[center][h1][color=lightpink]Olivia[/color][/h1][sub][color=lightgreen][s]Persephone[/s][/color][/sub] & [h1][color=B7AAE0]Charlotte[/color][/h1] & [color=9354FF][h1]Fritz/Ryn[/h1][/color][/center] [hr][color=lightgray] Olivia’s expression wavered from Charlotte to the memory. She wasn’t sure what was real, and for a moment, she saw the five men unconscious in the alleyway. The next, she saw Charlotte in front of her. Charlotte’s voice, mixed with Asher’s sinister expression and howl of anger when she’d sedated the dogs flashed through her mind. What was happening? Music, laughter, drunken conversations; yells, screams and dogs barking. She clutched her head as pain exploded inside of it. Alleyway. Ballroom. Alleyway, ballroom, tough tavern, ballroom… The scenes kept flashing through her mind and she gritted her teeth and closed her eyes in agony. [color=B7AAE0]”Olivia….”[/color] …. [color=B7AAE0]”Persephone..?”[/color] … Who was speaking to her…? She focused on it harder. The words echoed again and she struggled to pinpoint the speaker. [color=B7AAE0]”Olivia….”[/color] …. [color=B7AAE0]”Persephone..?”[/color] [color=LightPink]”.....”[/color] She was silent as she decided to focus on the ballroom. The struggle dissipated, and she looked at her friend with tears in her eyes. Briefly, her memory lapsed, but she held onto reality. [color=LightPink]”.....Olivia.”[/color] She confirmed quietly, and then looked at her. [color=LightPink]”...Sorry... He’s very dangerous and we need to keep away from him at all costs. Okay?”[/color] Her voice trembled as the memories continued trying to pour through but she ignored them. Charlotte frowned and picked up her head to look around the ballroom. [color=B7AAE0] “Who is he…?”[/color] She began to ask. [color=lightpink]We need to leave.”[/color] She glanced around and then gripped her friend’s arm gently, and hugged Charlotte tightly. [color=lightpink]”Where one is, the rest will follow…”[/color] She shook her head and the headache dulled to a rumbling. [color=lightpink]”Do you need to do anything else or are we okay to leave?”[/color] She craned her neck and noticed Count Fritz approaching. [color=lightpink] “Let’s get Fritz and go.”[/color] Urgency filled her voice and her voice choked up briefly, until she regained control, and let go of Charlotte. [color=B7AAE0]“I need to talk to him privately for a moment, then I have something I must do… But I promise, we can leave as soon as possible. Do you want to stand outside and wait or maybe accompany us?”[/color] Olivia listened to her friend intently and nodded. [color=lightpink]”That’s fine…I’ll wait outside of it. Charlotte… What are you doing after?”[/color] Her expression wavered and her eyes widened with concern. She gave her a guilty smile, [color=B7AAE0] “ Honestly… It’s for the best I tell you afterwards.”[/color] [color=lightpink]”[i]CHARLOTTE[/i].”[/color] She snarled. Her voice became uncharacteristically waspish and her expression darkened like an oncoming thunderstorm. Her eyes briefly flashed a reddish-purple hue. This wasn’t a game. What was her friend doing? What would Calbert do to Charlotte? What if she lost Charlotte? Her stomach squirmed uncomfortably and a chill unrelated to the evening fell over her. She recoiled, her gaze fixed in stunned silence for a prolonged moment before she mustered a response. [color=B7AAE0] “ … Very well… If you must know… I am certain that Count Damien is planning something. I think I have a way to figure it out. It’ll all be done swiftly and I promise I’ll be okay.”[/color] Olivia remained silent, and studied her friend’s demeanor. Guilt for accidentally scaring her crept in, and she took her hand gently. [color=lightpink]”....Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap…”[/color] She bit her lip and then fidget uncomfortably on her feet. [color=lightpink]”Am I able to come along and hide invisibly? So I can protect you if I need to?”[/color] She paused and her vision swam with tears she blinked away forcefully. God, could she stop crying? [color=lightpink]”...I don’t want to lose you to this snake infested jungle.”[/color] Charlotte smiled tentatively. It seemed that somehow she had that effect on the people in her life lately. Her mind wandered to Lorenzo, a fleeting sadness overcoming her eyes briefly. [color=B7AAE0] “... It’s alright. The reason I am going to insist you do not join me is because I am almost certain that he wants me alive. The Count is fixated on controlling Duke Lorenzo, and by extension me. If he is angry with me, he will not harm me. Trust me… But as for you or Kazumin or anyone else…”[/color] Her expression softened, [color=B7AAE0] “Does that make sense?”[/color] Olivia listened to her friend’s explanation. Charlotte’s sadness wasn’t lost on her, and she wanted to console her friend however the topic changed. In the back of her mind, she decided to treat Charlotte at her home instead. Calbert’s obsession with both the Vikenas puzzled her; why was he hung up on them? Why did he want them alive? The questions raced through her mind like a cat chasing a laser toy. This man was insane and unhinged, that much was certain. She nodded and smiled consoling at Charlotte. [color=lightpink]”Yes it does and I won’t. Scout’s promise,”[/color] she teased, and saluted her friend. She paused and then giggled. Charlotte giggled as well and saluted her back. [color=B7AAE0] “Ay, ay, captain.”[/color] [color=lightpink]”For now, let’s not lose each other in this dismal crowd.”[/color] She remarked quietly as she watched the crowd thicken. [color=B7AAE0]“I see Fritz coming toward us actually.