A Duchess in the Desert (Closed)

[AHSCA]

Marcella let out a slight chuckle seeing him be so humble and thankful to her for brining along her kid sister. Well it did turn out to be a great idea after all, even if Gisella was partly responsible for pestering Marcella to come along. "Well, I was glad to bring her along. Little did I know this would be such a fruitful trip for the both of us."

"Yeah, big sis is really great." Gisella agreed

[Kyrenaia]

Marcella let out a slight chuckle seeing him be so humble and thankful to her for brining along her kid sister. Well it did turn out to be a great idea after all, even if Gisella was partly responsible for pestering Marcella to come along. "Well, I was glad to bring her along. Little did I know this would be such a fruitful trip for the both of us."

"Yeah, big sis is really great." Gisella agreed

Mahmut agreed wholeheartedly with Gisella: "That she is."
The look he gave the, his, girl suggested, however, that there was someone, who he thought was even greater. Still, he took in air for a comment, but as he looked in Gisella's beautiful eyes, he could not find the words, blushed.
He looked, for a moment, then two, like a fish gasping for air.
"That is usually the point in time, where you compliment your date.", someone suddenly stage-whispered to the speechless boy, a man with a stubble of a beard, who should be familiar to both guests, although he had appeared as if out of thin air, at his side a young woman with short, blonde hair, ruby-red eyes and in a floor-length, rather conservative dress, who gave Gisella a short wink. He turned to Marcella and let the heels of his ballroom shoes click as he bowed. "Captain Ilia Jamkiya of the Chandschar. We met this morning on the airport... although I believe, that your attention was taken by someone else. Are you enjoying yourself?"
The young woman at his side, thought, that Gisella should still recodnize her, although last time they met, they had both been dressed in very little. It had been in the Little Hammam, after all, but one didn't easly forget a bath-acquaintance like Fadia bint-Dardan - she knew, that Mahmut recognized her, he smiled, after all.

[AHSCA]

Gisella gazed back at Mahmut, no doubt as love-struck as he was. One might expect cartoonish hearts to be emanating from her. Marcella just found them both adorable.

"Ah it's great to see you again." Marcella greeted the couple before her. "

"oh," Gisella lit up "I remember you from the baths earlier." Gisella greeted Fadia "How nice to see you again"

[Kyrenaia]

Gisella gazed back at Mahmut, no doubt as love-struck as he was. One might expect cartoonish hearts to be emanating from her. Marcella just found them both adorable.

"Ah it's great to see you again." Marcella greeted the couple before her. "

"oh," Gisella lit up "I remember you from the baths earlier." Gisella greeted Fadia "How nice to see you again"

The Captain smiled and bowed his head.
"The pleasure is all mine, Marcella-Khana.", he said and rose again, "Especially since you seem fine. One can't be too sure in my business." He gave her a humorous wink, watching Mahmut and Gisella for a moment, then turning back to the girl's older sister. "Now, that is a development none of us predicted. They're cute together, aren't they?"

Fadia, meanwhile, grinned.
"The pleasure is all mine, Gisella.", she said and smiled at the memories of the two of them and Dschamilla, who was escorting Grand Vizier al-Zahir, in the baths and their shared experience in regards of the services of a tellak. She had already seen, that Mahmut was head over heels for her, that he would take down the very stars themselves, if it was within his powers, to gift them to her. Gisella sure was a lucky gal to have a boy loving her this much. She looked at her with a wink, a mischievous smile on her lips. "I hope, he didn't step onto your toes?"

[AHSCA]

The Captain smiled and bowed his head.
"The pleasure is all mine, Marcella-Khana.", he said and rose again, "Especially since you seem fine. One can't be too sure in my business." He gave her a humorous wink, watching Mahmut and Gisella for a moment, then turning back to the girl's older sister. "Now, that is a development none of us predicted. They're cute together, aren't they?"

"Oh they so are" Marcella cooed at the sight of her little sister falling in love. "Oh Gisella is very lucky. Well as am I. But I brought her along to kind of watch and learn a bit last thing I could have predicted she'd find true love. But the Heavens willed it to be so."

