[I nod, arms lifting and crossing over my chest as #Galen makes his request known, his addition of leaving the royal guard unnecessary and I shake my head to inform him of that] #Galen, I grant your wish to name my sister as your mate, after all you have already had a hand in giving me a nephew, but your avocation of the guard is not necessary. You have proven already that you can control both your duties and have a lover. [I smile, lifting a hand to clasp his shoulder] Now…I hear there is a rather gorgeous bird performing tonight. [I grin, as he laughs lightly then apologize for holding me up] I will see you there, won't I? [My brow lifts in question as I take a step away from him, moving towards the exit door of the palace. He nods, stating that he wouldn't miss it] Good. Now, #Danica will be cross if I am late. [Chuckles at the idea of my queen, and the flames that rise in her golden eyes when anger arises, a phenomenon that happens also when she is overcome with desire, or passion, both of which I am certain I will be granted tonight. I give a small wave to #Galen before jogging down the corridor, the soft flooring beneath my feet, dark and almost scaled like the second skin that could ripple across my body at a mere thought, I slip out the door into the dark night. Knowing the Dancers could be celebrating all night long, as they usually do when there is a performance. Though it is my wish to drag the point of tonight's festivities away early so that I might have my queen, my naga, all to myself, selfish as it might be, would you blame me? Tonight's performance was for the dancer's eyes only; I of course was invited though I am no more than a novice myself. I slip inside the covered opening of the Nest. Finding my sister, #Irene, seated on the floor not far from the front. I sink down to the ground beside her, my legs folding beneath me as the shimmering material of my pants pull tight around my thighs. I lean over, pressing a kiss to #Irene's cheek, hearing her mutter, "You're late." I chuckle lowly and slide an arm around her waist, whispering] Your lover kept me. [Her look of surprise and suspiciousness causing a small laugh, before I feel something brush against my leg, a thin black creature begins to slither past, recognizing the markings I scoop up the serpent and begin to tickle the underside with the tips of my fingers. The cobra then shifts to a small boy, giggling in my arms my year old nephew, #Salem snuggles into my chest and pushes at my hands. I settle the boy with jet-black hair and garnet eyes that match mine, as well as his mother, #Irene's, just as #A'isha steps out onto the dais, as leader of the Nest, and #Danica's teacher she announces to the dancers their naga, shooting a small wink in my direction before wondering off the stage just as the object of her announcement appears. My eyes roam over the hawk's thin form, the serpiente dress lose around her body and rather revealing, much more so than the traditional conservative dress of an avian. Her form moves, striking the beginning pose, hands raised before her towards the sky, arms crossed at the wrists, palms facing her. The slow beat of the drum begins, like the quick heartbeat of the avians. I watch my golden goddess begin to move in one of the simpler, but sensual dances grouped as a melos. My gaze meets hers as #Danica's eyes open, the way she holds my gaze, as many do when performing purely for their mate draws me in, growing lost in the movement, and the beat of the drum. How did we come from me sneaking into the Hawks Keep at 16, seeing a 14 year old with long golden hair, and a cut down the side of her face and on her arm, with intent to kill, to avenge my brother Anjay, to this…a hawk as my mate, my lover, and my queen? I am the alistair of the Tuuli Thea, the queen of the avians, the race that took away my father, my brother, my sister, my niece…and so many others of my kind. There is an avian…a hawk no less on the dias in the Nest, and a crow, the captain of the highest avian guard, The Royal Flight, who is also learning from A'isha. That thought passes through my mind as I feel Rei slip in to sit next to me. He was #Danica's best friend, they grew up together and now he is her personal guard. The beat of the drum fades away as the dance comes to an end, the applause begins in appreciation for her performance. #Salem slips from my lap to crawl up into #Irene's, she speaks over the chatter, informing me that she is returning to the palace to put #Salem to bed. I watch her stand, cradling the cobra-boy in her arms and exiting the Nest, #Galen whom I see has slipped in the back holds open the flap and follows her out. My gaze turns back to the front just as #Danica moves through the crowd. I lift myself to my feet and stride over to her. The fans part to make way for me. I sweep the small woman into my arms, deftly planting a lingering a passion-filled kiss to her lips. The good natured group of dancers begins to cheer teasingly; #Danica releases a small laugh as I deepen the kiss, giving them what they are looking for…a show. My hand slips into the golden locks of her hair, feeling the feathers which I know to be the same color as her hair and eyes. Those very same feathers would have put a hesitation in my mind, as well as in my wondering hand, now they do not even cause a flicker of discomfort. I pull back slowly, my hand moving from her waist to slide into hers, intertwining our fingers as I turn to announce to the crowd] I believe my naga and I are going to retire early. [The disappointed sounds pulling a modest grin from #Danica's perfect lips as I pull her from the Nest and back towards the palace]