She was truly exhausted by this point, yet she stuck to her promise. And so her next meeting was in a room designated for those who were called to perform and prepare for the Freedom Festival.
As ordered, it was made that only a few select key performers were brought to voice the complaints of the many others.
Though all shied from their words and could not bring themselves to openly oppose her, despite their honest faces giving them away.
All except for one.
"Princess, princess," someone called, their tone like silk holding prodding steel. "Princess."
A burly, young man stepped forth, yet was stopped by zazi.
"Is it true you have commissioned us to perform tonight?"
She laid her eyes upon these performers she'd watched many times.
Often, one of the more favored groups in the lands for the commanding energy they lent to its people.
They were all somewhat handsome, yet it was the spirit they let vibrate through the grounds and enrapture those around that had many sing their praises.
She levelled her eyes with his and said, "It is true."
His face turned, his eyes glossy as if drunken or wet.
"But…" he clenched his fists.
The zazi kept their eyes on this pacing man, who slapped at his face as he breathed hard. Yet Salīa feared not and stepped close until they faced each other again.
His nostrils flared as he breathed deeply, as if trying not to scream.
"We are angry, princess," the man gritted his teeth. "How do you want us to perform for our people?"
Salīa stared at them. It's true that their faces resembled ghosts and their bodies held stiff. Whatever joy their vessel contained was poisoned with seething fury.
Their eyes almost turned to slits like a snake, their mouths relentlessly gritted their teeth, and their brows stayed furrowed as if locked on the enemy.
"Perform like that."
"What?" he asked, and the rest of his group also stared.
"Perform as you are now."
For a moment, their expressions flickered to something different.
Whether surprise or scorn, it was hard to tell, yet Salīa cared not to discern between the two. It was for them to make of her request as they wished.
And it's not as if she had much time left herself to prepare what she'd be performing, too.
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