[center][color=9AF781][h1]Lord Leo Smithwood[/h1][/color]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/OEh1rTU.png[/img][/center]

[color=9AF781]Time:[/color] 6 pm
[color=9AF781]Location:[/color] Castle Dining Hall
[color=9AF781]Interactions:[/color] Drake [@Lava Alckon]
[color=9AF781]Mentions:[/color] Thea, Lorenzo, Zarai, Hafiz, Nadim
[color=9AF781]Attire:[/color] [url=https://i.imgur.com/oKdesJw.jpeg]“Why was I not told red was the color for tonight?”[/url]
[hr]

[color=lightgray][color=greenyellow]”But I shan't speak out about it publicly.”[/color] Mr. Neutrality refused to crack, Drake offered not a sip of tea, not a crumb of drama to add to the feast. 

[color=02a36b]“Then I hope to have the opportunity to meet with you privately.”[/color] Leo countered, with a raised eyebrow and a sip of wine. He watched Drake pour almost a full bottle of red into his wine glass. Either [i]something[/i] was bothering the guy, or given the events at the man’s birthday party, maybe he was a little bit of a drunkard. Perhaps Leo would try again after Drake had finished off a glass or two. 

[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]

[color=02a36b]“I wouldn’t call you a fool Drake. There are worse vices than indulging in romantic optimism.”[/color] Leo popped a bite into his mouth, pausing to chew before continuing. [color=02a36b]“Thea isn’t fond of the games politics requires us to play but you handled the situation as tactfully as one could.”[/color] He answered as Drake continued speaking and even slid a slice of Beef Wellington onto Leo’s plate. The offering was met with a nod of thanks. 

[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] 

[color=02a36b]“Poetic? Maybe.”[/color] Leo shrugged. [color=02a36b]“But I can’t think of anything more natural than wanting to protect one’s family. Someone has to be the one that holds everything together. The one who keeps the foundation solid and builds upon it for those who follow after us. Some men treat this like a burden, but it is a mantle to be worn with honor. I think you get that, Drake, I like that about you.”[/color] Leo admitted as he carefully cut a bite from his portion of wellington. It was exquisite, and made even better by the lack of mystical weirdness that followed his food. 

[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=02a36b]“Exactly who is saying what about Thea?”[/color] He asked abruptly. The calmness in his tone now replaced with a sharp edge of ire.

As if on cue, Duke Lorenzo continued his tradition of publicly placing his foot inside his mouth. [Color=salmon]“I do not wish for Charlotte to become like one of these young Varian girls with no self-worth!”[/color] Any good will Leo had for Lorenzo turned sour. 

Leo’s head snapped in Lorenzo’s direction. [color=93a477]“Hey! Shut it, old man. I’ll make you eat your words, [i]pendejo[/i]! You don’t know shit!” [/color]

He clapped at Zarai’s words. [color=02a36b]“He’s one to talk. Some noble’s have not a shred of dignity to them.”[/color] There was no hush to his tone, whenever Lorenzo returned from his talk with Alexander, he was certainly getting an earful from Leo. 

From the otherside of the room a dog let out a yelp of distress. Leo rose from his seat and looked in the direction of a large dog who had clearly just been struck by the Grand Vizier. He had half a mind to toss diplomacy aside right then and there but one of Caesonia’s knights appeared to be handling the situation already. Albeit, a bit too kindly for Leo’s tastes. 

[color=02a36b]“I hope we can both agree that a man who strikes a dog outta be strung up by his balls and left there.”[/color] He half muttered as he sat back down in his chair. [/color]