[color=dodgerblue][center][h2]Intelligence Officer
[img]https://i.imgur.com/1v4GEuh.png[/img]
Lieutenant James Clearwell[/h2][/center]
Time:[/color] 10th Ignis, Evening
[color=dodgerblue]Location:[/color] Castle Ballroom - Starry Night Ball
[color=dodgerblue]Attire:[/color] [url=https://i.imgur.com/oVfIzdm.png]Formal Attire[/url]
[color=dodgerblue]Accent:[/color] Sorian Merchant Quarter
[color=dodgerblue]Interactions:[/color] Marina [@princess], Sylvia [@AuthenticTomb]
[color=dodgerblue]Mentions:[/color] Ranya [@Tae], Askel [@Remram]

The slam of her turkey leg onto her plate marked a change in his thoughts.

[i]Oh no.[/i] He’d gone looking for a co-conspirator and found a [i]crusader[/i], and it was too late to change course.

At least she hadn’t charged off immediately, though her theatrics made him question what he’d just done. His eyes briefly followed the fork down to her thigh before averting sharply, appalled. Why was she holstering a fork? He just hoped no one saw him seeing that.

Those eyes drew back to Marina as she mentioned evil. She sounded like the Captain when they would go hunting.

It had just become rather difficult to make like they weren’t talking, but maybe that act wasn’t meant to last. He turned toward her with a healthy balance of food on his plate. He’d eat lightly while she spoke, lightly enough he could quickly swallow and speak at any moment.

[color=#6C72C6]“And by casual and innocent, I mean we are going to find out who the [i]fuck[/i] dares.”[/color]

Marina’s temper was choosing her tactics. He spoke with a conversational tone,[color=dodgerblue] “your first instinct was the better one,”[/color] but his eyes were more cautious. Perhaps being royalty gave her leverage to be so bold.

Being bold here could fan the flames, and the Captain’s love of making things [i]very difficult[/i] had made sure there was plenty of tinder laying everywhere.

[color=6C72C6]“And I know just the girl who can help us…”[/color]

[color=dodgerblue]”We should-”[/color]

[color=F09A99]"Ooooh, who is it? You have to tell me, Marnie!”[/color]

[color=dodgerblue] “.. stick to casual and innocent.”[/color] James shifted his attention to the second princess, dissatisfied with the yet-higher profile he’d just gained.

[color=F09A99]"I don't know what kind of relationship advice I can offer. I think it is too soon for you both."[/color]

James smiled kindly, almost apologetically,[color=dodgerblue] “oh, humble me? No, no,”[/color] he waved gently with one hand,[color=dodgerblue] “I’m just a squire, doing his good deeds for the evening.”[/color]

He needed to brief them both. Quickly, quietly. In a room full of people - socialites, even.

[color=dodgerblue]“Come closer, won’t you? I have a story [i]exclusively[/i] for Varian princesses.”[/color] The nature of his smile changed only slightly, gaining confidence, losing the apology.

He’d let them gather closer before he’d begin,

[color=dodgerblue]“Following the Grand Vizier’s announcement surrounding the,”[/color] a quick glance at the dance floor,[color=dodgerblue] “apparent courtship of Shehzadi Ranya and Prince Askel, I heard rumors focused on the speed of their relationship, Shehzadi Ranya’s innocence, and Prince Askel’s,”[/color] he paused, considering how to phrase it that wouldn’t cause Princess Marina to shoot off,[color=dodgerblue] “restraint around women. Steady, now.”[/color] His head and eyes shifted toward Marina, but he did not look directly at her. His eyes shifted back to his plate and he picked a small morsel, allowing the Princesses a moment to absorb what he’d said in a graceful manner.

It was something Captain Durmand said when anxious men needed to be held to the line, though he’d softened the delivery for his situation.

[color=dodgerblue]“The rumors have been spreading [i]quickly[/i]. Too quickly. As though, perhaps, it’s all someone can talk about.”[/color]

James gave a low, slow sigh as he chewed another small morsel, considering how this connected to him and the interest he was representing.[color=dodgerblue] “I should tell you, I’ve my own reason for doing this. The Captain and,”[/color] he hesitated, censoring Askel’s name,[color=dodgerblue] “your subject of interest were seen together a little more than a week ago, for some time. Had a spar, went to lunch. They seemed friendly - not like [i]that[/i], but it’s ready fuel; with collateral. And,”[/color] James sighed, again,[color=dodgerblue] “the Captain appreciates hard work. Openly. With her eyes.”[/color] How did he get here again?

James took the time to take a breath, [color=dodgerblue]“I can’t point any fingers, yet, but I [i]can[/i] tell you the rumors were shaped to attack purity as foolishness. I can only imagine a sibling might get protective,”[/color] a short, sharp inhale marked a thought, his eyes widened slightly,[color=dodgerblue] “perhaps even react. There may well be a messenger at work.”[/color]

[color=dodgerblue]“The rumor is already alive within the room. The messenger should be bringing the worst version to the most volatile ea-”[/color] James cut himself off while his eyes lifted, then flicked between the two princesses related to someone involved in the rumor.[color=dodgerblue] “Ears.”[/color]

What did [i]he[/i] just do?