[center][h1][color=#4DD0E1]Kira[/color] [color=lightgray]&[/color] [color=904342]Nahir[/color][/h1]
[color=red][b]FLASHBACK![/b][/color][/center]
[hr][color=lightgray]

Thankfully, her body felt back to its usual state. No tremor in her hands nor a heavy weight on her legs and back. So they had all agreed to spend the morning by the shore, a blend of playful and leisurely activities planned. While Suhasani and Minha were eager to take a dip in the waters, Nahir and Ece had other priorities. They intended to relax, keeping their skin sun-kissed and radiant. After all, they wouldn’t want to start resembling the pale Varian nobility, especially those from up north.

Their setup was impeccable—lounging chairs laid out, soft towels draped over them, a large parasol casting cool shade, and a personal mini-bar standing ready. Ece, ever the enthusiast, made a beeline for the bar, expertly mixing drinks: arak, vodka, lime juice, ginger syrup, and ginger ale over ice. Minha and Suhasani accepted their beverages with eager smiles, almost running toward the water, while Nahir reclined luxuriously in her chair.

Nahir's lips pressed together in a tiny smile as her friends squealed at the cold touch of the sea. Their hesitation gave way to giggles as, slowly but surely, they waded deeper, their laughter mingling with the crashing of waves as they sipped their drinks in delight.

Nahir’s eyes subtly drifted across the beach, catching a glimpse of a familiar figure. [color=904342]“Ece, will you prepare another drink, please?”[/color] Nahir asked, her voice calm yet soft, and Ece obliged without protest or inquiry.

She recognized Kira Lockhart, laying not far from their setup. Her golden eyes lingered for a moment, tracing the graceful lines of Kira’s legs up to her face. The sight was eye-catching, but Nahir kept her expression carefully neutral, only the faintest hint of intrigue flickering in her gaze. 

Ece handed her the drink, and with a gracious nod, Nahir stood, her sheer muslin robe shimmering in the sunlight. The fabric moved fluidly with her steps, and though it revealed just a touch of her golden-kissed skin, it remained modest enough to leave the imagination wondering. Every movement was deliberate, measured, as though she were fully aware of the balance she had to strike between allure and propriety. They were in the public after all. 

[color=904342]"Kira Lockhart, was it?"[/color] Nahir’s voice was smooth as silk, carrying a subtle edge of playfulness. She stood above the woman, one hip slightly cocked, her posture relaxed but deliberate. A small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she looked down, golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. [color=904342]"May I join you?"[/color] she asked, though it was more a formality than a question. [color=904342]"You ran off before we could finish our conversation last time."[/color]

Kira sprawled out on a beach chair with an umbrella over her. Dosed in shadow, her hat was wide and blocking any sunlight, and sunglasses hung loosely on her face. There was a towel beside her and a picnic basket. A book laid beside her, the pages open, but her focus was not there. In front of her, the waves crashed and lurched forward, tempting the laughing kids to come play. Above her the sun shined brightly; almost [i]too[/i] brightly. She glanced up at the sun as if to curse it for being so prominent. With a sigh, she turned back to her book. It was not often she had time to herself; she wasn’t sure why, but she wasn’t complaining. 


She glanced down at her book, ready to immerse herself into someone else’s drama, when a voice interrupted. At first, she couldn’t believe it. Was this the Shashzadi Nahir? Kira glanced up and lowered her sunglasses with both intrigue, shock and amusement. “Shehzadi Nahir, what an honor,” she replied smoothly and moved to sit on the towel so Nahir could enjoy the chair. As she moved, her coverup slid down slightly and revealed more than she had possibly intended. 

