[h3]Drake and Ariella[/h3]
[color=greenyellow][b]Time:[/b][/color] Evening of the 23rd
[color=slateblue][b]Location:[/b][/color] Edwards Estate
[color=greenyellow][b]Mentions:[/b][/color] [@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo [@Helo] Callum 

[hr]

Ariella peeked from under the bottom of the scrapes from her dress, the dome of her skirt still erect in its full glory in the center of her brother's room. 

The knocks at the door had alerted her, and she took a breath of relief at the voice on the other side of the door. She crawled out of her prison and walked shamefully towards the door before slowly opening it. Her red and swollen eyes greeted Drake as she just stared. 

Drake looked at his downtrodden sister with concerned eyes. He quickly looked around to make sure no one else would see her hiding spot and quickly shuffled in before locking the door - stopping any prying eyes from finding her like Sebastian had done earlier. Moving backwards, Ariella pressed her back against the wall as she watched her brother with her swollen and red eyes. He began working to clean up what he could while still keeping most of his attention on her. Ariella looked away as their eyes met as she took in a deep breath listening to his attempts at picking up the graveyard of scraps. 

[color=greenyellow]”I think it should go without saying that I won’t be telling Mother about any of this.”[/color] His first idea was to offer comfort, and as he gathered the storm of scraps and pieced them into a pile for a trusted servant to come clean later. [color=greenyellow]”Why don’t you start from the beginning and air out some of your frustrations to me, Ari? I think you deserve a chance to be heard instead of being yelled at.”[/color]

Her eyes moved to look at him again with pain behind them [color=slateblue]“ I panicked… I couldn’t breath. The corset was too tight.”[/color] she looked down towards the large heeled glass shoe [color=slateblue]”and she really out did herself with the shoes [/color] Ariella slouched her shoulders [color=slateblue]” Brother… this whole situation…mother and father.. The titles..the balls..the courting..I can’t do it anymore [/color] Ari breathed as if releasing the air from her lungs after holding it for so long. The sense of relief she felt as she spoke was clear on her face as she continued  [color=slateblue] “ I want to live in the woods, in a secluded little cabin…living off the land that I help grow and build. All of this…” [/color] she gestured towards the pile of scraps  [color=slateblue]”It’s fake Brother…none of this is real! Do you think that these events, that the women or the men are here for anything but climbing titles and statues? Their words are just as empty as the thoughts in mothers head!”[/color] her tone raised in frustration. 

His face turned and he looked at her with a somber expression. She was genuine in her declaration and he knew that in all honesty, she was right. He didn’t really care for this farce that they all played in trying to gain power and prestige amongst one another, but he was one who was willing to dance the dance of nobles. His sister didn’t deserve to be forced into such monotony. [color=greenyellow]”Well, everyone should have a right to live the life they want to live. As much as our parents would see it other ways, I at least agree with you on that.”[/color] After doing a sufficient job of cleaning his study, Drake walked over to her and offered a hand to help her up, guiding her to a nearby chair where she could properly rest her weary body that had likely felt immense emotional, physical, and mental strain these past few days. His voice lowered as he spoke, pulled a chair of his own to sit across from her with a sincere look on his face.

[color=greenyellow]” But one thing I will say is that sadly, it is all very real. While the emotions and the faces we see are fake, the game we all play is very much real. Some may find enjoyment of it, however perverse they may be. Some, like me, simply accept it as it is to be. Finally, there exists a group of people like yourself who find themselves fed up with the charade. Frankly, I don’t blame you one bit.”[/color] He leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment before speaking out.

Ari sat back in the chair shifting around uncomfortably as her discomfort and anger became more and more clear. 

[color=greenyellow]”So I won’t sit idly by while my sister is tormented by the degradations of our society. How can I help?”[/color]

Ari slammed her hands on the arms of the chair, gripping onto them for support as she leaned forward with furrowed brows[color=slateblue] “ You are just as bad as them!” [/color] she said angerly[color=slateblue] “ Do you think a play is real? You think the actors on the stage believe themselves to be us as they prance around mocking the very society you are so happy to participate in?” [/color] Ari scoffed before falling back into the chair with her arms crossed. [color=slateblue] “You’re a fool to think any of this to be real.” [/color] she said under her breath. 

Drake calmly took in her words, and with a thinking gesture pondered their meaning. His eyes moved down in thought before he met her sulking gaze once more. [color=greenyellow]” Well, I would suppose I am a fool then. But does an actor not get their enjoyment from committing to their role? To be so immersed in a role that you can hardly mistake it with reality? It’s hard to say if such dedication to the arts is healthy or prosperous. But the fact of the matter is it all exists. Therefore it is real, in my book.”[/color]

Ariella let out a drawn-out sigh as she continued to sit back in the chair with her arms crossed. Her brother really had a knack for twisting words to make his point. 

