[center][h1][color=2B822F]Verrick[/color] & [color=035e7b]Thea[/color] [/h1][/center]

[hr]

Verrick sighed as he moved to his own corner when a servant suddenly came up to him and offered him a bowl. After a moment's hesitation he grabbed a slip of paper and looked at his number. Glancing up afterward and noticing two younger prince's of Casonia being conveniently handed their own slips of paper. Narrowing his eyes and scoffing in disgust he tossed the paper over his shoulder and grumbled something about sniveling royal brats… or something of the sort. Clearing his throat he straightened his shoulders and went to find the unlucky soul who picked his number.

He lined up at the front of the room, a fair scowl/smile upon his face as he tried to put on his ‘good’ face again. Placing his hands behind his back he took a deep breath and let it out, resisting the urge to suddenly throw the two nobles who got too close to him as they lined up. He glanced over to see Princess Beatrice lined up in front of Auguste, and the two nobles beside him gave him a weird look when they heard a low growl coming from him. “What was that?” One of them asked. Verrick quickly said,[color=2B822F] “Just clearing my throat.”[/color] without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Thea had made it to the drink table and was sipping on a glass of wine as she did her best to calm her earlier irritation. She almost snapped at the person who tapped on her shoulder, but quickly discovered it was merely a servant with a bowl full of papers. So it was time for the dances, lovely. She quickly downed the glass of wine and grabbed a slip, looking at the number. She took a deep breath, sending a prayer up to whoever would hear her that she didn’t have to dance with some pompous ass. She then moved to the front of the room as her number was called, stepping past those who had already lined up, ready to meet her dance partner only to meet the eyes of Verrick and her eyes widened. [color=035e7b]“Oh…”[/color] Was all she could think of to say in that moment.

Verrick blinked when she said “Oh” before saying. [color=2B822F]”I do realize I’m no Prince charming. But ‘OH’ is kinda a slap to the face.” [/color] He said with a hint of his usual sarcastic humor. He then reached back and scratched the back of his head. [color=2B822F] “I do know how to dance…I think…if that is what you’re worried about.” [/color] He dropped his hand to his side before offering his right hand to her.

Thea felt heat brighten her cheeks as she realized how she’d sounded and shook her head, trying to clear it some while also trying to indicate that’s not what she meant. [color=035e7b]”No, that’s not…it wasn’t an ‘oh’ as if I’m disappointed, believe me I’m far from disappointed. It was an ‘oh’ as in, ‘oh I’m not dancing with an arrogant ass’.”[/color] She said, letting out a small laugh as she took his hand. [color=035e7b]”And I couldn’t care less if you know how to dance or not, you’re rescuing me from ‘Prince Charming’ currently and for that I’m quite grateful.”[/color] 
 
[color=2B822F]”Ah… Yes, Dancing with just an ass’s is better I do believe. Much simpler..”[/color] He said with a clear amusement in his voice. He led Thea towards the dance floor and said softly as they moved so others wouldn’t hear them. [color=2B822F]”I wouldn’t exactly call him ‘charming’. An immature brat is more fitting.” [/color] He Looked at Thea. With no one around he felt more comfortable to be free with what he said, it was clear from what he saw as well, that she was not at all pleased with her fiance.  He came to a stop  and turned towards and wrapped his other hand behind her back. 

[color=035e7b]”Far more simple indeed.”[/color] Thea felt herself relaxing some now, the irritation of earlier fading completely now. [color=035e7b]”He tries to be charming, but sometimes I feel as if he sees me as a doll to play with. The sooner he realizes I am anything but that, the better I think.”[/color] She let out a sigh as she placed her other hand on his shoulder, falling into position for the waltz. [color=035e7b]”Enough about my betrothed, though. Tell me how you’ve been? Anything exciting happened lately? Any more nobles thrown out windows?”[/color] She wore a smile now, ready to hear any exciting stories he had to tell.

Verrick had a small genuine smile of his own. The thought of her father flying out the window was still satisfying. He looked up as if to recall anything before leading Thea into the beginning of the waltz quite smoothly.  [color=2B822F]”Actually yes, but not a noble.[/color]  He said with a smile. [color=2b822f]"There was a young lad from the city so infatuated with trying to see the princess he managed to climb both walls and her tower. He almost made it as well without me seeing. Honestly I was quite impressed. If it wasn’t for the bath chambers he was attempting to climb into I might have let him see the princess for a moment.”[/color] 

He smirked, [color=2B822F]”So I let him believe he saw her for a few moments. Only fair to give him a tiny bit of hope after all that hard work. Only to crush his spirits when a half naked man stood up from the bath to toss him back out the window.”[/color] Verrick had caught sight of the man climbing her tower and while she had been bathing he managed to get to her first and inform her of the pending perv. Just enough time for him to replace her.. While…unorthodox…Verrick had to find his fun somewhere.

