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[Denna Sureau]

Denna smiled back at Lysette, eyeing the girl who'd left the table. "I suppose she wants your approval," Denna suggested, and then blinked, scanning the room instead, almost like she was looking for something, or someone. She ended up spotting Felix.

The Fathvell was talking to two others, whose names escaped her. She didn't let her eyes stay on him long before she was back to talking with Lysette.

You know, at least up until Felix walked over to them. Her eyes brightened, her full attention on the boy--man, really. He had a good smile, though he could have done something with that hair.

She curtsied, glancing to Lysette, then back to Felix. "Thank you, Lord Felix," She responded warmly. His eyes were more on Lysette than on her--it made Denna feel a little anxious, for reasons she cared not to consider. It wasn't proper for a lady to ask for a dance, but--

Well, she'd never been the most normal of ladies now, had she? She'd wait and see what happened, but simply put, she planned to ask Felix to dance, if he didn't ask her first. She'd had her eye on him, and did not plan to miss the opportunity.

[Lysette Hasting]

Denna Sureau had been the first to greet Felix when he approached. Good. Perhaps it would save Lysette from having to talk to him for long. He was not as interesting as he thought he was. It was unfortunate that they were the same rank. It was only proper that they dance together every few balls. She had danced with him at the last ball they attended together, but that was several months ago at this point. It was prudent they dance again. She assumed that was why he approached them. Denna did steal the show, though.

Lysette did bring the attention back to Felix, though, ignoring what Denna said. "I would ask the same of you, Lord Felix, but I can already tell you're making quite the spectacle this evening. Tell me, is this the first ball you have attended with family present?" She knew Eliza had only attended one other Luthadel ball, and Felix was not in attendance. He had been forced to show his face at another important event that evening: A dinner at Keep Sureau. They had protested the ball by having their own party. Felix had the misfortune of drawing the wrong straw.

"I don't remember seeing you at the Casuana ball," Lysette said, batting her eyelashes as she attempted to 'remember' his being there.

"No, my lady, I had other engagements that evening. It seems I missed quite the scandal... so I thought I would make up for that this evening." Felix said, smiling.

"Good, I would hardly like to be bored this evening,"

There was a small lull in the conversation, which was pleasant enough, but if Felix were going to ask her to dance, this would be the time. At this point she wished that he would just get it over with.

He cleared his throat after the silence set in.

[Denna Sureau]

Denna listened to the banter between the two with interest, though she did her best to seem only politely curious.

She was not personally knowledgeable of the events they spoke of, and so was forced to stand quietly while they talked at first.

Of course, she used that little lull in conversation to her advantage. "If I may be so bold, Lord Felix," she said, into the silence. Her eyes were bright with amusement and mischief, like she knew she was about to ask something unexpected, "Would you honor me by asking me to dance?"

[Felix Fathvell]

As the conversation lulled, Felix was about to initiate his rejection of the evening when Denna spoke up.

If I may be so bold, Lord Felix, Would you honor me by asking me to dance?

Felix grinned. He felt like he was seeing Denna for the first time. She had seemed so meek, and barely spoke or joined in the conversation when he was around. He hadn't attended many events she went to though. They had been formally introduced the last time he was forced to go to Keep Sureau. He had said a few words about the weather, and then they parted ways.

He loved the shade of pink (or was that purple?) Lysette's face turned when she heard how forward Denna was. Felix couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment, or frustration that she didn't get a chance to say no before Felix even asked the question. His grin widened and he bowed to Denna.

Felix had never realized how refreshing it would be to have a woman ask him to dance. He accepted the offer wholeheartedly.

"On the contrary, my lady." he said, offering his hand to her. "The honor would be mine if you shared a dance with me."

[Ferrah Brehaut]

Ferrah reclaimed her seat, eager to resume the game, both to see the others humiliated, and to get her own obligations out of the way so she could free up space for men worthy of her time.

