[color=lightgray][center][h2][color=slateblue] Ariella[/color], [color=E77298]Anastasia[/color],  [color=D2691E]Farim[/color]  & [color=00F8FE]Callum[/color][/h2][/center]

[center][h3][color=D2691E]Part 4[/color][/h3][/center]

[color=slateblue]Location:[/color] Prince Callum’s Tavern
[color=E77298]Time:[/color] 3pm

[right][sub][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5438314]Part 1[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5438388]Part 2[/url]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5438512]Part 3[/url][/sub][/right]

[hr]

Farim felt the cool breeze coming from the fan as the Princess fanned him. He couldn’t help but giggle and flush slightly (more than the alcohol was making him) as he felt the slight bit of pampering from his friend. [color=D2691E] “Oh why thank you, dear. You are too kind! Would you like me to fan you?”[/color] He coyly asked as he held his hand out to request the fan.

[color=E77298]“Yes!”[/color] Anastasia handed the fan to him and waited eagerly.

His hand grasped the fan, letting it spread out with a flick of his fingers. With a single hand he began flicking the fan up and down to send small bursts of refreshing air toward her. He couldn’t help but keep a smile as he thought about the image of this. They were the fanciest-looking group in the entire building and were definitely the goofiest, but Farim did not mind one bit. He simply lived in the moment with his two friends, and that was more than enough for him. [color=D2691E] “Does this help you, Princess? Although I doubt no amount of fanning could stop you from being hot.”[/color] He chuckled, perhaps too loudly as he kept fanning her.

Ariella looked behind her shoulder to the loud chuckle coming from her friend’s table. Farim and Ana giggling and being silly. She sighed lightly but a smile spread on her face. She was happy for her friend, she wasn’t sad that clearly the emotions were strong between them but more so that it was so hard to find company that she could enjoy. She turned back around giving them more time to giggle amongst themselves. Thankfully she still had her book.

Callum cradled the glass of amber liquid in his palm. Its scent tickled his nose as he drank from it, the cheap spirit burned its way down into his unsettled stomach. But it was warm, it let him barrow warmth, and when he wasn’t drinking from the glass he was staring into it like it was the only thing left in the world worth loving. As he stared into the glass he felt the guards staring back at him, their disapproval obvious, so once the glass was half gone he felt ready enough to go speak with his sister. He caught a flash of red hair as he turned to look for Ana. [color=00F8FE][i]Couldn’t be.[/i] “Ari?”[/color] He asked not loud enough for her to hear. He took a few paces down the bar, close enough to see that it was Arielle. He turned his head to see what she was staring at and caught sight of Ana and one of the Alidasht princes. Cal only rolled his eyes. 

[color=00F8FE]”Ari, welcome to my tavern, far more comfortable than the palace don’t you think?[/color] Callum liked the atmosphere at the tavern, it just felt like a place he belonged. Then he saw that Ari had a book with her and smiled. [color=00F8FE]“Any good?[/color] He asked gesturing towards the book. 

Ari was so deep into her book she hadn’t noticed Prince Callum walk in. Trying to drown out the giggles behind her and the general chatter she focused perhaps a little too hard on the words that crossed the page. Mindlessly, she slowly reached for her drink but a familiar voice spoke her name, pulling her out from her book. 

[color=slateblue]“Oh!”[/color] she said rather surprised to see Prince Callums smiling,[color=slateblue]“Thank you, It..it really is, though maybe the palace would be better.”[/color] She paused with a smile on her face as she lowered her voice slightly. [color=slateblue] “Because then I wouldn’t have to listen to those two giggling like school girls behind me.”[/color] She closed her book and set it down on the bar top in front of her. [color=slateblue]“ Jokes aside, I really do love this place. I was just looking for some place to relax and my driver brought me here. It was a bit a surprise to say the least, seeing your name on a tavern but it is a very nice establishment. I may end up making it a go to place for a drink. “ [/color]

She looked down at her book then back up at Callum with a sheepish expression. [color=slateblue] “ Oh, um.. Yeah”[/color] she laughed lightly[color=slateblue] “If you like tragic stories about two lovers who were destined to be together but fate was cruel to them.”[/color] 

She paused for a moment to see if he was still interested in her story, seeing as he was she continued.[color=slateblue] “ The women was a servant in a rich home, who ventured out in the woods running into a prince who was escaping his duties for the day. They met and clicked, her bold nature and his curiosity seemed to just work. They continued to secretly meet until her jealous step mother found out and sold her to a slaver. Now the prince spends his days trying to find her but she fell ill from her poor working conditions. Not sure how its going to end just yet but I am not sure it will be the happiest of endings.”[/color] She smiled[color=slateblue] “ Sorry that is likely not what you expected to hear, I hope that doesn’t ruin your mood.”[/color] She took a sip of her drink[color=slateblue] “ What brings you to the tavern this afternoon?”[/color] she asked curiously. 

