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

[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][/color]

[hr]

Following his exchange of pointed words - quite a bit happened. It almost felt like en masse people began to vacate the banquet hall. Naturally some of them were because of chaos happening at other tables - but Drake still had this paranoid moment of “gods what if me making them leave started a domino effect.”

The most hurtful departure of all though was definitely Thea’s. The swift way she slipped apart from his grip felt like she was retreating to a place he could not follow - as if she was telling him that she wanted to be alone. As she scraped her chair and began her exit, Drake raised his hand in a futile attempt to call her back, but felt his throat clog as he went to call her name. Shortly after she rose, his sister went too. Drake followed her movements as he once again found himself at a loss for words.

Perhaps it would be best if let the women have their moment together - he trusted Ari to know how to console someone. It was a skill Drake lacked - and for better or for worse he decided it would be best to save face for the family and simply stay there. If anything it would be a good a time as any to get to know Thea’s brother. He seemed like a rather reasonable man all things considered.

[color=greenyellow]”Sadly what you say makes about as much sense as a fever dream. But I shan't speak out about it publicly.”[/color] Drake poured a nearby bottle of pinot noir into his chalice and took a small sip. The lord took a moment to ponder the situation - words were obviously shared in heated passion, but it reeked of undertones and hidden meanings. Like he was looking through smoked glass trying to ascertain the entire scene.

[color=greenyellow]”While what they say on all accounts is harsh - I think there lies something deeper. Perhaps some unhidden drama we have yet to see surface.”[/color] As his speculation was voice, Charlotte parted the seas of strife and offered a solitary hug to Cassius before quickly making her exit. Soon to follow was the lover-boy himself. [color=greenyellow]”Like that. It seems we are shrinking by the very second. Try not to cause anymore trouble, Sir.”[/color] He looked at Leo with a content smirk and chuckled.

[color=greenyellow]”I jest. I must say it is rather intriguing to talk with you Lord Smithwood. A man of many stories and thoughts with many eloquent ways to paint the picture.”[/color] Drake placed the chalice down to turn his torso towards the other man. [color=greenyellow]”As easy as it is for me to say, I have only the most honest of intentions for your sister. This is not simply some form of courtship for the sake of courting.”[/color] He paused, searching for the right words.

[color=greenyellow]”Call me a fool if you wish, but I am a man who still believes in love of the truest form - and I may yet have found that in your sister, to be perfectly frank. It honestly makes it even harder having to sport my political voice like that in front of her. But it felt like things were simply building into an inevitable topple - so I hope you understand that is not my normal state. I tend to prefer the more stoic and measured spectrum of emotion.”[/color]

Reaching for the nearby beef wellington to gracefully slide it onto his plate before continuing. [color=greenyellow]”I appreciate your words earlier - having a little support in moments like those makes me feel like less of a tyrant trying to impose his will on those around him.”[/color] Drake would cut off a portion and silently offer it to Leo in a show of good faith before resuming the conversation.

[color=greenyellow]”I also like to think we share the same sentiment on protecting our family through the means we find the most fitting. It’s rather poetic in a sense.”[/color] The way he said this part seemed to carry a similar weight to what Leo had shared earlier - it wasn’t necessarily a threat. More of an explanation of the lengths he would go for family’s sake.

But despite the somber message Drake still smiled as he took a bite of the wellington. He savored the delicious meal in small bites before talking again. [color=greenyellow]”If it makes you feel any better - no words that others may share about your sister carry any weight to how I feel about her. It only proves that they are blind to the person she really is.”[/color]

[color=greenyellow]”I think our sisters are alike in that way.”[/color]


[/center]