[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/RsPNCur.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/TdjdX26.gif[/img][/center] [color=lightgray][color=#6C72C6]Time:[/color] Evening [color=#6C72C6]Location:[/color] The Ball [color=#6C72C6]Interactions:[/color] [@Remram] Nolan [color=#6C72C6]Mention:[/color] [@CitrusArms] Stratya [@Oso] Ambrose [@Remram] Askel [@princess] Lottie [hr] By the time Nolan answered, Marina had begun to wonder if there was something on her face. He had been looking at her rather intently. Perhaps she had crumbs near her mouth. Perhaps he was hungry and wanted to eat them. She could hardly blame him; she herself had already begun wondering what sort of pastries the ball had hidden away and whether any of them could be smuggled into her second pouch without ruining the icing. [color=#B3EBC0]“I, uh, to be honest, I have never been particularly fond of them. I’ve always lurked in the background…”[/color] Nolan admitted with a laugh so lacking in warmth that Marina’s expression changed before she could control it. She felt immediately insulted on his behalf, and it was written all over her face. [color=#B3EBC0]“It was just better that way.”[/color] Better for whom? The question rose immediately in her mind. Better for Nolan, or simply more convenient for everyone who had allowed him to believe he belonged somewhere unseen? Before she could ask, he continued. [color=#B3EBC0]“I’m sure most people would find my company to be a punishment of some sort.”[/color] Marina’s brows drew together at once. The indignation came quickly, brightening her eyes as her hand tightened faintly upon his shoulder. She had known him for hardly any time at all, and even she already knew that was nonsense. Nolan was very smart and interesting to talk to. And he was sweet. People had endured far worse company at court, so what made him think he was such a burden? She opened her mouth, fully prepared to argue with him. Then Nolan smiled, and the anger in her expression softened before she could unleash it. [color=#B3EBC0]“But I do have a couple of companions,”[/color] he clarified. Marina studied him for another moment as they turned together, not entirely satisfied, but willing to postpone her lecture. However, she would not forget it. She would unleash her tirade tonight, and there would be nowhere for him to run or hide. [color=#B3EBC0]“There’s Lieutenant Clearwell—James—[color=#CD853F]Captain Durmand’s[/color] protégé. Intelligent man, and just as brave as any knight. I would stake my life on him. Well, I have staked my life on him.”[/color] Then he continued with the same fondness. [color=#B3EBC0]“And then there is [color=#D0B4EC]Lady Vikena[/color]. She’s like another sister to me. She was one of the few who helped me adjust to this life when I was first brought into this world. I owe a lot to her.”[/color] Marina’s face lit up immediately. [color=#6C72C6]“You know [color=#CD853F]Captain Durmand[/color]?”[/color] Her feet nearly forgot the count again, though she recovered. [color=#6C72C6]“She saved my life this week.”[/color] Marina paused. [color=#6C72C6]“Well, my breakfast. But my breakfast might as well be my life before noon.”[/color] Her mind returned fondly to the jams, butters, and warm food [color=#CD853F]Stratya[/color] had brought her. For one dangerous second, Marina could nearly taste them again. She had to remind herself that drooling during a waltz was generally frowned upon. She had been informed of this fact more than once. [color=#6C72C6]“She did not introduce me to her protégé,”[/color] Marina mused, her lips pursing with mild offense. [color=#6C72C6]“Brave and clever, you say?”[/color] She nodded thoughtfully before glancing beyond Nolan’s shoulder. [color=#6C72C6]“If you think this James fellow is so great, then you should see [color=#CD853F]Captain Durmand[/color] herself.”[/color] Her gaze found [color=#CD853F]Stratya[/color] on the dance floor with [color=#9E664C]Ambrose[/color], and for a moment Marina forgot what she had been saying. She had always wanted to stand toe-to-toe with [color=#C84808]Askel[/color] and [color=#9E664C]Ambrose[/color]. Both men were absolute menaces with a sword and probably secretly far too pleased with themselves whenever they sent her stumbling backward. But [color=#CD853F]Stratya[/color] inspired something different in her. A woman who had carved out a place for herself as a knight in [i]Caesonia[/i], of all kingdoms. Marina had seen her in a pretty dress at the tailor. Now, as she watched her move across the floor, Marina found herself wondering what [color=#CD853F]Stratya[/color] looked like in battle. How her expression changed. Whether her eyes would alight like fire when someone she cared about was threatened. And, unexpectedly, Marina wondered what her own face might look like with that same certainty written across it. She blinked and returned her attention to Nolan before she could wander too far into the thought. [color=#6C72C6]“[color=#D0B4EC]Lady Vikena[/color] is sweet,”[/color] Marina said at last, her voice softening. [color=#6C72C6]“She has always been very patient with my rambling, which is either kindness or a remarkable tolerance.”[/color] Her gaze drifted toward [color=#D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color]. [color=#6C72C6]“She sometimes reminds me of someone I once knew,”[/color] she added, quieter now. For a brief moment, her thumb shifted against Nolan’s hand, rubbing lightly over his skin absentmindedly. [color=#6C72C6]“But she is dressed rather differently tonight.”[/color] Her eyes searched the room until she found the young woman in her sparkling navy dress, and then she took in the sight of the growing crowd near the king. Even from a distance, Edin’s displeasure was obvious, though Marina assumed [color=#FA8072]Duke Vikena[/color] had once again stumbled into some terrible misunderstanding. It seemed statistically likely. [color=#6C72C6]“I like it though,”[/color] she continued. [color=#6C72C6]“She seems more confident.”[/color] [/color]