[IC] 🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕 (Page 126)

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[IC] 🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕 Page 126

Romance
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Hidden 12 days ago Post by Potter

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Time:  Evening 
Location: Danrose Castle 
Interactions: @AuthenticTomb Aslam 
Mentions: 
Aesthetic: Ball Outfit & Hair


Elena left the dance with Emil with a grimace. She dusted off her suit and fixed her hair with a quiet sigh. That had been one of the creepiest things she had encountered. A dance with a count who worshipped the dark lords wasn’t on her bucket list, but it had happened. Elena thought of what the papers might say and rolled her eyes. As long as her siblings and Amira remained safe, it had been a notable sacrifice. She had at least become diplomatic and left on a fair note–though she hadn’t left the door open for more interactions.

As she perused the dance floor, Elena glanced around for her siblings. They weren’t anywhere to be found, so she crossed over to the side to watch the dancers. Magnus was likely to be with them so she could relax. She grabbed some cookies and a drink to nibble on and distract herself from the horrid start to her evening. There were familiar people but none she dared interrupt so she studied everyone–who was dancing with who, the idle gossip and chitchat around her, and the atmosphere of the room. There was some kind of tension lingering, however King Edin was attempting to smooth it over. 

That’s when a dark figure caught her attention: Shehzade Aslam. Elena glanced up at him and for a moment, she admired his features. She smiled politely over at him and waved to catch his attention.

”Good evening, Shehzade.” Elena bowed in the traditional Alidasht fashion. She had read books regarding their customs to prepare for the courting season. ”How are you?” 

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Hidden 11 days ago Post by CitrusArms

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Intelligence Officer

Lieutenant James Clearwell

Time: 10th Ignis, Evening
Location: Castle Ballroom - Starry Night Ball
Attire: Formal Attire
Accent: Sorian Merchant Quarter
Interactions: Marina @princess
Mentions: Victoria, Nolan @Remram, Count Calbert, Duke Vikena, Stratya [@me]

That was about all he could sensibly do, to attempt to counteract Victoria’s rumor mill, at least without drawing attention to himself. James made off to get more food, finding himself conveniently famished for more of the royal buffet.

He scanned the ballroom casually as he moved, spotting the important figures.

Duke Vikena and Count Damien. Duke Vikena looked about as ready to make a scene as ever. A lady fled the ballroom, followed by a lord.

Captain Durmand looked concerned. He followed her gaze and found the woman with the hood again. Did the hood mean something to her he was not aware of? Duchess Victoria had moved to the space near the hooded woman and the very tall Alidasht man - was he related to Shehzadi Ranya? Why else would Duchess Edwards move to speak to him, in the middle of her rumor game?

As he approached one of the tables, he saw a familiar figure minus a more familiar figure; Princess Marina, sans Nolan.

James slid up next to the Princess, casual but close. “Princess Marina. You’ve been getting along with my friend, I see. Good. I’m happy to see him making more friends.” He didn’t look up from picking his food, speaking with a tone that might have been him speaking to himself. Soft, difficult to hear for someone further away.

“I come to you in the interest of our good Captain. Yes?” He gave her a moment to understand what he meant, his tone plain and sincere. “Distasteful rumors regarding your brother and his new acquaintance have been spreading. I’ve done what I can to control the damage before it spreads or twists.” He examined a morsel from the buffet and popped it into his mouth. He tasted it, approved, and grabbed more.

No names. That could lay tinder.

He should not implicate Victoria without proof of what she was doing. “Her Excellence seemed particularly concerned with the,” his head turned just slightly, to give direction to the woman the Captain had been concerned with, “hooded woman, just over there, near what I assume to be the rumor mill.”

“Aah, but a squire can only do so much.”

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Hidden 11 days ago Post by AuthenticTomb

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Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom
Attire: Aslam's Outfit
Interactions: Elena - @Potter
Mentions: 
Color Code: #FEF698

Aslam had given a warm farewell and well wishes to his cousins as they left him, politely refusing further company and leave for whatever charming partner they'd dance with tonight. Even as they left, Aslam found a lingering smile on his lips as he held his personal chalice with the colorful liquor inside. He had not expected to connect with his close cousins, first Amira on the voyage here and now Munir. His eyes drifted over the ballroom at the various groups mingling and he felt his dear sister's words echo in the back of his mind.

His expression fell as his lips curved down into a slight frown. He had recipes to follow when he made potions. Detailed notes about the caused and effect of herbs, heating, and distillation. There was his personal espionage core back home where he could track down and receive detailed reports on nearly everyone and everything he wanted. Each had a clear process and expected results with contingencies for failure.

He had become obsessed with protecting his family from danger and when he tried to bring the woman he loved into that family...he fell short. Aslam failed so miserably that he found her like that. Killed like that, because of him.

Everything was so uncertain. The pressure of the emotions he let bubble under his calm surface brought forth a headache. Aslam slide a hand inside a small pouch sewn into his robes and pulled a small glass vial. He uncapped it and with a discreet motion poured the faint pink powder into his cup. He swirled it around in his hand watching carefully until it all dissolved and took a long sip. It was one of the first creations he made. A non-magical medicine he had developed for his father that helped with headaches with higher thirst being the only true side effect.

Aslam let out a long sigh as he looked back up into the crowd. Be a man who is will to be found. Aslam muttered something Ranya had spoke to him, the only one he had ever told of his pain of losing the woman he loved. He wanted to hide in his lab, protect Alisdaht from the shadows, and....be forgotten.

However, someone did find him in the middle of his melancholy. A pair of striking blue eyes met his own that seemed to ask for his attention. He made sure to empty his chalice and let out a low exhale. "Alright, dear sister. I will open myself once more, just for tonight." His eyes flicked over to see if he could find Ranya, and then made his way over to Elena.

"Good evening to you, my lady." Aslam returned the greeting with his own bow, sticking to his own tradition as an appreciation of her apparent efforts to learn his customs. It brought a faint smile to his lips. Gods knew it had nothing to do with the woman's beauty. Absolutely not. "It has grown considerably better now that I am in your company. I am Shehzade Aslam. May I have your name?" There was something striking about the figure she posed in her attire. He was quite a fan of black with gold accents.

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Hidden 11 days ago Post by Remram

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Magnus Pawonska

Location: Grand Ballroom 
Attire: Attire: Starry Night Attire
Interactions: @ChrysAmira @Infinite CosmosMunir

If she knew exactly the kind of face she was making would she realize that she was blushing like him? 

Magnus had felt his cheeks gently glowed red in response to the heat that boomed in her own cheeks. It was a far more intense reaction than he had anticipated, far more honest than what he would have come to expect from these courts. Then again, perhaps he should have expected it from a woman that so clearly wore her heart on her sleeve. 

For just that moment, he silently stared at her back unsure how to proceed as this was not what he had planned at all. It was supposed to be as simple as checking on her and reassuring her that she had not made a fool of herself, not become bewitched by her. 

And yet when he heard a voice from behind he silently cursed it only to see that the voice belonged to the man that had spoken to his sister earlier. However, he hid his annoyance with a charming smile. At the very least he now had a name to the face. Well, veiled face.

Magnus cleared his throat. "I merely followed after her due to concern. However, it turns out her company is pleasant to keep." His blue eyes stole a glance from her with just the briefest smile before turning his sights back to the man. "Magnus Pawonska. I believe you've recently become acquainted with my sister, Nora Pawonska. The woman in the red dress." It was a simple acknowledgement followed by a smile just as simple. 

He cared little for the man's reputation as a rake nor would he forcibly insert himself between Munir and Nora if anything were to become of their meeting. She deserved to have her fun and if it grew into something more then great. If he should break her heart though then he would find something else would be broken too. Such thoughts though were not appropriate for tonight.

"Have you come to cool your head as well or was concern your main motivation?" He asked with a raised brow.

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Hidden 10 days ago Post by Infinite Cosmos

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-Grand Ball Room-
-outfit-
-Interaction:@Chrys Amira @RemramThe Juicer @ReusableSwordRoman @HylianRose Nora

Munir smiled as he quietly took the measure of the pair before him. It was almost amusing. Had anyone else wandered onto the balcony at this precise moment, they would have found enough to kindle yet another rumor to feed the inferno already consuming the ballroom. Fortunately for them, Munir knew his own reputation. No one in their right mind would believe him if he marched back into the ballroom, commandeered the orchestra, and proclaimed that Lord Magnus Pawonska and Shehzadi Amira Kadir had done nothing more scandalous than enjoy one another's company while standing perhaps a touch too close.

"Lord Pawonska. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. To say I came out here to catch my breath would be... a rather creative interpretation of the truth. I merely noticed my cousin being cornered by a gentleman of your... impressive stature and thought it only proper to introduce myself." His gaze briefly shifted toward Amira, noting she had already restored the respectable distance expected between herself and a gentleman. "Ah... Lady Nora. Well... I do intend on asking for her hand..." Munir allowed the sentence to linger just long enough for its more scandalous meaning to bloom before the corner of his mouth curled into a grin. "...for a dance. Though now you've made me curious. Am I expected to seek permission from her elder brother first? Is that the custom in Caesonia? If so, Lord Magnus, would you grant me the honor of asking your sister to dance?" He chuckled softly. "In any case, I should probably ask the lady herself before negotiating terms with her family. We are gentlemen, after all."

Turning back to Amira, his expression softened. "Cousin, I am glad to see you're smiling again. Please enjoy the rest of your evening." Leaning in just enough for only her to hear, he added with perfect seriousness, "And if Lord Pawonska should trouble you in even the slightest way... drive your knee upward with confidence. I can personally guarantee he'll rethink every decision that led him to that moment." Straightening again, he offered Magnus an innocent smile. "Nothing personal, Lord Pawonska. Merely encouraging healthy self-defense." A wink to Amira followed. "Now then... you two behave yourselves."

Leaving the pair to their moonlit conversation, Munir made his way farther across the balcony, arriving just in time to find Lord Roman Ravenwood speaking with Lady Nora Pawonska. Greeting the larger man first with a friendly slap between the shoulder blades, he grinned. "Lord Ravenwood. I trust the evening has been treating you well. Unless my instincts have abandoned me completely, which thankfully, they seldom do. I would wager I've arrived just after you've asked Lady Pawonska for a dance. Interesting. I confess, I never quite pictured you as the sort to indulge in ballroom dancing."

Only then did he turn fully toward Nora. Offering her a respectful bow, Munir extended one gloved hand with effortless confidence. "Lady Pawonska. Might I have the honor of claiming the dance immediately following Lord Ravenwood's? I shall do my absolute best to follow what I can only assume will be an extraordinary dance with something... equally memorable." The familiar glint of mischief returned to his eyes as his hand remained patiently outstretched. "What do you say?"

