[color=#D4987F][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gp7mbFA.png[/img][/center]

[color=#035E7B]Time:[/color] Early Evening
[color=#035E7B]Location:[/color] Caesonia Ballroom
[color=#035E7B]Interactions:[/color] [@Helo] [@samreaper] [@Conscripts]

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For the last 24 hours, young Thea hadn’t been allowed to leave her mother’s sight as Duchess Alice Smithwood was determined to have her daughter sober for tonight’s ball. She was even under guard all night long, something that had Thea absolutely furious. At about the 12 hour mark, the headaches began and she started shaking mildly. She’d also started feeling rather nauseous. All of the symptoms she was having only made her more irritable and she was snapping at absolutely everyone over the smallest things. 

Alice and Thea had begun arguing over whether or not Thea would enter the ball with her fiance. Thea absolutely didn’t want to, she was still incredibly upset with her mother for arranging the marriage without consulting her first. Alice was insistent that she did it as it was only proper. The two ended up screaming at one another and poor Valerie tried to calm them down which only resulted in Thea almost biting her head off. In the end, Alice gave in and had to inform the Varian royal family that her daughter wished to spend some time with her elder brother who’d just returned from a trip.

After that Alice attempted to tell Thea how to dress, but that conversation went about just as well as the previous one and, after some coaxing from Valerie, Alice backed off leaving Thea to choose what she wanted. Out of pure defiance she chose a [url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/949154482120458262/954226076421337198/e788088e56d64a0704f67dc7256c91ee.png]pink and gold dress[/url] that was rather short for for Varian standards and slightly more revealing. [color=#035E7B][i]She thinks she can control my life? Well she’s got another thing coming. I refuse to be controlled by anyone or anything anymore.[/i][/color] She thought to herself, not realizing that the habits she picked up over the last year were actually controlling her life.

Eventually the broken family were heading to the Caesonian ballroom, Alice now ignoring her daughter as her antics were only upsetting her and she was determined to have a nice night. Before entering, Alice did turn to Thea to request her daughter avoid drinking tonight and try to be pleasant to others. Before the girl could reply, however, they were entering and Alice swept Valerie into a dance immediately. Thea stood next to Leo, watching the spectacle and rolling her eyes. [color=#035E7B]”How ridiculous is she?”[/color] She said in a disgusted tone to her brother. She watched for a moment longer before glancing over to the food and drinks. [color=#035E7B]”Well I’m going to go defy Mother Dearest once more and get myself a damned drink.”[/color] She sighed as she began to walk, but then paused. [color=#035E7B]”Oh! And if you see my fiance at all, would you tell him I died or something? Thank you Leo, love you!”[/color] She stood on her tiptoes, kissed him on the cheek, before quickly disappearing into the crowd before he could respond.

She weaved her way over to where two men stood talking, one she knew quite well as he’d helped her multiple times when she’d drink far too much. On her way there she spotted hidden under a table the bottles of wine the servants had brought up for ease of access to open and refill glasses. [color=#035E7B]”Why hello there my lovelies. Looks like you could use some company.”[/color] She said to the bottles as she grabbed one and pulled the cork out. She took a swig of the alcohol and sighed in mild disappointment as it was some mediocre red wine. She longed for the harder alcohols the taverns often had. This would have to do for now, however, and she grabbed a second bottle for later. [color=#035E7B]”Finders keepers.”[/color] She giggled as she finished making her way over to John and Kazu.

[color=#035E7B]”John, darling, it’s lovely to see you! I hope I’m not interrupting anything important?”[/color] She said with a happy smile to the two men. [color=#035E7B]”Would either of you care for a drink?”[/color] She held out the opened wine bottle, willing to share and make friends if possible. [color=#035E7B]”Also if either of you see a tall, blonde haired, green eyed pompous prince of Varian coming this way would you be a doll and give me a heads up so I can quickly duck under this table?”[/color] It sounded somewhat like a joke, but in all actuality she was being very serious.

Prince Felix Camilia wasn’t a bad person, Thea had to admit that. In fact, he truly would be a good match and would bring their family a fabulous reputation, but Thea couldn’t help but be filled with fear at the prospect. She truly had nothing against the Prince, but she feared becoming stuck in a marriage like her mother had been. So, in her mind, if she could frustrate the Prince enough he might break off the engagement. She wasn’t sure if he truly wished to marry her, especially with the love letters he sent her, but she didn’t wish for him to be stuck in a marriage he didn’t want either.

Before she could say much more, the Alidashi party had arrived and she watched the procession with awe. Every person was absolutely gorgeous and she had a hard time looking away. She also found herself falling in love with the women’s outfits. [color=#035E7B][i]Oh I must befriend one of them and exchange dresses with them![/i][/color] She thought excitedly. She then noted the large cat and almost instinctively her eyes went to her brother who she knew would be in love with the majestic creature. Said tiger let out a roar that made Thea jump and almost drop the bottle, but she recovered quickly. Immediately after, Thea quickly put down the bottles and began clapping enthusiastically, but slowed as she soon realized she was one of the only ones doing so.[/color]

[color=#035E7B][i]Well fuck, that was embarrassing…[/i][/color]