[color=lightgray][center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/251125/f2a7b0c4036c99e02915b173a2d47a53.png[/img][/center]Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom
Attire: [url=https://i.pinimg.com/236x/29/dd/5c/29dd5c69e77b33dcc5ceafaabfdd026b.jpg]Aslam's Outfit[/url]
Interactions: Hafiz - [@princess], Askel - [@Remram], Munir - [@Infinite Cosmos]
Mentions: Ranya - [@Tae]
Color Code: [color=#FEF698]#FEF698[/color]
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Aslam flashed his uncle an easy-going smirk as if the stiffly given praise was something he had been happy to pry from him. There was no doubt Hafiz saw through the aloof persona Aslam used to conceal his true objectives and thoughts. It was expected from him. The opening move in any game was rarely to go all-in unless you were certain of victory before your opponent could counter. [color=#FEF698]"It is my duty to ensure that our neighbors are treated fairly and present our nation in favorable terms."[/color] He waved with his hand like it was a natural course of action despite the tension that only seemed to escalate.

The truth was Aslam was fighting the sinking pit that began troubling his stomach. He had played this song and dance with his uncle enough to know they were on weak footing, a pang of bitterness crept up at Askel's lack of subtlety. Time was a crucial resource they could have used that he kept spending with every rise to Hafiz's challenges. It was forcing Aslam into a corner that he didn't quite appreciate. Beyond a thin veil of surveillance, Aslam did not have the net of protection he enjoyed to shield himself and those close to him from the machinations of the Grand Vizier. A very real consideration danced in his mind to leave the Prince to the conversation and wipe his hands clean of any involvement to makes moves later.

Aslam read the faint expression Hafiz made to know where head looked. He dared take a look himself under the guise of making an amused roll of his eyes at Hafiz's opening question. What he saw nearly broke what remained of his fractured heart that he didn't dare linger for more than the brief second it took to look back at Hafiz. He cycled a deep breath through his nose as he wrestled with the gravity of the moment.

Familiar thoughts of simply ending his uncle's life flashed through his mind as the words he spoke proved no more worthwhile to listen to. His fingers digging through the soft flesh of his neck as his grip crushed the fragile bones so he could never speak of his dear sister in such a way ever again nor sully the name of the one she had such praises. Glad, was he, that his cup was so finely forged as to not buckle under the increasing strength of his hold. 

What Aslam thought Hafiz intended to come off as came off a deconstruction of the pair's attraction to each other only sounded like little more than projection his ears. He had stumbled upon Ranya shortly after she climbed in through a window following a meeting of theirs. The way she had spoke of him, defended him so passionately in front of her own brother...it made every point Hafiz made ridiculous in context. Aslam called upon that recent memory to draw the strength to do what needed to be done. Tonight, and many nights after.

He didn't need to add onto what Askel dissed out to the viper. Why did it seem the entire royal line of Varian treated subtlety like a rock to smash over someone's head? Perhaps it was needed, uncomfortable as being on the back-foot made Aslam. Askel DID make Hafiz show a couple of his cards to the table as Aslam bore silent witness to the verbal bout.

His eyes locked on the incoming figure of his dear younger brother and his smile turned mischievously into a grin, offering a small bow of his head as Munir made his boisterous entrance. [color=#FEF698]"Munir! I am glad you came over, dear brother. "[/color] A more genuine warmth filling his voice, even more pleased that he had elected to ignore Hafiz's statements like the petulant bully he was. His injection of energy into the situation was exactly the shift he needed and gave him the opportunity he had been waiting for, not to mention bringing the chance for more drink to find his own lips.

Aslam held his personal chalice for the servant and was poured red wine from the single larger bottle that resided on the tray. He could not be sure to what extent Munir understood of the situation, but it was clear he stood with them against the vile man. 

[color=#FEF698]"May he reign forever."[/color] Aslam raised his cup quickly with his brother to present the solidarity that linked the three men. It was at last time for him to make his move and speak his mind.

[color=#FEF698]"We drink here and now in the hopes we can catch a bit of light to carry us through darkness! We drink to bring nations, cultures, and people one step closer to a more prosperous tomorrow. We drink to brings friends closer together and discover new ones."[/color] There was a giddiness in his voice as if he was caught up in the moment, injecting more energy into his words with each toast given.

Aslam held a finger up with a sly smirk as if what he were about to say was scandalous. [color=#FEF698]"Most of all, we drink to give us the courage to find that special someone tonight free from pressure."[/color] His voice was loud enough the nearest groups would hear this last statement. [color=#FEF698]"To a wonderful night of new connections."[/color] He raised his cup up looking at each man standing besides him before tilting his head back and bringing the cup to his lips.


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