[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] [@Lava] Drake
[color=F0E399]Interactions:[/color] [@helo]Clarence [@JJ Doe] Hala [@Tae] Thea
[color=slateblue]Appearance[/color]: Light blue gown with Silver accents

Ariella’s fingers tightened gently around Thea’s arm, her brow furrowing as she listened — really listened — to every cracked, trembling word. She didn’t interrupt, didn’t rush to fill the space. She just stayed there, steady and present, letting Thea pour it out.

When Thea’s last words hung in the air, soft and raw, Ariella gave a small exhale, her eyes glinting faintly in the moonlight.

[color=slateblue]“Oh, Thea…”[/color] she murmured, her voice low, threading between humor and heartache. [color=slateblue]“You are [i]not[/i] too much.”[/color]

[color=slateblue]“You’re not too loud, or too reckless, or too big-hearted for anyone who’s worth a damn.”[/color] Ariella’s lips tugged into a wry, crooked smile. [color=slateblue]“If they can’t keep up with your fire, that’s their failure, not yours.”[/color]

[color=slateblue]“And for the record, my brother? Drake doesn’t hate you. If anything, he’s probably sitting inside right now wondering how badly he screwed up and if he should be out here apologizing. Trying to keep the family name strong.”[/color] She gave a soft laugh, a flash of teasing in her eyes.

Her expression softened, voice dipping.

[color=slateblue]“I came after you because I know what it’s like,”[/color] Ariella admitted quietly. [color=slateblue]“To feel like you’re never enough. To feel like you’re walking on a stage where every move you make is the wrong one. To carry the weight of people’s disappointment like it’s stitched into your skin.”[/color] She swallowed hard, her throat working. [color=slateblue]“I know what it’s like to stand alone after the storm hits and wonder if anyone will still be standing with you.”[/color]

Her fingers squeezed Thea’s arm again, firm, grounding.

[color=slateblue]“But here’s the thing: you don’t have to stand alone tonight.”[/color]

Ariella offered a small, lopsided grin. [color=slateblue]“And if anyone tries to come after you — your mother, my mother, the whole damned gossiping crowd — they’re going to have to deal with me first. And trust me, Thea…”[/color] Her grin sharpened, just a hint of mischief flashing through. [color=slateblue]“I might not look it, but I am [i]exhausting[/i] when I’m on a mission.”[/color]

She leaned in slightly, her tone softening again.

[color=slateblue]“So maybe Drake’s not the only Edwards who can make you feel safe.”[/color] Ariella’s gaze met hers, steady and clear. [color=slateblue]“And maybe you’re not as alone in this mess as you think.”[/color] She offered a smile, raising the bottle to her lips for another long drink.

A voice then slipped in, and Ariella froze mid-sip, the wine bottle hovering just below her lips as Hala’s heels clicked closer. Her eyes flicked up, narrowing as the turquoise-robed figure snatched the bottle from Thea. Ariella’s first instinct was defense as she looked at Hala with a questionable expression, but she didn’t interrupt. Not yet.

She had no idea who this person was; perhaps they knew Thea, but she did see Hala rather close with Milo earlier. Why did they follow them?

Ari brought the bottle back to her lips, taking another large drink as she started to feel the slight buzz in her head, her cheeks pinkening in color. Her lips parted to speak, but a familiar voice stopped her.

She turned to see Cal — Clarence — join them. Her face lit up, excited to see him; there was still a strange feeling knowing it wasn’t Cal, yet having him there didn’t seem to matter all the same.

[color=slateblue]“Did you enjoy my gift?”[/color] he asked, his attention finally settling on Ari. [color=slateblue]“That little dose of public embarrassment thrown your mother’s way.”[/color]

The glint in his eyes made her smile brighten more as she nodded. [color=slateblue]“I did! It was better than a bouquet of flowers,”[/color] she grinned. [color=slateblue]“Did you see what I did!? Spilt wine all down her dress. She had some choice words for me, but…”[/color] Ari shrugged. [color=slateblue]“I managed to make her leave for the time being at least.”[/color] she said proudly with a smile.

Ariella’s hands, still holding the wine bottle, lowered slightly as she took a step closer to Cal, wanting to close the distance. Her gaze lingered on him for just a moment longer than necessary before she glanced away, smiling with pink cheeks, trying to regain some semblance of control over herself. But there was no mistaking it — Callum’s presence always made her feel like maybe, just maybe, the world wasn’t so heavy after all.

She glanced back up at him with a smile. [color=slateblue]“I’m happy you came to join us! Thea and I were starting her birthday early,”[/color] she smiled, looking over at Thea with a smile before offering Callum the bottle of wine.[/color]