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Hidden 10 days ago → 10 days ago Post by princess

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Time: Evening 
Location: Ballroom
Attire:Outfit
Interaction:@PotterOlivia@OsoCassius@Remram Nolan

“You’ve got these too tight.”

Charlotte’s attention drifted downward, pulled from the labyrinth of her mind by the sound of that gentle voice of his.

Until that moment, her mind had been everywhere at once. With Lorenzo, with the king, with every terrible possibility that had bloomed from one moment into ten more. 

She had needed to take the time to think. She had needed to sort through what had just happened, what Lorenzo had done, what Edin had said, what it meant, whether she should go to Lorenzo, whether she should scold him, comfort him, drag him home by the sleeve, or simply sit very still until her mind stopped feeling so loud. 

But then she heard that voice... and looked down and saw Cassius Damien kneeling there.

The world seemed to blur so completely that the ballroom might have been painted around them—all except for Cassius. Charlotte stared at him as he adjusted the strap of her shoe, her eyes falling first to his hands.

Those hands had known violence. There were scars over his knuckles and roughness along his fingers, remnants of days of blades and fists and survival, and yet they handled her with such careful attention that for a moment she felt precious. 

As if this small discomfort was not too small for him to notice. 

As if her pain did not have to be grand or bloody or tragic to deserve his care.

And somehow that undid her more than any grand declaration could have.

Her gaze lingered there, watching his fingers work with patience. Then her eyes climbed, slowly, to his face.

Strands of black and silver had fallen forward, nearly veiling him from her, but there was no hiding a face like Cassius Damien’s. The light found him anyway, catching along his cheek, the bridge of his nose, the shadow of his lashes. 

He was painfully beautiful, and she had always thought so. 

Charlotte could see his eyes through the loose fall of his hair, storm-gray and dark beneath the lashes, focused on her.

Only her.

The realization moved through her in such a way that it hurt, though it was gentle all the same.

For days, there had been a voice in the back of her mind warning her to be sensible. To remember that a man's touch did not always mean safety, that wanting something did not make it hers, that a heart had a way of ignoring the signs if it was lonely enough. 

She had told herself not to let him become a place she returned to when everything else felt unbearable.

But he had become that anyway, hadn’t he?

And he kept coming back to her, too.

He could have gone anywhere in that ballroom at this point. He could have leaned against a wall with that wicked smirk he did and found a woman eager to be ruined by him before the night was done. He could have smiled once, spoken in some sultry tone, and had half the room wondering what it would be like to be chosen by him. 

And yet here he was, kneeling in front of her, before his father, before them all, and he was fixing her shoes. 

There should have been fear in that moment: fear of consequence, fear of danger, fear of what it meant to look at him and feel something so vast and strange blooming beneath her ribs that she scarcely knew how her body could hold it. But fear did not come.

Charlotte’s lips parted, her eyes soft and tender compared to just moments ago. She felt her eyes sting, but a smile formed on her lips as a single thought crossed her mind.

Oh, there you are.

She knew his mouth was moving. She saw the shape of words, saw the way his gaze shifted toward Lorenzo, saw him rise and bring his chair nearer. She felt him offer his hand beneath the table, and her fingers found his.

“...Whatever you need…I’m right here, Lottie.”

Her palm came to rest against his face with a gentleness that surprised even her, her thumb brushing along his cheek as her eyes narrowed with the full focus of everything she felt as she whispered to him.

“I was right about you… You know.”

Her voice was soft, almost wondering, as if she had just discovered this grand truth.  But she had always known. No matter what had happened between them... She had known.

She let go of his hand only so she could cup his face with both hands as her expression crumbled, an ache in her eyes that she had not quite shown Cassius before.

“About what I said in Rosegate…”

For a moment, she simply kept looking at him like that.

The ballroom could have burned down around them, and Charlotte was not sure she would have noticed right away.

”Seems like you’re in good hands...Are you okay?”

Charlotte held Cassius’s gaze a moment longer, her smile lingering as if some part of her had not yet woken out of a deep sleep, as if the man before her had somehow captured her in a dream. Then, slowly, she let her hands slip away from his face and turned toward Olivia, blinking as though she had only just realized the world had continued without her.

“Hm?”

Her voice was softer than she realized, still caught somewhere else.
Then her eyes focused, and she seemed to remember herself... though not entirely.

“Oh… yes. I think…” Her gaze flickered briefly back to Cassius, helplessly, before returning to Olivia. “I think I am.”

She thanked her for the wine in a low tone and a smile her way, absentmindedly taking hold of one and taking a sip. 

Then a hand fell on her shoulder and she immediately turned her head to glance as a familiar voice reached her ears. "Looks like the night sky is missing a star...Lottie, it's been too long." 

Lottie matched his smile with one that was fonder, if such was possible, and she immediately rose to throw her arms around the young man behind her.  "Nolan!" She drew him close with the sort of affection that had no room for restraint, as if he were truly her family. One hand slipped up into his hair, just like she used to, and she guided his head against her shoulder and pressed a tender kiss to the top of it.

“Oh, sweet Nolan…” she murmured, holding him there a moment longer than he may have liked, but precisely as long as her heart required. “How I have missed you.”

Her hand smoothed over his hair once before she loosened her embrace enough to look at him properly, though her hands remained on his arms. “Look at you,” she said softly, her eyes moving over his face with fondness. “Still appearing precisely when I need you.”

Her smile turned warmer. “How has the university been treating you? Are they appreciating you properly, or must I write them a very stern letter on your behalf?”

She gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “I heard you were back in town, and I have been so terribly excited to see you. I meant to find you sooner, truly, but…” Her words faded on her tongue as Charlotte's gaze shifted back toward the other side of the ballroom, toward Lorenzo, to find that Calbert was leaving his side. 

Relief struck her so much soo that she forgot to finish her sentence.

For a moment, she simply stared, her fingers still resting against Nolan’s sleeve. Only when Calbert slipped away from Lorenzo’s side did Charlotte feel as though she could truly breathe.

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Hidden 9 days ago Post by SilverSpring

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SilverSpring The night speaks in whispers

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Time: Evening
Location: Ballroom
Mention: Nikolai @Rose
Interactions: 
Appearance: 

Ari watched Nikolai disappear into the crowd as the dance floor slowly emptied around her. He was swallowed into the sea of people, gone before she could even respond. 

Come back… The thought came so naturally it startled her. Why was she so consumed by wanting to be around him? Perhaps it was because he made her feel safe, but that was his job she supposed. No... that wasn't the reason.

A smile crept onto her lips as warmth blossomed through her chest. It had been building throughout the dance, subtle enough to ignore while she was wrapped up in the dance with him, but now she realized just how... odd she felt. Not bad. Just different. Lighter. Happier.

Taking a single barefooted step, Ari suddenly wobbled as the polished marble beneath her seemed to shift like a wave.

"Whoa..."

Her arms lifted instinctively to steady herself, a quiet laugh escaping before she could stop it. Maybe I drank more than I realized.That had to be it.

She fell into step behind the couples leaving the dance floor, trying to blend in. Each movement felt strangely disconnected, as though she were walking through water. To her, she was moving normally however, in reality, her pace had slowed to an awkward, wobbling shuffle. Someone brushed past her shoulder and as she turned to avoid them, she bumped into another guest nearly knocking them into a table.

"Oh... I'm sorry." Her apology dissolved into another soft giggle, making her blink in confusion. Why was that funny? The women scoffed, grabbing the hem of her skirt before sauntering off. 

Ari lingered for a moment, watching the ballroom shimmer around her. Candlelight blurred into warm golden halos, laughter sounded brighter, and every face seemed softer somehow. The knot of worry she'd carried over Callum all evening quietly unraveled, slipping through her thoughts like sand between her fingers. She tried to grasp it again, to remember why she'd been so anxious.

... but she couldn't.

Instead, an overwhelming sense of warmth and happiness settled over her, so effortless it almost made her laugh again "...I really did drink too much," she murmured to herself with an amused shake of her head. Then her eyes lifted once more, searching the sea of faces for Nikolai, suddenly certain that finding him again felt like the most important thing in the world.

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Hidden 9 days ago → 9 days ago Post by Lava Alckon

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Drake

Time: Evening of Ignis 10 
Location: Danrose Castle
Mentions: Thea @Tae and Ariella @SilverSpring

”Until tonight then, my love.

The words still stuck with him, even as the dance had long since ended. Drake found his way to the bar, well after a few others had made their trips, and ordered himself a classic – bourbon on the rocks. This wasn’t a drink to simply drown out the night until his planned “meeting” with his love, but he needed something to calm his nerves down after the firestorm that just took place.

He never wanted the moment to end.

Not just for the sake of holding her just a little longer, but so he wouldn’t be pained with the thoughts of his own anxieties clawing their way up to ruin the moment. It could be called performance anxiety in its own twisted form of the word. But he simply felt himself grow…nervous. He wanted that night to be special – to the both of them. And a little liquid courage never did him any harm before. So long as it wasn’t spiked or drugged or poisoned or…Okay Drake, enough. He took a sobering breath before taking a sip of his drink.

She loves you. And she won’t look at you any other way than the way she just did now. Your scars won’t scare her. Your lack of … experience won’t set her off. You are the one she chose to be with. Out of anyone else in the entire country. YOU. So calm yourself and enjoy the night, so you can enjoy the night.

A full mental feud raged on within him. As he furrowed his brows, took another sip, and thought for a moment, he felt his beating heart settle, if only to rattle once more at the vision that filled his mind’s eye. 

Her. In all her majesty. In all of her beauty. In all of her elegance, charm, seduction, banter, comfort, and so much more that Drake could go on. But for now, he looked up and found himself snapping into the now. He could tell her as much later. In the present, there was a brother and sister to keep tabs on. 

And just as luck would have it, the slight commotion of two ladies bumping into one another led him right to her. Following the huff of the woman who hiked her skirt up and dashed off, Drake began walking towards the now disoriented Ariella. He could see the signs already, eyes glazing over as they glanced around the room. Sadly she would not find Nikolai, but a concerned older brother leaning down to look at her with furrowed brows that usually came with soft chastising. Strangely enough, however, Drake only smiled and offered a gentle question.

”Had a few too many, sister?”

His tone was surprisingly gentle. ”Come. Let us take you somewhere you can rest a little. Then we can get you back to whomever or whatever made you look like you just walked out of a dream.” He offered Ariella his arm and began walking the two towards a nearby seating area.

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Hidden 8 days ago Post by Oso

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Location: Grand Ballroom
Time: Evening
Interactions: Charlotte @princess
Mentions: Nolan @Remram
Outfit: Bro Be Looking SO DAMN GOOD oh maw gawd

Cassius found himself utterly lost in her the moment she looked at him like that. 

