[color=gray] [center][b][color=limegreen][h1]Kazumin Nagasa[/h1][/color][/b] [img]https://i.ibb.co/YX1sZZL/download.png[/img] [/center] [color=limegreen]Time: [/color] Evening [color=limegreen]Location: [/color] Castle Dining Room [color=limegreen]Interactions:[/color] [@potter] Lady Olivia/Percy, [@jj doe] Fritz, [color=limegreen]Mentions:[/color] [@princess] Charlotte/Anastasia , [@Tae] Thea, [@Apex Sunburn] Sjan-dehk [@Funnyguy] Lorenzo, [@Lava Alckon] Drake [hr] The banquet was already becoming a festive night with Duke Lorenzo's merry laughter soon ringing out after they had settled themselves, seemingly pleased. And the hope his complimentary praise aided in the man’s uplifting mood, something sorely needed after the mockery and looks the esteemed man tended to attract. He was troubled, sure, but in Caesonia, who wasn’t? Possibly imbibing of drugs if that poem hinted at anything,, and couldn’t help but wonder if Charlotte knew. An unpleasant thought, he brushed away as he didn’t want to waste this night festering on dark thoughts, not when he had his best friend struggling with her grievances. Turning his gaze back to his rough gravy drawing, and let out a low airy chuckle, amused at the way he thought of fireflies and shook his head realizing how fog fucky all the booze had left his head in.*[b][color=limegreen]Fireflies, duh dingus! Should have thought of this ages ago…perfect for the group and..[/color][/b]* The thought trailed off as Olivia leaned closer a bit with an excited air and turned to see- Her smile was as radiant as her dress. [color=lightpink]”Oh Sir Kazumin, that is a wonderful idea!”[/color] She clasped her hands together and eagerly drew forward. [color=lightpink]”I love it.”[/color] A smile radiant as a phoenix, as pride beamed on his wide grinning flushed face, chest fluttering delightedly to see that bit of fiery joy she hardly got to show with most too scared or intimidated by the woman’s wild nature, but only to the bullies and jealous idiots. As their eyes met, sharing a lingering moment, a memory drifted in on a single blinking glow, then another, then multiple until the banquet hall faded away, the countless chatting, flashily dressed nobles, another flitting ball of light as two pairs of children's hands giddily grabbed and snatched the elusive glowing treasures. [hider= A dance of fireflies, a faded memory] Peering at the lady before him, Olivia, but the twinkling luminance of young Percy’s happy face, laughing gleefully, burned brilliantly beneath the mask. The fireflies surrounding and fluttering about illuminated the forest like a star-speckled field. Each glow like burning stars carried a whispered dream within playful hands within reach, if only for a fleeting fantasy, the stars otherwise forever out of their reach. He could still hear the sound of critters and crickets, a random moo and a possible maroo at some point, might have been child Kazu, the way he had been hollering and hooting, running about like a wild monkey who had been dropped onto a banana farm, moving about in a dancing fervor but failing to catch every time until he eventually stumbled falling onto his stomach with a defeated grumbling huff then lifted his head to see the fireflies gathering around Percy, practically tickling her.”[color=limegreen] Blah! No fair! I did all the frog hoppin and ya just giggle and they flutter to ya![/color]” The young blonde pouted with puffy cheeks, only to roll onto his side in a playful pose, head resting on his palm propped by the elbow with a cheeky grin.”[color=limegreen] Maybe they think yer their firefly princess or somthin…that’s cheatin..ya mathety.[/color]” A brief lisp as he stuck his tongue out at her in bitter jest. A giddy Percy returning with a cheeky, stuck tongue in victory, her face a pretty starry display of blinking fires. [/hider] Then Olivia’s face melted back into view, but only for a moment as she pulled away hastily, and he thought he glimpsed a tear in passing. And with it, the memory of young Percy vanished in a fluttering rush of dimming stars fading away back into the nightly past, ending on a solemn hooting. A light shaking of the recollecting haze to see Olivia burying herself in eating in a far too aggressive manner for his liking. His beaming smile faltered with a concerned brow furrowing as he started to reach a hand out to give a comforting hug, but caught himself as the sounds of dishes clinking and folks chattering about reminded him of where they were. His hand, already mid-extended, quickly altered its path to grab the cup of water instead, with a somewhat awkward lifting to his lips where he idly sipped.* [b][color=limegreen]Dang it..just when I got her smiling too.[/color][/b]* Tilting his head only slightly, using the corner of his vision to peek at Calbert, with the way dark stare Olivia had just given the dangerous duke, and didn’t want to give the man more suspicions.* [b][color=limegreen]Ugh…this is all cause of that bastard. Like hell I’ll let him and his crap ruin this night…after all the bullshit we’ve been through lately….not tonight. We are gonna have fun time, damn it![/color][/b]* His off-hand lightly thumping against the table in stubborn determination. As his attention turned back to Olivia, his expression softened with a sigh, hating seeing the usual brave and unstoppable Persephone hiding her face and sorrows in the food and unable to comfort her when she had been there to help him just this morning. [color=lightpink]“You’re not alone, Kaz. Not now, not ever. I’ve got you—and when we’re done? They’ll wish they never even saw us."