"So sorry for making you wait, girls," Ferrah's lips twisted into a smug smile, "Lord Kennith is such an excellent dancer, I'm afraid I lost track of time." Whether or not Kennith decided to dance with her again, she was desirable, and his asking her to dance proved that. After all, she had been enjoying a wonderful dance while her friends squandered on the sidelines.

The thought of her friends together while she was gone gave rise to another nagging fear. What had they been speaking about in her absence? Teresia had no doubt been up to her usual mischief, but had the others managed to keep Marceline in check? Or were they all now united in quiet rebellion against her?

"So, what did I miss?"

[Caden Hasting]

Caden's small group of associates and hangers on bowed and politely excused when Eliza and Felix approached. The other men and women had shared a few glances because of Caden's costume, but otherwise the meetings had gone well, and he was confident that his actions tonight had not done too much damage to his social standing. The group he had been speaking with reformed a few steps away, allowing Caden the option to rejoin or not once his conversation with Eliza was concluded.

"It seems you've enjoyed yourself." Caden felt his polite smile widening at the edges as he rejoined Eliza's company. Lord Ruler, it felt good just being near her! "Felix seems like a good support figure; it's comforting to know you have people in your family you can depend on." Having only a few people he really trusted in his own family, most of whom depended on him rather than the other way around, Caden knew how valuable trusted confidantes could be.

As he considered his next move, Caden realized that he was in a bit of a tough position. On one hand, he wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of the evening in Eliza's company. On the other, the few discussions he had managed to get in during Felix and Eliza's dance constituted barely half of the business he would like to conclude before the evening was over. He would be a poor escort to abandon Eliza on their first real date together, but he could not ignore his obligations to his house. He could take Eliza along with him, but he also did not want to force her into conversations she might find dull or boring when she might have other places she would rather be. Furthermore, some of his allies might be hesitant to discuss sensitive matters in front of a scion of a different Great House.

The best answer, he realized, was likely to put the question to the woman herself. "So, what shall we do next? I have a few more acquaintances and allies to check in with, and you are welcome to join me if you wish. I'd also understand if you have other social obligations to attend to. If you are in the mood for more dancing, I'd like to fit in a few more of those as well, and would be happy to oblige."

[Marceline Dumont]

While Ferrah was gone, Marceline quietly calmed her nerves and steeled herself against Ferrah's return. She knew that she would irritate Ferrah at the revelation of who Ferrah had 'bought' from her, but she also felt smug and she let that confidence grow while Ferrah was off dancing. She stayed silent, not participating in any of the polite conversation, if any conversation that Teresia was a participant in could be called polite, slowly building her courage.

The dancing looked fun, but of course no one wanted to dance with her. Lord Felix and Eliza made quite a stir with their dance, and Marceline couldn't help but let her eyes wander over to them, admiring Felix's...form... It was hard to not appreciate his...dancing skills and the way his coat flared certainly added to his eye-catching nature. She forced herself to only stare an appropriate amount, though, and she could see Ferrah and the other Fathvell, Kennith, approaching the table. They had certainly taken their sweet time getting back after their dance, but it was all the better for Marceline. She was in a much better mood now.

That was when Marceline lost track of Ferrah. She caught sight of Felix again, but he was talking to a very pretty woman and when he smiled at her, Marceline's heart dropped slightly. It was one thing to see him going off to dance with his cousin, but seeing him talking and even possibly flirting with someone he wasn't related to was a harsh reminder to her that she couldn't keep crushing on him like this. Not only was he off limits, he was obviously not interested in talking to her at all.

Ferrah was what brought her mind back to reality. It was only a little bit sudden and Marceline definitely lost some of her resolve in that moment."So, what did I miss?"

Marceline smiled sweetly at Ferrah, trying to hide her nerves. "We were just waiting on you so we could get on with our game and reveal our purchases. Not all of us are so influential with Lady Colette that we can snag a dance partner so easily."

