"Right. Cinthia." Lily tested the name out with another nod, unclasping her hands to fiddle with the sleeves of her shirt. Maybe using her nerves to her advantage would be a good idea, if she could figure out how. "I-" She looked around before sighing, her eyes dropping to the ground for a moment before meeting Cinthia's again, this time less guarded. "I don't exactly come from a high class background. I was wondering…if you maybe had a few tips? If you aren't busy, that is."
She dropped her hand, unsuccessfully blowing a few curls out of her face. "I'm not very busy these days unless you count my personal studies. What sort of tips were you looking for?" She had a few ideas but wanted some specifics to work off of. She worked better with details and specifics. It gave her a better view of the whole picture–a better perspective and narrower scope of answers.
"What is and isn't okay, I guess." She said, tilting her head as she thought. "Advice about…how to act, in general?" She shrugged a shoulder, ceasing her fiddling to reach up and rub the back of her neck.
Cinthia offered a smile, eyes lighting up. "Well, once you figure that out, why don't you let me know?" She chuckled and answered her seriously. "Be respectful to your superiors–how you were around me is perfectly acceptable–and speak only when spoken to. You can have an opinion, but be sure to not push the matter if it upsets someone of noble standing. Or, if you go the route that I go, argue calmly with facts to back the opinion up. Make 'em feel dumb," she added with a wink.
Lily let out a small, surprised laugh, nodding. "I might be able to do that, on the occasion." A small smile flickered onto her lips for a moment, before it was gone once more. "Thank you. I really do appreciate the help. I feel a bit…. out of my environment right now, and anything helps with adapting."
Cinthia nodded and smiled as well, her eyes crinkling. "Well, I can definitely help you feel more at ease. I was just thinking about heading over to town and getting some books from the library." She left the offer to hang as a suggestion, not directly asking Lily to come with her but certainly implying that she was open to the company.
Lily blinked, the offer catching her off guard, but her slight smile returned. "Oh, well, if you don't mind, I actually have a book I've been looking for. Care for some company?" She asked, her smile managing to reach her eyes as she tilted her head to the side.
"I'd actually appreciate it. Hanging around old geezers with unwavering opinions about women can get old. It'd be nice to be able to hang out with a fellow female around my age."
Lily winced empathetically, nodding. "I can't imagine that's all that enjoyable. I'd be happy to hang out with you though. Knowing someone else around here might take some of the pressure off."
She smiled and nodded, then beckoned for Lily to follow her through the gardens. "Good thing about palaces is that they always have secrets to unlock. Passages and history, nooks and crannies that hold an old key or note," she said. "And luckily for us, there's an old escape route right here in the gardens."
Apparently, things were just falling into her lap right now. "Secrets? I think you just made my day." She commented, her main focus once again diverted to the flowers they passed as she followed Cinthia.
"Pretty sure I've found old notes between forbidden lovers, assuming from the context of the messages. Or I could've translated it wrong, there's always a consideration." She led Lily to the center of the maze-like garden, where it didn't look very remarkable.
((The Arcana vibes are strong))
She raised an eyebrow, focusing back on Cinthia. "A consideration, but isn't it so much more fun to pretend the first conclusion is the correct one?" She asked, her voice carrying a slightly playful undertone.
She winked with a grin. "Indeed it is." She crouched down and placed a hand on one of the carved stones. Only a few feet away, the pathway shifted, then steadily fell to reveal a hidden stairwell leading beneath the palace. "After you," Cinthia said, still keeping her palm against the stone.
Lily's eyes widened as she looked between Cinthia and the staircase, already starting towards it. "Incredible." She whispered, starting down the steps before turning to wait for Cinthia.
Cinthia stood and quickly headed to the staircase, then ushered Lily hastily down a few steps. Just when they hit the first landing, the steps slid up and went back to being the normal cobbled paths on the surface, and a brick wall underground.
Lily watched the steps return to the pathway with avid interest, head tilted just slightly to the side. She'd have to remember that, if she ever needed a quick escape route. "You weren't kidding about secret passage ways."
"Nope," she said, popping the p. "And the only reason servants haven't found them is because most are activated by the blood of the royal family—descendants of the first King and assumingly the one to build these places."
Well, shit. "Guess that means no sneaking out to go to the library without you." She mused, turning to look at Cinthia. "Unless I want to hazard an attempt at climbing the defense wall."
(Not goal, ROYAL. Come on autocorrect…)
Cinthia arched a brow, eyeing her up and down as she replied. "Wouldn't be the smarter course of action."
"My point exactly." Lily said, shaking her head as her lips quirked up slightly. "I never introduced myself, did I? Or should I assume you already know my name?"
Cinthia shrugged. "Let's just assume I don't know your name and let you tell me what you prefer." She might've had slightly illicit access to the suitor list, but she could be wrong about what the girl's name was.
"Lily." Lily said, holding her hand out after a moment's hesitation. "It's a pleasure to formally introduce myself." She joked, her smile growing just a bit.
Cinthia smiled and took her hand, her fingers sporting some rough callouses. "Hi, Lily. Shall we get going before dear old Mother decides to set you all up with my brother?"
"That might be best, if we actually want to accomplish anything." Lily agreed, giving Cinthia's hand a quick but firm shake. "Lead the way, Lady of the Passages."