[color=#4DD0E1]“You certainly may, Shehzadi.[/color] She paused, then grinned as her response became more playful. [color=#4DD0E1]“Ah, but the delightful cheese restaurant beckoned me. Tisn’t often we dine on the royal’s dollar.”[/color] She retorted with a grin and settled onto the towel. She crossed her legs and glanced over at the obvious setup meant for Nahir then back at her. Kira’s topaz eyes met her golden ones and amusement sparkled inside them. [color=#4DD0E1]“My setup doesn’t match yours, but I do hope you will find it comfortable.”[/color]


Nahir’s lip twitched into a smirk as she settled into the chair without complaint, extending the extra drink toward Kira, her golden gaze fixed on her subtle interest. Once the other woman took the drink, her smirk turned into a more genuine smile. [color=904342]“Even cheese would be appetizing coming from a royal’s purse,”[/color] she murmured, a hint of teasing in her voice.

Kira smirked and nodded in agreement. [color=#4DD0E1]“That I cannot deny; the cheese is delicious here.”[/color]


Taking a sip, she let the taste linger before slowly licking her lips, her golden eyes still locked on Kira’s. She leaned back, one arm draped casually over the chair, her muslin robe lazily slipping off her shoulder, revealing a sliver of sun-kissed skin beneath.


[color=904342]"Still,"[/color] she added, her tone teasing and amusing, [color=904342]"I’d like to think my company could rival even the finest of cheese. Perhaps you’ll agree by the time we finish this drink."[/color]


Kira watched the woman lounging in her chair with amusement and curiosity. She leaned back on her towel and turned her full attention to the woman beside her. The way the sun reflected off her sun-kissed skin… She looked away for a moment, not betraying her inner thoughts. She took a sip of her drink and savoured the flavor with a satisfied sigh. 


[color=#4DD0E1]“Oh, Shehzadi Nahir, I would bet on it.”[/color] She replied with a hint of a purr. She glanced over at the other beachgoers who immediately turned away once she indicated she was going to look over. [color=#4DD0E1]“And I think you might have a beach of admirers begging for the same opportunity,”[/color] Her voice became playful now. [color=#4DD0E1]“I hope [i]my[/i] company will rival theirs as well.”[/color]


Nahir’s smirk deepened as she raised her glass in silent toast, golden eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. [color=904342]“Admirers are fleeting, Kira. They see gold and mistake it for treasure,”[/color] she said, sweet and smooth, just like butter, as Kira had sounded in their first meeting. [color=904342]“True value, however, must be earned.” [/color]


She leaned forward slightly, her robe slipping just enough to draw attention to the curve of her collarbone, enjoying how the other woman looked at her. [color=904342]“So,”[/color] she added, her tone teasing with an edge, [color=904342]“how confident are you that [i]your[/i] company could outshine theirs?”[/color] Part of her wanted to giggle, but giggling was for girls and not women lounging on the beach with a beauty next to her, daring her to a challenge from which both would not be able to back down. 


Kira grinned when she noticed the amusement in Nahir’s eyes. She didn’t show she noticed, but the amusement glistened over her expression. [color=#4DD0E1]“Truer words have never been spoken,”[/color] she agreed in the same tone as earlier and Nahir’s. 


Kira couldn’t help but notice Shehzadi's movements, but pretended not to notice. Kira allowed her eyes to move over the woman’s bronze skin. All the Alidasht were beautiful, but this one in particular held an edge. Kira smirked and leaned back in her towel just enough for her coverup to slip down towards her chest to reveal a dark swimsuit. 


Kira couldn’t help but notice Shehzadi's movements, but pretended not to notice. Kira allowed her eyes to move over the woman’s bronze skin. All the Alidasht were beautiful, but this one in particular held an edge. Kira smirked and leaned back in her towel just enough for her coverup to slip down towards her chest to reveal a dark swimsuit. 


[color=#4DD0E1]“Oh, Shehzadi, I am very confident,”[/color] She paused, composed herself, and replied. [color=#4DD0E1]“I’m irresistible,”[/color] She winked at her and sipped her drink to stop her from laughing. 


[color=904342]“Confident and irresistible, are you?”[/color] Nahir’s smirk settled into something softer. She stared at the woman for a second, watching her lips as she drank. She had to press the tips of her fingers against her lips to stop the thought of another giggle.


