Smeared Self Esteem

Khad met Zuri in one of the balconies of the hallway leading to the servant's quarters. He could sense her energy from where he stood watching her for some moments before he made a noisy step to announce his presence.

She jerked around and faced him with widened eyes. When she realized it was just Khad, her eyes returned to normal as she let out a breath of relief before resting her left elbow on the railing.

"Don't creep up on me, Khad, " Zuri said with a bend of her mouth.

"I didn't do that. You were just so engrossed in your thoughts you didn't hear me walking up to you," Khad explained. "Don't think that way, Zuri. Care to share what weighs so heavily on your mind?"

"Is it that obvious?" she asked while she circled her fingers over the brim of the wooden cup she was holding.

Khad nodded.