Francisco was very impressed with the Palace.
"It's very, very big. Not even the house at Dzonot is as big as this."he said, looking around. "I guess it must seem kind of dinky after living in such a place."
"Well, I do seem to find small rooms very uncomfortable. I've gotten used to having a lot of space. I hate small room."
"So you must like negative space."
"I guess you could say that, though that seems to sound very…bad. Negative space."
"Well, you know, space that is just…that, space. Not taken up by objects, Princess."
"You don't have to call me Princess."
"But that is, after all, what you are. Isn't it? A princess?"
"So?"
"So I guess I have to call you by that. Otherwise, wouldn't it be disrespectful?"
"Not if I tell you not to call me that."
"Even if you did, I would still call you Princess. Even if it is just to infuriate you."
"If you like to make me mad, maybe this was a bad idea. Off my mare, now. Off."
"Why shouldn't I infuriate you?"
"Because I don't like to be mad."
"Well, then I guess you're going to have to start liking it."
"Oh, no, I won't."
"Yes, you will."
"What makes you think I will? If I'm a princess, then you have to do as a say."
"As you wish, Princess."
"Then stop calling me princess."
"Maybe."
"You are so annoying."
"I should hope so. Now, have you ever taken the time to count all those steps?"he asked, looking at the stairs leading to the main entrance.
"No. I never thought of counting them."
"They look like plenty. You don't think they near a hundred."
"I wouldn't have the slightest idea."
They climbed off, and Aida tossed the reins to a small boy who came and took the mare away to the stables. Francisco began to smooth his hair and his clothes, as they began to climb the stairs.
"Now, how should I refer to the sultan? By name, just like you? Or your majesty?"
"I should think you should start by your majesty."
"Very well. And so I bow? I do want to get everything perfect, you know."
"Yes. Maybe you should bow."
They walked inside to find Iago carrying more than twice his weight in clean towels.
"Now that's a cute little bird. Polly want a…"
"Don't start that. He hates it."Aida told Francisco. "His name is Iago."
"Iago."
"I'm guessing he's running an errand. Which is something strange, because I would have thought Genie wouldn't have let him out of his sight, after the last time he escaped."
"He is keeping an eye on me."said Iago, showing her a small chain that lead toward wherever Iago was going.
"Why is he chained?"
"Genie doesn't want to risk him escaping again, I guess."
"Genie?"
"Yes. We have a genie."
"Oh, and what have you wished for?"
"I didn't wish for anything. It was Aladdin who made the wishes."
"All three of them?"
"Well, yes, of course. It was his genie, you know. But now he's free, and he lives here. He's crazy about Aladdin. They're great friends."
"Friends with a genie. I think I made the right choice in coming to Agrabah. Or did I come because it was the biggest city in the Seven Deserts?"
"I don't know. Maybe."
"Or maybe it was fore-told."
"I don't think I believe in fortune-telling."Aida lied.
"I don't think I believe in that, either. However, sometimes, I think I do."
"Can't you say something definite?"
"Like."
"Like whether or not you believe."
"No, because I don't believe in it, and I do."
Aida shook her head.
"Come on, I'll take you to meet my father."
"The discarded sultan?"
"Hey!"
"I was only joking. I wouldn't be disrespectful to your father. I would never be disrespectful to my elders."
"That's good. That's something my aunt would like. She's always saying people need to learn to respect their elders."
"Yes. I'd probably get along very well with your aunt, then, I guess."
"It would be a miracle if you would."
"Why a miracle?"
"She's one of the most unpleasant people in the world."
"You mean, like, an old busybody?"
"Yes. Exactly like that. She criticizes everybody. She thinks she's better than everyone."
Aida presented her father to Francisco.
"Oh, but what a delightful young man."he said, as Francisco told him about Yucatan, and his life there.
"Yes, I've never been there, myself. But I daresay that my sister has. She's always traveling. She enjoys it so much."
"Hmm. Maybe. But you should go there yourself sometimes. It is the most marvelous place."
"I might just go."
She introduced him to Aladdin, Jasmine and Cazeem. Genie also excused Abu, Iago, and Carpet for a few minutes, to greet Aida's guest.
"Just how I thought a Genie would look. As for the Carpet, what an exotic design, and the monkey, well, I've never seen a monkey up close. So what is your father's profession, Your Highness? I don't suppose he was a sultan, was he?"he asked Aladdin.
"Um…"
"Well, you know, just a regular person."Aida put in quickly. "Why don't you stay for lunch?"
"I would love that."
"Yes, we need to get everyone back to work as soon as possible."said Genie.
"But we couldn't do that! It would be the height of indecency. Leaving the guest to dine alone."said Iago, and the other two nodded in agreement.
"Why does he have them working?"asked Francisco.
"Because you see, my sister is going to have a baby, and Genie wants everything to be perfect."
"Mhm."
Francisco smiled and shook is head.
"That Genie of yours is crazy."
"Yes. You should have seen him when we told him. Poor Carpet, Iago, and Abu haven't had a single minute to rest since then."
