Though Staff gave little away, Hastra was plainly both thrown and awed by the fact that Neria had bowed back -- apparently, the status he'd assumed of her didn't match the display. His cheeks flamed red, and he stepped forward, arms out for the boxes.
"Ah, please let me carry those for you!"
Next to her, Kell held his mouth tight, but his eyes were bright, eyebrows raised. Close to a smile, but clamped down on it, actively trying not to let it show.
"I have arms, Hastra," Kell answered, but not harshly, keeping hold of his boxes when the boy offered to take his too, regardless of what Neria did with hers. "Have the King and Queen decided where they would like her to stay?" Kell asked, clearing his throat behind a hand. Hastra blinked, pulled from his fluster to nod.
"... yes! Sorry, we'll take you there right away." Snapping to attention, Hastra turned to lead the way, and Staff brought up the rear. It was a perfectly proper place for a guard, but... Kell's shoulders stiffened as he took up the position, and he looked straight ahead, following Hastra through the hallways.
The ballroom and hall turned quickly to a more intimate set of spaces, though they were no less beautifully decorated, suitably grand. It somewhat resembled Aallotar, though with far more flowers and greenery. Draped fabrics both muffled sounds and gave the cold marble halls more warmth.
The lights were the glow of magic, or candlelight- though the wax on the candles did not drip or melt. When they came near enough to the windows, soft winter sunlight streamed in.
The room was down a hallway with worked wooden doors -- down at the end, one was inscribed with a stylized golden K. The door Hastra opened for them was unmarked -- but the chamber inside was quiet, beautifully appointed with silvery ash furniture, autumn-red draperies and bedclothes. Touches of gold chased themselves into the details. It smelled of fresh linens and, faintly, lilies.
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"Ah, please let me carry those for you!"
Next to her, Kell held his mouth tight, but his eyes were bright, eyebrows raised. Close to a smile, but clamped down on it, actively trying not to let it show.
"I have arms, Hastra," Kell answered, but not harshly, keeping hold of his boxes when the boy offered to take his too, regardless of what Neria did with hers. "Have the King and Queen decided where they would like her to stay?" Kell asked, clearing his throat behind a hand. Hastra blinked, pulled from his fluster to nod.
"... yes! Sorry, we'll take you there right away." Snapping to attention, Hastra turned to lead the way, and Staff brought up the rear. It was a perfectly proper place for a guard, but... Kell's shoulders stiffened as he took up the position, and he looked straight ahead, following Hastra through the hallways.
The ballroom and hall turned quickly to a more intimate set of spaces, though they were no less beautifully decorated, suitably grand. It somewhat resembled Aallotar, though with far more flowers and greenery. Draped fabrics both muffled sounds and gave the cold marble halls more warmth.
The lights were the glow of magic, or candlelight- though the wax on the candles did not drip or melt. When they came near enough to the windows, soft winter sunlight streamed in.
The room was down a hallway with worked wooden doors -- down at the end, one was inscribed with a stylized golden K. The door Hastra opened for them was unmarked -- but the chamber inside was quiet, beautifully appointed with silvery ash furniture, autumn-red draperies and bedclothes. Touches of gold chased themselves into the details. It smelled of fresh linens and, faintly, lilies.