[color=lightgray][h1][center][color=slategray]Lucian[/color] & [color=#6C72C6]Marina[/color][/center][/h1] [color=#6C72C6]Location:[/color] The Gossamer [color=slategray] Mentions:[/color] [@Oso] Kilian [@Tae] Torvi [hr] Marina adjusted her view through the binoculars just in time to land on Kilian’s face—staring straight back at her, his intimidating expression filling the entire little sphere of her vision like he was standing right before her, glaring her down with those terrifying eyes of his. Her fingers clumsily loosened as adrenaline coursed through her, and the opera glasses slipped. They struck the edge of the table with a loud clack, and the jolt set off a whole chain reaction: a fork skittering into a spoon, the spoon into a knife, the knife tapping a champagne flute that chimed loudly, garnering attention at the worst possible time. Marina lunged in a panic to collect them, palms sweeping and grabbing, trying to catch everything at once. Her hand closed around the opera glasses just before they hit the floor, but she still managed to knock a napkin loose and nearly flip her own plate. It was then, with her heartbeat thundering loudly in her ears, that she saw Lucian rise. He began crossing the room, just like he had when she had angered him all those times in the past. He was making a beeline for her, and in that moment Marina felt a flash of disbelief. Marina snatched the opera glasses with one hand and shoved them beneath the table so quickly she clipped her knee and bit back a hiss. She hastily straightened, smoothing her coat, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. By the time Lucian reached her table, she had gathered herself into a posture of indignant dignity: the sort of expression that suggested she had been minding her business all evening and anyone who implied otherwise was so [i]wrong[/i]. When he leaned toward her, Marina met him with a stare that could have started a war. She allowed her lips to lift into a pleasant expression. [color=#6C72C6]“Good evening,”[/color] she said sweetly in an exaggerated, low tone. [color=#6C72C6]“Sir.”[/color] Then Lucian leaned in, and Marina’s smile held even as it tightened. Her pupils flared, her gaze flicking past his shoulder toward the table behind the velvet rope. [color=#6C72C6]“I… I don’t know what you mean,”[/color] she lied instantly. [color=#6C72C6]“I’m simply a humble gentleman enjoying the ambiance. Who is this Marina you speak of? I’m… uh… [i]Marvin[/i].”[/color] The name left her mouth, and she wanted to throw herself into the nearest fountain. Lucian felt his eye twitch at her response. Of course she was keeping this up, of course. [i]Of course![/i] The lie lasted exactly as long as it took her to see what was happening behind him in her mind again: the chain, the blindfold, the scary guy, the giant wolf. Then Marina’s countenance went flat—seriousness overtaking the look in her gaze. She exhaled once, then gave up the performance with reluctant honesty. [color=#6C72C6]“Yes, yes, it’s me,”[/color] she admitted quietly, the mustache suddenly feeling ridiculous. Her gaze snapped back to Lucian’s, and for all her theatrical bravado, there was a sincere intensity in her violet eyes now. [color=#6C72C6]“But let’s be honest—the one who should be questioned here is [i]you[/i]. Why are you meeting with those weird people? ”[/color] Her voice softened, fear slipping into her tone as she searched his face. She then tipped her chin toward the roped section—toward Kilian. [color=#6C72C6]“I mean, come on, that guy has a woman in chains.” [/color] Her expression softened into a small frown as she told him lowly, [color=#6C72C6]“...You’re scaring me, Lucian.”[/color] He paused as she dropped the act, suddenly more serious than before. He could tell that what he was doing right now was bothering her. All the more because she didn’t understand it. He let out a soft, exasperated sigh. He could understand her concerns and valued her opinions and care for him. He just… couldn’t let her get involved in this. [color=slategray]”Marnie…”[/color] He started, unsure how he could give her any peace of mind. Another soft breath left his lungs as he reached a hand to rub the bridge of his nose. [color=slategray]”Do you trust me, Marina?”