“I wanted to chat with you for a moment, if you can spare the time,” She spoke, taking a casual seat on the floor across from him, her legs folded beneath her. “I....I tried to chit chat with Agneshka, but she seems a bit-- out of sorts and Matilda seemed far off and exhausted too...She kept falling asleep in her chair. I finally convinced her to just give into sleep and walked her to her bed chamber. Mistress Viollet has retired....Jaysen and the others that work here have all gone to bed....So you're next on my list....So, aren't you excited? I'm so excited I'm jittery and can't even imagine trying to sleep.”
Mallick had been watching her carefully as she had been talking, letting his eyes slowly take in her details.
“I'm excited too,” He said, voice quiet, “It's a lot to take in all at once.”
“Life is about to change,” She replied, eyes wide, “I'm nervous and anxious in a whole different way now. Not the stomach knotting anxiety I felt waiting to find out if I would be chosen...It's very different...It's the good kind of anxiety though.”
“Just what is that I can do for you, Fairuzza?”
He could see her body stiffen a bit as the cold tone of his voice washed over her.
“I….I just wanted to…chat with you, Mallick. It’s been a while since we just talked.” She replied.
“Just talk?” He questioned her, voice soft, “Really? When have you ever indulged in my company simply for lively discussion?”
She smiled at him, “Come now, Mallick. There’s no need for you to be so sharp with me. There have been times when we simply sat together…and talked.”
“Seldom,” he began, carefully shifting in his seat, “Have our rendezvous ever been simply for the sake of idle chit chat, my lady…and you know it.”
Their eyes locked and Fairuzza made it a point to hold his gaze and a long moment of silence passed between them.
Mallick spoke first, “So come out and say what you’re actually here for.”
“You were never much for skirting around a topic, were you?” she stated bluntly.
“No,” Mallick answered plainly, “I’m extremely fond of getting right to the point.”
Fairuzza moved in close to him, to a position where she was kneeling at his feet, and looked up into his eyes. She then placed her hands on his knees.

note: all clothing worn by the dollies is tailored by me.