[color=lightgray][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/SKVTeAj.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/AGNa9uB.png[/img][/center] [color=B7AAE0]Time:[/color]Evening [color=B7AAE0]Location:[/color] Calbert's Estate [color=B7AAE0]Interaction:[/color] [@JJ Doe] Fritz [@Samreaper] Kazumin [@Helo] Leo [@PapaOso] Cassius [@Potter] Olivia [/color] [hr] [color=lightgray] [color=B8FC03]“Gold, with Varian Pines and a stag adorning its case. A sidewinder, well kept and unscratched. It was last in this pocket...Chain now, gone as well."[/color] Charlotte carefully listened to Leo's description of the missing item, her mind diligently absorbing every detail. She repeated the information to herself, committing it to memory as best she could. However, her focus was completely broken by Leo's sudden fit of giggles. She glanced at him, a quizzical expression furrowing her brow. [color=B7AAE0][i]This cannot merely be coincedence. The crazy shift in pitch, the sporadic bouts of laughter... Undoubtedly, someone is messing with him.[/i][/color] Despite her thoughts, she did not voice them and instead comfortingly patted the back of her laughing friend. As Leo revealed that the watch had belonged to his father, Charlotte's heart twinged with sympathy and guilt. She hadn't fully grasped the significance of the missing item until now. Once he had got ahold of himself, he had suggested seeking out a woman who had been dancing with Nahir. [color=B7AAE0]"Alright. I can go seek her out."[/color] Charlotte had told him determinedly. Before she could glance around the room for the Alidasht princess, Cassius decided to pipe up with a random declaration,[color=LightSteelBlue]“Lady Vikena, I would be remiss if I did not admit that it is quite lovely to see you. It seems you’re as clever as you are kind and as kind as you are beautiful.”[/color] Charlotte froze in place, caught off guard by the unexpected compliments. Her initial reaction was one of confusion, her mind trying to comprehend the sincerity behind his words. She shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flickering uncertainly before finally settling on Cassius as he kept speaking. [color=LightSteelBlue] “And we can certainly turn back to the watch in a moment, but I would regret it if I did not acknowledge how wonderful your entire ensemble looks. I would not have personally picked you for a butterfly, though beautiful…they are far too fragile a creature to do you justice, but nonetheless you look simply incredible, as I’m sure you would regardless of the theme.” [/color] Considering how the other night had gone, Charlotte couldn't shake the thought that perhaps Cassius was attempting to mock her or this was some strange ploy orchestrated by Calbert. Yet, despite her instinctive suspicion, a smaller part of her also couldn't help but appreciate the words. Tentatively, after some thought, she offered a shy smile. [color=B7AAE0] "Thank you very much, Lord Cassius."[/color] She subsequently suppressed a laugh, biting her lip as Fritz expressed feeling left out. However, before she could dwell on it further, Nahir and the woman in orange approached. The woman greeted Leo, but Fritz quickly diverted her attention, interrupting any further thought on the matter. Her eyes followed his line of sight to Olivia and Calbert, the former locking eyes with her briefly. She felt a shiver of fear ripple through her, her mind racing with concern. Charlotte desperately wanted to rush to Olivia's side, but she remained rooted to the spot until Calbert had seemingly stepped away from her. Distractedly, she told the others after setting her drink on the table, [color=B7AAE0] "I-I shall go look around and see if I can find anything..."[/color] She slightly stammered and began to push her way through the crowd.[/color]