Fadia, meanwhile, grinned.
"The pleasure is all mine, Gisella.", she said and smiled at the memories of the two of them and Dschamilla, who was escorting Grand Vizier al-Zahir, in the baths and their shared experience in regards of the services of a tellak. She had already seen, that Mahmut was head over heels for her, that he would take down the very stars themselves, if it was within his powers, to gift them to her. Gisella sure was a lucky gal to have a boy loving her this much. She looked at her with a wink, a mischievous smile on her lips. "I hope, he didn't step onto your toes?"

"Ah no quite the contrary, Mahmut held his own pretty well on the Dance Floor. i'm rather impressed "

[Kyrenaia]

The Captain smiled and bowed his head.
"The pleasure is all mine, Marcella-Khana.", he said and rose again, "Especially since you seem fine. One can't be too sure in my business." He gave her a humorous wink, watching Mahmut and Gisella for a moment, then turning back to the girl's older sister. "Now, that is a development none of us predicted. They're cute together, aren't they?"

"Oh they so are" Marcella cooed at the sight of her little sister falling in love. "Oh Gisella is very lucky. Well as am I. But I brought her along to kind of watch and learn a bit last thing I could have predicted she'd find true love. But the Heavens willed it to be so."

Fadia, meanwhile, grinned.
"The pleasure is all mine, Gisella.", she said and smiled at the memories of the two of them and Dschamilla, who was escorting Grand Vizier al-Zahir, in the baths and their shared experience in regards of the services of a tellak. She had already seen, that Mahmut was head over heels for her, that he would take down the very stars themselves, if it was within his powers, to gift them to her. Gisella sure was a lucky gal to have a boy loving her this much. She looked at her with a wink, a mischievous smile on her lips. "I hope, he didn't step onto your toes?"

"Ah no quite the contrary, Mahmut held his own pretty well on the Dance Floor. i'm rather impressed "

The Captain gave a sad smile.
"Nothing's for certain and nothing's ever so as it seems.", the man of the Chandshar said, then shook his head. "Forgive me, Marcella-Khana, my old mentor taught me that. He was especially sceptical about one true love and love on first sight. Seems he rubbed off on me."
He let a beat pass.
"On to a merrier topic.", he said and nodded, producing a business card, "Of course, I understand, that you can't tell me anything about the UIS' Intelligence Services, it's in their nature, but please know, that just as the Armed Forces will protect your country from obvious threats now, that we will protect you as well." He handed her the business card. "If they ever need to contact the Chandshar, they should use this adress."

"Oh, then he was certainly better then when I danced with him.", Fadia said with a smile, giggling as the young Prince blushed. Fadia explained: "I taught him a few moves, you see, and I nearly got out the armoured boots. It seems, that it paid off!"
"It indeed did.", the young Prince said with a smile and a bow of his head, "So thank you, Fadia-Amira."
"Shush.", she made, still smiling, "Your toes weren't mutilated." She turned to Gisella. "Mind if we swap dance partners later? Captain Jamkija isn't a bad dancer."

[AHSCA]

The Captain gave a sad smile.
"Nothing's for certain and nothing's ever so as it seems.", the man of the Chandshar said, then shook his head. "Forgive me, Marcella-Khana, my old mentor taught me that. He was especially sceptical about one true love and love on first sight. Seems he rubbed off on me."
He let a beat pass.
"On to a merrier topic.", he said and nodded, producing a business card, "Of course, I understand, that you can't tell me anything about the UIS' Intelligence Services, it's in their nature, but please know, that just as the Armed Forces will protect your country from obvious threats now, that we will protect you as well." He handed her the business card. "If they ever need to contact the Chandshar, they should use this adress."

"I understand...But as I have said to quite a few people here...We islanders are all hopeless romantics I guess." She smiled and shrugged slightly then took the card offered. "Ah thank you so much. I'm sure we can trust each other enough with joint intelligence services. Speaking of a bit more, Her Majesty the Sultana did broach with establishing a military instillation. I was hesitant at first but I've given it more thought and I will grant her request. Any nation willing so much to protect us deserves some fine treatment. "

"Oh, then he was certainly better then when I danced with him.", Fadia said with a smile, giggling as the young Prince blushed. Fadia explained: "I taught him a few moves, you see, and I nearly got out the armoured boots. It seems, that it paid off!"
"It indeed did.", the young Prince said with a smile and a bow of his head, "So thank you, Fadia-Amira."
"Shush.", she made, still smiling, "Your toes weren't mutilated." She turned to Gisella. "Mind if we swap dance partners later? Captain Jamkija isn't a bad dancer."

