<span style="color: DarkOrange">“Kali…”</span><br/><br/>The gentle, almost bitter sweet mention of the elf’s name nearly succeeded in drawing Kali’s eyes away from the polished stone floors of Lanthra’s abode but they stopped short, trailing up the woman’s flawless white garments before they close again. Now that she was here the woman was unsure of herself and for the first time in hundreds of years Kali just didn’t know what to do. Everything in this moment felt surreal. Time seemed to slow down, she could hear and almost –feel- the tiniest rustle of the guard’s armor as their footsteps came to a sudden stop behind her.<br/><br/>At any moment she expected an armored hand to fall upon her shoulder, for forged steel to clap flesh and for her to be drug away to be told it was all a delusion but the voice was heard again and this time the concern and relief in it was palpable. It hit Kali like a hammer to the chest, leaving her stunned and kneeling until she heard the slight inflection of a smile in her friend’s voice. That was enough to bolster her confidence, to assure her she’d done the right thing. In truth, Lanthra’s smiles always had that effect on her and it was comforting that even the mere sound of one in her voice still held such power.<br/><br/>With a surge of new found confidence Kali rises to her feet once again and though she could feel the eyes of the guards behind her boring into the back of her skull like a drill she kept her eyes to the front, starting at the Queen’s feet and moving upward as she rose.  When at least reach Lanthra’s own golden-brown eyes Kali seems stunned, stricken dumb by the sheer amount of change that had happened over the years. To an elf the years seemed to pass in an instant but her Queen’s pale skin… her long, flowing blonde hair... had that much time really passed?   All second thoughts and concern were eliminated when she saw that smile grace her Queen’s lips however. Warm and loving, a clear reminder of the woman she used to know buried under royal finery and cloaked in beautiful blonde hair.<br/><br/><b><i>“You’re too kind, my Queen.” </i></b>Her own words were soft as if she were afraid to raise her voice would break some enchantment cast upon her, to ruin the moment. With a bashful smile that caused the fresh, pink scar along her bottom lip and chin to be emphasized Kali dipped her head, hoping that the sight of her maimed ear did not offend her friend.<b><i> “ I come here in rags and tatters, trail sand upon your floors and  barge into your chambers and yet you show concern for me.” </i></b>Her head raises again and Kali, painfully aware of her battered looking state, forces a grin like the ones that used to win over Lanthra long ago. “ My story is long and if I could I wish for a bath and a change of clothes… she looks down at her tattered silks and then back up to her dear friend.<b><i>“ And then, a pitcher of chilled wine and your private company, my Queen. If… you would honor me so.” </i></b><br/><br/>With another forced grin Kali bows at the waist, tucking her right arm beneath herself in a grand gesture. It was all formality for the sake of formality, if Kali had her way her arms would be around Lanthra right now. A friend like her deserved an embrace and perhaps.. a kiss if that spark was still there but for now there were appearances to keep.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>