JJ Doe

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Hala Sami

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

28 Sola, Night
The Grand Banquet
@Helo @princess

Hala stifled yet another yawn behind a bejeweled hand, eyes glazing over as Bey Whatever-His-Name droned on about his hunting exploits. The Grand Banque—crown jewel of Caesonia’s Courting Season? Please. They’d seen more excitement at a meeting of elderly carpet merchants haggling over thread counts. The meal, at least, wasn’t terrible, but these people! Dull as dishwater and twice as tepid.

Adding insult to injury, Hala had been subjected to the revolting spectacle of King Edin at the head table. The man ate like he’d never see food again—a travesty, considering his girth suggested otherwise.

Hala reached for their wine, tempted for the tenth time in as many minutes to make up some crisis to flee. But no. As much as every fiber of their being craved to sashay out of this overwrought display of mediocrity—perhaps knocking over a candelabra on the way out for dramatic effect—they remained seated. The Grand Vizier had requested their presence, and for him, Hala would endure this torture.

Besides, there was a six-foot-three, two-hundred-and-five pound reason to stay.

Nadim, ever alert at Hala’s side, perked up his massive head before they registered what had caught the dog’s attention. Just as the cool rim of their glass touched their glossed lips, a familiar voice—a touch too loud and carrying that unmistakable accent—cut through the dull hum of conversation.

“Hala?!”

A slow, satisfied smirk curved their mouth before they took their time finishing that sip, savoring both the fine wine and the moment.

“Not long,” they replied, setting the glass down with a delicate clink.

They rose to their feet in a fluid motion, careful to shift the warm bundle nestled within their layers of silk aside before finally turning to face Rohit.

“What are you doing sitting down?” Hala chided, one perfectly arched eyebrow raised in mock offense. “Get up and give me a proper greeting.”

Rohit complied with that adorable eagerness he’d never outgrown. They clasped hands and drew close, their free hands clapping each other’s shoulders in a half-embrace. Hala hummed their approval and pulled away. “Smells like someone’s been having fun without me.”

Not to be outdone, Nadim pushed his head between them. His tail wagged with such force his entire back end swayed. The dog’s eyes fixed adoringly on Rohit, clearly expecting his due attention.

Readjusting the bundle of fur to its original place, they retook their seat. The silk rustled softly as they settled, arranging their outfit to fall just so.

“How’s your vacation been so far, Rohit?” they asked, lips quirked in that particular smile reserved only for old friends. “Found anything worth writing home about, or do I need to rescue you from your boredom as well as mine?”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Fritz "Ryn" Hendrix

Time: Sola 28 1739; Nighttime Hours
Location: Castle Dining Room
Interaction(s)/Mention(s): @CitrusArms @princess @FunnyGuy @Potter @PapaOso @Apex Sunburn

“Ser Durmand,” he greeted, the firmness of his grip matching the Knight Captain’s own. “A pleasure to cross paths again so soon.”

In response to Captain Durmand’s first question, he lifted the small plate he held. On it balanced three vol-au-vents, each a marvel of architectural pastry—flaky, golden, and collapsing slightly under their own delicious weight. Their mushroom hearts released a savory aroma—rich and buttery, earthy yet bright with scattered fragments of thyme and tarragon. “I believe you. Every function in Sorian has proven a superb culinary experience.”

Turning from the Captain, Ryn surveyed the dining hall, where candlelight caught on jewels and polished buttons. The ambient noise of aristocratic chatter bounced off the high ceilings. “Quite the gathering tonight—many fresh faces.”

From across the room, he spotted the Vikenas with Ms. Persephone beside them, looking somewhat overwhelmed but maintaining her composure. They all were. He raised his hand in a quick greeting, careful not to let his face betray his concern. With Count Damien assigned only a few seats away from them, the evening promised excitement of the wrong sort for the Vikena party.

With a tilt of his head, Ryn directed the Captain’s attention toward their assigned table with its elegantly handwritten place cards. A few lacked the usual parade of titles and honorifics—a curious diplomatic omission in such company.

“Have you had the pleasure of acquainting yourself with any of our dining companions?” he asked, taking a sip of champagne. Pale gold and crisp, the beverage offered just enough sweetness to take the edge off the bubbles. “I recognize most of the names, but several others elude me.”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Fritz "Ryn" Hendrix

Time: Sola 28 1739; Nighttime Hours
Location: Castle Dining Room
Interaction(s)/Mention(s): @SilverPaw @princess

Ever since he and Peter discovered the enchanted spyglass, Ryn had harbored no illusions about its eventual use. His foresight led him to request that Wayra work on a countermeasure—the very one now pinned to his formal attire. But after Prince Wulfric revealed Queen Alibeth’s plans to eradicate magic from the kingdom, complete with witch hunters, the timeline, as they say, dramatically accelerated.

His physiology presented unique challenges. He could not prevent himself from attracting others’ magicae. Nor could he control the constant flux that caused the energy surrounding him to shift through various spectral hues with all the subtlety of a crystal prism spinning in sunlight.

Ryn had hoped, rather optimistically, for something akin to Lady Charlotte’s necklace—a piece that completely masked the wearer’s magicae signature. Sadly, that had proven difficult to replicate. The best they could manage was a brooch with a dampening effect—reducing the vibrant aura to a faint glow and slowing the color shifts to such a glacial pace that casual observation would likely miss the changes altogether. Not perfect, but better than nothing at all.

Moving through the Grand Banquet, Ryn shook hands, kissed cheeks, and exchanged pleasantries with practiced ease and a smile firmly fixed in place. All while watching out for that someone who seemed a touch too interested in everyone else.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

The Alidasht dignitary straightened his formal attire for perhaps the tenth time that evening. With each adjustment to his collar and sleeves, he silently celebrated his extraordinary fortune—not only had he secured an invitation to the Grand Banquet, the crown jewel of Caesonia’s Courting Season, but he’d been assigned a seat that defied his wildest aspirations. To be placed beside Rohit, son of Vali Navi Amar, and within conversational distance of both the Shehzade and Shehzadi! Such proximity to royalty was an opportunity that came once in a lifetime, if at all.

The woman assigned to sit across from him was unknown to him, but possessed an unpretentious beauty that would make the evening’s conversation all the more pleasant. He couldn’t have asked for better arrangements.

For the past hour, he had meticulously worked the room, bowing with practiced precision to nobility from across Eromora. He had showcased his knowledge of Caesonian customs while subtly highlighting Alidasht achievements, careful to neither boast nor appear obsequious. In his own estimation, he had struck precisely the right tone with everyone he’d met.

“Another success,” he murmured to himself, accepting a fresh glass of sparkling amber liquid from a passing servant. The crystal goblet caught the light from the chandeliers overhead, sending tiny prisms dancing across his fingers. It was time to take his seat and cement his newfound connections.

As he turned toward his assigned table, a flash of movement caught his eye.

Like a desert mirage given form, a figure glided across the banquet hall. Flowing fabrics of deep turquoise billowed around them, embroidered with intricate gold patterns that seemed to ripple with each graceful step. Gold bangles and chains adorned their wrists and neck, tinkling softly with movement. A translucent veil of the same turquoise was draped artfully over one shoulder, trailing behind like water flowing over stone.

The figure moved with undeniable confidence—no, more than confidence—with the certainty of someone who had never questioned their right to be anywhere. Their stride was neither hurried nor hesitant, simply purposeful, as if the very floor should feel honored to support their weight.

The dignitary found himself momentarily transfixed. It wasn’t until the figure reached his table and gracefully lowered themselves into his assigned seat that the spell broke.

Into his seat.

The dignitary blinked, then frowned, then felt heat rise to his face. Had this flamboyant interloper just stolen his prized seat at the table? He gripped his goblet tighter and marched toward the table, composing his features into a mask of diplomatic displeasure.

“Excuse me,” he said, his voice carefully modulated to convey authority without aggression. The last thing he wanted was to appear uncouth before the others.

The person turned, and the dignitary found himself staring into eyes the color of aged cognac—penetrating, deep, and unsettlingly direct. Their warm brown skin contrasted with long, blond hair gathered into a thick, loose braid that hung down their back. High cheekbones and a strong jaw gave their features a regal quality, while full lips curved into a smile that managed to be both polite and dismissive. Gold dust highlighted their brows and cheekbones, catching the light with each subtle movement.

“Perfect,” the stranger said, plucking the goblet from his hand with elegant fingers adorned with gold rings. “I was just about to call for a drink.” They turned away without another word, resuming what appeared to be a lively conversation with the others at the table.

The dignitary stood there, empty-handed and increasingly outraged. “I believe there has been a misunderstanding,” he said, his voice sharper now. “That seat is specifically assigned to me as an official envoy from Alidasht. I don’t know who you are, but I must insist—”

As he reached forward to place a hand on the intruder’s shoulder, a low, rumbling growl froze him in place. The dignitary’s eyes dropped to the floor beside the chair, where they met the intense stare of a massive Cane Corso. Muscles tensed visibly beneath the dog’s gleaming black coat as its lips curled back to reveal impressive teeth—a warning that required no translation.

The stranger sighed dramatically and turned back to face him, the polite smile replaced with obvious annoyance. “Hala Sami,” they said with a dismissive wave. “And this seat just got a significant improvement in its occupant.”

Hala Sami? The dignitary felt the blood drain from his face so quickly he feared he might faint. Great Umbra preserve us, what had brought Vali Malik Sami's child to this gathering? His gaze darted involuntarily to the high table where Grand Vizier Hafiz sat.

If the Grand Vizier had summoned a Sami to the banquet, it could only mean one thing.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Farim & Fritz

Time: Evening of the 26th (Flashback)
Place: The woods between Sorian’s Graveyard and the Athletic Stadium

---

It was deep into the night, where Farim stared at a set of correspondence on his desk. They were a mixture of letters and requests from all over the land of Alidasht - things he had always either addressed or outright ignored if the sender proved bothersome enough. He filed away most of the unimportant things until two distinct things lay on his desk. One, a report from his personal entourage of mercenaries reporting back on their most recent findings. The envelope bulged with the stacks of papers that led Farim to believe there was quite a discovery to be unveiled in the parchments that made it to his temporary office. However he decided to push those to the side for the moment, choosing the second envelope with the sigil his company chose to bear for urgent or expedited mail.

He flipped the envelope open with ease, the seal coming undone at the flick of his finger - yet it showed to him there was no tampering done with the letters as the Sorian royal mail service had handled it. This was a reassuring detail to the Shehzade. Inside this envelope was a simple letter, a request of services rendered. It seemed like an almost ordinary transaction, and his brows furrowed in frustration as he wondered why the hell someone would send this kind of thing to him with the level of urgency and notoriety. Then his eyes glanced over it once more, and he chuckled lightly as his naivety. The letters and the inks used to write them were intermixed with bits of black and gold that Farim had initially mistaken for bits of filigree and attempts at making the ledger seem fancy and prestigious. Upon closer inspection, there was a hidden code in the words chosen to be “highlight” with the bits of golden ink - which after some quick translating from Farim’s mental dictionary amounted to the following message:

“Goods found. Purchased required amount. Meet me behind the tombstones.”