"I'd love to share a Dance with the Captain. Even you, Fadia-Amira. You taught Mahmut and he did great that can only mean you're very talented yourself." Gisella agreed and flattered her and the Captain. "Sure the Captain will be great too. And you well recall I mentioned dancing is one of my passions."

[Kyrenaia]

The Captain gave a sad smile.
"Nothing's for certain and nothing's ever so as it seems.", the man of the Chandshar said, then shook his head. "Forgive me, Marcella-Khana, my old mentor taught me that. He was especially sceptical about one true love and love on first sight. Seems he rubbed off on me."
He let a beat pass.
"On to a merrier topic.", he said and nodded, producing a business card, "Of course, I understand, that you can't tell me anything about the UIS' Intelligence Services, it's in their nature, but please know, that just as the Armed Forces will protect your country from obvious threats now, that we will protect you as well." He handed her the business card. "If they ever need to contact the Chandshar, they should use this adress."

"I understand...But as I have said to quite a few people here...We islanders are all hopeless romantics I guess." She smiled and shrugged slightly then took the card offered. "Ah thank you so much. I'm sure we can trust each other enough with joint intelligence services. Speaking of a bit more, Her Majesty the Sultana did broach with establishing a military instillation. I was hesitant at first but I've given it more thought and I will grant her request. Any nation willing so much to protect us deserves some fine treatment. "

"Oh, then he was certainly better then when I danced with him.", Fadia said with a smile, giggling as the young Prince blushed. Fadia explained: "I taught him a few moves, you see, and I nearly got out the armoured boots. It seems, that it paid off!"
"It indeed did.", the young Prince said with a smile and a bow of his head, "So thank you, Fadia-Amira."
"Shush.", she made, still smiling, "Your toes weren't mutilated." She turned to Gisella. "Mind if we swap dance partners later? Captain Jamkija isn't a bad dancer."

"I'd love to share a Dance with the Captain. Even you, Fadia-Amira. You taught Mahmut and he did great that can only mean you're very talented yourself." Gisella agreed and flattered her and the Captain. "Sure the Captain will be great too. And you well recall I mentioned dancing is one of my passions."

Jamkiya nodded, a tight smile on his lips.
"I have heard about those particular plans already and Crown Prince Ilia will be overjoyed.", he replied with a nod, "When he hears of it, of course. Last I heard, he had to be talked down from sending an aircraft carrier and its battlegroup as a station ship." He even smiled at that. "No, if I know him correctly, the vessel or vessels should arrive next summer. Maybe with the return visit. You'll of course be informed beforehand."
The last was added with a small wink.

"I recall, of course.", Fadia said with a smile and a nod, "I also recall you being a very good dancer at that, so the Captain is in for quite a good dance." She let a beat pass. "I wouldn't call myself very talented... at least not at dancing. Just skilled."
There was a slight red-tinge on her cheeks.

[AHSCA]

Jamkiya nodded, a tight smile on his lips.
"I have heard about those particular plans already and Crown Prince Ilia will be overjoyed.", he replied with a nod, "When he hears of it, of course. Last I heard, he had to be talked down from sending an aircraft carrier and its battlegroup as a station ship." He even smiled at that. "No, if I know him correctly, the vessel or vessels should arrive next summer. Maybe with the return visit. You'll of course be informed beforehand."
The last was added with a small wink.

"Terrific, we'll be as ready as we can. Pending no hard complications things should go smoothly for it."

"I recall, of course.", Fadia said with a smile and a nod, "I also recall you being a very good dancer at that, so the Captain is in for quite a good dance." She let a beat pass. "I wouldn't call myself very talented... at least not at dancing. Just skilled."
There was a slight red-tinge on her cheeks.

"Well wherever your skill lies, it'll be great to see in action!" She winked and smiled and joined up with her next partner.

[Kyrenaia]

Jamkiya nodded, a tight smile on his lips.
"I have heard about those particular plans already and Crown Prince Ilia will be overjoyed.", he replied with a nod, "When he hears of it, of course. Last I heard, he had to be talked down from sending an aircraft carrier and its battlegroup as a station ship." He even smiled at that. "No, if I know him correctly, the vessel or vessels should arrive next summer. Maybe with the return visit. You'll of course be informed beforehand."
The last was added with a small wink.

