Again and again and again || Masa&Kali +
principi:
Anumati took in a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. It had been a while since he talked for so long; his body had gotten used to the short and sweet conversations him and his master normally have.
A wide grin made its way back onto the young spiral’s face as he looked up at the imperial guard.
“Yup!” He said cheerfully, popping the ‘P’. “But don’t worry, like I said: all you have to do it keep the easy guys off of Milord while he works his magic.”
The apprentice slowly moved his gaze to the elder dragon, his smile softening. “He means a lot to us all, believe it or not,” the spiral chuckled “And he has a bit of a martyr complex so that tends to make things a bit difficult…” ‘Mati sighed and lifted his hand to rub the back of his neck.
“Well— enough of that boring serious talk, hm? You’re caught up a bit now so your job should be a bit easier. Oh! And I’m sorry about the delay. Someone really should’ve told you this earlier… I guess it was all the excitement of a newcomer in the castle.”
He grinned up at the guard once again, resting his hands on his hips. “And please, feel free to ask me anything. There are tons of books over there,” He lazily waved a hand towards a set of bookshelves filled with books; “You’re welcome to them at anytime. Lord Kali won’t be heading out today so you have to time to sit back and relax; get to know each other, or, at least try too?”
The twilight haired spiral walked towards his teacher, who migrated towards the floor with Hasna in his lap as one hand scratched her chin gently while the other smoothed through her smoky mane and ran through her fur; the trickster purring contently as she soaked up the attention.
“That means you too, Milord! You should quit focusing your attention on Sir Masayoshi’s familiar and actually get aquatinted with Masayoshi.” The youngest spiral raised his voice just to be sure the elder spiral heard, speaking slowly so he’d understand.
“Ah, I was caught…” The immortal thought.
“Y’know if you befriend the familiar’s master you might have a better chance at befriending the familiar itself…” ‘Mati crouched down to whisper into his teacher’s ear.
“…” Khalid was once again reminded of just how smart his apprentice was.
He was also starting to wonder just who the older one was here.
Keep the easy guys off... Then what was the point of him being here? Surely, there were other capable knights even within their own kingdom-- calling upon another kingdom was strange enough, but to receive and keep a captain of the royal guard? ...Then again, it wasn’t as if either of them had ever had a choice-- not when Kou was the one asking him to go. The imperial inhaled slowly; he knew it for fact that his queen would tease him for his grumpiness if she saw him now. Simply put, he’d just have to get the job done as quickly as possible, then never return.
“Forgive me,” he said suddenly, bowing his head to Anumati, his voice quieter, sincere. “I did not mean to hold you so long in conversation. You do not have to oblige me if it troubles you.” Had they been in Noctis, or had he not been a mere guard and nothing more, he would have offered him mint tea, or perhaps a sweeter blend with honey. For all his stern expressions and internal grumbling, he was an attentive with a sweet heart that could not be kept cold, no matter how desperately he tried to lock it all away.
At the apprentice’s suggestion that he and Khalid make each other’s acquaintance, Masayoshi shook his head. “I assure you, it is quite alright. I am naught but a guard; you need not concern yourself with me.” It would be better for both of us like that, he wanted to add, but he refrained. It was already clear to him, anyways, that the spiral had no interest in him-- just his familiar (and though he felt bad for Vita, having to deal with so much attention, he was glad it was not focused on him).
Then, as if the very thought of him had summoned him, the umbra wolf slid out of his shadow, flickering to life and nudging his master’s palm. Held gently in his mouth was a blossom, and one the imperial knew far too well. For a fraction of a second, his eyes widened, but soon enough, the faintest of smiles played at his lips as he knelt down to accept it. He could read whatever contents were in the satchel around Vita’s neck later, but he was sure the flower was for his immediate attention.
...They did know him so well.
He tucked the flower into his hair without a second thought, then schooled his face into one of professionalism once more.
“My apologies for setting you back so far in your work, Lord Khalid, and thank you for the information, Lord Anumati.” Then, with a bow that was clearly intended to dismiss himself from their conversation, he stepped back.
