Infinite Cosmos

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

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-Grand Ball Room-
-outfit-
-Interaction:@Chrys Amira @RemramThe Juicer @ReusableSwordRoman @HylianRose Nora

Munir smiled as he quietly took the measure of the pair before him. It was almost amusing. Had anyone else wandered onto the balcony at this precise moment, they would have found enough to kindle yet another rumor to feed the inferno already consuming the ballroom. Fortunately for them, Munir knew his own reputation. No one in their right mind would believe him if he marched back into the ballroom, commandeered the orchestra, and proclaimed that Lord Magnus Pawonska and Shehzadi Amira Kadir had done nothing more scandalous than enjoy one another's company while standing perhaps a touch too close.

"Lord Pawonska. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. To say I came out here to catch my breath would be... a rather creative interpretation of the truth. I merely noticed my cousin being cornered by a gentleman of your... impressive stature and thought it only proper to introduce myself." His gaze briefly shifted toward Amira, noting she had already restored the respectable distance expected between herself and a gentleman. "Ah... Lady Nora. Well... I do intend on asking for her hand..." Munir allowed the sentence to linger just long enough for its more scandalous meaning to bloom before the corner of his mouth curled into a grin. "...for a dance. Though now you've made me curious. Am I expected to seek permission from her elder brother first? Is that the custom in Caesonia? If so, Lord Magnus, would you grant me the honor of asking your sister to dance?" He chuckled softly. "In any case, I should probably ask the lady herself before negotiating terms with her family. We are gentlemen, after all."

Turning back to Amira, his expression softened. "Cousin, I am glad to see you're smiling again. Please enjoy the rest of your evening." Leaning in just enough for only her to hear, he added with perfect seriousness, "And if Lord Pawonska should trouble you in even the slightest way... drive your knee upward with confidence. I can personally guarantee he'll rethink every decision that led him to that moment." Straightening again, he offered Magnus an innocent smile. "Nothing personal, Lord Pawonska. Merely encouraging healthy self-defense." A wink to Amira followed. "Now then... you two behave yourselves."

Leaving the pair to their moonlit conversation, Munir made his way farther across the balcony, arriving just in time to find Lord Roman Ravenwood speaking with Lady Nora Pawonska. Greeting the larger man first with a friendly slap between the shoulder blades, he grinned. "Lord Ravenwood. I trust the evening has been treating you well. Unless my instincts have abandoned me completely, which thankfully, they seldom do. I would wager I've arrived just after you've asked Lady Pawonska for a dance. Interesting. I confess, I never quite pictured you as the sort to indulge in ballroom dancing."

Only then did he turn fully toward Nora. Offering her a respectful bow, Munir extended one gloved hand with effortless confidence. "Lady Pawonska. Might I have the honor of claiming the dance immediately following Lord Ravenwood's? I shall do my absolute best to follow what I can only assume will be an extraordinary dance with something... equally memorable." The familiar glint of mischief returned to his eyes as his hand remained patiently outstretched. "What do you say?"

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

color:ffce00
-Grand Ball Room-
-outfit-
-Interaction:@AuthenticTomb Aslam @Lava Alckon Farim @Chrys Amira@RemramThe Juicer
-Mention:@ReusableSwordRoman

Munir opened his mouth to answer Farim's teasing, only for the response to die before it ever reached his lips.

Then Amira ran.

Not politely excused herself. Not drifted away in search of quieter company. Ran.

His amusement vanished as quickly as it had come.

"...Well," he said dryly, watching the balcony doors sway shut behind her. "That seems less than ideal."

Without another thought, he handed his half-finished drink to a passing servant.

"Brother, cousin, if either of you ever see me sprinting from a ballroom in tears, I expect you to stop me before I embarrass the family."

The corner of his mouth twitched faintly.

"Failing that, at least have the decency to pretend you never saw it happen."

Despite the humor, genuine concern had already settled behind his eyes. Amira was many things—bright, hopeful, occasionally dramatic—but seeing her flee the ballroom in such a state left little room for indifference.

"As entertaining as gossip may be, I suspect ensuring Amira has not decided to hurl herself dramatically from a balcony is the more pressing matter."

