilal? He had a long journey.”[/color] [color=gold]”...We’ve worked so hard.”[/color] Hafiz expressed, genuinely venting. [color=gold]”I know I am harsh with you, but we have a dream to fulfill, Layla.”[/color] Inner rage swam in his eyes and he clenched his fists. Alidasht was doomed if they continued under such soft leadership. Certainly another country would overtake it any time soon. Maybe even the one they stood in would take a bite now knowing how they caved so easily. He grimaced at the thought. [color=gold]”You may. Just remember your destiny, Layla…”[/color] Layla nodded and waited for him to remove his hand first. Once he had, she turned on her heels and went back into the ballroom. On her way there a maid bumped into her; the same from earlier. Layla gave her the deepest, most scathing look and whispered to her, [color=EF950E]”Touch me again and your loved ones will be my snake’s appetizers.”[/color] The woman’s eyes widened and she scurried off like the rat she’d feed to Zilal. Smirking, she entered the ballroom and saw her siblings gathered together. Tossing her hair over her head again and smacking another person in the face, she sauntered over to her sisters. She glanced over at Ali and her guards and whistled. Zilal slid off the table and over to her, scaring the hell out of anyone in his way. Laughing, She picked up Zilal and wrapped him around her shoulders while taking a tray of food from a maid and offering it to her siblings. The woman stared with indignation, but under Layla’s cold glare, relented, and then ran off. Snickering, she began eating the food and offered it to her siblings. Mayet had spoken to her. She gave her full attention while offering some of the chicken to Zilal. [color=EF950E]“He was a doctor. Only thing he’s worth for though,”[/color] She snickered as she continued to eat and sat down. [color=EF950E]”Sister Nahir and Mayet, come join me.”[/color] [/color]