Farim sighed. He had hoped to avoid some of his more shady work while out on this “vacation” he liked to affectionately refer to it as. But it would seem that opportunities rarely wait for the optimal moment to present themselves. He took the care to house Thara in her cage and lull her to sleep, placing the black veil over her cage. He then put on his walking shoes and made for the door, informing the scant remaining servants that he simply desired to go for a walk to clear his head, and would be back within the hour. Any longer and they should send for the Royal Guard. From there he took a brisk pace, walking with a purpose as conspicuously as one could, and made his way out of the walls that protected the royal palace. The man took the path down Flora Road, and made a slight detour around the Athletic Stadium. As he pathed along Clover Road, he made it about halfway before lazily shifting his way towards the woods that lined around the stadium. The trees weren’t nearly as dense as he would have liked but they provided light cover from any prying eyes as he neared his target destination: behind the Graveyard.

Little did he know there was someone in the woods there before him.

Wayra’s birds pecked at their reward with all the dignity of seasoned professionals collecting payment from Ryn. In the quiet night, only the soft tik-tik-tik of beaks against dirt filled the air. Then: a ripple through the flock. Every feathered head lifted in unison to catch something beyond human perception. Having learned through considerable experience that when animals behave oddly, one ought to pay attention, Ryn ceased his movements immediately.

Through the gaps between the trees, a figure moved with purpose, their shape barely distinguishable in the darkness. Ryn tracked their progress until moonlight stripped away the mystery, revealing none other than Shehzade Farim.

Naturally, Ryn did what any sensible person would do upon discovering a noble skulking about at night—he followed at a discreet distance. One of the nightingales, apparently sharing his curiosity, fluttered over to perch on his shoulder. Their pursuit led them to the graveyard, where the shehzade moved between the headstones in search of someone. Whether his quarry still possessed a pulse was, Ryn supposed, the sort of detail that would reveal itself shortly.

Making his way towards the farther end of the cemetery, Farim spotted the cloaked figure of his contact sulking near a tombstone. ”This better be worth the trouble.” He coldly stated to the man. The figure walked out from the shadows and gave a bow to Farim. The man was of an average build, choosing to lower his cowl and reveal a head of black hair, fair brown skin, and a short beard that was extremely well groomed. The facial expression on this individual was incredibly intense, despite it seeming like his resting face. The neutral way his mouth was sitting flicked into a smirk as he procured a small pouch from behind him.

“Your warnings were not ignored without good reason, Shehzade. We have finally secured the final bits of materials you requested and could start on the gem shipments you desired and be ahead of the competition on ruby sales. This was on your list of high priority items while you were away. Shall we reschedule?”

Farim shook his head. ”Of course not. Let me see the items, make sure you have the right things.” The prince scanned through the contents of the pouch, seeing various precious metals scattered about in random quantities. Farim rolled his eyes slightly, realizing that he would have to do the quick mathematical calculations for what he desired to do next. He reached into the pouch, picking various bits of the hardened metals until he had assorted just the right proportions. In his hand were bits of aluminum to oxidize into the proper element he needed to bind and color the gemstone he wished to craft. The metals needed for this procedure were chromium for color and corundum for structure. All of these with the ample oxygen in the air would make for a perfect alchemical transaction that he made entirely in his own head while the other man watched.

Looking around, Farim took a quick scan of the surroundings, failing to notice his hidden spectator before turning back to his palm. A brief shining blue light rippled from underneath his shirt as the necklace he wore began to emanate with magical power. His own eyes seemed to glimmer with a light blue hue as he closed his fist around the metals. Farim muttered words to himself, only audible to the forces that willed his work into existence. This was not merely just a spell to be cast, but a transaction to be agreed upon. Raw materials and life force to be traded away for a desired end product. Most who would dare such feats would find themselves aged by years for every time they decided to brave such powerful magicks. Yet mysteriously, Farim seemed to stay completely in his physical prime, unaffected by the toll of the spell. Aside from a brief dizzy spell, the Shehzade remained stoic and focused while watching the light blue light pulse from the palm of his hand, and when he opened it back up, a pristine bundle of rubies had taken the place of the metals before. The other man looked in awe as the process occurred, distracted from any onlookers while going to reach for the gemstones to secure them back into his bag.

Through the enchanted lenses perched on his nose, Ryn witnessed what ordinary eyes could never comprehend. The magicae manifested as gossamer threads of blue light, unspooling from the raw materials in Shehzade Farim’s palm. Each component surrendered its original form, dissolving into their purest essence. Like a master weaver at an invisible loom, the magic pulled and twisted these strands into a new pattern until what once was became what must be, and brilliant rubies gleamed before the men.

The nightingale tilted at that peculiar angle birds favor when something catches their attention. “What do you think?” Ryn whispered to the bird, knowing full well that Wayra could hear him through their feathered proxy. If Wayra had formed any opinion about this display of alchemical mastery, they kept it to themselves, and the nightingale merely preened its wing in response.

Ryn returned his attention to the scene before him. He would wait until the shehzade’s cloaked companion took his leave—then they could have a proper conversation about what exactly one does with magically transmuted rubies in a graveyard at this hour.

The rubies shimmered and almost glistened despite the lack of natural light shining through them - the traces of magic still fading with each moment. Farim took a moment and held his head on the tips of his fingers to stave off any exhaustion that crept over. His associate took the rubies into his pouch and nodded. “These shall come home with our newest shipment, I already have three buyers ready and whenever you are ready - I can supply more of the chorundum and chromium for more transactions at a moment’s-” Farim quickly hushed the man, turning his eyes around the graveyard and stopping for just a moment.

In his time training with Thara, there were often moments like this. Moments where the bird of prey would be stalking out of sight and ready to get the jump on Farim. To the two of them it was merely a game they loved to play back home. Here, the sensation of being watched had an entirely different connotation. Farim looked at the other man, who quickly nodded and raise his cowl back up, seemingly fading into the darkness behind the tombstone and moving through a crack in the fence that was previously unseen. Farim, however, chose a different path. He walked out the front entrance to the cemetery and immediately turned left - away from the way he came.

—And when he turned the corner, someone was waiting there. “Good evening, Shehzade.”

As soon as Shehzade Farim’s clandestine friend had slipped away, the nightingale lifted into the darkness, carrying their shared questions on its wings. Left alone to face the shehzade, Ryn bowed—not too deep, not too shallow—and watched the other man for what might come next.

The answer to his gut instinct from before had finally arrived - what he thought was perhaps an animal was instead a fully clothed man. This could be problematic. How much did they see? Was he the one I felt watching me earlier? This is what I get for trying to do business on foreign soil…” Farim stopped, keeping his external reaction relaxed and measured. He stopped to return the bow, placing his arms over one another before smiling at the man. “Good evening to you as well, my friendly Count Fritz.” Farim said while scratching his chin. Feigning ignorance and innocence was a good place to start, but the Shehzade was in for a rude awakening once Count Fritz would reveal what he saw play out before his very eyes.

The silence stretched between them until Ryn, thinking it would be unkind to keep the shehzade in suspense any longer, broke it. “I wonder,” he said, his voice carrying the lightness of someone discussing the weather. “When someone transmutes items in such a fashion... Does that make them counterfeit?”

The count tapped his chin thoughtfully, “The rubies are genuine—as far as I can discern, they possess all the qualities one expects of rubies. Their provenance is simply, shall we say, unconventional.”

“So it would seem you saw quite a bit of my last little transaction. Is this …. Provenance, as you put it, going to be a problem with you?” There was some concern in his voice - but Farim still kept his attitude level. There is a chance the count could simply be curious. He seemed like the curious type after all. But this was a secret scant knew about, and he found it rather sloppy of him to let himself be discovered so easily.

Removing him from the equation is out of the question. Murdering a foreigner in foreign lands would land me in the deepest of troubles to say the least. I only hope this man can be bartered, bought, or reasoned with. Elsewise this is going to be a problematic situation. Even a memory wiping spell would rouse suspicion, but … if I must… Farim tried to quickly recall the necessary incantations in the back of his mind, but still waited to ‘pull the trigger’ until the Count’s intentions were clear.

“Me? Oh no, I couldn’t care less.” Step by careful step, Ryn drew closer to the shehzade. Like a cobra poised to strike, the man held himself still, muscles locked in; Ryn pretended not to notice. “What I do care about is what price you’re paying for these transmutations.”

His gaze drifted to where the necklace hid underneath Shehzade Farim’s shirt. When their eyes met, genuine concern colored his words: “Are you alright?”

Farim arched an eyebrow. The man seemed awfully casual about the display of magic, despite its natural stigma. “If you must insist. I perform the feats myself to inflate the supply of a rather bottle-necked market. Not enough to ruin its worth, but enough to make its price more reasonable to the common buyer - while still maintaining a profit myself.” Farim began to continue his walk, silently inviting Ryn to join him.

“Me? I am fine. I hope you remain the same. I frankly do not have the energy to be fighting off conspirators against me. But I will if I must.” This served as both an admission of no ill-intentions, yet reminded the Count that should things go south he would not hesitate from protecting himself.

“You talk of worth. Of price. In the monetary sense, that is largely negotiable. It depends largely on buyer and seller. But in the matters of transmutation, it is a lot more cut and dry. Components come together to form an equal whole - a transaction that is indisputable and very dangerous if mishandled. But fear not, I am expert in the realm of alchemy.” His hand instinctively grazed along his chest, resting over the necklace that was underneath his nightgown. “So I perform a transaction with the forces of nature that bring this world together, and strike a deal with the men and women who bring our society together. Quite the grand exchange, no?”

A merchant’s answer from a merchant prince—that Shehzade Farim’s immediate answer was about the monetary angle of “price” rather than the toll such transmutations could take on body and mind spoke volumes.

The threat washed past Ryn like water over stone. Not that he doubted the shehzade’s capability or resolve—such a confrontation between them would surely leave both men broken and bloodied—but the warning seemed more for the shehzade’s comfort than any real intent to fight.

“You could achieve the same ends through other means, especially for someone of your station.” Ryn said, falling into step beside him. His hands loosely clasped behind his back. “Why court such danger?”

Farim nodded in affirmation. It was certainly true he could just scour the market. But why not use the tools at his disposal? Well that…and a few other reasons he would disclose. “Well, as I said, it is to bring more supply into an otherwise starved market. The mines back home can only bring in so many gemstones. And most of those mines are owned by corrupt warlords who wish to charge exuberant prices for meager goods. So in one fell swoop I control my own supply from production to supplier to seller, and make it more affordable and accessible to the public. These are both rather beneficial things no? Not to mention the amount of social capital that comes from being the guy who can essentially get you any good on the market for a much fairer rate.” He smirked, pride shining off of him from his not-so-humble description of his status as a Trade Prince. “Such things do come with risk. Competition begets opposition. And opposition is what gets you gutted and ditched in a back alley.” A sad but all too gruesome reality that he would have to be wary of, even here in the far off lands that knew little of his struggles back home - save a scant few.