The entire ballroom simply disappeared into obscurity, as well as all those within it, as he took in the sight of her eyes on him in a way he never knew he would ever get see. She had looked at him fondly before. She had looked at him with care before. BUT this… That look was something new. That look came from a place that scared him, but that made him whole all the same. 

He was stunned by it, completely caught off guard as he felt the power of that gaze wash over him. Little did he know, he was looking back at her exactly the same way. Little did he know that his eyes would never look at her another way again.  

“I was right about you… You know.” She had said. “About what I said in Rosegate…”

His mind cast him back into the moments they shared there. Pieces of that memory were spectacular; others were stained with the mistake of him not knowing about his old friend’s ties to the Black Rose. Little moments, peppered throughout that night, had been perfect in every way despite the complications that came later. The comment she was referring to had been the most perfect of them all. 

She had called him kind. 

Cassius smiled at her, the same way he did that very night. Charlotte had a way of seeing him differently than the others around them. She had a way of looking behind his curtains and finding her way to his very core. He hated it sometimes but loved it ALL the time. 

Emotions are complicated things, after all. 

His hand rose to cover one of hers pressed against his cheek, those handsome eyes of his dropping to the curve of her lips. The gravitational force between them had begun pulling him closer before he even realized, as though the collision of his lips and hers was as inevitable as a setting sun or a rising moon. 

Inch by inch, the slow approach as Cassius leaned closer to Lottie found him yearning for that kiss increasingly the closer he got until desperation began to rise in him. 

A desperation that would not be rectified.

It was then that another voice rang out between them. 

”Seems like you’re in good hands...Are you okay?”

Cassius could have killed the man as he watched Lottie pull away, filled with excitement to go and embrace this interrupter. He ached at the loss of contact, his body begging for the touch of Charlotte’s hands upon his face once again. The warmth of her disappeared so quickly as she moved away, and yet nothing in him was as cold as it was before she came into his life. 

He turned to see who the man was that she had so eagerly embraced. It was immediately clear that this man mattered to her. She hugged him so closely, but not like a lover, more like family. Whatever selfish thing inside his chest brought with it resentment towards the man who had stolen the moment away from him vanished as he assessed how much the reunion of the two clearly meant to his Lottie. Thankfully, that allowed Cassius to remember to breathe. 

Watching the two of them have their moment to catch up, Cassius looked down at the table where Charlotte’s drink sat a little too close to the edge, and so he carefully moved it back a few inches. He could see the stain on the glass where her lips had pressed against its surface as she drank. His own lips still ached for her, especially as he watched the kiss that belonged to him get planted atop this fellow’s head, and yet all he could do was smile at the ridiculous nature of the moment as his eyes returned to her again. 

She looked happy. Truly happy. And he cared more about that than he could about his own desires. His smile grew as he watched Charlotte and the man she affectionately called Nolan relish in their own perfect little moment. As much as he wanted her all to himself, Cassius was learning that sometimes caring about someone means making room for the other things in their life. He could be a selfish man by nature and nurture alike, but his want for her to never have to stop smiling like that was perhaps the most selfless thing about him. 

Gods she was beautiful.

Cassius did not interrupt, he simply watched and waited for her to return and allowed himself to bask in the delight she clearly felt seeing an old friend.

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Hidden 8 days ago Post by princess

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FLASHBACK

PART 1

Ignis 6th

Charlotte & Kazumin

Charlotte stood just outside Bertha’s Breakfast Bar with her parasol resting lightly over one shoulder, her hair pinned up in a soft bun that helped look proper despite the tiredness she could not quite hide. She wore a long, flowing skirt, paired with a delicate lace top.  The morning bustle of the Merchant District carried on around her, but she remained still near the entrance.  It had been a hard week, though the promise of seeing Kazumin made the weight of it all easier to bear.

There was a pleasant sort of happiness in waiting for a friend, and Charlotte held to it, the faintest hint of anticipation in her weary eyes as she glanced now and then down the street in search of a familiar figure. 

Kazumin strolled with a light upbeat skip to his steps, the plain leather boots crunched lightly against the pavement. They were faded,  dark,  colored, and weather-worn with marks from countless walks. Though far from stylish, they offered comfort for long walks.  Perfect, as he decided against taking the cart, opting to walk, and sure, it left his legs a bit sore, but the fresh air and time to take in the sights did wonders for a mind muddled with overthinking. 

What normally helped the mood proved less effective with all the drearyness hanging in the air, an uncomfortable unease felt in the folks' actions and looks; some shifty and tense with doubtful uncertainty. An aftereffect of King Edin’s mad attempts at keeping order, with executions and with hunters hunting like vile beasts let off their chains. Thoughts of Charlotte’s encounter with the man, Killian,  the cruel way he interrogates and intimidates by dragging that poor woman like some cheap prop of what witches deserved

An angry huff, an irritated brush of the hand dismissing the bitter memory, not wanting to let fury ruin his lunch with Char. A brisk breeze accompanied by a flowery scent served to soothe the temper, glancing down at the sunflower tucked at the left of his chest, bouncing lightly with a dancing hope, the golden cowlick hopped with matching spring. Noticing a ladybug struggling to hold onto one of the bouncy petals and hummed as he gave a playful twisting of his noodly long right hand, gently lifting the bug with the extended forefinger and a light gust, waving the ladybug off with a delighted hum.

Taking a pause in his step to give a tug of the light-blue dress shirt, adjusting it, then gave the poufy handkerchief a smoothing pat after a breeze rustled it out of place, briefly tickling his chin. He felt it better to keep the fit simple, but still a bit of fun flair (it also being the most loose-fitting was an airy bonus) as he had been most excited to share the evening with the sweet darling, Char. And with all she had been through as of late, all the more so. 

Giving the cuffs of his sleeves an adjusting, did his nose catch a whiff of eggs, a bit of sausage, and bacon? With an excited scrolling of his head peering about the street and at the crowd mustering about ahead, till his head lifted to spot Bertha’s breakfast sign.”  Aye! Breakfast, the superior lunch..or would this be brunch? Bah, anyway, can’t leave Char waiting.” With an energetic hop and skip, Kazu made his way elatedly through the crowd, weaving and twirling his way around, almost dancing in a sliding rhythm; greeting whatever person nearby with a friendly nodding smile, softer than his usual bright grin, finding the effort more and more difficult as the town’s heaviness increased.

Making his way past the crowd with a relieved sigh, he saw the path ahead clear to the breakfast bar. Fixing his shirt once more quickly while scanning for a parasol he was told to keep an eye out for.” Hum…a parasol…that’s the uh..umbrella but fancylike, right? Didn’t think umbrellas needed fancying up but..ope!” Ceasing his external pondering with his left hand shooting to rest across his forehead just above the eyes while slightly leaning forward, his sight zooming onto said parasol.

A humming skip bouncing himself forward with an excited puppy wave of his right hand.” Parasol! Oop-!” Biting his tongue with a cursed tch at having focused too much on the damn umbrella.” I mean, that’s a neat parasol ya got there, made finding ya a breeze. Er..heh, anyway, it’s grand to see you, Char!” Throwing up his arms, intending to hug her, only to have his face hit the parasol with a slight oof.

Charlotte’s eyes widened the moment she saw him weaving through the crowd, sunflower bobbing at his chest as if the world had not been allowed to sour him, and despite herself a smile tugged at her mouth before she could stop it. The man always made his way through life in a manner that suggested he had a pocket full of sunshine no matter the occasion, and she found it absolutely delightful.

Then he reached her, lifted his arms as if he meant to sweep her into a hug, and instead promptly knocked his face into the parasol with a soft little oof that made her both gasp and laugh at once. “Goodness,” she said, her eyes bright despite the tiredness she could not quite hide, “I do hope you have not declared war upon my parasol before we’ve even sat down.”

Kazu took a light bounce back with a playful rub of the nose, blinking with a delighted grin, hearing Charlotte’s balming laugh.” I- what? Beg your pardon? I’d never declare war on such a finely woven parasol, naw I’d declare to give it a whirl…I definitely want to give that a spin.” Smirking, imagining twirling around and spinning it about in gleeful abandon. 

She quickly shut it and leaned it against the wall of the establishment, her tone becoming fond and apologetic as she turned back to him. “Oh, Kazu, I’m sorry, darling,” she murmured. “I burn like a biscuit in the sun, you see… It’s rather humiliating.” Before he could protest, she took his face in her hands in that motherly, fretting way of hers, tilting his chin from side to side as she examined him for any actual damage. With a relenting sigh, she let go at last and then she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a firm embrace that held just a second longer than normal. “I’m so happy to see you,” she admitted sincerely.

Initially blinking with a slight, confused tilt of the head.” Nothing there to apologize for. Can’t help having sensitive skin and the sun can be intense at times, guess it could be trying to work in overdrive considerin…” Trailing off on his thoughts before letting out a surprised huff at the touch of motherly soft hands across his cheeks. He drew in a heavy, drawn-in inhale, forced to look at Charlotte directly, and felt conflicting joy and sadness. His eyes misted momentarily, picturing the bloodied gash, a painful visage that haunted him. Her caring, lifting touch and concerned inspection felt comforting, and her pretty face spared the worst of the scars thanks to Percy's healing with her gift despite the strain it had put on her already exhausted body. An airy gasped, ‘gah’ escaped him upon finding himself in a firm embrace. He gulped at the unexpected, affectionate greeting, but was all the more grateful for it and cherished each second. Returning the hug with a steadying, gentle squeeze, pouring his appreciation and love, delighted to have her as a close friend, blinking the misty pains of the past with a slight snorting sniff.

“A-Aye! I’m bouncing, happy to see you too, Char!” Before he could say more, a stubborn, hungry growl interrupted. The cowlicked blonde gave an awkward chuckle.” Shall we head inside? Then we can continue our chat. Besides, don’t want you ending up a burnt biscuit out here.” A cheeky wink with a double friendly pat to her back just before the hug broke, and she stepped back. 

When Charlotte finally pulled back, she lifted her hand and lightly caught his sleeve. “Let us go then,” she said brightly. “Before your stomach growls loudly enough to summon Bertha herself, and before I become a literal biscuit out here.”

As she said it, a loud rumbling from his tummy gurgled almost like a hungry snarl.” Whew, the tease of biscuits has awakened this hungry beast. We'd best make haste!” Again, his stomach rumbled in urging agreement.

Inside, Bertha’s Breakfast Bar was bustling and the air smelled of butter. The front counter was crowded with patrons, and beyond it sat the buffet laid out in rows: baskets of fresh bread and pastries, plates of eggs and bacon, sausages piled high, roasted potatoes still steaming, and little bowls of fruit and jam set out. 

