[center][h1][b][color=DAF6C7]Ríoghnach "Riona"[/color][/b][/h1][color=DAF6C7]Time:[/color] Night
[color=DAF6C7]Location:[/color] Damien Estate Ballroom
[color=DAF6C7]Interaction(s):[/color] Shehzadi Nahir [@Rodiak]; Lordling Smithwood [@Helo][/center]
Riona mouthed the words over and over, tasting their curious combination. [color=DAF6C7][i]Count Hendrix.[/i][/color] Her mind ran through the list of nobility for a match, but that particular combination of appellations didn’t immediately ring a bell. A newly-minted noble, perhaps?

She shook her head at the offered introduction, dismissing it with a polite, [color=DAF6C7]“Thank you, but it is unnecessary.”[/color] Getting a name was a prize enough. Besides, other things had to be addressed.

Three times Sh*tlord struck a nerve with Riona. 

First was his cavalier treatment of the bracelet, tossing it aside like worthless rubbish. [color=DAF6C7]“That bracelet may mean little to you, sir,”[/color] she chided, gingerly retrieving the jewelry to have a servant return it to its rightful owner. [color=DAF6C7]“But to another, it could hold the same sentimental value as the pocketwatch does to you. Pray handle it with more care.”[/color] She knew how little he thought of lowborns, but apparently, his callousness extended far beyond, touching all with equal disregard.

Next came his scathing critique of the servants, the overgrown brat snapping that they were “entirely useless” at their duties. Riona felt annoyance prickle her skin. [color=DAF6C7]“As you have no doubt noticed, the servants must attend to a great many needs at once. It would be impossible for them to stand sentry over each guest’s belongings. Nor can they be expected to locate what is not reported missing.”[/color]

And again when he spoke of her shoe-shopping errand as some grand act of “graciousness” on his part. Like she was supposed to feel gratitude for the chance to repent for his shortcomings. 

As Riona parted her lips to deliver a biting retort, she caught herself. Something about Lord Sh*tewood’s behavior seemed off—restrained. His usual haughtiness tempered (even if it was just by a margin), his actions measured. 

Following his gaze, Riona realized why: Shehzadi Nahir. The Lordling was putting on his best face for her, hoping to leave a good impression.

An idea struck Riona. She looped her arm boldly through the Shehzadi’s in a show of easy familiarity. With the regal woman as her talisman to ward off the worst of his attitude, Riona rounded on the Lordling again.

[color=DAF6C7]“So you deliberately hurled out shoes into the common area… in a temper tantrum?”[/color] She let the question hang in the air, her gaze shifted meaningfully from the Shehzadi to Lord Smithwood. 

Riona knew the two were acquainted but not how well. As fun as it was spending time with Shehzadi Nahir, what if it was only because she believed Riona to be of exalted birth? If the Shehzadi thought she was keeping company with a commoner, would her demeanor sour like curdled milk? Her fingers around the Shehzadi’s arm tightened fractionally. Gods, Riona hoped not.

[color=DAF6C7]“You must enjoy singularly exalted favor with the crown, Lord Smithwood, to treat their esteemed guest house as your own nursery.”[/color]

[hider=TL;DR]Riona chided Leo for his dismissive behavior towards the bracelet and the servants. Noticing he was on his best behavior in front of Nahir, Riona linked arms with Nahir to bolster herself while calling him out on his shoe-throwing tantrum.

[@Rodiak][@Helo][/hider]