"You must be joking.  You sound far too paranoid.  Nobels do have quite a few... under the table dealings, but you're acting like this is some sort of mass conspiracy.  You give them too much credit," Alma mutters and frowns.  She certainly didn't think this was any more than another trivial ball.  However, now that he mentioned it, she does suppose some guests came off differently than others.  She steps back in surprise as the coin lands at her feet and looks down at it.  "What are y-" she doesn't get to finish her question when her head starts reeling.<br/><br/>Alma grunts in pain and staggers back against a wall.  She holds her head and clenches her teeth, unable to think straight.  After what seemed like ages, the pain subsides into more of a small ache.  The first thought that enters her mind is, “That bastard.”  She straightens her posture and scans the room.  “I hate coming across other damned magic users.  Serves me right, that’s what I get for hesitating,” she growls quietly.  She was no longer torn, that man was going to find himself behind bars.  She starts storming out back into the crowd to look for him when the king and queen address the room.  Guest bunch up closer together, making her groan audibly, as they are impeding upon her man hunt.  Her anger quickly shifts to bewilderment and concern as the words “Tribute to the lost,” come from the king’s mouth.<br/><br/>The exchange between the queen and Lord Ainsworth only add to her growing anxiety.  Her eyes widen as the doors slam shut around them all.  “I cannot believe that degenerate was right about something,” she mutters in frustration as shadows swirl around the sinister guests.  She shares a look with several panicked guests as they all find themselves surrounded by beasts.  Suddenly, she spots none other than Flint dashing up the stairs to the royals.  She sprints over to him, pushing past some people wailing in fear, even sliding under a beast that attempts to snap at her.  The noise in the room escalates as the transformed nobles grow in hostility, attacking the ignorant ones.  “Idiot!  What are you doing?” She shouts to Flint as she leaps up multiple stairs at once to get to him.  She draws her dagger in one swift movement and skids to a halt in front of him.  “We need to go now!  Not get involved!”