[Ferrah Brehaut]

Ferrah had already suspected she would not enjoy dancing with her purchases, but any doubts were banished by Marceline's embarrassingly transparent saccharine smile. Marceline's ineptitude was not nearly as annoying as her insinuation that the only reason men danced with Ferrah was her connection to Colette. While Ferrah well aware of the importance of her friendship with the Hasting heir to her social standing, she liked to believe men also found her attractive on her own.

"Yes, yes, very well. Let's get this over with." Ferrah tapped her cheek, pondering which of her successful sales would embarrass Marceline the most. "And you shouldn't gape like that, Marceline. You're much prettier when you aren't puffing out your cheeks and grinning like some Deepness-possessed alley skaa."

[Denna Sureau]

As soon as Felix smiled, the anxious nerves that had built up went away, replaced by a buzz of excitement, and she smiled warmly back at him. Her eyes never left him, as he bowed, and offered his hand.

She curtsied, , eyes twinkling a bit as she took his hand. "Thank you, my lord," she said sweetly, throwing a glance back at Lysette, and trying to remember to look somewhat apologetic. The glance only lasted a moment though, and then her attention was back on the brunette Fathvell holding his hand.

[Eliza Fathvell]

Eliza nodded at Caden's mention of how good it was to have family she could count on. It was especially comforting now, knowing Felix had her back here in Luthadel. Even if he was one of the few, she would rather have one Best Cousin to count on than a thousand regular ones.

"So, what shall we do next? I have a few more acquaintances and allies to check in with, and you are welcome to join me if you wish. I'd also understand if you have other social obligations to attend to. If you are in the mood for more dancing, I'd like to fit in a few more of those as well, and would be happy to oblige."

Wait, was Caden really inviting her to come with him on matters of business? Was that normal? Was he trying to make some sort of statement, letting everyone see him go about such things with her right there, or did he merely not want to leave her behind out of gentlemanly duty? She found herself greatly appreciating that he sought her preference on what they did, but now she felt woefully unprepared to actually make the decision. Did she ask to only dance, and therefore monopolize his time? Of course she couldn't; that would be rude and selfish, especially when he was going out of his way to be considerate of her. Did she happily agree to go wherever he wished? No, because she was a woman with a spine and would not mindlessly let anyone choose her direction. Which he knew, or he wouldn't have asked in the first place. A compromise, perhaps? But she had no idea what these personal matters that needed attending to were or how to handle them.

She didn't, but of course, he did. Perhaps there was the answer. It meant admitting more of her shortcomings, but he had already seen her at her worst, and probably knew what those shortcomings were already. Or at least, he likely had a very good idea.

"Perhaps a bit of both?" she suggested after a moment's thought. "I absolutely want to dance again, but it would be horribly selfish of me to keep you from things you need to do. I must warn you, though; I'm afraid I'd be a bit out of my depth when it comes to these things." By 'these things', of course, she meant social and political maneuvering in a Luthadel ballroom, and business conducted aboveboard rather than in some ship captain's ready room.

"I would be happy to accompany you, but please don't hesitate to offer any suggestions you may feel necessary."

[Felix Fathvell]

Felix led Denna away and didn't look back at Lysette. He should probably ask her at some point in the evening, but he was glad not to be rejected on his first dance of the evening. Who knew if Lysette would really say no, though. Some days she was nice to Felix, some days -- probably the days she had more Colette's influence than not -- she was vile.

Once they reached the dance floor, he took Denna into his arms and joined in with the music. "You saved me back there, you know." he said chuckling.

"As a social obligation, I ask Lysette to dance with me every other ball I attend. Our stations are the same in our houses, and I am obliged to ask. Although I don't much care for her conversation, even if she is a lovely dancer." He said offhandedly.

"So you have saved me from rejection and at the same time we can become better acquainted. We did not get much of a chance to speak the last time we were together. Have you lived in Luthadel long? Longer than me, I would guess. I am glad it has not dulled your boldness."

