***
{Inside The Projection}
"...Good afternoon."
Azeem twitched awake, blinking hard before glancing to his left.
Malik stood over him, his gaze flatter than usual, making it obvious that he'd been staring for a while.
"G—Gooood-Gooooooooood—"
In his rush to stand, Azeem tripped over his own foot, bit his tongue, and stumbled the rest of the way up.
"Afyeryoon."
He held his jaw in pain, barely getting himself straight.
"Breathe, boy."
From Malik's shoulder, Sinbad let out a chuckle.
"He's a funny one~."
"We're late!"
Azeem didn't "breathe."
"We're late to the public visit! The crowds will be waiting!"
Malik gave one slow shrug, as if that meant nothing to him, which it didn't.
Azeem, barely stopping himself from sighing, quickly lowered himself in front of his Lord and looked up at him, his eyes big and pleading.
"Please, Sultan—can we… take this with more urgency? Just for today?"
