[sup][h1][center][img]https://i.ibb.co/9mVRb1Tc/dd481008ff3d3f667ad169071c234896.jpg[/img][/center][b][center]  
[color=#000000] Sir Nikolai Dragos Berova [/color]
[color=gold]Sir Nikolai Dragos Berova [/color][/center]
[/b][/h1][/sup][COLOR=gray]
[b][color=gold]Time[/color][/b]:Evening
[b][color=gold]Location[/color][/b]: Ballroom
[b][color=gold]Attire[/color][/b]: [url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1461196182406561894/1461196183321182320/ChatGPT_Image_Jan_14_2026_10_06_13_PM.png?ex=69f0ce3d&is=69ef7cbd&hm=c5a08b3d93be8a04d4defce4799f1db287c4c0048bd015facbd8c2c1c422edc0&=&format=webp&quality=lossless&width=576&height=864]All black with mute gold/grey embellishments.[/url]
[b][color=gold]Interactions[/color][/b]: [@CitrusArms] Stratya & [@Redking0380] Fareed
[b][color=gold]Mentions[/color][/b]: Ariella, Anastasia and Co
[center][SUP][sub]___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/center]

Nik entered just after Ariella did. Where the music swelled for Ari, it almost dimmed for Nikolai. His name was offered with the air of enthusiasm his family afforded, which was little. Being mostly unknown was both a blessing and a curse for it meant Nik could walk about with little scrutiny, but it also meant he had to fight that much harder to be heard or seen. 

His gaze swept over the room once, calm and deliberate as he made note of exits, potential threats, and the subtle shifts in attention that followed him like a shadow as he made his way further into the room. All he saw was a pair of ambitious viscounts, an incredibly desperate baroness, and a gentleman who was already calculating dowry figures from across the floor. Satisfied that he hated all of them equally, he carried on, watching Ariella walk in front of him. He could sense the tension in her shoulders, weighing her down. He'd expected a prim and proper princess type, spoiled and mostly rotten, but he'd gotten someone with a lot more depth to her. He wasn't sure yet if that was preferable or not. 

He lingered towards the edge of the room, where the air was a bit cooler and the smiles less rehearsed. His duty right now was proximity, not suffocation. Close enough to intervene but far enough to breathe. Or at least pretend to. 

A passing servant caught Nik's eye, a young woman with striking black hair balancing a tray of delicate glasses. A smirk grew on his lips for a moment as he positioned himself to step into her path along her blind spot. 

[color=khaki]"Careful,"[/color] He murmured, one hand lifting to steady the tray. His gaze flicked to hers, warm with amusement. [color=khaki]"I'd hate to be responsible for a tragedy before the night has even truly begun."[/color]

She blinked, startled before recovering with a polite and practiced smile. [b]"My lord."[/b]

[color=khaki]"Ahh, not so formal."[/color] Nik started, tusking as he shook his head, [color=khaki]"It makes me feel as though I should behave."[/color] There was the faint hint of a laugh, quickly suppressed, as he leaned in a little closer. [color=khaki]"Tell me... Do they keep anything in this place that [i]doesn't[/i] taste like sugared regret?"[/color]

The servant's lips pressed together, fighting a smile. [b]"I'm afraid the selection is... appropriate for the occasion."[/b]

[color=khaki]"A tragedy after all, it seems."[/color] He sighed, though his eyes gleamed as the cogs in his mind turned for a way forward. [color=khaki]"But perhaps you might take pity on a man clearly unsuited to such a delicate offering."[/color] He offered, motioning towards himself. 

[b]"And what would that pity look like, sir?"[/b] She asked, quieter but clearly amused by him. 

[color=khaki]"Something stronger."[/color] His tone warmed and slipped into something almost sincere. [color=khaki]"Something that burns."[/color] 

Her gaze lingered on him a moment, and Nik waited, watching her expressions. Then, with a small, almost imperceptible nod, she adjusted her grip on the tray. [i]Success.[/i]

[b]"I might be able to find something,"[/b] She spoke, lifting her head to look at him more fully. [b]"If you're willing to wait."[/b]

Nikolai smiled and pressed in a little closer, lifting a hand to her cheek. [color=khaki]"For you? I find myself remarkably patient."[/color] 

She moved on, the faintest trace of color on her cheeks as Nikolai straightened and took in a breath. He rolled his shoulders as if settling back into something and let his gaze drift around the room again. Ari was speaking with a group and seemed okay, all things considered. His eyes narrowed on the blonde woman she was speaking with. She seemed somewhat familiar but he couldn't place where. He shrugged, turned and spotted someone he'd been meaning to chat with again. 

A sly smile grew on his lips as Nikolai made his way over to Stratya and the rather tall man next to her. From the vibes alone, he didn't seem all that impressed with her and she seemed... slightly uncomfortable. With the air of a man who felt confident in his own skin, Nikolai began to walk over to the two, intent on helping his poor knight friend. Or at least intent on knowing what was being said there. 

[color=khaki]"Captain Durmand!"[/color] Nik called out, walking up behind the knight. He slid in beside her and gave her a knowing smile. [color=khaki]"Fancy seeing you here."[/color] He added with a soft chuckle. [color=khaki]"And this is...?"[/color] He asked, motioning to the man she was speaking with. Gods was he tall....

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