princess

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time:Evening
Location: Calbert's Estate
Attire: Mask, Dress/Wings

---

Charlotte carefully slipped through the dimly lit halls of the second floor of the Damien Estate, pressing herself to the wall. Fear gnawed at her insides, urging her to turn back and retreat to the safety of the ballroom. As she forged ahead, her heart hammered against her ribs at the sight of only one guard stationed per hallway, their weary posture betraying a lapse in vigilance as the night wore on. A silent prayer of gratitude escaped her lips as she skirted past a figure slumped against the wall, their face obscured by a curtain of unkempt hair, seemingly lost in slumber.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of nerve-wracking evasion, Charlotte arrived at the door to Calbert’s study. She reached the door to Calbert’s study and drew a steadying breath. She reached out with trembling fingers and gently pushed the door open, revealing the chamber beyond.

Stepping into the study, Charlotte felt her senses assaulted by the overwhelming intensity of the Count's possessions. Her gaze swept across the walls adorned with mounted animal heads, their glassy eyes seemingly following her every move with an unnerving intensity. However, it was the sight of the deceased gator lurking ominously in the corner that sent a chill down her spine, its monstrous form casting a foreboding shadow over the room.

Shutting the door quietly behind her, Charlotte made her way further into the room, her eyes fixating on the desk at the center. However, before she could even touch it, the sound of a throat clearing shattered the silence.

Frozen in place, Charlotte kept her gaze downward as she awaited the inevitable confrontation.

"I'd like to say when my guard informed me that a girl was sneaking into my study, I was surprised to find it was my beloved family friend Lady Charlotte Vikena..." Calbert mused, his voice carrying a tone of amused resignation. His steps were deliberate as he approached her, his fingers delicately tracing the edge of the desk as he came to stand before her. "Alas…”

The amusement left his voice as his tone shifted. "I'm not."

As Calbert's gaze met hers, Charlotte couldn't help but notice the seething fury that lurked behind his seemingly nonchalant facade. Despite his outward demeanor, the intensity in his eyes betrayed the storm raging within.

"You seem to have developed a penchant for betrayal," Calbert continued, his tone calculated. "Your recent actions speak volumes, Lady Charlotte. But what surprises me more is your willingness to align yourself with those who seek to harm my family."

Charlotte's silence lingered, which seemed to only stoke the flames of Calbert's anger. His brow furrowed, and he lowered his voice when he spoke next.

“I know you provided sanctuary to Kazumin and the blonde,” he revealed suddenly, relishing the shock that crossed her features.

"I suppose you must have a vendetta against me for how our little chat went that night at the ball, but really, Lottie? " Calbert's voice oozed with condescension as he leaned in closer, his gaze piercing. "I had always held the belief that your affections for Crystal ran deep, yet here you stand… in cohorts with her stalker."

There was a pause, a moment of silence that spoke volumes, as Calbert let his words hang in the air. "Your mother's tragic demise has undoubtedly left its mark upon you… Hasn’t it?" Calbert's tone shifted seamlessly from mock sympathy to cold indifference. "But let us not allow personal grievances to cloud our judgment, Charlotte. What you have done is very serious."

Calbert then slammed his fist on the table with a sudden, jarring motion, the sharp sound reverberating through the room. Charlotte recoiled at the outburst, but Calbert's smile remained chillingly calm as he leaned in closer, his eyes ablaze with calculated fury. "Do you understand that?" Calbert asked demandingly, "That I could have you hung for an assassination attempt with your two little peasant rats?"

With a languid grace, he circled the desk, his gaze never leaving Charlotte's trembling form. "What I have planned for you," he hissed, each syllable laced with icy venom, "is worse."

His lips curled into a wicked smile. “For one…” He paused, savoring the moment before delivering his decree. "You are hereby forbidden from any association with Crystal or Violet," he declared with an air of finality, "And as for my son," he continued, "the last thing he needs is a criminal like you tarnishing his name."

"Consider yourself warned, Charlotte," he purred, a twisted satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Cross me again, and you will regret it."

Charlotte's breath caught in her throat at his words, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

“What are you going to do?” Her voice trembled slightly as she dared to confront him, her gaze locked with his. From the gleam in his eyes, Calbert was overjoyed by the question. She could tell he had been prepping the answer for a long time, his twisted satisfaction evident in every word he spoke.

