[color=lightgray][H3][center][b][color=AFDCE0]Count Landon Monet[/color], [color=ab274f]Prince Wulfric Danrose[/color], [color=hotpink]Lord Leo Smithwood[/color], [color=9354FF]Count Ryn Hendrix[/color], [color=greenyellow]Lord Drake Edwards[/color][/b][/center][/H3]

[center][b][color=AFDCE0]P[/color][color=B4B6D1]a[/color][color=A9BAC2]r[/color][color=9FBDB4]t[/color] [color=95C1A5]1[/color][/b][/center]


Count Landon Monet situated himself tentatively, drumming his fingers on the table as he awaited others to join him. 

Prince Wulfric arrived relatively early, smoothly situating himself at the count’s table. [color=ab274f]“Good evening,”[/color] he greeted as he seated himself. The royal, too, was wearing an attire embellished with gold, [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/6b/5b/0c/6b5b0c1a81498403a330d47c382cabe8.jpg]his gleaming light beige suit[/url] a tasteful contrast against the cabaret’s darker environment. [color=ab274f]“Has something of note happened before we’ve even begun?”[/color] he asked, a vaguely amused tilt to his expression. He’d not caught anything, but there was a notable tension in Count Monet’s body language.

Leo approached the table shortly after Wulfric, greeted the crowned prince first and then the count before sitting down. [color=hotpink]“Something of note seems to be a common occurrence here.”[/color] Leo commented in a neutral tone.

The count of Erwynn soundlessly appeared from behind Lord Leo Smithwood. [color=9354FF]“Ah, but does that not make life all the more memorable and‌ exciting?”[/color] He smiled at the assembled nobility. [color=9354FF]“Good evening, gentlemen. I hope the day has been kind to you all.”[/color] Ryn settled into the seat beside Count Monet, who had smiled curtly in greeting.

[color=ab274f]“Good evening,”[/color] Wulfric echoed, but went back to studying Landon when the man replied.

Landon met Wulfric’s eyes tentatively and the muscles in his jaw twitched slightly. He relaxed some visibly as some gratitude washed over him; it was at least a relief that the prince had missed the spectacle. [color=AFDCE0]“Nuzzing out of ze usual, Your Majesty. Yet, it is truly an honor zat you decided to grace my event, and particularly my table with your esteemed presence.“[/color] He managed a tight smile then let his eyes travel to Leo. [color=AFDCE0]“Lord Smeethwood. It’s a pleasure… ‘Ow was your trip from ze Varian Kingdom?”[/color]

[color=hotpink]“Scenic and serene but lacking the excitement to make it as memorable as my time here.”[/color] Leo responded with a nod toward Count Fritz. [color=hotpink]“Thank you for asking. And even more thankful to see a menu that barely mentions cheese.”[/color] He joked, hoping to lessen the visible tension from Count Monet. 

[color=ab274f]“This morning had an overabundance of cheese,”[/color] Wulfric agreed. [color=ab274f]“Speaking of excesses, I simply must ask, however. What brought about your pink state, Leo?”[/color] He purposefully used the lord’s first name to take the edge off what might otherwise be considered a needling question. 
[color=AFDCE0]“I confess zat is a question zat is traversing my mind as well...”[/color]


[color=hotpink]“Well,”[/color] Leo thought over how he wanted to answer, [color=hotpink]“I got up this morning, I took a bath, and then I was pink. Very strange, I suspect it is a prank.”[/color]

Ryn studied Lord Smithwood’s coloring while the man spoke. [color=9354FF]“If I may, can I examine your skin more closely?”[/color] A very pink eyebrow raised, then Leo nodded. 

At his assent, Ryn leaned in, inspecting the skin’s hue and texture. He rubbed his fingers against the surface to search for any other irregularities or changes, but found none. Reaching for the water jug, Ryn dampened his fingers on the cool condensation. He tested the skin again. Waited. Breathed warm air on the wet patch. Rubbed once more, then examined his own fingertips and nodded slowly.

[color=9354FF]“I believe the soap you used was the culprit. One containing a rather potent dye that reacts to heat and moisture. It appears harmless, but I would advise washing it off thoroughly, to be safe.”[/color] Ryn sat back, an idea sparking in his eyes. [color=9354FF]“I heard there is an excellent spa in the city. Perhaps we could head there together later and get you sorted out?”[/color]

Leo chuckled, a mix of relief and amusement. [color=hotpink]“A harmless prank…I bet Thea set this up before she returned home.”[/color] He thought aloud. It was the best case scenario, one that meant Thea was feeling better than she had in a long while. [color=hotpink]“An excellent suggestion Fritz, thank you.”[/color] He briefly wondered if he’d misjudged the count but his initial gut feeling, one that regarded Fritz with a deep sense of animosity still lingered.

Ryn smiled kindly at the warmth behind the gratitude. This might well be the first time the nobleman had addressed him without overt disdain. [color=9354FF]“Think nothing of it.”[/color] Turning to the other two, he extended the open invitation. [color=9354FF]“You are both welcome to join us, if you would like.”[/color]

[color=AFDCE0]“Ah, zhank you, but I will ‘ave to decline.”[/color] Landon responded and then added with some bitterness etched to his tone, [color=AFDCE0]“My wife is expecting my return after zis, unfortunately.”[/color] The other count nodded in understanding.

