* 𝙼𝙸𝙽𝙸𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝚃𝙼𝚂.

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to this use of his own name, antonin's lips twitch. she tests the boundary, exerts control ; mikaela, having learnt at his knee, has mastered these small powerplays that her brother never has. if he were here in her place... well, he's seen the bite marks. he and mikaela share a bond. or at least, their likenesses imply that they do and if there's any truth to be found beneath all that then they should be capable of reaching an understanding. "yes, i do, but you and i both know that today is a remarkably bad day for him to go missing. that's why i expect you to keep an eye out for him." and here she is, again : her brothers keeper. he knows his shortcomings. he knows who nikolai will gravitate towards in the time he has, and it isn't him. mikaela's casting in this role is to be expected, but antonin trusts that she can handle it just fine in the same way that he trusts her to read between the lines. she's more than capable. he straightens his back, smiles wide for the sake of their audience, keeps his voice low so they continue unawares : "of course you don't. you're young - you should go and enjoy yourself, as much as possible. all i ask is that you think of your old and weary parents and try not to get in too late. and if you do see your brother, make sure he knows where to go. that's all."

"mikaela-" he murmurs beneath his breath, grip tightening on her arm the moment that it becomes clear that she moves with the intent of leaving. he lets eulalia step away from him, other arm unwrapped from her waist, but in the same motion gives the universal gesture for a second, please to the sea of photographers that descended after the snitch was caught in hand - one finger held up high to see, an apologetic sort of smile twisting at his features. a camera flash betrays one of the slower to react, the picture snapped sure to appear in tomorrow's broadsheet, but antonin ignores this in favor of pivoting them both away from the prying eyes of those media vultures and pulling her fully aside. "we have a private home booked near dublin for the night. there's room enough for you and your brother, if you can find him," his gaze, steady to now, flickers towards her waiting guests, "i would like not to see you and your... new friends faces in the tabloids, tomorrow morning. it would be a pity to see all the good work we've done here, today, undone with a scandal."