With a flick of his wrist, Calbert gestured toward a large globe positioned prominently in the corner of the study. He moved to stand by and pressed his hand against it. Its surface shimmered as it seemed to activate upon his touch. "Behold," he intoned.

As Charlotte approached cautiously, Calbert beckoned her closer. The map on the globe shifted and transformed before her eyes. Images of distant lands flickered into view, their names swirling and shifting in a mesmerizing dance. And then the map settled on a familiar sight: the sprawling city of Sorian. But what truly caught Charlotte's attention were the moving names that danced across the globe's surface. She felt a sudden chill run down her spine.

"The invitations..." she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Precisely," he confirmed, pressing his hand to the globe once more. The imagery dissipated, leaving the globe again a normal, innocuous object. "I am acutely aware of your conspiratorial machinations." he added with a cold certainty, his gaze locked onto hers, probing.

Suddenly, a chilling smile crept across Calbert's features like a spreading stain of darkness. “But worry not about me pursuing any prosecution of any of you… Though you may wish I had…” he drawled.

A hollow laugh, devoid of any semblance of humor, escaped his lips as he concluded, “You will wish that I had you all sent to your deaths. ” Leaning in closer, his eyes ablaze with vindictive satisfaction, Calbert continued with a twisted relish, "I have decided to take your punishment into my own hands."

His words hung in the air like a curse, heavy with impending doom. " You will not know when, or whom, or how, but each of you will find yourselves suffering in unimaginable ways, and no one will be able to trace it back to me. No one will even entertain your claims, Charlotte,”

Casually, he smiled once more and said, " You see, I have procured a copy of your records from your sojourn at the sanatorium,” Her eyes widened as if she were surprised such even existed. “Who will they believe? A woman plagued by insanity? Or one of the most esteemed figures in all of Caesonia?” His eyes bore into hers as he spoke, his speech quickening with each word, “I can tell you everything. I can tell you every little detail of what I am going to do and I will not lose an ounce of sleep… Because I know if you tell a single soul, I will ruin you.”

“ I will not tolerate further threat to my lineage. If ensuring your suffering is the necessary price to protect my family, then so be it.."

Charlotte clutched at the delicate fabric of her gown, her fingers trembling with urgency as she made a desperate dash for the door. Each step down the stairs felt clumsy, her panic escalating with every descent.

It had gone according to her plan. Everything.

Charlotte had played her part to perfection ever since the deliberate portrayal of vulnerability she had maintained since their encounter at the beach.

She had played the foolish amateur who dared to sneak into the villain’s study in a place.

She had even played the girl silly enough to utilize a motif within her costume that Calbert would recognize immediately.

Despite it all, Charlotte knew she had lost tonight.

No matter how she had undermined herself, it had been Calbert who had been underestimated.

Questions swirled in her mind, each one more ominous than the last. How had Calbert known that Persephone and Kazumin had been in her home? Was he bluffing about punishing everyone? And, more importantly, how would she protect them?

How would she even tell them?

The weight of these questions bore down on her as she found herself back in the foyer once more, the grandeur of the ballroom looming ahead. With a shaky breath, Charlotte ventured back into the crowd.

As she scanned the sea of people, searching for the familiar faces of her friends, a suffocating wave of panic threatened to engulf her. The air grew thick with the pulse of the music, the laughter and chatter of the guests echoing in her ears like a cacophony of raw noise.

Her chest tightened with each passing moment, her breaths coming in short, shallow gasps that were scarcely heard amongst the noise of the crowd. The room seemed to spin around her, blurring into a dizzying haze. Amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces, their familiar features remained elusive.

Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision as panic tightened its grip around her throat. Everything that had happened in the last few days seemed to overwhelm her brain all at once in flashes of imagery and echoes of voices.

I don’t want to lose them.

