[color=gray] [center][b][color=limegreen][h1]Kazumin Nagasa[/h1][/color][/b] [img]https://i.ibb.co/YX1sZZL/download.png[/img] [/center] [color=limegreen]Time: [/color] Evening [color=limegreen]Location: [/color] Castle Dining Room [color=limegreen]Interactions:[/color] [@potter] Lady Olivia/Percy, [color=limegreen]Mentions:[/color] [@princess] Charlotte, Alibeth [@JJ Doe] Fritz [@oso] Kilian [hr] Kazumin held onto Olivia with stubborn determination as the tendrils loomed about ominously. A terrifying sample of the woman's potential magic, what those who saw her may have subconsciously picked up on, possibly cursing or jinxing them. The tense air was almost suffocating, trying to choke him with fear. And though the cowlicked blonde was indeed scared. The thought of losing this scared, trembling girl to the wicked magic born out of her cruel parents' need for revenge horrified him too much not to fight for his most cherished friend. These next few seconds would be the most tense, with every second like a booming tick down to an uncertain fate.. Just as his lungs reached their burning limits, he thought for a second his sweat-slicked body was burning; he felt Olivia’s body sag and relax, sinking into his arms with the heated shimmering tension fading away around them. Having been unknowingly holding his breath, Kazu finally let out a relieved gasp as the intimidating pressure relented, following the muffled sobbing, now soft sniffles. “[color=limegreen] Y-you’re ok..you’re safe.[/color]” He whispered into her hair, said to assure himself as much as it was to comfort her, his hand gently stroking her back, brushing some strands of her damp strawberry hair. When he sensed her trying to pull away, his body initially tensed, reluctant at first out of worry. But relented shortly after and allowed himself to sit back on his knees with uncertain concern. He sat there, anxiously gulping, watching Olivia take out a napkin to clean her face, fretting over what she might do first now that things calmed down and then..she giggled. Her eyes met his as she did so, and with it knew that she really was ok..for now. Finally letting himself relax with a tired chuckle, nervous chocolate brown eyes peered back with a nervous smile, searching for…well, he wasn’t sure, but no longer seeing the flickering spots tarnishing her lovely eyes was a wondrous sight. Hearing her giggle, after everything, was music to his ears that soothed the aches in his nearly roasted body. Laughter had always been one of the most enjoyable sounds to beholden to Kazu, for laughter was always something meant to be shared, and getting Percy to laugh alone made enduring it all worth it. [color=lightpink]”I… Well, that was…”[/color] She spoke up or attempted to, the words getting caught in her throat, seeming to struggle with what to say. This only made Kazu more nervous, unsure of what to even say as well.[color=lightpink]”...Unexpected.” [/color]That single word summed it up quite well.” A-heh…couldn’t put it any b-” Kazu tried to respond, only to be cut off upon being pulled into an unexpected fierce hug that nearly knocked the air from his lungs. The embrace was strong, yet filled with warmth; a soft, comforting warmth enhanced by another hummingbird's sweet giggle he longed to savor properly. Though before he could let himself enjoy the hug, he had felt his hair being rustled, which, while it felt nice, was also a bit embarrassing considering the circumstances.” [color=limegreen]H-Hey! I-[/color]” [color=lightpink]”Thank you, Kaz, for sticking by me and helping me. I love you, too.” [/color] Whatever cheeky comment or playful remark he thought to voice evaporated on his tongue upon hearing what she said. His head tilted downward, then, using the rim of the hat to hide the upper half of his flushed face, eyes and chest roiling with fluttering confusion that left him at a loss. “ [color=limegreen]….course I would..Pe-..Olivia, you….[/color]” Kazu stammered out in incredulous disbelief, flustered. His tongue scrambled for the words like a narrowly caught ball teetering at the tips of his fingers, but this whole ordeal left him mentally fried and overwhelmed; hell, he still couldn’t believe what he had done, as she said, unexpected.”[color=limegreen] I…I’m just glad you’re ok..and…and still you…[/color]” He said on a relieved, chuckling sniff, his words somewhat nasally from the bit of runny snot. Opening his mouth, preparing to say more, but the event within the banquet hall continued and had developed into something impossible for even the two on the balcony to ignore. Seeing Olivia turn to look first, following in her wake to catch sight of the source of the icy chill that had overtaken the air, a man dressed in black garb akin to that of a hunter. A mere glance at the man’s emotionless, cold face with those icy, calculating, sharp eyes was enough to demonstrate the man’s dangerous aura. Then the unsettling dragging of chains pulled his attention to its opposite end, face paling at the sight of the bound