Felix realized that he was talking far too much. He suddenly felt awkward and shut his mouth, focusing on the steps of the dance for a moment.

[Lysette Hasting]

Lysette watched the pair walk away. Happy that Felix didn't get a chance to ask her to dance. She couldn't let that show, however. She rolled her eyes when Denna looked back at her, but was also smiling. She would let Denna know she was not irritated with her later. In the mean time, she looked around for the only person she wanted to dance with that evening.


She was standing with two girls who were also content to be on the sidelines. Daniela Veronne, who had been one of Lysette's contacts for gossip, and constant "friends" in the nobility since she debuted, touched her shoulder and smiled.

"This one is at least handsome," She said chuckling. "Who is he though?"

"I'm not sure," Lysette said looking where Daniela was gesturing. "He looks like he's coming over here though, I'm sure we'll find out in a moment."

She but a tight lock on her face muscles as she saw that it was Jasun approaching her small group. Her face threatened to betray her into a smile, but she managed to keep it neutral. Instead she held herself a little straighter, trying to appear confident and collected when all she wanted to do was run over and hug him. She waited with bated breath for him to address her.

[Broderick Venture]

"Given what you've said, it would seem that traditional dueling culture is here to stay. Perhaps you could tell me more about these organized tournaments you seem fond of? I must confess that though I have been to a few, my purpose for going is usually political or business related."

Broderick couldn't help but notice with a grin that Daerra had put him completely at ease. Perhaps it was a calculated move on her part to make him more comfortable, or perhaps she was genuinely interested, but to be honest, right now he couldn't particularly make himself care. If she was happy to listen to him prattle on about duels, he was happy to oblige her. It was better than awkwardly remarking on the weather the whole dance.

"Well," he began, "first, of course, the rosters must be filled. Some duels have open signups, where any gentleman may put down his name - along with the entry fee, of course. Some of the more popular open duels have a set of preliminary bouts the day or week before to narrow down the competition, so only the best competitors make it to the finals. It keeps things interesting, and from drawing on too long the day of. Others are invitational, which means about what you'd expect it to. Some of the gentlemen are invited for political reasons, while others by merit of their dueling reputations. Either way, the bracket is sometimes announced beforehand and other times kept secret until the day of the event. Usually to keep opponents from harassing each other before the tournament - or worse, sabotaging. I've seen it happen, and had a number of attempts against my own person, actually.

"The officiants are either all obligators or supervised by one. There are at least two Seekers among them, and all Allomancy is strictly forbidden, even among the spectators. Known Allomancers are given the opportunity to burn off all of their metals in front of a Ministry Seeker, who will attest to their inability to cheat.

"After that, the proceedings vary depending on the venue. The larger spaces can afford to have several of the initial matches going on at once, while smaller events will have one matchup at a time. By the time the semifinals are reached, though, they've narrowed it down to one match at a time in front of everybody. Matches are usually determined either as best two out of three, or sudden death. The winner takes the prize, which always involves money, and sometimes includes some other type of trophy as well. The longest-running annual tournament in Luthadel, for example, awards a custom-made pocketwatch to the winner. It might seem like but a trifle, but those watches are one of the greatest-prized treasures of all the Empire according to many gentlemen. I've got my eye set on this year's prize, actually.

"And now I've probably thoroughly bored you," he realized with a laugh. "My apologies, Lady Daerra. I tend to get rather carried away when it comes to this subject, as I'm sure you noticed."

[Daerra Elariel]

During Broderick's lecture, Daerra had noticed Camille separating from Nevan in order to speak alone with Alistair Casuana. After the spectacle at the Casuana ball, Daerra would have expected the elite to avoid Alistair, but perhaps Riordan's buffoonery and the rebel attack had distracted people from Alistair's smaller role in Casuana's embarrassment that night.