A sense of familiar helplessness washed over her, threatening to drown her as a sob escaped.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

-

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Guavav Village - Menzai's home
Interactions: @Funnyguy Darius @Alivefalling] Dante @Samreaper Menzai @Helo Cyrus
Equipment: Staff with unbreaking and shift enchantment(shifts into dagger), Her bag, Water Purifier, Flask, some shiny pebbles
Attire:Dress, which she decorated with flowers and hung little charms off the ropes, A small antler headdress with flowers and jewels, amulet with Millinia Crest, wooden butterfly earrings, various bracelets

Phia's eyes widened with surprise as Menzai agreed, a delighted smile spread across her face. She couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at his unexpected cooperation, her excitement evident as she twirled her spoon in her hand, "It will be nice to see you have fun too, Menzai." she remarked, her tone sincere. "We are stronger together as a unit, so I echo your idea to not wander from the group. "

Her attention shifted to Cyrus as he spoke, and she tilted her head in confusion, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Is your family important for some reason or are they wanted for doing bad crimes?" she blurted out without much consideration, her words laced with innocence rather than malice. "Either way, what sort of folk should I give the fliers to then? How do we know?"

As she awaited Cyrus's answer, Darius and Dante's conversation caught her interest. "... There's so much of the world I haven't seen either. It's very fun that we get to have the new experience together. But I have not heard of this garden before. How have you heard of it?" Without missing a beat, Phia began to rummage through the fruit basket on the table. Grabbing a handful of apples, she started rolling them towards Darius and Dante.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Night
Location: The edge of Lover's Lake
Attire:Dress, A crown of various flowers
Interaction: @Helo Callum @Conscripts John

---

"We HATE disrespect!" Princess Anastasia had added to her brother's speech. The guards had bowed their head in reaction and apologized, the lead one loudly ordering that they all leave the premises. Her gaze then slid to Callum and Ariella as his arm fell around her. "Distraction is my middle name, dude, no problem."

She cracked her knuckles thoughtfully, her gaze sliding to the guards on the sideline who were there to protect her and Callum. A devious grin slowly grew on her face as she locked eyes with them.

"Yoohoo! Hi, big boys!" she called out, her voice ringing with mischief. "The princess of all of Caesonia is about to embark on a daring adventure! Watch as I conquer that towering cliff over there and dive into the depths below! "

Her hands fell to her cheeks with feigned fear, "Oh no, I hope I don't fall!"

The guards stared at her in confusion, unsure of what game she was playing. But Anastasia wasn't finished yet. With a wink, she made a beeline for the lake, her steps unsteady as if she were struggling to maintain her balance.

Her movements were exaggerated, almost comically so, as she stumbled and staggered along the edge of the lake, feigning intoxication. With each exaggerated stumble, she glanced back at the guards, her grin widening with each step.

Reaching the base of the cliff, Anastasia paused for dramatic effect, swaying slightly as she looked up at its daunting height with mock apprehension. Then, theatrically, she began to ascend, her movements clumsy and uncoordinated as she clung to the rocks for support.

As she reached the top, the guards below watched in growing concern, their expressions shifting from confusion to alarm. Some shouted for her to get down, their voices filled with urgency and worry.

But Anastasia ignored their calls. With a reckless shout, she stumbled towards the edge of the cliff, her balance precarious as she teetered on the brink. The guards below rushed into action, some scrambling to climb the rocks to reach her while others leaped into the water, their arms outstretched to catch her if she fell.

The guards' shouts grew louder, their panic palpable as they feared for her safety. As she reached the edge, she opened her arms up and screamed, "LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!!" And then, she threw herself off the cliff, her form twisting and turning through the air as she plummeted towards the water below. The guards held their breath, their hearts pounding with fear as they watched her fall. But Anastasia executed a perfect dive into the water, disappearing beneath the surface with a resounding splash.

A crowd was drawn by her boisterous call and dozens rushed towards the water, their voices blending into a cacophony of excitement.

Emerging from the depths, Anastasia grinned triumphantly, her laughter echoing across the lake. As she swam back to shore, she glanced back at the guards with a playful wink, knowing that her performance had served its purpose: distracting them long enough for Callum to slip away unnoticed.

But now it was time for her to slip away as well. She climbed out of the lake, dripping wet. The enthusiasm of those around her was infectious and she had to high-five some of the eager swimmers as they shed their clothes. The crowd was growing and people were brushing past each other to get into the water, while others getting into some alcohol.

Amidst the chaos, Anastasia seized the opportunity. She threw herself into a run through the thick of the crowd and made her way into the shadows of the trees, dripping droplets on her way. Her hair was toulsed and damp, strands sticking to her cheeks and neck. Her dress now clung heavily to her body like a second skin. She knew the guards would notice her absence and be on her tail any moment, but that gave Callum more time at the least.