[/color] He asked earnestly. He looked over her face, trying to show her his sincerity. Marina’s brows lifted as if the question itself had offended her. Then, after the briefest pause, her eyes found his and stayed there. [color=#6C72C6]“Of course I do.”[/color] She answered sincerely. [color=slategray]”Then, I need you to trust me right now.”[/color] He returned. He reached over to offer her his hand. [color=slategray]”I know it looks scary over there. If I’m being honest with you, I’m a little scared too.”[/color] He explained, conveniently leaving out the part where he was somewhat enjoying the girl in chains at Kilian’s side, if only because he couldn’t help but to overlap her with the people who killed his wife. [color=slategray]”I have my reasons, Marina. And I’d rather keep you out of it and safe if I can…”[/color] He added softly, a tenderness to his tone now. She took his hand and squeezed it, chewing at the inside of her lip for additional comfort. Marina let his words settle in her mind before letting those brows of hers furrow suddenly with the immovable determination. [color=#6C72C6] “I trust [i]you[/i],”[/color] Marina repeated, stressing the word in a way that clarified her feelings even before she finished her point, [color=#6C72C6] “Not them.” [/color] Then she let go and leaned back, folding her arms like she could physically block him from trying to push her away. [color=#6C72C6]“I won’t tell anyone anything. I don’t even care what you’re doing or why—”[/color] she started, and even she couldn’t keep a straight face through that lie. A sigh cut her words off and she corrected herself with annoyed honesty, [color=#6C72C6]“Okay, maybe I do. I’m quite nosy.”[/color] She waved off the notion hastily, bouncing her leg like the energy in her body was looking for somewhere to go. [color=#6C72C6]“However, I digress.”[/color] Lucian stifled a chuckle at her relenting to being quite nosy, but let her continue. [color=#6C72C6] “I am here because I don’t want you to be alone “[/color] Marina’s bouncing leg slowed then stilled. [color=#6C72C6]“I know you’ve been sneaking off doing something for a while now, so…”[/color] Her chin lifted, like she’d already decided how this ended. [color=#6C72C6]“Whatever you’re doing, whatever you’re fighting—let me fight with you.”[/color] Lucian let out a low groan, [color=slategray]”It’s dangerous work, Marina. And as much as I want you by my side, I’d rather have you somewhere safe instead.”[/color] [color=#6C72C6]“But it’s dangerous for you too!”[/color] Marina exclaimed in protest. He let out a breath of air, his eyes closing for a moment. He swallowed, his throat thick with regrets. He couldn’t let Marina get hurt too, couldn’t let this touch the people he cared about. He had lost too much to relent on this now. His fist clenched against the chair as he made up his mind. [color=slategray]”I’m not going to argue this, Marina. You need to leave.”[/color] He declared firmly, standing up. He waved a waiter over. [color=slategray]”Please escort this [i]gentleman[/i] out of the building. Ensure that he is sent home [i]by carriage[/i].”[/color] He told him, being sure to place emphasis on the ‘by carriage’ part. He didn’t need her sneaking back in. He watched the waiter expectantly. [b]”Oh, y-”[/b] He started, [b]”Yessir.”[/b] Marina stood up, her fists clenched with anger. [color=#6C72C6]“My meal hasn’t come yet.” [/color] She retorted as her face fell into a frustrated pout. After some deliberation, she suddenly ripped the mustache off her upper lip, proceeded to throw it on the floor, and then planted her foot on it. She ground the mustache into the marble flooring, her heel shifting back and forth as if she were squishing a stubborn little bug. Lucian stared in stunned silence. His gaze shifting from his sister to the waiter, who was just as shocked as he was, if not more. He thought he heard him mumble something about a very convincing disguise. Her gaze slid back up to the waiter, and she smiled innocently at him. [color=#6C72C6]“I am not a gentleman; I am clearly a lady. He must be referring to someone else.”[/color] Marina curtly informed the man, then jabbed a finger accusingly in Kilian’s direction. [color=#6C72C6]“He’s talking about that tall man with the scars over there. Remove him at once!”