Camille wouldn't have forgotten though, of that Daerra was certain. So what interest did she have in Alistair Casuana then? It must have been important, for Camille to risk even the slightest social back-lash. Was she making a statement about her house's loyalty to Casuana over Hasting? Had Camille interacted with Caden or any of the other Hastings that evening? Daerra took care as she continued to check in on Camille covertly, taking opportunities when Broderick's eyes were focused elsewhere, or when he led her into a turn. While she made a point of checking on others, including Nevan and Adlwin and Aveline, Camille continued to command the majority of her attention. What was she planning, and what did it involve having such an extended conversation with Alistair Casuana? Surely a short message could have been exchanged by now; were they conducting negotiations?

"And now I've probably thoroughly bored you," Broderick's laugh recalled Daerra's attention her, forcing her to review the speech she had only half been listening to for anything she had missed. Had she let her act slip? From Broderick's expression, he seemed more bashful than insulted, leading Daerra to suspect he was only being polite, and that her animated expression had convinced him she was listening intently. "My apologies, Lady Daerra. I tend to get rather carried away when it comes to this subject, as I'm sure you noticed."

"Oh not at all, Lord Broderick. It's difficult to be bored when listening to someone speak about something they are so passionate about." Daerra smiled warmly, hoping to reassure him. In truth, she had found his description of allomancy in dueling to be very informative. She had been aware of the general practices, such as having ministry Seekers on staff, but she had not realized that even known allomancers among the spectators were checked for metals as well. Perhaps at the next duel she attended, she could make a point to watch who the obligators were focusing on, and try to ferret out some hidden allomancers that the ministry was keeping an eye on.

Broderick's intention to win at the championships this year could be useful as well. Knowing what people wanted was always the best way to exert influence of them. The question was how Daerra could use Broderick's desire for the top prize to her advantage. Could she use the upcoming tournament to incite a rivalry between the young Venture and another member of the court? Or would it be better to fall into an encouraging role in order to remain in Broderick's good graces?

As the song came to an end, Daerra noticed an opportunity. "I would actually love to hear more, if you don't mind. Perhaps if I study up with you I will be able to surprise my brother with some tidbit even he doesn't know of." As she flicked her gaze to the side, she wrinkled her brow in concern. "Oh, but it seems Camille has left Lord Nevan all alone. Perhaps we could invite him to join the conversation?"

[Marceline Dumont]

Marceline blushed, but she didn't back down. Well, she did a little bit, but she tried to not let her embarrassment show. "I believe the correct term for what I was doing is 'appreciating a very attractive nobleman', but if you wish to call it gaping...." She knew that she was just digging herself a deeper hole with her crush on Felix Fathvell, but since he was obviously not interested in her and it was so obvious that she found him attractive, she figured that it wasn't much deeper now than it had been before.

"I quite agree that we should get on with it. I am personally quite curious as to whom I will have to dance with." She knew that it would be unpleasant. Nothing about this game was pleasant and so she just wanted it over with, and it would give her an excuse to get away from the table if she had to ask someone to dance. She could get away and collect her wits before having to deal with feeling guilty and ashamed of wanting to stay alive, because she knew that this was exactly what this torture was about. They would never let her forget that she had chosen Lord Caden over Lady Colette at the Casuana ball, but so long as she habitually found reasons to take breaks from them, maybe she could eventually forget it.

[Ferrah Brehaut]

Ferrah smiled at Marceline's comment. She would regret that eagerness once Ferrah revealed who she had to dance with, of course. Hopefully the satisfaction of seeing Marceline suitably humiliated would soften the blow to Ferrah's own eager when she was forced to choose a partner by Marceline herself, or by any of the others. It had been difficult to obscure some of the more problematic aspects of the man she had sold Marceline, but in the end, either through Ferrah's guile or out of social pressure from the group, Marceline had caved, and would now bear the consequences. Ferrah's sale would force Marceline to approach someone far above her station, set her up for possible rejection, and possibly even social reprisal from the other women at court.