The shehzade coughed slightly, and his step wavered for just a moment before he rebalanced and continued. “This form of magic is admittedly taxing for the average individual, but I am someone who has a vast supply of resources … and help.” He nodded, practically to himself, at the mention of the word ‘help’. “So with such magical affinity I figured I may as well run the well for as long as I can - before it dries up naturally. My youthful vigor and stamina will only stay with me for so long!” He chuckled as he made a playful gesture with his hand, pointing at the sky. It was then that Farim turned and actually looked at Count Fritz rather than at the road ahead.

At the slight cough and unsteady step, Ryn’s hand found its way to the shehzade’s back without thought or hesitation. Even after Shehzade Farim recovered his balance, Ryn’s hand lingered, hovering just above the fabric. Only when the shehzade’s next steps proved sure did Ryn finally let his arm fall back to his side.

Although there were many things left unsaid, Ryn simply nodded. “I see.”

“You seem awfully comfortable with a topic that most would consider deathly taboo or otherwise unspeakable. Am I to understand that you are a purveyor of magical arts as well? Or know someone who is?”

“Yes,” Ryn said, continuing past him.

After a few steps along the empty street, the sound of his footsteps fell silent. He turned, meeting Shehzade Farim’s gaze through the darkness. “Which is why I’d like to propose a partnership.”

Farim raised an eyebrow and cast his intrigued yet skeptical expression towards the man. “You have my attention. What kind of partnership?”

“Your work is remarkable, Shehzade.” Ryn said, “However, it’s clear you’re shouldering a considerable burden alone. Crosswinds Trading Company has the resources and reach to help you achieve your goals on a much larger scale—and with far less risk to yourself. A way to transform your solitary operation into something sustainable.”

Moonlight spilled across the empty street as clouds parted overhead. In that silvery illumination, the tiredness etched in Shehzade Farim’s features seemed more pronounced. The sight only strengthened Ryn’s resolve.

“We can provide secure supply lines for materials and finished products across multiple borders, eliminating the need for clandestine transactions in graveyards. More importantly, we can connect you with others who understand magical craftsmanship. With our access to alchemical components, you could distribute the workload among skilled practitioners. This would free you to explore the full breadth of your talents without sacrificing your wellbeing, all while expanding your production capacity.”

He nodded. “I am quite familiar with the capabilities of my competitors.” Farim gave a sly smirk. “I say that in the friendly sense. Alliances can be rather lucrative in the right hands.” There was a fair amount to consider here - what he was doing was merely a supply line - a test for the end goal if anything. But things could prove far more interesting and bountiful if he were to start laying his influence/presence in places outside his home - an international trading company would be quite the feat. He smiled at the thought.

“The strain is merely a bit of dizziness and fatigue. Much like after a long physical exercise. The body can recover so long as you do not push it past the breaking point - a line that I am all too familiar with.” He guided their steps away from their current path along Priscilla Avenue and made their way into the Sorian Botanical Gardens - a short detour that would hopefully throw off any further people tailing them.

“Today was more of a test than the real thing - back home there are many ways I can alleviate the work duties I am hounded with. But that is not to say I am not interested in how your company handles the alchemical arts. With magical persuasion to boot. Sounds like a rather one-sided affair if I am to be frank - what is it that you desire out of such a relationship, my friend?”

“We’ll take our fair share of the profit, naturally—all quite negotiable. However, I believe what we could achieve through this partnership goes beyond coins.” A gleam sparked in his eyes as he gestured at the empty night around them. “Together, we could reshape the market, make the unreachable reachable for those who’ve never had the means.” His voice quickened with rising enthusiasm.

“And the knowledge, Shehzade—when great minds converge, we could birth wonders in alchemy that neither of us has dreamed alone.” The words came slower now. “And knowledge, once gained, benefits all.”

Dropping his passionate tone to something more measured, another thought surfaced. “If you are interested, I should very much like your assistance in crafting enchanted items.”

Farim stroked his chin in thought, he was hesitant to jump into such arrangements with a man he had only met the other day - but the implications were indeed tempting. Count Fritz had been speaking just the right language for the pragmatic Trade Prince to see eye to eye with him. He grinned at the ideas that formed in his cranium. “Coins are material and can always be arranged with little effort. But such capital is not to be disregarded. Money holds power in today's world. One day it may not - but we must use this to our advantage.” He took a brief pause to graze his fingertips over the nearby tulips in the garden as they made their way out onto the main street once more. He cast a wary gaze behind him to check for any onlookers and tailgaters - but found none.

“You know. I did have aspirations to go international. I did not think such an opportunity would strike while I am doing questionable exchanges under moonlight - but I suppose life is about those little surprises, no?” Farim chuckled, but morphed into a business-like cadence. “I am interested in putting together some arrangements - I have conscripts and available muscle to secure anything and everything you could possibly want - and of course you know about the secret ace in my sleeve. So what exactly is it you need? You mention the thought of enchanting items…is there a particular desire you have in mind?” Farim’s voice slid like silk from the bottom of his throat as he seemed to pace around the man, oozing a charismatic glow like that of a proper salesperson.

The night air stilled first around their feet, then crept upward like frost climbing a windowpane. As the raven-haired man’s eyelids fell shut, even the crickets went silent, their songs snuffed out like candles in a gust.

“One item to unveil truths forgotten and lost.” The words emerged without breath, as if spoken directly into the mind.

Nature itself seemed to draw back, leaving a void where summer sounds should have been. No rustle of leaves, no whisper of wind, no scurrying of small creatures in the underbrush. A silence thick as cotton wool smothered the night—wrong in a season that should have hummed with life.

“Another to sever the chains that bind blood to oath, generation upon generation.”

The count turned to face Farim, until shehzade and noble stood eye to eye. Where light had danced in those black eyes moments before, now gaped twin wells of darkness, drowning what little illumination the night offered. “And lastly, an item to separate beings from the minds and spaces they’ve claimed, but should not possess.”

The shift in tone and demeanor noticeable in the man was enough to put Farim on edge for the duration of his descriptions. When a man goes from being upfront to cryptic it often bodes ill, at least in Farim’s experiences. Despite the skepticism, Farim observed the man carefully and continued with his friendly approach, playing ignorant to the dancing orbs of darkness in Ryn's skull.

“Well as colorful as your descriptors are, I am afraid I am not aware of such items. It sounds more like you have a purpose in mind for such an item rather than an item in mind for such a purpose if I am making any sense.” Farim spun around, hands clasped together and index fingers pushed outward. He walked with him once more down the street, continuing their lackadaisical journey back to Danrose Castle.

“An item to unveil truths forgotten and lost - like ones that a person has forgotten? Something to recover memories perhaps? Or to maybe find lost relics? I am buzzing with questions now!”

“As would I, if I were in your position,” the count said with a smile. “I’ll answer your questions as plainly as circumstance allows.” There was a pause before he continued, “That said, I hope you’ll understand that certain details must wait until we’ve properly agreed upon the scope of your involvement.”

“Oh,” The raven-haired man blinked, and the glimmer in his eyes returned, bright and steady as if it had never faded. “And please, rest assured on one point: this matter stands entirely separate from our earlier discussion of partnership. Your Highness’s decision about the items will have no bearing on Crosswinds Trading’s offer.”

Extending his hand toward the shehzade, Ryn said, “I have no intention of leading you blindly into any undertaking, Shehzade Farim. This, I can promise.”

Farim raised his eyebrows - this was certainly an interesting predicament to be found in. An alliance and a shady deal all in one? This seemed a little odd and nefarious for his liking - but he was not one to turn down such a lucrative and informative endeavor. Farim reached a hand out, pausing to decree his stance on the matter first. Not to mention, someone owing you a favor was the most valuable currency of all. “Based on what you have described, an alliance between companies seems only logical. However the more mystical-aligned tasks are clouded too far for me to grant you any guarantees. I will however humor any proposals you send my way - but it must be through encoded correspondence.” His hand finally reached the distance to the Count’s and firmly shook it.

“Any direct letters asking such favors will be promptly disposed of and I shall deny any and all further contact in such regards. Possibly even all contact if word gets out - as casual as I am about this secret I will make the greatest of efforts to assure it stays here.” Farim added his emphasis to the last of his sentence. He figured the Count would not be as foolish as to do such a thing - but he had to make sure things were crystal clear from both of their points of view.

The Shehzade was cautious, but not cautious enough. “Your terms regarding encoded messages are quite sensible, Shehzade. However, might I suggest a slight amendment? No written correspondence, encrypted or otherwise, until we’ve formalized our agreement concerning the requested items. Given the delicacy of the situation, I believe these conversations are best held face to face. After all—” smiling faintly, Ryn added, “it'll be easier for your Highness to maintain plausible deniability without a paper trail.” Once the agreement was reached, their mutual need for secrecy would bind them.

Farim raised a brow and smiled at the idea. “Well a meeting in person is just as dangerous to be fair - I was not discovered until my business partner had asked me to come out this evening.” He offered a slight wink. “If you are requesting we meet in person - it shall be under a guise different than tonight. In cases that you wish to speak with me over a transaction or some kind of acquisition, you need only invite me for some tea. From there we can hopefully speak in private, should you know of any good areas to congregate. If not I can find my own.” Farim smirked.

Ryn nodded. Perfect. The shehzade arrived at the same idea he had. Two nobles with mercantile interests sharing tea were less likely to cause suspicion. “And should I find myself simply wishing to enjoy your Highness’s company over tea?” Then, his gaze lifted to the darkened sky above them, searching for a silhouette among the scattered stars. “Or to make the better acquaintance of your feathered companion?”

Farim chuckled. “Then do not ask me for tea. Ask for some brunch, or perhaps some coffee!” The tension wrought from trying to meet in secret was smoothed out by the promise of consensual camaraderie, and Farim felt himself ease up slightly. “Thara is happy to make new friends as well. She, however, is not present. I wanted her to enjoy some rest tonight - as this was originally going to be a quick little outing. But I am not complaining about the circumstances that I have met with tonight.” He said with a smirk, and continued trailing them back towards the castle down the main road.

Ryn nodded, a smile finding its way to his lips. “If fates are indeed the weavers of circumstance, they’ve been most generous with their threads tonight.” His voice carried the warmth of genuine satisfaction. “I’m grateful our paths crossed when they did. Perhaps next time, Thara might honor me with her presence.”

When they reached the front doors to the guest house, Ryn turned to face the Shehzade. “Thank you again for even considering my proposition. The evening has proven far more productive than I dared hope.” The anticipation practically made him glow. “I look forward to our next conversation.” Then he bowed—not too deeply to suggest subservience, not too shallowly to suggest disrespect.

