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[h1]🎀[color=D35F56]Charity Date Auction![/color]🎀[/h1]
[Img]https://i.imgur.com/tFOn4ww_d.png?maxwidth=520&shape=thumb&fidelity=high[/IMG]
[H2][color=gold]Alexander[/color] [color=D35F56]&[/color] [color=#758173]Mina[/color][/h2][/center][hr]

The late morning sun cast a honeyed glow over Sorian Park, filtering through canopies of cream-draped silk and flowering arches as if the heavens themselves had blessed the day with a soft, romantic haze. Petals floated lazily in the fountain’s breeze, mingling with the gentle strains of string music and the subtle clink of crystal from the nearby mimosa stand. Everything was picturesque–intentionally so.

And at the heart of it all stood Lady Mina Blackwood.

She was the picture of otherworldly elegance, dressed in deep garnet velvet that clung to her like a whispered secret. The heart-shaped cutout framed her porcelain skin with just enough wicked promise to hush conversations as she passed, and the black lace gloves that adorned her hands gave her the air of a woman who could either ruin a man or write sonnets about him. She stood near the stage, clipboard in hand, but it was clear no detail escaped her. From the perfectly arranged baskets to the carefully staggered auction order, Mina’s meticulous control was cloaked in velvet smiles and easy grace.

Yet beneath it all, something in her gaze remained sharp. Watching. Calculating. As if waiting for the moment, the performance gave way to truth.

Hearing approaching footsteps on the garden path behind her, she didn’t turn. Instead, she only tilted her head slightly, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips as she felt the familiar weight of Alexander’s presence beside her. He was well-dressed as always, but he seemed to keep his appearance more subtle, wearing a classic black tuxedo.

[color=#758173]“Perfectly on time,”[/color] she said softly, her voice velvet and amusement. [color=#758173]“Remind me to thank whatever deity managed to keep us both punctual and sober on the morning of Drunkards Day. I was half-expecting to start this event without either of those things.”[/color] Her words were met with Alexander’s crisp white smile as he took her hand in his. 

[color=gold]“Oh, Lady Mina, I don’t see a moment of us ever disappointing each other.”[/color] He lifted her hand and planted a single kiss upon it. [color=gold]“We can always have that kind of entertainment amongst ourselves.”[/color] There was a telling look in his eyes as he brushed his thumb over the spot he had kissed— not wiping it away, but sealing it as he lightly pressed against it. 

Mina turned then, eyes sparkling with mischief beneath the brim of civility.

[color=#758173]“Shall we charm Sorian senseless?”[/color] 

[color=gold]“We shall. Whatever may transpire, it will be fruitful.”[/color] He pointed his nose toward the adjacent stage where the silent auction would be held. [color=gold]“Whether splendor or romance, we will reap from the desires of those who participate. Those we seek to aid will then benefit.”[/color] He gently squeezed her hand. [color=gold]“I’m sure I’ve already expressed this, but thank you. You never fail to be lovely to me.”[/color] He flexed his left hand, his ring flashing a gleam against the lighting.

Mina’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile, her fingers curling ever so slightly around his in return. The warmth of his hand, the press of his thumb over her skin, didn’t fluster her, but it certainly didn’t go unnoticed either.

[color=#758173]“You give me far too much credit, Alexander,”[/color] she murmured, voice silk and shadow. [color=#758173]“But if you insist on being so flattering, I’ll have to make sure the auction ends in record donations just to prove you right.”[/color]

Her gaze flicked toward the stage, eyes narrowing with quiet calculation beneath the charm.

[color=#758173]“Let’s make them fall a little in love with all of it, shall we? The baskets, the cause…”[/color] Her eyes glittered as they found his again, her smile turning wicked. [color=#758173]“And if we’re truly lucky, maybe we’ll bring a few Sorians to their knees before the day is done. I do so enjoy that view.”[/color]

[color=gold]“As do I,”[/color] He said softly with a sly wink. Mina was making Alexander quite thirsty, so much so that he thought it was only right to get the event started before he had second thoughts on his plans for this morning. It was certain that Callum would show, but they did not need him to partake in any of the work, as it would give the wrong impression of the prince. [Color=gold]“Shall we?”[/color] Alexander proposed starting as many of the seats in front of the stage were beginning to fill up. [color=gold][i]Welcoming, opening remarks, and then check on the attendance of our volunteers.[/i][/color] The instructions agreed upon were repeated in his mind.

Mina allowed a final playful glance toward Alexander before gliding onto the stage with the fluid grace of someone born to command attention. As she stepped forward, a hush fell like velvet over the gathering crowd, drawn in by the deliberate sway of her movement and the quiet promise in her smile.

