[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 [hr] [color=#B3EBC0]"Maybe it really is better if I just stay on the sidelines."[/color] Marina caught both the hands that were slipping from her in an instinct, her brows furrowing. [i][color=#6C72C6] "Why would you say that?"[/color][/i] She stared at him. [sub][i][color=#B3EBC0]“...I’ve always lurked in the background… It was just better that way.”[/color][/i] [right][i][color=#B3EBC0]“I’m sure most people would find my company to be a punishment of some sort.”[/color][/i][/right][/sub] [color=#6C72C6]“No.”[/color] The word came out bluntly and immediately. Her anger had returned with full force, and she took a little stomp toward Nolan. [color=#6C72C6]"You are not a punishment. It isn't better if you stay on the sidelines."[/color] She bluntly declared, her eyes narrowing. [color=#6C72C6]“I find you [i]very[/i] kind, [i]very[/i] intelligent, and [i]very[/i] delightful to spend time with,”[/color] she declared. [color=#6C72C6]“And if you keep belittling yourself that way—[i][b]well[/b][/i]! Then I am insulted!”[/color] She lifted her chin. [color=#6C72C6]“Because you are insulting my taste.. And my taste is excellent. You've seen the beetle bracelet.”[/color] Her grip softened then, though she did not release him. [color=#6C72C6]“You do not have to shine for everyone,”[/color] she said, quieter now. [color=#6C72C6]“But do not speak as if you were made only for dark corners either. [i]I will not allow it[/i].”[/color] [/color]