Mirroring the gesture, Farim bowed towards the man. An equal exchange of hopes to bettering the future of tomorrow. “It has proven a far better turn of events than it could have been. As far as potential personas to happen upon my outings - it js fortuitous that it was you, my friend.” Farim smiled, reaching behind him to slowly and quietly open the door inward.

“Until our next tea time.” Farim winked.

Avalia

Time: A.M.
Location: River Port Forest
Interactions/Mentions: @Conscripts @mole
Equipment: Knife, drugs, and wallet looted from dope peddler

✠✠✠✠✠

Whatever secrets that lizardman was fixing to spill to Aurora died in his throat when Vasco spoke first. “You know what I been thinking? I ain’t never owned a proper pair of lizard skin shoes.” He swirled the beer in his glass, foam clinging to the sides, before taking a sip. “Hear they last forever if you take care of them right. Waterproof too. Imagine that.”

The glass hit the counter hard enough to make the bartender jump and retreat to the far end of the bar. In a few strides, Vasco reached the wooden pillar where the knife still jutted from their earlier disagreement and wrapped his fingers around the handle. He yanked it free with a single tug on his way to Zarnak.

His eyes measured the lizardman from snout to tail. “Figure with a specimen like you, I could get a three-piece suit, couple pairs of wingtips, maybe even one of them fancy valises the fellas from New York carry.”

The lizardman's throat worked up and down. “Y-you wouldn’t f-fucking dare,” he hissed, but the stutter gave him away. Amazing what an ice water bath does to a tough guy’s constitution.

Vasco laughed. “Pal, I absolutely would.” He flipped the knife between his fingers. “You think the green man’s bad? See, between the two of us, I’m the real hoodlum. I used to break and put fellas in the ground for a living and for fun.”

He jerked his chin toward Aurora, who stood watching with that particular blend of horror and resignation Vasco had seen before—on judges, on priests, on good women who found themselves in bad company. “And sweetheart ain’t gonna lift a finger to stop me. Cause you see, for all her high-minded talk, when chips are down, your scaly hide ain’t worth squat next to her brother’s. She don’t wanna get those pretty hands dirty, so she’ll just turn away and pray for our damned souls.”

Vasco circled Zarnak slowly, appraising him like merchandise as he considered where best to start skinning from.

“Kill me, you’ll n-never find out where the p-pretty boy elf is,” Zarnak managed, desperation seeping through like sweat.

Vasco shrugged, loose and easy. “Too bad for them, then.” He settled on the thug’s left arm, where muscle bunched beneath scales that caught the light like oiled metal. “Maybe a nice belt and a wallet might ease their grief some.”

The lizard’s jaws parted, but Vasco pressed the knife tip against a scale where arm met shoulder, silencing him. “Save your breath, buddy. I want those shoes more than the elf.”

The blade slipped under with surprising ease. Vasco worked it flat against the connective tissue, separating the tough outer layer of scales from the flesh beneath.

He was no backwoodsman—he’d grown up where streetlamps outnumbered trees and concrete covered the earth. But he’d stood behind enough butchers in enough basements, watching as the Family’s problems disappeared one cut at a time. Some things you learn without meaning to.

Being a thug, Zarnak had probably survived worse—most muscles do—but Vasco understood the difference between pain and suffering. When you’re trading punches in an alley, the blood pumping and fists flying, your body gives you something for the pain—a rush that makes you crave it. But strapped to a chair? That slow, methodical suffering with nothing to do but feel every second of it? That's when even the toughest wiseguys start singing.

He’d separated about six inches of scale when Zanark’s curses turned into something useful.

“S-storehouse! STOREHOUSE!” The word tore from his throat.

Vasco paused, cupping his bad ear and leaned closer. “What’s that? Gonna need you to enunciate, pal. Can’t hear so good.”

“There’s a storehouse! Near the graveyards! Behind the large abandoned warehouse! That’s where they took him!”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

^{Inspiration Music:Siúil A Rúin}

You watch from the shadows of the wings. Each performance holds you transfixed—the falconer and his bird dancing through the air, the pianist pouring his soul through ivory keys, the performer who makes himself a puppet to tell a story of loneliness, the poet bleeding his heart onto the stage. You respond exactly as expected, exactly as needed. Eyes sparkle, a breath catches in your throat, the tears well in your eyes at precisely the right moments.

As each performer exits the stage, you rush to meet them, effusive with praise and gratitude for their part in the event.

The worst part is your sincerity. Every word genuine, every sentiment real. Even as you play your role, you can’t help but mean it all.

We do not fault you for this. You are only doing what you and yours were bred for. Generation after generation, carefully cultivated to be the consummate host.

And so when the cellist finishes her piece, her tears falling freely for her lost friend, you don’t hesitate. You move to her side, offering comfort wrapped in gentle words and gentler touch. As she seems to struggle to find composure, you turn to face the crowd, voice rising in song.

The audience stirs in confusion. This isn’t in the program. The curtain whispers closed behind you as you approach the edge of the stage.

Your voice carries alone at first, clear and unadorned in the hushed space. Then—a child’s voice joins yours from the audience. Sweet and uncertain. Others shush them, but you gesture for them to continue, humming the opening notes again in encouragement. The child’s voice returns stronger, and other children join eagerly. The elderly come next, memories crystallizing as the familiar tune awakens something long dormant. A folk song from nurseries and market squares. The kind of song that fades from memory in the busy years of adulthood, only to resurface with startling clarity in life's twilight, when the oldest memories shine brightest. Before long the whole theater resonates with voices in harmony.

We don’t know why you chose that old song—perhaps you didn’t choose it at all. Perhaps it chose you, this fragment of a time when we were still theirs, when they were still ours. When the world was smaller, softer, though no less cruel.

And it hurts, to be reminded that no matter how many times they betrayed us, damned us, abandoned and forgot us, we can never stop loving our perfectly imperfect children. We keen our loss to those who can no longer hear us, while still catching their every whispered prayer, every muttered curse, every muffled sob.

Through you, in this moment, we can pretend. Our children’s voices rise to meet yours, and for a heartbeat, it feels like they are answering us. We weep.

You smile through our tears, for you are, and always were, only a puppet.

So continue your performance. Sing until your voice gives out. Dance until your legs splinter and your strings fray. Smile until the paint chips away. When you’re finally spent, you’ll be discarded for another.

Then we’ll do this all over again, Griffith. Forevermore.

---

---

Fritz "Ryn" Hendrix

Time: Sola 28 1739; Daytime Hours
Location: Edin Theater
Interaction(s)/Mention(s): @Lava Alckon @samreaper @FunnyGuy @princess @Silverpaw @Helo

Light flooded the stage as the curtains swept open to reveal the grand finale, carried by a surge of music that nearly—but not quite—drowned out the collective intake of breath from the spectators. Dancers spun and leapt in perfect synchronization, creating a dazzling whirl of color that held every eye in thrall. Ryn slipped into their ranks, matched their movements as if he had rehearsed with them a hundred times instead of joining on the fly. At just the right moment, he used the choreography to mask his exit, and left the onlookers none the wiser.

Time to round up everyone for the curtain call. Darting backstage, he corralled participants like a shepherd collecting wayward sheep.

As he gestured to the large mirrors lining the stage, the count reminded all present of the setup. “Everyone, please get into position behind the mirrors. When the lights dim, we’ll have the flash powder go off,” he mimed an explosion with his hands, “—and then, poof! You appear before the audience, then take your bows.” He grinned, but the expression faltered as he counted heads. Someone was missing. “Has anyone seen Master Kazumin?”

Ryn found him in short order, wedged between two of the sovereign’s knights, looking rather like a mouse that had stumbled into a cats’ tea party. The knights, for their part, seemed to be practicing their most menacing looms—quite successfully, he had to admit.

“My good sirs,” Ryn’s voice carried just the right note of scandalized disbelief. “Surely the king’s own knights wouldn’t dream of doing something as gauche as dragging Baron Hugonin’s ward away like some common criminal before the curtain call?” He paused for effect, his expression one of polite horror. “Why, think of how poorly that would reflect on His Majesty! No, no, a ruler of King Edin’s sophistication would undoubtedly wait until the event’s proper conclusion before having his distinguished knights respectfully escort his guest to him.” Another pause, this one weighted with a terrible realization. “Unless... you fine gentlemen are implying that His Majesty lacks the patience for basic etiquette?”

The knights exchanged uncomfortable glances that suggested they were reconsidering their timing, if not their intent. After a moment of pointed silence, they released their grip on Mr. Kazumin and stepped back.

“I thank you, gentlemen.” Ryn said with an inclination of his head. “Your dedication to duty is commendable. His Majesty clearly chose his knights well. The curtain call will commence shortly.”

With that settled, he turned to the other man. “This way, Master Kazumin,” Ryn said, steering Mr. Kazumin away before anyone could change their mind. Once they were out of earshot, he murmured, “Quite the fan club you’ve acquired. Are you unharmed?” His tone was light, despite the small knot of worry in his chest.

Hurrying toward the stage, he added more seriously, “The curtain call should buy you some time to consider your options. Whatever you decide, I’ll help however I can.” He gave Mr. Kazumin’s shoulder a reassuring pat.

They reached the wings to find the other performers had already lined up behind the mirrors. Ryn positioned Mr. Kazumin with the others, then darted to his mark.

The finale proceeded like clockwork—the stage went dark, the mirrors were whisked offstage, a brilliant flash lit the theater, followed by a shower of confetti, and all the performers stood revealed to meet thunderous applause. The company bowed as one, then Ryn stepped forward, arms spread wide.

“Ladies and gentlemen, what a feast of talent we’ve witnessed today! I hope you’ve all enjoyed this showcase as much as I have.” The audience’s cheers swelled in response.

“Please, let’s hear it once more for our incredible performers who shared their gifts with us.” He led another round of applause as the crowd obliged enthusiastically.

“And for you,” Ryn turned and gestured broadly, “our wonderful audience, who made this event truly special with your support.” The cheering grew louder.

“And of course we must thank—” Then, with perfect timing, the spotlight swung to the royal box, “the gracious royal family for their presence.”

He smiled expectantly. “Would Your Majesties, Highnesses, and Ladyship honor us with your thoughts on each performance?” The light illuminated King Edin, Queen Alibeth, the princes, and—well, it would have shone on Lady Morrigan had she not retreated further into the box, her fan snapping open to shield her lower face.

The former king’s maxim about women being seen and not heard still held sway in public events, it seemed. For whenever her turn came, Lady Morrigan conducted her approval through an elegant semaphore of silent gestures—a nod here, a graceful wave there.

Only twice did she deviate from this style of review. Once, for Duke Vikena, she fanned herself rapidly, her hand pressed to her chest. The other time, for Princess Anastasia, she mouthed what might have been superb and blew a kiss.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Fritz "Ryn" Hendrix

Time: Sola 28 1739; Daytime Hours
Location: Edin Theater
Interaction(s)/Mention(s): @princess @Silverpaw

The organized chaos of final preparations echoed through the theater. Ryn darted between velvet curtains and gilded doorways, checking and double-checking arrangements that would ensure every guest—whether they arrived in silk finery or worn woolens—felt equally welcome within its grand walls.

