That morning, Willow had made a point of tucking away a few more blades into the folds of her clothes than she usually did, something giddy bubbling up her throat that left her smiling far, far more than usual. The last time she had been so uplifted was when the queen mother finally released her from the blasted magic inhibitors she and the king had used to curb her escape attempts, but this…this was so different. That first dance class, meeting Thoko–she had never been so charmed before. Usually it was her doing the charming, or trying to be charming, which may have been the far more accurate description, but she was choosing not to acknowledge that–but Thoko was just…
UGH, SHE DIDN’T HAVE THE WORDS! Or too many? Both??? He was so cute, and so pretty, and so handsome, and his voice was hello, and he was so funny, and the way he touched her was like…almost a spiritual experience? Was that weird? That was weird. She was being weird. She clapped her hands over her cheeks a few times, then swore when she realized her hands were now coated in rice powder. She should take that off before she sees him anyway. Or should she? Had he liked the powder? She hadn’t had the chance to ask. Or even think to ask. What was she doingggggg???? She was going to be late!
Makeup hastily wiped off, she quick checked to make sure her handmaids were out of her quarters, then opened a window to push off into the air, the wind nipping playfully at her clothes. He had promised to meet her on the roof over his dorm room, like, actually on the roof, which had made her a little nervous, because, well, squishy pretty boy who could trip and fall to his doom, and it would be all her fault, but he had insisted, and had gotten this really cute determined furrow to his brow…who could say no to that?
God, she was being weird. But she liked it. She’d only ever looked forward to one point in the distant horizon, but now the present just seemed…so fun. So bright. So full of possibilities.
Rushing toward the men’s dormitories in a burst of air, it wasn’t difficult to spot Thoko’s distinct bright hair against the duller colors of the castle rooftop. She beamed, letting the wind drop her light as a feather onto the roof further above him, and sliding down right to his side with a cheerful: "Thoko! You did it!"
Her hand caught his waist, swinging around him to give him a good look up and down. "Those are good colors on you!"
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