[img]https://i.imgur.com/roaeg9T.jpeg[/img]
[right][img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img][/right][right][sup][color=#d4af37][b]#d4af37[/b][/color][color=2e2c2c]...[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]...[/color][url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/9d/6c/dd/9d6cddf90421ceb4a4114345d38541ee.jpg][color=9b9b9b][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url][/sup][/right]

[indent][indent] [color=#ffffff]Elias’s eyebrows arched in surprise at Tapeesa’s defence of the Macarena. For a fleeting second, he looked ready to argue the point on principle alone. His pride had a well-documented habit of picking inconsequential fights (just as it had with Anissa) if only to prove his ability to win them. But the genuine laugh that escaped Tapeesa was a sound he had no desire to extinguish. So, instead of challenging her, he simply huffed a quiet breath through his nose and shook his head, offering a temporary concession.[/color]

[color=#d4af37]“Figures,” [/color][color=#ffffff]he said, dry as sandpaper but not entirely without warmth. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]Forest, ever the easygoing presence, was already clasping Tapeesa’s hand in his. Elias used the moment to glance at the redhead—Nate, according to Tapeesa’s introduction. But when Tapeesa called him out directly, his gaze snapped back to her[/color]

[color=#d4af37]“Didn’t take you up on your offer, huh?”[/color][color=#ffffff] he echoed. His tone was light, but it was undeniably laced with irritation. It wasn't just the words that bothered him; it was the full memory they unearthed. He recalled how Tapeesa had seemed peeved with him earlier, when both Anissa and food were vying for his attention, the food having won out at the start before her intervention. Her perceived irritation, however, had needled him somewhat, pushing him to stay behind and make amends after she had left. He hadn't planned on sticking around, but the desire to smooth things over with the girl in the thigh-high boots had been a compulsion he couldn’t resist because of the type of person he was. But now, seeing Nate’s hand hooked in Tapeesa’s like a casual placeholder, that same stubborn spark flared again. This wasn't simple jealousy; it was the aggravating reminder that he was late to the game.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]And Elias Trueno hated being late to anything.[/color]

[color=#04ed42]"Good to meet you, Elias. Just got here today myself… glad I didn’t miss the party," [/color][color=#ffffff]Nate interjected then. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]Elias barely met his gaze, though, returning a firm but perfunctory handshake before Nate turned his attention to Forest. [/color]

[color=#04ed42]"You wouldn’t happen to be the mead guy everyone’s talking about, are ya, Forest?"[/color]

[color=#ffffff]Elias let the exchange between the two men wash over him. The corner of his mouth twitched as if he might smirk, but the expression never quite materialized. His attention remained fixed on Tapeesa, and when he spoke again, his tone was deceptively light, though laced with grit.[/color]

[color=#d4af37]“You know, it’s pretty rich for you to say that,” [/color][color=#ffffff]he began,[/color][color=#d4af37] “considering you’re the one who bailed on me and Anissa to dance by yourself. Remember that? Right after you’d already dressed me down like I was some kid who couldn’t be trusted to handle himself.” [/color][color=#ffffff]He gave a short, dry, and humourless laugh. [/color][color=#d4af37]“I don’t know, Tapeesa. From where I’m standing, it looks to me like you’ve been doing just fine without any offers.” [/color]

[color=#ffffff]Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, Elias averted his gaze with a frown. His voice dropped, softer now, rougher around the edges.[/color]

[color=#d4af37]“...I would’ve joined you if you’d asked. You said [/color][color=#d4af37][i]should[/i][/color][color=#d4af37] not [/color][color=#d4af37][i]want[/i][/color][color=#d4af37].”[/color]

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[hr]Location: Dancefloor
Interactions: Forest([@NoriWasHere]), Tapeesa ([@Mjolnir]), Nate ([@webboysurf])
Mentions: Anissa