"Terrific, we'll be as ready as we can. Pending no hard complications things should go smoothly for it."

"I recall, of course.", Fadia said with a smile and a nod, "I also recall you being a very good dancer at that, so the Captain is in for quite a good dance." She let a beat pass. "I wouldn't call myself very talented... at least not at dancing. Just skilled."
There was a slight red-tinge on her cheeks.

"Well wherever your skill lies, it'll be great to see in action!" She winked and smiled and joined up with her next partner.

Jamkiya smiled and bowed his head. "I hope so, too.", he said, "Let's hope, that Kyrenaian strength of arms will not be needed to defend the UIS."
He wanted to continue, but something caught his eye from its corner, namely Gisella joining up with them. He smiled. "Good evening, again, Gisella-Amira. How may I help you?"
"You might help her by giving her the same dance experiences as you granted to me, Captain.", Fadia said from the other side, having arms linked with Mahmut. The two of them looked... natural standing there like that, never mind the differences in height of almost two decimetres (Fadia's 1.75 metres to Mahmut's 1.57), so that quite a few of the girls got jealous. "In the next dance block, of course."
Jamkiya smiled. "So I've been lent out again by my gracious date for the night...", he quipped with a melodramatic sigh, bowed to Gisella and offered his hand for her to take. "I can't say, that I have anything to complain, though, if the tales of your abilities as a dancer are true, Gisella-Amira."

[AHSCA]

Jamkiya smiled and bowed his head. "I hope so, too.", he said, "Let's hope, that Kyrenaian strength of arms will not be needed to defend the UIS."

"I sure hope so. I assure you were a peaceful bunch and maintain our forces for our protection and not to be saber rattlers. I hope we never need to call upon you for something horrible like a war or military action. But it's always nice to have someone to help when nature decides it doesn't want to be nice to us."

"Good evening, again, Gisella-Amira. How may I help you?"
"You might help her by giving her the same dance experiences as you granted to me, Captain.", Fadia said from the other side, having arms linked with Mahmut. The two of them looked... natural standing there like that, never mind the differences in height of almost two decimetres (Fadia's 1.75 metres to Mahmut's 1.57), so that quite a few of the girls got jealous. "In the next dance block, of course."
Jamkiya smiled. "So I've been lent out again by my gracious date for the night...", he quipped with a melodramatic sigh, bowed to Gisella and offered his hand for her to take. "I can't say, that I have anything to complain, though, if the tales of your abilities as a dancer are true, Gisella-Amira."

"Good evening to you" she greeted and allowed Fadia to speak "Well I hope my reputation is true. I'm probably not as skilled as say the finest ballet dancers or free form artists but I've learned to hold my own pretty well."

[Kyrenaia]

Jamkiya smiled and bowed his head. "I hope so, too.", he said, "Let's hope, that Kyrenaian strength of arms will not be needed to defend the UIS."

"I sure hope so. I assure you were a peaceful bunch and maintain our forces for our protection and not to be saber rattlers. I hope we never need to call upon you for something horrible like a war or military action. But it's always nice to have someone to help when nature decides it doesn't want to be nice to us."

"Good evening, again, Gisella-Amira. How may I help you?"
"You might help her by giving her the same dance experiences as you granted to me, Captain.", Fadia said from the other side, having arms linked with Mahmut. The two of them looked... natural standing there like that, never mind the differences in height of almost two decimetres (Fadia's 1.75 metres to Mahmut's 1.57), so that quite a few of the girls got jealous. "In the next dance block, of course."
Jamkiya smiled. "So I've been lent out again by my gracious date for the night...", he quipped with a melodramatic sigh, bowed to Gisella and offered his hand for her to take. "I can't say, that I have anything to complain, though, if the tales of your abilities as a dancer are true, Gisella-Amira."

"Good evening to you" she greeted and allowed Fadia to speak "Well I hope my reputation is true. I'm probably not as skilled as say the finest ballet dancers or free form artists but I've learned to hold my own pretty well."

Jamkiya kissed Gisella's hand softly, breathing a kiss onto it without his lips touching the back of her hand.
"Then I look forward to the Second Block.", he said, a smile gracing his lips as he spoke, "They'll say, that your dancing could only be measured by your beauty and modesty. Granted, you are now a bud, not a blossom, but a rose nonetheless."
Fadia nudged Marcella, leaning over to her to tell a secret, a completely unconcerned Mahmut on her other side. "Don't worry.", she whispered behind her hand, "He says something like that to every girl I lend him to. He's harmless."

