"I won't," Natasi said calmly. The river looked close enough to touch, and even in the dark of the night she could see almost down to the bottom. The river had been nearly pristine before their arrival, and the introduction of state-of-the-art purification technology had turned the river into fresh, clean, potable water so clear that it was nearly turquoise in the daylight. It was perfection, in a word. She resisted the urge to lean over; the deck of the yacht was higher than it looked.
"I can't explain why I needed to build a city here, but I'm so glad I did. Look at it -- investors and workers came together to build this city out here, for us. For citizens of all walks of life to come and enjoy. It's... exotic. It's mysterious. It's -- well, all right, I'll just say it. It's a little sexy. Don't you think? The desert, the heat of the night, the ancient gods and their temples in the far distance. It makes for some kind of atmosphere. Like anything is possible. Like the war is far, far away." She sighed wistfully and turned so that she was seated properly on the bench. "Must be careful not to come here too much. Must be careful not to forget my other responsibilities. Oh, damn and blast, what is that on my dress?" Natasi looked down at the mark on her tan evening gown. "Is that brass polish for the rail? Oh, damn."
The mood was somewhat dampened by the sobering thoughts of war -- and a ruined evening gown worth a fortune -- that, by the time they got to the Villa, they had been sitting in silence for a few minutes. Natasi allowed Henry to help her onto the private dock that serviced her villa, whose gold dome was visible above the garden trees. "Thank you, Henry," she said pleasantly, trying to avoid looking up at him. It had become more and more difficult to pretend not to notice his fleeting glances and furtive looks. She knew that he had ideas about her, but she couldn't bring herself to encourage them. Paradoxically, she felt unable to fully push him back. "I can see myself in."
"Nonsense," said Henry. "I'll walk you in and see you get safely to bed. I'm the last one to be seen with you, they'll hold me responsible if you trip and break your little neck."
Natasi smirked and unlocked the gate, walking into the expansive rear garden. She walked around the pool towards the front of the house. "Don't be -- oh, all right, I suppose I have had a few drinks. I don't feel unsteady on my feet, but I imagine you only begin to feel unsteady when you're just about to fall over." She pushed the door open into the living room and shut it behind them. The house was still largely empty; Natasi hadn't yet been able to furnish it. Her office, bedroom, and two guest suites were entirely furnished, as was the kitchen and her maid's and cook's rooms, but other than that, the rooms were either empty or contained only the odd piece of furniture -- a side table there, an armchair here.
They climbed the central stairway. "Come in," Natasi said. "I'll just ring for some coffee and get changed -- wait a minute, where are my shoes?"
"I think you took them off on the boat," Henry said with a chuckle. "You can have your maid collect them."
Natasi put her hand to her forehead. "By the Balance. I've never had my shoes off in public before, let alone left them there. I need to get back to Dosuun." She gave a disbelieving giggle and then pulled the cord near her bed, summoning the staff. "I'll just change and get Banks to see what she can do about that spot. Won't be a moment." Natasi was in the next room, changing out of her dress when the coffee was delivered, placed on a coffee table between two low sofas in the sitting area portion of her bedroom. She emerged in a white dressing gown and sat on the sofa across from Henry. "Shall I be mother?" she asked, picking up the coffee pot. Hopefully the drink would take the edge off her lightheadedness.
She reached over and handed a cup and sauce to @Henry Finn-Camden before sitting with her own, cradling it in her hand as she drew her legs up underneath her and settled in. "What did you think of the exhibition. Truly. If you don't like the culture as I do there's no point in you coming all this way."
"There is every reason, Natasi." Henry replied before looking away and lifting his cup to his lips. "But if that was a subtle hint..."