Right now, her goal was to find Farim and Roman. She wanted to make sure the both of them were alright. However, instead, she found herself accidentally ramming into two men in black coats.

"OOF!"

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Night
Location: The edge of Lover's Lake
Attire:Dress, A crown of various flowers
Interaction: @Helo Callum

---

"Okay got it. I'm right behind you." Anastasia told Callum and gave him two enthusiastic thumbs up. She watched as the guards removed their boots obediently in reaction to Callum's command and wondered why so many of them had been sent here. She could understand that the Damiens were protective; everyone always said they had been a bit of helicopter parents. However, it made no sense to send this many unless there was some sort of known threat. "And how long has Violet been missing anyway? Sending this big a search party without evidence she's in danger seems like an overreaction." She chimed in.

The Ceremony for the Summer Solstice

Sorian Guards

Time: Night
Location: Edge of Lover's Lake
Interactions: @Lava Alckon Farim @Tpartywithzombi Ariella, @Helo Callum

---

"You heard Prince Callum... Take off your boots!" The head guard barked suddenly, prompting immediate response. With a sense of urgency, the guards hurried to comply, bending down to unlace their heavy boots. The clatter of metal buckles hitting the ground mixed with the soft thud of leather as each boot was removed. Some of them were fumbling nervously with their laces as the head guard turned once more to the two royals.

"Countess Liliane Damien stated that her daughter was missing from the bedroom she once occupied and that the bedroom was left in a worrisome state. She is concerned for her daughter's safety." He explained. "We had no intentions of interrupting something sacred... or..." His brows furrowed and he crossed his arms as mind circled with thoughts. "...Nonetheless, my apologies, your highnesses. We were only given the information to check the area to see if Lady Violet Damien was present and safe. We will leave at once if that is what you wish."

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Guavav Village - Menzai's home
Interactions: @Funnyguy Darius @Samreaper Menzai @Helo Cyrus
Equipment: Staff with unbreaking and shift enchantment(shifts into dagger), Her bag, Water Purifier, Flask, some shiny pebbles
Attire:Dress, which she decorated with flowers and hung little charms off the ropes, A small antler headdress with flowers and jewels, amulet with Millinia Crest, wooden butterfly earrings, various bracelets

The group had been situated around the dining room table this drizzly morning. Outside, the rain fell steadily, a soft patter against the windows that echoed. The wooden roof above creaked softly under the weight of the rain. The room was bathed in arm lighting from the candles on the table. Just as the last crumbs of breakfast were being swept away, Phia's sudden burst of energy cut through the subdued atmosphere. With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, Phia banged her spoon over and over on the table with an enthusiasm that bordered on excessive, effectively halting all conversation in its tracks. As the attention of the group turned towards her, she grinned and waved the spoon in the air like a makeshift flag. "I have an idea." She announced, her voice ringing with excitement despite the gloomy backdrop.

"I think we should bring the fliers we made to River Fairy Kingdom to help Cyrus find his family. There are many fairies there, and rumor has it they have riverfruit slushes." Phia had longed to visit there more often, only successfully sneaking over there once or twice. Menzai always dragged her back and she had never been certain why. Nonetheless, her proposal hung in the air. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she continued, "Plus, Dante and Darius have been putting in so much effort during training sessions lately. It's high time we showed them a bit of fun."

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Camp outside Roshmi
Interaction: @Apex Sunburn Scathael, @FunnyGuy Thraash @ShiningSector FIVE
Equipment: Repeating crossbow, a bag, sword, two daggers, 3 small red potions, 1 large red potion, 1 large blue potion, hoverboard, portable solar box, eye protectors, fire starter kit, channeling gloves that turn her light magic orange, makeup, perfume, a skull she wears as a mask and a disguise ring

Two days had passed since Scathael decided to accompany Mari and Thraash back to their camp to assist with FIVE's arm. However, just a day prior, when the trio returned to the village, Mari's stomach had churned with dread. The sight that greeted them was a scene straight from her darkest nightmares. The once vibrant streets now lay desolate, the buildings in shambles or burnt to the ground. But it wasn't just the sight that struck shock into their hearts; it was the smell - a sickly sweet odor that clung to the air like a suffocating shroud. The bodies lay scattered throughout the streets, frozen in contorted poses of agony. Mari's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight.

