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[img]https://i.imgur.com/5EyRmcP.png[/img]
[color=seagreen][h1]Drake[/h1][/color]

[color=greenyellow][b]Time:[/b] Evening of the 28th[/color] 
[color=greenyellow][b]Location:[/b] Banquet Hall[/color]
[color=greenyellow][b]Mentions:[/b] Thea [@Tae], Gideon and Victoria [@princess], Ariella, [@Tpartywithzombi], and Leo [@Helo][/color]

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The following exchange of words between parties left Drake entirely speechless. He was normally one to socially navigate these sorts of social interactions but this was a first for him. The man was entirely lost - almost torn in half between supporting his sister and Thea yet still wanting to appease his parents at least somewhat. He agreed that Victoria’s outbursts were childish - downright apprehensible in his honest opinion. However, to fight fire with fire only begets an inferno that would engulf anyone involved.

He knew this - and it would seem Leo did as well. There was a brief moment where Drake stared at his plate with empty eyes - barely thinking a thought as he seemed to get stuck on a mental loop of what he could say to keep both sides appeased. The moment Lord Smithwood spoke up, the relief on Drake’s face was evident. A slightly tightened grip on Thea’s hand had loosened.

[color=greenyellow]”You know, Sir Smithwood. I actually did not get a chance to hear such events unravel at the-”[/color] But it was all too late. Only mere moments into his comfortable cadence Drake felt his blood freeze as the crimson liquid spilled over his mothers dress.

[color=greenyellow][i]Gods help me. Give me one night of cordial family time. Just one.[/i][/color]

Drake breathed in slowly. Almost too slowly. Painfully slowly. Like a dam of emotion threatening to crash out at any moment, kind of slow breathing. [color=greenyellow]”Father. It might be best to find Mother a change of clothes so that you may both be back in posthaste. The sooner the [i]better[/i].”[/color] He quickly darted his eyes back and forth between his father and the rapidly approaching volcanic-magnitude eruption that was soon to be his wife.

Drake then turned to match his mother’s gaze. [color=greenyellow]”Do. Not. I know what you are thinking. But do not. Not here.”[/color] His stern look channeled a mixture of authority as heir to the Edwards dukedom and the plea of a son who just wants his family to get along.

Drake then huffed as he reached both of his hands up to clasp together over his plate. In the most measured yet annunciated tone - he spoke to the arguing parties just loudly enough for them to hear but not so much as others could eavesdrop. [color=greenyellow]”I am going to be stern this one time to all of you. Behave now. I do not want anymore bickering - anymore ‘accidents’ - anymore anything. I would much rather enjoy a lovely dinner with my lovely family and my lovely date and her lovely family.”[/color] Drake paused and subtly pointed his index finger at the currently erupting Damien debate happening just a table over. [color=greenyellow]”At this current moment - no one is even looking at us over the barbaric shouting match happening a few seats over. So please resolve this [b]discretely[/b] and we can blow up about it at home. Do not make us look like a bunch of ragabonds who cannot settle their differences for one damned meal.”[/color] His gaze, while still caring, seemed more like a disappointed parent than anything else as he made sure to make eye contact with everyone.

[color=greenyellow]”Furthermore...if I hear one more pointed jab, or fake attempt of jesting through thinly veiled metaphors - I am going to make that table’s little blowout over there look like a godsdamn Christmas party. A sight that will surely stun the entire banquet hall as I don’t think I’ve ever even raised my voice. Nonetheless, do I make myself clear?”[/color] He hated to be that guy, but someone had to literally pull the reins on this conversation before things went even more south than it already had. A brief show of intimidation may be the way - but it all depended on how his family took the news. His hand slid back down towards Thea’s hand for an apologetic caress over the back of her hand. Drake straightened himself and waited for those addressed to react.

If they chose chaos over order - then so be it.

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