[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PLyfcLV.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/7CEeryv.png[/img][/center]
[color=lightgray][color=E77298]Time:[/color] Morning
[color=E77298]Location:[/color] Drakes Birthday Party
[color=E77298]Attire:[/color][url=https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/i/ef4a7318-2b84-41b7-b895-2d56e0537a70/di24out-ec5148fa-4ec2-40bf-b8de-37543f983682.jpg]Dress[/url]
[color=E77298]Interaction:[/color] [@Lava Alckon] Farim [@CitrusArms] Stratya
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[hr][color=lightgray]

Anastasia's smirk widened as Farim’s hand brushed against her chin. She met his gaze, eyes gleaming with amusement, completely at ease. [color=E77298] "Frustrations?"[/color] She repeated with intrigue, [color=E77298] "Sweetheart, if this is frustrating you, you might be in trouble... I'm just warming up. "[/color] 

She trailed a finger lightly along his arm, her touch featherlight, almost teasing. [color=E77298] "I hope you can manage until later,"[/color]  she whispered, her tone dripping with suggestion, [color=E77298] "because I’d hate for this to be over too soon." [/color] She winked, her gaze playfully challenging as she pulled back. She was glad to hear that Farim and possibly the others were going to show up for some strip poker. 

The party needed to keep going after all. She [i]needed[/i] it to keep going... 

But why did she?

Her smile started to fade ever so slightly, and for a moment it felt as if the shadows of her mind were reaching toward her,  creeping up from behind like cold fingers curling around the edges of her skull. They were a quiet but insistent reminder, dark tendrils that clawed at the joy she sought to keep alive, dragging her thoughts back to Darryn this time. They had been patient today, waiting for the moment the distraction ended, for when she would be forced to face them head-on.

For a moment, the noise of the party vanished, like someone had turned down the volume of the world itself. The vivid greens of the room dulled, blurring into muted shades, and even the lively notes of Drake's piano seemed distant, like an echo from a dream. All that remained was the creeping stillness, where her own voice echoed loudly from the depths of her subconscious:

[color=#D06682][i]Having fun? Meanwhile Darryn lies dead... He'll never have fun again.[/i][/color]

Before she could process the thought Stratya’s voice suddenly grounded her, and Anastasia found herself blinking as if she'd just awoken from a dream. It was as if all the sounds turned back on along when she spoke, as if it had been as simple as flicking a switch. Her attention moved to the knight and she beamed. [color=E77298] "Hi there!"[/color] She greeted and then teased, [color=E77298] "Are you suuurrre you're not making up an excuse because you wanna come play... Because you totally could just ask, silly."[/color]

Drake then continued on to play a second song, apparently gifted to him by Charlotte. She chewed her lip as Stratya had brought up the idea of her being a sweetheart, but nodded with a forced smile. She chewed on her lip, nodding at Stratya with a forced smile, pushing back the faint discomfort. But when Drake fell, tumbling into chaos, Anastasia's attention snapped toward the spectacle, and a bright giggle bubbled up. [color=E77298] "Oh my gods! Can't blame a guy for getting drunk on his birthday though, can we?"[/color]

Yet, the amusement was quickly replaced by concern when Ariella ran to her brother's side. Anastasia's gaze softened, watching her friend.  [color=E77298]"She's free... Thank goodness."[/color] She murmured to herself. She made a mental note to check on Ariella later, to make sure her friend was truly okay.

Of course, Duchess Victoria was quite literally something out of the underworld as she always, as she embarrassed her children in front of everyone and herself. To Anastasia's shock, Stratya decided to tell the duchess to take off her shoes, her bold voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

Anastasia's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a loud laugh, but she couldn't contain the glee bubbling up inside. [color=E77298] "Captain Durmand!"[/color] She exclaimed with glee between laughs. [color=E77298] "What's gotten into you? I love it!"[/color] And then, as if the scene couldn't get any funnier, Lorenzo piped in, adding his own bizarre commentary. Anastasia doubled over, lost in her laughter enough to barely notice that Zarai and Fritz had stepped off to talk privately.[/color]