Callum glanced back at Ana and the man she was with. They seemed like they were having a good time and he felt guilty for wanting to go over there and basically ruin the mood. He took another drink and thought about how much trouble Marek could be in just because Ana had decided to sell him out. For what? After that whole speech she’d done this morning what could Alibeth or Wulfric have possibly offered to get her to break? He thought about how he’d really believed her this morning and he didn’t feel guilty about it anymore. 

He turned his attention back to Ari as she went into detail about the book she was reading. A tragedy, a genre he had a fondness for, but her summary ended without an ending. [color=00F8FE]“I think tragedy has a lot to teach us because when the fates, or the gods, or the world, is cruel it is often so it can teach us to strive for something better. So now you’ll just have to tell me how it ends another time or I will be forever deprived of some great lesson.”[/color] Cal spoke, took another drink, and let the whiskey loosen his words. [color=00F8FE]“For the second time today you have only improved my mood, and I didn’t even have to eat an onion this time.”[/color] He added with a smile. 

[color=00F8FE]”If the giggling is bothering you then you’re in luck. I’m here to talk to Ana and I’ve got nothing amusing to say to her.”[/color] He added.

Ari nodded at his understanding of a tragedy, a smile spreading on her face [color=slateblue]“ That is exactly why I enjoy reading them so much, so many layers to peel back. Life is complicated and messy, it's what makes it worth living. The ups and downs in our stories is what makes us in the end.” [/color] She smiled, taking another sip of her drink. [color=slateblue]“ I will be sure to share the lesson, perhaps over another drink sometime?”[/color] she suggested. He seemed much more comfortable here then he did at the event, and she couldn’t blame him.[color=slateblue] “ I promise, no onions then either. I am happy that I improved it, but it sounds like I may need to improve your mood after your conversation with Ana” [/color] A smile still on her face as she let out a small nervous laugh. 

[color=00F8FE]“Couldn’t agree more. And what one makes out of tragedy defines them so much more than what they make out of good fortune.”[/color] Callum added. [color=00F8FE]“And if you’d like to continue this discussion over a drink, or trekking around barefoot in a ravine, I’m in.”[/color] Cal offered with more enthusiasm at the second option this time than when she’d first suggested it. 

Ari turned in her seat and gestured to the bartender [color=slateblue]“ Whiskey please, make it a double.” [/color] she said. The bartender nodded and began to prepare another drink, sliding it across the bar. Ari pushed it over towards Callum.[color=slateblue] “ You may need this, she’s pretty deep in.”[/color] she smiled.[color=slateblue] “ I'm not sure anything you say could ruin her mood right now. I am happy she is happy, the giggling wasn’t that bothersome truthfully. I just quickly became the third wheel in the evening and decided I was best suited over here with my book.” [/color]She took another sip of her drink.[color=slateblue] “ May I ask what you plan to speak to her about?” [/color]

Callum thought for a long moment as he stared at the second drink. He didn’t know what he should tell Ari, because he did want Ana to know that he saw what she did as a betrayal. Not just to him, to Marek, to a friend. But he didn’t want to cause drama between Ana and the rest of her friends. He finished the rest of his first drink in a quick gulp before pulling the second one closer. Even though he knew he shouldn’t, but it was there and it would be rude to decline. [i][color=00F8FE]There ya go Wulfy, best effort, I thought about not drinking this one.[/color][/i] [color=00F8FE]“Thank you, for the drink and the advice, I can’t let someone out drink me in my own tavern.”[/color] 

[color=00F8FE]“She let a friend of ours down. I want her to make it right. Beyond that, I think it’s up to her if she’d like to tell you about it.”[/color] Callum kept his answer vague. 

