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[color=Burlywood][b]Location:[/b] Damien Estate[/color] 
[color=Burlywood][b]Time:[/b] Evening of the 23rd[/color]
[color=Burlywood][b]Mentions:[/b] [color=F0E399]Duchess Victoria[/color], [color=#DDA0DD]Sadie[/color] [@Potter], [color=seagreen]Drake[/color], and [color=slateblue]Ariella[/color] [@tpartywithzombi][/color] 


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The Duke had moved on the tea party, quickly moving to calm down his “loving” wife - and after some back and forths, managed to convince her to leave with him so they may enjoy the rest of their morning without any further stress. As they arrived home she ordered for the Duke to “mind his own business for once” and strut off to her dressing room in a huff. With a sigh Gideon went to his study and began to piece together a fun little ensemble he had been crafting. He picked out the [url=https://imgur.com/0TAxaWq]suit and tie[/url] and the [url=https://imgur.com/102nqsF]mask[/url] he wanted to wear. 

The outside itself seemed extra showy and wasn’t something he’d normally wear, but tonight would be a night of excitement! He was to be daring! The life of the party, perhaps! [color=burlywood][i]Well, maybe not that ambitious, Gideon.[/i][/color] He chuckled to himself. He placed on his garments and ushered his wife Victoria to finish her preparations, followed by yet another short tirade along the lines of “It takes time to get this beautiful!” and “You can't rush perfection!”. So the Duke patiently waited until Victoria was ready, and guided her to their carriage where they would ride together to the Damien Estate.

Once he had arrived in the carriage, he immediately saw a familiar figure standing at the front gates of the property. The Duke quickly sauntered over with a smirk displayed as clear as the moonlight sky would allow, and held out a hand for his son Drake to shake. With the deepest voice he could mimic, he pretended to be yet another stranger amidst the masquerades guests. [color=burlywood]”Well there, what is a strapping lad like yourself doing here by his lonesome? Surely you have plans to attend such a magnificent ball with company?”[/color]

Drake looked at the approaching figure and quickly made out the distinguishing features of his father. With a slight smile he humored the little game his father was playing, shaking his hand and responding in kind in a slightly husky voice. [color=greenyellow]”Well, good sir, I am not one to rush such a fine lady as the one and only Princess Camilia. However I shall join the festivities soon enough, milady seemed rather - distracted. So she may have other matters to attend to.”[/color] There was a slight melancholic look in his eyes, but the mask did well to hide his expression. He rebounded this feeling, however, with a chuckle. Drake then spoke in his normal voice. [color=greenyellow]”I appreciate your candor, Father. But it shall be fine. Have you seen Ari tonight?”[/color]

Gideon thought for a moment and his mouth dropped to a slight frown. Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t seen her since the other night. [color=burlywood]”No…but I am sure she is keeping well! Let us not worry ourselves too much.”[/color] There was a long pause as the man let his anxiety get the better of him. [color=burlywood]”Oh but it can’t hurt to just check in on her right? Oh dear Sebastian!”[/color] The young servant who had delivered Drake’s love letter a few days ago came from the back of the coach wagon and gave a quick bow. “Yes sir?” He chimed. [color=burlywood]”Please go look for Ariella. If you cannot find her by midnight, then find me and we shall do a more in-depth search. I do not wish for her to be…out and about.”[/color] His gaze looked around as he made sure no one heard him other than the present company. Sebastian gave a quick nod and went to the coach driver, leaning in to whisper the Duke’s instructions. Then the wagon began to take off with the Edwards now accounted for sans Ariella.

[color=burlywood]”I shall head inside with your mother. Do try to come in and have fun, my boy. You deserve it.”[/color] He said in a welcoming and gentle tone. The typical ‘politician’ voice that Drake had recognized. He knew that Gideon meant well, but there was something tacky about that tone. As if his own father was putting up a facade around him. Nonetheless, Drake nodded and gave a casual wave to the Duke and Duchess. [color=greenyellow]”Enjoy the night you two. Once we enter those doors, we do so as strangers, right?”[/color] He said with a wink barely visible through his mask, and then he returned to loitering by the gate entrance.

The Duke and Duchess approached the front doors and made their way amidst a fresh wave of guests. The music, atmosphere, smells, sounds, food, and the barrage of stimuli to their senses were truly magnificent. Gideon smiled at his wife, who also held a smile of her own. This was a slight shock to him, as she had been in a sour mood all day, but even she must keep up appearances in a place such as this. For now, it seemed things were going well. He turned to Victoria and provided her with a quandary. [color=burlywood]”Well, my beloved, would you care to dance? Or perhaps we shall introduce our mysterious selves to the host of this masquerade?”[/color]

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