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[color=#758173]Time:[/color] Early Evening
[color=#758173]Location:[/color] Caesonia Ballroom
[color=#758173]Attire:[/color] [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/30/5a/4a/305a4a00c6b7dce9d2424e0aae0c7041.jpg]Outfit[/url]
[color=#758173]Interaction:[/color] [@13org] Mayet [@Rodiak] Nahir [@Omni5876] Amir [@Potter] Layla [@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo [@princess] Charlotte [@samreaper] Kazumin
[color=#758173]Mentions:[/color] [@Helo] Leo  [@SilverPaw] Wulfric [@Infinite Cosmos] Munir
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/BCGMDwO.png[/img][/center]

Things in the ballroom took a swift turn and it was not one for the better, though perhaps in some people's minds it was. Mina had turned her attention away from the Alidashi prince, the beginnings of a fun game she hoped to enjoy later, only to see the earlier woman she'd been scanning the crowd for entering with her stepfather. Mina watched in alarm as the notoriously shamed Duke Vikena made quite an entrance. She glanced back to Charlotte and then to a woman beside her who watched in absolute horror and disgust as the man made a fool of himself. Mina's heart broke slightly for the man who was trying so desperately to be accepted, yet was failing with every attempt.

That's when disaster struck as an Alidashi guard attempted to stop the Duke and they stumbled, knocking into the men carrying the Alidashi Grand Vizier and Sultan. Things happened swiftly as both men and one of the shehzadis went crashing to the floor. Hafiz was up swiftly, demanding Lorenzo's head while others tried to diffuse the situation. Mina's attention turned back to Charlotte, concern gripping at her for the girl. The woman who had been beside her looked concerned as well as Charlotte seemed to almost collapse. Soon, though, she recovered and she was moving. The woman attempted to stop her, but to no avail as the young woman moved herself in front of the Alidashi royals.

Many excuses were being made by many people, even Lord Smithwood it seemed, but Mina knew this would not do. Another woman, dressed in Alidashi fashion to honor the royals, was now next to Mina and the look she gave the redheaded woman seemed to urge her to act. The little one with the tiger was now speaking, having drawn her weapon and had approached Duke Vikena, but Mina’s eyes were on the Sultan. There was irritation there now, but it wasn’t only towards the Duke as he looked to his children. It also seemed the Grand Vizier was trying to whisper something to him which wasn’t helping matters.On swift feet as silent as a wraith, Mina made her move to try and appease these fierce people. As she got closer, another she had never seen before offered to tell a tale. His words were well spoken and she quietly gave him applause.

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[color=cfa36d]”That is enough! Layla, you were not the only one humiliated! You do not get to decide to take this girl under your wing and reap the benefits of her servitude. Back to your place and remain silent until I have made my decision.”[/color] The Sultan sharply said to his eldest. He briefly glanced at Nahir, giving a nod of approval to her before speaking to his youngest daughter. [color=cfa36d]”Mayet! You step out of line! You fault this man for putting so much importance upon himself, yet you are doing the same by making demands without consulting your Sultan first. Hold your tongue, daughter, as I consider the punishments given as a mere apology is not enough.”[/color] He sternly reprimanded the young woman. His eyes then fell upon Amir as his son spoke respectfully to his father. Sultan Raif then caught sight of another as she silently entered the scene.

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Mina glided up next to Amir, yet kept a respectful distance, as the eldest son finished speaking his words, crossed her arms appropriately, then dipped low to the ground, her skirts poofing out around her. [color=#758173]"Peace be upon you, Enlightened One."[/color] She said, using a title rarely used anymore yet still showing the utmost respect. [color=#758173]"His Royal Highness has beaten me to what I was urged forth to say on behalf of us Northern kingdoms, but I do hope I do not step too far out of line to back him up. Many here are well intentioned, but I fear a difference in culture is blinding many to the severity of the wrong done to you and your family tonight."[/color] She remained dipped low, even trying to keep herself lower than Amir out of respect, before glancing to the Sultan, seeing his attention was now fully on her.

[color=#758173]"Duke Vikena is a grief stricken man after losing his beloved wife less than a year ago. On top of this, he desperately fights to be accepted in this court as many shame him for having earned his position rather than being born into it."[/color] Words tailored to appeal to the Sultan's own loss as well as the Alidashti custom of earning a position were also coated with venom towards those nobles in the room who looked down upon Lorenzo and would side with the Grand Vizier to spill his blood. Many of those same nobles would have hoped to gain the favor of the Alidashti royals, yet in a few simple words Mina would plunge a dagger into those hopes as the Sultan would now look down upon them for their views. Mina would make enemies tonight, this she knew, but she hoped she'd also gain allies.

[color=#758173]"However, this, along with all other excuses made tonight for the Duke, does not justify the offense done upon you and your people. If punishment must be enacted then what greater punishment than accepting Lady Charlotte, the Heir of Viermont's offer?"[/color] She paused only briefly to make sure eyes were still on her. [color=#758173]"For accepting this high lady as a servant is one of the greatest humiliations you could cause the Duke and his household. Besides, with both Alidasht and Varian staying here at the Caesonian castle for the season, an extra servant who knows these halls could be quite useful."[/color] Cruel words, but Mina knew it could keep Lorenzo alive for Charlotte. The girl didn't need to lose anyone else. She only hoped she could forgive Mina for the venomous behavior.

So many had spoken up, including this man who offered a story, and the Sultan was beginning to get a headache from it all. He would not be opposed to a story, but he felt now was not the time for such a thing. This mess needed to be dealt with and he now wished for it to be dealt with swiftly. Amir and this woman’s words had helped to temper him some and he looked between them briefly, eyes lingering on the woman. Her manner of speech reminded him so much of his Esrin, perhaps this helped soften him some as well. He noticed Hafiz next to him, glaring at his son and the woman, obviously not satisfied with their suggestions. Raif no longer cared, however, as his bruised ego would heal in time. [color=cfa36d]”It seems everyone has quite a lot to say on the matter.”[/color] He said with an exhausted sigh, then looked to Kazu to address him first. [color=cfa36d]”Now is not the time for your tale, however you have caught my interest and I may invite you to spin me a tale at a later date.”[/color] He then looked to Lorenzo, now wishing to hear from the man himself.

[color=cfa36d]”What say you about this whole mess as you are the cause of all this drama?”[/color]