[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0Hh7rGs.png[/img][/center]
[color=00F8FE]Time: Night
Location: 420 Wicker St
Interaction: Roman [@ReusableSword] Mayet [@13org]
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[color=9FA1A4]Cal’s face slipped into a brief expression of confusion, [color=00F8FE][i]Is it not Emberrock? Coulda swore, well Roman would know, unless he’s messing with me, who knows. Emberstone huh, I was close enough I guess.[/i][/color] Though it could easily look like Callum was paying little attention to Roman as he spoke, he caught every word even as he stared at and examined the drinks placed in front of him. It was a skill practiced for so long and so often that it became his nature, to simply listen and absorb every word and inflection as he placed his visual attention upon something else entirely. 

The cocktail that was placed in front of him was a glass that contained a mostly green liquid though at the bottom of the glass inky black tendrils gathered and snaked about. Despite both the name and appearance of the drink, which seemed to speak of danger, the smell it gave off was sweet and inviting. To his side, Roman spoke of summer festivals taking place in a cold mountain town that likely held more warmth than all of Sorian even at the peak of summer. Cal thought that sounded better than being in Sorian all summer. 

[color=ed1c24]“Violet Damien…I do like that one I’ve never met someone that could bring me out of my shell like Violet.”[/color]

Roman continued to talk about Violet, and Cal continued to listen as he watched the black tendrils moving against the green liquid of the strange cocktail. It had been a few years but he could not recall Roman speaking so seriously about any woman. [color=00F8FE][i]Stuck down by lovesickness, are we?[/i][/color] He thought, and it made sense, Roman was older surely feeling the pressures of finding a wife, and continuing the family name. At least his family was a good one, he could see Roman continuing the dying tradition of raising nobles truly who fit the title. 

He wondered if he should offer a warning, that the name Damien came attached to the deadliest viper that nested in Sorian. Like the drink in front of him, the patriarch of the Damien family was a dark tendril that lurked about, buried in inviting sweetness that hid something dangerous, venomous. Would Roman even heed such a warning? 

[color=00F8FE]“You and Violent huh? You’d make a striking pair, and she’s certainly got more depth than she lets on but-”[/color] Before he had the chance to bring up the subject of Calbert another had joined the conversation; a fast-talking man who called himself Senor Chavez. Cal offered a forced smile and a nod as he glanced at him. He left as quickly as he’d appeared, and Roman turned the conversation towards Mayet. [color=00F8FE][i]The woman with the tiger. Hadn’t Wulfy also taken a shine to that one?[/i][/color] Roman needed no warning there, for despite Wulfrics crueler qualities he didn’t see his brother making an issue of competition when it came to courting. It also seemed just as likely that Wulfric's interest in the woman was the chance to watch her tiger tear apart its prey. 

Roman then spoke just as highly of Mayet, comparing her to a fire and it only spiked further curiosity about the guest from Alidasht. Callum listened, eventually taking a sip from the strange cocktail in front of him. He found its taste cloying, something so unnaturally sweet that it was almost difficult to drink. Cal drank it anyway, not wanting to let the alcohol go to waste but leaving behind the thought of drinking it slowly and downing its contents. It left his stomach on edge, whether that was from the sweetness of it, or from its mixing with the dry wine that he’d had at the ball was difficult to tell. He followed the cocktail with a long drink of the dark beer, washing the sweetness from his mouth with the bitter liquid. His stomach felt worse but the sweet taste was now gone. Callum was almost certainly throwing up later, he was just going to have to be sure he did so outside. 

[color=ed1c24]“What of you friend? What new adventures or fair maidens have you gotten a bit too far into lately?”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“Fair maidens? I doubt the women at the brothels on Lover’s Lane hear that one often but I’m sure it would give them quite the chuckle. As for adventures I make do, tonight should be quite the outing.”[/color] Callum gave a causally flippant reply before drinking more of the dark beer. [color=00F8FE]“Just, tread carefully around the Damiens, Calbert is more dangerous than he seems, maybe more so than any at court, and he keeps Edin and so many others wrapped tightly around his finger and has many eyes set upon his daughters.”[/color] He added, a sense of gravity in his tone. He knew Roman was likely accustomed to danger, that a warning would be shrugged off, but Roman deserved to at least know what he was getting into.

