[center] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/191125/97113aca30a0748d2a6011f2f02255ff.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/191125/13181aa0e878693ccf950be905885d16.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/191125/beaa3ea21c0fa48fbabbfe404cb7c1a2.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/191125/efe8a894afbd485b4cb623144b4ab2bd.png[/img] [/center] [indent][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub].[/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub] Phillip was in the middle of half-apologizing to Imani—"I'm sorry; I know Cass can come on a bit strong. She means well. She doesn't get to let loose that much, so when she [i]can[/i]..."—when a blessedly familiar face appeared. Gen couldn't help it; she [i]felt[/i] herself brighten with Henri's entrance. Phillip and Imani each greeted him in turn, Phillip smiling at Henri's final question. "I think [i]Gen[/i] would like it if you borrowed Gen," he said, shooting her a fondly teasing look. Genevieve, who had, in the mean time, grabbed both Henri's hands in greeting, rolled her eyes at her brother. "I'll see you guys in a bit, okay?" She turned, giving Henri's fingers a gentle squeeze as she murmured, "I'm so happy to see you." Henri gave Phillip a small smile followed by a slight nod to Imani as he was led away by Gen. [color=8FBC8F]"It's been too long."[/color] He pulled Gen in for a brief hug once they were further away from Gen's brother and Imani. [color=8FBC8F]"I was going to come up as soon as you guys walked in, but you guys went straight for Imani- and I was kind of hidden. But whatever, how are you? Was your flight shitty too?"[/color] Henri continued with a smile on his face, [color=8FBC8F]"You look amazing by the way, your braids are so cute!"[/color] The hug was brief but tight, and Genevieve would have held a bit longer if she could. She was very particular about who she allowed in her space and how much, but it was common knowledge amongst her close friends, a small circle though it was, that once she really liked someone, she was given to being quite affectionate. When it came to Genevieve's personal boundaries, Henri was not just hug-approved; he was very much encouraged. "Agreed," she said, as they pulled away. "I've missed you." He knew that, of course, just like he knew he'd been the first one she'd called the moment invitations went out to make sure that he would be attending the wedding festivities. "Phillip and I are both fighting jet lag," she admitted, but beamed at the praise, what felt like her first easy smile of the evening. "Thank you. Do you like the rhinestones?" Henri was just the sort of person to appreciate quirky little touches like that, not just as a part of Genevieve's armor, but as a fashion statement, too. [color=8FBC8F]"I missed you too, Gen."[/color] Henri held on to her hand as they continued to walk. Her touch always seemed to calm him down and ground him to his surroundings. It was like a little confidence boost that pulled him out of his corner. [color=8FBC8F]"Love them! And of course, your lipstick too."[/color] Henri looked at the many crystals woven into Gen's hair and over her head. [color=8FBC8F]"You look beautiful, Gen. Wouldn't expect anything less from you."[/color] He squeezed her hand gently. Genevieve felt a flush of warmth and squeezed back. "You [i]know[/i] that you clean up nice, too." Her lips curved up, a soft and private joke. "You're the only guy here I'd want on my arm." Henri had had so much on his plate the last few weeks, and his moods had been so much more volatile. They would talk about it; they would talk about it all when they got the chance, but it felt so good, for the moment, just to feel his hand in hers and see him smile. "You have to be my escort, at least for a while, so Phillip stops taking pity on me." What she wanted to say was, [i]"Be my date?"[/i], but she knew Henri well enough to know he might want to escape the party early if he could manage it. And she knew, without wanting to bring it up before she had to, that his newly-announced betrothal might complicate matters. [color=8FBC8F]"I'll stay with you as long as you want."[/color] Henri smiled as they made their way around the tables, [color=8FBC8F]"You know you're the only one I want to be around tonight, or ever."[/color] He did not want to be close to Raiden or see his face. Not with Beatrice hanging on his arm. Or Fareeha. Henri did not want to see her either. [color=gray]"Oh? What is this?"[/color] Henri stopped when he heard Elias walking up behind them, a glass of whiskey in one hand. [color=gray]"Princess Genevine. It's so nice to see you again,"[/color] He gave her a proper bow. Elias smirked when he glanced down at their hands- laughing when Henri glared at his older brother. [color=gray]"I do hope you give my little brother some time to greet his lovely betrothed, I can't let him be rude to the [i]woman[/i] he's going to marry."[/color] [color=8FBC8F]"I will, thank you for reminding me."[/color] Henri's hand tensed up in Gen's as he tried not to wince at the whole, marrying a woman thing. It made him believe that Elias knew- what if he knew? He could use it against him. It wouldn't surprise Henri one bit if that were the case. "Prince Elias." Genevieve inclined her head in greeting, though her stomach rolled. Was Elias serving her a deliberate slight in getting her name wrong, or had he just forgotten it? Unable to tell, she chose to ignore it. She also kept Henri's hand tight in hers—to pull away would be to imply they'd done something wrong, which they hadn't. "I don't think the lady Fareeha will be offended that Henri stopped to talk to an old friend," she said calmly. And then, though her instincts screamed to let it die there, she added, "I'm sure she understands that men and women can be friends and nothing more—even if the concept is foreign to you." Henri tried to keep his face controlled as Elias made a complete ass of himself. [color=8FBC8F]"Brother,"[/color] Henri forced a smile, [color=8FBC8F]"Really you shouldn't worry- besides you should worry about the image you are painting for our country. Princess [i] Genevieve[/i] and her kingdom are close allies to ours. We shouldn't regard them for a newly formed betrothal."[/color] He gave Gen's hand a slight squeeze. Elias looked at them both, a smile still in place. He leaned into Henri as if to whisper, but his voice kept the same level.[color=gray]"Christian, you should be the one thinking of our country. Don't be selfish- "[/color] [color=8FBC8F]"I like the way you try, really."[/color] Henri looked at Elias as he pulled back with a raised eyebrow. [color=8FBC8F]"Should I throw a stick?"[/color] He kept his face neutral. Elias scoffed at his younger brother then looked over at Gen. [color=gray]"You should watch it, Henri, we both know who will be the next king."[/color] His face had turned a shade of red that was rising quickly from his neck to his cheeks. It was an empty threat. One that held very little meaning to Henri. [color=8FBC8F]"If you excuse us, Princess Genevieve and I have a few other people to talk to."[/color] He didn't give Elias time to answer as he led Gen away from him. Once they had left Elias behind Henri turned to look at Gen. [color=8FBC8F]"I'm sorry the biggest royal asshole is my brother. "[/color] “Don’t apologize to me,” Genevieve said, reaching with her free hand to give his arm a squeeze. “You’re the one who has to live with him.” [i]Not for long.[/i] Henri thought as he gave Gen a small nod. [color=8FBC8F]"Let's just forget him and his stupid face."[/color] [/indent]