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" I don't like a gold rush, gold rush,
I don't like anticipating my face in a red flush "
―I LEAN BACK in my chair as the ship sways, gesturing for the girl who has introduced herself to me as Yi to take one of the two seats placed in front of my desk. She remains standing as I pour myself a glass of kvas while silently wishing to myself that I had a bottle of brandy. I turn back towards Yi, studying her face. It seems odd to me that someone like her would be working for the Darkling. From her too-large innocent eyes to her springy curls that just so happen to reflect her slightly bubbly personality, she's like a ray of sunshine in complete contrast to the sovereign she serves. She looks like she's been pulled straight from the perfection of a painting, one that even I would use to decorate my chambers back at the Grand Palace. She seems out of place here, more so considering that she hasn't opted to wear a kefta. I realize I don't know her Order yet, so I ask.
"You're Grisha, aren't you?" I question, squinting into her eyes.
She smiles, her features seeming to light up. Dimples, I realize, seeing the little divots bracketing her rosy lips. She has dimples. "I am," she tells me. "I'm a Fabrikator."
"Durast?" I take a guess.
She hesitates, surprise registering on her face. I suspect it's because Fabrikators are rarely distinguished between Alkemi and Durast, something I first realized when I visited the Little Palace and met a few Grisha. Yi nods. I hum with interest, taking a sip of kvas and immediately wanting to spit it out.
"Care to show me?" I muse.
She nods enthusiastically, looking adorably excited to use her ability. She picks up one of the glasses on my desk. "May I?"
"By all means."
Yi bunches her fingers together and drags her hand in an upwards movement. The glass morphs as if liquidated and follows her fingertips, changing into the shape of a rose made of crystalline glass. I raise my eyebrows, downing the rest of my less-than-adequate kvas.
"That was impressive," I admit, setting my glass down as Yi returns the rose to its natural form as a regular cup, then hands it to me.
"A present." She grins.
I take the cup and examine it, realizing that it's emblazoned with the pick and needle, the symbol of the Durasts. I stash it in my desk for safekeeping. "I would give you a bag of gold if I could, but I could give you a kiss if it would suffice?" I offer, giving her a grin.
Yi's cheeks go bright pink and she looks down. "No thank you," she says politely, and I have the distinct urge to laugh, her awkward and innocent manner surprisingly charming.
