Mari awoke to a slight shift in the bed next to her. She slowly opened her eyes and immediately saw a pointed horn sticking from beneath of some of the covers. She slightly traced over the horn and a low groan came from beside her. Mauru poked his head out from under the covers and rubbed his eyes. He nuzzled her hand and she gave a small smile as he purred a bit.
"I didn't know you purred?" she teased and he nuzzled into, blushing a bit.
"I d-don't." He studdered. She gave another smile and sat up in bed. It was morning for sure, but it was a bit dark outside. I bit more than it should've been. She sat up further and felt a cold, sharp feeling against her skin.
She looked down and jumped a bit at the old tattered sword ontop of the covers. She eased her fingertips over the jagged edge and recognized it as Samudra.
"He came in last night..." Mauru yawned, sitting up and nuzzling against her shoulder, careful not to poke her with his sharp horns. "He seemed p-pretty tired." His voice rose as he yawn again and rested his chin on her back.
"I would suppose. He helped me all the way home last night." She traced over the handle of the sword and smiled when it grumbled. It rattled and shook until finally it seemed he'd awaken.
"Morning master." He gruffed, yawning like Mauru did. The sword gave a happy gleam and Mari smiled back.
"Morning." She brushed the edge of the sword again before standing and wandering over the cold tile floor towards the window. The fog began to lift about and Mari could really see the beautiful city beyond the palace.
Samu-da rattled again on the bed and when Mari turned around Samudra was sitting in human form (and size) in front of her. Mauru seemed to be unphased by his transformation and Mari smiled. Samu-da looked different, His usually ink dark hair that stuck to his face because of the water was now dried and sticking up in various places. His pale skin was now a bit darker shade and dusted over with sand.
He looked really tired but a bit happier than he had before.
"You looked different." Mari giggled when he looked up shocked and looked down at the floor a bit embarrassed. "You never told me you could change." She continued.
"I'm connected with the four elements." He fumbled around. "If I'm on land then I'll inherit my land element and my whole form will change." He explained. Mari nodded but looked quite sad.
Samu-da looked up at her and his expression saddened as well. "Did I do wwrong by not saying so?" He asked.
"Oh no. I just...It's just that I gave you a name that is wrong for you." She said smiling at him.
"But I like my name you gave."
Mari sat back on the windowsill and placed a hand under her chin, seeming to contemplate something.
Samu-da gave and odd shift in the bed and frowned when Mari didn't say a thing.
"I suppose...you could keep the name, if that's alright with you, that is." She finally. Samu-da gave a smile and nodded, content with her answer.
After the two had decided to fall back to sleep, Mari decided that she would sneak out into the hall and look around more, seeing as she'd spent more time outside of the palace than within it. She roamed the empty corridor and traced her fingers over the gold lining on some of the walls. The palace was more lavished and detailed than she'd remembered and many of the hallways were now foreign to her. She kept moving along the empty halls until a slight noise caught her ear.
It was a light sound, not something that one would normally hear, but since it was exceptionally quiet, Mari could hear it clearly.
It sounded like people talking. She moved closer to the noise, letting her ears guild her until she met a door. It was the one of the largest doors she'd seen and definitely the most detail, completely carved from gold.
She traced her fingers over the crevices and pressed her ear to the door listening closely.
They didn't seem to be saying anything understandable. Their words were much more advanced than her own. But somewhere there, she could hear her fathers voice, and Ja'far's. And as usual the two voices came in intervals of each other.
She pulled her ear away from the door and continued down the hall. Whatever it was, it was not meant for her to hear.
Down at the dining hall there were many servants that looked at her like she was out of place, but didn't shoo her so she continued on to the front room and towards the door. As much as she favored the lovely palace, she did want to see the outside as well.
The courtyard was the same, the large archs and wide open space. The steps seemed the same and the feeling of the ground beneath her feet felt comforting to her. This did feel like home to her.
"Need something?" A voice startled her and she turned back towards the marble steps to see Yamuraiha standing there, giving a smile. Mari placed a hand over her heart and sighed deeply.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Yamuraiha laughed taking the few steps to reach Mari.
"Morning." Mari huffed out, swinging her arms around the woman's waist. "Morning." Yamu said back, ruffling her purple locks. A few strands of hair fell before her eyes.
Her hair was purple again. It had been black for the longest time. She ruffled her own hair and twisted the purpled strands.
"Where're you going?" Mari asked curiosly, some of her playful nature running about.
"Just to the market for some things." Yamuraiha explain, sitting on the stpes to be eye to eye with Mari. Mari's eyes brightened at the mention of the market. Although she did love the comfort of the palace, the market seemed much more fun. Not that the palace isn't fun. She glanced behind Yamuraiha at the boring marble color of the outside and how lifeless it seemed that morning.
"Can I come?"