A ball to remember

Now this? This was a party, Lia thought to herself as she giggled again at the bright displays and the wonderful outfits everyone was in. An invited academic, the invite had said, drawing her mind back to her friend she had made a few weeks back, on her birthday. Had he saw such value in her words that a bastard like her would get invites to such a grand event? She wasn't going to think on it, instead, she was very much going to make sure she didn't get too far into her cups, like on her birthday, and enjoy the party.

Even if her chaperone was eyeing everything with suspicion. Hands smoothing down the green satin of her gown, she fussed with her appearance. This was one of the first outings she had since finding the document in father's study that had explained so much of why she was given such leeway as a child and young adult. She wanted to make sure that if anyone ever put the two together that she didn't do anything to bring undue attention or shame to the family.

Her jaw dropped, at a passing couple, before the duo split, leather and was that a tuxedo gown? She's have to seek one of them out later to engage in conversation, that might be a incredibly engaging one, to say the least. But as she mingled, speaking with several, repeating the same introduction, botanist, recent publication, research mostly, delighted to visit, beautiful dress, gorgeous gown, it was a bit much -- How did Luce and Rene deal with this regularly?

Tucking back into a corner with a flute of champagne she rubbed her cheeks, the muscles screaming about how wide a smile she had on her face this evening, mind wondering if her friend was nearby...