She released his sleeve only long enough to pick up a plate, then glanced back at him. “Now,” she declared softly, “Gather enough food to justify all that bouncing.”

His head turned to and fro with eager excitement, taking in the sights of folks chatting and enjoying their meals. Plates full of breakfast-style foods; eggs spilling yolk and heaps of hash browns, fat sausages ready to gush meaty deliciousness, fresh, fluffy, and crisp bread waiting to be buttered. Above all, though, was the alluring smell of crispy bacon; a mountain of it sat piled high, likely recently restocked, much to his roaring stomach’s delight.

Only the gentle tug of Charlotte’s hand on his sleeve held him steady while each step had him bouncing like a kid in a candy store. Upon noticing the grip of his sleeve slacking, he turned to see Char holding up a plate. Her comment brought a raised brow with hands on his hips.” With just one plate? My dear Char, we’re gonna need a cart’s worth to settle this bouncing appetite of mine.” Chuckling as he grabbed the edge of a plate with the tips of his left hand and gave a playful flick, tossing it up into his waiting right hand and gave it a quick spin, nearly dropping it, forcing him to do a bit of juggle scramble catching it at the last second.” Ah hah! Gotcha! Er..slippery fingers.” 

An awkward chuckle quickly dismissed as he pulled up to Char’s side with a hand on her shoulder, gently hugged to his side while his other hand held the plate pointed towards the food bar.” Let the gathering begin, but first…hm, and to make things more interesting, how about a challenge?” He asked, turning to look at her with a quizzical raising of his brows, sporting a cheeky grin. 

Charlotte’s smile tugged up despite herself, and she tilted her head thoughtfully. “A challenge,” she repeated, eyes flicking to his stomach with amusement. A look of mock seriousness then took over her countenance. “Very well. “ She relented, a sparkle of competitiveness in her eye. With a giggle she then asked, “ What are the terms, and might I need to sign a waiver?”

Kazu’s grin widened at Char accepting the challenge with a spark that said bring it.” Sign a waiver? What do I look like, a nobleman or a lawyer?.” Dismissing the thought with a throwing down motion of his hands with a  light tongue, sticking meh, his face contorting into a mock snootysniff.” Pffft, nah, just a handshake to settle agreements is all. So, think you got the guts to challenge these guts of steel, eh?” A moment of shrewd chin stroking, pondering while studying the food, then the plate in his hands.” Very well! 5 plates! First to eat 10 plates worth of scrumptious breakfast food wins!” 

The blonde exclaimed like a boisterous host, but then held up his free hand in pausing motion.” But, I do want to make this fair, after the appetite all that walking worked up…” Musing as he figured Char wasn’t used to eating competitions, or the peasant style at least.” Hm, oh! How about this, I have to eat 2 plates per your one, 10 plates before you get to 5. And ya don’t have to fill out your plate, but none of that single slice of toast trickery.” He said with a pointed finger in mock accusing glowering his eyes in watching you motion.” Think that should do it, that good with you, Lady Char?” A whirling flick of his hand extended in a waiting handshake, a confident glint of excitement.” Or perhaps you have any terms you’d like to add, hm?”

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, not unkindly, but it was a warning all the same. It did not reach her eyes as she tilted her head as if she were considering him like a duchess deciding whether a man was fit to speak in her presence. “You look like someone who is about to lose,” she declared finally in a prim manner that juxtaposed the words.

It had been a long time since anyone had truly challenged her in a way that mattered to her pride—that part that had been buried beneath it all for so long that she had almost forgotten it existed.

But standing here with a plate in hand, with Kazumin grinning as if he’d already claimed victory, she felt it return in such a manner that it nearly startled her.

Charlotte lowered her voice just enough. “Do not patronize me, Kazumin Nagasa,” she warned pleasantly, still smiling. “If you insist upon giving yourself the disadvantage, then I insist upon humiliating you for it.” Her gaze flicked to his outstretched hand, then back to his eyes, all with a composed sort of mischief. “Five plates, ten plates, however many you like. I will surpass them, and you will shake my hand like a man accepting his fate.”

The shift in Charlotte’s expression and demeanor was surprising and almost startling. So used to the sweetly kind woman, but it impressed him to see her getting into the spirit of the competition; amusing how she rebuked him for his overconfidence.” Oh-ho! Quite bold of you, Lady Charlotte, and dressed to lose? Hardly!” He scoffed with glowering eyes, giving a pseudo glare.” I plan to eat 200% and show you a true peasant appetite.” Shaking his head, crossing his arms across his chest in defiance.

” And hardly was it my intent to patronize or give advantages, for I always aim for fairness, so if ya think you can handle ten plates as well, then so be it. The only humiliation I’ll feel is for your wimpy guts grumbling in defeat.” A teasing challenged jab in return as he extended his hand once more, giving it a closing and opening flex.” Though if ya manage to surpass me, not only will I shake your hand, but dub you the breakfast champion, not that I plan to give up the title so easily.” Nodding his head while pointing his thumb at himself.”  I’mma eat circles around you.” Kazu said with a chuckling, smug lifted huff of his nose, the smell of breakfast food eliciting a ferocious grumble as if agreeing.

“Hmph…shall we begin then?” Shifting to get himself ready to make for the buffet with a crack of his knuckles. 

Charlotte’s mouth curved into a polite smile that was far too calm to be harmless. She shifted her plate in her hands. “Very well,” she said sweetly. “On my count.”
She angled herself toward the buffet, eyes narrowing with focused intent as she lifted her plate like a shield. “Three,” Charlotte began. “Two… one.” Her chin lifted. “Go.”

She chose quickly—eggs first, then a generous portion of roasted potatoes, then bacon. She added a small roll on the edge as if it were merely decoration, then paused only long enough to glance sideways toward Kazumin.

He raised a brow to the polite smile, but beneath seemed to hide a fire that left the cowlicked blonde wary. A good sign she was not gonna be an easy opponent despite her ladylike appearance.

An affirming nod accepting the countdown, then he swiped a hand over his face, erasing the smug smirk, replacing it with a stern, serious expression. With each second, Char counted down, the more his body leaned down and tensed up as he primed to sprint with his gaze zeroed in on the buffet.

Kazu’s focused eyes widened at the word go, and with a push of his heel, shot himself towards potato trays, grabbing a plate and fork as he zoomed to it where he shoveled a heaping pile of hashbrowns as the base then layered roasted potatoes over it until satisfied, then slid his way to the eggs where he grabbed four eggs over medium nearly bursting with yolk as they jiggled onto the plate. With a delighted hum, he piled scrambled eggs up over it while snatching up three biscuits with his free hand that would quickly be smothered in sausage breakfast gravy; to finish, he piled equal handfuls of sausage and bacon, which poked from the plate’s nearly overstuffed edges. Noticing Char peeking in his direction from the corner of his view, he waved back, holding a slice of toast which he smeared with butter in one quick swipe of a butter knife.

With a slight grunt of concentration, Kazu lifted the heavy plate with both hands, using his long noodly arms to help make quick adjustments and turns, keeping the plate balanced as he whistled his way to the table and sat down at an empty table. A rustling flick of a napkin gently tucked at the collar of his shirt, and he gave a challenging clink of his utensils as he prepped to eat.”Hah! First to toss their napkin onto the plate admits defeat! Now, let's get the appetizer out of the way!” He exclaimed with a cheerful skyward lift of his fork. 

What followed felt less like consuming breakfast with a pal and more like a sporting event that no one in the Breakfast Bar had consented to witnessing.
Plates moved in and out of view in waves, set down with increasingly dramatic thuds: Kazumin rocketing up from his chair, Charlotte rising with intensity that didn’t quite match the affair and both of them returning with towers of food that looked less and less reasonable with each trip. 

Kazumin wore a smug smile as if victory had already been in grasp, while Charlotte replied with nothing more than a polite smile and a calmness that began to look suspicious as her plate number climbed.

It only grew worse. Kazumin began to over-celebrate his own progress, bouncing on his toes between bites, and that cockiness was precisely what did him in. By the time he hit a number that was objectively alarming, his pace slowed, but because his own stomach had begun to argue with him.

Charlotte, meanwhile, kept going with determination that did not look heroic so much as stubborn. Somewhere around the last stretch, her left eye gave one twitch that she pretended did not happen, and she reached for her water with the dignity of the future duchess of Veirmillion… Despite the fact she looked as though she might be haunted by the sight of scrambled eggs for the rest of her life.

She finally set down her fork, lips pressed together as she breathed through her nose. But she lifted her chin anyway, because her pride was still functioning even if her body was not. “A splendid effort, Kazumin,” she managed, voice thin, “But I believe you may begin practicing your handshake.” Her eye twitched again and a loud complaint sounded from her belly, but she stared straight ahead at him.

Kazumin moved with an excited fervor, enthusiasm in his every step as he moved about the buffet with fire in his legs. The cowlick blonde was like a whirlwind; food always delighted him, and sharing with a friend was a boundless joy, but here the challenging flare and his strong hunger proved a potent motivator, a little too effective. 

Losing himself in the fun of the game, blinded by the allure of eggs, sausage, and toast, and many other delectable breakfast foods, surrounded his smug face, where each plate vanished almost as if he was inhaling them. Pausing at times to check on Char’s progress or for signs of surrender, and yet, kept being surprised to see her chow down with stubborn determination. 

At first, he had easily outpaced her, nearly three plates ahead, but by the sixth plate, saw her managing to keep pace. Had her eating skills improved so drastically? No, to his horror, Kazu found himself slowing; by the 8th plate, he found that his stomach began weighing him down, and his legs felt heavier. As he had moved for the next plate, he found that he had overextended himself; his approach was overzealous, too overeager in his confidence, as he kept overfilling his plates or rushing about like he was running a damn marathon. 

Before he knew it, the soft chink of utensils reached his ears and lifted his head with a sluggish, lethargic tilt, with wide eyes. He blinked at the sight of Char’s finished tenth plate with astonished disbelief while his own final plate still held two bites of scrambled eggs and a single strip of bacon left. An anxious gulp and nervous lick of the lips as he inhaled in an attempt to steady himself, but instead, the smell of egg elicited a gurgling nausea from his belly, overstuffed to the brim. 

He held the fork shakily in his hand.” Errgh..just..just a few more bites, you can do it, Kaz! Ju-just power through.” The blonde muttered vainly to pump himself up for the last few bites and slowly lifted the egg-speared fork to his lips. A hesitant gulp, a holding of the breath to stave off the sick feeling threatening to drown him; feeling the fork glide past his trembling lips nearly renewed his hope.

