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[color=darkgray]As she stood staring into the mirror, trying to determine whether or not her color scheme was on point, Catherine was humming. She was in a surprisingly good mood. 

It wasn't from her parents. That was for sure. Although getting a talking to for not keeping her sister out of the tabloids was an interesting change in their recent conversations. At the very least they seemed impressed that Catherine managed to stay relatively clean, even if her hashtag had spread across the ocean. She explained the vodka choice as watching her figure, as everyone knows vodka is the lowest-calorie alcohol. They seemed satisfied with that answer.

That call being not dismal allowed Cat to spend the rest of the week without that hanging over her head, and that meant getting to hang out with some of the more favorable royals she knew. Cass and Chris continued to be solid drinking partners during the week, and of course her sister got regular visits. Doing schoolwork is better when someone else is doing it, and besides, the two could finally commiserate about their parents on an equal level.

However, there was one conversation between siblings that was of utmost importance to how this weekend was going to go, and it happened the day the letters for the next event went out...

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[color=00E330]"Hey, I've got a confession to make,"[/color] Cat said as she settled down on her sister’s bed. [color=00E330]“So...you know that whole 'Cat’s not gonna follow her parents’ wishes and try to settle down with some other royal because she's her own woman' plan that I came here with? That’s not going so well.”[/color]

Arabelle raised a brow, failing to hide an amused smirk. [color=A27C89]“Oh? Why is that?”[/color] She asked.

Cat’s face began to turn a slight red, an easily picked-up change given her usual fair skin. [color=00E330]“Well… I may have found someone I’m kinda interested in… and I think, keyword think, they might feel the same way. Haven’t confirmed it yet, but I think there is something there.”[/color]

[color=A27C89]"Ah, that's wonderful!"[/color] Arabelle was predictably excited to hear Catherine's bashful admission. She wanted her sister to have the choice to find a partner, [i]any[/i] partner she desired, so the news wasn't unwelcome even if it was so soon. [color=A27C89]"And who's the lucky one?"[/color] Arabelle prodded.

The younger Almore remained coy. She knew her sister would be supportive of whoever it was, but it was still something she was unsure she wanted to reveal, even if it would likely take the heat back off of Ara. But if she couldn’t tell Arabelle, who could she tell? [color=00E330]“Well… it might be Raven… cause we might have been hanging out at the opening party, and a couple times since then… and it’s going well.”[/color]

Knowing that it was Raven that caught Catherine's eye was somewhat of a relief. Raven had a good head on her shoulders, one that Arabelle certainly liked. At least it wasn't another Candice! She remembered the news of Raven's betrothal to Morrhys crumbling and she wondered whether Catherine had any part to play. [color=A27C89]"Well, I'm glad you're not chasing an engaged princess at least."[/color] Arabelle laughed. [color=A27C89]"Should I speak to gramps? That'll surely get the Lark to talk about something other than the bad for once."[/color] She teased.

[color=00E330]“Hey! What kind of woman do you take me for?”[/color] Cat responded as she playfully shoved Arabelle back. [color=00E330]“I don’t go after engaged women! Besides, all they do is talk about their significant others, am I right?”[/color] She laughed to punctuate the obvious joke, even though the Mirenia Daily made it clear they were aware how Ara talked about her betrothed. [color=00E330]“I mean… let’s not talk about that! The point is… I think there is something there with Raven, and I might start pursuing it. I’m sure Gramps would be proud that I’m going after someone instead of taking on another battle with the Brunns. Which by the way, they may not have their way for much longer if my other contacts are true to their words,”[/color] Cat winked as she said that. The welcome gala had truly been productive. [color=00E330]“The Lark might be singing a different tune come next year.”[/color]

[color=A27C89]"Gramps will be happy knowing you're happy,"[/color] Arabelle corrected her slowly before shaking her head. Catherine was right, it was too soon to talk to Gramps anyway, the two had to first get to know each other more before the wedding bells could ring. The last thing Arabelle wanted for her sister was a marriage of inconvenience. Arabelle raised her eyebrow skeptically as Catherine teased her about future plans... [color=A27C89]"Is that so... Please, promise me it's nothing illegal. I still say the easiest thing to do is to endorse other outlet. *Everybody* knows that the Lark is nothing but fibs anyway."[/color]

[color=00E330]“I swear it’s legit! No worries!”[/color] Cat assured her sister. [color=00E330]“Anyway, that’s in the future. What matters is the now, and I think, I’m going to give this a proper go. So, if it goes well, I’ll probably get you out of the Daily with this one. So, you know, Mom and Dad can stay mad at the right sister.”[/color]

[color=A27C89]"Oh hush, sometimes you need a break. I can handle the heat."[/color] Arabelle winced, shaking her head once more. Catherine was truly the best sister anyone could hope for, the sweetheart that she is. If only their parents could stop being so hard on her. Realizing that that line of thinking was bringing down her mood, Arabelle changed the topic. [color=A27C89]"So, does this mean you'll spend time with her during the carnival? If so, I'll give you two some privacy."[/color] Arabelle even gave Catherine a wink.

[color=00E330]“I'm gonna try, but don’t stray too far,”[/color] Cat giggled. [color=00E330]“I know carnivals aren’t your usual cup of tea, so I’ll try to be close by if I need to help you win a stuffed octopus or something.”[/color]

[color=A27C89]"Oh my saviour,"[/color] Arabelle mock fawned, stifling giggles. [color=A27C89]"Raven won't know what hit her."[/color]

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Cat was hoping Raven wouldn't know what hit her. She finally settled on her clothes. If she was going to be out in her element, she was going to be fully comfortable, and [url=https://cfcdn.zulily.com/images/cache/product//390293/zu82214186_main_tm1572028238.jpg]this outfit[/url] screamed comfortable. It screamed Cat, right down to the necklace that has freaked out at least three people when she twirled it under the strobe lights and made the colors dance with its reflective powers.

[i][color=00E330]Awesome. All right. I can do this. This is so me. Raven's gonna love this. Just a couple girls hanging out. This is gonna be great.[/color][/i]

As Cat made her way down towards the SUVs, the buzz on her phone alerted her to a text from Arabelle. She fired off a quick reply.

[quote] To: [color=A27C89][b]Ara ❤️[/b][/color]
From: [color=00E330][b]Cat[/b][/color]

Yep! I'm going for it. I will see you at the carnival! Love you! x[/quote]

Tucking her phone back into her [url=https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51GUNNUowrL._UX679_.jpg]crossbody purse[/url], she headed towards the marked Cadillac. She opened the door, but even with all the prep work she had done in her head, she wasn't fully prepared for the sight of Princess Raven Aster Willow in that top and those shorts. [color=00E330]"I...uh...hey...um,"[/color] she stammered out. [color=00E330][i]Yep. Definitely bi at the very least.[/i] "So, is it cool if I ride to the festival with you? I mean, if no one else is riding with you?" [i]Smooth...[/i][/color]
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