Neshmet found himself getting anxious as he moved to the empty spot across from the prince and seated himself. The table was made of imported wood… or at least that’s what he assumed. His eyes glanced to the meal that was laid out across it. It was filled almost edge to edge with food. He’d never seen so much food in his entire life, he was sure of it. The prince offered him a smile when their eyes met and he lifted a hand to sweep over the meal. “Please, help yourself. You may have as much or as little as you would like. I do hope it will be to your liking… I do not entertain guests very often.” He looked a bit sheepish as he spoke. Admitting such a fact out loud was likely embarrassing for him, considering his position. Neshmet, however, didn’t mind at all. He leaned forward, eyes looking over the meal. Reaching carefully, he plucked a grape from its position on a clay dish.

Popping it into his mouth he allowed the flavor to sweep over his taste buds. He’d never tasted a grape that was so… delicious. Often he had eaten grapes that were near rotten… Stealing them from carts and making off with what he could. Never before had he tasted a grape that was ripe and firm… His eyes glanced to Alcor as he reached for another… and then another. He grabbed a handful of them, turning his attention to the rest of the food as well. On one dish sat a thinly sliced meat of some sort... Lamb or goat, perhaps? He reached out, grabbing a piece and popping it into his mouth as well. The flavor was a shock to his system. Out of all the things he’d managed to steal, meat was never on the list. He grabbed another piece, popping it into his mouth as well and savoring the taste. Across from him Alcor chuckled. Tensing, he glanced up to the man.

“I apologize… I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just… I have never seen someone with such a large appetite. You must be very hungry.” He smiled warmly, nudging a dish toward him. “Please, try this as well. They are like dumplings... made from apples and imported berries. The chef says it is for desert but I always eat it first. Do not tell him that, though… He would scold me.” The words brought a quiet laugh from Neshmet… The thought of a chef scolding the prince was amusing to him. Wasn’t it the prince’s job to scold others? Taking the advice, however, he reached out to try one of the dumplings. The flavor of apples and berries was perfectly balanced… He hummed, nodding appreciatively as he grabbed another. He continued his testing of the rest of the food, shoving it into his mouth so quickly that he struggled at times to chew and swallow the meal. Everything tasted so good… Alcor once again chuckled. “Careful. You’ll make yourself sick.”

“I apomofize” The words were muffled through the contents of his mouth and he almost expected to see a look of disgust on the prince’s face. Instead, he saw amusement. He swallowed his food and cleared his throat. “I apologize.”

“No need to apologize. It’s nice to see someone with such an appetite. As you can imagine, I do not eat much on my own and sometimes the meals get lonely. I do not see things like this often.”

“Things like what?”

“The way you eat… It is almost like you have never seen food before. And I don’t mean to be rude, but the way you speak with your mouth full… I have never seen anyone do this either. When I do have company everyone is so proper… It makes for a boring dinner.” He smiled, finally reaching out to take a dumpling for himself. He popped it into his mouth calmly before focusing his attention on Neshmet once more. Neshmet, however, felt momentarily out of place and uncomfortable.

“I… Apologize.”

“Oh, no, please don’t! It is not a bad thing!” Alcor stated quickly, lifting his hands. “It is nice to see someone act so differently. It’s… refreshing.” The man looked pleased and Neshmet felt his cheeks going red. “I take it you are enjoying the food, then?”

“Of course! Absolutely! I-It’s delicious!” He forced himself to smile, unsure if it looked natural or strained at this point.

“I am glad.”

“I have never had such an amazing meal… Finding something to eat on the streets was...” He trailed off, shaking his head. “No, never mind. I don’t need to trouble you with it.” He resumed eating, this time taking it a bit more slowly.

“No, please… I would like to hear about it. I have seen the struggle of others on the streets.” Alcor looked almost sad now… his features turning to a frown as he looked him in the eye.

“I… Really?”

“Please...” Unable to refuse the sad look on the man’s face, he nodded and focused his attention on the food as he began to speak.

“Most of us have to steal to make ends meet. It’s not the way of life I would choose… but we have to survive somehow. Nobody cares for us street rats.”

“I do.” Alcor stated, interrupting momentarily. “As you can imagine, however, it is difficult to convince the others to offer assistance. I can not do it alone… No matter how much I wish that I could.” He seemed to realize that he had interrupted and quickly moved a hand up to cover his lips. “I apologize. Please, continue.”

“It’s fine…” Neshmet offered him a glance before he continued his meal. “I usually stole food that was left over at the end of the market day… Old fruit, molding bread, the like.” He reached for a slice of apple, popping it into his mouth and downing it before he continued. “I stole jewelry and other goods to sell on my own to make money… But most people would pass right by. Nobody wanted to buy from a street dweller.” He hummed as he took a drink of what he assumed to be wine from the clay cup beside him. “Mm… This is really good.” He commented before he continued. “I hadn’t eaten for a long time when you found me… I had basically accepted that that was the end.”

“The end...” Alcor frowned, moving to take a drink from his own cup. “I am glad that I found you, then.” Neshmet looked to him once more, cheeks feeling hot again. He cleared his throat, lowering his piece of bread as he thought. “Is… something wrong?”

“Hm?” He looked up, eyes meeting those beautiful sand colored orbs… He accidentally bit down on the tip of his tongue, cringing when he did so. “Ow… Ah… I’m sorry, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” Alcor was frowning again, eyes watching him intently. “Perhaps you’re still tired… I should have given you more time before inviting you to dinner… That is my fault… I apologize.”

“Oh, no I’m fine, really. I’m okay. I’m not tired I just… It’s a bit strange. It seems surreal… I’ve never even been near the palace before and now I’m actually inside… Sitting in the dining room… Across from the prince...”

“I suppose it would be a shock to anyone’s system… I only wish for you to feel at home, however… I don’t want you to feel out of place. You are a guest… And I would gladly offer you anything to provide you comfort.” The words seemed so sincere that Neshmet found himself getting anxious once more… The prince was willing to offer him anything to provide him comfort… Truly anything that he asked? He shook his head, offering the prince a momentary smile.

“I’m plenty comfortable in the room you’ve provided. Truly.”

“If that changes… please… don’t hesitate to tell me. And, I hope that you know you are not confined to your room. I welcome you to wander the palace and learn where things are.” There was a momentary pause as a female servant entered the room, skin paler than the servants he’d seen earlier… another foreigner, perhaps? Her skin almost looked milky in the light of the torches and windows… She offered them both a smile as she lifted a pot.

“More?” She signaled to the cups, her eyes glancing to each of them.

“Oh… Yes, please.” Alcor offered a smile to the woman, lifting his cup carefully. Neshmet hadn’t even seen him finish the drink… Glancing to his own cup, he realized it was almost full. When he reached for it, however, his head spun. He placed one hand on the table to steady himself… feeling the gaze of the servant and Alcor locking onto him.

“Neshmet? Are you okay?” He tried to offer a nod but the world was turning black at the edges. He took a deep breath, trying to clear it, but it was nearly impossible… And soon the entirety of the room was engulfed in it. The last thing he heard as he fell into unconsciousness was a frantic “Neshmet?!” From what he assumed was the prince.