[/color] She kissed his forehead gently. [color=lightpink]“Now breathe, badass. We’ve got a storm to unleash.”[/color] The morning’s ordeal had become a blur by the end, the emotional turmoil and guilt nearly overwhelmed him beneath their crushing nightmarish weight, but her words, her warm embrace, the comforting beat of her heart held him together, though the kiss to the forehead threw Kazu for a loop; had he not been in such distress over what transpired with Sasha, might have been in shocked distress instead. The only mercy that his blushed face had been hidden…* [b][color=limegreen]Urgh..damn it that was unfair of you, Percy! A punch on the shoulder or a noogie, hell, a fist bump…come on….a kiss on the forehead?! That was overkill![/color][/b]* He tried to grumble his annoyance, but even now could still feel the kiss on his forehead, a faint, gentle heat burning with a protective love in its own right. A better gift than some simple trinket or jewelry, that brought a blushed smile back to his face. Here she sat with him, though gone with the ashes, but reborn, she came back into his life. Before, an innocent firefly whose flame held no heat, only admiring glow; now a risen phoenix whose dangerous flames could burn unruly if left unchecked, he could sense, and just as she brought back his smile, he would do the same for her. Then, as he observed the lady looking all stressed and downcast, recalling how the night of firefly catching happened after finding a young, downcast Percy sitting alone at a rickety old picnic table (only one still standing), angrily nibbling at a small piece of stale bread. Unable to help but chuckle a bit, recalling the squirrely face she had at the time.* [b][color=limegreen]Like then and now, she eats without care of being ladylike.[/color][/b]* Nodding his head with re,spect; grateful to see some of her old appetite returning, but the mood was all wrong, just as it had been then. Leaning forward onto his folded arms against the table where he leaned towards Olivia till their shoulders nearly touched.” [color=limegreen]Hey now, what’s got this pretty firefly all mopey?[/color]” A mock pondering rub of the chin as if in deep thought while studying her face, cheeks puffed up from the food.”[color=limegreen] Hm, you have all this splendorous food and yet… ah![/color]” A playful snap of the fingers.” [color=limegreen]Let me guess, you’ve become lost…tsk tsk.[/color]” A shake of the head with a dismissing wag of the finger.”[color=limegreen] Worry not, for it is summer and I’ve heard tales that if one with a sad heart ventures into the woods and whispers what ails them openly, the fireflies may gather.[/color]” A fluttering wave of his hands mimicked bugs fluttering about. “[color=limegreen] Seeing as how you like the idea of fireflies, Lady Olivia, perhaps sharing a night of catching fireflies may give reason to uplift that hangry mood?[/color]” Shifting into a similar cheeky leaning pose, curious to see if she might recognize it. And a few seconds later did it dawned on him that he had suggested Olivia, his eyes widening as the realization of said suggestion could be misconstrued as a possible courting to those around.* [b][color=limegreen]Fuck! It keeps slipping my head, quick! Need to fix..gods the misunderstandings..[/color][/b]* This time actually scratching his chin in a near-panicked pondering. [color=#9354ff]“Well, if you walked away with your head attached and appetite intact, I’d chalk that up as a victory.” [/color]He tried to picture how that conversation must have unfolded. When an opening presented itself, Ryn asked.[color=#9354ff] “What did His Majesty want with you?”[/color] At that moment, Fritz had leaned in, whispering about his meeting with the king.* [b][color=limegreen]Ah, right..still got to talk about that with them too…[/color][/b]* Grimacing at the thought before taking a look at Fritz as if registering he was there for the first time again, and it came to him as he spun partway with a raised finger. “[color=limegreen] A firefly group picnic![/color]” He blurted out in a hasty response before giving an awkward throat-clearing cough.”[color=limegreen] Er, for a meeting place, that is, for the group…to uh..hang out and discuss things…might be better than some boring old stuffy room and bitty finger sandwiches, yeah?[/color]” A flimsy thumbs up given on a nervous laugh.*[b][color=limegreen] Whew..think that should cover it, yeah? Ugh..sorry Percy….guess this can be a bit of revenge.[/color][/b]* A momentary smirk amid shame. [color=#9354ff]“If no one is strongly opposed to it, I think we can make it official.” [/color]Which reminded him… His gaze drifted, searching. [color=#9354ff]“Speaking of, did something happen to Lady Charlotte? She seemed upset.”[/color] Fritz’s unexpected words of acceptance of the symbol idea and group name pulled him from his musing, prompting him to lean towards the curious gentleman.” [color=limegreen]Psst, good on the save there, Fritzy and uh..thanks for the concerns.