Movement in the royal viewing booth caught his eye. Ryn’s smile at seeing both monarchs, and the princes, in attendance withered as he watched King Edin settle into his seat with all the enthusiasm of a man attending his own tax audit. Beside him, Lady Morrigan maintained a steady stream of cheerful conversation, her hand occasionally touching his leg when his gaze drifted toward the exit. Clearly, it had taken more than Ryn’s personal invitation to get him here.

He found Princess Anastasia tucked away in the wings, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on her dress. “Are you ready, Miss Annie?” he asked, tapping her elbow. He then gestured in the direction of the royal box. “Look who's here to see you!”

Right on cue, Lady Morrigan caught sight of them and waved enthusiastically. The king, meanwhile, had apparently discovered a heretofore unknown passion for architectural lighting fixtures. His studied ignorance of his daughter was so pointed it might as well have been a stranger sitting in the box.

Why did King Edin go to such lengths to ignore what was right in front of him?

Ryn watched Princess Anastasia’s face, noting the minute shifts in her expression and her hands. He leaned closer, pitching his voice low enough that only she could hear. “As much as I’m looking forward to your performance... you don’t have to force yourself to be here. If you need more time for yourself, that’s perfectly fine. I can fill in.” The train incident hung unspoken between them. Even without Wayra’s birds keeping watch over the city, word of her railway stunt had raced through the capital faster than the train itself.

“If you do choose to take the stage. Whatever’s been eating at you—” his eyes flickered meaningfully toward the royal box, “this is your chance to let them hear it.” He indicated her cello, knowing that music could be just as powerful as words.

“These acoustics?” Ryn pointed above them. “They’re perfect for reaching even the most determinedly distracted audiences.” And with considerably less risk than making her point standing on the tracks in front of a moving train.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Lorenzo and Fritz "Ryn"

---

“Hm-hm-hm-hm-hm la-di-da-di-da he-he-he-he-he do-do-do-do-do. Good ol’ Lorenzo is ready to write. Lottie occupies the guest for the night.” Lorenzo bobbed his head, seated at the desk in his home library, wearing a jolly smile on his face. On the desk, he opened up a large multicolored hard-cover book containing his collection of written poems with a quick and ink at the ready. Kier, his ferret and closest friend scampered around the room chasing a shiny tin ball.

“I see we're both having a wonderful time, Kier. We really have to do this more often and…” Lorenzo sighed. “I should take you out soon. You're the extrovert of our pairing so it is only fair that you get to meet and greet with the same people that I do. Especially now that you have some competition at the Edward's estate. Those twins are something else, Kier. Very cute, indeed.” Despite everything Lorenzo said, Kier hardly paid him any mind except when he'd look the Duke's way when hearing his name being mentioned.

Quill scratched against parchment in the library’s comfortable silence. Lorenzo’s hand moved steadily, absorbed in capturing the perfect phrase.

A burst of enthusiastic dooking broke his concentration, followed by... a laugh? A soft, familiar chuckle that certainly did not belong to Lorenzo.

His quill froze mid-word. He turned.

There, settled cross-legged on the library’s richly woven carpet as if he’d always belonged there, sat Count Fritz Hendrix. His usually impeccable coat was rumpled as he played with an absolutely delighted Kier, who bounced and spun around him.

Upon catching Lorenzo’s gaze, Fritz’s expression brightened with a smile, “Good evening, Your Grace.” Kier chose that moment to launch a determined assault on Fritz’s fingers, tiny teeth catching harmlessly at pale skin as the count’s hand darted and weaved in their improvised game. “Don’t mind us. You seemed so absorbed in your work, I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“Huh? Oh! No, no, no, I should have taken notice of you. Especially since I knew Charlotte had guests over.” Lorenzo frowned while averting his eyes. “It’s a tad rude, and I should have respectfully greeted you all, especially with- Wait is Prince Wulfric actually here?” The duke only hoped Wulfric wouldn’t pop in as suddenly as Fritz had. Setting the quil down, Lorenzo clasped his hands in his lap. He wondered what the count might want, failing to consider that this might just be a friendly meeting.

Fritz continued to play with his furry friend. Kier twisted and writhed in mock battle, all sleek mischief and playful nips. “His Highness was here. Though he’s since taken his leave.” The younger man lifted his black gaze to Lorenzo, canting his head. “Did you wish to speak with him? He may still be in the neighborhood if we give chase now.”

“No! I mean, it's not necessary to have him return here. I am sure I'll have the chance to speak to him some other time.” Lorenzo kept up an uneasy smile. “How was the party Charlotte threw? I’m sure she spoiled you all with sweet treats and smiles. What was the occasion, even?” Lorenzo hadn't even considered why Charlotte would have such a strange collection of people over. He could only guess it was some sort of hobby club but couldn't think of what hobbies they'd all share.

Fritz maintained his searching gaze a moment longer before his features mellowed back into a soft expression. “It was delightful. Lady Charlotte has quite the gift for bringing unlikely companions together.” The count’s fingers found their way to Kier’s fur, tracing absent-minded patterns. “Does Your Grace not host purely social gatherings with your friends often?”

Lorenzo frowned.

“I’m afraid not. Before the courting season, Charlotte and I remained isolated in Vermillion for nearly a year. My wife's passing wasn't easy for either of us.” Lorenzo’s eyes were focused on an empty spot on the desk. “I also… don't have many friends.”

“I understand,” came Fritz’s quiet reply.

Lorenzo heard the whisper of fabric and the creak of floorboards as the other man rose. Each footfall drew closer until Fritz’s shadow fell across Lorenzo’s field of vision.

“The quantity of friendships has never struck me as particularly important,” Fritz continued, his voice closer now. “A single friend—one whose company you genuinely treasure—can be worth more than a hundred casual acquaintances.”

When Lorenzo finally lifted his gaze, he saw Fritz standing next to the desk, Kier bundled contentedly in his arms. The ferret’s eyes had grown heavy-lidded under the Count’s gentle ministrations, his small form nearly melting into the crook of Fritz’s elbow.

“Perhaps,” Fritz suggested, his fingers continuing their practiced strokes through Kier’s fur, “it’s time to consider hosting a gathering of your own. Nothing grandiose—just a small affair with those few people whose company you enjoy, and maybe even those you’d like to know better.”

“Hmm…” Lorenzo nodded as he digested the idea. He couldn't say it was a poor one but there was a large part of him that was against it and the pressures it would bring. Still, it was a flexible thing he could manipulate. It would be his and under his roof after all. And then the wheels began to turn. “That could be quite pleasant. I could keep some of my headaches away and enjoy the comfort of my Sorian estate!” They turned faster now. “Splendid Count Fritz! It's no wonder such a young man has achieved so much for himself! An exclusive party… Has that even been accomplished this season? I'd be the talk of town.” And faster. “Ohhhh! Fritz! A list… I can have a fancy list of names! With a little- no, a big man at the door to check off the names. A dress code. There has to be a dress code! And where would I even get the additional staff?” Lorenzo finally paused, thinking about the fiber details for a moment.

Something small and warm interrupted his spiral: Keir’s paw against his brow, guided there by Fritz’s hand as though the count had located an emergency lever to halt Lorenzo’s runaway thoughts before they achieved catastrophic speeds.

“Your Grace,” Fritz said, “far be it from me to dissuade you. Indeed, I’d be delighted to assist with staff and preparations, should you truly wish to pursue this venture.” He paused, adjusting Keir in his arms. “However, might I suggest we begin with something... smaller? More intimate? Perhaps even harken back to the sorts of gatherings you enjoyed before assuming the ducal mantle?”

“Hmm…”

The younger man leaned forward slightly, curiosity plain to see. “What sort of entertainments did you favor in those days, when you were simply Lorenzo among friends?”

“Simply, Lorenzo.” He echoed softly before peering up in thought. “Well… me and some gents would have a small gathering right before we attended an event. An hour or two among the people you knew, enjoying tea, treats, spirits, and vulgar jokes before diving into the sea of strangers.” The nostalgia brought on a feeling of warmth within his spirit and his eyes met Fritz’s.

“We could do something like that and simply leave out the stressors of going to a big event altogether.”

“That sounds marvelous,” Fritz said, before a chuckle escaped him—one he quickly tried to contain behind a raised hand. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but the thought of you trading vulgar jokes...” He let the thought dissolve into the air between them, too delighted by the image to properly finish it.

“Who would you wish to invite, Your Grace? Do you have any close friends in the area who might answer the summons on such short notice?”

Lorenzo answered with a defeated sigh. “That is a difficult question to answer. I'm not sure if you noticed but I am very unpopular amongst my peers.” He stifled a chuckle, briefly covering his mouth with his hand before continuing.

“Yet, their children tend to tolerate and even like me. However, that could just be Charlotte’s doing. Maybe other Varians like you and Dr. Williamson are good options? Duke Gideon, of course. Lady Morrigan is also rather friendly with me as well but… I’m not sure what that woman seeks from me.”

The beginnings of a smile died halfway on Fritz’s lips at the final name. “Lady Morrigan Danrose?” Each word fell with careful measure as if each syllable carried its own peculiar weight. “I hadn’t realized you two were growing… acquainted.” There was a hint of what sounded like worry in his voice. “Does this mean the… difficulties between you and the Danroses show signs of mending?”

“Huh?” Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. “The Danroses? Oh no, Count Fritz, it is not like that. It is never like that.” Lorenzo answered rather passionately. “I judge individuals, my friend. It is the best way, I think. Crystal Damien, Drake Edwards, and Princess Anastasia Danrose are all fine examples. Even Prince Wulfric is a charming young man who looks up to a Duke such as myself from time to time.” Lorenzo smiled with confidence. “We are not our parents or our siblings. You Varians with your big families should know this better than even I.”

Fritz released a chuckle, one that carried no mockery but rather a thoughtful sort of amusement. “Your Grace, I trust you realize it sounds as though you take pride in this unresolved tension with the Danroses.”

The chuckle lingered a moment more before fading into contemplation. The count turned to the window, where moonlight painted silver trails across the drowsy summer gardens. “I am aware,” he answered. “Yet, there are people who do judge others by their parentage, siblings, lineage, their country, even by histories written long before their first breath. Any measure save the individual.”

“While we must see each person uniquely,” he continued, “we cannot wholly divorce them from the forces that shaped them. To dismiss their influence entirely could prove as perilous as allowing them to define us completely.”

Silence stretched between them as Fritz’s hand slowly stroked Keir’s fur, the creature having drifted into peaceful slumber against his chest.

“If I may be so bold, Your Grace,” the man said at last, “your words suggest the tension lies primarily between yourself and Their Majesties.” Fritz’s gaze remained fixed on the distant horizon as if offering privacy for the response. “What transpired to create such animosity with them?” Another long pause followed before he added, “...With Count Damien?”