“[/color] Charlotte told her. She waved him over, trying to catch his gaze. Even from a distance, Ryn could tell Ms. Persephone was not doing well. Whether it was due to sickness, magic, or mind altering substances, he could not tell. But he did what he always did when he saw Wayra in that state. [color=9354FF]“Excuse me,”[/color] He stopped a server, [color=9354FF]“may I have a cup water and a damp towel?”[/color] The staff did not ask questions, they simply nodded and disappeared into the crowd. While Ryn waited at the spot, he cast a concerned gaze toward Lady Vikena and Ms. Persephone. He was worried for their wellbeing, of course, but there was also a question that had been floating in his head since he saw them attending the party. Why were either of them here, at Damien Estate, after what happened? The “A glass of water and a damp towel, sir,” turned Ryn’s attention away from the question and to the servant. After thanking them, he accepted the items and walked over to the women. [color=9354FF]“I hope I’m not intruding on anything.”[/color] Ryn glanced at Ms. Persephone, [color=9354FF]“You look a little under the weather, ‘Ms. Mary.’ Would you like some water?”[/color] He offered the cup and damp towel in her direction. Olivia watched as Count Fritz approached and smiled broadly at him. That is, until she noticed he was not empty handed; she raised an eyebrow. She didn’t have time to inquire as to why; he spoke quickly after he approached. His words caused her to flush with embarrassment despite a smile plastered on her face. [color=lightpink]”No, no intrusion, we were waiting for you.”[/color] She replied. [color=lightpink]”Oh.. Do I?”[/color] She accepted both items and sipped the water, while her mind churned with humiliation and fear. Would Calbert notice? She had to be tougher and laughed gently. [color=lightpink]”No, I’m all right. Thank you.”[/color] She swallowed and glanced at Charlotte and him. [color=lightpink]”....We were talking about leaving soon. Would you be interested in joining us?”[/color] Doubt filled her mind with the notion, however she would offer despite any rejection. Fritz had been there for her and she felt as though she owed him. A nagging thought trailed in her mind as she considered him. She studied Count Fritz inconspicuously. What had Peter and he been discussing? What heist was coming up? Was Charlotte involved…? Concern gnawed at her, and she sipped her water again in order to keep it together at least on the outside. Charlotte squeezed Olivia’s hand subtly. [color=B7AAE0] “ Yes, I wanted to speak with you, Count Fritz, for a moment as we had planned… I have something I must take care of, then Olivia and I are going to go home. You are always welcome. I will be passing the memo to Lord Leo as well of course when I can as it seems we are in poor company tonight.”[/color] Olivia returned the gesture to Charlotte’s hand and took deep breaths. She had to trust her friend. [color=9354FF]“Oh, why thank you for asking. Yes, I would like to accompany you both when you leave. But…”[/color] Ryn’s head inclined in a quizzical tilt. [color=9354FF]“Considering the risk to come here, I assumed you two had a specific purpose in mind. Was it successful?”[/color] Though Peter might be enamored with Ms. Persephone, Ryn could not imagine him forcing her to attend the party. If he did, well then, there would be more than a few words Ryn would have to exchange with the naughty boy. Olivia smiled when Fritz commented that he’d like to accompany them both when they left. The next sentence caught her off guard and the encounter with Peter entered her mind. She glanced at Charlotte then back to Fritz. Her tone became quieter, and was nearly impossible to hear over the ballroom noise. [color=lightpink]”I didn’t want to leave Charlotte alone nor did I think he would recognize or approach me.”[/color] She admitted quietly. [color=lightpink]”Not after everything she’s done and is risking.”[/color] Olivia’s voice became light and teasing. [color=lightpink]”Besides, a ginger thief temporarily took my shoes. I got them back though, almost like Cinderella.”[/color] Her gaze met Fritz and a smirk flashed across her expression. Instead of returning the smile, however, Ryn looked back at her with a shocked expression. [color=9354FF]“Someone tried to rob you? Thank goodness you’re alright…”[/color] Ryn rubbed his chin. [color=9354FF]“I thought Lord Smithwood’s missing pocket watch may have been a prank of sorts, but if people are getting mugged, then the situation may be more serious. I’d suggest reporting it to the authorities, but…”[/color] He trailed off, letting the obvious unsaid. [color=9354FF]“Maybe I should do it instead?”[/color] Fritz’s shocked expression caused Olivia to blink. She had been kidding. Those two were familiar with each other. Had he not caught on? Liv tilted her head to the side and folded her arms lightly. [color=lightpink]”No, I was kidding. That won’t be necessary.”[/color] Maybe there was something she didn’t understand. Where was Peter, anyway? She glanced around but could not see him. Nerves gnawed at her stomach and she bounced her leg as she waited for the next move from her friends. [color=B7AAE0] “Actually, Fritz, I was hoping we could have our discussion now if that’s alright with you,”[/color] Charlotte gestured to the entrance to the foyer. [color=lightpink]”I’ll wait outside it.”[/color] Olivia replied promptly, and nodded as she stepped backward to grab a few drinks randomly from a passing waiter. She took a few snacks, downed a couple shots, and then grabbed another. If she were to wait here, she’d make sure to look preoccupied. [/color]