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[hr][i][color=LightSteelBlue]Time: Late Morning[/color] 
[color=LightSteelBlue]Location: Sorian Beach[/color] 
[color=Lightsteelblue]Attire:[/color][url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1065027714953793578/1138619964304142417/Cas_Beach.png]Cassius[/url]
[color=LightSteelBlue]Interaction:[/color][@princess] Charlotte, [@Potter] Olivia, & [@SausagePat] Ruby  [/i]
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The way Charlotte visibly tensed upon hearing his voice had more of an impact on Cassius than he would likely ever admit. He was someone who thrived on getting reactions, both positive and negative ones alike. However, something about her reaction in particular pained him. It reminded him of their initial meeting, and how bad he felt about the way things had played out that evening though he still couldn’t wrap his mind around why. He simply was who he was…unapologetically, and everyone could either take it or leave it as far as he was concerned. He didn’t give a damn what anyone thought about him as long as he was on their mind. Why then, did it bother him so that she was clearly avoiding his eyes as she averted her gaze towards the sea? 

[color=AFB3E0] "I'm fine. Thank you for asking...It was only a smoothie..."[/color] A moment of silence followed her assurance as Cassius, a man who rarely found himself without words ready on the tip of his tongue, struggled to find a way to respond. Soon though, Charlotte broke the silence with a question of her own. [color=AFB3E0]"Are you doing well?"[/color] Oddly enough, despite his speechlessness only a few seconds before…his response came out immediately and unprocessed.

[color=LightSteelBlue]”Honestly, I’m not sure how I’m doing. Should be wonderful given the morning I’ve had and the way my life has changed over the course of the last few days. I am not sure what I could possibly have to complain about given my new access to wealth and status… yet…[i]something[/i] haunts me all the same. In fact, believe it or not I would actually like to…”[/color] His words were cut off by the arrival of someone new. The woman had an extraordinary case of Heterochromia, something that only added to her natural good looks. Charlotte stood to greet the woman, whose name was apparently Ruby. She then proceeded to introduce Cassius to both Ruby as well as the other woman standing next to Charlotte named Olivia. 

Part of him was almost glad that his apology had been cut off. The words had come out without him even intending for them to, and something about that caught him off guard. He pondered why he was so eager to apologize, but his natural brand of swagger clicked back into place as he addressed the two women with a charming bow. 

[color=LightSteelBlue]“It’s a pleasure to meet you both, and I must say…you two look absolutely lovely. I hope you’re enjoying your morning at the beach, and what Lady Charlotte says is true, however she left out one important detail. I’m not just the Count’s son…I’m his [i]bastard[/i].”[/color] His introduction was laced with sugar as his words came out genuine and kind, the final statement dripping with playful exuberance as he let the word [i]bastard[/i] come out as barely a whisper. 

A coy smile crossed his face as he continued. [color=LightSteelBlue]”I know…what an absolute scandal at play. Who wouldn’t love being a skeleton in the closest of a man like my father? Seems to be the role I was [i]quite literally[/i] born to play.”[/color] The sarcasm was on full display as he spoke, but as he turned his gaze to Charlotte once more his smile shifted back to one of actual genuinity. [color=LightSteelBlue]”Thank you kindly for the introductions, Lady Charlotte. I would be remiss if I did not also mention how lovely you look today as well. [i]Almost[/i] perfect, in fact, save for this.”[/color] Cassius reached a hand out and delicately wiped away a final few drops of smoothie that had found itself in her hair. His eyes returned to hers sweetly once he was finished. [color=LightSteelBlue] “That’s better…a bit of spilled smoothie stood no chance of hindering such beauty.”[/color]