I really am having much too much fun with this.
Numair Salmalin looked over his work with satisfaction. He was absolutely without a doubt positive that this would have to work. His problem is that he had been working too small, what he needed was something big, something that would sweep her off her feet. What woman didn't love to be swept off their feet with a giant declaration of love? It was perfect. He had been thinking way too small, and there had been no planning. That had been his problem, this on the other hand was almost guaranteed, by gods he'd been working on it for two weeks now. If it didn't work he was ashamed to admit that he might just cry. That's how frustrated he was becoming, but he had absolute faith in his newest plan. He had asked her earlier in the week if she would like to accompany him when he went stargazing that night and she had agreed. So, so far, the plan was a complete success. The first step had gone perfectly no little palace cretins poisoned him, no wars broke out, he wasn't hit with lightning and she didn't question his sexuality. It was all looking very good.
The plan in question was to bring her out to the very hillside he was standing upon to a, if he said so himself, incredibly romantic atmosphere. Stars shining, warm summer air. What could be better? Then, as the night carried on and, as he secretly hoped, she had decided to share a blanket with him for warmth he would commence with his master plan. As they sat looking at the stars he would set off a number or fireworks from the ditch at the base of the hill. These, however, were no ordinary fireworks. He had spent two weeks making them himself. Not only were they soundless but they took on shapes in the air. Some became glowing multicoloured fireflies that would float around the clearing and she could touch (he had severely burned himself testing those ones before he got them right) while others became great iridescent birds that would spiral through the sky (for those he had been inspired by the mythical birds they had seen in the realms of the gods and how captivated by them she had been) and a number of other things to the same effect. She would love it, he hoped. It was big, it was pretty, it was romantic and therefore would create the perfect moment to tell her. On a hillside beneath a clear sky surrounded by beautiful magic, he had really outdone himself this time. He sighed happily and returned to the palace to prepare for that evening.
Numair lay back, looking up into the night sky, happily as Daine lay beside him chatting animatedly about her day. After a moment she shivered and pulled out a blanket before moving closer to him and wrapping it around them.
"Sorry, I forgot to bring another one." She said apologetically.
"Don't worry Magelet, this one is plenty big." He looked down at her and had to resist the urge to run his hand across her cheek. The moonlight reflected off her face and he thought that she had never looked so beautiful.
"Daine" He trailed off, ready to magically ignite the fireworks. This was it, it was perfect, what could possibly go wrong? Just as he was ready to set them off he noticed Daine looking over his shoulder intently. Hags bones, he had spoken too soon, he could just feel it.
"Numair, who is that?" She stood up quickly and he gave a frustrated sigh. "Numair, that looks like a soldier, but not one of ours." He jumped to his feet, turning just in time to see someone running off in the distance. There had been minor stirrings lately from other countries and they had been on the watch out for any signs of a siege.
"We should get to the palace and tell the king. There might not be anything to worry about, but, better safe than sorry."
"You're right." He had a hard time keeping the disappointment out of his voice as he leaned down to gather their things. She turned to walk straight down the hill and he froze, she was walking right towards the fireworks.
"Uh, Daine? Where are you going?"
"This way is quicker, come on." She yelled back to him and he sprinted to catch up with her hoping she wouldn't notice them. Luck however was, once again, not on his side. When they reached the bottom of the hill she stopped, looking intently at the small parcels he had used to contain them.
"Numair, do you have any idea what these are?" She crouched down to get a better look.
"Uh, nope, not one. We should get back, you know, like you said. Sieges, bad news, let's go."
"Maybe that's what the soldier was coming here for, some kind of enemy weapon you think?" She looked up at him and he paled.
"I highly doubt that." He was cut off as she turned to continue on to the palace.
"Well, I'll let Jon know. Someone should check it out."
About an hour later, Numair was thoroughly humiliated. They hadn't even found Jon alone. He had been with Thayet, Alanna, Raoul, Buri, Sarge and Onua. Of course, he had to stay behind after Daine had finished explaining and left to let them know that the 'mysterious weapons' were in fact, harmless. Of course, he couldn't just get away with saying that. He had been forced, and he did mean forced, to tell the entire story; which meant the entire plan. He could still hear laughter as he retreated down the hall.
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