The atmosphere was tense in the room. Ndidi sat across a small table from Kouha, who looked very interested in the magi. Kouen, Hakuei(who was pleased to see the magi again), and Koumei were also in the room, staring at the two. "It's so exciting to finally meet you!" Kouha finally greets, clapping his hands together.
"I'm sad to say the feelings aren't completely mutual," Ndidi responds curtly. Kouha's lips curl into a smirk. "Judal was right…you do have a bite!" Ndidi snorts and looks around, humming. She nods towards the princess and stares at Kouen. He raises an eyebrow at the magi, but says nothing. Turning back to Kouha, she sighs. "I apologize for my hostility. I don't particularly wish to be here, especially with all that I've heard about this country." She stands up and bows. "I am Ndidi, the 5th magi." She straightens out and smiles softly. "I believe that you have taken quite an interest in me, Prince Kouha." The prince laughs and gets up, hopping over to the magi.
"I have! After Hakuei told me about you and our similar auras, I was intrigued. And to know that you're a magi?" He reaches for her arm and grabs it. "I just had to meet you! Kouen-nii-san, she has eight djinn!" Kouha looks to the eldest brother. "She must be more powerful than you!" The brother hums in thought. "Maybe."
"Kouha, I think Ndidi should rest for now. A lot has happened, and she deserves some rest. I'm sure she'll be willing to talk to you after she's well rested," Hakuei suggests. Kouha pouts, but pulls away. "Alright...you can get her to her room and let her rest," he agrees. Hakuei smiles at the girl and walks out of the room, Ndidi trailing close behind.
"I'm surprised you actually came to us," Hakuei comments once the two were a distance away from the princes. "With all our country's done, I'd think you'd stay back. Where's that boy...Aladdin, was it?"
"I'm surprised I actually came myself. Don't feel flattered. Aladdin is safe wherever he is." Sensing the mood, Hakuei ceases attempts at conversation as they make their way to Ndidi's guest room. "Here we are," Hakuei announces, opening the door to a very nice guest room. Ndidi nods and walks in. "Thank you." She tosses her weapons on the bed and sits down, taking off her arm braces. Hakuei stands in the doorway, watching the magi. "...Ndidi, I don't want to be your enemy," she begins.
"Never assumed you'd want to." The brunette looks up and smiles bitterly at the princess. "I like you Hakuei, I really do. I can tolerate your step-sister and your biological brother, but I'll have to get used to your other brothers, especially the one that wants his obsessive hands on me." The princess nods and walks over. "I understand. This must be very difficult and I can tell you coming here was the last thing on your mind. I'll try to help you get adjusted here. We'll start with your clothes and mannerisms." Ndidi gives an amused grin and raises an eyebrow. "My clothes? What's wrong with my clothes?"
"Nothing! They fit you nicely and would be the normal wear for someone in Sindria...but, here, you may get some scrutiny, especially if you do intend to stay for an extended period of time," Hakuei defends, smiling shyly. Ndidi rolls her eyes and lays on her bed, breathing out hard. "We'll see. Let me take a nap, hm?" Hakuei nods and turns on her heels to walk out. "Rest up. I'll try to keep the boys away, but no promises with Kouen or Kouha." Closing the door behind her, Ndidi was left to her thoughts.
Silence fell in the room as the magi stared at the ceiling wistfully. "Aladdin...are you okay?"
Back in Sindria, SInbad had thrown a country-wide celebration of the victory in the war. But, he was anything but joyous. Putting on a happy facade, he addressed his people, lightning the flames in their hearts. After the celebration had kicked off, the heroes and the generals gathered at the top of the main party area. Everyone's moods were somber at the lost of someone, Aladdin and Ja'far being hit the most.
The women dancing, interesting actors playing out what happened in the dungeon and food and drinks couldn't seem to lift everyone's spirits. Aladdin stared sadly into a burning flame, thinking of his favorite magi guardian. "Aladdin…" Alibaba begins, but can't seem to find the right words to say.
"She said she'd never leave me…" Aladdin whispers, grabbing the blonde's attention. "What?"