[AHSCA]

"My my, you flatter me then. I look forward to sharing a dance with you as well. I still have plenty to learn."

"Oh" Marcella giggled "Seems all the men here are quite charmers. I think they'll be charming all island women sooner than I think." She giggled again.

[Kyrenaia]

"My my, you flatter me then. I look forward to sharing a dance with you as well. I still have plenty to learn."

"Oh" Marcella giggled "Seems all the men here are quite charmers. I think they'll be charming all island women sooner than I think." She giggled again.

"I'll try to be a good student to my tutor, then.", Jamkiya said with a small bow, offering his arm for her to link. "And who knows, maybe I can teach you a move or two as well?"
Fadia shook her head with a giggle of her own, before she turned back to Marcella. "Don't worry, he likes to apply his charms liberally. Many Kyrenaian men are more... suave, is the correct term, I think. Case in point." She nodded to Mahmut, who smiled a bit sheepish. "But seriously, it'll be more like him teaching her, not the other way around. He is a spy, but James Bond is a joke compared to him."
"That, and he has experience in teaching.", Mahmut added with a sheepish smile of his own, "He teaches the Final Year of the TBA each year."

[AHSCA]

She linked her arm with his, "Thank you, and I'll be a good student too." Gisella nodded.

"Ah I suspect even my dear little sister has more to learn. But that's part of her nature, she's a naturally curious person you know she really enjoys learning. Well the men are suave I can only guess how the women are."

[Kyrenaia]

She linked her arm with his, "Thank you, and I'll be a good student too." Gisella nodded.

"Ah I suspect even my dear little sister has more to learn. But that's part of her nature, she's a naturally curious person you know she really enjoys learning. Well the men are suave I can only guess how the women are."

Jamkiya nodded. "It would be my pleasure.", he said and smiled, "We all have a lot to learn still, even an old codger like me, who got the luck of having the most beautiful woman tonight as a date only to be lent to the most beautiful girl tonight." He grinned. "Mahmut is one lucky chap."
His smile got a sad note.

"I believe, that you'll find out soon enough.", Fadia said with a smile and a wink as she looked to the stage, where the band was taking position again. "Block two will begin in a few minutes."
Suddenly, someone behind them cleared his throat, Fadia turning to behold an embarrassed Crown Prince Ilia.
"Marcella-Khana.", he spoke and bowed deeply to his actual date for the evening, "I must ask for your forgiveness... urgent business called me away. It's unforgiveable to have left you, but I hope, that you can find it in yourself."
Fadia noted something in the way of how he said that, his posture, his blush... Crown Prince Ilia was in love.

[AHSCA]

Jamkiya nodded. "It would be my pleasure.", he said and smiled, "We all have a lot to learn still, even an old codger like me, who got the luck of having the most beautiful woman tonight as a date only to be lent to the most beautiful girl tonight." He grinned. "Mahmut is one lucky chap."
His smile got a sad note.

"hehe he is and so am I to have met him! Well it looks like they're about to start again so shall we?"

"I believe, that you'll find out soon enough.", Fadia said with a smile and a wink as she looked to the stage, where the band was taking position again. "Block two will begin in a few minutes."
Suddenly, someone behind them cleared his throat, Fadia turning to behold an embarrassed Crown Prince Ilia.
"Marcella-Khana.", he spoke and bowed deeply to his actual date for the evening, "I must ask for your forgiveness... urgent business called me away. It's unforgiveable to have left you, but I hope, that you can find it in yourself."
Fadia noted something in the way of how he said that, his posture, his blush... Crown Prince Ilia was in love.

"Of course, business often does come before pleasure. Thank you for the evening Your Grace and good luck." Marcella bid him a farewell. "He was nice."

[Kyrenaia]

Jamkiya nodded. "It would be my pleasure.", he said and smiled, "We all have a lot to learn still, even an old codger like me, who got the luck of having the most beautiful woman tonight as a date only to be lent to the most beautiful girl tonight." He grinned. "Mahmut is one lucky chap."
His smile got a sad note.

"hehe he is and so am I to have met him! Well it looks like they're about to start again so shall we?"

