[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/rtwLejQ.png[/img]
[color=f26522]Time[/color]: before noon
[color=f26522]Location[/color]: the Morning Blossom Cafe
[color=f26522]Interactions[/color]: Olivia [@Potter]
[color=f26522]Mentions in order[/color]: Dr. John [@Conscripts]
[color=f26522]outfit:[/color] white long sleeve shirt with dark green vest, silver pocket watch, brown comfortable pants, leather boots. right arm in a white sling, dark brown leather duster and wide brim black hat for wet weather.[/center]
[hr][hr]

The night before,

Erik and the Ravenwood entourage, with the assistance of Dr.’s John and Fredrick, were successful in getting roman and the rest of the party members heading back to the city safely. Through their care the Dr.’s was able to determine the extent of Romans injuries which included a dislocated right shoulder, several bruised or cracked ribs, and several bruises covering his body. Roman slept through all of it. 
[hr]
The next day,

Morning came early and with significantly more pain than he was used to for the Ravenwood lord. He tried to adjust, tried to move but only found pain and resistance, soon coming to the realization that he had several bandages that wrapped his right shoulder. Roman rested back down on the bed trying to remember the night before, a splitting headache was all he got in return.

“[color=39b54a][i]So, your awake[/i][/color].” A gruff voice spoke near the bed in the native language of the northern people. Erik was diligently working on several correspondences by the light coming through a high window. He took his time to complete the document he was working on setting the pin down and walking over to his friend. “[color=39b54a][i]I did tell you that rushing that ceremony was a bad idea. We could have been more prepared for it.[/i][/color]” Erik took a deep breath and leaned up against a near by wooden beam, “[color=39b54a][i]do you remember what happened?[/i][/color]”

The last thing Roman wanted was to be scolded but if Erik was doing it then it was for a good reason. “[color=f26522][i]The last thing I remember is setting the circle with Astri. Everything else is strange.[/i][/color]” He replied in kind in their native tongue. The look Erik gave him told him to elaborate, with a casual roll of his eyes Roman continued, “[color=f26522][i]I remember the battlefield, the villagers... him… and my grandfather. Who basically said that I need to stop acting like a child and take things seriously.[/i][/color]”

Roman started to sit up with the help of his friend slowly and steadily, “[color=39b54a][i]I agree with him you haven’t been taking this seriously, playing too much into this big oaf role. You do have to find a wife at some point here at the very least to keep up appearances.[/i][/color]” Erik walked away for a moment and came back with some light pain killers and a glass of water, handing it off to the bear. “[color=39b54a][i]Back to the event, you still should have been careful. We all knew this place was unstable and out of everyone you are the most susceptible to possession. Which you were.[/i][/color]” Gesturing to the bandages. “[color=39b54a][i]Just be glad he didn’t take over and it was just some pissed off spirits.[/i][/color]”

A pang of guilt sat in his stomach for a moment, the thought that he might have hurt someone or worse lost control to [i]him[/i] only made his anxiety worse. Losing control of that demon was something that held a near inescapable fear. He would not let that thing take control again. Even now he could feel it smiling at him. “[color=f26522][i]Was that all?[/i][/color]” It was all he could ask of events he could scarcely remember himself. Even now the very act of trying to remember the ritual only brought pain. He downed the glass of water and the pills then looked for the time.

“[color=39b54a][i]You still have plenty of time to get dressed for your next event. Come on ill help you.[/i][/color]” The man offered his hand to help the lord up and began helping him get dressed around his bandaging. “[color=39b54a][i]Im sure by the end of the day these bandages will bother you more than the injuries themselves, try to keep them on for at least a couple days.[/i][/color]”

“[color=f26522][i]Worried about me already?[/i][/color]” roman asked with a slight laugh that immediately made him wince from the pain in his ribs. 

[color=39b54a][i]“We don’t need you to draw more attention to yourself. You’ve made enough enemies here as it is, expect to be watched.”[/i][/color]

Roman simply replied with a nod of agreement, “[color=f26522][i]it was bound to happen who did I piss off this time?[/i][/color]” At least this way he could still feign the injuries and look weaker than he really is.