“Well…” Lorenzo hesitated to answer but upon taking a harder look at Fritz, he felt no need to worry. If Kier liked Fritz, then it would be simple enough to share his feelings of those he disliked. “Well, they have never treated me kindly. Edin is inconsiderate to everyone, I know but that doesn't make it right. Why be so insensitive? And… Count Damien is a completely different matter. Most people adore but I’ve seen his true self. Such an evil man.” Lorenzo’s eyes fixated on an empty spot on his desk as he spoke of the man who had such an unwanted grip over his life.

“True self?” Fritz prompted him to elaborate.

“Yes, his true self! He likely despises and looks down on every single person he shakes hands with! He smiles on the surface but if he could get away with it, he'd insult and threaten you until he found himself pleased!” Again Lorenzo was impassioned.

“It is because of him that I stayed away from events for an entire year, and even now, he threatens me. He enjoys it too. I hate it. I hate him, but I can't do anything about this predicament… he’d destroy me if I tried to defy him.” Lorenzo’s tone had started so strong only to die at the end as he explained his reality.

Fritz turned sharply at this. “Destroy you?” Raw concern colored his question. “How?” A count wielding such power over a duke defied all laws of Caesonian aristocracy.

The younger man drew closer then, lifting a nearby chair without sound and setting it beside Lorenzo. “What does he have over Your Grace?” The leverage; the blackmail; the hostage.

There was a long silence between the two. Lorenzo was both reluctant to share more while it was not Fritz’s intent to pry too forcefully. There was also the element of the duke having to face the reality of it all.

“I- no one knows. I-I… I don't know if I can say it. I don't- I don't even believe it but-” Lorenzo faced the floor in shame, shaking his head as if he could will everything he was about to say away. Fear and sadness coiled and constricted his very being. “I can't say it. I can't face it. I can’t” His voice weakened, trembling. Lorenzo shut his eyes tightly, still trying to wish everything away.

A gentle pressure settled between Lorenzo’s shoulder blades, steady and sure—Fritz’s hand moved in slow, circular motions. It was the sort of touch that spoke of practice, of countless times spent soothing away fears and hurts. Children, maybe? No, the young man never mentioned having children of his own. Pets, then? It would explain why Kier had curled so trustingly in Fritz’s arms.

They sat like that for what could’ve been minutes or hours. Each circle was a wordless message: that wishing couldn’t unmake reality, couldn’t erase what was. But wrapped in that hard truth was something softer—a reminder, maybe even a promise, that Lorenzo wasn’t alone. All he had to do was open his eyes to see it.

When he finally did, those deep and endless eyes were waiting for him. “Problems rarely solve themselves through denial,” Fritz said. “They root deeper, like weeds in untended soil. And the Count—he will use every second of your silence to strengthen his grasp, not just on you, but on everyone you want to protect.”

“Like weeds…” Lorenzo's passion for garden tending helped Fritz’s words stick. The duke was backed into a corner and choosing to do nothing would never solve this dilemma. Lorenzo did not want to face his horrific truth but he also couldn't continue to be a slave to it.

“You are right,” Lorenzo replied, his voice low. “And I could never face such alone… I just worry for Charlotte. I don't want her to know a word of this, Fritz. She can never know.” Lorenzo stared hard into his eyes… and felt as though his gaze dissolved into darkness.

Fritz’s eyes didn’t just meet his stare, they welcomed it in. “She’ll find out someday.” He said, with the calm certainty of someone announcing tomorrow’s sunrise. Lottie was that determined. “One way or another.”

In that moment, Lorenzo heard what Fritz wasn’t saying aloud: that there was mercy in telling her himself. Wounds dealt by her stepfather’s loving hand might heal cleaner than those ripped open by harsh, unguarded revelation. “I can promise not to tell her,” Fritz added, “but I cannot stop her from learning it herself.”

“As long as… you can promise that.” Lorenzo let loose a sigh that melted away his serious expression. His worrisome face returned but he was ready to share one of his most concerning troubles. “I… I… Ugh…” He shook his head, sighing again.

“I… may have murdered my wife. Emina. I may have murdered her that night...”

If Fritz was shocked by his confession, the man didn’t show it. He didn’t flinch, didn’t even blink. “Start from the beginning.”

“The beginning? I- I don't know where… the beginning of that night? Our marriage?” Lorenzo’s confusion was just reluctance. Even he hadn't fully realized his questions were just a defense mechanism to help him stall the explanation. Deep down, he knew what he had to tell Fritz.

The count allowed a few moments to pass for Lorenzo to gather his wits about him before answering. “From where you think it all began.”

“It would have had to be that night. I mean…” Lorenzo scratched his head while squinting his eyes in deep thought on how to start properly. “That evening… Emina was very upset with me for embarrassing her. It wasn't a rare thing, but this time, she was especially fierce, which was because I had greatly embarrassed her by bringing Kier to an event held by King Edin in secret… She tried to kill him or at least I thought she might want to….” Lorenzo gave a longing look to Kier, his furry companion.

“When she couldn't get to him, she came after me with such rage, and I- I tried to calm her, but she had drunk so much. I tried to- to just speak to her but I couldn't keep her from striking me.” His fingertips ran along the scars evident on his face. “And then… everything. Everything… it just went black. I awoke with Calbert standing over me and telling me that he had watched me from that very estate of his throw my wife from the balcony. I doubted him… I still doubt him but I also don't believe she would have killed herself. It's what we both told the authorities but I don't know. I just don't know.”

This time, it was Fritz who needed a few moments to digest what Lorenzo revealed. A thousand questions seemed to pass behind his eyes before he settled on one. “You blacked out… the same way you blacked out after the annual ball?”

“Yes… but how do you know about that?” Charlotte came to mind immediately before remembering her mentioning searching for him that night accompanied by Fritz. “Nevermind. Charlotte must have mentioned it. It’s a rare thing that occurs but I don’t see myself capable of harming anyone. I wander for a while before I fall asleep. Sometimes in my bed, other times… elsewhere.” Lorenzo bit his lip as his anxiety built up. Even he doubted his own words, he also couldn’t accept being a murderer.

“Rare…” Fritz repeated. “When did these... episodes first start happening?”

“That night… That night was the first time I noticed it, considering what occurred, but the physician I visited informed me that it is likely these episodes could have happened even earlier since I normally don't remember what happened leading up to sleep. I mean…” Lorenzo chuckled nervously. “I could be lying in bed believing I simply dozed off. All without realizing I took a tour around the property before returning to bed…. My drinking probably doesn’t help either,” He admitted shamefully.

Fritz made a thoughtful noise in his throat. “That is possible,” he said, in the tone of someone who has just been handed a puzzle piece that doesn’t quite fit. “But it feels strange that no one noticed your sleepwalking sooner. Or that there weren’t any signs of it. For example… ” He gestured at Lorenzo’s feet, then swept his hand upward to encompass the whole of him. “Dirt on your feet, unexplained injuries.” His hand continued its journey to indicate the room around them with Lorenzo's eyes following it along. “Objects found in odd places or rearranged.” Fritz fixed Lorenzo with a steady look. “Has anyone ever mentioned seeing you wandering about and acting out of sorts at strange hours? Or have you ever found things disturbed? Small things you might have shrugged off? Anything at all that seemed... not quite right before the incident?”

Lorenzo began to shake his head but stopped to carefully think about it. “That is… a good question. No to all of those. And I count my staff as an honest bunch. They'd inform me if I was acting strangely but they’ve only ever mentioned me not answering them behind my locked bedroom door or only finding me sleeping in the sitting room.” Lorenzo forced an uneasy guilty grin. “Sometimes it's hard to tell whether it's alcohol or the narcolepsy,” he shrugged.

“Which leads me to believe that this developed recently. That night could’ve been the very first time it happened.” The count’s gaze turned inward, features settling into the particular stillness that came with deep contemplation. “Walk me through the moments before an episode. What are the last things you remember?”

“Hmm?” Lorenzo peered upward, searching for an answer. “Hmmmmmm.” Lorenzo squinted his eyes, concentrating intensely. “Hmmmmmmmmnnrrrrgh…. I don't know. I mean, it's like when you have too much to drink. The night with Emina… the last thing I remember is the fight. With the ball… the last thing I can recall is… speaking with… Oh! The Royal Advisor. Plannington, yes. The other times I was home and already ready for bed or in here writing something. I think it may have happened a few days ago, but I was… also… drinking my medicine… regrettably a lot of it, so I may have just blacked out…” Lorenzo continued to ponder until his eyes met Fritz’s. “It could even be happening at this moment. I just don't know if I'll remember this part or not. Which is so troublesome, Fritz. I would give so much to simply just pass out. At least then I would be sure… that I am not a murderer.”

“We’ll find a way through this,” Fritz assured as his hand resumed their steady strokes along Kier’s fur. The ferret’s chest rose and fell in contented sleep, and Lorenzo envied that simple peace.

Fritz picked up his earlier thread of thought. “I’ve been wondering if there might be a pattern to it all. A trigger, perhaps. Something that sets the sleepwalking in motion—a particular sound or smell or sight.” His fingers traced the farrant’s ear. “Like hypnosis.”

“Hmm…” Lorenzo tried to think about it more, but unfortunately, there didn't seem to be a pattern. If there was one, it could be understood. If it could be understood, it might be stopped. But that meant possibly facing a truth Lorenzo wasn’t yet ready to face.,

“What kind of medicine are you taking?” Fritz asked after a moment.

“Oh um…” Lorenzo’s hands shot toward the lowest drawer of his desk, pulling it open. “I keep some here and some in the bedroom.” Lorenzo pulled out a brown tinted glass bottle with no distinguishing markings except the leftover white marks of the peeled label. “Opium and alcohol.” He set the bottle on the desk. “It's good stuff. You're welcome to try a sip if you’d like.”

Fritz adjusted his position carefully, mindful of the sleeping ferret in his lap, “I think I will, thank you.” From his waistcoat pocket, he produced a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles and then held the bottle to the light, studying it like a jeweler with a suspect gem. Lorenzo watched, impressed by Fritz’s preparedness to inspect his favored tonic. “So this was prescribed by your physician?” Lifting the bottle to his nose, Fritz inhaled once before measuring a modest portion into the proffered spoon. “Dr...?” He let the word trail into an unspoken question, his eyes lifting to meet Lorenzo’s over the rim of his spectacles.

“Dr. Crane. Well, he's not really my personal physician but the moment he knew of my ailment, he wrote me so we could schedule an appointment. A nice man, he was and he asked more questions than even you have on my condition.” Lorenzo smiled. “He hated Calbert too, so we got along swellingly.”

“And Dr. Crane prescribed this?” Fritz asked again before lifting the spoon to his lips. For several long seconds, he remained silent, face unreadable as he assessed the tonic.

“He did. Yes.” A tinge of concern now shown on Lorenzo’s face.

“A second opinion might serve us well. I could arrange a visit with a specialist, or perhaps Dr. Williamson.” He hummed and set the spoon down. “There are... other possibilities we should consider.”

