[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gdZhxlc.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/AldUxWF.png[/img]


[i][color=LightSteelBlue]Time: The Evening of Sola 23rd[/color] 
[color=LightSteelBlue]Location: Damien Estate Ballroom[/color] 
[color=LightSteelBlue]Mentions/Interactions:[/color][@JJ Doe] Fritz (and technically Riona), [@princess] Charlotte, [@Helo] Leo, [@samreaper] Mr. V [/i][/center]

Cassius observed the scene unfold with the practiced eye of a gambler surveying the cards on the table. One of the men took Charlotte's hand in his own, a gesture that did not escape Cassius's notice and one that caused a wave of curiosity to surge through him. There was a certain finesse to the man's movements, a subtle manipulation that danced beneath the surface like a shadow cloaked in sunlight. Yet, despite the veneer of a sinister nature, Cassius couldn't help but sense a gentle heart beating beneath it all, a contradiction that honestly both intrigued and unnerved him. Eventually, that very contradiction of a man stood to introduce himself.

[color=9354FF]“And you’ll have to excuse me for drawing you away from the one who so captivates your interest…Lord Cassius Damien, I presume? It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Fritz.”[/color] The intriguing man said, extending a hand to Cassius, which he shook without hesitation and purposefully maintained eye contact. 

[color=LightSteelBlue]“Very perceptive of you, Mr. Fritz. Indeed I am the bastard son of Count Damien…and newest Lord to grace Caesonia. Lovely to make your acquaintance.”[/color] he mused, his voice dripping with honeyed charm.

[color=9354FF]“If the others don’t mind, I think it would be heartening to have your assistance, Lord Damien. More the merrier, I say.”[/color]

After nodding in agreement and releasing Fritz's hand, Cassius took a second to acknowledge the server among them with a smile and friendly wink, before letting his attention turn to the man clad in lion themed attire who was clearly annoyed by his presence. 

He did not verbally respond to Leo’s words, but the man's judgment hung in the air like a storm cloud on the horizon. His disdain was palpable even beneath the mask he wore. Instead…Cassius arched a brow, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips as he glared at Leo arrogantly. [color=LightSteelBlue][i]Ah…the illustrious Lord Smithwood,[/i][/color] he thought to himself, his inner voice laced with sarcasm. [color=LightSteelBlue][i]So quick to judge, yet so slow to understand the game played all around you.[/i][/color] His mind turned to his father’s dossier, and the man’s thoughts on the people of importance in the kingdom…Cassius had to admit that Calbert’s musings seemed spot on thus far, at least when it came to the young Smithwood. 

But what of Charlotte? Was Calbert right about her as well?

His father's words echoed in the recesses of his mind like a warning whispered on the wind. Calbert Damien had made his disdain for Charlotte and her stepfather clear, a testament to the drama between the two families. And yet, despite his father's wishes, Cassius couldn't deny the call of curiosity. His draw to Charlotte was undeniable even though he did not understand it in the slightest, a magnetic pull that tugged at the edges of his consciousness even when his mind should be focused on other matters. In reaction to Count Fritz’s acknowledgment of Cas’s captivation by Charlotte, he adjusted…masking his curiosity behind a veil of nonchalance, his gaze lingering on her for but a moment before shifting back to the task at hand as she turned her attention to Leo.

As the conversation transitioned to finding the missing watch and Charlotte laid out her suggestions, Cassius's gaze swept across the crowd, his eyes alight with a hunter’s gleam. As he looked over the partygoers, he pondered the men around Charlotte. They all seemed to notice his eyes on her, even the server that still stood amongst them seemed to have thoughts on the matter. Cas wondered about the nature of each fella’s relationship with her, curious if any of them were potential suitors or had romantic ties to the girl he had been so uncharacteristically drawn to. He could not care less about Lord Smithwood’s watch, and yet he scanned the crowd with a practiced eye…his senses sharpened by years of navigating the treacherous life of a mercenary. Quickly someone caught his eye. There, amidst the sea of masks and shadows, he spotted her…a woman in an orange and gold dress, donning the disguise of a cat mask, her presence was like a beacon in the darkness. 

[i]Not many gowns of orange and gold, I imagine…surely she’s the one.[/i] Cassius pondered internally as he took in the sight of her. He caught his glance just as the woman was beginning to move away from the dance floor, and sure enough…dangling from her waist piece was a pocket watch. From the way it hung, Cassius could tell that the woman most likely didn’t even know it was in her possession. His instinct to point it out to the others was silenced as he turned his own attention back to Leo once more. The smug look of superiority on the man’s face was enough to garner contempt, but the shrill pitch of his voice and oddly timed fit of laughter only added to the aura of unlikability. He considered his options just as Leo addressed him once more. 

[color=B8FC03]“Apologies, Cassius, the watch belongs to my father, his before his, for many years, [i]irreplaceable[/i]…An excellent showing at the archery contest the other day, by the way.”[/color] The compliment from Leo was almost enough to sway the balance of the scales adequately for Cassius to offer up his knowledge of the watch, but the man’s half-assed nod made his decision for him.

[color=LightSteelBlue]“Thank you kindly, Lord Smithwood. I do great work, especially when there’s a captive audience.”[/color]  

No, he would not reveal the whereabouts of the watch…at least not yet. The whole scenario amused him and he was far more interested to see how this little group would fair in finding it on their own. Plus, given the fact that all three gentleman seemed interested in, or at least protective of, Charlotte in their own ways…he saw an opportunity to test those waters that he simply could not resist. Careful not to repeat the mistakes of the other night, Cassius addressed Charlotte directly…his tone of voice even more alluring than normal. 

[color=LightSteelBlue]“Lady Vikena, I would be remiss if I did not admit that it is quite lovely to see you. It seems you’re as clever as you are kind and as kind as you are beautiful.”[/color] He complimented, his best smile on display just for her. Even though a part of him was doing this simply to see the reactions of the others, he meant every word he spoke and could not deny that he appreciated her eyes on him as he continued to speak. The air of sarcasm that usually painted his words disappeared completely now that they were directed to her, replaced by unmistakable genuineness. [color=LightSteelBlue]“And we can certainly turn back to the watch in a moment, but I would regret it if I did not acknowledge how wonderful your entire ensemble looks. I would not have personally picked you for a butterfly, though beautiful…they are far too fragile a creature to do you justice, but nonetheless you look simply incredible, as I’m sure you would regardless of the theme.”[/color] With a polite bow towards Charlotte, Cassius allowed his eyes to meet those of each of the other three men at the table as a way to gauge their feelings for his gesture.