Once upon a time...

“I... I- I..” Years and years of situations- of practice and thorough experience had done well to control her bloodthirst and ulterior motives. Animals were sensitive to it, yes, but it only made humans suspicious or not completely bought into the act. Unless the outlaw was just as good as playing a fool, her weaknesses truly did become her strengths. “Yes- No! I mean no... I’m sorry, I really did mean it when I said I want to make it up to you. S-so...” Not for what she did. But what she’ll do. She tried again to meet his single gaze and almost held it for a whole second, it was no use though, she wound up looking away as she reached up and carefully grabbed the sides up his cowl that layed on his shoulders- and curtly pulled it as far over his face as she could before snatch up the ends of his cape. Her hands were a little shaky but she twisted the fabric into a tight knot  and hurriedly swiped the keys from the man’s hip. She knew she didn’t have enjoy weight to her to topple the man so rather than try to knock him with her shoulder she darted around him in a mad dash.

No matter how much she tried to stutter excuse after excuse to conclude the conversation with the noble, the upperclassed man seemed to find a way to pull her back into the conversation. One step back was met with the other taking one forward. It was no good at all, her discomfort and shyness only served to spur the noble on, until a hand slammed between them, making both tactician and blueblood jump.“Prince Ezekiel-”  She didn’t mean to trouble him with her predicament, but the apology fell short when she glanced and caught the perverse gaze of the man dart between her and her liege. If the noble intended to disregard or harm him, she’d be authorized to serve her purpose. But the blueblood merely muttered a ‘Yes, of course, milord. My apologies.’ before taking his leave.“...” A sigh left the petite woman and reluctantly, she turned to the prince, unable to meet his gaze, “I apologize, milord, my unawareness interrupted your evening. Over something so minor too...”

With no duties to preform or tasks to handle, Katarina had been left to mull over her liege’s behavior while patrolling the courtyard of the vast expense of a castle. The structure of the kingdom’s centerpiece was majestic with its arches and heightened ceiling, but fresh air and solitude had done her favors on more than one occasion to clear her mind, this time was no exception. Irises, daffodils, hybrids of flowers she had seen long ago that were weaved together... A sigh escaped her and she reluctantly found her way over to a statue of a strange, yet majestic  depiction of a dragon, and carefully curled her way between its front paws. Dragons are known to be wise, even if it’s just a statue there was a silly hope that it’d rub off on her to work through the dilemma. When he had allowed her out of her card, even with a foggy mind she could remember how dear Emily is to the prince, if it wasn’t how he acted towards her it was certainly the tasks that the tactician had received to fulfill. Time had past though. Nothing stays the same but Katarina had thought for sure that Ezekiel’s affections wouldn’t change and yet he seemed hurt when she called him out for teasing her. Curious yet he hadn’t given her a duty involving his sister either... What happened in her absence?

Just a little further- If she can make it that is, every little word and gesture made her feel like she’ll be swallowed up at any moment, if he was aiming to make her uncomfortable he was succeeding with substantial results. But she’s no fool. despite how she failed to back away the closer the outlaw got. Weaknesses can become strengths if done right. “I- ...uhm..” Her eyes darted everywhere but the man’s own eye- everytime she tried she’d glance away like his stare had been too intense and made her shy away. Her hands clutched around themselves against her chest, the need to shrink making her words quiet and hesitant. “I still feel ashamed for it, s-so I would like to make it up to you, but you’re awfully close...”

“I’ll be fine, I promise. It’s just... maybe I overdid it with training...?”

Now that got her to take a few steps back. He knew how to pry at people that’s for sure and how to make them squirm anyway he wanted them too. But as much as she’s heard about him, she’s never heard of him actually laying his hands on people- just making them uncomfortable. There’s only as much danger as she permits, and that’s because of her imagination. “T-that’s... The people I were raised by, we were orphans trained to murder and steal, but in the end they sent me on a suicide mission as punishment for failing them. If it wasn’t for the mercy of the prince and... -A-ah. I’m... sorry, I’m wasting your time. In short, even if we’re similar but not one in the same, the least I can do is figure this situation out.”

Steel yourself, Katarina. She had to remember why she confronted him in the first place to keep from excusing herself or changing the topic. That face of his wasn’t making it any easier. “My sins weigh heavy on me... I wanted to do it the right way and ask you. If it’s not possible- if you get in trouble for telling me or worse- you can dismiss me.”

Yes, there it is, the piece that people have warned her about. From his posture to his gaze, right down to his words... if she hadn’t known before she might’ve shirked back. Katarina did end up doing so but not as much as she would’ve initially done. “N-no, nothing too troubling, at least I hope it’s not. But it’s about the criminals that are arrested... I’ve observed a few over the past few weeks. I never hear or see them again after they get incarcerated and taken away somewhere else after a period of time... Why?”

“Ah...” That answer alone was enough for her to pin the fact that this was indeed the man- the way he carried himself seemed enjoy toying with people. “I wanted to know because if you were, it’d seem like you would knew this place more than others. And I did want to ask a few questions...”

“A man with one eye and a reputation that precedes him... Is that you?”

cutie