He straightened his jacket and turned to leave, but not before his gaze drifted across the ballroom one final time.

Entirely by coincidence, of course.

His eyes found the crimson dress almost immediately. Nora.

Lord Ravenwood appeared to have chosen a rather opportune moment to make his approach.

Munir lingered on the sight for only a second before dismissing it from his mind. Whatever conversation existed there was none of his concern.

At least, that was what he told himself.

"Try not to start any diplomatic incidents while I'm gone," he said, offering Farim and Aslam a lazy salute before slipping into the crowd.

The ballroom had already begun the noble tradition of pretending nothing embarrassing had occurred. Music resumed. Laughter returned. Conversations restarted. Rumors undoubtedly spread from group to group, but Munir paid them no mind. Whatever fresh scandal had seized the court's imagination tonight could survive a few minutes without his attention.

He moved through clusters of nobles with practiced ease, exchanging the occasional nod or smile without ever slowing his pace. His destination remained fixed firmly ahead.

The balcony doors.

The moment he pushed through them, cool evening air washed across his face, carrying away much of the suffocating heat and noise of the ballroom behind him.

And there she was.

Amira stood beneath the moonlight, thankfully neither crying over the railing nor attempting anything particularly dramatic.

She was not alone.

Munir's eyebrow rose slightly as he spotted the broad-shouldered blond man standing beside her. The man was large enough to stand out in almost any crowd, and from the easy manner in which he approached Amira, it seemed they had already begun some manner of conversation.

Interesting.

That, he had not been expecting.

For a moment he remained near the doorway, observing quietly. Amira no longer appeared on the verge of bolting, which was already an improvement. The stranger did not seem threatening either, though appearances could be deceiving.

Still.

Curiosity had always been one of Munir's more defining flaws.

With an easy smile returning to his face, he finally stepped onto the balcony proper and approached the pair.

"There you are."

His tone carried the familiar blend of relief and amusement reserved for troublesome family members.

"For a moment I feared I would have to explain to your father how I allowed his daughter to vanish into the night unsupervised."

His eyes shifted briefly toward the blond man before returning to Amira.

"I see, however, that you have already acquired company."

The prince offered a polite inclination of his head.

"Munir al-Kadir."

The introduction was simple, casual, and confident.

Then his gaze flicked back toward Amira, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Now then, should I be concerned, or was this merely a strategic retreat from the horrors of ballroom conversation?"

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

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-Grand Ball Room-
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-Interaction:@AuthenticTomb Aslam @Lava Alckon Farim
-Mentions: The commotion by King Edin @HylianRose Nora

Munir listened in silence as Farim spoke. For once, the prince did not immediately answer with some clever remark or scandalous anecdote. Instead, he watched the cluster around the dais begin to disperse under the king's threat, his blue drink turning slowly between his fingers. The laughter had drained from that corner of the ballroom.The king had won the moment, perhaps. But only because everyone else had chosen not to lose it.

His gaze lingered there for another second before he finally exhaled through his nose.

"Sting?" he repeated quietly. A faint smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. "That would require me to be wounded, cousin." The answer came easily enough, but there was less confidence in it than usual. Taking another sip, Munir Continued, "Disappointed, perhaps." Munir's eyes drifted through the crowd again, finding familiar faces among the sea of nobles and courtiers. The ballroom was slowly returning to life, conversations cautiously restarting as musicians and servants alike pretended nothing remarkable had happened. His gaze drifted through the crowd again, searching more out of habit than intention.

And there she was. Nora. She now stood beside a man Munir did not recognize, their conversation carrying an ease that suggested familiarity.

Interesting.

Without consciously deciding to, he shifted his position slightly. The movement was subtle enough to appear entirely natural, placing himself between his companions and the lingering tension surrounding the dais while granting himself a clearer view of the ballroom beyond.

Then his attention returned to Farim.

