She opened her mouth to complain again, still pouting, when he kissed her. Her pout lingered for a bit, but melted away eventually, replaced by a happy tilt to her lips paired with a hum carrying the same emotion. "I can still be cute without the teasing, hallaski." Amira huffed against his lips, tightening her hold on his shirt.
He chuckled lightly, pulling back only moments later with a stupid grin on his face. “You’re cute when you pout, my lady. But you are correct, you’re always adorable.” He ruffled her hair and winked, suddenly releasing her and moving to his desk. “Now, shall we continue?”
"Right, right. The maps." She nodded, pushing her hair back from her face as she made her way over to stand next to him. "You can do one of tow things. You could choose a map at random, or we could discuss particulars. Things needed and whatnot, so I can find somewhere best for them."
“Particulars would be best. We need a place close by, and somewhere we can attain a large amount of food.” He replied with a soft sigh, bringing his fingers to his own lips with a small smile.
“So that cancels out these ones.” She said, moving aside over half the maps without looking at them. “Leaving us with these. I think I have a map of a cannery in here, and this guy stores up food in case of an apocalypse or something, so he has plenty of non perishables.”
“Non-perishables are good to have.” He replied with a curt nod. This was a much different side of him, serious and authoritative. “How many would you out on a raid team?”
"How many? As in people?" Amira asked, looking up at him for a moment. She was already setting to work sketching the maps, this time only humming bits if she got stuck. "I have never had a team for something like this, at least not a regular team. I joined a group of thieves a few months ago, and helped them break into a stronghold in Turia. Mostly because Turians….do not exactly like my people. It was a bit of a revenge deal, in multiple ways. I guess, maybe five? Keeps it small, more controlled than a large group of people, but enough people in case things with one or two go wrong."
"Yes, people." He replied, smiling at her. "I'm offering a team, the raids usually go better with more than one person." Nordali listened to her speak, his eyes softening. A gentle hand found her head and pushed it towards his own, soft lips pressing against her forehead. He hummed and released her. "Five sounds perfect, my lady."
Instead of fully stepping away, she leaned into his side with a smile, continuing her mapwork and leaning against him. "Then five it is. You know…I think I may have a friend in this area who could be of some help. He was actually on the stronghold break in, you know." She said stronghold as though it wasn't the main hub of operations for the Turian government. "One person raids are what I am used to, but yes, it might work out a bit better with more."
"Feel free to invite him. I wouldn't mind." He let out a soft rumble for her, wrapping an arm around her waist and nuzzling into her neck playfully. "I want to keep everyone who goes safe, especially you, Amira. You don't even have to attend if you feel like just relaxing."
She bit her lip, stiffling the giggle trying to slip past as she attempted to keep working. "No, no, it is going to be fun. And I wish to help, Zar. I am glad you are alright with him coming along, though, because he is one of the few people I trust to have my back during something like this."
Nordali pressed butterfly kisses to the skin where his lips met, trying to bring out the giggle he loved so much. "Anything for my lady to feel comfortable and safe. I'll give him whatever he wants from the raid. Anything that's not too far out there, at least. For one, he can't have you."
"Chrys is-is absolutely fine with his cat and his c-cottage. But he might have some-things he'd be interested in." Amira said, words stuttering as she tried to keep focused and composed. "And he def-definitely doesn't want me, of all things." She couldn't help it, then, setting the pencil down and pressing a hand to her mouth to muffle her giggles. "I am trying to be serious!"
He chuckled lightly, pulling her in for a hug and kissing across her face when she finally broke a little. "Good, because I would love to have you by my side." He hummed, smiling stupidly at her and giggling. "Oh? You are? You can't be serious for long around me, Amira."
She scrunched her face up, other hand resting on his cheek as she laughed. "Well I could at least try, hallaski! It was working, for just a little while, you know." She complained, obviously not at all upset by the turn of events. It was nice, feeling so innocently cared for like this, the warmth from the interaction lighting her up.