"Well Marceline, since you seem the most eager, how about we exchange purchases first?" Wanting to maintain control of the situation, Ferrah plowed on before Teresia or Celestine could interject. "So, who am I going to have the pleasure of dancing with? I'm very curious to find out who the sun-kissed stranger you sold me really is."

[Aaron Elariel]

Aaron forced himself to ignore his curiousity, and move on from the topic of why Katryn had decided to come to Luthadel. The young woman obviously did not intend to explain herself fully at this meeting, and it would be inconsiderate of him to press further. Besides, as the conversation moved on to safer topics, Aaron could not help but enjoy himself. Lucille's four friends from Urteau were great fun, as were Katryn and Lucille herself. Aaron couldn't help but be pleased with himself, especially when Katryn indirectly referred to him as 'distracting'.

Aaron was in the process of deciding whether to ask Lucille or Katryn to dance first when he noticed Adala Venture standing alone, no longer dancing with Sebastien Perrault. Wanting to make good on his promise of a dance before he forgot, and to make up for lost time with Adala, Aaron politely excused himself from the group, sharing a playful wink with Lucille and Katryn before promising to return. Lord Ruler, it felt good to feel like himself again.

"Lady Adala! You seem to be enjoying yourself!" Aaron smiled warmly and gave Adala a polite bow, noticing that her posture seemed slightly rigid, and that her normally animated expression was somewhat restrained. "I suppose you have no time to spare at the moment to share a dance with me? After all, it would require the Lord Ruler's own luck to arrange such a charitable coincidence, don't you think?"

[Broderick Venture]

"Oh, but it seems Camille has left Lord Nevan all alone. Perhaps we could invite him to join the conversation?"

No! No no no! Camille, you're ruining everything!"

Broderick tried to think of something with which to divert Daerra's attention, but she was already heading that way. What in the world were those two doing? And why was Alistair Casuana of all people monopolizing Camille's time when she was supposed to be with Nevan? Broderick briefly considered challenging Alistair to a sporting match just to get him out of the way of Nevan and Camille, but that would be a horribly unfair match, and Broderick didn't think he had it in him to humiliate the poor bloke. Not after last week, especially.

But what else could he do? Convince Daerra to leave Nevan alone because he was so obviously enjoying studying those stained glass windows? Impossible; they'd seen these windows a hundred times before and they were nothing special, especially compared to Keep Venture's. So what, then? What could he possibly do to--

"There you are! I've been looking all over the ballroom for you two!"

As if summoned by the Lord Ruler himself, Aldwin slid to a stop in front of them, neatly cutting off Daerra's path. His suit was rumpled and his hair all a mess. Which was his usual state of dress, of course, but this somehow seemed different. Had he run all the way here? It wouldn't be surprising. Broderick could only hope he hadn't bowled anyone over on the way here.

"Cousin Daerra," he continued as though it weren't clear as day what he was up to, "Didn't I promise you the next dance? It's been so long since we last danced; won't you do me the honor?"

[Daerra Elariel]

"There you are! I've been looking all over the ballroom for you two! Aldwin Tekiel practically skidded into view, blocking the path to where Nevan was still day dreaming, staring at one of the hall's mediocre stained glass windows. Daerra halted in her tracks, coming to a stop before she collided with the Tekiel heir. She allowed a bemused smile to cross her face, letting Aldwin know she was on to his game.

"Cousin Daerra, didn't I promise you the next dance? It's been so long since we last danced; won't you do me the honor?" Aldwin's clothing, usually artfully rumpled, seemed to to be in genuine disarray. Daerra wasn't sure whether to be flattered or insulted by the lengths he and Broderick were going to to prevent her from reaching their friend. Arching an eyebrow, Daerra glanced to side where Aveline stood abandoned on the edge of the dance floor. Aveline would already be spinning things of course, taking steps to make it seem she and Aldwin had parted ways mutually, but if Daerra danced with Aldwin now, a few onlookers might speculate that he was choosing Daerra over Aveline. While Daerra resented the idea of tying a social advance to the favour of a man, it was not often she got the opportunity to get the advantage over the Sureau heir, and she couldn't see a way to refuse Aldwin without losing face.

