[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/vHlk0a2.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/0Hh7rGs.png[/img][/center]

Time: Night
Location: Caesonia Palace Guest Rooms/Callum’s Room/Stables
Interaction: Anastasia[@princess]
Mentions: Lady Thea, Lady Zarai, Lord Roman, Lady Crystal

[color=CBCBCB]Leo had left the ball for the guest house following King Edin’s announcement but his time in the guest room was brief. A loud banging on the door to his room, followed by the familiar voice of the Danrose princess grabbed his attention. It was time for the after-party which promised a far more relaxing vibe than the ball; no worries of intense rules of what is proper and appropriate, just an opportunity to unwind, indulge, and let go. As he accompanied Anastasia to collect the others he was surprised to find Thea would not be among them. Strange, as this was the sort of party he knew his sister rarely missed. Most of the time sudden declines in Thea’s mood were easily blamed on his mother and her off-putting lover, but this time he had the sinking feeling the blame lay on Prince Felix. He was liking the Varian prince less and less any time he thought of Felix. Leo followed Anastasia without his sister, giving her the night to settle some and planning to check on her in the morning. 

They set forth the princess inviting the often unconventional but always interesting Lady Zarai, and Lord Roman, who despite being respectable often spoke of manual labor as if such a thing was an interesting way to spend one's time. Leo only offered a brief but amicable greeting to both of his fellow Varians. 

Next, the princess headed toward the rooms which housed the royals from Alidasht. Discretion was certainly not Anastasia’s strong suit and Leo ducked into a doorway the second he saw the sultan peak his head out from his room not wanting to be associated with the disturbance. Once the sultan had returned to his room Leo popped back out from the doorway, the Danrose princess was certainly brazen and he could see why she and Thea got along so well. 

[color=9AF781]“Very secretive, I’m sure no one will decipher that one Stas,”[/color] Leo spoke shaking his head. Despite his curiosity about the mysterious party Leo asked no question; he craved the unknown and being able to see it all firsthand rather than ruining the surprise. 

Soon, Anastasia began knocking on the door of her younger brother Prince Callum. Leo found the youngest of the Danrose siblings to be insufferable; to be born a prince and use his time only to create a mockery of all the nobility stood for only served to insult the rest of them. It seemed that four children had been too much for the Danrose family, all the admirable qualities had gone to the three eldest leaving nothing of worth for the youngest to inherit. Still, Anastasia’s voice mocking him through the door gave Leo an amused grin. [/color]

[color=E77298]"Psst. Heyyy it's Lady Crystal. I got more smoochies for you Callum. Better open the dooooor..."[/color] 

[color=9FA1A4]Callum rolled his eyes, of course, his sister had seen that, and now he was doomed to never hear the end of it. Still, remembering Crystal and their conversation from earlier made him smile a bit. It was a rare occurrence to speak with anyone in court who felt like breathing in fresh air on a perfect day. Not even his sister’s teasing could really spoil that memory, and to Ana’s credit at least she hadn’t said anything in front of their brothers. 

He had used the distraction he’d helped create to slip out of the ball a little early and change into a far more casual set of clothes. No more tightly tailored suit or noose-like tie adorning him at least left him feeling more comfortable in his own skin and looking much closer to a commoner than a noble. 

[color=00F8FE]“Ana, you seem confused, unable to recall your own name, should I send for Helga to keep watch over you? Or perhaps you’d prefer Wystan?”[/color] He offered, returning the mocking tone and following Anastasia as they headed towards the stables. He was a bit surprised to see Leo was going with them and he doubted the Varian noble would be able to forgo his precious title for any length of time. [/color]