She paused at the center, letting the warm sunlight spill around her like stage lighting, then let her gaze sweep over the seated attendees–measured, magnetic, and just shy of wicked.

[color=#758173]“Good day, dear Sorian hearts,”[/color] Mina began, her voice smooth as satin, curling through the garden air like a well-cast spell. [color=#758173]“We are so grateful you’ve joined us on this beautiful day for romance, for revelry, and most importantly… for charity.”[/color]

A light smirk touched her lips as she continued, [color=#758173]“We have quite a lineup of the city’s most charming and daring participants, each of whom has prepared a picnic basket with care, creativity, and perhaps a little mischief.”[/color] She let the last word hang with a teasing lilt.

[color=#758173]“Today, you won’t just be bidding on wine and sweets. You’ll be bidding on company. On conversation. On the thrill of the unknown and the delight of discovery.”[/color] Her gaze lingered on the crowd, eyes glinting like secrets half-revealed. [color=#758173]“And perhaps, if you’re lucky, a moment worth remembering under the garlands and golden light.”[/color]

She stepped slightly to the side, turning just enough to offer Alexander the floor beside her.

[color=#758173]“But before we begin… allow me to introduce someone equally invested in making today unforgettable. Mr. Alexander Deacon–partner in both charity and charm.”[/color]

She gestured with a graceful tilt of her hand, inviting him to take the spotlight. He stepped forward with a face full of joy and excitement.

[Color=gold]“Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! It is with pleasure that I find so many of you in attendance today for Prince Callum’s charity event meant to stir hearts, spark romance… and of course ignite a bit of competition amongst those searching for something special during this wondrous courting season here in Sorian! As the beautiful Lady Blackwood has mentioned, all proceeds will be made to charity for the sick and starving in the slums of this great capital!”[/color] Alexander waved his hand toward the silent auction stage. [Color=gold]“And if love is not your objective this season, The Black Rose Trading Company has placed aside surplus goods, ripe for the taking in a silent auction! Furniture, instruments, clothing, antiques, and many everyday items packaged in bulk will be offered, and for winners with the highest bids to take them home! Whether it's hearts or merchandise, don't be shy! Drunkard’s Day should be the day when we’re led by our desires!”[/color] Alexander performatively waved his hand up and down toward Mina, suggestively.

[Color=lightblue]“Can we bid on her?!”[/color] One fellow hollered.

[Color=orange]“Yes, I’d put everything I have on Lady Mina!”[/color] Another added, standing from his seat. Excitement filled the crowd at the prospect of having a date with her. 

[Color=gold]“Control yourselves, good gentlemen! Heel! Heel! Lady Mina is only our hostess… but who knows how this auction may play out…”[/color] Alexander shrugged, getting hopeful nods from the eager gentlemen.

Mina’s smile didn’t falter–if anything, it sharpened, the edges laced with a kind of delicious danger that made it very clear that she knew exactly what she was doing.

She stepped forward once more, a hand lifted gracefully in the air to hush the crowd, though the glint in her eyes only added fuel to their fire.

[color=#758173]“Such flattery,”[/color] she purred, her voice wrapping around the moment like silk and smoke. [color=#758173]“I daresay if charm could be bottled and sold, you’d all be walking out of here with empty pockets already.”[/color]

A ripple of laughter followed, and she leaned in just slightly, conspiratorial.

[color=#758173]“But I must confess… as tempting as it is to let the highest bidder steal me away beneath a willow tree, I’m afraid I’ve already made myself quite unavailable today.”[/color] She cast a sly sideways glance toward Alexander before returning her gaze to the crowd, her tone growing more enticing. [color=#758173]“Though, I suppose the day is still young and Mr. Deacon has a point that the auction may hold some unexpected surprises.”[/color] She gave them a small wink before continuing.

[color=#758173]“Still, I invite you to turn that fevered energy toward those who’ve dared to offer themselves up for your delight. The ones who’ve packed not only treats and wine, but little pieces of their hearts into those baskets.”[/color]

She spread her arms wide, inviting attention toward the side stage where the participants were to be gathering.

[color=#758173]“Each of them is a gift, waiting to be unwrapped, and each bid you place brings us closer to feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and leaving Sorian better than we found it.”[/color]

Her smile softened into something warm and irresistible. [color=#758173]“So… bid generously, my darlings. You’re not just buying a picnic. You’re buying possibility.”[/color]

[Color=gold]“Now, let us begin. First up…”[/color] Alexander started, looking toward the side stage expectantly. 

[Color=gold]“Hailing from the Caesonian vacation hotspot of Vermillion with beauty as her sword, poise as her shield, and a sense of humor that'll completely disarm you! A maiden with honor who sometimes wears armor, Knight-Captain of Caesonia
Stratya Durmand!”[/color]