#espionisms

it is an odd hour into the night. luckily for noi, it seems as if many people have been tired out by the first day ceremonies and gone to rest. therefore, it is simply the perfect time to walk around and get used to the palace. after walking through the gardens and some of the menagerie, he is more excited about the next location, ( which also has nothing to do with his clandestine doings ). unsurprisingly so, it is dawit's hall, somewhere he has heard about many times in his travels from other performers who could not stop singing praises about the halls. noi is unsure if it has to do with the atmosphere that comes when it's crowded with life, or if it has anything to do with the architecture itself. assuming the first of two options, he sets to find out. having stopped at his rooms before walking there, his treasured phin is hung across his frame. while he isn't donning his usual performing attire, it's still one of his nicer robes. a thin, almost sheer, black material that hangs off his shoulders, the long flowy fabric of his trousers, which look akin to a skirt, sweeps the floor as he walks. what he doesn't expect to see as he wanders through the main room is another face — and a much too familiar one at that. his steps cut short, and despite the power he usually has over his expressions, something falters in his gaze, and he isn't sure if he should smile or frown. what are the chances, really? could this be called fate? "alistair." the pause stretches, and only when he has his attention on him that he continues. "what... brings you here? thinking of performing yourself?" teasing, much easier than thinking about everything that's going on in his head. "i could probably put in a good word to the academy for you."

felix has a goal in mind, and when he does — he can be exceedingly stubborn about it. truth be told, he doesn't know if he needs to be this pent up, ready for a negative answer that he will try to convince otherwise. maybe, mariam will be much more amicable to his whims, though he does not have high hopes. he had been told by many people that he would need to behave in ethiopia particularly well — and although what he is going to ask doesn't fall under misbehaving, he still isn't sure. nonetheless, slipping through his own guards situated at the door, the young prince leaves his quarters, heading to his oldest sister's. evading these guards would be a bit more of a challenge, if not the moment they see him, they simply step to the side. there is no need for further convincing to let him in. which is- good. it means she doesn't have any important meetings, or doesn't want to be bothered. maybe this is all a very good sign, as he pushes the door open, and walks inside with a grin. "hermana —" a singsong voice, he plops down on the sofa next to her, pulling his legs underneath himself, leaning against the back of the couch. "how have you been? anything exciting planned for the next few days?" his tone is sweet in a way his sister will be able to read him very easily, though felix does not mind. "i was wondering something... you know what's coming up right? can we go? together?" doesn't know if there are any particular tensions that would prevent them from going, all he knows that he heard it's going to be fun, and well, he wants to go. "please?"

after endless conversations and the trip to the simien mountain trails, anette feels completely spent. although this would be impossible to detect to anyone but the closest to her, the moment she steps inside her private quarters ( which consists of a bedroom, a living room, a study, and a bathroom, which she finds more than sufficient ) , she slumps. the ends of her dress are muddy, the soles of her feet are hurting — and she would be complaining if that wasn't completely against who she is. seeing karolina there, however, puts something very close to a smile on her face, and she walks towards them, whilst reaching up to her own hair to take off one of the hairpieces that's been bugging her all day. "karolina, dear." her voice is soft, unlike the guarded and closed-off tone she had been using all day long. in a way, this feels similar to taking her shoes off after a long day. seeing them again, having to put up fewer pretenses than usual. "how was your day?" she turns the chair next to the beauty table, so it is looking at karolina, instead of the mirror. sitting down on it, continues to take the hairpieces off, those that she can reach easily. "have you visited someplace interesting? met anyone new or old?" when the lady in waiting makes their way towards anette, she leans back, eyes looking up, meeting theirs. and if her guard is lower than she ever lets it be, she knows they won't point it out. "i would love to hear what you did." and she honestly would, even if her stories wouldn't have anything in particular that has to do with useful information, she is still eager to listen.

breakfast has gone considerably well. despite the undeniable tension, and many attempts not to step on any toes, ( at the end of the day, the biggest egos of their time are stuck in the same room ), nabil thinks it all went much nicer than he feared. he even managed to catch up to a few friends he hadn't spoken in a while, and of course, met and had a pleasant conversation with his fair share of royals. from the corner of the room, he sees his friend's face, though with how crowded it is, it becomes difficult to find the right time to approach her in the beginning. it is only when most of the breakfast is done that he walks between the tables, and walks to her side. "queen oriana —" the egyptian prince starts, a genuine, wide smile on his face. they have been writing letters to each other very often, yet there is always something special about meeting one another face to face. "it has been so long since we've seen each other in person." his tone is fonder than he lets on. maybe for the first time this day, there is no need to put a façade of pleasantries on, for it is how he genuinely feels about seeing his dear friend. "how have you been?"