[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/OEh1rTU.png[/img][color=9AF781][h1]Lord Leo Smithwood[/h1]
Time: Evening
Location: Masquerade Ball: Damien Estate
Interactions: Fritz/Riona [@JJ Doe], Nahir [@Rodiak]
Daily Misfortune: An annoyingly high-pitched voice and random fits of laughter.
Predictable Costume: [url=https://i.imgur.com/tLePxA5.jpg]Leo the Lion[/url][/color][/center]
[hr]

[color=CBCBCB]While Nahir, the gold standard of class, simply greeted him and said nothing about the oddly squeaky infection of his voice, her companion failed to even attempt to stifle a chuckle. [color=B8FC03]“Adorable? Hardly, shrill and irritating is a more apt description.”[/color] Leo forced a smile as he spoke, a mask beneath a mask, but it served a purpose, drawing the annoyance from his words and peasantry in its place. [color=B8FC03]“An odd side effect of a cold, no doubt it will pass in a day or so.”[/color] It was far from what he wanted to say, but without knowing who he was speaking with, or how close the orange woman was to Nahir, staying cordial was his best option. 

Leo then felt Fritz’s hand on his shoulder as the man left to conduct his own investigation. He noted the strange fixation Nahir’s companion had as Fritz approached, the intensity of the woman’s gaze. [color=9AF781][i]Why is everyone so enamored with Hendrix? The man’s as charming as a persistent rash.[/i][/color] Leo’s eyes rolled behind his mask. 

His attention snapped back to Nahir as she mentioned a couple who had bumped into her companion. A common ruse for pickpockets, and it sounded like one of the suspects was a woman in dark blue wearing gloves. Finally a bit of useful information. Once the woman in the cat mask confirmed the bracelet was not hers Leo tossed it back onto the table, he head turned just enough to hide another eye roll at the suggestion of getting a servant to assist him. 

[color=B8FC03]“I believe these few days have already proven that the servant’s here are entirely useless. As was Damien’s bastard, whom I reported this to, but he seems more interested in finding someone to lure into his bed chambers. He was just eyeing up the same man you had your eye on.”[/color] He locked eyes with the woman in orange. [color=B8FC03]“If you’d like an introduction to the charming Count Hendrix, I’d be happy to oblige once this matter is settled.”[/color] He offered before looking between the two of them, as he thought over how to address the shoe comment. Though he wondered why anyone would be removing their shoes at a ball, he did not ask. 

[color=B8FC03]“The shoes in that hallway are not mine. Graciously, I delegated a simple shopping trip to a palace servant, only to be met with intentional incompetence.”[/color] He shrugged, such things were par for the course in Sorian it seemed. 

[color=B8FC03]“Now you said a couple? So possibly two thieves, worth having a chat with this couple at least.”[/color] Leo steered the subject back on track, not wanting to delve into the sheer idiocy of a maid running messing with his shoes. [color=B8FC03]“Do either of you recall anything about the woman’s partner? Did you notice their masks?”[/color] He asked, trying to remember if he’d seen the woman Nahir had described.[/color]