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[img]https://i.imgur.com/Uo0t3m3.png[/img]
[h1][color=D2691E]Farim[/color][/h1]
[b][color=D2691E]Location:[/color][/b] [color=D2691E]Guest House[/color]
[b][color=D2691E]Time:[/color][/b] [color=D2691E]11am[/color]
[b][color=D2691E]Mentions:[/color] [/b][color=F4BC5E]Layla [@Potter][/color]
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Sitting at the table with all this prepared food looking at his cousin, Farim could feel a rather distinct set of emotions and tones in the way that Layla spoke that seemed all too familiar with him. He could tell she was having a bit of a morning to say the least, and while he didn't blame her for the curt and tense replies, he could still feel the sting of her tone. In-between lines of questions he could almost feel as if Layla were shooting daggers into his very soul. He had been part of many unpleasant dinners before, and did not quite desire to continue a forced conversation if there was no enjoyment for both parties. It wasn't so much that he felt unwanted but he certainly did not feel desired either.

He stood up slowly and picked up a small bowl, leaving some chicken curry in it for Thara to feast on in a moment. He gave a warm smile to Layla and spoke to her in a calm and polite manner, as was his usual cadence. [color=D2691E]"I think it's about time I took my leave. I was planning on heading to the festival and the time has already gotten so far from me. I just wanted to make sure the family is going well and that nothing...bad or nefarious was happening. All I could hear were the sharp words of my father saying that we were all made fools and I wanted a more [i]precise[/i] opinion."[/color] He paused, moving the bowls together that were done with into the appropriate boxes they came with. He lifted the bowl to Thara's beak and let her peck and nibble at the morsels of food as he continued speaking. [color=D2691E]"But it is rather uncouth of me to drill my cousin with questions so soon in the morning. So I will let you enjoy yourself. I'll send a servant soon enough to clean up here and I hope to see you at dinner, Layla."[/color] He ended his talk with a smile and began walking towards the door and with the hand that Thara was perched on, delicately moved the door handle as to not disturb his bird. The door swung open smoothly and he took a slight bow towards Layla before leaving. As the door shut behind him he looked around to make sure no one was present and rolled his eyes slightly. [color=D2691E][i]Must everyone be so stingy today?[/i][/color]

He walked back to his room, on the way finding female maid making her rounds through the common room. Farim recognized the woman from back home as one of the many staff that would take care of the Shehazdi Palace, and was happy to see another familiar face. He raised an arm and spoke directly to her, keeping his voice from being startlingly loud. [color=D2691E]"Pardon me, Ayisha. Would you be so kind as to check on Layla here in the next half hour? She will likely have some dishes to be tended too and some other small favors I'm sure."[/color] He flashes another smile, his eyelids coming slightly closed as he displayed his friendly persona. The maid, as if by instinct, nodded and smiled back to him, giving him ample reason to believe she would see to it that Layla would be taken care of. He briskly walked to his chambers and in a similar fashion to before, opened the door and walked into his room.

[hider=TL;DR Farim talks to the ghost of his long-lost friend]
Farim entered his room and placed both the bowl and Thara on a nearby table. The bird happily began to nibble and eat at the remains of the chicken curry, leaving Farim to wonder if this was some weird form of cannibalism. He shook his head slightly and thought to himself. [color=D2691E][i]To animals, meat is simply meat. I doubt it means much to her if she is eating another bird.[/i][/color]

Then, as if in response to his thoughts, he heard a familiar voice that sent a chill down his spine. [color=#B0E0E6][i]You always did have a weird way of perceiving things, friend.[/i][/color] Farim would whip around and see a pale-blue apparition resembling that of his long-dead friend, Malik. He always felt shocked and cold when he would appear, but lately he had grown used to his appearances. He still clutched the necklace he always kept around his neck, the pale-blue crystal almost shining in response to Malik's presence.

