Work Text:
There was never a day passed on Sumeru streets where you wouldn’t find its lovely, hardworking Archon walking between the mortals. She’d say that she couldn’t do this everyday and she tried hard to make use of her time to see her people and talk to them, asking about their day and inquiring about problems—whilst she would always be available for her people almost anytime everyday, despite everything.
Lesser Lord Kusanali might look small but it didn’t make her less reliable. She would always smile and she would never think less of anybody.
At first, people were pretty much awkward about it. Like, who would dare to even come and talk with her personally? But then the children of Sumeru usually would be familiar with her as though they have been friends with the Archon for longer than anyone else. Then, slowly but surely, the people would be less reserved toward her.
Though, what was the most heart-wrenching for all—for Nilou, especially—was when that small, humble figure came by to the Zubayr Theater for her last stop.
Lesser Lord Kusanali never asked for a special seat or any specific treatment. She would pay for the performance fee if it was a full show, then she would sit anywhere. She would not be amused if anyone offered her a special seat, saying that she wanted to enjoy the performance with everybody. Every time Nilou peeked from backstage to see Lesser Lord Kusanali would be in the audience seat, every time Nilou felt that her confidence to go through the day would shatter. Her mind blanking. It’s not like having Sumeru Archon a bad omen or anything, more like Nilou was a bundle of nerves. How could she not be nervous when the subject of her dance of devotion is watching on the audience seats, so close to the point that Nilou could hear her cheering, clapping, and enjoying the show?
Nilou was aware that Lesser Lord Kusanali was almost there everyday now and becoming the part of recurring audience, but Nilou couldn’t say that she was used to it. She only hoped that she didn’t mess up onstage or flubbed a dance move that would merely add more to her embarrassment pile.
Then, when the show ended and everyone in Zubayr Theater was cleaning up and taking back the props, the curtain separating the dress room and the common room would welcome its guest.
“I’ve come to visit, Nilou.”
Yes, you heard that right, Lesser Lord Kusanali visited Zubayr Theater for the last in her routine every time the Archon was walking around the City and she would visit Nilou personally after each and every time performance ended. The same usual cheers would follow, as the other dancers and performers would swoon over the Lesser Lord Kusanali’s appearance, but they would shy away and give both of them the room.
The Archon would then pull a chair close to Nilou as Nilou started to fidget as she removed her props. Her surreptitious glance should’ve been noticed over the mirror reflection, as Dendro Lord just smiled sweetly when their eyes met.
“U-Umm, Lesser Lord Kusanali?”
“Yes, my dear?” she beamed, and oh, how Nilou found it suddenly hard to breathe.
“If I asked again why you’re here, w-will you be mad?”
“Of course I won’t, after all there’s always a reason behind one’s action, no?” the Archon replied. “I always enjoy your performance, Nilou. I find that my day will be incomplete if I have yet to watch you dance before I retire back to Sanctuary of Surashtana for the night.”
Should she grovel? Should she kneel? Or did she simply say that SHE, out of a lot of people, is actually a long time fan? Nilou’s thoughts continued to race, spiraling to aimless conclusions. As though noticing her silence, Lesser Lord Kusanali only took Nilou’s hand on hers.
“Also you can call me Nahida when we’re alone, you know?”
“I don’t think I can, Lesser Lord Kusanali!” Nilou answered so fast that she nearly bit her tongue. Thankfully, she didn’t. Seeing this, Nahida broke to an amused chuckle.
“See? I think my title is just far too long,” she pointed out. Her sweet smile never ceased. “Call me Nahida.”
Nilou wasn’t at a mercy when Lesser Lord Kusanali looked at her with big, pleading eyes. It is unfair, she wanted to say, but how could she say that to THE Archon who’s always taking her time to visit Nilou?
“Na—Nahi—” Nilou tried, stuttering words, whispering the last bits of Lord of Dendro’s name, as her face grew increasingly red in fluster, almost as red as her hair. The ever-patient Lord waited, squeezing her hand encouragingly. But then Nilou shook her head violently. Likely her head was close to bursting into fumes. “I can’t! I just … can’t!”
“Aww,” Nahida’s shoulders were hunched in clear disappointment, Nilou almost wanted to smack herself for being a coward. “Oh well, there is next time.”
Wait, what did she say, next time!? She would try to tell Nilou to say her name again like this until Nilou could confidently say it!?
Nahida smiled knowingly this time and scooted closer so that their shoulders were touching.
“That being said, I have another reason to be here,” Nahida gingerly crossed their fingers together, a smaller, nimbler hand on Nilou’s bigger palm. “How about we enjoy the night together?”
✧
When they exited Grand Bazaar, the night had far deepened.
The half moon that was concealed by the gray clouds had shown its glory, hanging high on the night sky decorated in its stars. The cool air was crisp and there was no sign of rain or sudden chilling wind. Nilou could discern a faint scent of Padisarah, mingled to the delicious smell coming from homes who were serving their Biryanis.
As the night fell, so were the activities on the bustling Sumeru, as adventurers retired for the night and scholars were taking a breather to the corners of the City of Wisdoms. Only a handful of shops and kiosks were open at that hour, mostly they had hung the ‘CLOSED’ sign or ‘SOLD OUT’ notice, and merely remained there to count the money they got for the day.
