Well um, I dunno. Just lots of tension and awkwardness and yea.

Anasuri woke up early the next morning. She tied back her hair, and wore one of her more comfortable outfits. Once she was ready, she knocked on the door between her and Ekon's rooms, "Hello? I would like to check with the guards on the state of the orphanage, and figured you might want to come along."

Ekon snapped awake immediately, he hadn't remembered falling asleep but here he was, curled up on the floor, his skin crackling from dried tears. He did not feel well, and his heart began to pound once he realized that it was Anasuri talking. Remembering what had happened the night before caused him to ache and his head pounded with a headache. It probably had something to do with the fact that he'd fallen asleep crying. Regardless, he had to get up and dressed.

"Ah um, give me a moment I am not decent yet. Sorry I slept in Princess." His voice was hoarse and he immediately cleared his throat once he finished speaking. Dakota was still in the necklace, and Ekon was not quite sure when, or if his companion would make an appearance at all.

After quickly dressing up in his least threatening clothes, he slipped on his normal bracelets, did his hair in a smooth ponytail, showing the shaved sides clearly. He quietly knocked on the door between his room and the princess. He hoped that the dark circles under his eyes weren't too visible. Or his obvious lack of sleep, or slight terror that Anasuri might turn on him at any moment.

Anasuri shrugged, even though she knew Ekon could not see it, "I wasn't expecting you to be up. I just wanted to alert you of the plans for the day." Anasuri spent her time petting Dava while Ekon got ready. When he knocked, she called out, "Come on in - I am ready to head out." Anasuri stood up, and paused beside the main door until Ekon was next to her. Then, she opened up the door for him, and followed him out, "This way," She said softly, now leading the way.

Dakota had yet to show his face, and Ekon was beginning to doubt he would. Once coming face to face with Princess Anasuri, he kept his eyes down and spoke little. He was actually doing what he was supposed to do for once, being so quiet, and so small despite his large size, that he did not interfere with Anasuri's daily life at all. It was definitely an odd change, but he was pretty sure Anasuri didn't want him to speak probably ever again after trying to murder her.

Surprisingly enough, Dakota appeared once the princess opened the main door. The huge bear grunted a hello to Dava, completely ignored Ekon, and disappeared to go outside through a back door so he could hunt by himself. Ekon gazed at his companion sadly, but forced himself to ignore the bear, even though all his instincts told him to do otherwise.

Anasuri looked oddly at Ekon, but bit her tongue before asking if he was alright. He obviously wasn't, after what had happened the other day. So, if Ekon wouldn't engage in conversation, Anasuri would fill the silence, "In two weeks there is going to be a big party," Anasuri made a face like she smelled something bad, "It'll be awful, I'll bet. I don't like the balls and events they throw here. All of them are politically motivated, or have some underhand and sneaky purpose."

Ekon felt the grin try to form on his face at the princess' disgusted expression. He'd never been one for parties either, and the only thing ever close to a party was when he and his orphan friends would dance around a fire while Kye played the mandolin he'd stolen from his hateful parents when he was nine and ran away from home.
When it came to balls, Ekon had never been to a single one. He'd escorted people to balls but was mostly instructed to stay outside and wait with that terrifying bear of his or he'd be fired. So he'd heard the music, caught glimpses of people stiffly dancing as though they were wood boards, and seen the beautiful gowns, but he'd never seen it all as one. He probably never would, as he doubted he'd be allowed entrance in the ball even if he was Princess Anasuri's guard.

"It seems as though all things here have some sort of higher purpose. Granted, this is the royal palace so I would think so. Although, from what I've heard from past wards is that the balls and parties and things you host here are amazing, far better than any other party in the land. Though I doubt they've ever been to a faerie party, now those were parties. Anyways, I'm sorry that you'll probably have to attend. I've seen the way nobles dance and it is the most uncomfortable thing I've ever seen. As stiff as boards really, you can hardly call it dancing." Ekon skimmed over the faerie part, as technically his going to the faerie lands hadn't been the most legal thing, but his ward had demanded that he had protection while going over and had pulled a few strings to get Ekon to come along.

Anasuri chuckled, "Stiff boards is the most accurate representation I've heard," As they passed by the ballroom, she paused, thinking hard, "In most balls, guards do not come with, but for this one, there will be many around," Anasuri grimaced once more and began to walk on, "If the hints Father has been giving me mean anything, this ball probably has the intent of me finding a husband. That means lots of high people in power." Anasuri humming, then turned around to walk backwards, deftly avoiding table with expensive things on them in the halls, "Oo! Since it would be normal for knights to be in the room, please stick close to me and wear your most intimidating armor. It'll keep some men from asking me to dance, at least."

Ekon had to release a large grin at the request. Anasuri was the most most un-princess like princess he'd ever met. Granted he hadn't met many, but she still held the most un-princess like award. Especially not wanting to get married, he was pretty sure that was like a princess' main goal in life. Somehow he was finding more respect for her, even though she had stood unwavering against him the night before when he'd tried to..

"If that is what you want then I'll happily do it Princess. I am your guard after all, and if you want me to look as intimidating as possible then I will. Trust me, I can be very intimidating." He gave her a small, cheeky grin and puffed out his chest in the cheesiest way possible, even replacing his grin with a 'serious' expression that kept trying to disappear into a grin.

Anasuri laughed boldly as she turned around to walk forward again, "You might need to take some acting classes, Ekon. For some reason I can't see you as someone intimidating," Anasuri shrugged, biting back a grin, "You are so smiley..."

The pair made their way down the halls, and eventually, Anasuri stopped in front of a plain looking door. She knocked twice, then entered the room.