 Yet, a single, small touch of the scrambled eggs against his tongue sent his stomach recoiling. And where he expected to taste victory, instead came the understanding of defeat, for his belly could not take so much as a crumb more. Once more, he tried to push through only to feel the fork slip from his fingers, and in that instance, the world appeared to move in slow motion. The seconds ticked by as if the world moved through molasses while his expression widened with a sluggish head shaking noooo, though no sound slipped from his mouth, opened in a wide silent screaming O.

The fork landed with a thunderous clatter onto the plate, and his heart dropped with it in grave disbelief, his offhand clutching at his chest. With a small gasp, Kazu’s upper body collapsed onto the table with a resounding thud of finality and acceptance.”  Urrgh….damn you…you have..bested this steel belly. I…I admit defeat.” He muttered with a shameful covering of his eyes, the arm resting limply across his face. Then, with a reluctant growl through puffed cheeks, Kazu had lifted the arm from his face, offering a handshake held lazily, waiting to give up his covetous title, meticulously won. Now lost to overzealous pride.

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Hidden 7 days ago → 7 days ago Post by Potter

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Time:  Evening 
Location: Danrose Castle 
Interactions: @AuthenticTomb Aslam 
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Aesthetic: Ball Outfit & Hair



Elena smiled when Aslam approached her. "I must agree. Your company has certainly brightened my night as well.” She tapped her hands against a wine glass anxiously. "”Lady Elena Pawonska, of the Varian Kingdom. I’m delighted to make your acquaintance." She glanced around and saw an open  table nearby and gestured to it. "Shall we sit? I don't mind either way.” 

Elena took in the details of his black and turquoise suit and how it contrasted well with his complexion. Gods, he was handsome. Her heart was hamming inside and she hoped he wouldn’t hear it. "Are you enjoying the ball so far?” She inquired and smiled softly. "How does this compare to Alidasht? I’d love to hear about it.” This interaction would cleanse her mentally from the horrid dance from Count Emil. 

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Time: Evening
Location: Danrose Castle 
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The interaction left her satisfied. It did not matter if revealing herself was wrong–as long as the message was received and shared, she was fine with it. Cassius could defend himself all he wanted–the truth was different than whatever lies he’d spread.  Being related to Pasha Zulu wasn’t of importance–they hadn’t exactly come from Alidasht to Caesonia. Violet was her dad’s daughter and would be a fine addition to the Black Rose. Kira strode across the ballroom and found herself a seat away from the action. Her gaze flicked to the King and noticed Alexander was there, and a smile crossed her face. 

She watched couples dance together and friends and family reminisced and laughed together. Golden lie promises, “I-love-yous” shared, and whispers of their futures together echoed throughout the ballroom. Glasses clinked together, as people inebriated themselves and foolishly drank away their hopes and dreams all the while forgetting the king had murdered his wife the same morning. How plain some of these nobles were–none of them had a clue the true dangers lurking in the shadows. Kira drank her wine and refilled it soon afterwards. 

Jason materialized from nowhere, and Kira looked at him with a grin. He was dressed in a suit and tie with his brown hair slicked back to play the role of a server. 

”Jason, where's your shame in being late?” She inquired and he stared at her grumpily. ”Cat got your tongue?” He glared at her fiercely. ”Jacey, do you think your precious Ariana misses your voice?” He set down a few glasses of wine and glowered. Kira leaned forward and looked at him as seriousness now filled her voice. ”Do me a favor and go linger near the Vikena and Damien brats.” He nodded and left after bowing respectfully on cue and then sauntered away. 

Kira sighed, then collected her food and continued to drink her wine.

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Hidden 7 days ago Post by FunnyGuy

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Mr. Deacon

Time:Evening 
Location: Grand Ballroom 
Attire:Fit
Interaction: Bleedin’ Edin
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Alexander rose as soon as King Edin requested it, adjusting his jacket as he stood tall before His Majesty. 

Of course, he was correct about the verdict given to Duke Vikena. It was what had to be done to ensure the fool remained alive. The man was a pawn, yes, but a pawn that had navigated to the end of the board without anyone realizing it. Tonight… tonight was not when he’d topple the king that stood alone without his queen. 

 When Roman Ravenwood’s trial was mentioned, Alexander simply nodded along before saying, “We all see, Your Majesty. I fear Caesonia could use more examples of what that looks like. Wealth and status will crumble against the might of your sword of justice.” As much as he wished to, he did not smile at the prospect of seeing Roman Ravenwood removed from the board. He had some level of respect for the man’s way of thinking, but he needed him gone like the others who had proved to be an obstacle. 

“For tonight, go enjoy yourself. Listen to what my court is saying... Especially about me. And keep your eyes open for another matter as well. Caesonia will require a queen again, eventually… Birth, beauty, obedience, usefulness. I trust you understand the qualities worth noticing... Be discreet, Mr. Deacon. But do not be idle.”

“At once, Your Majesty.” Alexander offered a brief bow before turning toward the rest of the ballroom.

What will be my first move?

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Hidden 7 days ago Post by AuthenticTomb

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Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom
Attire: Aslam's Outfit
Interactions: Elena - @Potter
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Color Code: #FEF698

There was something about Elena's smile that helped Aslam to relax after the rather tense conversation with his Uncle. Her return of his pleasantry made him return such an endearing smile with a small, but genuine one of his own. Aslam held his chin between his thumb and pointer, tapping lightly with the finger as he hummed after her introduction. "Hmm, I hope you will permit me to call you Elena. In return, you can simply call me Aslam. Elena suits you far too well to use anything else." There was a playful undertone in his voice, yet he was being honest. Her name simply rolled off his tongue nicely.

He nodded in assent to her offer and he walked himself just ahead of her so he could slide her seat out. "My night has certainly been eventful so far. Why, just earlier I was able to meet my dear sister's likely suitor. It seems my interest in Varian continues to grow." Aslam let out a light laugh with a smile that showed he was truly happy about the arrangement.

Aslam took the seat next to Elena after she had seated and he helped push her in. He set his embellished chalice onto the table and shifted so he could face her properly. "This ball is certainly a grand on in its opulence. I personally appreciate being able to experience the fine cuisine." At this, Aslam's smile shifted a bit more devilishly before continuing. "I would say that dancing and music is where Alisdaht truly shines in a ball. There is a great passion for those arts within my people and it truly comes alive when the silk ribbons flow like a river with every move." There was a nostalgia in his words and a spark in his eyes that showed his love for his kingdom.

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Hidden 6 days ago Post by Remram

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Nolan Edwards

Location: Grand Ballroom 
Attire: Attire: Starry Night Attire
Interactions: @princess Lottie
Mentions: @princess Marina @Oso Cassius @CitrusArms James

As always Nolan had caught the full weight of her in a reciprocal hug that held little space for what others thought. There were very few people that he would allow to throw their arms around him, perhaps less than the fingers on a single hand. For her, she would always find sanctuary in his arms. There was never resistance in accepting her affection from her, never from the woman he considered to be just as much family as the rest of the Edwards. 

It was a grounding, familiar sensation of being held like this with her fingers laced through his hair and a gentle kiss planted upon the crown of his head. It reaffirmed that she was still here, that she was still alive, that she wouldn't be another ghost that haunted his reveries. For just a moment his breathing hitched and in the cover of her shoulder he blinked away the stinging in his eyes. 

However, he had to show some level of obstinance. "Lottie, I'm not a child anymore," he pouted the same way he did when he was that twelve-year-old boy all those years ago that clung to her side. That same scared child that was brought into a world and quivered in fear like a dog that had been beaten. That pout then returned to a smile; he couldn't maintain that act around her for long. "I missed you too."

He truly did. The last time he had seen her was at her mother's funeral. He always tried to be there for her even when distances prohibited it, but to hear her say that he appeared whenever she needed him the most stung though there had been no venom in her words. If he were there he could have saved her, Drake, and Ari so much pain. Despite this, he hid it behind that smile. 

"If the professors didn't need me to clean up after them then I'd be out of a job. It's certainly preferable to tutoring spoiled brats," Nolan politely laughed though his gaze followed hers towards Count Calbert standing by Lorenzo. That soft gaze hardened into a sharp glare. For that brief moment of time when Nolan had stayed with Lottie and Lorenzo after the funeral he had bore witness to the Count micromanage the Duke and put the responsibility of keeping the man in line. He could only imagine that this had continued even after Nolan departed.

Her relief when the Count had finally left her step-father's side was palpable. It only twisted the knife in his gut further. 

"The onus is on me," he declared somberly, those green eyes wracked with guilt. "I should've gone to you sooner. If I had known I would've... I mean, if I could've... There was no way for me to meet you, not after what happened." Every word felt like hollow excuses that tumbled out of his mouth. In the end, he wasn't there. He should've been there. He should have protected her, Drake, and Ariella. He should have gone to see Lottie no matter what.

"Tonight I was going to seek you out immediately, honestly, but Drake believed that he needed to be a guiding hand in my... personal affairs, literally and metaphorically speaking." Nolan tilted his head back to look at the red head who was now standing by someone who he genuinely was surprised to see at the party. "Now they're just messier than before," he said with a dry smile. 

He brought his attention back to Lottie. "I've missed a lot, but I'm here now. We have a lot to catch up on." His gaze passed over her shoulder and at the man sitting across from her looking at her with amorous eyes. "Such as the gentleman who bears the striking resemblance to Count Calbert"

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Hidden 6 days ago Post by Redking0380

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Fareed Nashala Asim

Starry Night ball

Location: Grand Ballroom

“Vile Manipulation.”@princess

”Ah, I had heard of such.” He scoffs. ”I had planned to start an investigation in truth tomorrow, well I planned to do such tonight. Not just with her but with all my siblings. Alidasht is a land of snakes but the court here has more vipers than I've ever seen.”

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Hidden 5 days ago Post by princess

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Time: Evening 
Location: Ballroom
Attire:Outfit
Interaction:@OsoCassius@Remram Nolan

“No, you are certainly not a child.”

Charlotte agreed with a bittersweet smile, a nostalgic one that seemed to hold all the years between then and now. Her hand smoothed once more over his arm. She felt as if she expected to find the frightened boy hiding somewhere within the man before her.

“I fear you and I have both gotten terribly old.” she jested, wrinkling her nose.  Her smile warmed as he spoke of the university, a fondness entering her gaze that was sisterly.“And of course those professors need you. That is what happens when the student surpasses the teacher, after all.”

But when that guilt began to gather behind his eyes, Charlotte's expression faintly saddened. There was that familiar habit of his, taking the whole world into his hands and blaming himself when it fell through his fingers. For a moment, she was struck by the realization that though time had changed them both, it hadn't quite changed everything.