"Hmm, your trying will be honored but all fall victim to the good nature of Zar." He teased as he held her close. Nordali wanted to cherish and care for her, it was just in his nature. "And you're going to be receiving a lot of my care and teasings. Now, Amira, are you sure you aren't hungry or anything? We could stop by the tent we store things in and find us our team."
“Prophets, how am I supposed to survive this then.” She joked, pressing a kiss to his chest. “And I am sure. Though, we should get you something to eat, definitely. Let us go assemble our team, after you eat. I have found a place that will make a fine target.”
Nordali released her, but didn’t quite let her get away yet, brushing her hair out of her face. “I am not hungry, but I am worried for you. Please excuse my language but you are rather skinny, my lady.” He poked her side teasingly.
She let out a small noise, squirming away from his finger. “I am not!” She huffed, feigning offense as she crossed her arms under her chest. “I am just…a surviving weight.”
He hugged her from behind and set his chin on her shoulder. “This isn’t surviving weight, love.” He murmured softly, his expression serious and rather concerned. “You need muscle and vitamins and nutrients to live, that’s surviving weight.”
“And I have plenty of those things, when I get the chance to eat.” She said, placing her hands on his arms after a moment. “I am fine, dear. You should not bother yourself worrying about me.”
“I want to worry.” He closed his eyes, leaning his head against hers. “I want to care for you. And one things for sure, if you stay with us here, we’ll make sure you’re well fed and hydrated.”
“You should not feel like you have to worry.” She reiterated, sighing softly. “You should not go out of your way to feed me, and neither should your people. I am capable of fending for myself, you know.”
(Sorry, finals were rough)
“I know, Amira. You are a very strong woman, you are capable of all things in your own, but sometimes it’s alright to let others care for you.” He gently kissed her head and slowly released her from his hug.
((dw!))
"People do not usually want to care for me." She said, moving her hands. One fell to dangle at her side, the other taking his hand before he could fully move away, lifting it and pressing it to her chest, just up where he could feel her pulse, but not low enough for him to essentially be groping her. "I am finding it hard to believe that anyone would, even if you defy that thought every turn."
He splayed his fingers, softening when her heart beat reached his palm and fingertips. He could feel her life force pulsing with the beat of her heart. “I want to. I know you’ll doubt that too, but I wholeheartedly want to care for you.”
She kept her hand there, on top of his, eyes slipping shut as she breathed. This was something big, for her. In her country, things like this were a sign of vulnerability, a showing of trust reserved for the closest friends, family, and lovers. “I….I want to know why. Why me, of all people.”
He was unfamiliar with the full meaning of the expression and action, but he did know it was reserved for those close to Amira’s heart and that touched him. He was close to her.
“Why you? You’ve ignited a spark in me I didn’t know existed. Your beauty is certainly a sight to behold but that beautiful brain of yours far outshines your physical beauty. You’re the most noble and caring of my guild, and much friendlier than any I’ve met. And, you let me vulnerable without taking advantage of it.”
“You say that last thing like that is something astounding.” Amira commented, stepping back to lean against him. “And everything else you say seems so…far fetched. Beautiful is so far off from anything I’ve heard before, and yet you speak the word so surely. And my brain has been the source of many an insult. Someone finding me smart….seems near impossible. And I know I am far from the noblest. You have not seen the things I’ve done for the thrill of it. Yet…here you are.”
“It is astounding.” He remarked. “In my past days I was only befriended because my parents were well known. People only grew close to me for the riches and popularity I could bestow upon them.” He replied, rubbing her back softly as she leaned against him.
“Your beauty is stunning. In my kingdom you’d be very very beautiful, and very popular with the suitors and men of my people. You are brilliant in your own way. I know of no other who uses music to memorize maps, nor any who hold such a tight and close bond with a tiger and be able to understand the creature. And your noble nature comes from your good manners and fine way of speech. It’s quite captivating.”