[color=00F8FE]“Well, no more third wheel, now we’re a whole carriage. I’d like to get this talk with Ana over with and maybe finally meet one of our guests from far off Alidasht.”[/color] Cal pushed the first finished glass closer to the bartender and picked up the second one. 

Ari frowned, [color=slateblue] “That doesn’t sound like Ana, but I understand. Sounds like a situation indeed…Ah, Yes. The future Sultan. “[/color] Ariella smiled lightly before finishing her drink. [color=slateblue] “ Common, let’s rip off that bandage of yours so you can actually enjoy that drink.”[/color] She slid off the chair, her feet finally touching the ground after dangling from the chair for so long. Reaching down to grab the hem of her gown again knowing full well her mother would kill her if she got anything on it. Ari began walking towards the table hoping Callum followed. She wobbled slightly as her legs steadied, the drinks were very much kicking in now. 

Reaching the table she held onto the sturdy object for balance, swaying slightly as she steadied herself. Ariella smiled at Farim and Ana, [color=slateblue]“ Hopefully I am not interrupting anything too serious. Ana, look who I ran into.”[/color] She said, looking over her shoulder to Callum. 

[color=E77298] “Ariella!”[/color] Anastasia’s eyes snapped to the red-haired girl as soon as she heard her voice. She smiled wide and reached for her friend with wiggling fingers. As her words sunk in, she had then noticed Callum approaching as well. Somehow, her smile grew bigger. The princess then clumsily got to her feet to throw herself forward to capture her brother in a hug. [color=E77298]  “My favorite little brother! “[/color] She let go after a moment, realizing she was probably embarrassing him. [color=E77298] “Are you doing okay? I hope you don’t feel ill today after last night.”[/color]

Farim kept the fanning motions going for a moment, feeling his hand begin to sloppily waft the blades to and fro after a few swings. Then he saw the Princess get up and practically jump towards someone after a short few words from Lady Edwards. He got up from his chair and turned to the duo who had returned to the table and placed the fan onto the table. With both hands on his hips, chest slightly puffed up he greeted the both of them with an enthusiastic and joyful grin. [color=D2691E] “There you are, Lady Edwards! I was honestly worried I had scared you off suddenly. But I see you went to the bar for a drink and found a man instead!”[/color] He chuckled for a moment before realizing what the Princess’ words meant. [color=D2691E][i]Little brother? Oh so this….Ohhhhhhh~![/i][/color] 

If his grin could grow bigger, it would. [color=D2691E] “This must be who you were telling us about! Well it’s certainly nice to see you, Sir Danrose.”[/color] He stopped for a moment realizing that Callum could hardly react to him given that his sister was in the process of nearly toppling him over with her enthusiastic sibling hug.

Callum, having been basically tackled by Ana, nearly fell over. [i]Why is she always so nice?[/i]  It was always so much easier to be mad at Wulfric. Cal kept a tight hold of his own drink, it had nearly spilled everywhere, and while he didn’t push Ana away, he didn’t return the hug either. Ari wasn’t kidding when he mentioned how drunk his sister was. He glanced over at the ‘future sultan’ and gave his best attempt at a friendly smile. [color=00F8FE]“Just Callum is fine. It’s nice to meet the future sultan.”[/color] He offered, very clearly cringing at being called Sir Danrose. 

He ignored Ana’s questions and instead offered up his own. [color=00F8FE]“Got anything you want to tell me? Like how Wulfric got that name he was looking for this morning.”[/color] There was nothing but disappointment in his tone as he asked. 

As Anastasia released her grip on Callum, she quickly picked up her drink and took a sip. However, his words caught her off guard, causing her to spit out a little, fortunately not hitting anyone nearby. She stared at him incredulously, her eyes widening. " [color=E77298] “Wait. What?”[/color] The words took a moment to sink in, and she frowned. [color=E77298] “[i]Wulfric knows[/i]? This is like, sooo bad.”[/color] She ran her hands through her hair in distress, lamenting,  [color=E77298] “We need to warn… him… but he’s so hard to find in the day. I was going to find him tonight but what if they find him first? …Fuck.”[/color]

The realization then dawned on her that if Wulfric knew, and they were the only two who had been aware, then…

[color=E77298] “Holy shit… Callum. [i]Did you snitch?[/i]”[/color] [/color]