“Pish posh.” Her voice was gentle yet firm. “You came at the perfect time, Nolan. There is no reason for guilt.”

Her brows lowered as it dawned on her what had happened only a week ago. 

The memory came fast and furious. Drake’s pain as they tortured him with the fire poker. Ariella unconscious on the bloody wood floor. The smell of smoke and blood, the sound of suffering, and the helplessness of standing there with no power great enough in her hands to undo what had already been done.

Charlotte’s gaze dropped. She was grateful that she felt no fear. Because if she lingered too long on that tavern, on the sounds and the blood and poor Lord Drake suffering before them all, she knew she might unravel where she stood.

“That was not your fault,” she said at last. “And I am quite certain I may speak for Lord Drake, Lady Ariella, and Duke Gideon when I say we are all glad you were spared recent events.”

Her eyes lifted back to his. “You would have come if you had known. I know that. And you should never punish yourself for the cruelty of others.”

She then glanced in the direction of the woman Nolan had drawn their attention to: Princess Marina Camilia. She smiled immediately, some of the heaviness in her countenance falling away. “Oh, she is a funny girl, that one.” A genuine giggle escaped her. “I can see why Lord Drake felt the sudden urge to become involved in your personal affairs.”

Her eyes brightened with interest, and she gently asked, “How did that go?”

And when he addressed Cassius, her cheeks warmed, and her expression softened with affection that was too obvious to hide. She took a step aside, turning so Nolan could see him properly, though her eyes lingered on Cassius a moment longer than they should have.

Then she lifted one hand toward Cassius, as if presenting something. “This is Lord Cassius Vael of House Damien.”

Her smile turned gentler. “Count Damien’s son, as it turns out. A rather dramatic revelation, naturally...He is new to all of this nobility nonsense,” she explained. “Though I think he bears it better than most of us ever did.”

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Time: Evening
Location: The Ball
Interactions: @CitrusArms James @AuthenticTomb Sylvia
Mention: @Remram Askel/Nolan @Tae Mina @HylianRose Lucian

Marina watched Nolan go as she placed a giant turkey leg on her plate. She frowned for a moment, tilting her head as she considered whether she should follow after him.

Lady Charlotte has always been very nice to me. Maybe I should go see if she is okay.

But there was all the food in front of her.

Her gaze slid slowly back to the table, filled with honeyed meats and mmm mashed potatoes... A bead of sweat nearly formed at her temple as the savory fragrance caressed her nostrils in a way that felt frankly manipulative.

“Mmm…”

She audibly lamented and tapped her foot, caught in a great moral battle. When Marina glanced over again, it looked as though Charlotte was ecstatic to see Nolan. She relaxed a little, then smiled.

He's got it. I will proceed.

With that decided, Marina began ladling more helpings onto her plate with a renewed pep in her step. Unable to help herself, she picked up the turkey leg and took a big bite, humming with pleasure as she chewed through the warm meat.

“Princess Marina. You’ve been getting along with my friend, I see. Good. I’m happy to see him making more friends.”

Marina slowed her chewing but did not stop. Her gaze slowly slid to the nice-looking fellow with glasses.

“I come to you in the interest of our good Captain. Yes?”

Her eyes lit with recognition. She nodded once, solemnly, then gave him a thumbs up with the hand not currently responsible for holding her turkey leg.

She was listening... Chewing, yes. But listening.

“Distasteful rumors regarding your brother and his new acquaintance have been spreading. I’ve done what I can to control the damage before it spreads or twists.”

Marina’s eyes widened as her gaze darted across the ballroom.

Her brother?

Surely not Lucian and Mina. Mina had known Lucian for years, and if anyone dared to come after his reputation, Marina would personally begin biting people.

Then her gaze found Askel and Ranya. She watched them dance for a moment, her expression slowly changing.

“Her Excellence seemed particularly concerned with the hooded woman, just over there, near what I assume to be the rumor mill.”

Marina followed his gaze to the hooded blonde woman.

“Aah, but a squire can only do so much.”

She swallowed down her mouthful of turkey.

Then she slammed the leg onto her plate and set the plate down slowly, her gaze darkening.

“Oh, a squire is going to do a lot tonight.”

Her voice had gone low.

“Nobody is starting anything with my brothers. No. Way.”

She picked up a fork.

Subsequently, Marina gathered up her skirt and tucked the fork into the band at her thigh. After that, she lifted her wine and sloshed it around in the cup for no reason other than optics. A couple droplets spilled on the floor due to her vigor.

“You and I, my boy,” she said, pointing at him with a gaze more intense than he had likely ever seen, “have evil to defeat.”

She inhaled, trying to wrestle her anger. Then she exhaled sharply through her nose. “Now. Inform me of everything you know so far. We are going to go afoot, listen for information, and ask very casual, very innocent questions.”

Then her eyes narrowed as she added. “And by casual and innocent, I mean we are going to find out who the fuck dares.”

Marina’s gaze swept the ballroom again, but this time something almost wicked sparked in her eyes.

“And I know just the girl who can help us…”

Her gaze slid through the crowd, searching for her partner in crime.

Princess Sylvia Camilia.

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FLASHBACK

PART 2

Ignis 6th

Charlotte & Kazumin

Charlotte couldn’t help but giggle at the sheer dramatics of Kazumin's defeat. Still, she rubbed his back comfortingly as he splayed himself on the table. “Oh poor Kazu... Are you okay? It was truly a valiant effort you should be proud of, you know.”

The blonde tried to keep up the angry pretense, but Char’s giggle and the comforting touch to his back massaged the dramatic temperament out of him. 

A quiet deflating of puffed cheeks ending on a sputtering sigh.” Ugh, you’re making it hard to be mad, but aye, I’m fine.” Turning his face from the table to look sideways up at her with a peeking smile.” And my thanks for giving me such a riveting challenge; never expected you to have such a strong appetite, but don’t think you’ve bested me, I just overestimated all the running about.” Wagging his finger in playful warning fashion with a determined promise look in his eye.” I’ll best you next time, just you wait.” He nodded his head determinedly, then pushed himself back up into a sitting position, giving her shoulder a congratulatory pat. 

“Yes sir.  I’ll be ready for round two whenever you are.” Lottie said with a smile, then she winced as her stomach painfully protested again. “...If it makes you feel better, I believe my body’s explosion is imminent.”

“ Good, cause I’ll be gunning for ya after some more training, been slacking cause of those damn etiquette lessons.” Sticking his tongue out in distaste at the mere thought of Agatha as he slumped back against his chair, feeling a satisfied yet pained grumble echo in unison with Char’s tummy protest.”  Aye, it helps knowing I’m not the only one suffering then…the cost of being food champion, I know it well.” Chuckling, patting at his stomach.”  Best we take it easy for now, a good time for chatting after a good meal anyway.” He gave a lethargic thumbs up, barely wanting to move.

Charlotte replied to him, not with words, but a long, woeful groan that came from the depths of her very soul. Lacking all the grace of a lady who did attend finishing school, she reached for the nearest empty chair and lazily dragged it toward their table. She arranged it just so before she kicked her feet up on it and threw her head back against her chair.  “Who’s suffering? “ she asked lightly with theatrical disbelief, a humorless, airy laugh following the question.  “Certainly not us.”

She exhaled deeply, committed to not returning the entirety of their meal onto the table before them. Then she propped her elbow on the table and her chin in her palm, her gaze softening.    “So, um, are you bearing the weight of the other night okay?” Her voice became quieter.  “You know, with the, well, the hostage situation.”

Kazu’s gaze followed his friend with a curious brow as she all but drag herself into the nearest chair. He found it peculiar and a bit amusing for a lady of her status to be acting so unladylike, but there was no hint of disgust; no, he felt respect and awe at seeing her so unbothered by how undignified she might look. Her remark about suffering showed she had fun, which brought a warm smile to his lips.” Certainly not, no, I’d say the ones suffering are the staff.” Momentarily peering towards the stands where some irritated staff could be seen leering at them.

He offered them a sheepish wave for the impromptu eating competition, then turned only to feel his smile waver, hearing Char mention the whole tavern situation.” Ah, yes….that whole unpleasant ordeal at the tavern.” His voice softened with a somber note, his eyes saddened as he pushed off the back of the chair to lean his elbows against the table with a light, nervous tap of the table.” Hardly the way drunk’s day should be spent.” He took a long, sharp inhale as flashes of the night’s event went through his mind. He gulped, blinking away the bloodied image over Charlotte’s face.”  The weight has been difficult, but..but I’ve been managing well enough.” If only barely, though, he kept the last bit to himself, not wanting to worry her about the nightmares.

“ Er..how about you? How are you holding up? I-is your forehead feeling alright?” He asked with a hesitant pause, concern etched on his features; his eyes held a well-up sheen, hating what had been done to her, to his friends.

  “Forehead is quite alright.” Charlotte confirmed lightly,  her gaze lowering.   “You’re a tougher cookie than I…” She transitioned her arms to fold on the table and rested her head on them wearily.   “I’ve hardly been sleeping. Whenever I close my eyes, I see that man burning alive, or that poor soul convulsing before us… Goodness,  Lord Edwards.” She shuddered.   “It was all so heartlessly cruel. Honestly, I cannot seem to rid myself of memories of the entire ordeal.”

A relieved sigh left his lips at hearing that her forehead didn’t bother her thanks to Olive’s healing, even in the bad state she had been in as well.”  That’s wondrous news; I feared some lasting damage.” Folding his hands together against the table, lightly squeezing them. His brows furrowed; saddened at the way Char rested her head as she detailed some of the troubles that had been haunting her. 

He started to pull his hands apart, wanting to return the comforting touch, but wasn’t sure how to go about it.” Tough cookie? Heh, hardly.” Said in a half-hearted, sarcastic manner with a bitter taste on his tongue.” And…and I’m sorry sleep has escaped you, though with such unpleasant memories still so fresh, I doubt sleep would offer much comfort anyway.” Shaking his head with a gulp, feeling the weariness he had been trying to hold back since.” It should have been a night of fun memories and drinking merriment, but instead, we’re left with nightmares and scars. I-I share in picturing the horrid night and..and it pisses me off how cruel and wicked they were…and made us unable to even enjoy sleep at that.” The words flowed with bitterness as he bit his lip, fighting back the grueling memories, then let out an airy sigh through his nose, hesitantly reaching to give the back of her head a gentle, comforting touch, wanting to let her know she wasn’t alone. 

Her expression saddened at his words, though there was some comfort in that neither of them were alone in their grief.  Then, suddenly his hand touched the back of her head and a small smile slowly formed on her face.   “Kazumin Nagasa,” she said his name firmly her voice turning amused,    “…Are you petting me right now?” She asked.    “That’s rather sweet of you. I confess that I feel a little like a puppy.”

