[hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Z1nsXYQ.png[/img][/center] [hr] “On the contrary, dear sister. He must prove he can hold his liquor.” Annalise remarked to Lore as her sister entered the courtyard. There was a gentle smile on her face as Annalise removed the annoying half veil from her hair. Finally the slight discoloration of her right eye was no longer hidden. She silently hoped the setting sun would hide this from the suitors just a little longer, but it was a nice test. Their reaction to the realization that she did not have vision in her eye would tell her a lot about them. Finally she fully acknowledged the man who she had realized had moved closer to her asking if she drank like her sister. “I do indeed drink, though I would say Sulhana can, and does, outdrink me on the regular. But don’t let that discourage you. What do you say Prince Erick, Lore, care to insert ourselves into Sulhana and Prince Gil’s competition? Or Maybe we have our own competition.” She raised her eyebrow and then turned to Uriah who she had seen shuffle to the side with the rest of the staff. “You wouldn’t mind if Lore missed out on a day of training due to a hangover would you? Also not telling our father would be much appreciated.” She smiled softly at the man who, had she had any magical talent, would have been her teacher. She had no doubt that the man would at least not tell their father about anything that happened here tonight. At least not anything as harmless as a drinking contest. [table] [row] [/row][row][cell][color=2e2c2c]______________________________________[/color] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/bMteDNt.png[/img] [/center][/cell] [cell] [indent][/indent] [indent][/indent] [indent][/indent] [indent][/indent] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/211106/d689f848a1799916f4aa4b28ba535958.png[/img] [/cell] [/row] [/table] [hr] Gil couldn’t help the stupid smile on his face when Sulhana asked if it was too late for him to pull his punches. “I do believe it was you who extended this challenge so I have no intention of going easy on you. Treat you as an equal I shall.” He watched the princess move toward him with two glasses, one he assumed was for him and one for herself. He did his best not to run his eyes across her body. She was beautiful for sure, but he was still trying to be respectful. That was until she proposed a wager. His eyebrow raised as he listened to her speak. She knew what she was doing. He reached for the glass but it was quickly moved away from him and the contents consumed by the woman in front of him. “You have yourself a deal Princess.” He wasn’t going to tell her he would answer any questions she had about his culture without the wager. It was more fun this way. He wasn’t sure her true game, and if he were honest, he didn’t care. He had spent weeks traveling with nobody but Sioban and Aldar, only one of which was any sort of fun. “If I win you have to tell me what you really feel about all of…this.” He motioned to the group that was already there, sure she would understand his meaning. She seemed to be an intelligent individual. He watched the woman as she turned and motioned him to follow, inviting him for a walk. He let out a little chuckle as he quickly poured himself not one but two drinks and quickly downed them. “Now we are even.” He said as he stood to his full height and followed behind her. It was silent for a moment until she remarked about what she could give to fly. “I have only flown once. Though it was a cruel joke pulled on me by Sioban, the Shaman that traveled with me.” He looked up at the stars with a small glimmer in his blue eyes. “At first there was fear, as my body left the sturdy familiarity of the ground. Then, even though I didn’t get very high up before my brothers and Aldar made him put me down, pure joy. I was a small child when this happened, but I remember it like it was yesterday.” He sighed, a weight now sitting on his shoulders, realizing that he would never feel that freedom again. Not after marrying one of the Princesses. He would have a duty, at the very least to his family, old and new. He hadn’t realized the smile he wore had faded slightly at this realization. After a moment he shook his head a little, attention going back to the green eyed woman he now stood beside. Gil nervously scratched the back of his neck. Which pulled his collar down just enough to reveal the top of the black markings that covered part of his upper body. Tattoos he had recently gotten to decorate his body. “We seem to be missing your youngest sister, the Elven Prince and the Prozdy Prince, yes? I hope they didn’t get lost. I know I almost did while I was exploring.” He leaned on the stone railing, effectively bringing his eyes to her level. He didn’t want to look down at her, nor did he feel right to make her look up to him. Putting them on the same level seemed the most respectful thing he could do. And seeing as the only way to do that was to either pick her up, or he slump, he opted to slump.