"As for the story..." he rolled the glass lightly between his palms. "You know how these things go. You meet someone unexpectedly. They occupy more of your thoughts than they have any right to. Then you spend several days convincing yourself you remain a rational man." Munir paused, taking a sip from his drink. "I am beginning to suspect that last part may be the difficult one." For the first time all evening, the grin that followed was genuine. "And before either of you become insufferable about this revelation, allow me to assure you that I have no intention of discussing it further." He raised his glass toward Farim and his brother. "At least not until I've had another drink." Then, as though determined to drag the conversation away from kings, scandals, and dangerous subjects alike, Munir gestured toward the dance floor. "Now. Tell me something useful. Are we truly going to spend an entire royal ball standing around talking, or have the two of you forgotten how to enjoy yourselves?"

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

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-Grand Ball Room-
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-Interaction:@Tae Ranya @Remram Askel @AuthenticTomb Aslam @Lava Alckon Farim

Munir let out a low chuckle as Askel swept Ranya away toward the dance floor to finally do what everyone had gathered here for in the first place. Dance. Of course, the two of them being among the first to step onto the floor would only drag even more attention onto themselves.

Then again, that was Ranya.

Defiant to the core. Bold enough to reclaim what had always been hers to give in the first place, no matter who watched or whispered.

Turning his attention back to the company beside him, Munir casually slung an arm around Farim’s shoulder just as another round of drinks seemed to materialize from nowhere, summoned by nothing more than his presence and expectation.

"Ah, dear cousin, there you are. How good it is to finally see someone with proper taste. The purple one, hm? Fine. I’ll trust your judgment this once."

Munir reached for the blue drink instead, waiting until both his brother and cousin had glasses in hand before finally taking a sip of his own.

Minty. Effervescent. And beneath it all, something sharp. Slightly acrid.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

"Gods, it’s good to finally be surrounded by decent company again. My brothers beside me, drinks flowing, music loud enough to drown out bad decisions. Beautiful. As for the... non locals?"

He smirked faintly before taking another sip.

"Things have certainly been interesting for me. Though I’m afraid those stories might be a little too provocative for tonight’s festivities. Wouldn’t want anyone here scandalized before the evening properly begins."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted briefly toward Mina and Nora, both occupied in conversations of their own. For the briefest moment, Munir’s expression soured.

Nora’s abrupt little escape with cousin Amira had not gone unnoticed.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Something had clearly rattled her enough to flee the scene in a hurry, and now curiosity sank its claws into him. Munir tucked the observation away for later. He would find out what caused that reaction eventually. He always did.

As Farim’s question shifted toward his brother’s experiences since arriving in the city, Munir allowed the conversation to drift around him for a moment. His thoughts wandered back through the events of the past days, replaying encounters, conversations, fleeting looks.

And no matter where his mind wandered, it kept circling back to the same constant.

Mina Blackwood.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

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-Grand Ball Room-
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-Interaction:@Tae Ranya @Remram Askel @AuthenticTomb Aslam
-Mention: @princess Dear Uncle Hafiz

Their uncle, naturally, chose that exact moment to announce the news to the entire room. The prince and his sister had clearly wanted to keep it quiet for now, but Hafiz never could resist grabbing the reins of a moment and making sure everyone knew whose hands they sat in. Classic uncle behavior. Ambition wrapped in silk and smiles.

Munir was already turning over possible responses in his head when Ranya approached the group.

Ah. There she was.

Not the carefully sculpted image of Suna’s Chosen. Not the untouchable symbol draped in ceremony and expectation. No, this was Ranya. The fire underneath it all. The spark in her eyes had returned in full force, vibrant and untamed, like she’d finally decided to stop hiding behind the veil everyone else preferred her to wear.

"Well. Now that that little performance is out of the way, I think we’ve earned another drink."

As if the universe itself answered to him, Munir casually motioned for another round, servants moving almost immediately. He lifted his fresh glass with an easy grin.

"Now this is a proper toast. To a spectacular night, dangerously attractive company, and a future packed with every joy imaginable and absolutely none of the miserable fears people keep trying to dump on us."

He raised the glass toward the group before glancing sideways at his sister.

At her question, Munir leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to sound conspiratorial.

"Honestly? I don’t know. Think you could probably do better."

He let the silence sit for a beat, wearing the most convincing expression of fake seriousness he could manage.

Then he cracked.