“Other possibilities?” Lorenzo parroted under his breath.

Then Fritz went still, his shoulders stiffening. “Dr. Crane… reached out to you first?”

“Eh…” Lorenzo had been in the middle of thinking, wanting to ask his own question when Fritz fired off yet another question.

“How did he learn of your condition? If no one else knew…”

“Well… some knew. Calbert knew and… he… he hates me. So I believed Dr. Crane when he said he overheard tales of my affliction. Likely through unflattering gossip.” Lorenzo sighed. “And that gossip led him to me. Isn't that something? The gods do find a way to be kind to me at times.” He managed a brief smile.

Beneath dark lashes, melancholy tinged the young count’s answering smile. He seemed to gather his thoughts, letting the moment settle before measured words finally came: “With your permission, I’d like to have someone keep watch over you for a time. It might help us understand your condition better. They would be entirely discreet—you’d hardly notice their presence.”

“Keep watch over me?” Lorenzo echoed uncomfortably. “But… what about my… private moments. Like if I…” Nothing particular came to mind but he didn't want to outright deny the request. “...have a lady over. And how do I know they won't peep at Charlotte?”

Fritz’s entire face lit up with a smile that could have melted winter ice. “Has someone caught your fancy?” He pressed his hands together in evident delight. “That’s wonderful! Does Lady Charlotte know of this yet?”

“No.” Lorenzo's voice was as small as could be while managing a nervous smile.

The word, or perhaps the way Lorenzo said it, wiped the delight from Fritz’s face. “No?” He repeated, prompting Lorenzo to elaborate but he simply shook his head, finding himself trapped in an uncomfortable corner of his own making.

After some hesitation, Fritz returned to the previous topic and reassured him, “The individual I have in mind is about as interested in Your Grace’s private affairs—or your daughter’s—as they would be in watching paint dry.”

The shift in his demeanor was subtle but immediate. “Consider this: how else can we study your sleepwalking? There are too many gaps, too many questions that you can’t answer.” Fritz spread his hands in a helpless gesture. “We need to understand what’s happening to you.” His voice softened. “It might even help us shed light on what truly happened the night your wife died”

“And what then?” Lorenzo snapped seriously, obviously defensive. “Fritz, if… If I discover I was the culprit on that night, I don't think I could live with myself… but I do wish to know the truth... How many nights do you believe this will go on? I don't want to worry Charlotte if this person watching me is noticed. She can oftentimes be too curious for her own good.”

“I cannot say for certain how long.” Fritz answered. “From everything we know, the episodes are too unpredictable to give a definite answer. I am sorry.” His shoulders slumped, then straightened when he continued. “Lady Charlotte will not notice any person keeping watch… However, as I said before: she’ll find out what you’re trying to hide someday. Would it not be better to have more answers than questions when that day comes?”

“That day?” Lorenzo felt insulted. From where he stood, there was no way Charlotte would find out more about her mother's death. “That day will never arrive, Fritz! Never! There are only two people who know anything about that night. You and Calbert. Calbert has nothing to gain by telling her because he would lose the only thing he has over me. And you… you will not tell her because you promised me you wouldn't…. You know what? I respectfully decline. I don't want another involved in this. It's better left forgotten.” Lorenzo refrained from looking at Fritz. He was simply trying to protect his ignorance. Trying to protect his bliss.

“That isn’t true.” It wasn’t better: it was easier, more convenient.

“It lives in you, so no matter how hard you try to push it away, your mind keeps wandering back to it, and your heart aches every time you look at your daughter.”

“Whatever good you hope comes from letting Count Damien take advantage of this situation is fragile, built on a lie… And I think you know that more than anyone.”

“If you really thought this was ‘better left forgotten,’ you wouldn’t have confided in me. Somewhere beneath the fear of facing the truth, I believe there’s a part of you that wants answers… maybe even justice.”

“Let’s break you and your family free from the count’s web.”

“No one…” A small sound escaped Fritz then, barely more than a breath. Lorenzo looked up to find Kier had roused from sleep—probably during the earlier shouting—and was stretching upward to investigate his friend’s face with curious concern. “... deserves to have their story erased,” Fritz whispered, as Kier’s nose twitched against his cheek.

Lorenzo slumped down into his chair, his stern demeanor breaking in the face of Fritz’s words. Yet, he didn't feel defeated by what was said. Instead, Lorenzo found himself aware of two paths before him; both lined with hardships. He could keep everything locked away and live his life never knowing what truly occurred whilst under the thumb of Calbert and keeping his daughter in the dark about her mother's death. On the other hand, he could uproot the truth, whatever that may entail. He may discover he was capable of murdering his wife or that he is completely absolved of the crime. The worst or best of scenarios could be behind the veil of mystery Fritz sought to remove.

“May I…. May I think on it?” Lorenzo's voice was low again. “I just need time to think about this.”

Gentle understanding crossed Fritz’s features, though worry still lingered on the edges. “Of course,” he said. His gaze swept the library until it caught on the brass-framed calendar adorning the far wall. “If I don’t hear from you in two days, I’ll circle back with you.”

To Kier, he said, “Until then, I’m counting on you to keep a close eye on him.” Fritz tipped the ferret’s chin up with one careful finger. “Can I trust you with this most vital task, Kier?” Kier responded with an emphatic squeak and a series of delighted wriggles that set his whole body dancing. This seemed to satisfy Fritz, who leaned close to whisper something in his little conspirator’s ear before straightening in his chair.

“So!” Fritz breezily swept onto the next matter, slipping back into the customary formality Lorenzo had come to expect from the count. “What are we to do about this little gathering of yours, Your Grace?”

“Um…” Lorenzo had been slightly taken by surprise by the quick shifting of gears. It was that and feeling a slight weight leave his shoulders after leaving such a concerning topic. “I suppose we should start with a guest list. A short one.”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Charlotte & Fritz

Time: Evening
Location: Vikena Estate

---

As the others gradually left the house, the heavy atmosphere lingered like a storm cloud refusing to part. Charlotte sat quietly for a moment, her hands fidgeting with the delicate lace of her dress. Her thoughts whirled with everything that had been said. Yet, amidst it all, her gaze drifted toward Fritz. “I—I hope I am not being too forward, but…” she began softly, “Would it be terribly odd of me to ask if I might give you a hug?”

Her cheeks tinted faintly, though her gaze remained sincere. “It is just… you seem as though you might need one, and if I may admit so, I think I might as well.” Her lips curled into a tender, almost sheepish smile.

The request caught Ryn wholly unprepared. He blinked at her, certain his ears had twisted her words into shapes they were never meant to take.

It was not that he objected to hugs—Ryn quite enjoyed them—he simply was not sure if he needed one. Assassination attempts were hardly novel occurrences in his life; an unfortunate but ultimately unremarkable fact of existence, as common as blue skies or salted seas or winter’s bite.

However, when she admitted the hug was not just for him, Ryn crossed the space between them and gathered her into his arms without a second thought.

There they stood, sharing a silence and stillness that felt neither awkward nor heavy. After a long moment, he murmured against her hair, “What are you feeling?” Because “are you alright” would have been an exercise in stating the obvious.

“Frightened and a tad overwhelmed.” Charlotte admitted as her arms encircled him. After a gentle, brief rub of his back, the embrace lingered for a moment longer before she pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on his arms as her gaze rose to meet his.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with sincerity. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she hesitated, her thoughts swirling before she found the courage to continue.“I want to see this investigation through…” Her brows furrowed and determination shifted her features as she amended the initial statement firmly, “No. I must see this through. “

Her hands tightened slightly against his sleeves, a flicker of desperation crossing her features. “I cannot let any of you get hurt. If anything happens to any of you because of my inaction, I don’t think I could bear it.” Her voice wavered for a moment before steadying. “I need to get an upper hand somehow soon so I can be more useful.”

Her words struck a familiar chord in Ryn’s chest, echoing with a familiarity that made him pause. The sentiment could have been plucked straight from his own thoughts, and for a moment he was not entirely certain whether he was speaking to Lady Charlotte or addressing his own stubborn reflection. “I feel the same…” Ryn sighed.

“Which is precisely why I must ask,” he said, quieter now, “why you seem to think yourself exempt from the very concern you extend to others.” Lady Charlotte’s eyes lowered, her grip on his sleeves faltering.

His hand settled over hers where it still clutched his sleeve. “When were you planning to tell us how the meeting with Count Damien went?” The slight tension in her muscles told him enough before she could shape a response. A sad sort of smile tugged at his mouth.

“Had it gone well, I’d imagine you’d have burst through the door brandishing whatever information he gave like a sword. Instead, you’ve been tiptoeing around his name as if it might summon him.” Ryn tilted his head, studying her expression. “Something went rather spectacularly wrong, didn’t it?”

Her lips parted as if to speak, but the words tangled in her throat like knots she couldn’t untie. “You are not mistaken,” she began softly. With a sigh, she seated herself, her hands resting on her lap. Her gaze returned to him as she spoke after only a brief pause.

“It was my plan to enter Count Damien’s study deliberately—to willingly incur his wrath,” she admitted, her tone unwavering despite the vulnerability of the confession. “I thought… if I allowed him to believe he held the upper hand, if I played the part of a foolish, arrogant girl who dared overstep her bounds, he might indulge himself. That in his desire to revel in his own power, he would let slip the very information I sought.”

Charlotte’s lips curved faintly into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, a smile tinged with bittersweet regret. “And in a sense, I succeeded. He spoke, and he gave me answers I had hoped for… but ones I now wish I had never heard. To be quite frank, that man has gone mad.”

Her arms wrapped instinctively around her body, as though shielding herself from an invisible chill that lingered still. “It was never my intention to keep this from you,” she admitted, her voice softening as her gaze flickered to her hands. “But the truth is—I don’t know any of you well enough to predict how you might react. Kazumin and Persephone are brave, yes, but their bravery has shown itself as impulsivity. And even Lord Smithwood…” She hesitated, her tone careful but firm. “I cannot be certain he wouldn’t act rashly with this knowledge.”

Charlotte’s gaze rose to meet his once more. “Count Damien wields fear like a weapon, and he does so comfortably like a man who knows he cannot lose. King Edin seems content to listen to him, even trust him.” She shook her head, her concern evident on her features. “I do not yet understand the game we’ve stepped into, nor the rules he’s playing by. But I do know this: I cannot risk anyone else’s life, not when we are so unprepared.”

Her arms tightened faintly as she exhaled, her expression softening as she added with quiet sincerity, “I am glad I was able to take a moment to urge everyone to be careful and stick together. This… this is far from over.”

The settee’s cushions sank beneath his weight as Ryn settled beside Lady Charlotte. He listened, noting the careful spaces where her story skirted around what Count Damien actually told her. Not that he blamed her—they were still strangers in many ways. Though her reluctance to confide even in Lord Smithwood gave him pause.

