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[color=DDB775]Time:[/color] 6pm
[color=a187be]Location:[/color] The Castle Dining Hall
[color=DDB775]Interaction/Mention:[/color] [@Tpartywithzombi] Ariella/Violet [@ReusableSword] Roman [@Silverpaw] Wulfric [@FunnyGuy] Alexander [@Lava Alckon] Farim [@CitrusArms] Stratya [@Apex Sunburn] Sjandehk [@Tae] Kalliope [@Oso] Cassius/Milo
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Edin’s smile had dropped the moment Ariella entered. [color=DDB775]“Fumbled the curtsy,”[/color] he muttered. [color=DDB775]“What a surprise.”[/color] His hand gripped his goblet tighter. [color=DDB775]“I should have her clean the painting she ruined—[i]with her tongue.”[/i][/color]

When Roman’s voice carried across the table, the mention of “the king’s table,” made Edin’s chewing slow.[color=DDB775]“Tch.”[/color] The king scoffed around a mouthful of wine, lips curling. His gaze slid to the plates, eying the amount of food he had eaten, then his gaze slid down to Kazumin with his entire cart. Surely, neither of them could enjoy food more than he could?

His gaze shifted back to Roman, and he muttered under his breath inaudibly, [color=DDB775]“Let the dog eat. It may be the last feast he enjoys for a while.”[/color] He tossed a bite of meat onto his tongue with flair, chewing with open amusement as he locked eyes with Roman, just long enough to remind him who was hosting.

Beside him, Alibeth didn’t speak. Her gaze, cool and unreadable, lingered on Roman with the stillness of a predator in deep thought. As Roman offered Violet a compliment, she sipped her wine and tilted her head slightly.

[color=a187be]“He’s remarkably at ease for a man on the cusp of a trial,”[/color] she said softly,  and Edin answered with a grumble of sorts.

Then, the Alidasht prince approached, bowing and greeting them with a formal thank you. 

[color=D2691E]“Having such charitable endeavors really speaks volumes on your generosity as rulers of this fine nation. I have come to really enjoy my time here... There is a matter I wish to discuss in a more private setting if your itinerary and good graces would allow - but if not I can always make time for the both of you.” [/color]

[color=DDB775]“Now that’s the kind of talk I like to hear! We can certainly talk privately. ”[/color] Edin boomed, slapping his palm against the armrest with a meaty thud and a thunderous laugh. [color=DDB775]“I am generous, and people really don’t talk about it enough. Just the other day, there was that cheese restaurant, what was it—[i]The Royal Turd[/i]? I paid for an entire day's worth of meals for half the bloody kingdom! You think anyone wrote a song about it? No! But they’ll write songs when someone drops a fork!”[/color]

He spread his arms, goblet sloshing. [color=DDB775]“I give, and I give, and all I ask in return is a little recognition. Is that too much to ask?”[/color]

[color=D2691E] “One can rarely get the chance to see greatness in the flesh - so Your Majesties have given me quite the miracle today. I hope I can live up to any expectations you have of me or my nation.”[/color]

[color=DDB775]“You hear that, Alibeth? A miracle!”[/color] He gestured grandly toward himself with his goblet, wine nearly spilling over the rim. [color=DDB775]“I’ve been telling people that for years, but it’s so rare someone finally says it aloud with such class.”[/color]

Alibeth nodded, though her gaze was averted.

Stratya was next to offer a bow, [color=peru] “a splendid evenin’ tae t’ Royal Family. And what a wonderful nigh’ i’tis, tae ‘old such a splendid banque'...Apologies for my delay, Yerr Majesties, the arromas of the Rroyal Kitchen’s fine werrk and my own ‘unger simply woul’nae ‘ave allowed me tae prroceed well wit’ou’ a’ [i]least[/i] a taste. Tha’ taste I ‘ad was deligh’ful, my complimen’s tae t’ baker.”[/color]

[color=A187BE]“Ah, Captain Durmand,”[/color] Alibeth greeted, her tone gentler than usual as her sharp eyes took in the knight’s well-composed form. [color=A187BE]“There’s no need for apologies. You’ve earned the right to enjoy the fruits of your service.”[/color] A faint, measured smile curved her lips, but not insincere.

Edin, meanwhile, looked up with a mouthful of meat, gaze briefly traveling the length of Stratya’s figure with thinly veiled interest. His brows rose. [color=DDB775]“Well, now,”[/color] he muttered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, and grinned. 

Meanwhile, Alibeth's focus shifted as the mention of Lady Violet Damien serving as Mr. Deacon’s assistant reached her ears—an announcement that made about as much sense as serving soup in a sieve. Her gaze drifted toward her son, only to find he was already watching with quiet scrutiny, clearly just as ready to unravel the seams of that story as she was.