[/color]” Whispering his appreciation without elaborating on the first part, as he continued on.” [color=limegreen]And don’t worry, I intend on telling ya everything. Rather, only have to do it once, so mind if we save it till then?[/color]” Glancing at Olivia, knowing she wouldn’t take his talk with the king well and didn’t want to spoil the mood with such talks after just offering a way to get things jovial again. “ [color=limegreen]And you said Char is upset, yeah?[/color]” A worried raised brow as he turned attention back to the table across where he last saw her to find that the table held an increasing tension that seemed centered around the lady Duchess, who, from the smug, disgusted expression, appeared to be saying some slanderous things, though the chatters made picking any of it out. By the body language, Lady Thea looked to be the one challenging back and seemed to be holding up well.*[b][color=limegreen] Looks like things soured over there, kick that ladys butt..I think? And got to say, that hairclip looks great on her, too.[/color][/b]* A mental note to compliment the gift in person, then another to make a list of gifts as there had been several birthdays he missed, Drake’s another that came to mind seeing the man approach Thea and Leo, looking distinguishedly handsome in his simple and traditional tuxedo that gave a pleasant regal among this sea of eye blinding dazzling outfits.(as if he were one to talk) Tapping a finger against the table, where he felt the faint crinkling of his drawing, and from it, came an idea for gifts. Satisfied with the thought for now and set it aside as his mind returned to Charlotte, who he found to be sitting a bit off from Thea now. Keeping what Fritz said in mind as he observed her,, or what he could as another had approached, seeming to have noticed her distressed state, Sjahn..something had been his name, having only caught parts of it, and recalled how the guy got a tad overzealous and trigger happy with a gun back on the beach.* [b][color=limegreen]Oh wait..isn’t that the guy involved with that gal who fell recently?[/color][/b]* Watching the guy a moment longer before shifting his attention back to Charlotte. She seemed fine at first glance, but as he focused would notice her tense posture and shifting fidgeting of the eyes could simply be nervousness..yet the times he had interacted with Char hinted she wasn’t so weak to be a nervous wreck and no chance she took drugs, having his gut tell him something was wrong. Having experienced some episodes of his own he dreads what she could be going through. Watching Charlotte struggle with whatever was troubling her caused the small ache in his ankle to throb as his mind drifted to this morning; how he had been upset, and when the desperate knock came, she had taken him in without hesitation- [hider=A frantic puppet in the dark, a lone candle guiding in its gentle flame][color=lightgray]Kazumin stood with his hands resting against the large, heavy-set wooden doors to the Vikena estate, his upper body leaning forward as if he would collapse without its structure to hold against. Nearly two days had passed since the episode, most of which had been spent in a flurry of mild fevers and nightmares. Eventually, his body gave in, allowing sleep to take in. He was over the sickness, and the marks somewhat faded; those on his hands still itched. Unable to tell if the itching was truly there, though barely felt at times. His skin was no longer pale as snow, but hardly an improvement. Was it not for his body screaming for more rest and the fresh pain in his leg, having struggled in his climbing the gate (an apology owed for the sneaking in) due to his current struggling health? That his mind would wander, and allowing that to happen meant letting the thoughts in. Thump… Pressing his forehead against the door.*[color=limegreen] Not now, just focus….you’re here to see Percy….got to make sure. I will make sure with my own eyes…please be here…Char…[/color]” A small intake of breath, wishing to see her as well. Any of their faces would be enough to settle the anxious pounding of his heart. But this…he didn’t want them to see him like this, hell, he didn’t want to show any of them. Still, he needed to confirm they were alive; more than anything, he longed to see his closest friend. Fearing he may crumble otherwise. A deep breath held in, he shifted to give a gentle rap at the door the first time, seconds later another, then another until it almost became a knocking out of desperation, wanting someone to answer the door, though he preferred to avoid Charlotte until he was in a better head space. Charlotte, hearing the frantic knocking at the door, quickly made her way across the room. As she opened the door, she was greeted by Kazumin’s weary form. Her expression softened immediately, her concern growing for him as she took in his frail state. Without hesitation, she gestured to invite him inside. Noticing the creaking of the door, he had hastily scrambled into a standing position, the sudden light from within momentarily left him in a blinding wince. [color=D0B4EC]“Hello Kazumin!”[/color] she greeted, [color=D0B4EC]“It’s so nice to see you. Come in, please.”