[color=darkgray]
[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] Alden [@Terrance420]
[Color=salmon][b]Mention:[/b][/color] King Danrose and Count Damien

Despite keeping up a smile, Lorenzo had the sinking feeling he had screwed up his first impression since he had not received the hand from Sir Plannington. He slowly dropped his outreached hand toward his side before pretending to brush something off of his jacket to play things off. [color=salmon][i]He still seems friendly. Perhaps I still have a chance to make a friend![/i][/color] 

Hope. What should have been a source of positivity was nothing but a curse for Lorenzo. It was the last thing the man needed. It made him complacent and easily manipulated by others. The toppling of the Alidasht royalty was a prime example of what happened when the man possessed that which motivated those in need of faith. He was at his worse when he felt his best. A sad pitiful existence, but it was his to own. His curse.

[color=salmon]“Agreed! There should be no more broken glasses. A bit of an experiment on my part, and as we can see, it…”[/color] He winced down at the servant who had still been cleaning at the time. [color=salmon]“... it did not go very well.”[/color] He gave an uncomfortable chuckle as the servant left their company to grab two glasses Lorenzo assumed he and the royal advisor would share. [color=salmon][i]Splendid![/i][/color] having a glass with company meant Sir Plannington had yet to count him out of his good graces. Lorenzo still had a chance! As a plus, more wine would loosen him up as he was still trying to shake off Calbert’s intimidating presence. How did one’s presence linger?

[color=9e0b0f]“If you don't mind, may I ask what is troubling you tonight? Something seems to be on your mind.”[/color]

Lorenzo unintentionally gulped at the mention of his troubles. He had many, and that was just for tonight. Where would he even begin? Would share his concern for Kier being home alone for the first time in many months? Or perhaps while on that matter, he would share his envy of the Alidasht being permitted to bring their animal companions into the ballroom without a complaint… from anyone it seemed! Okay, he’d keep that to himself. As he pondered on the appropriate answer, the servant returned with the glasses of wine. 

[color=9e0b0f]"Ah, perfect! Here, I believe [i]both[/i] of these are yours!"[/color]

[color=salmon]“Mine?[/color] He blinked at both glasses in bewilderment. [color=salmon][i]Mine?![/i][/color] Lorenzo almost reached for them but stopped himself. The words of Count Fritz tugged at him. Pleaded to him. Begged him. Screamed!

[color=DDB775]“Yes ladies! Come spend some quality time with your King! Haha!”[/color]

Lorenzo looked over his shoulder at King Danrose relishing in the presence of women in seductive gowns rubbing him as he chuckled with pleasure and pride. Lorenzo could not conjure up a scowl as powerful as Count Calbert Damien but scowl he did. 

Count Damien was an evil man indeed, but he only thrived due to the political environment King Danrose cultivated. Lorenzo had always bottled up his displeasure for Caesonia’s ruler. There were times when he partially blamed the king for his wife’s death. However, those times were always fleeting, because he knew better than anyone, it was his worthlessness that led to her passing. It was a thought that always kept him from deeply hating the king. 

Unfortunately, that thought did not reach him fast enough. Lorenzo needed an escape from this pit of vipers and the second dance had not even started yet. 

Lorenzo faced the glasses again and grabbed both with a nod and a smile.

[color=salmon]“Thank you.”[/color] He warmly addressed the servant and then looked at Sir Plannington. [color=salmon]“And thank you as well. When preparing for trouble, it’s always good to make it double.”[/color] He played on the advisor’s inquiry about his troubles while clinking both glasses together. He took a long sip of wine from the glass in his right hand and put on a more serious look. 

[color=salmon]“Thank you for your concern. There is [i]a lot[/i] on my mind tonight. For starters, I arrived late. Then I mistook our most honored guests, the Alidasht Royalty, for lowly animal tamers and performers. Then I knocked some… Well, [i]I[/i] didn’t knock them over... but my presence probably did not help the situation. I embarrassed Charlotte… my daughter.”[/color] He took a few gulps from the wine glass in his right hand and then proceeded. [color=salmon]“I was yelled at. My daughter offered herself up to our royal guests to save me. I was yelled at again, but then… I cried in front of everyone.”[/color] He took some more gulps from the glass. [color=salmon]“Afterwards, I made two acquaintances that I can assume are not very proud of me at the moment. Then I believe I may have made a deal with the devil over on that balcony over yonder.”[/color] He got ready to sip again but stopped as he appeared to realize something. [color=salmon]“Oh and I lied about the glass as well as the whole thing about the new Alidasht tradition. Please, please, do not do that, ever. I just was startled and tried to save face. Anyway, thinking of all these misgivings Sir Plannington, is exactly what is troubling me tonight.”[/color] Lorenzo clinked the glasses together again, before gulping down the rest of the first glass, discarding his modesty completely.  


[/color]