"Relax, sister, I’m kidding. If your love’s real, and he treats you the way you deserve, then you won’t hear objections from me."

To the Varian prince, Munir leaned in closer, the easy grin still sitting on his face, though there was suddenly far less warmth behind it. The kind of smile that existed purely to hide teeth.

"Careful now, my friend. You’re holding the single most precious thing in Alidasht in your hands, and men have killed for far less."

His gaze flicked briefly toward his uncle before returning to the prince.

"And unfortunately for you, my dear uncle has noticed. Which means the game stops being romantic and starts becoming dangerous. Fast."

Munir swirled the drink lazily in his hand, utterly calm.

"Now, I don’t take you for a coward. Quite the opposite, actually. I think you’re capable enough to survive what comes next. But survival and understanding are two very different things, prince. I hope you understand exactly what you’ve stepped into."

His voice lowered another degree, smooth as silk and twice as sharp.

"People see me and think I’m reckless. A drunk. A rake. A charming disaster with expensive taste and no discipline. Let them. It keeps them stupid."

Munir’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"But hear me clearly. There is nothing in this world I value above my siblings. Nothing. If she suffers because of your failures, your hesitation, or your stupidity... then whatever becomes of you afterward will be the least tragic part of the story."

Then, just as suddenly, the danger vanished behind that radiant, careless grin once more.

"But hey. No pressure."

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

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-Grand Ball Room-
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-Interaction:@Tae Ranya @princess Dear Uncle Hafiz @Remram Askel @AuthenticTomb Aslam

"Whoa, whoa easy there, little sister. ‘Cast stones’? That’s adorable. I’m not here to judge, I’m here to keep you in one piece. I’ve been burned, badly, and you, of all people, know that. I’m not about to sit back and watch you walk into the same fire. I’d end him if I had to. Don’t look at me like that, you know I would.

Relax, I’m not building you a cage. I’m installing security. Big difference. Emotional chaos? Not on my watch. And spare me the ‘status’ speech, I couldn’t care less. That nonsense doesn’t move the needle for me. You’re my little sister. That’s the headline, the fine print, and everything in between. Your happiness? Non negotiable.

So yeah, I need to know, this prince you’re suddenly starry eyed over… is he actually worth it? I’ll give him this, so far, no red flags. Which, coming from me? Practically a standing ovation. And you know how ruthlessly discerning I can be."

Munir let it all spill out in one rapid fire burst, his thoughts outrunning his filter. The air around them tightened, warmed, her shift in mood practically radiating off her.

Then it flipped again.

Two words from Ranya, and everything clicked. Their uncle. Of course. The shadow behind the throne. The man who circled the light of the Sultan but never quite touched it. Always second. Always watching.

Munir’s gaze slid sideways toward the vizier, sharp and measuring. Then, in their mother tongue, low and smooth:

"Hey, hey. Breathe, little sister. You’re fine. He’s fine. Nobody’s dropping dead at a dance tonight. Uncle’s bold, sure, but he’s not stupid. Making a move here? That’s a death sentence, and he knows it. Your prince? He lives to see the end of the night. And yes, you’ll get that dance you’ve been dying for."

As he murmured to her, calm and steady, he caught Hakim’s eye and gave a subtle flick of his fingers, send Zahra over. No words needed.

"You’re right, by the way. You are the Chosen. Act like it. Pull yourself together, Zahra’s on her way. Have her help you fix your sari and perhaps cover up the doings of that vile man with some makeup or whatever it is you girls do to be radiant all the time. I’ve got this. Come find us when you’re back to being you."

He leaned in, pressed a quick, soft kiss to her forehead, then turned and strode toward Askel, Aslam, and Hafiz.

By the time he reached them, Munir was exactly what they expected, what he always was. Effortless confidence. Bright, magnetic presence. A touch too arrogant, just reckless enough to make it interesting.

Hafiz wouldn’t dare try anything here. Not in the open. Not with eyes everywhere. That alone gave Munir a little extra spark, and he leaned into it.

"Uncle! Always a pleasure, truly. Wishing you outrageous health and even more outrageous success. Brother Aslam, surviving the festivities, I hope? Prince Askel, good to see you."