[/color] Another long sigh escaped Lucian’s lips. He grabbed at Marina’s wrist, the one attached to the finger currently pointed at the most dangerous man in the room. [color=slategray]“While I pride myself on my sister’s bravery, please do not insult my host.”[/color] He told her through a clenched jaw. He put a smile on his face and turned to the rather frightened-looking waiter. It was better not to make a scene. [color=slategray]“I apologize. We’ve inconvenienced you. You are dismissed.”[/color] He spoke, his voice upsettingly calm for the situation they were in. The waiter left all too eagerly, still mumbling something about crazy royals. Lucian turned now to look at his sister, his hand still around her wrist, his grip tight. [color=slategray]“If I promise to tell you later, will you go home?”[/color] He asked, a defeated tone to his voice. He knew the answer, but he [i]had[/i] to try. Marina’s expression shifted. The bravado didn’t vanish, but it wavered. She held his gaze, her eyes searching his again as if she could keep him safe just by looking hard enough. [color=#6C72C6]“I’m strong, Lucian, you know,”[/color] she insisted, the words rushing out as if she could make them true by sheer force. [color=#6C72C6]“I’ve been practicing.”[/color] Lucian let out a soft breath, unsure entirely what to say to that. He knew she was strong, all of his siblings were. How could he impress upon her the fear and anxiety in his own heart? How much he needed her to be safe? How much losing her would shatter him? And then her mouth pressed into a line. She bit her lip, and the fiery girl who’d stomped on her own mustache a moment ago did something gentle instead: she lifted her free hand and laid her palm over his with a tender touch as if she was trying to remind him she was real, here, and not some problem to be managed. He looked down at the touch, before looking back up to her face. It was a stark contrast to the way she’d been acting only a moment prior. Her eyes dropped as she retreated into her thoughts, then rose back up to his face, somber in a way that made her seem suddenly younger. [color=#6C72C6]“How do I know they won’t hurt you?”[/color] she asked at last, her voice softer—but still stubborn as ever. Lucian took in another deep breath. He was done making promises he couldn’t keep, he’d made that vow to Ambrose and he intended to keep it. Even if it killed him. [color=slategray]”They are going to help me keep you and all of our people safe, Marina. I know they look scary, I’m scared too. But this is something I [i]have[/i] to do.”[/color] He explained, turning his hand up to hold hers. [color=slategray]“I can’t promise they won’t hurt me anymore than I can anyone else here in this room. What I can promise you, however, is that what they do will protect the people I care about.”[/color] After a moment, looking at her face, Lucian bent down, resting his forehead against the back of her hand. [color=slategray]”I can’t… lose anyone else…”[/color] He whispered, his voice strained with emotion. And it was in that moment that something in her face shifted, and her shoulders slumped as if they finally remembered they were exhausted. For a moment, she just stared down at that red head of hair. Then, she wrapped her arms around him and moved her hand to stroke his hair. [color=#6C72C6]“I don’t want to lose anyone else either, Lucy, especially [i]you[/i].”[/color] She whispered, her gaze reaching a manner of hollowness as she fixated past him on a spot on the wall at random. The face that had materialized in both of their minds did not need to be named aloud in that moment—they both knew. [color=#6C72C6]“...And it’s because of that, I don’t understand why you think you need to do this alone.”[/color] Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she pulled back just enough, her hand still on his head. [color=#6C72C6] “They’re my people too, and you’re my big brother… [i]I feel safest with you.[/i] … Not away.”[/color] He felt his heart twist at her words. He knew they were honest, but he knew what kind of danger he was putting himself in. After an incredibly long pause, Lucian lifted his head, a stern look on his face. [color=slategray]”Okay. You listen to me and when I tell you to do something, you do it. That is the [i]only[/i] way I am going to let you join me over there with them.”[/color] Marina pursed her lips then said at last, [color=#6C72C6]“Fine.”[/color][/color]