After several hours of working with Yamuraiha about when she obtained her monthly cycles, how many years she had been getting them, and how many years she recalled enslavement, Yamuraiha managed to successfully determine Marina's age. As the two women walked into Sinbad's study, Yamuraiha smiled at the inquisitive faces, and the rather blank one that Masrur always had. Marina moved over to stand next to him, as was her norm.
"Well, based off of my calculations, Marina is 19 years old. She was born in the mid- summer season." She said cheerfully, smiling at Sinbad's relieved expression, and Ja'far's nod.
"Ah, good. Thank you Yamuraiha." Ja'far replied regally, giving her a small smile.
"Well then, young lady, we'll need to set you up a birthday celebration!" Sinbad said, standing up and smiling, more than happy to organize a party. Marina looked up slight surprise.
"Please nothing huge, Sinbad." She said, her voice quiet and shy. He smiled back at her, and left, purple ponytail swishing happily behind him.
Masrur looked down at the young fanalis next to him, not surprised that she was about 3 years younger than him. He looked up and out the window, and thought that a nap sounded good, and headed out the door. Marina silently followed him, knowing that he was going to either train, or nap. Both sounded very good to her.
Sure enough, he did go find a shady, but warm, forest clearing and lay down, settling down for a nap. She curled up next to him, closing her eyes and bathing in the warm sun, sighing in contentment. She loved napping with him.
A few days later, Sinbad called them all together late in the afternoon, and the celebrations began. Marina went around, accepting birthday wishes and giving small thanks and smiles in return. She graciously put up with Pisti's hug and returned Spartos's grave nod, turning and dodging Sinbad's hug swiftly.
Eventually, she made it over to where he was sitting, accepting the plate of food he passed to her as she sat on his lap. Wordlessly, they ate and watched as the partygoers danced, laughed, and just generally had a good time. Masrur sat back contentedly and munched on a piece of fruit, and watched as Sharrkan wrestled with Yamuraiha about something or another.
Sinbad clapped his hands, and they quieted, looking at him.
"Well, as you know, we are all here to celebrate this young lady's birthday! Happy day Marina! Enjoy the celebration!" He grinned at her, his earrings glittering in the light. She smiled softly back, nodding slightly.
"I will. Thank you Sinbad." Masrur watched as she looked over the food left on her plate, wondering what to eat next. Her fine jawline contrasted to the sharp angle of her haircut, and he noticed the small silver hoops glittering in her ears, a gift from Sinbad from a year ago. The reason had been that every young lady needs some source of jewelry. Even he had admired the small and tactical choice that his king had made, knowing that he tended to lean toward heavy and extravagant jewelry. Later, Sinbad had admitted that Ja'Far had helped with the choice, earning a smug smile from the advisor.
He looked over, noticing that a small vase of freshly picked flowers was on the small table next to the seat he was sitting on, and he plucked a bright orange one from the bunch. Delicately, he brushed her hair back from her ear and tucked the flower behind her ear, receiving a small blush and wide eyes of shock as she looked at him, awestruck.
Masrur reached into his only pocket in his sash, retrieving a small box, and carefully handing it to her. Wordlessly, she took it, just as gently as he had. Carefully, as to not crush the box, the lifted the lid, red eyes widening at the contents. He just watched, eyeing her bright eyes at the gift.
Her fingers traced over the fine carving of the silver phoenix laying in the box, attached to a leather chain.
"A firebird that rises from its own ashes?" she asked, her dark red eyes wondering and warm.
He raised an eyebrow, replying, "I thought it appropriate." He was referring to how she had risen from the ashes that had been her former self, her slave self. Her red eyes widened at the meaning, and she lifted the beautiful necklace from the box, setting the container aside. Masrur glanced around, noticing that Sharrkan, Yamuraiha, Spartos and Sinbad were watching in awe at the quiet exchange.
Marina knew better than to ask him to fasten the clasp for her, and she quietly hooked the necklace around her neck, rearranging her hair back once she had done so.
"Thank you Masrur." She gave him a tight hug, her small body pressed into his cloth covered chest. He had chosen to not wear his armor to the party. He hugged her back, his strong arms holding her close, his red eyes closing in contentment as he breathed in her presence.
"You're welcome." She could feel the deep baritone rumble up through his chest. She smiled into his shoulder, knowing no one would see. She could feel the smiling eyes of the audience on them, but she didn't care. Marina was more than content to stay there, and from the feel of it, so was Masrur.