He’d caught the uncle’s veiled threat on the way in, but chose, very deliberately, to ignore it. Let it hang. Let it rot.

Munir snapped his fingers lightly, summoning a servant with drinks without breaking stride.

"What a night, hm? The proxy of our father, the second most powerful man in Alidasht, my brilliant brother, and of course, our esteemed prince, all under one roof. If that’s not worth celebrating, I don’t know what is."

The servant arrived; Munir plucked a glass of champagne first, easy, casual.

"So, what are we drinking to? The Sultan, obviously. May he reign forever. And may his line continue to do so long after we’re all nothing but stories."

He raised his glass, a glint in his eye, waiting, daring, the others to follow.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

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-Grand Ball Room-
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-Interaction:@Tae Ranya

"Yes. Please excuse us. I promise to return her to more pleasant company shortly. It's as she said, family matters." Munir said to the trio, offering a tense, but still cordial smile.

Ranya had slipped her arm into his, practically dragged him to a shadowed corner in the well-lit ballroom. She beat him to the punch, firing off questions about his motive of approaching her the way he did. The darting of her eyes towards where their uncle may be standing, and surely watching, did not go unnoticed. Munir's own eyes followed, his smiling expression never fading. Returning his attention to his sister, he offered her his replies first. " A ghost? Surely you jest, dear sister. No such malevolent things can exist in your radiance... Munir said, clearly jesting, attempting to mask the churning on his mind.

"I have some questions for you. Never mind about the veil. That is not important right now. First. Let's start by how you spent your time after your arrival from home. After...errr my errr let's call it revival, how did you spend your time before this evening? Did you perhaps partake in some more...jovial activities? Made some new friends, I suppose? Met some locals, have we?

Munir's eyes betrayed his attempt in staying neutral. Darting over towards Askel, then Hafiz, then Nora, then finally back to Ranya.

"Who is he? Who do I need to have a word with? Who do I need to task Hakim with extending an invitation to have tea with? What have you done? To what extent? I must know, dear sister. I just want to know. Munir continued, his pace of speech clearly deviating from his usual. He caught himself, after a moment, allowing his breathing to steady and grip on her wrist to loosen.

His worry was plastered all over his face. There was not a trace of anger, or sadness. Only the care a brother has for his younger sister and the desire to protect. Not that he was ever one to believe due to her status back home that she should be robbed of the chance to experience love...

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

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-Grand Ball Room-
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-Interaction:@ReusableSword Roman @Tae Ranya @AuthenticTomb Sylvia

Munir remained close to the Alidasht table, his attention drifting between a few places in the mean time. Idly, he grabbed at the offering of morsels from his home, or rather the idea of food from Alidasht drawn from memory of someone that has visited once years ago. All in all the food was passable. However, even the most mundane home in rural Alidasht would be able to offer more vibrancy than what was on display. That wasn't the focus of the night, Munir supposed. The night was more a social gathering, than one to critique food and cooking ability.

On that front, a part of his attention was uncouthly snatched from him. Not because of the subject of his focus, of course. It was just how, despite his best efforts to distance himself from wanting to pursue a relationship with someone, or at the very least get to know them on a deeper, more personal level, he finds himself unable to stop wanting to speak with Nora.

Along that same subject still, he looked back at the new friends he just made. Captain Durmand, and Askel for this matter, were off socializing on their own. However. Munir cannot help but notice Askel looking rather intently at his sister. Almost as if...

No. That cannot be. Can it? Are they acquainted? How do they know each other? Where did they meet? That look on Askel's face... One such as Munir knows what it all means.

Infatuation.

Munir needed to know. Placing his now-empty champagne flute down, he started to make his way towards his sister. Ah. Lord Ravenwood is with her. That's fine. That is a familiar face. However, there is another among the trio. No matter. He will greet her politely but not engage much more as his focus is now on asking his sister some questions... He grabbed another flute of champagne and poured the liquid down his throat, without much decorum. His veil became crooked in the process, but he did not much care. He started fumbling with it and just as he reached the trio, he removed the veil and let it fall to the ground. "Lord Ravenwood. It is so very nice to see you. It has been too long. I hope all is well." Turning his attention briefly to one of two ladies among them now, Munir continued " My lady, the pleasure is all mine to have made your acquaintance. I am sure my dear sister is being cordial. On that subject.. Munir turned to face his sister "Dear sister. I have a few questions that may need to be asked in private, if you would spare me a moment of your time?"