“You know,” Ryn said carefully, “there’s an interesting paradox in trying to protect us from being unprepared by keeping us, well, in the dark.”

“Fear works best in isolation—when it convinces you that sharing the burden somehow might make the situation worse. Count Damien understands this, I suspect. He’s counting on that solitude… But Charlotte,” He caught her gaze, held it. “How can you know how we’d react unless you give us the chance? Unless you let us know you, and know us in return?”

There was a flicker of tension in Charlotte’s expression as her hands briefly tightened over her knees. She composed herself, then replied with quiet poise, “With all due respect, Count Fritz, I did not leave them entirely in the dark. We discussed the gravity of the situation, including how Count Calbert might be tied to the Black Rose. I urged caution, asked them to stay together, and offered my home as a refuge. Prince Wulfric underscored the danger as well. No one departed unaware of the stakes.”

“Revealing more at that moment, without understanding how others might react, could have been exactly what Count Calbert intended as well. Until I discern the game being played, I cannot risk moving a piece without strategy. It may serve his purpose more than ours.”

Ryn spread his hands in a questioning gesture. “What steps can we take together to build the kind of trust where sharing doesn’t feel like such a risk?”

“Of course, in time, as we grow to know each other better, trust will naturally follow. However, this was not simply a matter of mistrust, nor was it you specifically that concerned me. That is why I was willing to share the information so readily when you asked.” Her voice softened and she looked at him with a sad smile. “I withheld this information because the situation demanded caution—not secrecy. Some of our friends have acted impulsively in the past on more than one occasion, and I cannot risk putting their lives in greater danger without careful consideration. If Calbert, a man known for his calculated threats, was willing to threaten us so freely, it stands to reason that we must tread carefully. I was even concerned about what might happen if Prince Wulfric were to learn of this.” She sighed and further explained, “I am still deliberating the best way to inform everyone without sending anyone into a trap.”

Ryn caught her sad smile and reflected it back with one of his own. “I understand your caution. The tricky part is that withholding information, even with the best of intentions, can be interpreted as a lack of trust in their judgment.” Such doubts could impact morale.

“It also sets a delicate precedent,” he continued. “Should others decide to protect you by keeping you in the dark—even with information that might prove vital to our investigation—you wouldn’t be able to reasonably object.”

The window facing Damien Estate drew his gaze. “Our adversaries are powerful figures playing a long, dangerous game. And our friends’ spirited ways aren’t likely to change any time soon, nor are our unique positions and circumstances. Which means you might find yourself doing this multiple times, for the foreseeable future.”

His attention returned to Lady Charlotte, “With everything we’re caught up in, you’ll be spending rather a lot of time and energy deciding what to reveal and how to reveal it to your own team. Time and energy that might be better focused on unraveling this conspiracy and outmaneuvering those who'd like to see us fail.”

Leaning forward in his seat, Ryn clasped his hands loosely. “So perhaps the real question is how do you envision this group working together? Are we to operate on a need-to-know basis, with you as the curator of information?”

Charlotte sighed softly, her gaze falling to her hands as though weighing the heaviness of her thoughts. When she looked back up at Fritz, her expression was gentle yet resolute. “I see your point, Count Fritz, and leading with transparency has always been my goal. I never want anyone to feel as though they’re on a need-to-know basis—especially not after the bonds we’ve begun to build. But it becomes painfully clear as we navigate these situations that context can complicate things. It’s not always black or white, and sometimes, what seems like the right course at the moment carries unforeseen consequences.”

Her voice softened, tinged with regret. “That said, you’re right—keeping things from the group, even with the best intentions, is not a habit I want to form. I will ensure every one is as informed as possible moving forward… within reason.” Her lips curved into a faint, apologetic smile as she added, “I only ask for your patience if, at times, I take a moment to consider the safest way to do so. Keeping you all alive will always be my priority.”

“.... I couldn’t bear to see anyone hurt because of me.” Her voice wavered slightly, but there was no mistaking her sincerity. After a pause, her tone shifted as she met his eyes once more. “I mean no ill will in turning this back on you, but if we’re to lead with transparency, I have to ask—have you been completely transparent yourself? It’s something I hope you’ll reflect on as well.” Her gaze lingered on him, not accusatory, but curious. “For instance… Did you share everything you know about Violet with us? I can’t help but feel you may have held back some pieces.”

She hesitated, a flicker of compassion in her expression. “If you were sworn to secrecy, I would understand. Such only underscores my point—context matters…” Her voice softened further as she offered a faint, weary smile. “I think we’re all just doing our best to navigate this insane situation.”

The thought clicked like the final tumbler in a lock. “Ah. I should clarify something. As I’ve said at the masquerade, there are matters I haven’t told you about.”

“I cannot fault you for being cautious. We all have our pasts, our scars that shape us. And Creators know that there are things I’m withholding from you too.” As he placed a hand over his heart, Ryn closed his eyes. “I am afraid of being hurt and hurting others.”

“I’m not suggesting we need to share every detail of our lives.” A laugh escaped him as he brushed away an old memory. “No one needs to know about the bubble bath incident.”

His attention turned to the evidence board, its papers, and strings creating a web of connections. “What I’m speaking of is more specific to this investigation and this team.” He gestured at their collective work. “We gathered here to solve this together, but bits and pieces are being held back from each other for one reason or another. And sometimes hiding one detail obscures others by accident.”

In a fluid motion, the invitation to Count Damien’s masquerade appeared between Ryn’s fingers. “For example, because you couldn’t tell us about the tête-à-tête, you couldn’t explain just how closely the count is watching our group.” He tapped the paper with the temple tip of his enchanted glasses. “Small omissions add up. They make it harder to piece things together and harder for the team to strategize effectively.” He considered his next words carefully. “And they leave room for misunderstandings.”

“When I learned someone hired the Bloody Thorns, Count Damien was on the list of suspects. Given the timing, and how carefully you avoided mentioning your conversation with the count, I wondered if you might’ve known something about it. Not specifically about him hiring assassins, mind you, but I did suspect he threatened to inflict some kind of harm to you and those around you… And you kept that to yourself.” Ryn rose from his seat.

The invitation made a soft rustle as he pinned it up on the board. “Now, it’s true that I still get mistaken for a starry-eyed schoolboy more often than I care to admit, but I’ve lived long enough to know that precious little is black and white.” He turned around to fully face Lady Charlotte. “Which is precisely why it’s important to know how you expect us to handle information within this team going forward. Particularly if some of that information is to be withheld from specific members, whatever those reasons may be.”

Charlotte listened intently, her expression thoughtful as she gave a small nod. “You raise a fair point. Perhaps the best course of action is to address this openly with everyone next time, so we can establish how to communicate more effectively while keeping everyone’s safety our priority.”

After listening to her answer, he said, “Whatever you ultimately decide to do, let me know.” Ryn smiled and added, “And if you find yourself spinning in mental circles—it’s okay to consult others.” He knew, of course, that some found it harder to reach out than others.

“Now then!” Ryn crossed back to Lady Charlotte, fingers dancing over the rims as he swapped the spectacles’ lenses. “I’m sorry for the sudden shift in topic, but there’s something else that I noticed. Do you remember how your magicae looked before your meeting with Count Damien?” He extended the glasses toward her. “Would you mind taking a look again?”

Charlotte tilted her head much like a curious puppy, her brows furrowing as she accepted the glasses Ryn offered. Carefully, she slipped the spectacles onto her nose, her eyes focusing on her hands resting in her lap. Her breath hitched as her gaze landed on the blue aura radiating from her skin. It was thick and vibrant, enveloping her fingers in a luminous halo that seemed to pulse gently with each beat of her heart. The light was almost hypnotic—a serene, cerulean blue with subtle ripples, like sunlight dancing across a tranquil sea. It didn’t just glow; it seemed to hum with energy. “...Do they… change colors?” she asked softly, her voice tinged with wonder.

“It’s not impossible… however, in cases like yours, it’s highly unlikely.”

After a moment of thought, something clicked in her head. Her expression softened as her fingers brushed the chain at her neck. Sliding the chair back slightly, she reached for the pendant nestled beneath her collar. The silver butterfly amulet caught the light, its sapphire centerpiece gleaming brightly, almost as if it were alive. She placed her hand over it, a faint smile spreading across her lips.

“I know this will sound crazy,” she began, glancing up at Ryn, her cheeks flushed slightly as though bracing for skepticism. “But I’ve been… seeing things lately. Memories, I think. They play out right before me as if I’m watching them happen all over again.” Her fingers lightly traced the butterfly’s wings, her expression growing wistful. “In one of them, my father appeared… clear as day. He led me to this amulet.”

She looked up, meeting Fritz’s gaze. “It was hidden in a drawer. He said it was meant to protect me.” Her voice wavered slightly, but her resolve held firm. “I think… I think this locket is why my aura looks like this now.”

She let the silence linger for a moment, the weight of her words settling between them. Then, almost shyly, she added, “Do you think something like that is possible, Fritz?”

“Would you mind if I...?” Ryn gestured toward the butterfly pendant while Lady Charlotte spoke of her father and memories. At her nod, he leaned closer with his lens ready.

The moment his finger made contact, the magicae patterns on his skin shifted—cerulean blue bled through like ink spreading through water, matching the aura that surrounded Lady Charlotte. He lowered the lens, thoughts crystallizing into certainty.

“Not only do I think it’s more than possible,” he said, carefully folding his spectacles and returning them to their case, “this leads me to believe that your father knew more about magic than most.” He met Lady Charlotte’s gaze. “Did he ever show any particular interest in the subject?”

“... Not that I can remember.”

“Hmm.” After a thoughtful pause, Ryn’s expression gentled. “Regardless, your father’s love runs so deep that even his memories are finding ways to protect you.” Ryn avoided using past tense, though her father might have passed beyond mortal reach, his devotion remained very much alive. Ryn nodded at Lady Charlotte’s unexpected gift. “Given the nature of your magicae, it may be a good idea to keep this close to you at all times.”

“ I agree.” Charlotte told him with a smile. “…I suppose I should retire for the evening. I am rather tired. Please feel free to stay and utilize one of our guest rooms.”

Checking the time, Ryn nodded. “I think I will, thank you.”

She closed the distance between them to give him one more hug. As she withdrew, Charlotte told him, “ I will see to it that a meal is sent up to your room if you do choose to stay. Goodnight, Fritz. Thank you for speaking with me!”

“And thank you for listening. Goodnight, Charlotte. Sweet dreams. I’ll see you in the morning.” Lady Charlotte stepped over the threshold when Ryn added one last thing.

“About Lady Violet…” he said, “You’ve the right of it: I haven’t shared everything. But I think it’s best that you speak with her yourself. She needs a friend, now more than ever.” A long breath escaped him, his shoulders sinking slightly. “The poor woman’s heart is like a wounded cat—desperately lonely but too frightened to let anyone near. Every offered hand looks to her like a trap, waiting to snap shut.”

“Poor thing... I shall speak with her and see if she will accept my hand.”

They could only hope.