[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/clIHoiY.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/3wGoS7n.png[/img][/center] [color=lightgray] [color=DDB775]Time:[/color] 11am [color=a187be]Location:[/color] Edin Theater [color=DDB775]Interaction:[/color] [@Helo] Callum [@Silverpaw] Wulfric [@JJ Doe] Morrigan [color=DDB775]Mention:[/color] [@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo[/color] [hr] [color=lightgray]Edin’s eyes flicked toward Wulfric as he entered their viewing box, his expression initially unreadable. [color=DDB775]“Ah, the ever-dutiful firstborn,”[/color] he drawled,[color=DDB775]“Our future king, gracing us with his presence at last.”[/color] As Wulfric came into full view, the crowd erupted in excited screams and whispers. A wave of adoration swept through the onlookers below, with girls swooning and murmurs of admiration rising in volume. They were hushed promptly by staff meanwhile Edin grumbled something bitterly under his breath. Alibeth, meanwhile, offered Wulfric a nod of acknowledgment, and a faint smile. Her amber eyes scanned Wulfric, but she said nothing, observing him with her usual detached coolness. As Wulfric settled in and his focus shifted to the scene below, Edin’s gaze followed his son’s line of sight.. [color=DDB775]“Your sister seems to attract all manner of... characters these days,”[/color] he remarked dryly, popping another handful of popcorn into his mouth, though his eyes slowly narrowed as he set his sights on Duke Lorenzo Vikena. In unison with Wulfric, he suddenly sneered,[i][color=DDB775]“Vikena.”[/color][/i] As Wulfric’s hiss mirrored his own, Edin’s lips had curled further. Together, they had uttered the name as if it were a curse. Edin turned to his son, fixing him with a pointed look. Then he said, [color=DDB775]“...I trust you’ll handle it if that one causes a scene. I’m here to enjoy the show, not intervene in his theatrics.”[/color] Alibeth’s gaze flicked between the two men. Still, she said nothing, folding her hands neatly in her lap. Unbothered, Edin leaned back in his chair as he turned his attention to a new distraction. Grinning mischievously, he began tossing popcorn toward Morrigan, attempting to get her to catch it in her mouth. The sight seemed to amuse him endlessly, as his deep chuckle punctuated the air. Alibeth turned her head rapidly toward Edin, her lips parting as she could not help but ask, [color=a187be]“Must you behave like a chi—”[/color] However, it was then the sound of the box door opening caught her attention. Her question was cut short, and both parents turned to see Callum entering the room. Silence fell over the viewing box as the young prince stepped in, looking uncharacteristically polished. But what truly left the royals—and several nearby onlookers—speechless was the sight of the wiry spider monkey perched atop Callum’s shoulder. The creature wore a matching miniature suit and bow tie, mirroring Callum’s color scheme. The onlookers were abuzz, some whispering in disbelief at the unexpected spectacle as many guests below were pointing at Callum and his monkey. [color=red][i] “Marry me, Prince Callum!”[/i][/color] came from below. Despite the young girl’s bellow from below, Alibeth’s face had darkened, her eyes flashing with fury. [color=a187be]“Callum,”[/color] she hissed, her voice sharp, [color=a187be]“Where on earth did you obtain a [i]monkey[/i]?”[/color] Her tone carried both anger and incredulity as she leaned forward, glaring at the small animal as though it might be responsible for the insult to royal decorum. Edin, on the other hand, stared at the monkey with wide eyes, his mouth agape. He muttered under his breath, [color=DDB775]“A monkey… How is it that [i]he[/i] has a monkey and I do not? I’m the king! If anyone deserves a monkey…[i][b]It’s me[/b][/i].”[/color] The wounded pride was evident in his tone, his fingers digging into the armrest of his chair. As Callum sat down, it appeared as if the King could slice through Callum with his gaze as he followed the monkey’s every move. He leaned in with narrowed eyes and barely concealed jealousy. [color=DDB775]“...Clarence is a [i]ridiculous[/i] name… And he [b]smells[/b].”[/color] Edin whirled to Alibeth and whisper-hissed, [color=DDB775]“He bows! Did you see that?!”[/color] He sank back into his chair, muttering indignantly and perhaps a little redundantly, [i][color=DDB775]“A monkey… I [i]must[/i] have one. Why has no one brought me a monkey?”[/color][/i] Alibeth’s glare sharpened, her attention shifting back to Callum. [color=a187be]“This is not a petting zoo, Callum-”[/color] It was then the first performance began. Though Alibeth had turned her attention respectfully to Farim, the king was now fixated on the monkey’s table etiquette. [color=DDB775]“Look at that! Better manners than Callum himself. Perhaps I should invite Clarence to court. At least [i]he’d[/i] know how to behave.”[/color] He popped another handful of popcorn into his mouth, muttering bitterly between bites, [color=DDB775]“But not before I get my own monkey, mind you. A bigger one, naturally. I’m the king.”[/color] She nudged him gently and pointed toward the performance. Edin rolled his eyes and turned his attention to the Alidasht prince and bird, his golden crown tilting as he stuffed another handful of popcorn into his mouth. The buttery kernels glistened on his fingers as he chewed loudly. Servants had amassed a pile of several bowls of popcorn for his snack stash at this point. [color=DDB775]“Well, I’ll be damned,”[/color] he muttered, popcorn crumbs scattering as he spoke, leaning in. [color=DDB775]“How in the name of the Gods is he getting that ostrich to do that?”