Munir is trying his best to preserve Ranya's image in public, and trying to act in accordance of their current surroundings. If this was a private affair, Munir would have pulled Ranya aside, without care who was in their company at the moment, and asked her all the questions that were now firing off in his mind like arrows from archers...

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

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-Grand Ball Room-
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-Interaction:@Remram Askel @CitrusArms Stratya-

"Ah. Indeed. That mantle does look rather heavy. I hadn't voiced my opinion as I thought it was just a formal way of dressing where you're from, captain Durmand." Munir commented as Stratya asked one of her squires to take away her mantle. Wearing a full set of weapons, ceremonial or not, has to be rather cumbersome. This was to be a dance after all. Unless Stratya had intended on attending as event security, which does not seem to be the case as she was literally just mingling with two noblemen, and not standing guard...

The courtiers announced the arrival of several other guests, amongst which was Roman Ravenwood. A man he has met previously, in a time that seemed too long ago. He heard Askel mention knowing Roman as well. Before he could ask how the pair know each other, Askel stated that he was going to take a lap around, to stretch his legs. "Mm. That's a wonderful idea, Askel. This is, after all, a party. And one certainly should not simply stand around at a party. Am I right?" He said, giving Stratya a jovial slap on the shoulder. "I think I will make my way to see if they have made a mockery of the foods and fares of my home. You both have the Shahzade's invite to join me if you so choose." He said to both Stratya and Askel, giving both a small wink followed by a polite bow before turning and making his way to the Alidasht table.

While walking, he hadn't realized that his eyes naturally found their way to Nora. What was she doing? Who would she mingle with? Did she have other family members in attendance? The veil he wore while speaking with Nora has been taken down now. Matter of fact, he does not remember when did it come down.

The refreshment. He just remembered he had excused himself from Nora but told her he would bring her refreshment. His eyes scanned the servers, weaving amongst the guests. Just as he was about to flag one down to take a glass of lemonade, he heard Nora's voice. It sounded... panicked? What could have happened? He then saw his cousin, Amira.

In his mind, he said to himself "Oh dear cousin. Please be nice...."

He, instead, retrieved a flute of champagne and made his way to the Alidasht table, keeping in mind of his promise of refreshment for Nora but still choosing to keep his distance and observe her interaction with his cousin for the time being.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

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-Grand Ball Room-
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-Interaction:@Remram Askel @CitrusArms Stratya-

Striking

Indeed. That is a fine way of putting it. Striking. A part of him wants to walk back towards Nora, and pull her into the spotlight for the world to see. To let her ethereal beauty shine. Another part of him wants to simply exist by her side, to see the world as she does, to experience life alongside her.

Not much more of what was said between Stratya and Askel made it into Munir's mind. Munir's full attention only returned to the pair when Askel turned around and offered another plate of Varian treats. "Beer hall experience, eh? That sounds interesting. Though, I am sure I will be of no match to you, Askel. My palate isn't the most accustomed to beer and ale. But I'm sure the experience would be wonderful either way. In return, if we do make it over to the table of my home country, you two must allow me the same courtesy that you have shown me, and allow me to offer you the tastes of Alidasht." Munir said, voice genuine and inviting.

Upon tasting what Askel had offered, Munir nodded a few times and allowed himself to be immersed in the food for a moment. The sour punch of the fermented cabbage was pleasant to the tongue as an accompaniment to the unctuousness of the sausage. The fats from the meat coating his mouth before being lifted from the sourness of the cabbage. "I see what you mean now, Askel. A cold pint of ale with what is on this plate would be divine. Mead, on the other hand, while divine in it's own right, might be too indulgent even for me. What do you say, captain Durmand?" Munir said, taking another bite and glancing at Nora, and somehow both wishing she would catch his glimpse and for her to not do so...