Timur- Official

Timur had made a list of the things he wanted to discuss with his parents, something he did when he was away and missed the daily briefings. Although with the restriction Tushar had put on him for off-planet communications made him censor it a little.

"I say forgo the official," Karolek tells Timur as he tries to find someone qualified to monitor his conversation with his parents.

"No, they've been surprisingly good hosts, and I don't want to break one of two direct instructions I was given." Timur looks over the list for a second time but finds reading the glyphs still a little too difficult. The only person he knows who is potentially qualified is Belia. Timur sighs; at the very least, Belia would be able to tell him who he would need to contact. Timur catches the attention of a servant and tells him he needs to see Belia. The servant leaves to fetch the Princess. As they wait, Timur and Karolek discuss the subject of the Princess.

"What do you think of the Princess?" Timur asks his guard.

"You really want to know my opinion?" Timur nods. "I find her an ill match. She is timid and quiet, not to mention obviously keeping secrets from you. For instance, where she went the other day. I found her answer suspicious."

"I found it rather vague, but I wouldn't tell someone I just met my deepest secrets either."

"You're defending her?" Karolek seems a little shocked.

"I'm not defending her. I just can see why she wouldn't tell me where she was going." Karolek gives Timur a look. Timur knows he's splitting hairs, but his guard's opinion of Belia seems a little skewed.

"In terms of her looks," Karolek says, moving on, "if you look past all the blue, she has potential. In a certain light, she may be even more beautiful than Lady Voronin." Timur feels his cheeks start to burn.

"I don't want to talk about her."

"Did something happen between you two?" Karolek teases.

"Actually, yes. Before she left, she mentioned, again, about setting a date."

"What did you tell her?" Karolek asks with a laugh.

"What do you think? Her father is my father's right-hand man. If I pissed her off-"

"Oh, please, you could take her."

"Probably, but her family has resources." Timur knows well what the Voronin family could do. He's even used their resources a time or two. Before the two could continue their conversation, there's a knock on the door.

"I was told you need my assistance?" Belia says as she enters Timur's quarters.

"Are you considered a high official?"

"At the moment, yes," Belia replies, a little confused. "Why do you need an official?"

"I want to contact Voyna and-"

"You have to have an official present." Belia sighs. "Very well." She goes over to a holographic node and activates it. She inputs some kind of code. Timur watches closely on how to use it and hopes to remember her code to use later. "Is there a special office I have to go through?" Belia asks as she gets ready to put in the receiver.

"You'll want the Voyan Imperial Palace. I can take it from there." Belia looks it up, and the call goes through. A Voynan communication officer answers. He is projected in the middle of the room, life-sized; Timur is impressed with the technology.

"Who is trying to contact the royal family?" the officer demands.

"Prince Timur Valter Persson of Voyna."

"Authorization code."

"CP-0811."

"Code and voice match. Apologies, Highness. I shall put you through to the Emperor and Empress." A moment later, his parents replace the officer in the hologram. Belia moves so she's standing more in the corner of the room.

"Mother, Father." Timur gives his parents a slight bow.

"Timur, I see you are well," his father says with a smile. "How have you adjusted?"

"Are you being treated well?" his mother asks.

"Yes, in fact, there is to be a ball held in my honor tonight." Timur glances over at Belia, who seems to be studying him and his parents.

"That's good to hear. Now you've been taking care of your-"

"Yes, Mother," Timur interrupts before she could finish. "This conversation isn't exactly private. One of the rules is that a high official must monitor my communications."

"That's ridiculous!" the Empress yells.

"Actually, my dear, it makes sense," the Emperor says. "Their people are highly suspicious. Probably don't want to risk you passing along state secrets." Timur looks over at Belia who seems to be offended at his father's comment. "Who is the official?"

"Um, it's…" Timur looks at Belia, trying to decide whether or not to introduce her. "It's Princess Belia." Shock crosses both their faces. Timur knows his parents will want to see her as neither has a clue as to what she looks like. Although to his surprise, they don't ask. Timur takes out his list. "Is this a good time to talk?" Timur asks.

"Yes, I've already forwarded the daily briefing."

"I've already looked at it, and I've made a list of suggestions and improvements." Belia shows Timur how to send it so his father can see it.

"Hundreds of thousands of miles away and you don't miss anything," the Emperor comments. "Alright let's take a look."

"I'll leave you to it," Timur's mother says, and she leaves the hologram. Timur and his father start going over his list.