[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/nFq9mJx.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/uGddlzt.png[/img]
[color=BBC7E1]Time:[/color] Early Evening
[color=BBC7E1]Location:[/color] Caesonia Kingdom Ball
[color=BBC7E1]Mentions:[/color] Kazumin [@samreaper] Crystal [@Heartfillia]
[color=BBC7E1]Attire:[/color] [url=i.imgur.com/kzux34s.jpg]Click here[/url]
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Charlotte had been listening to Verrickk's story starry-eyed. [color=BBC7E1][i]Such a magnificent story every time I hear it.[/i][/color] She had drifted in her thoughts as she considered what books they might have read before to relate it to. Certainly, the gentlemen read novels, right?  By the time she had opened her mouth excitedly, Amir was excusing herself. She closed her mouth and politely smiled, continuing the same once Verrick also dismissed himself. All she could do was watch as the two departed. [color=BBC7E1][i]Did I-... Did I make friends just now? Maybe?[/i] [/color] Charlotte stared at their backs. [color=BBC7E1][i]Nope. Splendid job.[/i][/color] She leaned her hand on the table and relaxed her body as she downed a huge gulp of her wine.  She blamed her racing heart for her eagerness to continue talking. After such an event, it was hard to get out of the fight or flight mindset. Her gaze set on her father as he conversated with the doctor and Count Ryn. He did not seem to be drinking up a storm, so perhaps it was alright if she divulged a little more than usual tonight. Surely if she drank enough wine, it would slow her body down.

She suddenly glanced over at the sound of the front door slamming and straightened up at full attention. It was Lady Crystal Damien in a beautiful blue gown. It was unusual for her to attend events like these in her condition, but she looked well. Charlotte loved the sweet girl and felt a rush of excitement upon seeing her. [color=BBC7E1][i]Crystal's here!?[/i][/color] She smiled and got up on her tippy toes to wave the girl over, but a blonde man stepped up to her and blocked her line of sight. She sighed, her smile dwindling, but not dissipating completely. [color=BBC7E1][i]Well that's alright. I'm glad she's being noticed. I'll have to find her later though. [/i][/color] 

As Charlotte let her gaze wander elsewhere, she nearly choked on the wine she had begun to sip as she noticed Count Calbert coming out of the crowd toward her. She set it down to resist the urge to chuck it at his head. She looked around for a direction to quickly speed walk away in, but he was already by her side like an animal leaping onto its prey. A shudder went down her back as his cold voice whispered into her ear. 

[color=0072bc]"You will speak with me tonight after the ball...For now, you may enjoy the party, Lady Vikena... Oh and don't forget to greet Crystal. "[/color]

Fear gripped her for a moment and her pupils dilated. It had been a year since she had been at an event like this and even longer since she was presented with conflict. All she could do was freeze up. Though the Count was beloved by all, there were few who knew his true nature. She was certain not even his family knew what kind of person he really was. Charlotte had never dared to bring it up with his daughters. There was a look in the man's eyes as he moved away and met hers that told her all she needed to know: he was furious with her. Then the smirk he wore told her he was also happy she was afraid. He thankfully spun on his heels and went off in a different direction not long after.  Charlotte scowled briefly. [color=BBC7E1][i]Should have said oh then don't forget to stop being a jerk![/i][/color] She usually could come up with a snappy response, but when she was nervous there was unfortunately a delay. Charlotte did not yet have it in her to stand up to Count Calbert nonetheless.

Charlotte turned to face the table and scooped up her wine. [color=BBC7E1][i]I just want to go home at this point.[/i][/color] Glancing over, she saw a man at another table downing an entire bottle. Charlotte raised her glass toward him as if to say, [i]me too.[/i] She helped herself to another drink without hesitation soon after the first one. Soon enough, a woman came up to her with the bowl of paper slips. She knew exactly what it was for but still stared at it indecisively.[color=BBC7E1]"Uhhh....  I-.....Yes. Thank you."[/color] Why did the woman have two bowls in her hand? She selected one at random, nearly missing the bowl as she had started to see double.