[color=ab274f]“Oh? I had not considered it news. The matter reached my ears as a rumour, originating from the Art Gallery. Given the unsavory nature of some of the gossip surrounding that particular event, I remained skeptical as to whether you had indeed assumed the role of his assistant. How curious – noblewomen entering into service appear to be becoming somewhat fashionable as of late. Certainly, we may revisit this conversation in a more suitable setting.”[/color] She shifted her gaze to meet his eyes with, as if to say, [i]I'd also like to know this information.[/i]

Subsequently, she let her eyes wander again and caught the sight of Kalliope and Sjandehk in time as the resounding thud echoed through the banquet hall. Her wine glass hovered in mid-air as she took in the sight of the red-haired woman tangled on the floor atop a man. Her brows lifted slightly at the sight of legs, limbs, and fabric in a very unflattering heap.

[color=a187be]“How charming,”[/color] she whispered, voice low but pointed, [color=a187be]“your assassin has made quite the entrance.”[/color]

Edin, chewing on a rib, didn’t react until she nudged his elbow.

[color=ddb775]“Huh?”[/color] He turned just in time to catch Kalliope straddling Sjan-dehk, both tangled in a mess of formal wear and awkward limbs.

[color=ab274f]“It appears one of our agents has forgotten she was meant to be the one doing the seducing... With her focus so divided, it may be time to consider whether her continued employment still serves our interests.”[/color]

He let out a hearty, unfiltered snort, nearly choking on his food. [color=ddb775]“Gods’ balls, this is why you don’t hire women for delicate work,”[/color] he muttered with a groan, shaking his head as he set down the bone.

[color=a187be]“On the contrary,”[/color] Alibeth commented lowly to Edin and Wulfric, [color=a187be]“It is precisely because she appears unsuited for the role that she’s effective. A woman dismissed as chaotic or emotional?”[/color] She raised her glass delicately. [color=a187be]“She slips between the cracks unnoticed and performs her task without ever being suspected.”[/color]

Her gaze sharpened on a distant exchange that she had followed Wulfric's gaze to: Cassius, stiff with tension, now pinning that peacock of an artist Milo St.Claire to a pillar. Her fingers tightened subtly around the stem of her glass.

Alibeth nudged Edin, [color=a187be]“You may wish to look toward the far column.”[/color]

Edin, mid-chomp on a honeyed fig, grunted acknowledgment before lazily following her line of sight. He blinked then grinned like a boy spotting fireworks.

[color=ddb775]“Oooh… now that’s more like it.”[/color] He leaned forward with a greedy gleam in his eye, waving off any thought of interference. [color=ddb775]“No, no, I love a dinner with a show. Let them work it out like men.”[/color]

Alibeth hummed coolly, lips pressed in a line. [color=a187be]“Until one draws blood and we’re forced to clean it off the drapes.”[/color] Luckily enough, that was broken up by none other than Kalliope soon enough.

[Color=gold]“...If you're going to make backhanded compliments, you should put some more [I]power[/I] into it… Like when you slapped Violet in the face.”[/color] This statement immediately caught both the King and Queen's attention, and their gazes whirled to Alexander Deacon.

[i][color=ddb775]“He did what?”[/color][/i] Edin barked, rib bone forgotten in hand, a delighted spark already brewing behind his eyes.

[Color=gold]“Perhaps using your palm is your strong suit. Careful Mina. If he's bold enough to strike Count Damien’s daughter, I doubt he’d hesitate to do the same to a niece… and to answer your question, Roman. I don't think I’m too good for His Majesty's generosity and food but… I [I]know[/I] I am better than someone of your ilk. Enjoy your freedom while you still have it, [I]Lord[/I] Ravenwood.”[/color] 

Edin gave a low whistle and leaned forward, grinning as he whispered softly, [color=ddb775]“Now this is the kind of dinner entertainment I’ve been craving. Keep going—let’s see who cracks first.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“This is why Royal Advisors are subjected to rigorous [i]examinations[/i] and [i]training[/i] before they are permitted to serve... To speculate on a man’s violent inclinations when he is soon to stand trial for assault might be considered a tactic, were one feeling especially generous toward your attempt. A pity, then, that your outburst precluded a precise application of strategy.... Had you not been baited so easily, you might have provided evidence of your claim at the trial. But of course... one can always count on a father’s ire to lend weight to such words.”[/color] 

Alibeth’s lips curled faintly, and she commented with amusement. [color=a187be]“That was almost surgical.”[/color]

Edin, on the other hand, let out a low whistle and chuckled, leaning back in his chair with amusement brimming in his expression. [color=ddb775]“Hah! There’s my boy.”[/color] He thumped a hand on the table, not bothering to hide his pride. [color=ddb775]“Wulfric went for the jugular!”[/color]

He took a bite of pheasant, still grinning. [color=ddb775]“Gods, I love dinner with politics.”[/color] Edin lifted his goblet and gave a dismissive flick toward Deacon. [color=ddb775]“But let’s not forget—[i]I[/i] brought Deacon in, so you know he's absolutely capable... Although it's only natural a man need to slap around his woman sometimes. They get all [i]hysterical,[/i] and nothing else will put them back in bloody working order.”[/color]
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