[color=lightgray][h1][center][color=BBC7E1] Charlotte[/color] & [color=ffce00] Munir[/color][/center][/h1]

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[color=BBC7E1] “Munir… right?”[/color]

Once Lorenzo had agreed to wait for her as the gifts were repacked in the carriage, and the Sultan had left, Charlotte had approached the Shahzade. Though it had been with some apprehension. She offered a smile as she stood by his seat politely, [color=BBC7E1] “I don’t believe we’ve formally been introduced. It’s nice to meet you…I’m Charlotte.”[/color] She offered her hand out,  [color=BBC7E1] “ I was wondering if you could spare a moment to speak with me.”[/color]

Munir, having been in a distracted state due to the tumultuous events of what was supposed to be a simple dinner, half-hearted turned to face Charlotte. [color=ffce00] “And I’m Shahzade Munir Ibn Raif Al Kadir…. [/color] Munir took up her hand and gave it a soft shake, returning the northern gesture. [color=ffce00] “Sure. I can spare a moment. What is it you wish you speak about, Lady Charlotte? Does it need to be in private? I can have my servants prepare my room to receive guests…” [/color] Munir offered, despite him wanting to wrap up the night and retire to his room.

[color=BBC7E1] “ I wanted to speak to you about the party last night if that’s alright… I don’t believe it needs to be private if you want to just speak quickly here. “[/color] 

[color=ffce00] “Did you have a question regarding the party? What did you want to know from me? I’ll provide whatever answers I have, as I have nothing to hide. [/color] Munir said with a slight flourish of his hands. [color=ffce00] “Please excuse my tone, if I do come off as unwelcoming. It is just the events of this dinner, which I had not planned on attending anyways, has been quite stressful. Matter of fact…[/color] Munir snapped his fingers twice, and gestured to his personal retainer quickly. The young man bowed and made a quick but silent exit. [color=ffce00] “Let us continue this conversation in my room. You can ask your questions while we walked there, and I will answer when we arrive. The room will be ready for guests by then.”[/color]

[color=BBC7E1] “Yes…I understand how you feel. I feel like I could fall asleep standing right here. It was quite draining.”[/color] Charlotte told him with a sympathetic smile. [color=BBC7E1]  “Umm, alright I guess that sounds nice. Thank you, Shahzade Munir. “[/color] She stepped aside to give him room to stand.

[color=ffce00] “Right this way then.” [/color] Munir said as he pushed the door open and walked into the hallway leading to his room. [color=ffce00] “Lady Charlotte, you still haven’t told me what you wished to know… or was this a ploy to get me back to my room?” [/color] There it was. Munir Brand charm. Even when he was dog-tired and just wanted to rest…

She followed him out into the hallway, figuring he was joking,  [color=BBC7E1] “You caught me red-handed.”[/color] Charlotte jested a little cheekily, raising her hands with a silly smile, and then met his gaze once more as they began to walk down the hall. [color=BBC7E1] “ …So, I was wondering if you could tell me your recount of the events leading up to and after the party. I am aware you may have forgotten or have a hazy  memory of the party itself, however.”[/color] Charlotte herself was exhausted after the day she had, but she welcomed the light-hearted conversation. It was best if everything that had happened was not for nothing. 

[color=ffce00] “Mmm. My memories of the event are definitely hazy. Whatever drinks I had was…different. I know my limits and the amount I had should not have exceeded that. So I’m a little lost as to how it all happened…but…” [/color] The pair had arrived at his room, the retainer is now waiting and pushing the door open for the pair. Munir gestured and waited for Charlotte to enter before doing so himself. Giving his retainer a quick nod, the door was closed softly behind the pair. [color=ffce00] “Please have a seat. Would you like some iced mead?” [/color] Munir said as he loosened his sash to open his tunic and let it flow freely. Pouring two cups of iced mead, he set one in front of Charlotte and took a sip from his cup. [color=ffce00] “So. The party. I heard of it from Princess Anastasia and simply decided to go. Nothing more to it. I don’t pass up a chance for parties. As far as after, I don’t remember much. I simply retired to my room and rested…”[/color]

[color=BBC7E1] “...So that's never happened like that before?  Do you recall anything about where you were or where you went? ”[/color] Charlotte asked as she sat down. When he had given her the glass, she had thanked him again. 

She had then picked up that glass of mead and took a sip. It had looked perhaps like beer to Charlotte at first glance, but she found the taste to be much better. She nodded with respect for it, sinking into the chair. Normally, she might have felt a little more awkward with the situation, but she was definitely still buzzed from the wine she had been drinking earlier and the idea wasn’t hitting her at all… That is until she noticed his tunic open. Her cheeks reddened and she averted her eyes slightly to be polite.  Charlotte brushed hair behind her ear as she asked, stammering slightly,[color=BBC7E1] “W-Were there any side effects indicating that you… may have.. Umm.. been drugged?”[/color]

[color=ffce00] “Hm. Well. Given that I was essentially knocked on my ass after one or two drinks… I’d say it was pretty evident I had been given something that was not purely alcohol. As for indications afterward, other than the killer headache I had, I would say no.” [/color] Munir leaned back and sank further into his seat, allowing his tunic to further open.

[color=BBC7E1] “ I see.”[/color] It was ironic because she did not see. She was fixating on a painting on the wall as if it was very interesting. Charlotte figured that was as much information as she was getting from him. However, he had invited her in formally so she felt as if they should conversate more before suddenly leaving. Her gaze traveled back to him and somehow his tunic had opened even more. She wondered if this was considered normal behavior in the Alidasht and rubbed the back of her neck,[color=BBC7E1] “Heh. I reckon that would happen to me… Suppose you must have a high tolerance then?” [/color] 

[color=ffce00] “Mm. I don’t really prescribe to specific weight classes in terms of my ability to handle alcohol. I simply know my limits and I adhere to them. After all, I can’t be acting a fool while on foreign soil.” [/color] Munir said with a wry smile. He grabbed the bowl of chilled figs on the table and set it down on the table between them, taking on and taking a bite into it. The fruit perfumed the room and the taste was sweet. Shrugging his shoulders once, and causing his open tunic to rise and fall, he continued to speak,[color=ffce00] “Is that all you wanted to know? If I can handle my drink? It sounded like you had something urgent or important to ask me. Do you?” [/color]

[color=BBC7E1] “Right. No, that’s all. I simply wanted to acquire your account of the party. “[/color] Charlotte rose to her feet, feeling as if perhaps she was maybe overstaying her welcome and that she had grown uncomfortable herself. [color=BBC7E1] “Thank you for your time and hospitality…” [/color] She then turned on her heels to make her way out.[/color]