[color=gray][h3][center] [color=D2691E]Farim[/color] & [color=ef82a5]Anastasia[/color][/center][/h3][/color]

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Farim clicked his tongue. Was this not meant to be about someone else entirely? How did it swing back in his personal affairs so readily? He offered a slight sigh with his fingers rubbing the base of his forehead. [color=D2691E]“Thanks, Wulfric. Appreciate the subtlety….”[/color] Farim said to the closed door.

Then he turned, one hand holding his wrist as they relaxed in front of his midsection. [color=D2691E]“I suppose now is the time to come clean – if witch hunting is to be the standard. Then yes, Anastasia. I know magic.”[/color] He figured there was no sense in twisting his words now.

[color=ef82a5]“You… do?”[/color] she asked, voice thinner than she’d meant it to be. She took a small step back, not far enough to seem accusatory, but enough to betray the instinct to retreat. Her eyes searched his face, trying to find some sign that he was joking. [color=ef82a5] “What do you use it for?”[/color]

Farim’s chest felt heavy for a moment - the backwards retreat symbolized a moment of fear to back away from an obvious threat…from him. He could only frown in response. But lack of words would do him no good here.

[color=D2691E]”Transmutation - or what it is more commonly referred to as: Alchemy.”[/color] He produced a gold coin and placed it on the table. [color=D2691E]”There is more to show and more to tell - but only if you wish it to be so, Annie. I hope it does not frighten you.”[/color]

[color=ef82a5]"Alchemy?"[/color] Anastasia repeated, her voice a little steadier now. She cautiously approached the table, her gaze fixed on the gold coin. She reached out a hesitant hand, her fingers brushing the cold metal. It certainly felt real. [color=ef82a5]"And you… you created this?"[/color] Her gaze lifted to Farim’s face. [color=ef82a5]“Farim, it [i]does[/i] frighten me. I don’t know if we should trust magic… I just—”[/color] She paused, her voice softer now, almost pleading. [color=ef82a5]“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”[/color]
Farim smiled. [color=D2691E]”The gold coin was not fabricated by me - it is merely a demonstration piece.”[/color] Taking the coin gently from her palm and placing it into his, Farim closed his hand into a fist surrounding the coin, squeezing firmly as if to try and change its shape.A pale-blue glow warmly emanated from between his fingers and from underneath his shirt - right where his necklace rested upon his chest. When the man opened his hand again, there was fine golden dust where the coin had been.

[color=D2691E]”I have been doing this…a long time. I have tried to keep it secret but our nation does not employ such things like witch hunters or mage seekers. Plus I am easily able to isolate and protect my own secrets in my homeland. Here…apparently not so much.”[/color] He paused, offering to pour the gold dust into her hand should she choose to “test its authenticity”. [color=D2691E]”It is assuredly a dangerous tool if used improperly - but I have some…help to put it plainly.”[/color] He looked to the side for a moment - as if at something or someone, before looking back at her.

[color=ef82a5]"Help? What kind of help, Farim?"[/color] Anastasia's voice was barely a whisper, her eyes wide with fascination as she watched the gold dust shimmer in her palm. She tried to follow his gaze, then she looked around the room, as if expecting someone to suddenly appear. Her brows knitted together then she met his eyes once more as she said firmly, [color=ef82a5]"I [i]promise[/i] I won’t tell anyone."[/color]

His hand moved beneath his shirt - trailing down his neck and gently pulling the blue crystal necklace out in plain view. It still hummed a pale light that dimmed with each passing second. [color=D2691E]”A fancy little item of mine. It takes the brunt of the magical cost for me so I do not.”[/color] Farim placed the necklace back under his shirt. Then his expression became somber, almost downtrodden. [color=D2691E]”It was a gift from a friend…from a long time ago.”[/color]

Anastasia leaned in, her eyes flicking between the necklace and Farim’s face. She tilted her head slightly. [color=ef82a5]“Soooo… Can you just do any kind of magic you want?”[/color] she asked.

Farim shook his head. [color=D2691E]”Just the kind you see here. Changing one thing to another.”[/color] He took the dust and placed it into a pouch that he seemed to pull from nothing. His necklace stayed dormant, implying no real magic occurred. [color=D2691E]”Just a bit of sleight of hand.”[/color] He grinned as he stowed the dust away.

[color=D2691E]”I have heard tales of other spells and magicae that affect others. I believe that one party we all went too was magically inclined for sure. I cannot change emotions, thoughts, or command others to do something against their will - or invoke visions on them of things not actually there.”[/color] The man’s mind flashed to the vision of his probably deceased mother appearing during the festival in the woods.

