[center][h1][color=9AF781][b]Leo[/b][/color] & [color=#035E7B][b]Thea[/b][/color][/h1][/center]

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Thea had begun slowly making her way down the street after leaving Charlotte’s house. She needed to meet up with Leo, but she found she wasn’t really rushing at all as she was nervous about what she needed to talk to him about. While talking to Charlotte and even John had helped her in feeling a bit better, the dread of the morning’s events was washing over her once again. How would her brother react to the news about her now ex-fiance? How was her mother going to react? Anxiety had her trembling like a leaf and then there were the gunshots. Panic set in as she glanced around, unsure of where the sound came from. Was she in danger? Perhaps her mother had a point that she shouldn’t explore the city without a guard.

At first she simply began walking faster, but it quickly turned into a run as she did her best to fight back tears. Before she knew it, she was in the park and was forced to slow down due to the festival. She had a few people try and stop her to ask her if she was okay, but she barely heard them as she felt the world spinning some. Her head was pounding and she needed a drink desperately. Perhaps then she could calm down some. Finally she stumbled across a stand selling some mead. She made her way through the line and eventually bought herself a glass. She downed it right then and there before ordering another and walking away with it. Slowly she felt herself calming some and her mind cleared a little. The horse race…yes, wasn’t there a horse race today? Surely Leo wouldn’t miss that. With a deep breath, Thea began making her way to the racetrack.

It took her a little while to sift through the crowd, asking some familiar faces if they’d seen her brother yet. She’d managed to finish her second glass of mead now and finally found someone to point her in the direction they’d last seen her brother. She found him sitting down and she felt emotions wash over her once again, but did her best to keep her composure. She approached him, forcing a smile on her face as she took a seat next to him. [color=#035E7B]”May I join you, dearest brother?”[/color] She asked, unable to keep a quiver from her voice. 

[color=9AF781]“Thea!”[/color] Leo immediately stood up and spoke her name with exaggerated enthusiasm to show her presence was always a welcomed one. [color=9AF781]“Just in time for the race.”[/color] He offered his brightest smile. He had noted the fragile shake of his sister’s voice when she’d spoken. Was it a bad day or just another difficult one? Either way, his job was now to improve Thea’s day however he could. So Leo put an arm around Thea’s shoulders and used the other arm to gesture toward the horses. 

[color=9AF781]“Now I’ve placed a large bet on that horse right there, Lady Avarice, a steed named after greed absolutely has to have her sights set on gold. Except Duke Vikena has renamed the horses, so now I’m wondering if the horse now known as Queen Tulip the Bitch-Slayer has a chance of defeating Sir Ominous Dominus Black. Certainly, with a name like Sir [i]Ominous Dominus[/i] Black that stallion will be looking to dominate this race. Quite the predicament. Will I leave here slightly richer than before? Or will I be enduring a painful lecture from our mother later all about poor horse choosing?”[/color] Leo whispered the information as if it were a closely guarded secret, and once he was done, he pulled his arm away from Thea, grinned, and shrugged. 

In reality, he had picked the horse and rider he’d never heard of, considering the unknown a riskier, and thus more rewarding if correct, bet. But the point was not to discuss betting strategy, only to distract Thea with something ridiculous, non-troubling, and fun. [color=9AF781]“Have you placed a bet?”[/color] 

Leo seemed to always know the best way to calm her nerves and make things fun, something Thea truly admired and often tried to do for him as well. She’d relaxed some as he’d put his arm around her and couldn’t help but giggle as he told her of all she’d missed so far. Surely their mother would be quite frustrated with him if he lost whatever money he bet. She wouldn’t even be surprised if she’d be mad that he bet anything at all, likely finding gambling to be a distasteful thing. All the more reason for Leo to do so and Thea to support him.

[color=#035E7B]”My, it sounds like I’ve missed a bit! Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to place a bet, though I have a feeling I would have bet on the same horse as you. How could you pass up that opportunity with such a divine name?!”[/color] She said, a happier tone coming easier to her voice for now. She still knew she had matters to discuss with him, but for now there was no harm in both of them enjoying themselves. [color=#035E7B]”Even with the name change, I think your bet was a wise one. Sir Ominous Dominus may sound daunting and strong, but I personally think it sounds like he’s compensating for something, wouldn’t you agree? Perhaps he’s a little bitch.”[/color] She reasoned with a bit of a smirk, confidence exuding from her now. [color=#035E7B]”I think our lovely Queen Tulip the Bitch-Slayer will easily take Sir Ominous Dominus the Little Bitch down.”[/color]

Leo nodded along, listening with the same focus he used for only the most important discussions. A world in which their highest concern was merely the outcome of a horse race was a much better place to live in even if it was a facade fated to last only for a short while. [color=9AF781]“A bold claim but very sound logic. Ol’ Ominous Dominious out there just doesn’t seem to have half the vibrancy the Bitch-Slayer’s got.”[/color] Leo agreed. That much was true, even from a distance it was clear that from coat to saddle the horse now known as Queen Tulip the  Bitch-Slayer received only the best care and attention, and the noble mare held a confident look that said she was more than ready to leave the competition in the dust. It was a sound bet. 