She sighed and picked up a pitcher to pour two glasses of water for them.   “Maybe a sign we should talk about something less heavy. Though, I do wish you to know that I am here, truly. If ever you need to speak of it, once or a hundred times over, I will listen. .”

The sudden mention of his name gave pause to his hand, his eyes widening, realizing what he had been doing, and he quickly pulled his hand away with an awkward blush.” What?! I-uh no..I meant to offer a friendly pat.” Waving his hands frantically in front of his face, then lowered his head in embarrassed shame. His blush darkened at the unexpected compliment when he expected annoyance.” Er..sorry, didn’t mean to go petting ya like that..j-just wanted to cheer up this sad puppy- I mean, cheer you up.” Facepalming himself, his cheeks reddening, feeling stupid at the puppy mix-up. 

He groaned against his palm, wanting to forget what just happened as the sound of pouring water had him peek through his fingers. There, he saw that Char had poured each of them a glass of water and begrudgingly used his free hands to take his with a muffled apology, for his throat suddenly felt dry as sandpaper. The cowlicked blonde took nursing sips, easing the dryness; touched at what his friend said, as relief softened his expression at the offer of a topic change.”  My..ahem, thanks, Char…really, I appreciate knowing I can talk with you.” He nodded with a soft tap of the half-drunk glass resting against the table.” And know the same goes for you..I’m here if you need it.” Reaching over to give her hand a gentle squeeze, thankful at how forgiving and sweet she continued to be. His gesture made Charlotte’s smile soften. ” Talking it out certainly might help, and there’s…more to discuss, but such heavy talk is better saved for more private accommodations.” Glancing around at the noisy chattering crowds around them, where he could sense some eyes on them, likely from their odd behaviour. 

Charlotte had watched his frantic apology with one brow raised, and remained silent through his kind words.  Then, with all the gentleness in the world, she reached for the hand he had so dramatically withdrawn and guided it back to the crown of her head. “You misunderstand me, Kazumin Nagasa.”

She gave his hand an encouraging pat, as though granting him permission to continue the offense. “I quite like puppies.”

The touch of her hand startled him initially, but the gentleness of it quickly put him at ease. Kazu could almost feel the warmth of her fingers through the glove as he felt Char lift his hand to rest softly upon her head once more. The act befuddled him and brought a red tint to his freckled cheeks. It relieved him to know she wasn’t mad or put off, and he found himself giving her head an affectionate pet.” A-aye... who doesn’t like cute puppies?” Said with a nervous smiling chuckle. As he gave her a finishing pat, his mind suddenly envisioned Olive sitting where Char was, his hand adoringly petting her. With a barely choked-back gasp and a brief burning reddening of the cheeks, Kazu hastily pulled the hand away and averted his gaze, blinking the bothersome intrusive image with a sobering rub of his face till his face cooled down.

Shaking his head before turning his attention back to Charlotte, trying to think about what they could talk about, needing to distract himself.” Humm.. uh, oh! I recall how Cassius watched over you that night. How are things with him?” He asked with a curious lifting of his glass, taking another sip. 

Charlotte’s fingers stilled around her glass. It had been but a name, yet it made her glance drop at once. Color rose in her cheeks before she could do anything about it. 

“Cassius…” She said his name softly, her tone betraying her. She then exhaled. “He is…” She paused, then smiled despite herself. “He is rather sweet to me. In his way.” Her fingers traced absently along the side of her glass. “And I do like him.”

There it was.

Kazu’s head and brow lifted with a curious attentiveness.  The shy shift in her tone and posture and somewhat hesitant manner showed this had become a sensitive topic. He shifted forward, hands folded together, wanting to show he was listening to her every word; a soft, surprised smile curved his lips as she admitted to liking Cassius. She seemed to have a lot to say.  So he would hold off any questions till she was done: not wishing to interrupt after earning such open trust like this with someone. It was special to him, and he wanted to be respectful, as it must not have been easy to do so. 

Charlotte closed her eyes for a second, as if hearing herself say it aloud had made the matter suddenly far more real. When she opened them again, the blush had deepened. “Goodness. I do like him, Kazumin. Rather terribly, I’m afraid.” She let out an embarrassed laugh. “Which is inconvenient, because my life has become rather dangerous. And Cassius… He just finally escaped that kind of life.”

His eyes widened with a whispered.” O-oh my.” Shocked at the admitted confession, the way her cheeks darkened further demonstrated how much she seemed to like the guy. Kazu couldn’t stop the light blush, awed at the cuteness of adoring someone in such a way, though his brows furrowed with concern at hearing that Char’s life had been dangerous, then an uncertain head tilt.*  Escaped that kind of life?.* The question lingered quietly in his mind. 

Her expression dimmed. “And at the end of the day, he is Count Damien’s son. Not a family I’d be welcomed into with open arms. I imagine he’d be very much the father-in-law from Hells.”

She sighed and added, “I know that is not his fault. I know better than most that children are not simply extensions of their fathers. Still…”

Charlotte’s shoulders sank. “I don’t know if I could hide from him what Calbert’s done forever. And I certainly do not want to be the person who takes a father from someone who has only just been given the chance to know him. I mean, I’d do anything to be able to speak to mine again. ”

For a moment, she looked as if she might continue speaking sensibly. Then she put her face in her hands. The gesture was so immediate and unlike her that it seemed to surprise even Charlotte herself.

Kazu maintained his silent listening, giving small acknowledging nods. A saddened frown etched his face, learning how complicated things between the two had proven to be. The cowlicked blonde had worried how much like his father Cassius was, but with each dimly heavy word spoken, it made any such assumption shatter. A relief to know that Cassius only carried his blood with none of Calbert’s wickedness; he would not forgive how kind and helpful he had been that night of the tavern. Kazu, sensing Char struggling, started to reach a hand forward intending to give hers a comforting squeeze, but frettingly saw Char bury her face in her hands, leaving him uncertain how to respond, as he squeezed his hands together, biting back his concern for the moment.

“Who am I kidding, Kazumin?” she groaned, her voice muffled against her palms. Her blush had reached the tips of her ears. “I nearly drowned in the lake the other night, and he saved me, and then we spent the night in his cabin.” Her words were muffled and she pressed her hands more firmly to her face, as if she could physically contain the confession. “Not improperly,” she added quickly. “Well. Not terribly improperly. I mean—there was cuddling.”

The freckled blonde almost did a double-take with wide eyes of disbelief and deep worry in his amber brown eyes.* I beg your fucking pardon?! Did she just say almost drowned?!* He nearly screamed the question aloud, fighting back the urge to jump over and hug her as several questions exploded in his mind, wondering how the hell she found herself drowning, but knowing Cass saved her brought a watery film to his eyes. A blessing he had been there; to think they could have lost Char without knowing it would have been a deep hurt. That alone earned all his respect; thankful the man was able to protect the woman he loved; unlike him, who carried the guilt of his failure, always too late.

Blinking away the film with a slow exhale, barely catching her give mention of cuddling.

A miserable sound escaped her.“Ooh Gods… There was a great deal of cuddling.” She dragged her hands down just enough to peek at him over her fingertips, eyes shining now. “I have not the slightest idea of what I am doing.”

His slightly downward-turned head sprang back up with a bashful bounce of his cowlick.” I-uh..wow…Char…ya sure spilled a lot there. Er, way more than I expected. N-not that it’s a bad thing, I assure ya!” Kazu said with a small, frantic hand wave, struggling to get the words out, still trying to process everything, and seeing his friend covering her face in such a bashful, miserable way with talk of cuddling had him flustered with her as he scratched awkwardly at the side of his messy hair.

” T-those sound like some pretty difficult times the two of ya had, and I’m still coming to terms with the fact you nearly drowned, I admit.” His brows crinkled, upset it had happened, but he shook his head, deciding to hold off probing on that for now.” But I’ll ask about how ya found yourself in that situation later…I’m just relieved Cass saved ya.” He gave a soft sigh, reaching a hand out to give her arm a comforting, thankful soft squeeze.” And he sounds like a rather cool and respectable guy, nothing like his bastard father, that’s for sure.”

Kazu gulped, feeling the warmth of his face again at the thought of them cuddling all cute and sweet like; he couldn’t help but be envious of the two sharing such an intimate moment.” And... and it seems you two had a really sweet time at the cabin; I’m happy you found such a trustworthy guy with how respectable he was, not peeking improperly. Think it shows he loves ya for you, but…But I guess no guy can help wanting a peek to admire such a beauty before them.” His face reddened, not used to talking about such topics, his body shifting awkwardly at the thought of cuddling with someone the way the two had.

“ And..I’m with ya on not having any idea, heh.” Kazu lowered his head with a shy chuckle, unable to stand seeing Char so bashful, finding it difficult to fight off certain images that’d send him reeling like her.” I-uh never been good with romance, always been clueless and..nervous about such things…n-not that any would want to cuddle with a bumbling dork like me.” His lowered face burned a mixture of embarrassment and envy with a dismissive hand wave. A solemn look in his eyes.” I think the two of ya are right for each other…and if Calby tries to get in the way, Olive and I will kick his ass for you!” Said with a determined punch of a closed fist against his open palm, only to flinch after mentioning her name.  The red-faced blonde nervously scrambled to slide a glass of water over to her while grabbing one for himself with a free hand. He then hid his darkening face in a long, drawn-out gulp, suddenly finding his throat impossibly dry.

Charlotte buried her face back in her hands. “Calbert already has.” The words were lamented in a muffled mess into her palms before she finally raised her head again. “Calbert asked me to stop seeing Cassius. He said he would leave us be if I did. ” She then let out a sigh. “And I have already made a spectacular mess of that, haven’t I?”

Still in the midst of drinking when Char admitted to Calbert’s interference, causing him to pause and almost slam the glass down in a bit of fury. A forceful gulp of water to clear his throat.” He what?! Like hell are we gonna let that stand!” Kazu exclaimed with barely controlled anger.” Don’t be silly, Char, you haven’t messed up. You two have just been following your heart. If that shithead Calby thinks he can meddle, then he will learn the taste of farmer fury!” Shaking his head with a chest-patting huff.” Don’t give a shit about his status; no one gets in the way of love.” It burned him to his core as he gave the hiding Char a promised nod. 

For a moment, she remained hidden behind her hands. Then she slowly raised her gaze. As she fully digested everything Kazumin had said, her eyes narrowed with sudden, dangerous purpose.

“Kazumin Nagasa, do not tempt me. I will cuddle a bumbling dork like you right now.” Her threat was delivered with all the grace of a lady promising ruin.