[/color] His gaze followed Thara as she swooped through the obstacles, the bird’s flight mesmerizing the audience below. Farim’s front flip over the falcon earned a loud, boisterous cheer from Edin. [color=DDB775]“Ha! Did you see that?”[/color] he exclaimed, pointing at the stage with an air of indulgent glee, as though he were personally responsible for the spectacle. His booming voice drew the attention of nearby nobles in the box, who exchanged nervous glances. But, as quickly as his amazement flared, his ego reasserted itself. Edin sat back, waving his hand dismissively. [color=DDB775]“Not bad. Not bad at all. Of course, if [i]I[/i] had trained that bird, it would have been swooping through flaming hoops by now,”[/color] he declared, grabbing another handful of popcorn. [color=DDB775]“Back in my youth, I could have made this look [i]effortless[/i].”[/color] He smirked, reclining into his chair as though expecting everyone to agree with his claim. [b][i][color=00F8FE]“I like birds.”[/color][/i][/b] Edin and Alibeth glanced at their youngest son upon the strange whisper. They exchanged glances, but neither decided to comment. As Farim’s performance came to an end, Alibeth clapped politely, never betraying any true admiration. Her gaze landed on the Grand Vizier, now standing and clapping with enthusiasm. She coolly commented for the group to hear, [color=a187be]“The Grand Vizier is standing. He seems quite impressed.”[/color]” Edin shnorted, popping another piece of popcorn into his mouth as if the Vizier’s reaction were of little consequence. [color=DDB775]“Bah, you don’t have to worry about him,”[/color] he said dismissively, licking the butter from his fingers before reaching for more. [color=DDB775]“The man would stand and clap for a puppet show if it suited his agenda.”[/color] [color=DDB775]“...You guys remember my performance at the Festival of Lights? I had the entire crowd in tears. [i]Real[/i] art, that was.”[/color] Alibeth inclined her head slightly as she replied. [color=a187be]“Yes, my king. Truly, there has never been another quite like you.”[/color] Truly, she had wanted to forget that performance at the Festival of Lights in 1736 more than she could articulate. Soon Lord Drake Edward’s performance began, Edin leaned back into his seat, his goblet in one hand and the nearly empty popcorn bowl balanced precariously on the other armrest. The initial notes caught his attention, and his brows furrowed, his lips parting slightly as the music began to wash over the theater. With each crescendo, his expression shifted from mild curiosity to something far more engaged. He sat upright, eyes fixed on Drake’s fingers dancing across the keys. When the orchestra joined, and Drake’s heartfelt playing filled the hall, Edin let out an almost involuntary exclamation. [color=DDB775]“By the Gods…”[/color] he murmured, his voice low but tinged with awe. The richness of the melody and the sheer emotion in Drake’s performance seemed to move him in ways he hadn’t anticipated. His hand absently dipped into the popcorn bowl, but instead of chewing noisily, he paused with the kernels in hand, momentarily lost in the music. As the audience applauded after Drake’s first piece, Edin clapped louder than anyone in the royal box, the sound of his rings echoing sharply. He glanced toward Alibeth, his expression briefly unguarded. [color=DDB775]“The boy has talent. Real talent,”[/color] he declared, before quickly snapping back to his usual demeanor. [color=DDB775]“Of course, nothing compared to my Festival of Lights performance, but… impressive nonetheless.”[/color] [color=a187be]“He is talented,”[/color] she agreed in a measured tone, though her voice lacked enthusiasm. As Drake introduced his next pieces, she asked, [color=a187be]“Has anyone uncovered why the guests at Lord Edwards’ previous party were so… inebriated?”[/color] Edin waved her off, his eyes still locked on Drake as he began his next piece. [color=DDB775]“Forget that nonsense,”[/color] he said dismissively, his voice brimming with irritation. [color=DDB775]“The boy is redeeming himself tonight. What does it matter?”[/color] When Drake’s tear fell during his second piece, Edin leaned forward, captivated. His hand froze mid-air, the last popcorn kernel forgotten as the raw emotion of the music seemed to resonate deeply within him. He let out a long breath, almost reluctant to break the spell. [color=DDB775]“Remarkable…”[/color] he muttered, and for a brief moment, there was no arrogance in his tone, only genuine admiration. As Drake launched into his final piece, Edin’s mood shifted again. The vigor and energy of the music brought a grin to his face, and he rose, moving his body to the music, ignoring the disapproving glance from a nearby guard. When the performance reached its rousing conclusion, Edin shot to his feet, cheering and clapping loudly, his booming voice echoing through the theater. [color=DDB775]“Hurrah to Sorian indeed!”[/color] he bellowed, thoroughly enjoying himself. [color=DDB775]“Only can get that kind of talent from a Caesonia-born!”[/color][/color] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/65cBsSs.png[/img][/center]