"I mean...I knew that she was hiding something, so I sort of knew she would leave, but, not just so suddenly!" The magi looks up at his blonde friend. "Ndidi said she hated the Kou Empire and would never willingly go there!"
"Then she didn't!" Alibaba tries to raise Aladdin's hopes. "If she truly hated the Kou Empire, she would never go there on her own. Maybe that Judal guy got her!"
"No one say him or anyone enter the room!"
"W-well, he's a magi, so-"
"She also left a letter saying that she went on her own will...I know how Ndidi writes." Aladdin sighs and hugs his knees to his chest. "I hope I can see her...I'm sure she has a reason for leaving so suddenly." Alibaba nods and glances at Sinbad, who sat surrounded by his generals. "I feel bad for Ja'far as well. Didn't you say he and Ndidi had something?"
"Yeah. Mr. Ja'far really liked Ndidi...he constantly bought her new clothes when she needed them and he acted like it was his duty to protect her from everything!" Aladdin pouts. "I thought they'd get married!" Alibaba sweatdrops, but says nothing.
"I never got to repay her," Morgiana finally speaks out, grabbing the two boys' attention. "Huh?" Alibaba asks.
"I never got to properly thank her for letting me stay...I never got to repay her and lend my strength to her." The Finalis looks down at her chains, frowning. "I lost a...a friend." The trio of friends sat in silence as they contemplated their fates. They never imagined losing one of their own- it was discouraging. Aladdin forces a smile and stands up. "No use frowning! Let's try to enjoy the party, ne, Morg? Alibaba?"
The next day, the three had their own duties to attend to. With Aladdin, he was with Yamuraiha, who just finished repairing Aladdin's magical turban. As he stared fondly at the turban, a thought occurred to the young magi. "You don't have a Household Vessel, do you, Yam?" She sighs and looks at the magi.
"Magicians and Djinn's Household Vessels don't work well together," she answers, then leans close. "I can create lots of magic with my own two hands, though." Yamuraiha giggles. "Devote yourself to that!" Aladdin nods, smiling up at the woman. "I want to learn more and more about magic!" Another thought pops into his head. "What about the place where you studied magic?" The mage stops, looking away wistfully.
"Magnostadt Academy...up until 10 years ago, I was a student."
In the Kou Empire, that same day, Ndidi had just woken up from her "nap," surprised to find a tray with warm food next to her bedside. Assuming that one of the princes brought it to her though, she decides against ingesting it. Rising, she steps out of the bed and leaves her weapons behind, exiting the room. The guards greet her curtly, and Ndidi greets them back. Looking down the hallways, she realized just how much of a maze the castle was.
"Going somewhere?" Kouen's voice calls out, getting the magi to turn her head. Tensing, she gives a stiff nod. "Hakuei said I was to change my clothing and learn more about the culture of the Kou Empire...could you direct me to her?"
"You haven't eaten," the prince comments. The magi looks back at the untouched tray. "...Yes, I have not. Why?"
"You fear we poisoned it, don't you?" Silence is Kouen's answer, who simply lets out an irritated sigh. "I have no control over what you eat or won't eat-do as you please." He turns around and walks down the direction he came from. Not hearing the magi's footsteps, he looks back. "Are you coming?" Ndidi raises an eyebrow but says nothing, quickly catching up to the prince. They walk in silence to their destination, the tension thicker than butter. That is...until…
"You fear my brother?" Kouen suddenly asks, grabbing the magi's attention. She thinks for a bit. "No..I don't fear your brother, Kouha. He's harmless to me. He just..worries me. I mean, the fact that he has a similar and compatible aura with me, a magi, says a lot. He was determined to find me, someone he's never met before and only knows about through rumors. Your brother amazes me to the point that I have to consider my own safety for a change."
Pleased with the answer, Kouen says nothing more and opens the door to Hakuei's room. The princess greets the two warmly. "Ndidi! I'm glad you took me up on my offer!" Taking this as his cue to leave, Kouen bows stiffly and walks away from the room. The magi closes the door behind her and walks closer to the princess, noticing the array of dresses spread across the room. "What's this?"
