[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PLyfcLV.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/7CEeryv.png[/img][/center]
[color=lightgray][color=ef82a5]Time:[/color] Evening
[color=ef82a5]Location:[/color] The Castle Dining Hall
[color=ef82a5]Interactions:[/color][@Lava Alckon] Farim [@Silverpaw] Wulfric
[color=ef82a5]Mentions:[/color] [@Oso] Killian
[color=ef82a5]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=ab274f]“I was observing the most recent highlight of this banquet.”[/color] 

Anastasia immediately craned her head to peek back toward the area she’d just floated away from.  Her amber eyes scanned the scene—Hafiz, looking like he’d just lost a food fight to a goose; wine, duck, and what was possibly oil glistening across his shirt. Stratya stood nearby, calm as ever, casually petting a smug little puppy. Moments later, Rohit joined her, instantly making it a full-blown puppy party.

Her brows rose. Then her lips curled into a delighted little “o.”

He leaned next to Anastasia’s ear, and whispered with a smirk, [color=ab274f]“Do you think his owner did it on purpose?”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“You did not abandon Shahzade Farim just to ask me how I am, did you? Since so many people have taken their leave, why do we not find a room for our conversation, as well? If you agree, feel free to lead Shahzade Farim to the beige drawing room. I will join you in a moment.”[/color]

Anastasia tilted her head thoughtfully. [color=#ef82a5]“Or maybe the dog was just bored to death and needed something to do. Can you blame him?”[/color] She gestured subtly toward Hafiz, stifling a giggle. [color=#ef82a5]“Honestly, Wulfy, you’ve got to hear that guy talk. So [i]boring[/i]. I’d fling myself at a table too if I had to sit through it any longer.”[/color]

She gave her brother a cheeky grin. [color=#ef82a5]“Poor doggy’s a victim of poor taste in conversation.”[/color]

Then she flicked her chin toward Farim. [color=#ef82a5]“Naaaah, he’s coming alright. I invited him along.”[/color] Her eyes lingered on the sight of Farim whispering something to Hafiz. [color=#ef82a5]“He likes to drop [i][b]spicy[/b][/i] little insults in his dad’s ear every few minutes. Had to take care of business first—it’s his thing. Oh, and we both wanted to see you. And talk about Callum. So we can go to the beige room for sure.”[/color]

As Wulfric stood, Anastasia popped up beside him with a grin that could’ve lit the room, and two thumbs up in greeting aimed at her parents. Then, she waited in place for Farim to catch up. However, it was then the doors creaked open. The clinking sound came next, and her brows arched the moment she saw him. Her eyes dropped to the chain in his hand, then back up to his eyes. She sat upright, frozen, as the chain dragged behind him like a cursed party favor.

And then the woman appeared.

Bound. Gagged. Barefoot. [i]Dragged like a prize pig.[/i]

Anastasia’s mouth fell open, and it hung there. She stared in absolute horror for the entire time. Every bone in her body screamed that something was [i]really[/i] wrong, but her brain was having a hard time assigning it a name. She glanced over at her parents, hoping for context, but her mother didn't seem at all concerned. Thus, Anastasia decided that it wasn't anything actually serious. Her eyes narrowed as the man finally spoke. She squinted hard, as if adjusting her vision might help decode whatever theater this was.

The silence of the room thickened, yet in her mind, cogs were spinning frantically. Farim's voice soon found her ear and slowly, she turned toward him. Her voice was low, shaky, and dead serious as she replied:[color=#ef82a5]“Okay. [i]I don't know him[/i]. And I know I’m not the smartest person here but…”[/color] She looked back at the display, eyes wide. [color=#ef82a5]“Is this, like… [i]a kink thing[/i]?”[/color]

[color=#ef82a5]“I mean the chains, the theatrics, the floor-length coat?  Look I'm all for kinks. [i]I don't yuck others' yums[/i]... But in the middle of a banquet is crazy. Even I wouldn't do that.”[/color] She gestured subtly, leaning closer as if afraid the man might overhear.

Then, suddenly, she laughed, soft at first, then shnorted.

[color=#ef82a5]“Gods. Caesonia's gotten weird.”[/color] She shook her head, brushing it off with the same ease she used to ignore most problems. Then she spun on her heel and flashed Farim an exaggerated wink. [color=#ef82a5]“Anyway, Wulfy wants to talk. Beige drawing room. "[/color] 

Before moving, she swept by a side table and grabbed not one but [i]two[/i] wine bottles like party favors. With one cradled under each arm, she shot him a grin. [color=#ef82a5]“Follow me please!”[/color]

She led the way out of the hall, pace light and breezy despite the eerie tension behind them. At the door to the beige drawing room, she paused dramatically and glanced over her shoulder. [color=#ef82a5]“Welcome to the beige drawing room."[/color] With a smile, Anastasia swung open the door, then looked back to inform Farim, [color=#ef82a5]“It’s beige.”[/color][/color]