"I believe, that you'll find out soon enough.", Fadia said with a smile and a wink as she looked to the stage, where the band was taking position again. "Block two will begin in a few minutes."
Suddenly, someone behind them cleared his throat, Fadia turning to behold an embarrassed Crown Prince Ilia.
"Marcella-Khana.", he spoke and bowed deeply to his actual date for the evening, "I must ask for your forgiveness... urgent business called me away. It's unforgiveable to have left you, but I hope, that you can find it in yourself."
Fadia noted something in the way of how he said that, his posture, his blush... Crown Prince Ilia was in love.

"Of course, business often does come before pleasure. Thank you for the evening Your Grace and good luck." Marcella bid him a farewell. "He was nice."

Jamkiya's smile returned in full force.
"We shall.", he said and led her towards the dance floor, "It'll be a minute or two, though, until the dancing starts again and... ah, would you look at that."
He nodded towards Prince Tarek, with whom Gisella had danced before, who was leading a girl onto the dance floor, arms linked much like he and Gisella had. The only major difference was, that Princess Amina ibn-Adil was blushing in fire-hydrant red, which looked terrible with her dress. The girl a bit younger then Gisella was barely remembered to breathe as Tarek led her forwards.

Ilia bowed his head again, seeing that as his dismissal and spoke to her: "Then I will now return to my duties. Please have fun tonight." And with that, he left the ball room again.
"He was nice.", Marcella commented after his departure.
Fadia had seen his spirits getting crushed in his eyes and gave Marcella a raised eyebrow. Apparently, she had missed his crush - which was just as well. Crown Prince Ilia was Prince Karim and Marcella was not Fadia's older sister, who danced around the former's crush on the latter for the Gods knew how long.
"Indeed, he is.", she said with a nod, knowing that to be true. "Question now is, who will be your dance partner?"

[AHSCA]

Jamkiya's smile returned in full force.
"We shall.", he said and led her towards the dance floor, "It'll be a minute or two, though, until the dancing starts again and... ah, would you look at that."
He nodded towards Prince Tarek, with whom Gisella had danced before, who was leading a girl onto the dance floor, arms linked much like he and Gisella had. The only major difference was, that Princess Amina ibn-Adil was blushing in fire-hydrant red, which looked terrible with her dress. The girl a bit younger then Gisella was barely remembered to breathe as Tarek led her forwards.

"ooh she's cute." Gisella remarked at the Princess mostly because of her dress. "Who is she?"

Fadia had seen his spirits getting crushed in his eyes and gave Marcella a raised eyebrow. Apparently, she had missed his crush - which was just as well. Crown Prince Ilia was Prince Karim and Marcella was not Fadia's older sister, who danced around the former's crush on the latter for the Gods knew how long.
"Indeed, he is.", she said with a nod, knowing that to be true. "Question now is, who will be your dance partner?"

"Perhaps you will share this dance with me?" She offered out her hand to share in a dance with Fadia.

[Kyrenaia]

Jamkiya's smile returned in full force.
"We shall.", he said and led her towards the dance floor, "It'll be a minute or two, though, until the dancing starts again and... ah, would you look at that."
He nodded towards Prince Tarek, with whom Gisella had danced before, who was leading a girl onto the dance floor, arms linked much like he and Gisella had. The only major difference was, that Princess Amina ibn-Adil was blushing in fire-hydrant red, which looked terrible with her dress. The girl a bit younger then Gisella was barely remembered to breathe as Tarek led her forwards.

"ooh she's cute." Gisella remarked at the Princess mostly because of her dress. "Who is she?"

Fadia had seen his spirits getting crushed in his eyes and gave Marcella a raised eyebrow. Apparently, she had missed his crush - which was just as well. Crown Prince Ilia was Prince Karim and Marcella was not Fadia's older sister, who danced around the former's crush on the latter for the Gods knew how long.
"Indeed, he is.", she said with a nod, knowing that to be true. "Question now is, who will be your dance partner?"

"Perhaps you will share this dance with me?" She offered out her hand to share in a dance with Fadia.

"Amina ibn-Adil, the Princess of the Khanate of Jabal.", Jamkiya supplied with a smile, "She indeed is cute with him. Eleven years old and already having her debut... quite unexpected, but on par for her father. I wonder, where Khan Adil is..."
He let a beat pass.
"Young Tarek will be a good dance partner for her.", he said, "You surely can confirm that?"

