[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/H0jWy99h.png[/img][/center]
[color=gray]
[color=slateblue]Time:[/color] Dinner Time
[color=F0E399]Location:[/color] Banquette
[color=slateblue]Mention:[/color] [@Helo] Callum, 
[color=F0E399]Interactions:[/color] [@tae]Thea, [@Lava Alckon] Drake, [@Oso] Milo 
[color=slateblue]Appearance[/color]: Light blue gown with Silver accents

Ariella sat with her jaw gently clenched, watching the cracks splinter across Thea’s carefully built facade. She recognized the look in her eyes—that hollowed ache of being torn open by the people who were supposed to protect you. The feeling of being too much and not enough, all at once.

As Duchess Alice's voice sliced through the air, Ari felt the same old cold fingers curl around her spine. Even when it wasn’t her mother, the tone was always the same: scolding, controlling, designed to shrink you until you barely took up space at all. She should’ve felt triumphant that her mother had finally stormed off earlier, but instead, all she felt was a gnawing irritation at how Drake had handled it.

Why was he always so compliant? Still so eager to smooth everything over instead of standing up and calling her out for being such a [i]bitch.[/i] Ari had already become the villain in her mother's story. She was so quick to gloat about Ari and Cal, and yet little did she know that one of the reasons they bonded so well was due to her and the other people of society. So she supposed she could thank her for that—being her nasty, vile self had certainly given them something to speak about.

Ariella's fingers tapped once, sharply, against the side of her glass. Her mother had stolen her memories—and yet Drake still played the dutiful son, still scolded her like a child for reacting. He played such a political role that it frustrated Ari.

Her gaze flicked toward Thea again, watching as she rose and drifted from the table, bottle in hand, wrapped in all the elegance expected of her rank. Ari’s heart pinched. That ache behind Thea’s eyes—it wasn’t unfamiliar. No, it was far too recognizable.

She shifted slightly in her chair, letting her eyes scan the table. [color=slateblue]“I’ll go check on her…”[/color] she said softly, toward Drake in particular. Her eyes glanced toward the King's table as she caught a look at him. 

Callum.

Her breath caught for a beat too long when she saw him. She looked at him for a moment, wishing he was present tonight. She felt a need for him—she knew he would have laughed about the spilled wine, and maybe they would have snuck off to the pantry, raiding it for all the alcohol they had. A soft smile curved on her lips as she thought more of the idea. But tonight of all nights, she couldn’t even reach for the one person who steadied her. Though she missed him, she was glad she had found her own strength—and perhaps she could offer some of that to Thea too.

And just as she turned—

A chill. Prickling at the nape of her neck. Her eyes lifted—and there he was.

Milos's steps were calm and precise, but it was the way he watched her that made something in her ribs clench. His eyes didn’t just look; they saw. Uncomfortably so. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink. She offered him a soft smile, attempting to avoid his eye contact as she moved from her seat, walking toward him. 

As she walked past him, she offered him a friendly nod. [color=slateblue]“Mr. St. Claire”[/color] she spoke softly, the name tasting like a secret. As she passed him, the feeling of unease still sat unsteady within her. She glanced over her shoulder once as she walked toward the doors. 

Ariella approached Thea slowly as her arm reached out. She wrapped it around Thea's arm with a gentle hold as she greeted her with a warm smile but no words. She too reached out to a passing server, grabbing a secondary bottle of wine off the tray so Thea didn’t need to feel so alone. 

Finally speaking, Ari attempted to lighten the mood as the two walked: [color=slateblue]“Mothers?”[/color] she offered awkwardly, her voice light, but not teasing. [color=slateblue]“Am I right?”[/color] She smiled again as she led Thea past the doors, out of the prying eyes of the court. Tonight was a pure example of how fast and vicious rumors and accusations could spiral—even from something as simple as a glance. 

[color=slateblue]“You’d think after mine left, I’d feel relief. And I do, mostly. It’s quieter without her hissing insults across the table. But…”[/color] she trailed off, eyes narrowing at the ceiling like it might offer answers. [color=slateblue]“She threatened me again, on her way out. I didn’t even bother responding this time. Karma’s coming. Sooner or later.”[/color]

She lifted the bottle of wine to her mouth, her teeth digging into the cork as she pulled it out before spitting it off to the side. A lone attendant, attempting to ignore the spectacle, made a huffing sound as the two women walked slowly down the exit. 

Another attendant opened the door, and a gust of fresh air hit the two women with a rush as they strolled out onto the front steps. 

Ari didn’t say much else as her arm released Thea’s—offering enough to say *you’re not alone*, without having to speak the words. Because sometimes, when her own mother turned her to ash, all Ari ever wanted was someone who stayed. 

She took another swig from her bottle, glancing at Thea from the corner of her eye. Now that they were alone, she figured it was a safe space to finally ask: 

[color=slateblue]“Are you doing okay?”[/color] [/color]