"It would be my pleasure as always, cousin. Lord Broderick, would you mind adjourning our discussion to a later date? Lord Aldwin seems quite anxious to dance, and I would hate to refuse him."

[Adala Venture]

The ball swirled around Adala as Sebastian disappeared from her sight. The gazes were gone, but the vice around her chest had not let go. It had loosened. She felt as if she should be suffocating, but that was the odd thing. She wasn't. She had been before, with the heavy weight of attention, with the horrible idea of failure so immediate.

But here? Now? She was merely... unsure. Not lost, not drowning, not somehow suffocating from her impending social destruction. Just unsure. For the ball swirled about her, unfazed by her first dance, uninterested in her at large. At Urteau she had often been the center of attention. A failure of a Venture was an easy person to scorn. But here, she was merely a background piece now her dance was done.

Perhaps she could or should have found that vexing. Instead it was merely unexpected, but not unwanted, she realized. One could only go up from what she was used to. Forgotten was better than humiliated, but now what was she to do? Where was she to go if it was not to flee?

She stood and pondered this, the vice slowly easing its grip on her chest as she did. It had disappeared altogether when someone called her name, and a moment later her brother broke through the crowd to meet her.

"Aldric? What are you doing here?" She asked him.

He tilted his head, "We came to the ball together if you'll remember. I assumed we'd stay that way, at least for part of it."

He reached out a hand to her, giving her a wry grin, and Adala almost took it on reflex. It was an unconscious thing. She was so used to going to Aldric, especially during balls. No one tried to poke fun with her brother looming nearby. At least not in obvious ways. No one could be trusted like he could be. Nor had she ever felt truly at ease without him, not in a situation like this with so many people to speak to and offend somehow. It would be child's play to fold her arm in his and take comfort in his presence. But she wished to revel in the feeling that was fast retreating. To find comfort in relative anonymity, instead of her little brother's protection. If for no other reason than because it was new and unusual and not all that unpleasant.

So instead she closed her hands around his, squeezing tight, "But we already did that, didn't we? Surely the point of coming to Luthadel is to do something new, Why don't you go dance with someone, hmm?" Her eyes caught on a girl in the distance, young and pretty and making moon eyes in Aldric's direction, "Like that girl over there. Look at her, she definitely wants to dance with you. Why not go save her the trouble of asking?"

Aldric looked over at the girl, then his eyes swept back to Adala, a certain flatness to his gaze that she was all to familiar with. Her brother did not wear distrust well. "I came to Luthadel to look after you, actually. I can do it best when I'm next to you."

She sighed, "And you have done a wonderful job of it, but surely you realize you will not be around forever, brother dear. And right now I am in no need of minding. I'm fine." Aldric snorted, and she bristled. "I am! But I won't be if you hover. Go have some fun for once instead of being stuck with me, please?" Her brother's face twisted, and she realized that yet again she had shoved her foot in her mouth, but it was too late. She gave him a push that was more for the look of it than in anyway effective.

Aldric let her push him away, glancing over his shoulder at her as he started to walk to the girl she had pointed out, "Then I'll meet up with you later, if you're so sure." She merely waved him off, and he was soon across the ballroom, making conversation with the little brunette.

Adala let her eyes wander, trying to track down someone or something to make her way to, but the few people she did recognize tended to already be involved with talking to or dancing with someone else. She could always try someone new, but just the thought of doing that made her blood start to pound.

She had just settled upon making her way to somewhere with a better vantage of the room when Aaron Elariel swept up to her, and it took him all of five seconds to make her smile.

"Well," she said, making a show of looking about her, "as you can see I am simply being bombarded with offers. But! I think I can find the time for charity." She offered him her hand, her smile turning impish for a moment before being smoothed back in line.