Fadia blushed, then motioned to her side. "I'd love to, and I will certainly take you up on that offer, but I'm afraid, that I promised this dance to Prince Mahmut.", she said, her words at first a bit sputtered.
Mahmut nodded in confirmation, his face unreadable, but he did move a slight bit closer to her.
"Maybe you could ask my Uncle, the Grand Vizier?", he suggested, Fadia raising an eyebrow, "Granted, it won't be much of a dance, but it would make his evening."

[AHSCA]

"Amina ibn-Adil, the Princess of the Khanate of Jabal.", Jamkiya supplied with a smile, "She indeed is cute with him. Eleven years old and already having her debut... quite unexpected, but on par for her father. I wonder, where Khan Adil is..."
He let a beat pass.
"Young Tarek will be a good dance partner for her.", he said, "You surely can confirm that?"

"yes, he would make a good dance partner for her. If her skills are about the same as his own. i'm sure she'll do fine."

Fadia blushed, then motioned to her side. "I'd love to, and I will certainly take you up on that offer, but I'm afraid, that I promised this dance to Prince Mahmut.", she said, her words at first a bit sputtered.
Mahmut nodded in confirmation, his face unreadable, but he did move a slight bit closer to her.
"Maybe you could ask my Uncle, the Grand Vizier?", he suggested, Fadia raising an eyebrow, "Granted, it won't be much of a dance, but it would make his evening."

"Oh of course, you offered a dance to him you should honor it first. I think I will take up your suggestion and ask him for a dance." Though she was starting to get a little tired she could get in one more at least before meeting up with Aurelia.

[Kyrenaia]

"Amina ibn-Adil, the Princess of the Khanate of Jabal.", Jamkiya supplied with a smile, "She indeed is cute with him. Eleven years old and already having her debut... quite unexpected, but on par for her father. I wonder, where Khan Adil is..."
He let a beat pass.
"Young Tarek will be a good dance partner for her.", he said, "You surely can confirm that?"

"yes, he would make a good dance partner for her. If her skills are about the same as his own. i'm sure she'll do fine."

Fadia blushed, then motioned to her side. "I'd love to, and I will certainly take you up on that offer, but I'm afraid, that I promised this dance to Prince Mahmut.", she said, her words at first a bit sputtered.
Mahmut nodded in confirmation, his face unreadable, but he did move a slight bit closer to her.
"Maybe you could ask my Uncle, the Grand Vizier?", he suggested, Fadia raising an eyebrow, "Granted, it won't be much of a dance, but it would make his evening."

"Oh of course, you offered a dance to him you should honor it first. I think I will take up your suggestion and ask him for a dance." Though she was starting to get a little tired she could get in one more at least before meeting up with Aurelia.

Jamkiya nodded.
"She sure will. Her father raised her well and he's a good boy.", he smiled at Gisella, "A bit like Mahmut, actually, only a bit dreamier. And there'll be enough shippers on deck for the two of them."
He smiled at Gisella, not only meaning her.

Mahmut nodded. "Thank you, Marcella-Khana. He'll be overjoyed."
And with that, Fadia and Mahmut departed, leaving Marcella to find him - and finding him was quite easy, he sat with Princess Dschamilla on a sofa, watching the people, his cane next to him, stroking his long beard. The two of them drank a glass of water each.
He was an old man, older then the Sultana, but his eyes were very much alive, amused by what he saw.
And when Marcella approached him, he stood, Dschamilla did as well, having an eye on the man. He smiled at first the young Kyrenaian Princess, then at the UIS' Duchess. "Good evening, Marcella-Khana. What can an old man like me help you with?", he asked with a small bow of his head.

[AHSCA]

Jamkiya nodded.
"She sure will. Her father raised her well and he's a good boy.", he smiled at Gisella, "A bit like Mahmut, actually, only a bit dreamier. And there'll be enough shippers on deck for the two of them."
He smiled at Gisella, not only meaning her.

The joke was unfortunately lost in Gisella, unaware that shipping was another term of paring people together romantically her mind went to literal shipmen. "Well I guess that's good. Can't be short on crew when it matters. But that's more my sister's area of expertise."