[color=00F8FE]“And I did run into Crystal this evening, or rather, she ran into me, and it was a pleasant surprise. She is very much unlike most of the nobility here. If things were different, someone that overwhelmingly positive, well it’d probably be a good influence on me, but things remain as they are. Count Damien seeks to further dig his claws into my family and to allow that to happen would only harm Caesonia and the people here who need no more harm done to them.”[/color] Callum, relaxed from the drinking and the company of someone who did not need lies or partial truths, spoke freely. Strangely, while he still felt calm his heart began to race as the cocktail worked its way through his system. 

Edin would always put himself and his latest whims first, there was no question about that. Most of his family would put the family first, or the wealth of Caesonia, and they’d protect the interests of the noble class no matter the detriment to the people of their nation. Callum knew this, just as he knew he had little power to change it, but he could at the very least not add to it. He could make sure he was not a pawn that strengthened bonds between cruel and powerful nobles, he could limit their influence on him, and prevent himself from fully being one of them. These long-held ideals and anxieties raced through his mind; everything in Caesonia was so wrong, so rotten, and what could he even do about it that would matter?

Then Callum spoke again, adding on to the sentiment he felt but no longer speaking with a calm and defeated tone. There was a frantic edge to his words, he began saying things he normally kept in his head or only to those he trusted fully. [color=00F8FE]“I’m not going to get married, Roman, nor will I start a family. It’s a fine life for someone, like yourself, whose lands are ruled by good people, who will continue to lead it in the right direction. But it is not like that here, and I cannot be happy while my people suffer.”[/color] His hand smacked against the bar, he felt more determined in his beliefs. 

[color=E77298]"CALLUM! ADORABLE LITTLE BROTHER THAT I LOVE! LOOK WHO IT IS! It's fucking Alden Plannington!"[/color] The voice of his sister cut across the entirety of the warehouse. [color=00F8FE][i]They just got here, how much had she had to drink already?[/i][/color] With one hand he rubbed at his temple, a quiet return to the palace, as he’d promised Riona, seemed like an impossible task now. [color=00F8FE][i]I should’ve promised nothing.[/i][/color] He thought but he gave his sister a wave and scanned the faces of those around her. Alden Plannington, one of his mother’s pets, was indeed among them. 

He barely had time to wonder what exactly Alden was doing here because the scene around Alden and his sister erupted into absolute chaos caused by the rather odd Senor Chavez. [color=00F8FE][i]Nope.[/i][/color] Callum turned back around, his attention returning to Roman and Mayet who had also joined them. Without the necessary audience, that sort of chaos held no interest for him, whatever Ana and her wild friends were up to was their business right now. 

[color=00F8FE]“Mayet! Surely your ears must be burning for Roman was just singing your praises. An honor to meet you! Didn’t bring the tiger along eh? Probably best could you imagine a drunk tiger?!”[/color] Callum wore a wild grin and burst into laughter at the thought it. 

Callum couldn’t stop laughing, even while knowing Roman was trying to flirt with Mayet and how this was certainly not helpful. He was bet over, his stomach still in a knot and one hand covering his mouth trying to make sure he didn’t vomit from the unwise mixing of drinks and fervent laughter.   

[color=00F8FE][i]Drinks! More beer![/i][/color] Cal remembered the rest of the beer that sat in front of him and between gasps for air and stifled laughter he forced himself to calm enough to finish the glass before slamming it face down on the bar. 

[color=00F8FE]“Roman! Mayet! Why are we just standing around?”[/color] Callum was shouting now, he didn’t realize it, but excess enthusiasm had leaked into his voice. [color=00F8FE]“I know, let’s have a race!”[/color] He added eyes wide with excitement at the thought of running through the warehouse. He slammed his hands against the bar along with the thumping music that played, now bouncing around on his feet and unable to hold still. 

[color=00F8FE]“Right now! Let’s race! I’ll win!”[/color] He continued, not even the least bit aware that he was still shouting. He had to move, needed to run or something before he vibrated right out of his own skin. He was pretty sure that was possible and that it was bound to happen if he didn’t do something soon. His heart beat furiously within his chest, outpacing the beat of the music. He looked through the crowded warehouse, plotting out the best path to run from one side to the other with minimal interference from the crowds of people. Then with little warning, Callum merely shouted [color=00F8FE]“Go!”[/color] and took off without bothering to check if the other two were joining.[/color]