[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/rtwLejQ.png[/img]
[color=f26522]Time[/color]: Evening
[color=f26522]Location[/color]: Banquet
[color=f26522]Interactions[/color]: Violet [@Tpartywithzombi], Alexander [@FunnyGuy], Calbert [@princess], Cassius [@Oso]
[color=f26522]Mentions in order[/color]: Wulfric [@SilverPaw], Charlotte, Anastasia, 
[color=f26522]outfit:[/color] [url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/977c17de-4b6d-4d7d-9167-8905501c2949.jpg]See Leo plenty of people wear green[/url].[/center]
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His smile never faltered through it all, the threats, the phrasing, the looks of disgust and anger, he smiled through it all. A shit eating grin meant to infuriate and challenge. This was what he wanted. To antagonize Count Damien, annoy the king, and show Alexander a taste of what he is up against. Offering up the relationship he had built between Violet and Himself on something akin to a funeral pyre. It was all going to plan, and the consequences would be far reaching indeed, but it wasn’t his plan.

No, he [i]hated[/i] himself for this.

Hated those above himself, hated that he had to smile at someone he cared for as they were breaking apart at his words, hated he had to put an even bigger target on his back. A target that would continue to grow. That’s why precautions were being taken, items moved, stories changed, personnel shifted, items enchanted, and spells weaved and cast.

His own self-loathing and pain didn’t show through his smile, he wouldn’t allow it. Instead, it was shifted to malice. He had to do this before; he couldn’t slip there were too many lives in the balance. His path was set, and he could not change its direction. Only march down the path one step at a time.

Erik's parting words lingered in his mind; He tried to convince the man again not to have him do this before he left for the banquet, but he knew it was a lost cause. “[color=00a651][i]Look now, I’ll only be tellin’ ya this the once. Chariot appreciates the information you’ve gathered from the former king of sapphires, now the ten of spades. And yet, they’re concerned about her, ye see, and the possibility she might be able to influence or corrupt ya.[/i][/color]”

“[color=00a651][i]You [b]will[/b] do this. Burn her and your relationship with her right there in front of everyone. Make dead sure there’s no mistake, no misunderstanding at all, that the two of ya aren’t friends or lovers. Fail to make that point, or try to rebuild this relationship even a little, and the very next orders you’re given will be to put her down for good and make certain there’s no chance in hell she can be brought back again. We’ll be watchin’.[/i][/color]” Erik's retort was sharp, like a slap, and left no room for argument.

With those words fresh in his mind his eyes flickered to Violet’s, a look in his eyes just for a moment of something akin to resignation or fear. It was quick, then his gaze shifted to the others as they spoke. Violets words struck deep and almost sounded as if they did not belong to her. Striking, direct, efficient… pained. His heart ached, not just for her but for a long distant memory, one that was very similar. A slight tremor in his hand threatened to betray his inner turmoil yet he tried to hide this by taking another drink from his wine. 

Still, her words did show him that he didn’t have to push any further down that road. The damage was done, the reputation and favor he had gained destroyed. No point in adding a few more sticks onto a wildfire. He had nothing to say to her, therefore he decided to say nothing. Only the flexing of a clenched jaw under his smile

His eyes locked onto Alexanders, Roman could tell there was nothing more to be gained from goading this man, but the others were still raw and open. For just a moment the look in his eye showed just a hint of that of a predator, then shifting again back to the smug smile of a man who seemed to be blundering through life ignorant of the damage he was doing but enjoying it all the same. The harsh words from Calbert elicited a slight chuckle but nothing more, his words were expected and if he had to be honest warranted. But another poke wouldn’t hurt.

The king’s response, however, prompted him to take a moment before continuing his tirade of sparking blood feuds between himself and others. It did not, however, stop him from taking a few more bites of a very well-presented dessert. With a slight nod of his head Roman spoke, “[color=f26522]As the king decrees I acquiesce. I shall not pursue courtship with Lady Violet Damien until it is otherwise allowed by the powers that be. Am I of the understanding that these wishes apply to Lady Crystal Damien as well?[/color]” a question meant to clarify but could easily be taken as something more nefarious. More importantly, an answer without an apology.

Roman knew a few things, rumors mostly about the new Lord Cassius, the Iron wolves were rather well known but some of their rumors were not. Those men did have more than a few stories about their young officer, holding a mountain pass with a dozen half dead men for a week, sieging a fortress and destroying it from within, the stories went on. Some even saying he is seven feet tall, launches fireballs from his eyes, and lightning out his arse. 

Still some rumors are more distasteful than others, rumor he could use. Seeing Alexander try to calm Cassius rage with a simple gesture like that was laughable. Roman may be daft in many things but rage was all too common with him and yet it seemed to work. More than a little strange. Keeping Cassius in this fight would only help his cause so Roman attempted to Prod the man again.

 “[color=f26522]Careful young wolf, you wouldn’t want the fine folk of this table to hear abo….[/color]” His words died in his throat. The first time tonight he’s seemingly been caught off guard, not by Alexander, or Calbert, or the King. The sight of Charlotte wrapping her arms around Cassius made him hesitate and ultimately choose not to speak ill of the boy further. His war after all was not with Charlotte or her father, and like Violet the boy was simply a means to get to their father and mother.

Wulfric’s words cut in to his thoughts, it was a fine idea indeed, a formal duel. Something he could use whether it happened or not. The way Cassius deflated and turned his attention to charlotte made his decision for him, “[color=f26522]A duel is a fine idea, yet it may be wasted on me. I find my skill with a sword to be lacking as I am but a blacksmith at heart.[/color]”

The outburst from the princess brought his attention back to the matter at hand. It was funny how she used that turkey leg and used a threat that seemed childish but still heartwarming for reasons he couldn’t really put together right now. Adorable was the first thought that came to mind. It reminded him of when they were children, before they knew how dark this world could be.

Only once so far did his smile falter, his presence remained cheerful and smug, either from arrogance or ignorance of how the coming trial was to be played out. Acting as a fool for all to see except for those few who could see through his act as something far more calculated. He could only keep telling himself this is what he wanted. So, with a glistening smile he continued to do as the king said, eat, drink, and be merry. Especially if Lorenzo was going to get in on the action too.