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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3EdPgr4.png[/img][/center]
[Color=salmon][b]Time:[/b][/color] Evening
[Color=salmon][b]Location:[/b][/color] Caesonia Kingdom Ballroom
[Color=salmon][b]Interaction:[/b][/color] Fritz [@JJ Doe] and John [@Conscripts]
[Color=salmon][b]Mention:[/b][/color] Charlotte [@princess], Amir [@Omni5876], Verrick [@Aerandir], King Edin, Count Calbert, 
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Lorenzo was taken aback, raising his eyebrows as the count displayed even more generosity toward him. He almost felt he was receiving pity but even so, the gesture was pleasant even if it was not genuine. Count Hendrix’s approach was one Lorenzo rarely experienced but he also noted where this man hailed. Lorenzo often found his experiences with Varian nobles far warmer than that of his own court. He knew King Edin hated him deeply, and Count Calbert only looked down on him with ire. He wasn’t sure if they were friendlier to him because their kingdom was less cutthroat or because his follies made them look better when compared to Caesonia. 

When asked if he wanted a drink, Lorenzo hesitated to reply as if wondering if “yes” was even the right answer. He was already on the chopping block for things he had said and was now being careful with his statements. Before he could speak, a man who had been chatting up Charlotte spoke up to address him as well. 

[color=salmon][i]First an offered drink… and now food as well?[/i][/color] It was as if the world had started rotating in the opposite direction and the sky had swapped places with the ocean! It was slight, but Duke Lorenzo Vikena’s spirits were slightly lifting in the presence of the two gentlemen. So much so that he gave Charlotte a smile and nod of confidence as she departed to mingle and possibly grab something to eat. The latter was something she often said was the main reason she ever wanted to attend these events in the first place. He just hoped she snatched up the good stuff and a few treats Kier would enjoy.

[color=Salmon]“John Williamson?”[/color] Lorenzo could have sworn he heard the name somewhere but he was simply terrible at keeping track of the who’s who of the other Kingdoms. Until today, he didn’t even know what the Alidasht royals looked like. It was only fitting he would be seeing them weekly for dinner for the remainder of this season.  


[color=9354FF]"Dr. John Williamson! From the Varian Royal Institute of Science! Savior of Kolonivka?"[/color]

[color=salmon]“Oh… Yes!”[/color] Lorenzo smiled and nodded knowingly despite not knowing what Count Hendrix was talking about. He decided it would be best to play it off and let Fritz engage the man he seemed quite fond of.

[color=salmon]“Count Fritz Hendrix, no need to apologize when you have been so generous. Actually both of you!”[/color] He then lowered his voice some. [color=salmon]“I really don’t deserve such warmth after… you know.”[/color] He frowned, still ashamed of his recent actions. He then opened his mouth as if he didn’t know what to say next. He had made somewhat of an awkward statement in the middle of such pleasantries. [color=Salmon]“Um… Count Hendrix, you suggested water, and Dr. Williamson, you suggested food. I think the three of us should continue our mingling over yonder.”[/color] He pointed over to a food table that did not have many people around it. He briefly glanced at Charlotte whom he spotted with one of the Alidasht Shahzade, more specifically, the one who suggested a lesser punishment to the sultan compared to everyone else who had spoken up. He was worried, but he trusted Charlotte would be fine in the kind man’s company. There was another man, but Lorenzo did not think it was someone of note. Then again, he couldn't be entirely sure.

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