[color=D2691E]”And it comes at a physical cost to me. Such…transactions like these usually require life as fuel - for life energy is the brightest and strongest of fuels. But this…”[/color] Farim flashed his necklace once more. [color=D2691E]”Means I only trade physical strength temporarily. Usually proportional to how large of an exchange I wish to make.”[/color] He took a pause - letting the Princess process the expository rant he went on, following with a simple. [color=D2691E]”Sorry…I do not wish to frighten you. It has just been some time since I could be so honest with someone.”[/color]

Anastasia swallowed hard, her arms folding across her chest. [color=ef82a5]“It still scares me, Farim… after what happened with—I just…”[/color] She trailed off, her voice tight. She looked at him again, eyes softening. [color=ef82a5]“I don’t want you getting hurt. But… I trust you know what you’re doing. And if anything ever goes wrong…”[/color] She stepped just a little closer[color=ef82a5]“I’m here. Okay?”[/color]

The Shehzade slowly nodded. [color=D2691E]”Do not worry - I plan to save it for emergencies from here on out while within the city. I do not wish to find out what happens if your parents or even mine figure out what was shared here. Especially considering…”[/color] Farim stopped.

What was this hesitation? This pause on his lips? Like the words were caught in his throat - was he…nervous? He
[color=ef82a5]"Considering… what, Farim?"[/color] Anastasia prompted softly. She reached out, gently taking his hand in hers, her thumb lightly caressing his knuckles.

[color=D2691E]”Considering…I want to take things more seriously with you, Anastasia.”[/color] Farim stopped, taking a slow breath before continuing. [color=D2691E]”Ever since coming here you have been on my mind so often - I find myself being drawn to you more each day. I want to, well, make us more official than just what the newspaper thinks we are.”[/color] Farim’s hand wrapped around softly against hers.
[color=D2691E]”I will not ask for marriage outright - that is something I think both of us need to decide later. But I would like your father’s approval for us to…welll…court, my darling.”[/color] His voice naturally dipped into sultry tones.
Anastasia's breath caught, and for a moment, her chest tightened…Not out of fear of Farim, but because of the ghost of another moment that rose within her mind. The last time a man had wanted something serious with her, it hadn’t been real in the slightest. He had just been using her, and as had the other “lovers” she had encountered over the years. There had been so many who spoke [i]so[/i] sweetly, only to take what they wanted and leave her feeling hollow. 

Even her own father had eventually switched up his tune. 

[color=ef82a5]"Seriously… With me…”[/color] she whispered, her voice carrying disbelief, but also a flicker of hope. Her brows rose as if startled by her own reaction, and her gaze dropped to her hands, now held by his. A flicker of vulnerability crossed her face,  as if she were on the edge of remembering something she’d rather forget.

[color=ef82a5][i]But Farim’s not like that. Not like them.[/i][/color] 

She hated that part of herself, the part that flinched when things felt too good. 

But then there was also another part of Anastasia that she could not deny: her impeccable memory. She hadn’t forgotten all the kindness Farim had shown her. Not the wonderful times they had shared over the week. Not even once.

The princess let her gaze rise to meet his again. The corners of her mouth twitched upward as a soft, slightly bashful smile formed.  [color=ef82a5]"Nothing but fun to be had if we give it a shot, right?”[/color] Then, she reached out to take his other hand, holding both of his hands in hers. Her grin widened as she added, [color=ef82a5]"Let’s give [i]us[/i] a chance.”[/color]

Her acceptance in that moment felt like a weight off his shoulders - Farim felt his back straighten and his smile widen. In the past he had always been more of a womanizer, always playing the role of this savant that kept people guessing on who he would swoon next. Yet here in the most spontaneous of places was he finding that spark of playfulness enraptured. Some might say he was being “domesticated” for lack of a better term, but this far from it. Being with a kindred spirit who so freely embraced her inner self and the wants of her soul was beyond words that Farim could easily express. He was beyond joy that she accepted him so warmly, and he leaned in to give her a gentle kiss while wrapping his arms around her.

The connection lasted a lifetime to Farim, who cherished every passing second as the passion between their lips spoke wordlessly about the man’s growing love for her. He moved himself closer to her - not in a sense of lust or perversion, but to simply feel the warmth of two kindred souls bonding closer together. Yet this was still Farim, and he leaned past her mouth to give the side of her neck a playful nip before whispering into her ear. [color=D2691E]”I doubt the banquet hall will miss us - shall we away somewhere for awhile? I fear if we go back there it will simply be more angry tirades of what will be … rather than what should be.”[/color]

Anastasia pulled back from the kiss, a mischievous glint in her eyes as her arms wrapped around his shoulders. [color=ef82a5]"Oh, let’s think, shall we, cutie?"[/color] she whispered, her voice laced with playful suggestion. [color=ef82a5]"Hmm...There is that birthday party I arranged tonight for Thea... I hear it's going to be quite the affair. Perhaps we could make a grand entrance?"[/color]

He raised his brow in response, still sporting a cheeky grin. [color=D2691E]”Grand entrance as a proper couple then? I do really like the sound of that~.”[/color] His arms now fully around her, he gave Anastasia a gentle squeeze. [color=D2691E]”Now where exactly can a pair of good looking nobles sneak off unnoticed I wonder?”[/color] He playfully asked. He knew nothing about the halls of this palace, but he had a strong feeling she sure did.

After returning the squeeze, Anastasia exclaimed, [color=ef82a5]"Just follow my lead! “[/color] Then, she led him out back into the hall.. [color=ef82a5]"Just want to pick up something from my room.”[/color]
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