[center][url=https://fontmeme.com/brush-fonts/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/191125/4e6c99f24cd79f10da2b2cdcc0f43d1c.png[/img][/url]
[url=https://fontmeme.com/brush-fonts/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/191125/adf23ebbbe7b21f3b9519c43d5cdad72.png[/img][/url]
[i][color=3a5154]with just a touch of Morrhys[/color][/i]
[i][b]collab with [@OfWindAndRain][/b][/i][/center]
[hr]

Maeryn studied Raiden as he and Beatrice walked away to be on their own, leaving the Tessian prince in her presence. She managed a glare in his direction at his comment about this being a ball and to be on her best behavior. Though she thought it best to heed his words and maintain some semblance of royalty while under the eyes of the attending.

An incident between Erik and Arabelle was beginning to take form a short distance from where the Maeryn and Quentin stood, sipping drinks as they listened to the delicious scandal. At least, it was delicious for the Raske princess-- Quentin was too busy staring up at the chandeliers that occupied the airspace above them. 

She had to refrain from rolling her eyes at being left in with his company. It wasn't that she disliked the guy. Quite the contrary, she thought he was interesting and knew he was harboring a side of him that few were privileged enough to witness. However, she knew that he was famously known for never shutting up and would almost surely expect a conversation from her, it was like an unspoken rule the last time they were in each other’s presence that talking was one of the furthest things from their minds. Furthermore, if their past interactions had any weight in the present she didn’t know if she was up for matching his energy appropriately. And for that, that [i]energy[/i], she was at a loss. At least for the moment.

Ryn couldn't put her well manicured finger on it, but she found herself drawn into his presence, despite how idiotic he looked staring upward in a room full of the most important young men and women in the world. It unnerved her. How could [i]she[/i]? [b][i]Princess of the Damned[/i][/b] - aptly named she supposed - be taken in by the antithesis of everything that she was and has been? How had they been caught up in one another before all this anyways?

[color=852538][i]'Who is he to me? Really? Betrothal aside...'[/i][/color] she thinks to herself as she sipped on the amber liquid, watching as he lifts his lemon-grape juice and takes a swig, puckering in distaste and humor. His mannerisms are strange indeed, but no stranger than her own... Actually, on second thought, probably stranger, just not as violent. [color=852538][i]'What is he thinking? Does he not realize what I could do to him?'[/i][/color]

The Flayer’s skin prickled with goosebumps as Quentin, with surprising grace, sidled up to her and laid his hand on her back. Perhaps it was intentional that his hand landed on her lower back where her skin was exposed to the air. Maeryn Raske felt Quentin’s hand tense and then lightly press harder down against the small of her back, where the Tessian’s hand met her dress- and directly pressing the sheath that housed one of her many blades against her spine. Not only did he discover the blade, but with how the light danced in his eyes as he turned his gaze to her, it seemed to have enhanced his excitement with catching up with her.

[color=852538]"What do you want?"[/color] Maeryn practically hissed under her breath in the midst of the chatter of the mingling royalty. The two of them were virtually invisible despite the hissy fit taking place just adjacent to them. That was largely due to the fact that the beginnings of a world war was deemed more important than both of them combined, and that the majority of the room had a bone to pick with one or both of them. He was even giving her that [i]damned[/i] goofy smile.

[color=burlywood]"My betrothed is an incredibly beautiful and dangerous Princess of a most infamous land. Why wouldn’t I want to-- now hear me out-- possibly and, you see, quite literally risk life [i]and[/i] limb to get to know a lovely lass like yourself. We could even compare knives later-- I bet mine are bigger than yours."[/color] There was far too much unashamed pleasure in his eyes at saying that awful, awful phrase. Enough of it that it caused a faint tingle of a blush to creep across Maeryn’s skin at how [i]genuine[/i] his words were. 

For Ryn, it was something of a 180; and she didn’t ever expect to get used to it. She by no means received it when people spoke to her, but [i]now[/i] that she was betrothed to [i]Quentin[/i] of all people… this likely wouldn’t be the last time. And she wasn’t entirely sure if it was a good thing or not.

Taking another sip of her little glass of fire, she flagged down a member of the staff and ordered another to parch her suddenly nervous throat. Obviously playing distant and cold wasn’t going to work, he was too cheerful. Besides, if history was to go off of, she knew exactly how he liked to be played. Clearing her throat, she turned her focus and gaze back to Quentin, her empty hand lay flat on his chest as she picked lightly at the buttons of his pressed shirt, [color=852538]“Bigger you say? [i]Mmhm, you’d think I would have remembered that the last time we were together ~.[/i]”[/color] Teasing him would be her best option, and from the sudden tension that seemed to ever-so-subtly infuse his body, she was right. Nonetheless, he only gave her a wide grin and a wink. 

With her new drink in hand she turned on her heel and began a slow, deliberate walk towards another table where her twin was located. If her intention was to make his eyes gravitate towards her legs and other flattering rear features, she was spot on-- Quentin found himself staring and… well, [i]remembering[/i]. She made sure to accentuate her gait and expose more of her leg as she went about her way.

Meanwhile, the older of the twins was standing off to the side, his own glass swirling in his grip, clenching and unclenching, repeating the process as he observed his sister interact with her betrothed. Rhys didn’t like the way he was touching his sister and how close he got to her, more so at the sight of her touching him. Although, he [i]was[/i] relieved to see her finally pull away and make a beeline to join him.

[color=3a5154]“Ah, sweet sister, so glad of you to finally make an appearance,”[/color] a sip and a kiss on the cheek, his breath warm and tinged with spices. He breathed into her hairline before pulling away, [color=3a5154]“Enjoy your time with your beloved?”[/color]

Maeryn pulled away, a knowing smirk on her lips as she leaned to rest her elbows on the table, [color=852538]“As a matter of fact, I did, and I plan on enjoying much more playtime with him~.”[/color] She couldn't help but think of all the ways she could bend this green cowboy to her will.

Morrhys rolled his eyes before scouring the busy room before them, trying to ascertain information of those gathered via simple people-watching. [color=3a5154]"When do you suppose the party is going to start?"[/color] He didn't wait for the look his sister was about to give when he corrected himself, [color=3a5154]"The [i]real[/i] party. You know what I meant."[/color]

Ryn only resorted into shrugging at her brother’s complaint before noticing her fiance checking her out from where she left him, [color=852538]“Regardless of your evening, dear brother, it looks as if mine will be filled with fun~”[/color] with that said and Quentin’s intent stare, Ryn felt as if her evening wouldn’t be so bad after all.