[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PLyfcLV.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/7CEeryv.png[/img][/center]
[color=lightgray][color=E77298]Time:[/color] Evening
[color=E77298]Location:[/color] The Castle Dining Hall
[color=E77298]Interactions:[/color][@Lava Alckon] Farim [@Silverpaw] Wulfric
[color=E77298]Mentions:[/color] [@Helo] Callum [@Oso] Cassius 
[color=E77298]Attire:[/color][url=i.imgur.com/DpgJnCV.jpeg]Dress[/url], [url=https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mHzPrAOiRuw/maxresdefault.jpg]Hair[/url]
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 [color=lightgray][color=E77298]“If you bully my sweet little brother again—[i]THEN I WILL NOT BE YOUR FRIEND ANYMORE![/i]”[/color]

[color=D2691E]”That will teach him - friendship status with a princess like yourself is a rather huge deal, no?”[/color]

Anastasia paused, eyes narrowing with a pout that could rival a stormcloud. [color=E77298]“Exactly! Not because I'm a princess—just a cutie like me.”[/color] She shook her head. [color=E77298]“Tragic.”[/color]

Farim gently tugged at Anastasia’s sleeve with a friendly grin. [color=D2691E]”Perhaps he is having issues at home and this is the cause of his outburst? It is written plain as day along his face the man seems to be going through some things. But may I also share something with you?”[/color] 

She was thoughtful for a moment, then she smiled and agreed.  [color=E77298]“Perhaps.[/color]  She sighed, shoulders dropping. [color=E77298]“I probably won't remember that happening in an hour anyway. Hope he feels better then.”[/color] 

Then she leaned in a little, curious despite herself. [color=E77298]“Okay, what? What are you gonna share? Is it juicy? Is it scandalous?”[/color] Her eyes sparkled.

[color=D2691E]”I do not know how to say this properly - but whatever it is that is standing there, it does not appear to be your brother. His flesh, yes. His clothes, yes. Even his face, yes. But there is something sinister about his demeanor - call it a hunch but I would like your opinion on this. Is that really your brother? You may answer later, I shall cover this with another question to make everyone less….suspicious?”[/color] 

Anastasia's brows knit together as she took that in, her heart fluttering as she eyed her younger brother.  [color=E77298][i]Why wouldn't that be my brother? Oh... Is he talking about magic? Callum did show me his magic... Maybe something went wrong. [/i][/color]

Her gaze lingered on Callum, her fingers tightening around the edge of her sleeve. [color=E77298]“You’re not wrong. He’s... different tonight.”[/color]

[color=D2691E]”Sorry - such gruesome details of Alidasht court are not my favorite thing to discuss. But now that you know how [i]we[/i] have typically handled such outbursts in the past. How is it your royalty deals with such moments? Aside from the Queen brandishing blade and threat - will there be more to come of this or shall this be swept under the rug?”[/color]

She scrunched her nose. [color=E77298]“Mmm… Well, mother usually pushes father to do something if things get really bad. But honestly?”[/color] She lowered her voice a bit, glancing around. [color=E77298]“He only steps in when it personally annoys him. So unless someone throws wine at his face, it’s usually just... ignored.”[/color]

She paused, then added with a slight shrug, [color=E77298]“I guess we’re more of a ‘sweep it under the royal rug and pretend it’s fine’ kind of family.”[/color]

Anastasia’s brows furrowed deeper as she continued watching Callum. Her lips parted like she was about to say something, but the words caught in her throat. Suddenly, she rose up. [color=E77298]“I just gotta go talk to him—he’s my baby brother, Farim.”[/color] Her voice came out soft, teetering between tipsy and achingly sincere. [color=E77298]“Even if he’s all grown and tall and moody now. He used to fall asleep with jam on his cheeks.”[/color]

She moved to step forward, instinctively reaching for him—only to pause. Her heart gave a soft, confused thud. Callum was leaving! She hadn’t even seen when he got up, but there he went, fading out of the room like smoke through fingers. Her hand lingered in the air, reaching for someone no longer there.

[color=E77298]“...Fuck, he left.”[/color]

A few seconds passed before she straightened with a breath and turned toward Farim. [color=E77298]“Okay. Plan B. I’m going to talk to Wulfric.”[/color] She gave him a half-smile. [color=E77298]“You can come if you want. Wulfy always knows what to do, and it's fun when he pretends he’s not happy to see me.”[/color]

She didn’t wait for confirmation, and Anastasia then made her way across the room and quietly slid into the chair beside Wulfric—the seat Callum had been in before. 

She tilted her head toward her eldest brother, her smile small but genuine.

[color=E77298]“Hi, Wulfy,”[/color] she greeted. [color=E77298]“How are you doing over here?”[/color]
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