Nahir reveled in the attention. The boldness of Kira’s words, the way her gaze occasionally flickered downward, only to snap back up. This was fun. A game she fully enjoyed. And yet, despite the attention, the faintest twinge of something dark and familiar churned deep within her—a quiet reminder of something she dared not name.


[color=904342]“I’d be most disappointed if your company ever proved… underwhelming.”[/color] Nahir’s voice dipped into a soft hum as she set her empty glass aside. She stood, the sheer fabric of her robe shifting around her like a whisper in the breeze, and placed a hand on her hip. 

[color=904342]“Tell me, Kira,”[/color] she said, her smirk returning to her features, [color=904342]“are you content to hide here in the shade all day, or will you join me in the water? I am curious to see if that confidence of yours extends beyond words.”[/color]


Kira watched as the woman struggled not to giggle. Truth be told, she was struggling too. It would be unladylike or mature of her, so she resisted the temptation. Years of training under the Iron Wolves assisted her in the process. She enjoyed the game they played, and would be sorry to see it end eventually. 


When the Shazadi stood up, Kira’s chest tightened briefly, and her breathing temporarily hitched. Beautiful as the suns of Alidasht, this woman. She was silent for the briefest moment–she dared not let her feelings or thoughts betray her. Then a grin spread across her face and she stood up. Kira removed the coverup slowly with a smirk. Her necklace made a soft thud against her chest when she removed the layer. [color=#4DD0E1]”I am content in the shade or the sun, Shehzadi.”[/color] She stepped out and gestured to the ocean. [color=#4DD0E1]”Shall I escort you, Shehzadi?”[/color] Kira held out an arm to her, a playful invitation. 


The deliberate removal of the coverup, the confident posture—everything about Kira was bold, and Nahir couldn’t help but admire the audacity of the woman. [color=904342]“You are full of surprises, aren’t you?”[/color] She teased, tilting her head slightly. Her smile deepened as her eyes flicked to Kira’s arm, then back to her face. 


[color=904342]“I see this gallant effort isn’t something you offer to just anyone. How flattering.”[/color] Nahir accepted the held out arm, her fingers brushing past Kira’s warm skin as she settled her hand there. 


Kira smirked at her and proudly led her to the ocean water. People moved away once they saw them approaching, which caused her to almost choke on laughter. 

The Sorian summer sun cast its golden light across the shoreline as Nahir and Kira waded into the waters. Waves lapped gently at the legs, and their laughter mingled with the distant calls of seabirds. Nahir, ever poised, seemed to move with the rhythm of the sea itself, her movements graceful and deliberate. Kira, in contrast, exuded bolder energy, splashing playfully at the Shehzadi in a way that coaxed a rare laugh from her. Kira’s laughter was contagious as well. There was a strain to her movement and voice, but she didn’t let it show. 


After some time in the water, Nahir gestured for them to return to her setup. Her ladies-in-waiting were already there, perched elegantly beneath the shade of the parasol. Minha and Suhasani greeted Kira with warm smiles, their light banter suggesting they had already decided they liked her. Ece, on the other hand, remained more reserved, her eyes assessing Kira with a cool edge. Still, she was nothing short of polite, offering the guest a drink.


The group enjoyed tea together, their conversation flowing as smoothly as the spiced-infused brew in their cups. Nahir steered the dialogue with her usual charm, easily navigating between lighthearted topics and subtle teasings directed at Kira. The camaraderie, thought brief, was palpable. When it came time to part ways, Nahir stood gracefully, her golden gaze lingering on Kira for just a moment longer than necessary. With a soft smile, she bid her farewell. “Until next time, Kira,” she said, the words carrying the weight of a promise. 


[color=#4DD0E1]”Until next time, Shehzadi.”[/color] Kira purred back with a grin. The gaze upon her caused a tingling in her spine she wasn’t used to. She held the gaze for a moment as well and then waved goodbye. 


She returned to her beach setup and lounged back in her chair. Kira ignored the people staring at her and gazed into the ocean. She clutched her necklace and stared into the ocean. Her heart was hammering and a rare, genuine grin spread across her face.[/color]