[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]
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[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]: [@Redking0380] Fareed, [@princess] ?????, & [@Lunarlord34] Freya
[b][color=gold]Mentions[/color][/b]: [@Silverspring] Ariella, [@princess] Ana
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[color=#39FF14]“Mockery is a poor substitute for courage.”[/color]

[color=khaki]"Says the man making a mockery of a woman who's more than half the man he is."[/color] Nik replied under his breath. He hadn't known Stratya long, but this man irked him and he couldn't help the way his brow twitched. Even as the womanizer that he was, he couldn't stand men who trampled over them like that. 

[color=#EFA73B]”I should ask the same thing of you, is this truly how you try to flirt? Please tell me this is not some culture shock between us [/color][color=gold]Sir Nikolai?[/color][color=#EFA73B] I thought myself well versed, but if all the men here are this rude then my sisters might end up with more crimes the suitors!"[/color]

[color=khaki]"You know, Fareed, I should say that I don't think so. Rather, my advances tend to work or, at worst, end with a slap to my face. Though, I think his words might have earned him a fair bit more than a slap to the face. Good thing our fair Captain has a calm head on her shoulders and a forgiving nature about her."[/color] Nik mused in reply to his new found friend, sending him a knowing glance of appreciation. 

[color=#39FF14]“No. Flirting is for boys and drunkards. I offered the Captain a courtesy she was too proud to understand. But pride has a way of correcting itself.”[/color] 

[color=khaki]"And here's hoping the same is true of stupidity!"[/color] Nik called out as the man left, allowing his voice to carry as he pleased. If his grandfather found out, he was sure he'd never hear the end of it, but he didn't care. He held himself with the confidence of a man who couldn't be bothered to keep quiet about rats like him.

Nik's eyes turned, scanning the room for Ariella's presence. He spotted her walking away from that group with the blonde haired woman and his eyes narrowed. Luckily, he felt close enough to respond if needed so he allowed himself to relax again and turned to Fareed. Just as he did, however, the lovely servant from before entered. On her tray, she held a few glasses of a pale brown liquid. Nik almost visibly relaxed more, a softer expression taking over his features.

She whispered something to Nik, her cheeks dusted pink, and handed him two glasses before sauntering off. Nik smirked, suddenly keenly aware of where he might end up that night if all things went well and turned to Fareed. As he did, his gaze shifted over to another [color=7354A2]blonde woman[/color] who had just entered. Her outfit seemed oddly familiar, like a military uniform but in dress form. His mind, without a beat, was suddenly imagining Stratya in a get up like that. No, the skirt was far too short... He couldn't imagine it. His eyes made contact with [color=7354A2]hers[/color] for a brief moment. He gave her a quick smile and a wink before he turned to face Fareed more fully.

[color=khaki]"Glass of scotch to wash away the scent of the rat that just left us?"[/color] He asked, smirking as he held the other glass out to him. [color=khaki]"Kingdom's finest, just don't tell my dad."[/color] He joked, knowing full well his father was gone. 

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