Collaterals

An Impromptu Sibling Get-together

His eyes were wide, shocked as he held her tight. Leila had involuntarily clung to his shoulders like some sort of lifeline, looking up at his ever reddening cheeks as she processed the feel of his hands: one on the back of her shoulders, the other on her hip. Leila straightened as he pulled her up, taking a few steps back as he brushed a hand through his hair, looking away bashfully, "You must be in...quite the rush."

Leila looked down at her clothes, straightening them as she collected herself, praying her own cheeks weren't as flushed as it they felt. She cleared her throat, "I am— I did not see you there, Khaled. Only...were you coming up...?"

He gestured a hand through the air as he shook his head, "Oh— no. I mean, I couldn't. Royal family members only, and, whatnot...Call it curiosity, I suppose. Sometimes I'll pause on my way back, look up and hope to see glimpses of the flame through the windows."

Leila watched as he craned his neck, now, as though truly hoping to see the flame Leila had just run from. She looked down as her gash, blood now dried on her palm: real.

"Oh my," He took a step forward now, holding Leila's hand in his own. "You're hurt."

Leila heard Captain's feet shift behind her. She smiled to Khaled as she pulled her hand out his gently, "I must have...scraped it on the walls while I went down the steps. Clumsy of me."

Khaled brought his head to the side as he looked her over, as though looking to see what else was out of place, "You...do not strike me as much of a clumsy person."

Leila stayed quite, gulping. When she did not respond, Khaled only smiled, moving to the side, "Perhaps I could escort you to your quarters? Call for a physician."

Whatever fear had clung to Leila, it was quick to dissipate as she laughed, "A physician? For a scrape? I think some water and a bandage would do just fine."

Leila began to walk, Khaled in step with her, "That looks like more than a scrape, Leila."

She shook her head, "I have learned, with physicians, that it is best to stray away unless you are dying. And perhaps not even then."

Khaled scoffed, "Then, perhaps, you'd accompany me to my horse? I hove some ointments that could help."

Leila raised a brow, "You carry ointments around?"

"Bandages too." He put a hand forward as he directed her towards the stables, "You can never be too prepared."

Leila gave him a look, shaking her head despite the smile creeping through her lips.

Moments later he'd cleaned her wound with some water, retrieving an ointment from his bag. She squinted at the sigil stamped atop the cork of the bottle, "Is that not your family's sigil?"

Khaled glanced up at her as he put some of the ointment onto his finger before putting out his hand. Leila put her injured palm onto his hand. "It is something new we are trying. I found quite the alchemist on one of my trips...thought it would do well to put him to work."

Leila hissed as he spread the ointment onto her gash. She tried to pull her hand away but he held it a little tighter, continuing to spread it. He glanced up at her apologetically, "Stings a little."

She surrendered her hand to him, watching him work, "The Yehia family: lords, perfumers, and alchemists."

He laughed, "Well. Not alchemists. Not just yet, anyway. You could safely add florists, though."

"And when will you take me to your fabled gardens?"

He gave her another glance. Then, he pulled away, placing the ointment in his bag before retrieving some bandages. Leila raised her brows: did he carry boots for when it rained, too? 

Khaled began to wrap her hand before he glanced at her once more, "The sun is not so harsh, now. It would be a fine time to visit, if you are not...with prior arrangement."

"Visit where?" Ali walked into the stabled with his hands in his pockets. Khaled finished wrapping Leila's hand.

Leila looked to her brother, "The Garden of Flowers. Haitham told me it is quite the sight."

"Haitham said that?" Khaled asked, brows crossed as he let go of her palm entirely. It would be amiss to say her hand did not feel all the sudden too empty. He took a step back.

"Yes," Leila said as she looked at her hand, clenching it as she cringed in pain. She did not glance to Ali as she asked, "Are you already done with Zarqa?"

"You left in such a haste, I thought I'd check up on you." Ali said as he stepped forward. "You're hurt?"

"Scraped her hand on the wall of the staircase, "Khaled interjected.

Ali looked to him with somewhat of a deadpan, "Did she?"

"Yes," Leila nodded quickly. She hoped to change the subject, "Are we not to go then?"

"Now?!" Ali asked, looking between them. 

Leila nodded to Khaled, "He said the whether's nice for it."

Ali sighed, leaning onto the wooden pillar behind him and crossing his arms, "Did he."

Khaled gave a reserved shrug, "I thought, with the sun not yet so sharp and all. And her highness wanted to see it."

Leila frowned. There he was with it, again, her highness.

"Then I would just love to accompany you and her highness." Ali said, pushing off the pillar and moving to the horses.

Khaled nodded, a little to eagerly, "Of course. I shall fetch a stable boy."

Khaled walked to the next room, peaking his head inside and calling out.

Leila watched with a frown, "I do think Haitham had wanted to accompany me. Perhaps we should fetch him?"

Ali made a face, speaking in Aradian, "Since when does Haitham care for flowers?"

Leila shrugged, moving to the horse she'd rode into the city. She placed a hand on his head, rubbing it gently. 

Ali sighed, "Perhaps another time, then."

Khaled looked to Ali as he moved back into the room, two stable-boys walking in behind him with haste. He spoke in Aradian,"If he wishes to accompany you, I do think it would be well to let him, no? Might...smooth things out, between you."

Ali gave him a long look.

Khaled shrugged, "It is only a suggestion."

It took a moment before Ali sighed, looking away. "You are right. As usual." He looked to the side, where Captain had moved to a horse. He spoke in Tainaish, "Would you have someone fetch my brother? And my sister, as well. We'll make a day of it." 

The Captain turned to look at the prince, before glancing behind him. Then, he deadpanned, realizing Ali truly was speaking to him. He grumbled as he walked out he stables, "As you wish, your highness." 

Ali clapped his hands together, "An impromptu sibling get-together, then."

"You forget Boody," Khaled said, dismounting.

" I do," Ali cocked his head as he leaned onto his horse. He craned his neck as he called out, "Sir Gawaine!"

"Captain," Leila corrected, moving to grab an apple for her horse.

Ali frowned, "Captain!"

Captain returned, "Your Highness?"

"Boody as well."

Captain frowned, nodding, "As you wish."

And so they remained in the stables, waiting for their siblings.