There was a tavern or Puspa Cafe which would likely become their stop after going over the market for a bit, though Nilou couldn’t say whether there was much left to sightsee.
Well, that aside, Nilou couldn’t focus anywhere but to their entwined hands as they exited Grand Bazaar then to City’s main street. Nahida had insisted on holding Nilou’s hand, while walking in step with the dancer, earning curious glances here and there and even some of the bystanders started to wave at her and bid them a good night.
“I think we’re too late to shop around,” Nilou tried to break the silence, then again Nahida didn’t seem to mind anything.
“Perhaps, but we can still take our leisure walk around,” Nahida said calmly. She tugged Nilou’s hand so that they would stop a bit around the fork near the Antique Shop. “Is there anything you like when the City is close to sleep around this hour?”
Nilou looked around. As part of the city was quieted, there were more vacant benches to sit, and they could just go near the pier to sit and enjoy the view of the small wharf and perhaps dip their feet near the lotuses growing there. She suddenly felt at a loss of what to do, thinking she was so simple-minded while she was there with the Archon of Dendro.
“Don’t think too hard,” Nahida tugged on Nilou’s arm again, soft smile on her lips. “I’m content with anything you pick.”
“Then, umm …” Nilou heaved a sigh, calm down Nilou, calm down . “How about we chat there on that long bench?”
This time, it was Nahida who was blinking up to her.
“Are you sure?”
Nilou’s cheeks warmed as she exclaimed, “I … really enjoy talking to you, Lesser Lord Kusanali. I—well, I just want to talk normally without being too … too jittery? Ah, I’m sorry, I’m not really good with flowery words.”
“Mhm, it’s okay. You can always conform your unspoken thoughts in action, that’s what I like about you.”
The redhead felt sudden giddiness as though the air was knocked away from her lungs, but she held her ground anyway. She wouldn’t make her beloved Archon to help carry her back if she suddenly faint (in happiness), would she?
And so they retired to the aforementioned bench, away from the prying eyes and the glancing on Zubayr Theater’s common room. It was a peaceful, beautiful night with the most beautiful person in the world. Nilou couldn’t, for once, take her eyes off Nahida as they both leisurely talked about their respective activities, mostly mundane everyday, but Nilou found it magical. Hearing her voice was akin to listening to the wisp of wind rustling the grass, a merry sound, and the way Nahida would appreciate and hold Nilou close were uplifting.
If Nilou had her way with poems and plays like Syeikh, she might have already described this moment in penned letters.
“Nilou? Is something wrong? You’ve been staring.”
How could she not? She wanted to say, but of course, Nilou could only swallow her words, wondering what to say next as a likely proper response. When Nahida cupped on her cheek, brushing the small fingers tenderly against her cool skin, then tucked away stray red hairs behind her ear, Nilou was sure her heartbeat stopped.
The blush on Nahida’s cheeks deepened also, and she held her hand there, ghosting over Nilou’s face, as though wistful. Then as she retracted her hand and Nilou felt that she missed the touch, Nahida would crack in happy laughter, like she had found her treasure.
“Fufu, you’re so cute when you stare at me like that.”
“L-Lesser Lord Kusanali! Please stop teasing me!”
“Like I said, I don’t mind anything about you, you don’t need to stay guarded when around me,” Nahida added. “Or maybe you’re tired from all the dancing? I can borrow my lap if you want to rest.”
Nilou was sure that she was losing it, and quickly morphed to shaking her head furiously as she was red to her ear and the part of her neck for merely thinking of it. Nahida finally toned down on teasing after that, though she would entwine their fingers together again as their aimless talk returned to fill the silence.
Unlike at first Nilou would reject the idea of having Dendro Archon as her audience because of stage fright and feeling unprepared, they were now pretty much spending a small time like this together at the night after the performance. Nilou wasn’t sure of it at first, and Nahida was content to hang around the Zubayr Theater’s backstage, and now they were already walking together outside the Grand Bazaar, doing slight window shopping, and sharing openly like they have known each other for longer.
“Next time, maybe we shall go outside the City. Perhaps Port Ormos, or to the Desert, if you wish?” Nahida clued.
“I don’t mind if we go wherever,” Nilou agreed. “But well, maybe it’s best not to stray too far? I-I mean, I think everyone will look out for you if we’re away?”
“Please don’t mind about that,” Nahida interjected, reassuring her. “I had long wished to see the world better. I think you’d give me a fresh perspective.”
Nilou wet her lips, suddenly bashful, “R-Really? I don’t think I’m smart enough like any Akademiya scholars …”
“Oh, Nilou. There you go again,” the Archon sighed. She looked squarely into Nilou's eyes. “You do understand that there are a lot of ways to learn. I, too, wanted to know about people better—I want to know about you better.”
The bell rang from afar, it was one of signs that the night was stretching far and Nahida should go back to her Sanctuary. Nilou caught a glimpse of sadness upon Nahida’s expression, but then she looked back with satisfaction written all over her face.
“Well now, sadly we must part.”
Nahida said, she then planted a fleeting kiss to Nilou’s fingertips before she stood from the bench and bid her good night.
“I hope you’ll be prepared for our next day when I can make myself available.”
And, only when the Lesser Lord Kusanali disappeared from Nilou’s sight, Nilou was made painfully aware that they were on a date. The fact that Nahida would look forward to another one didn’t calm her racing heart either.
Oh, Archons.