It would have made Dune exceedingly uncomfortable to know the night sovereign had recognized him. Anonymity was one of the things that made him exceedingly valuable in this line of work-- that and discretion. But he doesn’t know, and in his ignorance he is bold as he steps closer to the queen.
“I’d have thought the court would be a better place to market your wares,” Her voice is satin. Cool at first, almost cold, but as the words settle they seem to warm. “Couldn’t stay away.” The bay gestures to the field around them, all alight and magical. “Never seen anything like it.” Except a hundred times in dream but… there was something different about it in the waking world, wasn’t it? There was consequence here. More importantly, the field was alive around them, and would go on living (or not) independent of the mind’s whimsy.
Dune smiles briefly as her eyes run over the sweets without the slightest interest, and though his face is warm he is thinking with derision “I bet you don’t ever have fun do you? You royalty and your issues… bet if you were dreaming there’d be blood, just like those kings...” There was something more to her, though. He sensed it lurking like a caged animal and while reason and professionalism told him to remain calm and play his part, the boy in him was bristling with the morbid desire to push her. He wanted to see what was on the other side of the calm sea she presented.
Dune recognizes his desires as dangerous, so as Antiope’s attention is drawn to his homemade goods he nods proudly and returns to the hustle. “Two for the price of one. Made those myself.” She would surely recognize his accent as Solterran, although his origins were most likely already obvious by the nature of the treats he sold. She also would be likely to hear that he was not educated, at least not in the way of the nobles and the middle class. He did not enunciate his words as they did, although he could-- since beginning to speak he found he had a natural talent for mimicry-- but he loathed that highbrow way of speaking. It was just another way to distinguish the haves from the have-nots, and this was not a game that someone like him could win. The closest thing to victory for a man of his station was to not play, and that is what he strove to do.
"Having much luck?"
She already knows the answer doesn't she? “Oh, not at all.” He laughs, unbothered, and meets her gaze pointedly. “I’m hoping that might change soon.” Inwardly he cringes at how heavy-handing he is being. But it’s not every day you can make a sale to a sovereign. "What are you looking for tonight?" There are many things he couldn't help her with, many things he did not have the resources to acquire or do, but you never know... maybe he could surprise her.
@Antiope
