Stay

seven.

       

When Aaliyah said it would be two weeks before Warith Al Ghul sent for her again, she said so in jest.

Turns out, the joke was on her because it really had been almost two weeks since she'd seen or heard from him.

In actuality, the first week of no contact was on her end, but not by her own volition.

She woke up in the middle of night with a reminder stress was not always capable of putting off certain events.

Five day long, excruciatingly painful, and miserable events that signified womanhood.

And, of course, that same evening on the first day of the Blood Games; he sent for her. Unfortunately for him, she was in a volatile mood and asked Ta-er al-sahfer to inform him she'd fallen sick and therefore unavailable for the evening. That she would continue to be unavailable for the rest of that week.

Thirty minutes later, an amused Ta-er al-sahfer returned and relayed how confused he'd been at first as to how Aaliyah was certain her 'illness' would last for the entire week. But when she had explained it was normal for her, for all women, he understood and left it at that.

He left the next day for league business and didn't return until late Sunday evening.

It was now Friday, nearing almost a week since he'd been back.

And still nothing.

She wasn't upset, or rather, she was trying to not be upset, but it was hard. Whether she wanted to openly admit it or not, something was happening between the two. Something she didn't really understand, but was willing to explore. And she got the feeling he felt the same. Or, he did.

Several thoughts as to why he did not ask to see her crossed her mind. One being, he had not meant for them to interact as closely as they had. She doubted that though. He seemed like the type to always maintain control.

Aside from the interruption, he was content with their exchange.

Then there was the interruption itself. She attempted to probe Ta-er al-sahfer for an explanation, but she said nothing except it had been 'handled.'

She wondered if that had anything to do with it, but again, had no solid basis for that argument.

Lastly, she assumed he was simply busy. Busy with running the league. She was convinced something, good or bad, was going on with Ra's Al Ghul as she had yet to hear or even see him. Not that she was looking forward to meeting the Demons Head. It just seemed strange how everything seemed to fall on Warith's shoulders when he had yet to even ascend to the throne.

Whatever the case, she managed to keep herself busy. Between hilarious and suggestive conversations with Nadura to reminiscing recollections of home life with Samirah to even occasional training sessions with Ta-er al-sahfer and Al Jundi, she really should have had minimal thoughts about him.