This was suggested by 2 guests, and took me a little while longer to finish... but here it is!

next imma try to put up the jaronximogen request i got on tumblrrrrrr

:) have a good day!

This wasn't exactly how Roden pictured his night to go. He was expecting to show up, maybe drink a little, then return to his room for the sleep he longed for.

But plans change.

Ever since the king court has been placed with new people, some come and some removed, they all seemed to have one thing in common. Boy, do they enjoy a nice ball, or dance, or grand gathering or whatever you want to call it. They all want to have the best relations throughout Carthya, and some just wanted a reason to get drunk.

Jaron and Imogen weren't thrilled with the idea of spending more money on food and wines all for them to gloat. That is until the idea of extending the invitation to more citizens of Carthya came about. They knew the people of Carthya would be ecstatic, and well they were right of course.

Too bad Roden never really enjoyed balls, or big group gatherings in general. Something about dressing up nice, just didn't sit right with him, so of course he wore his captain's uniform for the night.

"I understand that you don't exactly like these sorts of things, but could you at least maybe talk to someone or ask a person to dance" Harlowe have him encouraging nudge forward."

Roden snorted, "Pray tell who would I ask to dance."

"Ah that is up for you to decide... maybe the Goodmen's eldest daughter or... the one in the yellow gown."

"The one in the yellow gown... you mean the baker's daughter. I hear she has six brothers. That sounds… intimidating or… terrifying"

Harlowe let out a confused chuckle, "Why do you say that?"

"Six brothers, wouldn't they be, I don't know… overprotective of her… or watching every man that gets near her. You know, terrifying."

"Well at least they aren't sisters. I hear she doesn't have any interest in marrying, and if she didn't marry her younger sisters wouldn't have much of a chance now would they?"

"I suppose, but that's not law. Also, if you thought she had no interest in men, why would you try to get me to dance with her?"

"Not having interest in anyone else was something you two could have in common."

"I dont think thats how that works…"

Harlowe only shrugged and turned on his heel towards the sound of Nila calling out for him, leaving Roden alone once again.

He continued to watch the room grow louder and more filled as more and more families arrived. It seemed to never stop.

Every now and then a drunk lady or her mother would approach Roden and try to get a dance or another glass of wine out of him. But he stayed in his corner.

Again he found the girl in the yellow gown also sitting by the window reading her book still.

Then an older woman approached her.

Must have been her mother because of the serious scolding she got and her book ripped from her hands.

The young girl sat with her arms crossed and as soon as her mother left her she turned and made her way to the doors.

Roden wished he could do the same. Just leave this madness and sit in his chambers quietly. At this point signing documents and whatnot sounded more entertaining than this. But it seemed that everyone else in the room, besides the girl in the yellow gown, had plans to stay longer into the night.

Roden internally groaned.

This night couldn't seem to stop.

After another hour or so of standing there, Roden decided to make his way to the gardens.

It was already dark out and Roden was turning a corner on a stone path way when he heard his niece… and someone else?

"Do you know what these ones are called?" Nila asked.

The other voice responded quickly, as if they didn't even need to think of an answer to the little girl's question, "Those are Anemone as well."

"But I thought the red ones where Anemine."

"It's Anemone and the red and purple ones are Anemone, they come in other colors too."

"Anemone" Nila repeated.

When I finally found them in the maze of bushes, flowers, and benches, I saw that it was the girl in the yellow gown who had her book sitting on the fountain next to Nila, as she knelt beside her on the grown.

Hah apparently she didn't get to escape here. She was just as unlucky as me.

They had a bundle of flowers plucked and placed on both of their laps.

"Sorry for interrupting, but I'm afraid my father is looking for his granddaughter. It's time for her to head to bed."

"Just five more minutes." Nila whined

"You said half an hour ago."

"Alright, but only because I want to."

Roden laughed, "Of course."

Nila turned to the girl besides her, "Goodnight… umm."

The girl gave a small laugh, "Athora. Goodnight Nila."

"Grandfather? Shouldn't you be putting her to bed."

"Oh um I'm not her Father."

"Forgive me... I just thought… not that I thought that you looked like her father, or you know, old… I'm not saying you look old… well… oh dear I'm sorry I'm usually better at talking than this."

Roden laughed, "It's quite alright, I can't say I'm much better."

"I highly doubt that's true."

"Eh, more less."

She gave a small curtsy, and for the first time since Roden has been out here he realized she had gotten mud on her dress from fitting by the fountain, "Athora Curtis."

Roden dipped his head slightly, "Roden Harlowe."

"Do you mean Captain Harlowe?"

"Yes yes, but the title sometimes confuses others into thinking I'm older than I actually am."

She slightly had a blush of embarrassment, "That's not funny", she said even though she seemed to be hiding a smile of her own.

"No it's not." Roden laughed

"I should probably make my way inside before my mother finds out I'm missing."

"Of course, but… um."

"Yes?"

"It appears you have a bit of dirt on your skirt, from the flowers."

"Oh yes it appears I do?"

"Was that a question?"

She gave a small laugh again, which seemed to be a habit of hers, "No, just, its dirt. Why Captain? Are you afraid of dirt?"

Roden laughed again, "No, but most women I know would have fainted at the sight of their clothes being covered in mud."

It's true, Rodens seen it before

"Then again, you do live at the castle so that shouldn't come as much as a surprise."

"No it shouldn't."

She turned away to pick up her book and they made their way back into the ballroom.

They didn't talk for the rest of the night because as soon as she walked back in her mother had already lined up people for her to meet, which Athora was clearly not happy with but her mother gave no excuse.

Again, that was not the way Roden expected his night to go.