woman, who appeared to have been dragged along. He wasn’t sure what to think, though this showed that their conversations would have to be put on hold as this wasn’t the time or place, sadly so, despite how much he wanted to discuss and air things out. Sharing another gaze with her showed both understood, and for the sake of keeping his head on straight, he chose to think of this whole hectic exchange as two besties patching things up. As he wasn’t sure how he felt exactly, either with the dark magic pressure pushing to require something more drastic than a mere hug. After moving to a more secluded spot, keeping close to her side as he could sense her unease growing once more. Then the queen rose with an authoritative projection that silenced the room with a proud welcoming of the hunter as if the killer had been personally invited. The queen spoke on, explaining the purpose of the bound woman’s current predicament. Something about tampering with refreshments at Edwards' party and sowing chaos? Turning his attention to the captive, who with her head kept down like a broken animal, he grimaced, sick to his stomach, that the queen could openly treat this as a good thing? And as he felt Olivia cling to his side, he couldn’t help but imagine her in the woman’s place. His breath hitched with a tight squeeze of her hand. A part of him wanted to get her out of this blasted hall, but didn’t want to risk drawing attention, not with the person, Kilian, as he was named now, demanding attention. [color=rosybrown]“The Queen honors me with her words. But she is no less true for her compliments. This kingdom is wounded. Struck with the gravest of injuries and bleeding out day by day. That wound has been left to fester. It has become infected. You all have been made delirious by the sickness that pulses through the veins of this city like sepsis.”[/color] Each word that spilled from the man’s lips was vile and churned his stomach as the man practically called Percy a festering sickness, magic users in general which had Charlotte come to mind as well causing his brows to furrow with concerned worry as he peeked the woman besides him with a firm comforting squeeze to her hand. [color=rosybrown]“The good people of this kingdom deserve peace. You deserve prosperity. The innocent deserve to be kept safe from the evils that lurk among you. We will find that evil and bring it to justice. Despite the dramatics… I am not here for spectacle. I am here for results. Together, alongside my brothers and sisters of the Vanguard, we will ensure that you are protected from the ultimate threat to our kind.” [/color] Hearing him prattle on about peace and justice with talks of not being here for spectacles, then what did you call such a grand entrance and announced by the queen on top of it? Here, he thought Calbert was the main danger to worry about, but now he had such a dangerous hunter to contend with? This only made things far riskier; a mercy he had managed to help narrowly avoid a bigger disaster than he previously thought. He had no idea how to deal with such a figure, but perhaps he knew someone who could help. Watching Kilian finish his cold, boastful speech about being the town’s savior from the evil magicae and sit down with the poor woman forced to stand like a meager slave would. Whether she had done as accused or not, this was not how one treated prisoners or ladies..it was humiliating and inhumane. Shaking the disgust from his mouth, and leaned in close so only she could hear him.”[color=limegreen] I know you’re scared and want to leave, but for now, staying low till we can figure out a plan is our best go for now...[/color]” Another firm squeeze to her hand, a small forced smile trying to stave off his body tremors through the warmth of her palm, as sweaty as their palms were. “ [color=limegreen]Come on, let's try to find Charlotte, grab some food along the way, and when the chance comes up, we can slip out.[/color]” He frowned, hating how Percy was denied any chance of enjoying one damn night as lady Olivia, her safety now was all that mattered. Then there was Charlotte; distracted at the time with the goings-on to pay too much attention at the time, when she hugged him, but something had felt off about it, and before he could think on it, and now with this whole Kilian thing, left him wanting to check on her as well. At least he knew Fritz was with her, or hoped they were, just the guy to ask regarding this whole magic thing. “ [color=limegreen]Besides, can’t keep standing around like frightened deer, yeah? And there should be a guy with Char that I think might be able to help give you an idea how to better control…you know?[/color]” Opting to be vague, mostly to be safe, and gave her hand a small tug, signaling to follow.”[color=limegreen] I can’t say he’s fully trustworthy yet, so don’t blame ya if ya want to keep eye out and probe first.[/color]” Nodding his head, giving her hand one more tug, anxious to get Olivia out of view of Kilian and to find Charlotte’s group. [/color]