[center][h1][color=slateblue]Ariella[/color] and [color=00F8FE]Callum[/color][/h1][/center]
[right]collab with [@Tpartywithzombi][/right]
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[color=silver][color=00F8FE]“What a coincidence, mine also likes to call for heads at minor inconveniences. So we have mutually assured destruction to ensure this conversation stays at this table.”[/color] Callum offered, far more engaged in this conversation than he was a moment ago. He hadn’t expected her to stay or express a similar dislike for noble life. [color=00F8FE]“It’s a pleasure to meet Ari.”[/color] He added and smiled sincerely the way he only did around people who talked to him without a mask on. 

[color=00F8FE]“Can’t stay I’ve ever been in a ravine, or too far from here really.”[/color] Cal added, not that he’d ever sought out those secluded parts of nature either. [color=00F8FE]“But the gardens make me all sneezy and congested and so I guess I’ve never thought of myself as an outdoor person. Sounds beautiful, the way you describe it.”[/color] He took another drink from his glass, partially because it was there and because he didn’t know what else to add. Everything he knew about nature came only from books. 

Ari smiled at his interest in the forest she mentioned [color=slateblue] “ Oh it’s lovely, and allergy free. There arn’t any flowers here per say, maybe a couple berry bushes. Its wonderful, you walk through a arch that a tree has naturally formed and push through some vines and leaves from the surrounding tree. Once you pass there its like a little secluded oasis. There is a river that runs through the little cove” [/color] Ari’s face lit up as she spoke about her secret place, her hands drawing a little image on the table as her mind sparked the memory of the place. [color=slateblue] “ On one side there is some berry bushes and a tree line and on the opposite side is a lush grassy area with a giant waterfall over looking the ravine. Me and the only other person who knows of this place, well we built a little fort out of twigs and dead branches we found. When you enter this oasis its forbidden to wear shoes and me and my friend will actually remove all the troublesome gowns and just wear what a servant may. “ [/color] she stopped as she realized she had started rambling. [color=slateblue] “ I’m sorry, this is likely boring you. If you do ever find yourself interested though, I would love to show it to you sometime. I wasn’t much of an outdoors person myself either until I was shown that particular spot where I could just be Ari.” [/color] She smiled [color=slateblue] “ That would mean you could just be Callum there and no one would be the wiser. “ [/color] She looked around nervously as her fingers twiddled on the table top. She wouldn’t tell him that it was actually Anastasia’s place that she shared with Ari, gifting it too her a few years ago. Since then they would run off during their political meetings at the estate and hide in the woods. [color=slateblue] “ What kind of things do you enjoy doing ? “  [/color] she asked actually interested in getting to know this not prince Callum. 

Callum chewed at the edge of his tongue to keep himself from saying anything. Mostly things like he thought he might be allergic to the grass too, or that thinking about walking around without shoes on made his skin crawl, and that while it all sounded really nice in theory, he was pretty sure it also sounded like the kind of place where you got eaten alive by mosquitoes, or something worse. He didn’t interrupt because he didn’t want to keep being the Callum that was afraid of things just because they were different from all the familiar things he hated. 

Instead, Cal tried to just think of Ari’s spot in the woods only the way she described it and it helped that she seemed to get lost in whatever bit of happiness that place brought her. Then being alone, or with a friend, in a place where everything was very real, even if it was barefoot, sounded a lot better than the palace ever did. [color=00F8FE]“You’re not boring me. This place bores me, same shi-”[/color] Callum stopped and changed his wording, [color=00F8FE]”stuff all the time and none of it matters. So whatever you say that is different from what people normally say in palace ballrooms is way better.”[/color]

He took another drink and tried to think of things he enjoyed. [color=00F8FE]“When I’m stuck here, my place is the library, more books than people, and it’s quiet, and organized, mostly. And I do like to learn new things but I never really liked doing new things. Which doesn’t even make much sense because I don’t even like most of what I spend my time doing. So, I guess, what I mean is next time you want someone to walk around barefoot in a ravine with, I’m in.”[/color] He was sure to be as honest as he could be in his response, he didn’t want to lie to Ari but he also wasn’t going to outright admit an interest in magic. 

Ari listened in with ease to him opening up to her. She was surprised to find out that Callum was alot like her just before she met Anastasia. She had opened her up to so many possibilities she had even yet too try or dare to even try. [color=slateblue] “ I couldn’t agree more, so much focus on empty promises, money and status. My mother wants me to wed and find someone that can bring me wealth and status, I dont want to disappoint her but at the same time I sometimes wish I were a farmers daughter instead. Maybe then I could have more freedom, less restrictions and wouldn’t need to wear these blasted outfits. “ [/color] She bit her lip as she looked back up at him from staring at her fingers. [color=slateblue] “ Maybe actually be able to experience and live like the stories in those books that sit in the libraries. Sometimes I get envious of the characters.” [/color] She found it strange how quickly she was able to open up to him, she had never spoken to anyone so candidly. Even with Anastasia it took her a long time before she really got to know her. 

