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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3EdPgr4.png[/img][/center]
[Color=salmon][b]Time:[/b][/color] Late Morning
[Color=salmon][b]Location:[/b][/color] Sorian Beach
[Color=salmon][b]Interaction:[/b][/color] [@Tpartywithzombi] Ariella, [@Potter] Layla, Olivia [@Conscripts] John, [@PapaOso] Cassius [@Tae] Kalliope [@Lava Alckon] Farim, [@ReusableSword] Roman, [@Apex Sunburn] Sjan-dehk, [@princess] Charlotte 
 
While sipping the smoothie, Lorenzo couldn't help but turn around sharply to the sound of a howling shriek coming from behind him. He braced himself for combat in reaction to what he thought was a battle cry but all he witnessed was someone falling to the ground amid the group forming around his blanket.

Ariella, with her keen eyes, was able to explain more than what he could see. [Color=salmon][I]The strange peasant girl… She fell asleep again?[/I][/color] Lorenzo recalled the events at the play when he protected her from Dr. Williamson's uncharacteristic assault… And there he was again, far from Lorenzo's reach and amongst the others who had no idea of his strange proclivity. 

[Color=salmon]“Not thankfully. He beat that same woman while she slept during the very play you mentioned.”[/color] Lorenzo balled his free hand as he watched the scene from a distance. Layla and some other woman looked to be getting close while the other men appeared to be ogling Layla. [Color=salmon][I]Probably complimenting her great figure. She is quite the woman. Puts the dash in Alidasht, I do admit.[/I][/color]. Unfortunately, he couldn't hear anything anyone was actually saying.  

Charlotte and Olivia seemed to be addressing the fallen young woman while their focus regularly bounced back to Layla. [Color=salmon][I]Charlotte, not you too![/I][/color] The duke continued to watch as one man pulled the woman who was the most interested in Layla away. [Color=salmon][I]He must be trying to keep her from saying something too charged.[/I][/color]

But then John caught his eye once more. Lorenzo could see him! See him inching his way closer to Layla. And then he raised his hand! Lorenzo's eyes bulged as he propped up on a knee. His face was serious but Ariella was still conversing with him.

[Color=salmon]“Lady Ariella. I believe you and anyone who visits my region will love it.”[/color] His voice was pleasant but his face remained serious. Lorenzo's eyes were fixed on John. [Color=salmon]“And yes, tulips are my favorite for that very reason. They always bounce back… unless you crush them but other than that, they always find a way to make a comeback. To thrive after adversity.”[/color]

Lorenzo fell silent for a moment as he listened to Ariella while coming up with a plan to prevent an assault that could very well start a violent war. A doctor slapping a princess on a beach with so many witnesses would be water left under the bridge. Lorenzo couldn't clearly see his face but he could tell John's eyes held an unsettling darkness, as if his demonic urge to slap Layla manifested into his very expression. [Color=salmon][I]One? Two? Maybe three slaps…[/I][/color] It was difficult to determine. Lorenzo had to do something!

[Color=salmon]“I'll do you one better, Ariella.”[/color] He stood up and finally looked at her, faking a delightful expression. [Color=salmon]“I'll tell you about your mother and I… on the way to my garden. I can show you my lavender. I'll even let you pick it or pot some if you'd like. I just need to get my things at the blanket, and I'll be back shortly. A Duke's promise.”[/color] He nodded.

Once she gave him her agreement, Lorenzo took off with a brisk walk, kicking sand up as he increased his pace. With the flatulence subsided, Lorenzo felt boundless in his stride. However, the duke wouldn't run, as he was wary of John enacting his assault preemptively to avoid being deterred. However, he didn't take into account the obviousness of his speedy power walking. Pumping his arms harder and faster, Lorenzo made it onto the scene and placed himself between John and Layla, his hands outstretched protectively, the shaken-up smoothie still in one of his hands.

[Color=salmon]“Not another word. This stops now.”[/color] Lorenzo's face was flushed but undoubtedly serious in his attempt to save as many lives as he could. Lorenzo needed to show tact. He couldn't just reveal John to be the woman-beater he believed he was. Not when he seemed to be able to do it without any persecution. The doctor must have had more power than anyone could expect or perceive. The darkness the duke had seen was now clearly sunglasses, likely a tool to disguise the killer's intent in his eyes. [Color=salmon]“Doctor Williamson, I think you've said quite enough. Shezhadi Layla appears more refreshing than this strawberry smoothie tastes but no need to ogle her beneath your sunglasses.”[/color] Lorenzo put on a confident smirk before turning around to face Layla, his arms still outstretched. 

[center][I]Plap.[/I][/center]

[Color=salmon]“Your majesty- BY THE GODS! NO!”[/color] Lorenzo cried as the back of his hand had accidentally made contact with Layla's chin. Lorenzo was shaking with disbelief as he glanced at John. [Color=salmon][I]He… Him! How could this happen?![/I][/color] Lorenzo panicked, falling to his knees as he hugged Layla's legs and he got ready to grovel. [Color=salmon]“I didn't mean to do that! I-I was trying to prevent this! To protect you! Please forgive and forget what I've done! Please Layla please!”[/color] He begged, clenching tighter to her.

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