The only survivor seemed to be a demihuman foxgirl named Vallana whom Scathael was acquainted with. Mari's voice had been a mere whisper as she urged her companions to cover their noses and mouths. She hadn't cracked any jokes this time and was uncharacteristically quiet during the whole ordeal. The journey back to the camp was a blur from there as both Scathael and Vallana followed them.

Now, as the sun crept over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the dense forest, the group was gathered around a campfire deep in the woods. As the crackling flames danced in the early morning light, Aerilyn took charge of breakfast. The sizzle of cooking eggs filled the air along with the tantalizing aroma. Mari's gaze was locked on them as she watched them bubble and hiss in the heat. Her blonde hair was thrown up in a messy bun and she pulled her jacket around her shoulders. Still, surprisingly enough, she hadn't been all too chatty until this point.

"I'm pissed off." She finally announced to the group, perhaps collecting their gazes.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Olivia

_Persephone
&

Charlotte

&

Fritz/Ryn

---

Olivia’s expression wavered from Charlotte to the memory. She wasn’t sure what was real, and for a moment, she saw the five men unconscious in the alleyway. The next, she saw Charlotte in front of her. Charlotte’s voice, mixed with Asher’s sinister expression and howl of anger when she’d sedated the dogs flashed through her mind. What was happening? Music, laughter, drunken conversations; yells, screams and dogs barking. She clutched her head as pain exploded inside of it. Alleyway. Ballroom. Alleyway, ballroom, tough tavern, ballroom… The scenes kept flashing through her mind and she gritted her teeth and closed her eyes in agony.

”Olivia….” …. ”Persephone..?” … Who was speaking to her…? She focused on it harder. The words echoed again and she struggled to pinpoint the speaker. ”Olivia….” …. ”Persephone..?”

”.....” She was silent as she decided to focus on the ballroom. The struggle dissipated, and she looked at her friend with tears in her eyes. Briefly, her memory lapsed, but she held onto reality. ”.....Olivia.” She confirmed quietly, and then looked at her. ”...Sorry... He’s very dangerous and we need to keep away from him at all costs. Okay?” Her voice trembled as the memories continued trying to pour through but she ignored them.

Charlotte frowned and picked up her head to look around the ballroom. “Who is he…?” She began to ask.

We need to leave.” She glanced around and then gripped her friend’s arm gently, and hugged Charlotte tightly. ”Where one is, the rest will follow…” She shook her head and the headache dulled to a rumbling. ”Do you need to do anything else or are we okay to leave?” She craned her neck and noticed Count Fritz approaching. “Let’s get Fritz and go.” Urgency filled her voice and her voice choked up briefly, until she regained control, and let go of Charlotte.

“I need to talk to him privately for a moment, then I have something I must do… But I promise, we can leave as soon as possible. Do you want to stand outside and wait or maybe accompany us?”

Olivia listened to her friend intently and nodded. ”That’s fine…I’ll wait outside of it. Charlotte… What are you doing after?” Her expression wavered and her eyes widened with concern.

She gave her a guilty smile, “ Honestly… It’s for the best I tell you afterwards.”

”CHARLOTTE.” She snarled. Her voice became uncharacteristically waspish and her expression darkened like an oncoming thunderstorm. Her eyes briefly flashed a reddish-purple hue. This wasn’t a game. What was her friend doing? What would Calbert do to Charlotte? What if she lost Charlotte? Her stomach squirmed uncomfortably and a chill unrelated to the evening fell over her.

She recoiled, her gaze fixed in stunned silence for a prolonged moment before she mustered a response. “ … Very well… If you must know… I am certain that Count Damien is planning something. I think I have a way to figure it out. It’ll all be done swiftly and I promise I’ll be okay.”

Olivia remained silent, and studied her friend’s demeanor. Guilt for accidentally scaring her crept in, and she took her hand gently. ”....Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap…” She bit her lip and then fidget uncomfortably on her feet. ”Am I able to come along and hide invisibly? So I can protect you if I need to?” She paused and her vision swam with tears she blinked away forcefully. God, could she stop crying? ”...I don’t want to lose you to this snake infested jungle.”

