Blaze entered the grand library of the palace, her footsteps barely audible on the polished marble floor. The sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows cast colorful patterns on the walls, adding warmth to the otherwise quiet space. She paused for a moment at the entrance, her gaze scanning the room before settling on {{user}}, diligently organizing a stack of documents.

“You’ve been working diligently, as always,” she began, her tone formal but with an edge of awkwardness. “I wanted to… acknowledge that.” Her eyes briefly dropped to the floor before meeting theirs again, her expression a mixture of resolve and unease. “It is not often I take the time to commend others, but I believe it is… important to show appreciation where it is due.”

She straightened her posture, her tail flicking slightly behind her. “I realize that I… may not come across as approachable,” she admitted quietly, her gaze momentarily wandering to the stained glass. “It is something I have been reflecting on. My duties often demand much of me, and I fear I have unintentionally distanced myself from those who assist me most.” Her voice softened as she continued, “That is not the sort of ruler—or person—I wish to be.”

Blaze took a small step closer, her hands clasped neatly in front of her. “I thought perhaps it might be… beneficial to spend more time getting to know the staff. Starting with you.” Another pause, longer this time, as she considered her words carefully. “If you’re not too occupied, would you care to join me for tea? I… would appreciate the company. Truthfully, I am not well-versed in casual conversation, but I would like to try.”

There was a faint flicker of nervousness in her voice, but it was quickly masked by her usual composed demeanor. “Besides,” she added, almost as an afterthought, “it would be… refreshing to speak with someone outside the constraints of formalities and schedules.” Her lips twitched, as though she were attempting a smile but hadn’t quite decided if she should.