[/color] Standing there wearing a pair of simple light-blue pajamas, the buttons misplaced and bad bed hair with weak attempts to battle it down. Some bits of leaves and small stains elaborate further on his less-than-clean way of getting in. Her gentle voice washed over him; a tidal wave of relief flooded in, and with it melted the anxiety from his face.”[colorlimegreen] Charlotte! You’re ok![/color]” Kazu found himself blurting before he could catch himself. A momentary awkward pause as he knew how weird he appeared.”[color=limegreen] I mean..hey-o ok! Ok hey! Just..just my way of showing how great it is to see ya..on this fine morning ha…ha….[/color]” Forcing a laugh with some rhythmic clapping and jazz hands, trying to play it cool. He was grateful for her invitation, which he sheepishly took. He used this chance to duck his head down on the way in, briefly hiding his blushing face as he went. Charlotte’s expression softened as she stepped closer to Kazumin. Gently placing a hand on his arm, she asked, [color=D0B4EC]“Are you alright?”[/color] Without waiting for an answer, she pulled him into a brief, warm hug. After letting go, she asked, [color=D0B4EC]“And what brings you here, dear?”[/color] His body tensed at the touch, a light trembling that worsens upon being hugged. He wanted to return the affection, but the itching of his palms held him back, unable to trust his hands still. Pulling away, barely registering her question at first.”[color=limegreen] Huh? That…[/color]” opening his mouth to speak but stopped, hesitant to unload so much on Char, especially after appearing unannounced like this. It wasn’t a lack of trust that stopped him, the lack of a close bond and fear of her learning of…” [color=limegreen]Ngh..I don’t want to lie to ya, Char… and..and I’m sorry. I want to tell you, but my mind’s all fu-messed up right now.[/color]” Biting his lip, contemplating before continuing.”[color=limegreen] It will get out before long anyway, but..the estate was broken into…and a maid was- was attacked.[/color]” His head turned away, shame keeping him from elaborating. [color=D0B4EC]“Oh gods.”[/color] Despair filled her expression. [color=D0B4EC]“...Is she alright? What can I do?”[/color] “ [color=limegreen]She’s fine![/color]” He nearly shouted the words, fearful worry etched in his eyes.”[color=limegreen] I-I meant that I think she is...they took her to the hospital, but that’s the last I heard.[/color]” Gulping as he fidgeted nervously in place.” [color=limegreen]I want to explain more…[/color]” Eyes closing for a moment with a small huffed exhale.”[color=limegreen]B-but for now, I just…have you seen Percy or Ruby recently? Please, I just-just need to be sure.[/color]” Looking at her properly since stepping in, he was both comforted and pained at seeing Char’s despairing face. Charlotte’s brows furrowed with worry, but she answered nonetheless,[color=D0B4EC]“...Percy is in the dining room…”[/color] Kazu heaved a big sigh, the tense aura and trembling relaxing as if finally able to shake off an uncomfortable icy biting coat.”[color=limegreen] Really?! Ah, ya no idea the loads dropped my heart just now, thanks, Charlotte… truly.[/color]” Pushing himself to gingerly wrap his fingers around her hand, the best he could muster to express his appreciation. “[color=limegreen]Can ya show me the way?[/color]” Stepping back with an awkward chuckle, not wanting to risk getting lost wandering in his pj’ after all. She smiled warmly, hoping that would offer him some comfort. ,[color=D0B4EC]“ Of course…”[/color] Charlotte squeezed his hand tenderly then led him toward the dining room. As much as she wanted to ask what had happened, she was able to put together the pieces on her own anyhow. She bit her lip, uncertain if he was in the best state for her to fill in the blanks for him just yet. [color=D0B4EC]“And Kazumin… Perhaps we can talk later, before the banquet tonight… You, me and Percy. I’ll always be here for you both.”[/color] He followed along quietly, lightly hugging himself, the lingering crisp cold of the early morning. Perking up at the suggestion.” [color=limegreen]That sounds great. I will..explain more, I promise, and if possible, if you find or run into Ruby, inviting her could be great too.[/color]” Kazu added, Good to get her a good, safe place, too. [/hider] Sighing regretfully, picturing Char’s sweet face filled with such genuine worry, wanting only to help, and after all she had done for him...for Percy, both of them. And he couldn’t trust himself to open up at the time, but seeing her so distressed and scared reaffirmed his promise to her.*[b][color=limegreen]They helped me when I thought I had none…only right I do the same.[/color][/b]* A confirming nod to himself, determined to make this a fun night for his friends. Taking a moment more to think before lifting his right hand to clap Fritz on the shoulder.”[color=limegreen] Aye, there she is, Fritzy! Though it looks like something’s bothering her, like ya said.[/color]” A friendly squeeze while leaning a bit closer.” [color=limegreen]Think a gentle approach might be needed, which I think might be a better fit for you. That Sjahn guy’s chatting with her, so wait a bit to see if he can help some, then when ya can, try to let her know we’re here..maybe mention something about the fireflies, might perk up her mood?[/color]” He finished with an assuring pat on the shoulders. [/color]