[right][sup][color=eed7aa][color=D7D2F0]𝓣[/color]𝐢𝐦𝐞[/color]  [color=slategray][color=#121959]✦[/color] Around 10:00 𝒜ℳ[/color][/sup]
[sup][color=eed7aa][color=C8BDE6]𝓛[/color]𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧[/color]  [color=slategray][color=#121959]✦[/color] Grand Hall, Tepes Island [/color][/sup]
[sup][color=eed7aa][color=B9A7DC]𝓘[/color]𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬[/color]  [color=slategray][color=#121959]✦ [/color]each other, [@ineffable][@QueenNugget][@Tootsiepop][/color][/sup]
[sup][@GhostMami][@Hoekage][/sup][/right]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/8IqqVZ0.png?2[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/C33Ui2w.gif[/img]             [img]https://i.imgur.com/xGboynr.gif[/img]
[/center]


[indent][color=slategray]The fingers of the pianist twitched as words of her father came to her in the sounds of  “Liebesleid”, as it so often had. When Dmitri Tepes, King of Vampires, spoke the notes of Love’s Sorrow wove themselves in between his every word, and Kasania heard every baritone paired with the twinkling of every key, she felt the cool ivory of every note. 
[color=e6e8fa][right][i]A lovely song, fitting for such a sad man wrapped in the grandeur of a King, the world was cruel.[/i][/right][/color]

Kasania observed the important figures in the room as her father boasted of his accomplishments and demanded the same from the bunch of them. Those cold eyes of hers showed not a hint of emotion as she observed her loyal Uncle and then a previous enemy who had become a dog to her father. Though as she expected, none of them so much as displayed a shift in their stoic expressions, but between them, they shared millennia of experience in maintaining facades and it was the hope of a fool to gain any information from them.

[color=e6e8fa][right][i]And the world grows crueler yet.
Well, a game they demand, then a game they shall get.[/i][/right][/color]

The tension coming from her right was palpable, a slow extension of her arm to clasp Niklaus’ hand in her own was the only reassurance she paid him as her eyes followed the retreating form of her father and his counsel. Only once the doors had closed and the heavy silence was replaced with uncertain murmurings of lesser individuals did the princess cast those pools of blue on perhaps the only being in the world she truly loved. How the pangs in her heart grew as the wild insecurity became ablaze in his young eyes, the hand once holding his reached to his face with swiping gentle fingers and pushing hair behind his ears.

[color=e6e8fa]“Niklaus, look at me.”[/color] Kasania was a master of gentle commands her body leaned closer to him and her voice was low, meant only for his ears,[color=e6e8fa]“You remember the words I always said to you as a boy, yes? [b]Live boldly, Niko[/b]. You are the son of a king and a keeper of loyal friends. Luck has it you were blessed with an amazing sister with many tricks up her sleeves. [b][i]We[/i][/b] will be just fine. Now, sit up, they are all watching how the children of their King react to the news, dogs smell fear and the Tepes fear [b]no one[/b].”[/color]

Niko’s biggest enemy was in own mind. In the painful moments of silence before Nia replied, his thoughts thrashed as violently as a caged animal. Were he to fully succumb to the mental battles he fought daily, he might end up muttering his thoughts like a madman. [color=AA91D2][i]What is this really about? Have I finally pushed father too far? No, this is mother. That crazy, evil witch of a woman has always had it out for me. Cleaving me away from the comfort and protection of our home would make it all too easy to have me assassinated. Just like she has the rest of her enemies. I’ll show you a real enemy, you CUNT.[/i][/color]

As if sensing his troubles, like one of those therapy animals who can smell cancer, Nia placed her hand on his cheek and dispersed the malignant formation of his mind. His sister was his rock, a healing balm, and the only one who could calm the storm. Kasania helped him keep grasp of his sanity, which seemed to be a fleeting thing, the more the years passed them by. The sobriety she brought to him at that moment reminded Niklaus of his part to play. The charming prince, rebellious and unshakeable. If his father wanted to shake some trees, it was Niko’s job to burn down the whole forest, if for nothing else than to make a statement. Klaus was not to be outdone, nor would he be undone.

The fair-haired Tepes heir smiled serenely at Kasania. [color=AA91D2][b]“Of course, sister dearest. We will be more than fine. Together.”[/b][/color] He finished his reply with an affectionate kiss on her forehead before standing up and offering his arm to have her join him. [color=AA91D2][b]“Uncle was right about one thing, you do look lovely.”[/b][/color] The troubled boy that had just previously resided in his soulful, mismatched eyes was gone entirely now, replaced by his usual charismatic self. She was right, after all — the Tepes had no one to fear. No one, except for themselves.

There was relief in her smile as she stood and took the arm he offered her. Duty was ringing its bell and it was time for the youngest of the Tepes to mingle and entertain. Maybe there was hidden value in the room and Kasania just had to find it, or [i]it[/i] would find her. The princess had taken the arm her beloved brother offered her and they were just passing behind Milo when [i]two[/i] newcomers approached their table. A polite, neutral expression washed away the small smile as she looked over the two, they were unfamiliar faces and stark contrasts to each other in the way they carried themselves. 

[color=fff79a] “Ahem. So every man for himself now, yes? Avyanna, but I go by Avy,"[/color]

The more confident of the two supplied her name to the table of mostly Royals and gained a nod of acknowledgment from the princess who’s eyes flickered to the other girl, who seemed more occupied stealing nervous glances at the Hired Gun sitting at the table grumbling about his new circumstance. Kasasnia stepped forward, perhaps a bit peeved, blocking the unnamed girl’s line of sight and drawing attention to herself, [color=e6e8fa] “Kasania Tepes, it’s nice to meet you Avyanna. Hopefully, your friend here hasn’t forgotten her name after stealing those cute glances at Emiliano here.”[/color]

A chuckle sounded as the eldest of the four friends waved a lazy hand and pocketed his phone which had been the cause of his small interruption.

[color=ebb000]“Sorry, you’ll have to excuse me from this cute little gathering, I have some business needing my attention and I can hear a strong drink calling my name.”[/color] Octavius stood up from his seat and purposefully went around the long way to pass by the newly introduced Avy and the little lamb that had approached the table full of lions.

[color=ebb000]“Oh yeah, I’m Octavius Zeno, by the way, and just as terrible as all the rumors you’ve heard about me. Nice to meet you both, but just a tip agnellino, dogs can smell your fear, and Milo can be quite the aggressive one. Anyways, Good luck.”[/color] Octavius gave Kasania a quick kiss to the cheek and clapped Niko and Milo on the shoulders before making his leave to the bar.

[color=AA91D2][b]“He’s not as terrible as he’d like to think.”[/b][/color] Nik said, rolling his eyes as Tavi parted ways to no doubt head for the bar. An early morning cocktail sounded like the perfect idea, actually. [color=AA91D2][b]“Niklaus Tepes, pleased to meet you both. Could I get you anything to drink? I would most love to hear the tales that brought you here today.”[/b][/color] These could be potential allies, after all. Allies… or enemies, that was yet to be determined.[/color][/indent]