"Well, I did tell you that we were going to work to get you accustomed to our kingdom! The first step is looking like one of us. So, I gathered some dresses that I think may fit you, based on what you look like now and when we first met." Ndidi blinks, feeling a sense of deja vu at the situation. It's like when Ja'far would take me to the different shops and show me all the dresses I could have. A panging feeling in her heart makes a frown grow on her face, realizing how much she missed the assassin. Seeing the frown, Hakuei becomes confused. "Do you wish to not do this now?" Realizing she let her emotions slip through, the magi quickly shakes her head.
"No no! Please, I'm fine! I was just thinking...this situation reminds me of when I went to different clothing shops in Balbadd and Sindria with a friend...he always insisted on buying me them, even when I insisted it was unnecessary," she explains, looking down at herself. She stared at Aisha's jewel on her naval, the color reminding her of Ja'far's green Arabian keffiyeh. Oh, the time she took it and wore it around for fun…
"He sounds like a good friend," Hakuei replies, giving a pity smile. "I apologize that you had to leave him behind." Ndidi waves her off, walking to a particular dress. It was light blue and reminded Ndidi of Hakuei's dress, except that it looked more regal-befitting for a queen. "This dress…"
"Oh, that one! I really like that one, and I thought you would too. You would beautiful! And there are some more dresses like that one that I can get if you like it. Try it on!" Nodding, the magi grabs the dress and makes her way behind a room divider to change into the dress. Once she finishes, she's stunned by how lovely she looks in a nearby mirror. "Ndidi? Are you done?" Scurrying out, she leaves from behind the panel and smiles at Hakuei. "I love it!"
"I hope so-you look amazing! Kouha won't be able to look away from you!" Hearing his name, Ndidi's smile immediately falters. "Yes...Kouha." Realizing her mistake, Hakuei quickly changes the subject. "Why don't you take a bath while I go talk to the tailors in the castle about more dresses like these?" Calling for some maids to take care of Ndidi and help carry the dresses back, the princess is gone in a short amount of time, leaving behind the dress Ndidi singled out. Deciding to give into the temptation of bathing, Ndidi follows the maids to the bathing room and strips, stepping into the bath when it is ready. Sighing happily, Ndidi enjoys the feeling of being pampered by the maids. She can tell they're curious by the jewels scattered around her body and are careful not to wash to forcefully around or on the gems.
Once done, the maids help dry her off and slip into the dress. The final problem was Ndidi's hair. The magi took pride in never brushing it after washing it, so it was a tangled mess. By the time Hakuei returned, the maids had barely finished brushing and combing out all of the tangles. Decided to go with a simple braided bun style(seeing as Ndidi wasn't willing to sit much longer to do a more traditional style hair), Hakuei was pleased to see how the magi had changed in a short amount of time. "You look like a regular citizen of the Kou Empire, Ndidi!" She compliments. The magi smiles and plays with her thumbs. "Thank you Hakuei."
"Now, let's-"
"My lady, forgive me for interrupting," A maid squeaks out, poking her head into the room. "Master Ren Kouha has requested the company of Ndidi." The magi raises an eyebrow but says nothing. "We'll talk more later, Hakuei." The princess nods, and the Ndidi leaves to follow the maid to wherever the prince was.
It's the beginning of something new, as our two loved magi go down different paths to fulfil their destiny. What will happen?
*BONUS*
"What's that, Ja'far?" Sinbad asks as he stares at his advisor fingering a dying flower. It was hard to tell it was originally a cherry blossom. "Ndidi's old flower...she gave it to me on the night after the whole commotion with Alibaba and Kassim and thieves." Ja'far smiles bitterly. "That's when I knew she took my heart." Sinbad sighs and walks to his friend, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I know this is hard for you, Ja'far. You've lost a lover. Imagine how Aladdin feels? Dejected and alone, even when he isn't. The one person he truly knew the best is gone in a far away land."
"I was going...I was going to propose. As soon as the war was resolved and we had the celebration, I was going to propose." This surprises Sinbad. "So soon? Ja'far-"
"It's very uncharacteristic of me, Sin. That's what she does to me…" The assassin looks up at his king with a longing feeling in his eyes.
"Ndidi made me feel new."