Serenity looked up as Ms. Buckley addressed her guests at last, noting her elegance and charm as she moved through her party.
Still in mild conversation with a few of the guests, Serenity occasionally turned to see what Ms. Buckley was doing, waiting for an opportunity to speak with her.
The reactions from some of the guests she spoke to 'privately' were interesting, her whispers bringing sudden joy to those who lent an ear.
Perhaps more interesting than that, was the woman with dreadlocks seemingly seeking charity. The noble noticed her receiving donations of sort, in amounts she couldn't guess from where she stood. The Lady Howle recalled no mention of a charity on the flyer and assumed this was an 'in' thing she simply wasn't part of.
The Lady settled for asking about it only if it were to come up naturally in conversation, before seeking Ms. Buckley again who was still busy talking to guests. Serenity settled for waiting, knowing that the host would make her way toward her eventually.
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer's smile widened, not so much at being invited to dine with the host this evening - which the demon prince was honored by, don't get me wrong - but more so by the sight of his feline friend.
Wow, you look beautiful this evening.
Then Tauer, remembering that the feliness was a very quiet person who may have trouble communicating with Angeline Buckley, jumped in to assist.
Ms. Buckley, may I introduce a good friend of mine. This is Neko.
Orp Boon [M:83:616:][D3v:http://www.rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=406&page=1#374]"Is that family heirloom for sale?"[0:Gone fishing.][1:The store is open!]
"Why hello, Miss Neko, a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. It's not often that I get to meet someone like you. I love your dress by the way. I hope the guards were not too much trouble. We cannot be too careful with security at these events."
::Neko smiles and shakes her head no in response to Ms. Buckley's question.
She bites her lip out of bad habit as she ponders her next move. Being new to this type of setting, she's unsure of how to proceed. She had seen how some of the other women had reacted to being greeted, but did not know if that was due to station or just the accepted format.
Deciding to cover all her bases, she gives a quick bow that flows into an awkward curtsey (having only ever seen it done). She tries to cover it up with a bright smile and offers her hand to Tauer to shake. ::
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer responded with a reassuring hand shake and whispered, in barely audible words:
You're doing fine.
Orp Boon [M:83:616:][D3v:http://www.rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=406&page=1#374]"Is that family heirloom for sale?"[0:Gone fishing.][1:The store is open!]
::Neko gave a confused smile as she watched the woman walk away. She wasn't sure what she had done to deserve that invitation. She hoped it wasn't some kind of joke. She was painfully aware that she didn't fit in here, physically or socially, and did not want to be "shown off" as the local oddity.
She gave a sigh and pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind. She would give the woman a chance and join her at her table.
With a smile, she turned back to Tauer to see what he thought of the exchange. ::
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
See, that wasn't so bad, was it? You're a natural. Tauer beamed, encouragingly. Hey, er, I don't suppose you would, er, consider sitting with me, you know, when we dine.
The Lady Howle was chatting idly with a guest when they gestured behind her, where she found a Ms. Buckley strolling her way. She smiled politely at her host and bowed slightly,
"A lovely gala, Ms. Buckley, I'm pleased to be here. I am Veronica Howle of Highever's House Howle. As such, Highever also extends it's greetings."
She spoke as an official, but with a casual demeanor. They were, after all, at a party and serious communication would spoil the mood some, Serenity thought.
"I'm a friend to the former Captain Margrett. For a moment I was afraid that with my friend gone Wistvale would fall into chaos. I am glad that she left it in such capable hands. Your exploits in particular are quite impressive."
Orp Boon [M:83:616:][D3v:http://www.rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=406&page=1#374]"Is that family heirloom for sale?"[0:Gone fishing.][1:The store is open!]
"Ah, pleasure to meet you, Lady Howle. Wistvale stands before you with open doors. And now with the streets returned safely from the hands of that Body Stealer I can sincerely invite you to tour the town with me some day."
She rolled her eyes a little at the mention of Margrett.
"Everyone seems to try to compare me to the Captain. I have been working working pretty hard to make a name for myself on my own. Thank you for the complement, though."
Serenity caught the gesture and chuckled slightly, "And it shows, but I am truly grateful of the dedication to your work. Wistvale was my home once upon a time, I'd hate to see it fall. Knowing that Ms. Buckley is keeping that from happening, puts my mind at ease."
She would have liked to talk to her more, but Serenity knew that the Lieutenant still had guests to greet. Perhaps later in the evening she would gain another chance.
"I would enjoy a tour and a chance to talk more if you would have my company. As long as I'm here in Wistvale you may always call upon me for anything."
Orp Boon [M:83:616:][D3v:http://www.rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=406&page=1#374]"Is that family heirloom for sale?"[0:Gone fishing.][1:The store is open!]
::Neko's smile brightens as she nods in acceptance. She would love to have someone she knew close to her through all of this. She still felt in over her head, but was glad to see she had not seemded to muck anything up yet. She just hoped Ms. Buckley wouldn't mind Tauer joining her.
She steps to Tauer's side and turns to look out at the gathered people once more, eyes dancing over the crowd, taking it all in. ::
Serenity returned the smile and nodded once to agree to the Lieutenant's request.
The evening was going well, it had been a long time since she relaxed, Serenity thought, and while she loved those who escorted her all the way out here, it was nice not having them watch over her all the time for once.
When Ms. Buckley retreated back to her other guests, Serenity returned to her mingling, every so often moving one part of the room to the next to familiarize herself with all the faces.
She was not oblivious to the Cathian, Serenity had noticed her before and resisted the urge to approach her. Her weakness for cats was shamefully exposed when she first met Tallia and it had not dwindled in all these years.
Promising herself not to let the urges get the better of her, that is to treat the poor girl like an actual cat, she moved over to her part of the floor.
"Good evening," she said to Neko, "I don't believe we've had the pleasure, I am Veronica, Veronica Howle. Have you been in Wistvale long?"
::Neko watched the woman approach. She had seen her recently at the Inn, but had never had the chance to "speak" with the woman until now. She looked well dressed and well mannered and thus seemed to fit right in with the other guests. Had she not already met Ms. Buckley, she would have sworn that's who this woman was.
Glancing to the side to be sure Tauer was still there, she gave another awkward curtsey, as she felt it was an appropriate greeting and shook her head no in response to the Lady's question. She followed this by raising a questioning eyebrow and gesturing to the woman in return as if to say "and you?" ::