[center][h3][color=#9D8573]⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆[/color][/h3][/center][center][h2][b][i][color=#9D8573]Hala Sami[/color][/i][/b][/h2][/center][center][h3][color=#9D8573]⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆[/color][/h3][/center][right][color=#9D8573]28 Sola, Night
The Grand Banquet[/color]
[@Helo] [@princess][/right]
[color=#DFC9BA]

Hala stifled yet another yawn behind a bejeweled hand, eyes glazing over as Bey Whatever-His-Name droned on about his hunting exploits. The Grand Banque—crown jewel of Caesonia’s Courting Season? Please. They’d seen more excitement at a meeting of elderly carpet merchants haggling over thread counts. The meal, at least, wasn’t terrible, but these people! Dull as dishwater and twice as tepid.

Adding insult to injury, Hala had been subjected to the revolting spectacle of King Edin at the head table. The man ate like he’d never see food again—a travesty, considering his girth suggested otherwise.

Hala reached for their wine, tempted for the tenth time in as many minutes to make up some crisis to flee. But no. As much as every fiber of their being craved to sashay out of this overwrought display of mediocrity—perhaps knocking over a candelabra on the way out for dramatic effect—they remained seated. The Grand Vizier had requested their presence, and for him, Hala would endure this torture.
 
Besides, there was a six-foot-three, two-hundred-and-five pound reason to stay.

Nadim, ever alert at Hala’s side, perked up his massive head before they registered what had caught the dog’s attention. Just as the cool rim of their glass touched their glossed lips, a familiar voice—a touch too loud and carrying that unmistakable accent—cut through the dull hum of conversation.

[color=red]“Hala?!”[/color]

A slow, satisfied smirk curved their mouth before they took their time finishing that sip, savoring both the fine wine and the moment.

[color=#9D8573]“Not long,”[/color] they replied, setting the glass down with a delicate clink.

They rose to their feet in a fluid motion, careful to shift the warm bundle nestled within their layers of silk aside before finally turning to face Rohit.

[color=#9D8573]“What are you doing sitting down?”[/color] Hala chided, one perfectly arched eyebrow raised in mock offense. [color=#9D8573]“Get up and give me a proper greeting.”[/color]

Rohit complied with that adorable eagerness he’d never outgrown. They clasped hands and drew close, their free hands clapping each other’s shoulders in a half-embrace. Hala hummed their approval and pulled away. [color=#9D8573]“Smells like someone’s been having fun without me.”[/color]

Not to be outdone, Nadim pushed his head between them. His tail wagged with such force his entire back end swayed. The dog’s eyes fixed adoringly on Rohit, clearly expecting his due attention.

Readjusting the bundle of fur to its original place, they retook their seat. The silk rustled softly as they settled, arranging their outfit to fall just so.

[color=#9D8573]“How’s your vacation been so far, Rohit?”[/color] they asked, lips quirked in that particular smile reserved only for old friends. [color=#9D8573]“Found anything worth writing home about, or do I need to rescue you from your boredom as well as mine?”[/color]
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