“[color=39b54a][i]probly whichever dobber sent the interruption...[/i][/color]" Erik grumbled. [color=39b54a][i]"Remember, Any fool can judge strength just by looking at someone, we need them to keep seeing you as just another man and you can not underestimate them either.”[/i][/color] Erik continued to assist Roman with his undershirt and pants opting for a neutral color pallet with lighter brown colored pants a white shirt with long sleeves and a dark green vest with a silver pocket watch covered with a long dark brown leather duster. His wallet placed carefully in an inside pocket of the green jacket. 

Erik snapped his fingers at a couple of their men who were sorting through and organizing gear at the other end of the building. Both men turned to look, without seeing if they are paying attention Erik made a fist. In short notice the two began shouting and arguing with each other about a girl the other stole from them the night before. Roman looked at his friend for a moment, "[color=39b54a][i]This bloody place has ears everywhere.[/i][/color]" the older man replied.

“[color=39b54a][i]What is our mission?[/i][/color]” Erik asked as he fashioned the hidden reinforced bracers under romans sleeves. 

“[color=f26522][i]To protect the Varian nobility and citizens in Sorian.[/i][/color]” Roman recited this as if he had said it a hundred times.

[color=39b54a][i]“What is our primary objective?”[/i][/color] Erik again asked while placing the hidden blade inside Roman’s boot.

[color=f26522][i]“To maintain our intelligence network and not to reveal our true identities unless the safety of our people has been compromised and immediate evacuation is absolutely necessary.”[/i][/color]

“[color=39b54a][i]What is your goal?[/i][/color]” Erik arranged Romans rings on his right hand with his signet ring and a few of his favorites. They were not flashy in any sense other than the signet ring they didn’t look particularly interesting other than their odd shape. A shape that made it when rotated just right connects together to make a form of brass knuckles.

“[color=f26522][i]To make allies and find a wife… someone I can trust. Someone we can trust.[/i][/color]”

“[color=39b54a][i]Good, try not to be so much of an oaf. It might make you look cute but not strong, show them how strong you are, not just in presence but wit and resources.[/i][/color]” Erik sinched a leather belt around romans waist with a small dagger attached to his hip. 

Roman looked like he belonged on the western frontier but still nice enough to fit in to most but the classiest of events. The long duster was just to help with the rain after all. The last thing he wore to really tie in the look was a wide brimmed black hat. The right sleeve of the duster lay limp at his side with his right arm held in a sling.

Erik placed his arms on Romans’ shoulders and gripped hard for just a moment, enough to get the lord to flinch in his grasp. “[color=39b54a][i]You’re going to be fine lad, now get going your going to be late since you’re walking.[/i][/color]” 

“[color=f26522][i]Im guessing its some sort of punishment?[/i][/color]” roman asked Erik just nodded, “[color=39b54a][i]a couple of the boys will walk with you on their way to run an errand. Most of the others, including Astri are out in the forest cleaning up today. I could throw you out there to help but something tells me you would enjoy that more.[/i][/color]” The two shared a quiet laugh and a hug, roman tipped his hat to his friend and headed out Erik just shook his head and sat back down at his desk signaling for the others to stop fighting, "[color=39b54a]would you wankers stop yer squabbling before I put you back on ship duty.[/color]"
[hr]
The café,

The walk was wet but uneventful, most people preferred the carriages over a little rain if they could afford it. Still even though he had a bit of a limp with the pain in his right leg where he likely received some kind of blow the night before, he enjoyed the walk. The sound of rain on the cobblestone was soothing to his aching head. Before he knew it, they had arrived at the café a little later than he hoped but not by much.

He was greeted by a lovely hostess introducing herself as Mingyu that explained the event to him and even helped him take off his coat and hat, a small act that he thanked her for. His arm resting in its sling was clear to see. He reached into the basket and retrieved his number. With a smile he headed in the direction of the table that was numbered.

The lovely face he found when he came upon his table was one he recognized, one that brought a genuine smile to his face as he formally greeted Charlotte’s friend that he met at the beach. “[color=f26522]Hello again Olivia im glad to see you’re doing well. I must say you are looking absolutely stunning this morning.[/color]” His words were sincere, from her clothes to her copper red hair. He always liked that hair color. With only the slightest amount of pain he sat across from her, his smile never faltering. “[color=f26522]am I safe to assume that you and Charlotte had a wonderful evening last night. I haven’t heard much from the masquerade.[/color]”


(([i]italicized[/i] words are spoken in a their language.))