((collab with [@chukklehed]))

Nikki’s proposed shortcut was indeed shorter, even though Blank didn’t follow quite as fast, needing to keep an eye on where he stepped instead of knowing the safe spots by heart as the young woman clearly did.  Nonetheless, the pair made excellent time to the castle.  However, instead of heading for the training grounds once they were past the wall, she made for the kitchen door.  The head cook, a giant of a man with broad shoulders and nut-brown skin, greeted her moments later.  He had a strong voice, and while he seemed suited to his apron and the dusting of flour on his front, he would likely be no more out of place at a forge.  “Nikki!” he exclaimed, teeth shining white in his dark face.  “What trouble are you up to today?”  The young woman grinned back.  “Nothing much, Delshad~  Gaius is going to see the king!  And I was thinking I could...ah...look in as well.”
“He might not be pleased with that, Nikki,” the large man cautioned.
“True, but he’d have to notice me first,” she replied blithely.  Delshad shook his head.  “Ah, I know it is useless to try to convince you not to try,” he replied, switching his gaze to Blank.  “You poor lad, I have no idea how you keep up with her.  But do try to keep her from getting in too much trouble, yes?”  Amusement glittered in his dark eyes.  “And here, before you go.”  A massive hand held out a small pasty to each of them.  “You in particular need to put more meat on those lanky bones of yours,” the man said to Blank.

Blank smiled sheepishly and gratefully accepted the food. “Thank you, Delshad, I’ll do my best.” He lingered for a moment, uncertain. Delshad handed out extra food like it was going out of style, but Blank always felt a little guilty for taking something he hadn’t worked for. The cook wouldn’t hear it when he tried to pay for it though, so he was at a loss. He did turn to follow Nikki again though, waving one last time to the friendly chef.

By the time he caught up with her, Nikki was almost to the stairs.  She was moving a bit more slowly now, making sure her footfalls were quiet.  “C’mon, if we go to the gallery, we’ll be able to listen in without being seen~” she told him softly, before continuing on.  The few guards were easy to avoid -- this was not her first time slinking about the castle, and inside had far fewer roaming soldiers than out.  She knew their posts, and paths to avoid them.  The gallery itself wasn’t someplace she’d been more than a couple times, mostly because the throne room was primarily for business (or so she believed).  But if Gaius had been summoned, maybe it would be interesting -- he was a knight, after all.  And besides, if she knew what he would be doing, it was likely an opportunity would present itself for a prank.  The teen could already see the irritated set of his shoulders and tilt of his helmet.  She grinned.