[center]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/wkbE032.png[/img]
[h1][color=D2691E]Farim[/color][/h1]
[color=D2691E][b]Location:[/b] Edwards Estate[/color] 
[color=D2691E][b]Time:[/b] Morning of the 25th[/color]
[color=D2691E][b]Attire:[/b] [url=https://imgur.com/a/PvvbxKV]Robes[/url][/color]
[color=D2691E][b]Mentions:[/b] Anastasia[@princess], Zarai [@Rodiak], Olivia [@Potter], Fritz [@JJ Doe], Stratya [@CitrusArms], Rohit[@Helo], Wulfric [@SilverPaw] and Nahir [@Rodiak][/color]

[color=D2691E]
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
[/color]

The playful banter between the two continued as Zarai compared each of them to culinary delights. This woman was certainly a fun one to interact with. He could see why her and Annie got along so well. For the time he decided it best to let their back and forth end. She had won the battle, but Farim would surely win the war - at least that is what he convinced himself he would do. [color=D2691E]”Sharing is caring indeed…”[/color] He trailed off.

The man turned to address Anastasia. [color=D2691E]”Back home this is merely how we flirt and play nice amongst our romantic interests. But here I am beginning to feel it is not as socially appropriate.”[/color] He still could not help but trace a finger along the fair skin of her arm, with his eyes moving to trace the movements before returning to meet the woman’s gaze. 

But then her tone shifted. Her body relaxed but not out of comfort. The Shehzade’s brow furrowed as he tried to read her expressions - almost like the birth of a thousand yard stare. Had he been too much? Was his method of allure and romanticism too strong? [color=D2691E][i]Allaenat jamiean (Dammit all), Farim. She does not need someone flighty or unsure. Stick to your mantra - and be the man above the rest. You have to be, for her.[/i][/color]

The brief moment of reflection was cut short as she seemed to be snapped back to her senses. [color=D2691E]”Everything good, Annie?[/color] He asked. But she was already moving onto the next moment. Already seeking the next excitement. A slight melancholic look graced Farim’s features for but a moment. That is when the birthday boy himself took a rather big fall off the stage.

[color=D2691E]”What is with this city and causing great falls?[/color] The following spectacle was nothing new to him either. Families fight all the time. His mind flickered to the times his father would berate and abuse him in public similar to this - prompting Farim to say a silent prayer for Lord Drake. The situation only continued to grow weirder. As nobles around began to act aloof, Farim narrowed his gaze and scanned the surrounding tables. Everyone seemed to be having a little too much fun…

[color=D2691E]”Do not tell me….”[/color] He snatched a drink from a nearby platter as a waiter passed by. He raised the glass to his nose and gave the drink a cursory sniff-test. Nothing. He raised the glass to his lips and took a small sip - and immediately felt the potency of the beverage. [color=D2691E]”Princess, do not partake in the beverages….I cannot say who did this and for what reason. But this is not a normal drink. I am afraid they have been [i]tampered with[/i].”[/color]

The man turned to the table, noticing that Zarai and Fritz had taken their leave. So he addressed those he remained. [color=D2691E]”I do not know if I am being dramatic but I suggest you two do the same. Call it a hunch, or maybe I am just paranoid after the last time I drank at a party here.”[/color] Farim had learned to not always trust every drink or food placed before him - and the mistake he made the other night was one he would rather not repeat. 

[color=D2691E][i]But who would invite so many people to an event to celebrate their prestige just to get them drunk and delirious?[/i][/color] Farim pondered for a moment before casting his gaze across the yard towards his cousin. She seemed rather coherent. And so did her present company. And if she or any of them would look his way, he made sure to make it apparent to her that the drinks may not be what they seem. He placed the drink down while looking at Nahir, and pushed the drink away.

[/center]