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[h1][color=D2691E]Farim[/color][/h1]
[color=D2691E][b]Location:[/b] Castle Dining Hall[/color]
[color=D2691E][b]Time:[/b] Evening of the 28th[/color]
[color=D2691E][b]Mentions:[/b] Hafiz, Anastasia [@princess], Nahir [@Rodiak], Kira [@Potter], and Rohit[@Helo][/color]

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The gentle squeeze of the woman he admired made all of the other noise in the banquet hall simmer to a dull buzz. It was nothing but background chatter to him. With a smile like hers, how could he pay attention to anything else?

[color=E77298]”If you keep dazzling me like this. I might start believing you crossed kingdoms [i]just[/i] to see me.”[/color]

[color=D2691E]”Whose to say I have not? The winds work in mysterious ways.”[/color] He innocently sung. 

There was however, one bit of noise he could not just ignore. [color=gold]”And here I thought the performance was this morning.”[/color]

Ever the critic, this man. Farim turned his eyes slightly towards him. [color=D2691E]”You always were my biggest fan.”[/color] 

He could go on but the truth as he saw it was laid pretty bare. For all his bravado, Hafiz was obsessed with his son; just as any other father rightfully would be. But in Farim’s eyes, Hafiz’s obsession was deeper, something far more dangerous. Like watching something slowly slip from your grasp, only to lock your fingers tighter and tighter until you feel that disheartening [b]snap[/b] beneath ones fingers. 

The Shehzade had provoked the snake enough for now. His attention went back to Anastasia as she beamed over future charitable endeavors. His face reflected a look of serenity, watching her describe her desires to help the citizens of her nation. [color=D2691E]”Your generosity knows no bounds, Princess. I do agree that it sounds like an enjoyable little adventure to give back to those that give the land and country so much.”[/color] Farim flashed a knowing glance at Nahir - something of a signal to her if she would notice. It was something he wished to start back home - albeit in more discrete and borderline illegal ways. Perhaps instead of manipulating the market, a simple charity drive would do wonders. But those were ideas for another time. 

The ideas that Rohit and Kira shared though. Now those caught Farim’s attention. He turned his body to better address those that conversed while still strategically and adamantly holding onto Anastasia’s hand. [color=D2691E]”Brilliant ideas, my friends! Robit, the idea of making it into a sanctioned event could do wonders for publicity as you so tactfully mentioned.”[/color]

[color=D2691E]”And Kira! Such a thoughtful notion. A cultural exchange could lessen the gap ever so slightly between our traditions so we can get a closer look at our future allies. I must say you speak like a true diplomat.”[/color] He smirked as he motioned for a nearby butler to fill his glass with “his finest rosé”. Farim waited patiently for a bottle to be brought and then poured into his glass before taking a tasteful sip. Yet again he gave Annie’s knuckle a gentle squeeze as he continued.

[color=D2691E]”I am even willing to part with some coin in order to get this event … how you say … on its legs? On the one condition that I get to hear more of that beautiful cello performance from you, Anastasia.”[/color] Farim flashed a cheeky grin before turning his head at the vast array of edible options in front of him. [color=D2691E][i]Oh right. There is food here.[/i][/color]

Farim raised his glass and returned the toast mentioned earlier. [color=D2691E]”To poor impulse control and pretty people.”[/color] He smiled coyly as he took another drink.

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