Thea listened with intrigue to his story, but then let out a giggle at the end. [color=035e7b]"Oh my, the shock on that man's face was probably priceless."[/color] The man certainly sounded like he deserved what he got and Thea only wished she could have watched it all happen. [color=035e7b]"Though if I saw a half naked you before being tossed out a window, I don't think I'd be too terribly mad."[/color] She gave him a playful smile as she mindlessly followed the steps of the dance.

Verrick nodded, the Seer confusion,disgust, realization, utter terror was worth the sprint up the up the tower, getting the princess out while trying to communicate with the princess and her maids to get her out and the rush to jump in the bath while ripping off his clothes was worth it. 

Thea mentioned if she saw him and half naked he was at a loss for words for a moment, Not expecting that from her. But he looked at her and said quite seriously. [color=2B822F]”I can quite assure you Lady Thea. There is no possible chance of that ever happening. [/color] He looked away for a moment before adding. [color=2B822F]”I would never toss a beautiful lady out a window.”[/color]

[color=035e7b]"So seeing you half naked is still on the table?"[/color] Thea smirked at him, pausing for a brief second and then giggling. [color=035e7b]"I'm merely teasing you Verrick. It is comforting to know you wouldn't toss me out a window though, even if I may deserve it at times."[/color] There was still a smile on her face, but her eyes betrayed her as she knew most everyone disapproved of her recent actions.

[color=2B822F]”Continued teasing will change my mind…”[/color] he said jokingly, before looking directly into her eyes. [color=2B822F]”Let me be very clear.[/color] his sense of sarcasticness gone. His gruff voice was as serious as it could be. [color=2B822F]” For what you went through, it is understandable for you to change while you deal with it. While I don’t approve of how you handle it at times,you do not [i]deserve[/i] it..”[/color] 

Thea's face fell and she found herself looking down as silence fell for a moment. She trembled slightly as she took a shaky breath. [color=035e7b]"I'm unsure of how else to deal with it. Without drinking myself into oblivion I can't sleep. I have nightmares."[/color] She said barely above a whisper. [color=035e7b]"Will it ever get easier?"[/color] She looked back up to him, a pleading look in her eyes.

Verrick sighed and didn’t say anything for a few moments as he thought of the best answer. Fact was he couldn’t really tell her how to deal with the issue, as it never happened to him. He then looked at her then said softly. [color=2B822F]”It will be something that will stay with you for a long time. But as I said then, and now you must not feel guilty, It wasn’t your fault at all. Nor it ever will be.” [/color] He paused again, looking at the others dancing around them. [color=2B822F]”If it will help, blame me for not being there when you needed it.”[/color]

Thea slowly shook her head. [color=035e7b]"I could never blame you, Verrick. You were there when I needed it the most and I'll forever be grateful to you."[/color] She forced a smile onto her face. [color=035e7b]"I'm sorry, I'm being rather dull. I'll be okay in time, I promise you that."[/color] The music began to slow and instead of parting from her partner and curtsying as other women did, she threw her arms around him in a hug. [color=035e7b]"Thank you for everything, Verrick."[/color] She said softly to him and let him go, but not before kissing him on his cheek. [color=035e7b]"Now, are you going to ask your princess for a dance or am I going to have to do it for you?"[/color] She smirked at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

Verrick grunted as she said she would be ok, he felt like he didn’t say the right thing to get through to her. Personally he did feel responsible for not being able to help her. He clearly missed something back there, if he only knew… 

He was pulled from his thoughts when she suddenly threw her arms around him, as well as giving him a kiss on the cheek. This was enough to make any man redden…even a tiny bit. But what made him freeze was her next statement. [color=2B822F]”W- What do you mean? I cannot ask the Princess..” [/color] He sighed as he scratched the back of his head. Giving up on feeble attempts to hide the truth of his feelings… Apparently she was far more observant than he gave her credit for. [color=2B822F]”There is no way she would want to dance with me. I annoy her to no end, and it wouldn’t be ‘proper’ for a common man such as me to even think about that.”[/color]

Thea stared at him, unimpressed with his excuses. [color=035e7b]"You just danced with a future princess of Varian, you can dance with THE Princess of Varian. It's a dance, not a proposal. It's to provide [I]fun[/I]."[/color] She said with a small laugh as she moved to link her arm with his before pulling at him to follow her. [color=035e7b]"Come on, even if you don't ask I should still return you to her and then I have a prince to find that I'm probably obligated to share a dance with."[/color] She sighed, clearly not thrilled with the idea, but still trying to fulfill her promise to Felix.

Verrick sighed when she brought up that she will be a princess herself soon. It annoyed him that she was right…on both points she brought up. Depending on how the night went, he would want to make sure she enjoyed at least one dance. Even if it was with a grumpy woodsman. 

He felt a sudden tug on his arm and was dragged off by Thea after she linked their arms together. He was resistant at first but gave in after a second or two. He glanced down at her as they walked as she mentioned having to have a dance with Felix. [color=2B822F]”Well, just know if he ruins your night. I’m sure there’s a pond around here somewhere.”[/color] He said with a chuckle.