[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/H0jWy99h.png[/img][/center]
[color=gray]
[color=slateblue]Time:[/color] Dinner Time
[color=slateblue]Location:[/color] Banquette
[color=slateblue]Mention:[/color] 
[color=slateblue]Interactions:[/color] 
[color=slateblue]Appearance[/color]: Light blue gown with Silver accents

Accepting Clarence’s offer of an arm, Ari leaned into him, grateful for the support as the wine coursed through her veins faster than she anticipated. The warmth in her cheeks spread too quickly, leaving her head swimming just enough to make her steps uncertain. Her hand clutched his sleeve for balance, the fabric smooth beneath her fingers. She squinted slightly at her brother, trying to read his expression through the light haze that clouded her focus. There was concern etched in his features, but was it genuine, or another one of his calculated performances? She couldn’t tell.

[color=5F9EA0]“Not returning to the banquet hall would certainly appear suspicious given the circumstances. First your family’s servant has been caught indulging in forbidden arts, then your sister and her friends flee the banquet? Some might spin that into another scandal, and we [i]have nothing to fear[/i].”[/color]


 [color=5F9EA0]“And neither you, nor your family, should be expected to shoulder the blame for a single, treacherous, servant. I will do all I can to make sure my family sees the logic in that.”[/color]

[color=5F9EA0]“[i]Nothing to fear.[/i]”[/color]

 Ari’s eyes flicked up to Clarence, his calm voice washing over her. There was something comforting in his certainty, and for a moment she wanted to believe it. But the pit in her stomach refused to ease. She knew what inhabited Cal’s body,that familiar spirit twisted within him. If these were witch hunters, if they were trained in detection, then what might they sense from Callum’s possession?

Her brows drew together, anxiety knotting her forehead. Without realizing it, her fingers curled tighter around Clarence’s arm, no longer for balance but from unease.

She nodded in reluctant agreement, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes as she looked to both Clarence and Drake. [color=slateblue]“We should return.”[/color]

With slow, steady steps, Ari followed her brother and the others through the grand corridors back to the banquet hall. The music had dulled to a low hum as they approached, and the flickering chandelier light painted dancing shadows across the polished floor. As they breached the doorway, her breath hitched. The king stood before the gathered crowd, his voice commanding the room. All eyes turned toward him.

Then the queen rose.

A pair of guards flanked her almost instantly, their armor glinting under the crystal lights as they guided her out with quiet urgency. Gasps rippled across the hall like wind over still water. Ari’s eyes widened in silent alarm, her posture stiffening as she fought to maintain composure. Her fingers once more gripped Clarence’s arm, her knuckles pale against his dark sleeve.

She scanned the room with sharp urgency, eyes locking on Callum’s face, seeking something,anything,that might ease her spiraling thoughts. But she found no comfort there. Not this time.

If the queen could be ushered away so easily, with barely a whisper of explanation, what might they do to her? To Callum?

The thought struck hard, freezing her breath mid-chest. Slowly, as if afraid to find the answer, she turned her gaze to Drake too, her pulse thudding in her ears like the dull echo of distant drums. She suddenly felt herself sober up. Still to stunned to move. [/color]