[color=9AF781]“I think you showed up just in time to save me from torturous seconds of second-guessing, a sure sign my luck has finally turned around.”[/color] Leo added.

[color=#035E7B]"I'm always happy to be your good luck charm."[/color] Thea said with a giggle and a nod as she glanced out at the competition, but slowly her face fell as her mind drifted to other matters once again. She fidgeted in her seat a little as she debated on speaking or not. How could she rob him of joy at this moment? Perhaps she'd wait until after the race. Or was it better to rip it off like a bandage? She wanted to scream at herself for being so indecisive. [color=#035E7B]"Leo I…"[/color] She began and felt a wave of illness overtake her, but she pressed on. [color=#035E7B]"I have news to tell you, but I fear you may be upset."[/color] She said in little more than a whisper.

[color=9AF781]“Life is full of upsetting news, but I try not to make a habit of shooting the messenger. Whatever you have to tell me, I can almost guarantee it won’t be the worse news I’ve gotten in the last year.”[/color] Leo would bet money on that statement too. Whatever her news was; it wasn’t pressing enough that she had led with it, and it wasn’t sensitive enough that it needed to be told in secret. So it would be manageable, but since Thea seemed anxious about whatever she needed to say, the horse race was quickly pushed out of his mind as he gave her his full attention.   

Thea couldn't help but wince a little at his last words, knowing that was likely the truth. Still, she wasn't fond of adding to any stress her brother already had. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly before she finally opened her mouth to speak. [color=#035E7B]"Felix broke off the engagement."[/color] She glanced at him briefly, hoping to gauge his reaction to the news. [color=#035E7B]"I made a mistake and went to his room drunk last night. I suppose my state resulted in me acting shamefully and I've scared him off. I always scare people off…"[/color] She began rambling, now looking away from her brother.

[color=9AF781]“Well, Felix has a stupid weasel face and is less interesting than a loaf of stale bread.”[/color] Leo spoke calmly, as if these were well-known facts, once Thea had paused. It was probably poor taste to speak of the prince like that, but that thought was much less important than the fact that Thea was hurting. He put an arm back around Thea’s shoulders. Even if she didn’t want to look at him, she would know he wasn’t going anywhere. 

[color=9AF781]“Thea, anyone who is afraid because you have emotions, is not worth your time.
And you did not look happy around him last night, no marriage would ever be worth your happiness. You are worth more than that.”[/color] Leo offered this opinion in a soft and somber tone. There was the ‘pop’ of the starting gun, the sound of hooves against the track, and Lorenzo’s commentary filling the air but it no longer mattered. A small win would not fix his sister’s broken heart, and there wasn’t much Leo could do about it either. [color=9AF781]“You go ahead and be as scary as you need to be, I’ll be right here.”[/color] 

The warmth of comfort spread over Thea and her brother’s words reached her ears, quelling her fears and worries for the time being. She leaned into him, laying her head on his shoulder as she let out a small sigh, watching the horses take off. A rogue tear slipped down her cheek, but there was a soft smile on her face. [color=#035E7B]”How did I end up with the most wonderful brother ever? Thank you, Leo.”[/color] She said softly. After a few moments of silence and quite the interesting power struggle, the Bitch Slayer seemed to pull ahead and Thea sat up. [color=#035E7B]”Oh Leo, look! Oh how exciting!”[/color] She said, now with more enthusiasm as it seemed the horse Leo bet on was going to win.

[color=9AF781]“Of course. You will always get my best Thea.”[/color] Leo smiled, not a bit of it forced or faked; if he was going to do something right, at least let him be a good brother. The crowd picked up, excitement rumbled through the air. Surprise interference by a wayward bird even threw a bit of chaos onto the track. It was a close race but Queen Tulip the Bitch Slayer pulled through in the end. Leo clapped for the victor, mirrored the crowd's enthusiasm, and it was enough to just watch a horse race with his sister. 

[color=9AF781]“Very, exciting. Good to see Sorian can still put on a proper horse race. Want to split the winnings? Since you brought all the good luck?”[/color] Leo offered. 

Thea giggled, but shook her head as she smiled at him. [color=#035E7B]"No, no. You won it fair and square Leo. Besides, if Mother found out you gave me money she might get upset thinking I'll use it to feed my addiction. Which, honestly, I might."[/color] She said somewhat jokingly with a shrug. [color=#035E7B]"Thank you for helping relieve my anxieties and being the best brother, Leo. I think I might go back to my room and take a nap now."[/color] She said before throwing her arms around him in a hug. A few minutes later Thea was heading back to the guest house.