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[center][img]https://r2.fivemanage.com/pub/doubdm0v7ugm.png[/img][/center]
[color=slateblue]Time:[/color] 10 am
[color=F0E399]Location:[/color] Drakes Birthday
[color=slateblue]Mention:[/color] 
[color=F0E399]Interactions:[/color] Gideon[@papaoso], Captain[@citrusarms], Drake[@Lava Alckon], Callum[@helo], Victoria[@princess]
[color=F0E399]Appearance[/color]: No shoes | Blue summer gown with butterflies embroidered on gown

Ariella blinked up at her father, a wide, slightly dazed grin spreading across her face as his familiar voice broke through the haze of the alcohol. The flush in her cheeks deepened, both from the warmth of the drink and the surprise of his presence.

[color=slateblue]"Father!"[/color] she exclaimed, almost stumbling as she turned toward him, her hands instinctively reaching out to steady herself against his arm. She let out a breathless laugh, her eyes sparkling with an impish glint.[color=slateblue] "I didn’t expect you to sneak up on me like that." [/color]

The playful air that surrounded her seemed contagious, her carefree nature at the moment reflecting the years of love and freedom she’d always had with him. His gentle teasing only brought out a more dramatic reaction. She straightened her back, puffing her chest slightly as if to prove that she was entirely capable of handling herself. [color=slateblue]"I’m perfectly fine,"[/color] she declared, her voice lilting as she took a sip from her own drink. [color=slateblue]"Just enjoying a little...well-deserved fun after the dungeon, you know."[/color]

She flashed a mischievous grin at Captain Stratya, then back at her father, thoroughly enjoying the absurdity of their conversation about chocolate and mead. Ariella leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice. [color=slateblue]"I think Stratya here has the right idea. Chocolate in sweetbread—what a revelation!"[/color]

As Gideon’s hand found her shoulder, she relaxed a bit, the steady weight grounding her, even if her head was spinning a little. His gentle warning about the drinks earned him a mock pout.[color=slateblue]"Slow down? Me?"[/color] Ariella laughed, clearly delighted by the absurdity of the suggestion. But her father’s wink made her laugh even more, the kind of unguarded, bubbling laughter that only came from too much drinking and too much happiness in the moment.

Her eyes followed his as he glanced down at her bare feet, and she let out a small, sheepish chuckle. "You know me too well," she said, wiggling her toes with a grin. [color=slateblue]"Shoes are a torture device." [/color]

For a brief moment, the whirlwind of the party faded away when she heard her mother shouting towards her "Ariella! Put your damn shoes on right now or so help me, I will come over there and smack you with one!"

The chatter around them grew silent as they all stopped to look at Ariella and back towards Victoria. The whispers erupted as the crowd continued to look towards Ariella as she felt a flush of embarrassment as her eyes darted nervously between her father and the captain. 
Her eyes landed back on her father, filled with disappointment and sadness she masked it with a soft smile and a squeeze of her father's arm. 

[color=slateblue]“I’m sorry, I hope you both can excuse me,”[/color] she said softly, her voice nearly cracking as she decided to leave the table. 

A server noticed Ariella leaving empty-handed and shuffled over offering her another drink. Without much thought she took it and threw it back, putting the empty glass back on their waiter’s tray before attempting to shuffle around the tables. 

While her bother was giving his speech she hoped she could just sneak out and avoid this mess, already feeling like it was a mistake. However, suddenly she heard a gasp and the sounds of crashing. She looked over to see Drake falling into the tables. 

Grabbing a fist full of her skirt she ran over to her bother but Callum had already intercepted it, she watched him offer a hand out to her bother. Knowing how Drake felt about Cal made this situation all the more interesting for Ari “Not such a bad guy after all, is he Drake…” she thought. As she reached his side she offered Cal a smile before her attention turned to her brother. 

”You alright?” Callum had asked, whispering something to him she didn’t catch. 

[color=slateblue]“ Drake!?” [/color] Ari added.[color=slateblue] “ Are you hurt?” [/color] she looked at him with a concerned expression as Cal attempted to help him up. She felt her mother's presence moving towards them as her body slightly stiffened. 

"Drake!" she whisper-hissed, glaring down at him. "Do you have any idea how utterly embarrassing that was? Falling off the stage like a commoner who can’t hold his drink! My son, making a spectacle of himself at his own birthday party."

Ariella's eyes narrowed in on her mother as she bit back a remark but she continued. 

"Oh, look. I believe a flea just jumped out of your hair, Prince Callum Danrose. You might want to find a comb—though I doubt it’ll help with whatever’s going on there."

Ariella’s smile faltered as her mother’s biting words filled the space. Her initial concern for Drake was quickly overshadowed by a simmering irritation, the familiar sting of her mother’s sharp tongue aimed first at her brother and now at Callum.

Her hand instinctively tightened around the fabric of her skirt, the warmth from the moment before disappearing as tension settled in. She glanced at Callum, who was helping Drake up, her heart aching at the cruelty of the insult tossed his way. Her eyes flicked to her mother, and for a moment, Ariella debated whether to let it slide, to simply keep the peace. But she couldn’t.

Taking a deep breath, Ariella stepped forward, her posture calm but her voice steely with liquid courage.[color=slateblue] "Mother,"[/color] she began, her tone firm but measured, [color=slateblue]"I don’t think this is the time or the place for such... comments."[/color]

Her eyes darted back to Drake, offering him a quick, reassuring smile before her gaze settled on Callum, her expression softening. She couldn’t stand to see him treated so poorly, not when he’d done nothing but try to help.

Turning back to her mother, Ariella’s tone sharpened slightly, though she kept her words controlled.[color=slateblue] "Perhaps we could focus on making sure Drake is alright, instead of... embarrassing anyone further." [/color] Her eyes flashed with a hint of challenge as she stood her ground, unwilling to let her mother’s venom go unchecked. 

[color=slateblue]“It's not very Lady like” [/color] she added as she took a step closer to her mother. Something she continuously reminded Ariella whenever she did something unapproving [/color]