[center][h2][color=9966CC]𝒪𝓁𝒾𝓋𝒾𝒶[/color] [color=lightgray]and[/color] [color=9e0b0f]Marek[/color][/h2][/center]
[hr]
[color=lightgray]Olivia grabbed a few shots and danced to the music out of tune. For now, she wanted to forget her troubles. She attempted to remain near the foyer, but the crowd kept pushing her. She decided for now she didn’t care; she was lost in her own thoughts and the shots she consumed. She stumbled a few moments after grabbing a shot and caused the waiter to glance backward at her. Olivia ignored him and spun around with careless laughter. The room spun around her and she giggled with fun. It was fun until she bumped into a masked man and glanced at him with an apologetic smile. 

[color=9966CC]”Sorry!”[/color] Liv giggled and went to move away, but noticed she had spilled some of her drink. [color=9966CC]”Shhhiiit. Let me clean that up for you!”[/color] Liv grabbed a towel from a waiter and began to dab at his shirt with laughter. [color=9966CC]”These drinks are good!”[/color] 

As Olivia stumbled and bumped into him, Marek remained still, his gaze fixed on her. His expression, once calm and composed, twisted into a mask of intense fury as their eyes met. When she offered her apologies and attempted to clean up the spill, Marek's lips quirked into a subtle smile beneath his mask.

Unfortunately, Olivia noticed this, but the second her mind focused on it, then it was gone.

[color=9e0b0f]”No need to trouble yourself, my dear,”[/color] he said smoothly. He gently took the towel from her hand and began to dab at the spill himself.

Olivia watched as he took the towel. Curiously, she tilted her head to the side, mirroring her mask, and watched as he dabbed it up himself. 

[color=9e0b0f]”Indeed, the drinks here are quite exquisite,”[/color] he continued, his tone casual. [color=9e0b0f]”But perhaps you've had your fill for the evening?”[/color]

[color=9966CC]”No way, these drinks and I are friends. Oh by the way I’m Olivia Blackwood. Nice to meet you!”[/color] Olivia retorted. She giggled, as if it were the silliest idea on the planet. She set the shot glass on her head and twisted it into a rather clumsy yet elegant curtsy.  A voice in the back of her mind pushed her to run away, but the alcohol inside of her numbed it. Liv grabbed the shotglass back into her hand and sipped the remainder of it. 

[color=9966CC]”But I do take your apology to heart and there must be something I can do to resolve the situation better, yes? Your suit musta been expensive!”[/color] 

A flicker of irritation crossed his feature. [color=9e0b0f]”Olivia Blackwood,”[/color] he repeated her name, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery. [color=9e0b0f] “An intriguing choice of name you’ve made.”[/color] 

Olivia watched him speak with her head tilted back to the side. She studied him and set the shot glass back on her head and folded her arms. [color=9966CC]”You use a lotta big words.”[/color] She replied and giggled. His mockery of her name bewildered her. Why was this man acting hostile? Her heart rate quickened. She instinctively reached to her right side where she’d normally keep her magic book but there was nothing. A shot of panic rose through her. 

Marek paused to study her reaction before continuing, [color=9e0b0f] “Perhaps we can play a game, Olivia… That would lighten my spirits.”[/color] His grin was audible in his tone as he leaned in closer to speak lowly in her ear. [color=9e0b0f] “You take off your mask …and I’ll take off mine.”[/color]

[color=9966CC]”A game, huh.”[/color] Olivia watched as a waiter came by and took her shot glass from her head. She huffed and grabbed another quickly before he disappeared. Her mind kept yelling at her to run but her mind was drowning from the alcohol. These were some strong drinks…  [color=9966CC]”That sounds a bit bold, don’t you think?”[/color] Olivia laughed as the adrenaline coursed through her. She laughed and removed it from half her face. [color=9966CC]”Boo!”[/color]

There was a dark glint in his eye as he remained in his position. With deliberate slowness, his hand crept to his mask, lifting it from its place.[color=9e0b0f] “That mask is not the one I was speaking of,”[/color] he murmured. [color=9e0b0f] “You see, there's another mask you are wearing... But no need to take it off. I already see through it.”[/color]

Olivia’s smile remained on his face until he began to speak. Then, it crumbled like a cookie in milk. A cold chill rushed through her despite the warmth of the night. [color=9966CC]”....”[/color] She went to speak, but no sound came out, and her heart rate intensified so loudly it was a wonder nobody could hear it. 

Marek's touch sent a chill down her spine as he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. His voice, barely above a whisper, carried a weight of dread as he uttered a single word in her ear:

[color=9e0b0f][i]“Persephone.”[/i][/color]

When he touched her hair, Olivia recoiled, but didn’t move. Her feet were planted to the floor like she was a flower being potted. The color drained from her face. What was going on? Did the magic spell do nothing? The shot glass she had in her hand abruptly fell. The loud shatter of glass caused people to look over with curiosity, but Olivia didn’t notice. Who was this man? How did he know? Why did he know? Was he one of Calbert’s lackeys? That meant….

[color=9966CC]”....I.. What? I don’t…”[/color] Olivia stammered. Now her mind was loud enough to hear her yells. She ignored the broken glass, and turned on her heels and ducked into the crowd. The crowd had split like the red sea with a mix of curiosity, bewilderment and surprise. Olivia quickly disappeared into the crowd. 

Charlotte and Fritz disappeared from her mind entirely and she shot outside quickly into the night. The guards who had been chattering near the door watched her abruptly sprint out and called to her, but she ignored them. Her heart rate was intense like a war drum. She took off her godforsaken heels and grabbed her dress so she could run faster.

A mix of blue and orange wandered near Marek. There was a shnort of derision and amusement as the figure passed and then disappeared as quickly as they had come. 

Marek returned the mask to his face, a low chuckle escaping his lips. [/color]