[center][h1][color=lightpink]Olivia[/color][/h1]
[sub][color=lightgreen][s]Persephone[/s][/color][/sub]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/FfdNy36.gif[/img][/center]
[color=LightPink][color=lightgreen]Time:[/color] Evening
[color=lightgreen]Location:[/color] Damien Estate Masquerade
[color=lightgreen]Interactions:[/color] [@princess] Mr. Narcissist 
[color=lightgreen]Mentions:[/color] [@Helo] Leo; [@princess]Charlotte, [@samreaper] Kaz, & [@JJ Doe] Fritz/Peter
[color=lightgreen]Aesthetic:[/color] 
[url=https://i.imgur.com/BkY7bJB.jpg]braid[/url]
[url=https://i.imgur.com/KPh9GKq.png]owl mask[/url]
[url=https://i.imgur.com/Vqe0KN2.png]dress and accessories[/url][/color][hr]

[color=lightgreen]Watching as Peter twirled her around and then left to distract the blue knight she bit her lip. A heist - what were they planning? She looked over at Charlotte's group; it was big, but nonetheless, there was strength in numbers right? Olivia strode forward and ignored the crowd around her as if they were nothing more than dung beetles. Her gaze flickered around as she moved towards them in hopes of avoiding Calbert. She could feel his eyes on her wherever she went; it was like she was a mouse being hunted by a hawk. She gritted her teeth and pushed it out of her mind. There wasn’t any way she’d let him ruin her night - again.

Olivia was now close enough to the group that she could almost make out what they were saying. A sudden ringing in her ears assaulted her and she gripped her head with pain. The familiar ringing caused her to scowl and she shook her head. There was no reason for this to act up now. Desperation and frustration, two feelings she hated, were beginning to creep up again. At the same time, the dance became more lively, and people flocked to the dance floor from the food tables. With deep breaths, Olivia continued towards the group, but a pair of dancers blocked and shuffled her unwittingly aside. She glared at them reproachfully, but the mask hid most of it. 

[color=LightPink]”Stupid nobles,”[/color] Olivia hissed under her breath. She moved forward again, but a boisterous animal-masked group blocked her path. Why was this so hard? Was the world trying to prevent her from seeing her friends? [color=LightPink]”Really!”[/color] She growled. Olivia tried to side-step and was halfway towards Charlotte when a black-cat masked woman spilled her drink onto her. Olivia inhaled sharply at the sudden cold liquid and looked up with fury. This dress… This dress was expensive, and Charlotte had paid for it, which was something she could never repay. Infuriated, Olivia glared at her, but the woman drunkenly moved away with laughter to meet her date - ironically, a dog. [color=LightPink][i]Though I admire the costume, you’re on my shitlist lady.[/i][/color]

Finally, she was ten yards away. The ringing filled her ears, but she ignored it, and resisted the urge to use magic to part the sea. She had to stop. She couldn’t use it; not here. Olivia dug her nails into her palms and scowled as she began to reach them. [color=LightPink]”Charlotte!”[/color] She called loudly. Olivia waved with a smile when another individual came out of seemingly nowhere, and blocked her path. 

The imposing figure stood before her, adorned in regal black and gold attire that exuded his preferred aura of power and elegance. His towering frame cast a foreboding presence, amplified by the sinister horned mask that shrouded his features, reminiscent of a malevolent being from the darkest depths of the underworld. He peered down at her with a gaze that normally sent chills down the back of those he looked upon.

Olivia gulped when the shadowy figure emerged in front of her. Her gaze slowly went from his chest to his face and caused her heart rate to quicken. Olivia met the eyes of the Devil himself - Count Damien. Her mouth went dry and she was silent. What kind of hell did he have in store for them today?

[color=4C93C2]"You know, despite the anonymity these masks have provided my guests.. "[/color] He began slowly, taking his time to analyze her every movement, his voice dripping with honeyed venom, [color=4C93C2] "I have been able to discern the identities of most gracing our presence tonight... Yet you."[/color] He paused dramatically, the smile forming under his mask evident in his eyes,  [color=4C93C2]"You... You remain an enigma to me, my dear... You are a surprise awaiting my unraveling."[/color]

[color=LightPink][i]Oh hell no, this man doesn’t have anything better to do?[/i][/color]

His voice indeed caused the hairs on the back of her neck to tingle. However, she noticed him analyzing her every moment, and glanced away. Her mind screamed for her to run, yet she remained rooted to the spot. His large figure blocked her friends from view. She swallowed, and then forced herself to meet his gaze.  It was as if she were staring at Satan himself. Was he the devil reincarnated? It made sense.

[color=LightPink]”Well, I guess that's an unfortunate request for you then isn’t it?”[/color] Olivia inquired.  [color=LightPink]”A piece to a puzzle you wish to complete, but I regret to inform you that I’m uninterested.”[/color] She glanced at him and folded her hands neatly and forced a half-smile back at him.

Olivia glanced away as her courage briefly failed her and attempted to side-step him.  [color=LightPink]”As the magnificent…”[/color] her voice trailed off while she struggled not to be snide. [color=LightPink]”...Owner of this most wondrous ball, I dare say you must have more important affairs to attend to, yes? A man as esteemed as you mustn’t want to be dealing with a young adult, no?”[/color] Her voice this time remained steadier, but shook slightly, as she struggled to ignore the voices insisting she use magic; but not here, not now.

He smiled simply as he observed her behavior, letting her speak her piece. [color=4C93C2]"...My apologies if I've caused any consternation,"[/color] he smoothly interjected, his tone shifting to disarming in an instant, [color=4C93C2]"I assure you, my dear, I simply wish to acquaint myself with all the esteemed guests in attendance tonight… Assuming you know my name, it’s only fair the lady presents hers so I can refer to her appropriately."[/color] He presented her with a bow nonetheless and a warm smile.

Olivia became impassive while he spoke. His honeyed words sounded well, but she knew deep down they were a folly. She stared at him with a quirked eyebrow. His intimidating aura caused her muscles to stiffen, and her quickened heart rate caused her to have sweaty palms. Instead of replying, Olivia waited for him to continue his bullshit. Meanwhile, her mind raced for an exit, anyway to end this conversation on a good note.

He then extended a gloved hand towards her with an air of charm, [color=4C93C2]"Would you do me the honor of joining me for a dance?"[/color] he added, his words laced with calculated sweetness.

His extended hand threw her off guard and she blinked. His honeyed venom only caused her skin to crawl. How disgusting was he? Rhetorical question, there was no way to measure his bullshit.

[color=LightPink]”No thank you.”[/color] Olivia replied with a sweet smile and batted her eyelashes sickeningly sweet. [color=LightPink]”You see, I must attend to my dates. Thank you for your offer. Let’s take a raincheck. Besides, you have more important things to be doing don’t you?”[/color] 

Olivia tried again to sidestep him and catch Cassius’s gaze, unsure if the newfound bastard would help or not. Was he to be trusted? Time would tell.  As her eyes flickered towards Charlotte, she noticed a subtle widening before they locked onto Olivia's own.

Calbert scrutinized her with a predatory gaze, the smirk under his mask revealing a hint of amusement. He finally said after a long pause, [color=4C93C2] “You enjoy your night, my dear. …It was ever so lovely to converse with you.”[/color]  As he stepped away from Olivia and let himself disappear back into the crowd, he kept an eye on her, even as another individual brushed shoulders with him and began to whisper in his ear. [/color]