[color=ab274f]“A spa…? If I am in the mood,”[/color] Wulfric casually rolled a shoulder. He did not mention to Leo that his sister had not, in fact, left. When he had met her this morning, it had seemed Thea was waiting for the right moment to tell him himself. He dragged his gaze away from the eye-catching eyesore of a pink Leo, turning back to Count Monet. [color=ab274f]“Well, then,”[/color] he smirked, [color=ab274f]“why not aim for an entertaining evening, at the very least?”[/color] He eyed each of the men gathered. [color=ab274f]“How about a game of cards, gentlemen?”[/color] He paused for a moment to gauge the initial reactions.

[color=ab274f]“And to make it more interesting…”[/color] A spark of enthusiasm transformed the smirk into a tiny grin. [color=ab274f]“Consider the following wager. The winner of a particular round can set a question, a challenge, or a game to the table. For example, if I won, I might ask ‘What was the most convincing lie you’ve ever told?’ and each of you would have to answer. Of course, you could choose to improvise, and see what you could convince the others you’ve pulled off successfully.[/color] 

[color=hotpink]“I’m in, what game did you have in mind?”[/color] Leo asked, gambling with truths and dares as the prize was too intriguing an opportunity to pass up. [color=hotpink]“Black Jack?”[/color] He suggested something quick to get to the more interesting part.

[color=ab274f]“Hm, I would recommend a game which doesn’t require a dealer and which has a clear winner,”[/color] which Blackjack didn’t necessarily always have. [color=ab274f]However…we can make it work,”[/color] he smiled. He’d expected it, but he was glad Leo was so quickly on board. [color=ab274f]“We could also rotate games for each round, and each of us picks whatever suits him. Alternatively, we could vote from a selection of games we all know how to play,”[/color] he suggested. 

Reminded of the drinking game he and Lord Damien did the evening before, Ryn chuckled. [color=9354FF]“It sounds fun. Count Monet, if you were to join us, what game would you suggest?”[/color]
Count Landon took a long swig of his whiskey, then met Ryn’s eyes. [color=AFDCE0]“Go Fish. Simple enough even for a child. 'Ere’s how it works,”[/color] he began, his tone brusque.
[color=AFDCE0]“Each of us gets five cards, and ze rest go in a pile. On your turn, you ask someone for a specific card rank. If zey ‘ave it, zey give you all of those cards. If zey don’t, zey tell you to ‘Go Fish,’ and you draw from ze pile. Ze goal is to collect sets of four cards of ze same rank. Ze game ends when all sets are collected, and ze one with ze most sets wins.”[/color]
He glanced around the table, his expression as if daring the others to outdo his fine suggestion. Then, Landon waved over a nearby waiter. [color=AFDCE0]“But first, before we play anything, I am going to order us a round of drinks as my glass is now empty.”[/color] He gestured the waiter to his side with a beckoning of his finger and began to whisper.
[color=hotpink]“It’s Landon’s night, I’m good with his game. Who has a deck of cards?”[/color] Leo asked of the table before giving his drink order to the waiter. 

[color=ab274f]“Go…Fish? I can’t say I’ve played.”[/color] Despite it being a child’s game, Wulfric was evidently intrigued. The rules Landon laid out were very straightforward. [color=ab274f]“Simple indeed. Let us start with a round of that, then,”[/color] he agreed. When the waiter appeared, he noted, [color=ab274f]“I will abstain from alcohol tonight, so a glass of sparkling water will do.”[/color] At Leo’s question, he shook his head. [color=ab274f]“I can procure the cards if need be,”[/color] he assured.

[color=greenyellow]“Quite an enjoyable game too, if I do say so myself!”[/color] The young lord's voice rose just above the ambient noise in the room as Drake made his way to the table of familiar faces. He took a moment to bow before the ensemble of noblemen and gestured to a nearby chair. [color=greenyellow]“Mind if I take a seat? It has been ages since I’ve had a chance to properly interact with any of you. I think this is as good a time as any to rekindle some friendships.”[/color] He waited before taking his seat, but still brandished a drink he had procured from the bar earlier - a simple whiskey to start the night. After the encounter he just had, he would definitely need a few.

[color=AFDCE0]“Oh yes, please sit!”[/color] Landon encouraged Lord Edwards. He had pepped up a bit in reaction to those accepting his game suggestion. [color=AFDCE0]“Good to see you, young Edwards.”[/color]

Ryn gestured invitingly towards the empty chair Lord Edwards had indicated, [color=9354FF]“Please, do sit with us! We’d be delighted to have your company. Would you like to join the game too? The winner can pose any question they want, and the rest must answer true... or lie so convincingly it might as well be.”[/color] He favored Lord Edwards with a playful wink as he produced his own deck and set it on the table. [color=9354FF]“If it’s agreeable to everyone, we can use my cards.”[/color]
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