[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/rtwLejQ.png[/img]
[color=f26522]Time[/color]: Evening
[color=f26522]Location[/color]: Banquet
[color=f26522]Interactions[/color]: Violet [@Tpartywithzombi], Alexander [@FunnyGuy]
[color=f26522]Mentions in order[/color]: Many
[color=f26522]outfit:[/color] [url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/977c17de-4b6d-4d7d-9167-8905501c2949.jpg]See Leo plenty of people wear green[/url].[/center]
[hr][hr]


[hider=Just before the banquet]
The air in the warehouse was still thick with the subtle tang of industrial byproducts. A more neutral scent of aged wood and canvas permeated the space, mingling with the faint, metallic tang of tools and materials. Evening sunlight filtered through tall, arched windows, casting long shadows across the room. Candles flickered, complementing the natural light. The delicate chime of a hammer against a small anvil, the heavy thud of a dropped crate from the storage areas, and the low murmur of focused conversation from the front of the room filled the space with a subdued symphony of industry.

The rear of the building is dimly lit, the storage more organized, with neatly stacked crates and equipment covered with heavy canvas. The makeshift meeting area only had three occupants, Astri, Erik, and Lord Ravenwood himself. the two helping the larger man get dressed. Erik wasn’t wasting the chance to drill into the lord what to remember to say and do.

“[color=00a651]So, a review then, lad. What are ye not gonna do, eh?[/color]” he asked not hiding his accent while tightening down and aligning Roman’s jacket.

He rolled his eyes with annoyance but continued, “[color=f26522]don’t unnecessarily piss anyone off, don’t make it obvious, don’t diffuse the trial, don’t start a war.[/color]” flinching when Astri pulled the jacket over his bandaged arm. “[color=f26522]Ow hey! carful that’s still sensitive from earlier[/color]”

“[color=bc8dbf]That's a wee lassie's sound, that.[/color]” she said returning his glare with a smile.

Erik didn’t acknowledge the two bickering, “[color=00a651]And what are ye gonna do?[/color]”

“[color=f26522]Piss off the king and Calbert, try to see who pushes, stay on task…[/color]” he trailed off his mind elsewhere. “[color=f26522]Do you really have to send those pictures of Violet and I to him? I... I don’t want to use her as a pawn in this.[/color]” his tone was pleading.

Erik's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowed as he gripped Roman's collar and brought the giant down to his eye level it wasn’t far, but it spoke volumes on its own. “[color=00a651][b]We're[/b] here to do a mission, boy, one that [b]WE[/b] will not fail, so we won't. She doesn't love ya; she'll never love ya, only that mask [b]WE[/b] so carefully crafted. So, get your head straight, and out of your trousers.[/color]” He released him straightened the now ruffled collar and continued dressing the man.

Silence filled the room for a time until they were done. “[color=00a651]Astri.[/color]” Erik spoke stepping back away from the other man to get a good look at him. “[color=00a651]Check his seals and Aura.[/color]” 

She didn’t hesitate just to do as she was told. a whisper barely audibles slipped from her lip’s pupils dilating and eyes growing bloodshot. "[color=bc8dbf]There's cracks and flickers o' black in his aura. The seals are holdin', but they're deterioratin' faster than expected, aye.[/color]" she didn’t blink, she didn’t move, just looking through him and into him. “[color=bc8dbf]The bond’s strong but the other yin will be loose within the month.[/color]” Astri broke eye contact and dropped to a knee catching her breath.

“[color=00a651]Dammit.[/color]” Erik said his glare still fixed on Roman, “[color=00a651]if we find out you tampered with your seals again...[/color]” He didn’t finish his sentence; he didn’t have to. Roman was aware of the consequences for such an action or attempt. His counter parts attitude was understandable. Erik was here to keep him in line, if he messed this up, all his advisors would pay for it just as he would. 

Roman’s father has made it very clear, either they all failed, or they all succeeded, and they all had something to lose. He could only speculate that the last conversation Erik had with his father about their progress did not go well. It would explain why Erik was back to his more uptight and serious attitude just like he was when he was training him as a young boy.

“[color=00a651]Keep in mind my Lord.[/color]” Saying the last part with a sneer, “[color=00a651]We don’t have any decorations that can hide your aura. That crate has suspiciously gone missin’.[/color]” One last looks over was all he needed to do. 

With the raise of his hand, two well-dressed guards came up in unison wearing kilts with the tartan pattern of the Ravenwood house, well-kept and straightened jackets with matching berets. “[color=00a651]Make sure our Lord here doesn’t get lost and arrives at the dinner late but still on time.[/color]” The duo saluted then stepped to the side paying no attention to the glare Erik received from roman as the trio made their way out to the carriage 
[/hider]



[color=fff200]“Now presenting Lord Roman Ravenwood of Emberstone.”[/color]

Tall and muscular, with a clean-cut beard and close-cropped hair, Roman strikes an imposing figure. His stoic bearing is accentuated by a forest green jacket that ends just past his knees, crafted from a luxurious blend of fine linen and wool. The jacket's shoulders are adorned with delicately stitched round metal disks bearing his house sigil: two ravens facing each other, an anvil, axe, and hammer between them, and a crown above.

A fine leather belt with an ornate buckle cinches the jacket at his waist, while gold and black inlay cuffs extend from his wrists to just below his elbows, each depicting traditional tales of great beasts swallowing the sun and moon. His fingers are adorned with rings, some featuring insignias and others set with finely cut jewels.

Around his neck hangs a clear crystal pendant, subtly refracting light into a myriad of colors that dance elegantly over his silk undershirt. His pressed, but loose-fitting dark blue pants are paired with polished leather boots that rise just below his knees. The deliberate choice of attire by Roman and his advisors underscored his noble status and the rich heritage of his house.

The sea of red, gold, and orange did not go unnoticed by him. He understood the semblance of it. A show of fashion and of unity to the people that called this kingdom home. But it seems he wasn’t the only odd one out. A few outliers with different or similar colors to his own were spread out. Still, he was here to represent his family, his home, and by extension, his kingdom.

He walked with a practiced purpose and a smile on his face. Many other nobles were whispering about him, if the whispers reaching his ears were to be believed, the rumors they started sending out just a few days ago were already starting to make their way through these social circles. Rumors of him just relying on his riches and buying his way to his position, rumors that made him out to be greedy and selfish behind closed doors. 

He gave both the King and Queen respectable bows but addressed them a little differently, “[color=f26522]Your resplendence.[/color]” He smiled to the king then the queen, “[color=f26522]your majesty.[/color]” His gaze shifting to some of the other familiar faces at the gathered tables, then politely moved to take his seat. 

“[color=f26522]Alexander Deacon, Lady Violet.[/color]” Spoken with a smile and calm demeanor. “[color=f26522]A lovely evening with a feast that would rival the ones we would have back home.[/color]” Eagerly yet politely, he began to stack his plate with just about anything he could reach with an interest in the fine selection of meats. “[color=f26522]I am famished.[/color]” Glancing momentarily from his plate to Alexander with a smile.