Josephine carefully had chosen a place away from the nobles, as they were the ones causing her trouble. Even though she was a noble herself, though a lower class one at that, she still preferred to make company with the commoners. At least they were friendly and weren't constantly asking for her to dance with them. However, when she refused to dance and was sitting quite alone, it did get lonely. No one would bother coming near her, they'd assume she didn't want company. That, of course, was exactly the opposite of what was on the young lady's mind. It was very easy to become lonely even when surrounded by a large crowd of strangers.<br/><br/>Through her avoiding the crowded dance floor of the ballroom, Josephine hadn't realized she'd had a shadow. There had been a boy, following her the entire time, though discreetly and quietly. However, had she turned around and noticed the way he was tracing her path behind her, she would have easily been able to tell he had no intention of asking her to dance like every other noble. The girl was so distracted about keeping on edge and looking for any of the other boys that had pestered her before. Surely they'd try their luck again if they saw she was sitting alone. She didn't notice that someone had sat down beside her until she heard a voice.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Good evening. Are you enjoying the night's festivities?"</span><br/><br/>Josephine turned her head towards the voice, and saw a handsome young man had taken a seat beside her. He was very handsome, she had to admit... nothing like those stuck up, self-dignified nobles. To add onto that, he was polite and friendly as well. Perhaps he was a commoner; he didn't seem to have any intention of asking her to dance with him like all the rest of the boys. She had no interest in courting nor dancing... no matter how well she was taught, she always felt her footwork was too sloppy and clumsy. Dancing wasn't exactly her strong point. Stance in sword-fighting was much too rigid to be even thought of at such an occasion like this; and that she had learned for so long that it had become so natural for her. She hadn't danced... ever, perhaps? She couldn't remember doing so anyways.<br/><br/>"If avoiding the pestering of the nobles is enjoying, then I can agree." Josephine replied sarcastically, though it was a slightly playful tone; she didn't want to push the boy away... she was quite curious about him actually. "I would like it much better if it weren't so crowded." The young lady glanced towards the crowd around the room, then back at the young man beside her. "And you? Are you enjoying such a large, showy occasion." It was a bit obvious that she didn't want to be stuck here in the crowded ballroom. Her gaze flitted to the window, as she saw a flower garden just outside. 'Freedom.' She thought, brandishing a wistful smile on her face. But Josephine made no attempt to walk away from the boy whom she had begun to speak to. Being so rude would get her nowhere.<br/><br/>"Would you like to accompany me on a walk? It's much too stuffy in here, and I dislike crowds as much as anything." All of that was true of course, she had no intention of making things up. "Some fresh air might do me good at the moment. Perhaps the garden will have less people within it."