Mahmut nodded. "Thank you, Marcella-Khana. He'll be overjoyed."
And with that, Fadia and Mahmut departed, leaving Marcella to find him - and finding him was quite easy, he sat with Princess Dschamilla on a sofa, watching the people, his cane next to him, stroking his long beard. The two of them drank a glass of water each.
He was an old man, older then the Sultana, but his eyes were very much alive, amused by what he saw.
And when Marcella approached him, he stood, Dschamilla did as well, having an eye on the man. He smiled at first the young Kyrenaian Princess, then at the UIS' Duchess. "Good evening, Marcella-Khana. What can an old man like me help you with?", he asked with a small bow of his head.

"Good evening. I was hoping you might share a dance with me." she bowed and offered out her hand if he would take it.

[Kyrenaia]

Jamkiya nodded.
"She sure will. Her father raised her well and he's a good boy.", he smiled at Gisella, "A bit like Mahmut, actually, only a bit dreamier. And there'll be enough shippers on deck for the two of them."
He smiled at Gisella, not only meaning her.

The joke was unfortunately lost in Gisella, unaware that shipping was another term of paring people together romantically her mind went to literal shipmen. "Well I guess that's good. Can't be short on crew when it matters. But that's more my sister's area of expertise."

Mahmut nodded. "Thank you, Marcella-Khana. He'll be overjoyed."
And with that, Fadia and Mahmut departed, leaving Marcella to find him - and finding him was quite easy, he sat with Princess Dschamilla on a sofa, watching the people, his cane next to him, stroking his long beard. The two of them drank a glass of water each.
He was an old man, older then the Sultana, but his eyes were very much alive, amused by what he saw.
And when Marcella approached him, he stood, Dschamilla did as well, having an eye on the man. He smiled at first the young Kyrenaian Princess, then at the UIS' Duchess. "Good evening, Marcella-Khana. What can an old man like me help you with?", he asked with a small bow of his head.

"Good evening. I was hoping you might share a dance with me." she bowed and offered out her hand if he would take it.

Jamkiya smiled, supressing a giggle.
"Indeed, that's her expertise.", he said, a laugh in his voice. "And I'm sure, that they'd make a good crew as well, given time and experience. I think, though, that Amina is more inclined to the dry shore then to the seas. Jabal is one of Kyrenaia's corn chambers, after all." He sighed. "He, on the other hand... he's most likely already sketching her in his head."

The Grand Vizier was, for a moment, surprised, then his beard moved to indicate a smile.
"I would be honoured, Marcella-Khana, but I have to warn you - I've been a fast and secure dancer when I was of your age!", he said and shrugged, giving his cane to Dschamilla, before offering his arms to Marcella to link it. "Sadly, not much of that is left, but we'll see, what we can scrape together, won't we?"
Not much time was left before the next dance began, but one could see Mahmut by the band, having a few words with them, the conductor and the singer nodding.
The old Grand Vizier, meanwhile, noted how tired Marcella looked.

[AHSCA]

Jamkiya smiled, supressing a giggle.
"Indeed, that's her expertise.", he said, a laugh in his voice. "And I'm sure, that they'd make a good crew as well, given time and experience. I think, though, that Amina is more inclined to the dry shore then to the seas. Jabal is one of Kyrenaia's corn chambers, after all." He sighed. "He, on the other hand... he's most likely already sketching her in his head."

"huh interesting." She nodded along moving to the steps too. "Yeah not everyone is so graceful to take to the seas. My papa he gets really sea sick. My mother and sister are the real mariners of the family. Well my mother not as much but she handles her own on the rough and tumbling oceans. Ah if I'm getting kind of carried just let me know it's so much a part of islander life is sea talk we tend to forget not everyone cares as much"

The Grand Vizier was, for a moment, surprised, then his beard moved to indicate a smile.
"I would be honoured, Marcella-Khana, but I have to warn you - I've been a fast and secure dancer when I was of your age!", he said and shrugged, giving his cane to Dschamilla, before offering his arms to Marcella to link it. "Sadly, not much of that is left, but we'll see, what we can scrape together, won't we?"
Not much time was left before the next dance began, but one could see Mahmut by the band, having a few words with them, the conductor and the singer nodding.
The old Grand Vizier, meanwhile, noted how tired Marcella looked.

"I'm sure you'll do just fine with me. Let's enjoy a nice dance together." She gracefully lead him onto the dance floor to begin.