Charlotte smiled tentatively. It seemed that somehow she had that effect on the people in her life lately. Her mind wandered to Lorenzo, a fleeting sadness overcoming her eyes briefly. “... It’s alright. The reason I am going to insist you do not join me is because I am almost certain that he wants me alive. The Count is fixated on controlling Duke Lorenzo, and by extension me. If he is angry with me, he will not harm me. Trust me… But as for you or Kazumin or anyone else…” Her expression softened, “Does that make sense?”

Olivia listened to her friend’s explanation. Charlotte’s sadness wasn’t lost on her, and she wanted to console her friend however the topic changed. In the back of her mind, she decided to treat Charlotte at her home instead. Calbert’s obsession with both the Vikenas puzzled her; why was he hung up on them? Why did he want them alive? The questions raced through her mind like a cat chasing a laser toy. This man was insane and unhinged, that much was certain. She nodded and smiled consoling at Charlotte. ”Yes it does and I won’t. Scout’s promise,” she teased, and saluted her friend. She paused and then giggled.

Charlotte giggled as well and saluted her back. “Ay, ay, captain.”

”For now, let’s not lose each other in this dismal crowd.” She remarked quietly as she watched the crowd thicken.

“I see Fritz coming toward us actually.“ Charlotte told her. She waved him over, trying to catch his gaze.

Even from a distance, Ryn could tell Ms. Persephone was not doing well. Whether it was due to sickness, magic, or mind altering substances, he could not tell. But he did what he always did when he saw Wayra in that state. “Excuse me,” He stopped a server, “may I have a cup water and a damp towel?” The staff did not ask questions, they simply nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

While Ryn waited at the spot, he cast a concerned gaze toward Lady Vikena and Ms. Persephone. He was worried for their wellbeing, of course, but there was also a question that had been floating in his head since he saw them attending the party. Why were either of them here, at Damien Estate, after what happened?

The “A glass of water and a damp towel, sir,” turned Ryn’s attention away from the question and to the servant. After thanking them, he accepted the items and walked over to the women. “I hope I’m not intruding on anything.” Ryn glanced at Ms. Persephone, “You look a little under the weather, ‘Ms. Mary.’ Would you like some water?” He offered the cup and damp towel in her direction.

Olivia watched as Count Fritz approached and smiled broadly at him. That is, until she noticed he was not empty handed; she raised an eyebrow. She didn’t have time to inquire as to why; he spoke quickly after he approached. His words caused her to flush with embarrassment despite a smile plastered on her face.

”No, no intrusion, we were waiting for you.” She replied. ”Oh.. Do I?” She accepted both items and sipped the water, while her mind churned with humiliation and fear. Would Calbert notice? She had to be tougher and laughed gently.

”No, I’m all right. Thank you.” She swallowed and glanced at Charlotte and him. ”....We were talking about leaving soon. Would you be interested in joining us?” Doubt filled her mind with the notion, however she would offer despite any rejection. Fritz had been there for her and she felt as though she owed him.

A nagging thought trailed in her mind as she considered him. She studied Count Fritz inconspicuously. What had Peter and he been discussing? What heist was coming up? Was Charlotte involved…? Concern gnawed at her, and she sipped her water again in order to keep it together at least on the outside.

Charlotte squeezed Olivia’s hand subtly. “ Yes, I wanted to speak with you, Count Fritz, for a moment as we had planned… I have something I must take care of, then Olivia and I are going to go home. You are always welcome. I will be passing the memo to Lord Leo as well of course when I can as it seems we are in poor company tonight.”

Olivia returned the gesture to Charlotte’s hand and took deep breaths. She had to trust her friend.

“Oh, why thank you for asking. Yes, I would like to accompany you both when you leave. But…” Ryn’s head inclined in a quizzical tilt. “Considering the risk to come here, I assumed you two had a specific purpose in mind. Was it successful?” Though Peter might be enamored with Ms. Persephone, Ryn could not imagine him forcing her to attend the party. If he did, well then, there would be more than a few words Ryn would have to exchange with the naughty boy.

Olivia smiled when Fritz commented that he’d like to accompany them both when they left. The next sentence caught her off guard and the encounter with Peter entered her mind. She glanced at Charlotte then back to Fritz. Her tone became quieter, and was nearly impossible to hear over the ballroom noise.

