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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ckCbL9l.jpeg[/img]
[H1][color=palevioletred]Lianna Deacon[/color][/H1][/center]

[Color=palevioletred][b]Time:[/b][/color] [color=red][b]5:30 p.m., before this evening's events[/b][/color]
[Color=palevioletred][b]Location:[/b][/color] Deacon Residence
[Color=palevioletred][b]Interaction:[/b][/color] Benjamin 
[Color=palevioletred][b]Mention:[/b][/color]The Dove[hr]

Far from the lively, drama-filled banquet at the castle that would only serve to birth rumors and raise tension, Lianna was seated comfortably in front of the warmth of her fireplace. Her visage and intentions were juxtaposed to the dancing flames her gaze remained affixed to, dark and lacking any semblance of warmth. Her inability to see did not hinder her ability to lock eyes with the center of the fire with the waves of heat gently tempting her to blink. 

Silent and hands rested comfortably in her lap, the wife of Alexander Deacon was patiently anticipating something. And so, she was left only with her thoughts.

[Color=palevioletred][I]Why did you let her take it so easily, my love? In exchange for [b]this[/b]? And whose interest does it even serve? Marek’s? The familiar’s? Your own?[/I][/color] 

Lianna furrowed her brow and softly shook her head in an attempt to deny any ill feelings toward her husband's actions. She was not in favor of his plan, yet she felt obligated to play an essential part in it. Still, she could not help but wonder if he had his own ulterior motives. Motives that played against everyone on the board, including herself. She didn't think he'd dare to ever consider such a thing yet… he rid himself of the ring. It was a magical artifact that aided him in curbing his vampiric nature. It kept him sharp but with feeling. It retained that beautiful piece of humanity within him. It reminded her that he still loved her the way he always had.

The man who sat in the royal dining hall was just a monster with a charming smile and honeyed words. It wasn't merely a side of him or an alter ego. Right now, Alexander was the same man stripped of the parts, leaving only his ambition. A dangerous thing, like a silent garrote that was once an elegant violin string.

The sudden croaking of a raven outside the window pulled Lianna’s attention from the fireplace. Deliberately, she faced a looming figure standing beside her,  a tall black-bearded man wearing an overcoat and tophat. 

[Color=palevioletred]“Benjamin. It's time. We need to perform this quickly,”[/color] Lianna urged softly. Benjamin had been nothing but polite since his arrival and assisted her around the home without a hint of fuss. Just as there were those born to lead, there were those born to serve. 

Benjamin wasted no time, walking up to the fireplace with Charlotte Vikena’s blue hair ribbon in his right hand, and a slip of paper with a drawing depicting the face of a despairing woman howling upward while clawing at her own face in his left. He tossed items into the flames. 

[Color=slateblue]“As you requested, m’lady,”[/color] He said, his tone plain and steady. Lianna gave an affirmative nod and took a breath before she began. This was not something foreign, nor was it something she feared. Whether it be gods or demons that bestowed such a gift to her, she dedicated its use for only one man.

[Color=palevioletred]“Lady Vikena. I would ask you to forgive me if this hits you harder than normal but… I do this with malice. [B]Mentis Fractura![/b]”[/color]

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