<div style="text-align: justify;">In the ballroom, where the guests were being taken as they were introduced, a lot of people seemed to be there for a while already. Well dressed ladies and gentlemen, all mingling with each other. The dancing had not started yet, but people had, in a way, already started forming pairs. They talked with each other, but of course, if someone they knew passed by, he or she would be greeted before people resumed their talking. People they didn't know, though, were barely acknowledged. Some of the pairs seemed so enthralled in their conversation they didn't even seem to notice that someone was passing by.<br/><br/>The young hostess, though, wasn't really enthralled in any one conversation. Like a butterfly, she moved from here to there, greeting, encouraging people to talk to each other, and checking if everyone was being well taken care of.<br/><br/>That didn't really leave her time to find herself a conversation partner, but it didn't bother Irina in the least. When the dancing commenced, she would have plenty of time to meet with potential suitors, of course.<br/><br/>When that young man she didn't know tripped into her, Irina's first impulse was to take a step back so she wouldn't get hurt. Waiting for him to catch herself, she would greet him as soon as he did.<br/><br/>"Welcome to our home, sir", she started, with a soft voice and a polite intonation. "I hope you have not gotten injured". After this sentence, and checking if he did seem all right, she continued on. "Irina McAllister, at your service", the girl introduced herself, holding out her right hand.</div>