Kazu saw Char finally pull her face from hiding and started to smile until he saw the dangerous gaze of her eyes. Just as quickly as the bravado came, it dissolved as his body shrank in a shy, meek manner at the threat of cuddles.” W-what? N-no, please..uh it’s alright.” He shifted in a bashful, awkward manner as his hands waved meekly in front of him.” I-I doubt you’d enjoy cuddling with me...and don’t think Cass would appreciate it.” Lowering his head to hide his red face and slight smile, unable to help but appreciate that someone wanted to cuddle him. 

Then her expression softened. “...But I think a certain someone might be rather cross with me if I did.” She scooted her chair closer and leaned her elbows on the table, wiping beneath her eyes. “In fact, I think there is a certain someone who would be very pleased to cuddle you. Perhaps more pleased than anyone else in this world.”

Her brows lifted pointedly as she placed her chin in her palms. “And I think you know precisely who I mean.” A knowing smile crossed her face. “And if you believe for one second that I have not noticed the way you two have been making eyes at one another lately, then I shall be deeply insulted.”

The meek blonde slightly tilted his head with a queer brow, unsure of what she was getting at.” Uh, cross with you?” A confused lifting of the head as understanding gradually etched his features, which rapidly turned into a fidgeting, hand-fumbling, sheepish rocking.” I-I-I…um..that’s…” Kazu stammered, feeling his face and ears burn red as a cherry, barely managing to fight back a bout of nervous giggling.”  I mean…I might..know who you’re talking about, but…” Biting his lip as his eyes kept bouncing around like an antsy ball,  he could feel himself sweating almost profusely beneath Char’s coy, teasing words.

Then she hit him with that knowing smile, prompting him to bury and hide his burning face against his hands, feeling embarrassed and dumb. Had they really been that obvious? The question brought out a muffled groan as he peeked through his fingers.

” D-did she really say that? That... that she’d enjoy... um..cuddling with me?” Kazu stammered, unable to help picturing Olive cuddling in his arms, his face blissfully nuzzling in her strawberry-sweet hair, giggling and adoring each other. His body shrank further inward, hiding a muffled giggly fit and the biggest dopey smile that wouldn’t go away.* Oh gods, there’s no way she’d want to... would she? Urk..did they share in girl talk? Please tell me she didn’t tell her..no no no no no nononoonono.* His thoughts fired into a dreading panic as his body shook with his frantic head shaking. He was unsure if he could handle the thought of Char knowing their shared moment. A precious moment Kazu couldn’t get out of his head; how her prettypie face kept persistently popping in his mind no matter how hard he tried not to.” I- um..struggle to believe that...b-besides we..we’re just f-f-friends.” His nervously sheepish voice cracked, hurting him to say that, unable to believe an amazingly fiery and cool woman like her could possibly like him in such a way.

“She did not say it with her lips,” Charlotte said gently. Her smile softened and she reached across the table to give his hand a squeeze. “So breathe, darling.  I have only seen the way she looks at you.”

Kazu’s body tensed with a darker hidden blush at the way Char spoke of lips, his whirling mind picturing that moment on the balcony, it nearly made him melt, remembering how soft and warm they felt. A light gasp at the unexpected squeezing touch, realizing as she said it that he’d been holding his breath and gave a weak nod as he finally exhaled.

She tilted her head fondly with a smirk. “And the way you look back.”

The blushing blonde looked away guiltily beneath that smirk, unable to deny his stealing glances.

“...And I am not going to say anything. Whatever exists between you, or may exist, belongs to the two of you. I would never rob either of you of the chance to find it properly.” Then her brows lifted, and a little mischief returned to her gaze.

“I will, however, reserve the right to be delighted by the inevitable.

The way she spoke, maybe she didn’t know then? It was hard to say; Char slyly kept things close, only saying enough to make him wonder. Kazu blinked uncertainly at the way she spoke of the inevitable. It brought him some relief and made him think of letting it end here, but…how could he after the way Char had been so open to him? The kind of trust she gave him meant so much to him and comforted his doubts. 

Slowly lowering his hands from his bright cherry red face, a gentle, nervous smile as his hands rubbed and squeezed in an anxious, shy manner. He kept trying to look at Char, only to avert his gaze.” A-aye..thanks Char, i..I really appreciate it. And..” He bit his lip, then opened it only to bite it closed again, repeating this a few times, struggling to get the words out. 

Worried *she* might be mad, but a part of him wanted to admit it, to no longer keep it a dream, but to make it real. And with how much his friend shared with him now, he wanted to share in that trust.”And you’ve done so much for me... for us. How open and honest you are with me…it..it makes me regret asking you to leave all the more that day when I..visited.” His brown eyes lowered with a sad shame, hoping she knew what he meant.

A shaky steadying inhale as his eyes slowly lifted, face warming with his gaze. A nervous gulp.” T-there’s something..I want to say..something I only trust you with, but..I’m not sure if it's allowed.” Gulping down the anxiety with knitted brows.” We..um..at that grand feast..Olive and I..went to the balcony…” He frowned, recalling the black tendrils, the way she looked so terrified, on the verge of breaking, of giving in.” I can’t go into details considering.. ” Trailing off as he glanced around, taking note of where they were, then returned to Char with a slight shake of the head.” Think it best we were together for that, but…um..um…I..we…” Stammering and rubbing his sweat-slicked, burning face, finding it difficult to get the courage. He looked at his friend, so sweet, patient and understanding she had been, never once cruel or mocking to him.

Charlotte’s brows lifted even more and her eyes widened as she leaned in closer as if that would make the sentence finish faster.
With a shaky gloved hand, Kazu motioned for her to get closer, then hesitantly leaned close as well till his covered mouth hovered by her ear and whispered the softest, shyest.” We..um..shared a k-kiss.” As he admitted it, he felt his face burning like fire.

A squeak left Charlotte’s mouth and she quickly covered her mouth with both hands to smother it, her pupils dilated. All the weariness and sadness was completely voided from her countenance. “You kissed her?” she whispered, though the whisper was far too excited to be discreet. “Kazumin!”

Her hands flew out before she could think better of it, seizing both of his across the table with sudden delight. “Oh,  this is amazing!” Charlotte rose so quickly that her chair scraped against the floor. Then, remembering herself, she glanced around the Breakfast Bar with wide eyes before lowering her voice. “Forgive me. I am composed.”

Kazu sat there like a nervous wreck, unsure how his friend would react. A soft squeak made his body jolt a little; hearing her say it had his ears almost steaming. He could barely register being suddenly lifted up; the sound of scraping jarred him to catch Char’s excited exclamation.” Agh?! I..amazing? I um.” He sputtered meekly, looking away, blushing and smiling bashfully, surprised Char was so elated for them.

She was indeed not composed.

A small, awkward chuckle at the way she struggled to keep composed. He was far from composed as well. 

Still holding his hands, she tugged him up as if the two of them then stepped closer to wrap her arms around him instead. It was fierce, and full of all the happiness she could not shout into the room. “I am so happy for you,” she murmured, squeezing him.

The way she expressed her delight and held his hands kept his trembling legs from giving out under him. He felt like an embarrassed mess and was both surprised and thankful to find himself in a hug. It made him melt the way she held him with fierce happiness as his arms weakly wrapped around her, trying to return the enthusiasm and appreciation, but failed to muster any strength at the moment. For now, he simply relished being held in such a caring way. 

She pulled back just enough to look at him, and said, “Goodness, Kazu. You kissed Olivia.” Her smile trembled with barely contained glee. “And she kissed you back.”

Charlotte was practically about to start dancing as she managed through the teeth of her smile.  “I shall say nothing. I shall behave with the utmost discretion.”

He could do little else but gulp, turning his head down beneath that gleeful grin, resisting the urge to share a similar smile as he felt he wouldn’t be able to stop.” A-aye…we did. T-though it was pretty awkward how it happened and felt, guess neither of us had much experience kissing.” He laughed shyly, scratching at his head.”  S-so I can’t help but worry she didn’t enjoy it.” His bright eyes saddened a bit; the doubts that she, or any woman, could like him-Lady Agatha’s cruel reminders of him being a bumbling walking embarrassment nagged at the back of his mind.

He looked up appreciatively, grateful Char promised to keep this between them.”  Thanks, Char. I appreciate the discretion and am glad to see you in a gleeful mood... really. I uh..I’m not sure how she’d take me saying anything. But…believe me. It..” A soft lick of his trembling lips almost able to taste hers on them still, bringing a bubbling warmth in his chest as his face melted into an adoring grin.” It was one of the most magical moments of my life.” He muttered barely above a whisper as if admitting it was taboo. 

She smiled tenderly, her mind wandering back to a night in Rosegate.  “Oh believe me, Kazumin… I can understand.”

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ReusableSword The (not so) Mighty.

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ReusableSword

The (not so) Mighty.

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Time: Evening
Location: Ballroom 
Interactions: @HylianRose Nora, @Infinite Cosmos Munir
Mentions: 
outfit:Traditional Ravenwood Formal Wear

Her words made his smile widen. She had accepted his request to dance, even if he had underlying, selfish reasons for asking. The compliment, however, caught him completely off guard, though he rallied quickly.

“Ah, yes. Traditional attire for Emberstone. I believe it is more of a statement of our heritage than anything else, given I don’t see anyone else here wearing any sort of armor.” His gaze swept the room for a moment. “Well, I suppose there are some decorated military members in the crowd.”

He was rambling, and he knew it. He found it unusually difficult to maintain eye contact with her—a strange, fluttering feeling he couldn’t quite identify.

He was just about to reach out and escort her to the dance floor when a friendly slap on the back was quickly followed by a familiar voice.

He hadn’t expected Munir to take an interest in Nora; she didn’t seem like his usual type. But then, Roman mentally scolded himself—he shouldn’t be so quick to judge. He turned and returned the warm greeting to the other man.

“Well, hello there, brother!” he said, his voice loud and filled with genuine camaraderie. “I can assure you, my dancing is much better than my swordplay!” It was a boisterous, good-natured boast. “It is good to see you, Shahzade Munir. It feels like months since we last spoke.”

He laughed—a genuine, unmocking sound—at Munir’s statement regarding his own dancing ability. “Knowing you, I'm sure you will outshine anything I can do on the floor.” It was a sincere compliment, and in this instance, Roman was absolutely certain it was true.

He then offered his arm to Nora, formally inviting her to join him. “Best not to keep the Prince waiting too long.” If he could have stuck his tongue out at Munir just to tease him, he would have. Taking one deep breath, Roman let the tension bleed out of his shoulders. For just a moment, he forgot about everything else, simply allowing himself to enjoy the evening.

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