[color=D2691E][i]Must you always surprise me like this? I don't see you for over 2 months and suddenly you choose NOW to show up? Why?[/i][/color] He breathed slowly, still clutching his fingers around his amulet and standing slightly taller as if to fix his posture. The ghost flashed a smile before speaking, emanating a slight warmth to his presence.[color=#B0E0E6][i]My friend, is there ever truly a bad time for me to come around? You and I used to be quite the pair. Until...well, you know.[/i][/color] Malik cringed slightly as he mockingly gestured to himself, slumping his head over as if to pretend he died again. Farim sighed and finally let go of his necklace, speaking in a more casual cadence to his friend. [color=D2691E][i]You were the one who wanted to practice magic. There is a reason we were always warned, my friend. I am truly sorry for what happened. If I could, you know I would've swapped places with you.[/i][/color]

Malik floated slowly towards the ground, his feet bending to meet with the wood as if to stand on solid ground. He shrugged and shook his head in response to Farim. [color=#B0E0E6][i]Honestly, you did far more with my death than I could've done with yours. I never would have thought to use your soul the way you use mine. I mean, alchemy to turn benign minerals to jewels that you then sell to merchants for an astounding profit? Only Farim the Merchant Prince would come up with such an idea![/i][/color] Farim raised an eyebrow, finally breaking the slightly somber tone of his and chuckling with his friend. But Malik spoke up once more and it brought Farim's face back to a neutral expression. [color=#B0E0E6][i]However I simply wanted to appear and remind you to be careful. The other night was unlike anything I had seen. For the first time in both of our lives I could not even see where you were. What you were doing. Normally I am with you in the very necklace you cling to so dearly. But last night I had no idea where either of us were. My soul stayed with the necklace, but there was something powerful blocking me from seeing out into the real world. Someone in Caessonia is up to something, and it may be a trivial prank on the nobles or something far more sinister. Watch yourself and watch your family, Farim. I do not get a good feeling from this.[/i][/color]

Farim walked slowly to the translucent image of his friend. He could make out finer details on the mans face, seeing that his ghostly form seemed to age as he would have in life. He took note of the slightly greyed hairs and perhaps a few too many wrinkles, and chalked it down to some aesthetic choice of Malik's. However, Farim knew that his little magic formula would only work for so much longer before the energy of Malik's soul was spent. Every transmutation he performed, every time Malik manifested like he was now, every interaction with his dead friend only sought to shorten the time Farim had left to see him. Farim walked towards Malik and stretched his arms around his pale form, a slight moment of serious reflection overtaking him before he could respond. He felt a tear well in his eye as he thought of the inevitability of death. Even in this shoddy imitation of life, he found appreciation for seeing Malik a few more times, and making something out of his passing. Someone as kind-hearted as Malik didn't deserve to just go quietly in the night, and Farim would make every second of this gift he possessed count. [color=D2691E][i]I will fulfill that dream I always told you about. I will make a name for myself and carry on your memory. I will surpass my father and rise to take the Sultanate just like we always dreamed of. I will build the best Alidasht you and my family will have ever seen for generations. You won't be forgotten, my friend.[/i][/color] As he went to squeeze the slowly fading body of his best friend, he felt his arms collapse back into him, and Farim looked around to the now empty room. Thara was still eating as if nothing had happened, a few pleased caws coming from her throat as she devoured the last of the chicken. Farim laughed and walked over to the bird, petting under her chin with one hand and brushing the top of her head with the other.

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[color=D2691E]"Come then, Thara. It is time we head to the park. I hear there is a fun festival there!"[/color] He took the bird and began to quickly walk from his chambers and out the front door. He took the nearest carriage, his bird happily resting on his shoulder while they got into the back of his ride to the festival. He told the driver to take their time so he could enjoy the ride to the park. He rather enjoyed the new scenery of the capital. His homeland would always be beautiful to him, but a change of location never hurt anyone. Sorian had plenty of good features to it, even if the capital may contain some...less than ideal occupants. But such is the way of any city, really. Farim continued looking on and taking note of any passersby, and as the carriage came to a stop he couldn't help but notice the large volume of sounds and people gathering in the beautiful park. The several stalls of pleasant looking food and many games he could see from afar definitely peaked his interest. Even though he had just ate he could still feel his stomach making room for more of Sorian's yummy delicacies and treats. He took a few steps from the carriage, his bird happily spreading its wings and tilting its head at the several new sites before her.

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