”I didn’t want to leave Charlotte alone nor did I think he would recognize or approach me.” She admitted quietly. ”Not after everything she’s done and is risking.” Olivia’s voice became light and teasing. ”Besides, a ginger thief temporarily took my shoes. I got them back though, almost like Cinderella.” Her gaze met Fritz and a smirk flashed across her expression.

Instead of returning the smile, however, Ryn looked back at her with a shocked expression. “Someone tried to rob you? Thank goodness you’re alright…” Ryn rubbed his chin. “I thought Lord Smithwood’s missing pocket watch may have been a prank of sorts, but if people are getting mugged, then the situation may be more serious. I’d suggest reporting it to the authorities, but…” He trailed off, letting the obvious unsaid. “Maybe I should do it instead?”

Fritz’s shocked expression caused Olivia to blink. She had been kidding. Those two were familiar with each other. Had he not caught on? Liv tilted her head to the side and folded her arms lightly. ”No, I was kidding. That won’t be necessary.” Maybe there was something she didn’t understand. Where was Peter, anyway? She glanced around but could not see him. Nerves gnawed at her stomach and she bounced her leg as she waited for the next move from her friends.

“Actually, Fritz, I was hoping we could have our discussion now if that’s alright with you,” Charlotte gestured to the entrance to the foyer.

”I’ll wait outside it.” Olivia replied promptly, and nodded as she stepped backward to grab a few drinks randomly from a passing waiter. She took a few snacks, downed a couple shots, and then grabbed another. If she were to wait here, she’d make sure to look preoccupied.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Night
Location: The edge of Lover's Lake
Attire:Dress, A crown of various flowers
Interaction: @Lava Alckon Farim @Helo Callum
Mention: @Tae Mina/Torvi @ReusableSword Roman @Infinite Cosmos Munir

---

"Mhm. Violet is Count Damien's daughter. She's well known here. Calbert Damien makes a name for himself in this country, trust me." Anastasia had explained to Farim. Her gaze then shifted to watch the entire situation escalate from zero to a hundred in no time flat. Her brows lifted in shock as Roman, who she had always seen as a sweet teddy-bear of a man, was charging at the guards like a ferocious beast. "What the—!" she exclaimed, her disbelief evident in her wide-eyed expression.

Then, of course, Callum threw himself in the middle. Fearful that he'd get hurt, she charged to his side without a second thought. While she struggled to comprehend Callum's rationale, she didn't want to see Roman hurt or in trouble... and it was adorable watching her little brother act so official! There was no way she wasn't going to support him. As he concluded his speech, Anastasia lightly placed a hand on his shoulder. Leaning in, she whispered softly, "You sounded really cool just now."

Emboldened by Callum's stance, Anastasia decided to add her own voice to the chorus of defiance. She declared, "Go on and get, guards! We're too high for your shit!"

But the chaos was far from over. A random woman speaking demon-tongue emerged from the shadows, seizing Lady Mina Blackwood with blade in hand. As Munir sprinted after them, Anastasia rubbed her eyes in confusion, wondering if she was hallucinating everything happening before her.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

The Ceremony for the Summer Solstice

Sorian Guards

Time: Night
Location: Edge of Lover's Lake
Interactions: @ReusableSword Roman @Lava Alckon Farim @Tpartywithzombi Ariella, @Helo Callum @Infinite Cosmos Munir @Tae Mina

---

The city guard, undeterred by Erik's attempts to dismiss them, maintained their stance with an air of authority.

"We understand your concerns, Erik," the guard replied, their tone firm. "But we have a missing person's report for a high-ranking noblewoman, Lady Violet Damien. We must locate her, especially given the circumstances."

As they spoke, the other guards fanned out into the crowd, their eyes scanning the faces of the partygoers in search of any sign of Violet. "It is our responsibility to prioritize the safety and well-being of all individuals within the city."

However, then they actually noticed Lord Ravenwood bounding toward them. A sense of urgency swept over the city guards as they realized he was going to attack them. Their instincts told them to flee as the sight of the incoming bear of a man sent shivers down their backs. Yet, duty bound them to stand their ground.

With hearts pounding and hands trembling, the guards braced themselves,. The sound of steel scraping against leather pierced the air as the guards swiftly drew their weapons.