Standing up, the man walked over to his cabinet and began to prepare a few glasses and some aged whiskey from his personal collection. No matter their quarrels, he knew his sister would need a drink. In all honesty, he could use something to lighten his mood as well. He popped the top of the bottle and poured the contents into two clear glasses, with two nearby ice cubes plucked from the tiny ice box that was hidden away. Ari looked up and took notice of the commotion, taking note of the rather full and large crystal decanter. She watched her brother move towards her as he handed her the drink and sat back down. [color=greenyellow]”[i]If[/i] I am as bad as you say I am, then I hope you do not find this entire interaction pointless. I have my own reservations as I’m sure you guess, but I still want to offer my support where I can.”[/color]

Accepting her drink she held the glass in her hand smelling the rather harsh fumes coming from the glass as she swirled it around. Callum seemed to find comfort at the bottom of the glass, perhaps it couldn’t hurt to indulge. Taking a rather large sip, Ariella finished off her glass in one quick motion. Her shoulders buckled up as her face contored into a funny expression as she felt the burn of the liquid as it may its way into her belly creating a warm and comforting heat.[color=slateblue] “ If this is what makes you happy Drake then I am happy for you… I just…I need a break. Mother has been following me around ever since she found out about Cal-...Prince Callum and I would have really hoped she would have dropped the stuff from the forest but it seems to be a constant concern of hers. I just wish she would forget about it and leave me alone. “ [/color] Ari looked down at her glass with a disappointed expression before placing it down onto the nearby table. [color=slateblue] “ Can you cover for me? Lie and say I left to the ball…I heard about something going on in the woods today and I really wanted to check it out.” [/color] she looked at him with a hopeful expression [color=slateblue] “please?” [/color]  

Almost immediately Drake had noticed a particular reaction from Ariella that came with some regrets. Perhaps it was a bit bold to introduce such an emotionally unstable woman to one of the first strong drinks she’s had. Nonetheless, he let her finish and promptly hid the bottle back in the cabinet. 

[color=greenyellow]”Happy wouldn’t be the word I’d choose. It’s more like I’m…fulfilled. I guess it is just nice to feel like I serve a purpose.”[/color] It was then Drake took a moment to reflect on the face staring back at him in what remained of his glass. The man couldn’t help but wonder for a moment. Was this his purpose? What would make him happy? Power? Women? Companionship? Solitude? Many such questions to be asked, but now was not the time.

He took a quick swig of his whiskey, remaining stoic as the liquid smoothly burned along his esophagus. He placed his glass on the counter and returned to his seat across from his sister. [color=greenyellow]”Very well. I shall tell them you plan to attend as a complete stranger. One who wishes to remain mysterious to fit the theme of the gathering, and that you will behave despite Mother’s misgivings. But you must promise me…”[/color] Drake leaned in and with a mixed expression of concern and seriousness, continued. [color=greenyellow]”Don’t get into any trouble. I know you really like the Prince, but something about him seems….off. Like he’s hiding something beneath the surface. I don’t want you to be caught up in something dangerous. So promise me you’ll be safe.”[/color]

Her eyes widened with surprise as she couldn’t believe the words coming from her brothers mouth. Standing to her feet Ari looked down at him [color=slateblue] “Off!?” [/color] her voice raised as she looked around hoping no one heard them. Returning her attention back to her brother as she forced her voice to lower but the frustrations she held were clear on her face. [color=slateblue] “ I shouldn’t be surprised that you really are just like everyone else. Prancing around like your better then everyone. Sitting here claiming my friend to be [i]off[/i] just because he doesn’t fall into the norms of everyone else is rather laughable. Just like how mother believes Lorenzo to be [i]off.[/i] Maybe if you actually took a moment to get to know these people you’d see that they are actually very kind and misunderstood. “ [/color] Ari marched off towards his desk grabbing his cloak while very carefully grabbing the entire crystal decanter of whiskey and slipping it under the large black heap of fabric. Tossing it over her arm, careful to hide the bottle she turned back to her brother. [color=slateblue] “ Perhaps you and Princess Camilia are perfect for each other, you both can sit in each other's miserable company. [/color] Just as quick as the words left her lips, Ari had already slipped out the side door that led towards the balcony exit. 

Drake stood up and paced quickly to the door she just walked out of. In a slightly louder voice, he spoke to her. [color=greenyellow]”The man was found drunk and beaten in an alley this morning. I know you like him, and I will support you. But don’t blame me for holding reservations.”[/color] Then as he thought over those last words, he simply had this to say.

[color=greenyellow]” That’s right. Your miserable older brother who wants to make sure you make it to sunrise without some strange would-be ne’er do well causing unwarranted hatred and mischief to come your way! Powerful people hate that man, Ariella. Like it or not. And if they hate you too there is little I can do to protect you. I do not wish to control your life. I do not wish to control your choice of companionship. I just want you to be safe and happy!”[/color] With a slight explosion of volume, the man simply sighed and crossed his arms.

[color=greenyellow]” Go and seek danger if you must. I merely made a request. But it seems no one likes to listen to those nowadays.”[/color] He turned and shut the door, leaving his sister to her devices. Drake rifled through the cabinet to pour himself another glass, only to see his whiskey bottle missing. With furrowed brows, he reached instead for some bourbon and poured it into his empty glass. His hands rested on the counter, and all of his weight shifted forward as the emotions from the day began to swell to the surface. All he could do was sit in contemplative silence as the feelings ran their course.