Ari let out a gleeful smile as he accepted her offer to visit her secret oasis. She was excited to share it with someone. [color=slateblue]”well..Since we both seem to be in similar situations, I’ll make you a deal. If you do indeed try something new then I too shall do the same, your pick. Name it and we shall do it. I for one have never really experienced anything either, mainly due to all the eyes on me but it could be fun.” [/color] she shrugged [color=slateblue] “ if I were really bold, I’d sneek out of here to escape this dreadful event…” [/color] she paused for a moment , since he seemed to be so open with her already she was curious about one thing. [color=slateblue] “ Is that why you did the whole onion bit earlier? Was it to make a statement of some sort? Onions wouldnt be my first choice but it certainly kept alot of the women away. So many were moving away from the table, and when I saw you struggling after a rather funny display I must say, I felt inclined to come over and atleast relieve you from the burns.” [/color]

[color=00F8FE]“I didn’t think the onion would be half that bad. But it was there, and the woman here before you tripped over the chair, and that made a scene, so I made another scene.”[/color] He said, grinning that Ari had seen his antics as amusing rather than idiotic. But he also knew that wasn’t much of an answer. Since he had someone’s ear, he finished his glass of wine in a final long drink before leaning forward and speaking in a quieter voice. 

[color=00F8FE]“And Edin’s here, and he can’t stand it when things don’t go exactly his way. So I did the first thing that popped into my head because I knew it would make him mad at me, but that’s not anything new. So I guess, it’s only fair to warn you, spend too much time around me and it’s probably going to land you on the King’s shit list.”[/color] He leaned back in his chair, and thought about what else she’d said. It wouldn’t be fair not to warn people that he was a bad luck charm, but he also hadn’t tried very hard. He did need to do more new things, what he was doing now was amounting to nothing. So someone who’d push him to try new things had to be a good thing. Plus Ari saw it, at least part of what he saw. And it [i]probably[/i] wouldn’t kill him to talk to more people. 

[color=00F8FE]“Sometimes I want a different life, I think about being a bird and simply go where ever and do whatever I wanted. Or a farmer and spend my days growing food and feeding people instead of doing nothing and being surrounded by everything I didn’t earn. But the way things are, it’s not right.”[/color] Callum paused, realizing he was going too far. A few drinks and his thoughts just leaked right out. Talking about social pressures and suffocating formalities were one thing, but he couldn’t start spouting off about his rotten bloodline that was suffocating Caesonia. Not here, not with someone he barely knew. 

[color=00F8FE]“But I have this life, and for whatever reason, my name gets to matter more than a lot of names, so I get to try and use that to make things a little better. Today I thought eating an onion would help, so obviously, not going very well.”[/color] He pivoted and twisted his words so that he still believed it, and he wasn’t going to lie to someone who was being honest with him, but most of the truth was closed off. [color=00F8FE]“So here’s a new thing, if you’re still interested, we find something we can do that will make Sorian a little better and do that.”[/color] He offered. 

Ari sat back and listened , each time he spoke she was just more and more curious about Callum. She watched as he finished back the wine and leaned in dropping his voice as if to tell her a secret of his own which he certainly did. [color=slateblue] “ Well , that does sound like a wonderful thing and I am for that if that is what you choose but…”[/color] she paused [color=slateblue] “ That is what Prince Callum would do. A civil duty to help make Sorian a better place, and it is a noble thing and one I would gladly partake in but what would Callum do? You don't need to answer now, perhaps save it for another day. Going to a pub with wigs on and different outfits pretending to be farmers sounds  fun to me…” [/color] she smiled at him. [color=slateblue] “ Well I do believe I have taken much of your time Callum.” [/color] She said as she rose out of her chair. [color=slateblue] “ To say this was a surprise would be an understatement but it certainly was enjoyable and refreshing to have such a welcomed conversation with someone. I hope we can venture into that little oasis sometime soon. “ [/color] Ariella curtsied , her violet eyes fixed on him as she kept her soft smile that she had been holding the whole event. She turned and left the table , walking past the large crowds still forming waiting for their chance with one of the other princes. Ariella however wanted to leave the event on a highnote. Knowing the other two Princes would likely ruin her mood with formalities she decided to set out for a different event. 

Callum only flinched at the mention of having fun in a tavern. He tried not to hold that comment against her; she wasn’t there this morning to see that sometimes what sounded like harmless fun ended with a carriage driver being beaten and nearly killed. He could only wonder who Alibeth might find to punish if he was then caught taking Lady Edwards to a seedy tavern while dressed as farmers. He only nodded, and rose from his seat when she did, bowing once more. 

[color=00F8FE]“The pleasure was entirely mine, I am the one now getting a trip to an oasis out of this. I’m glad I had the chance to meet Ari instead of whoever it is your family wants you to be.”[/color] He said, returning her kind smile and reverting back to a more formal posture as she left. Then he sat back down in his chair and noticed that she had left her wine glass still on the table and entirely full. He pulled that glass closer to him and the strange array of items that were now collecting on his table.[/color]