<strong>A Masquerade Party on Osiris ~ Around 3 and a half years ago</strong><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 8pt;"><em>(Thalia and Samson "meet" for the first time)</em></span><br/><br/><div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.com/a/img843/8171/6x0j.jpg)</div><em>I can't believe he would offer.. that he would have any chance at all of coming through with this job on Ariel, but he might. What, am I even considering this? I've known him for a week. Yesterday I was making plans to travel AWAY from the central planets and now I'm thinking of changing everything? It is.. an unbelievable offer but he doesn't really know me. He just knows I'm a doctor and trained to be a Companion. That I can hold my own in an evening dress.. and probably out of one. I haven't even figured out who he is yet. Am I a fool if I don't jump at his offer? The number of interns who would give everything to work in a hospital on Ariel. It just isn't what I want. I want to travel, see the 'verse.. and get my own job without someone pulling strings for me. I don't need that. I don't want that. It's a brilliant offer but.. it's someone else's dream, not mine. </em><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://imageshack.com/a/img841/2475/7vvi7.jpg)</div>Caught up in a whirlwind of thoughts, Thalia lost sight of her date amidst the mingling, masked guests. The atmosphere of the party was pleasant, upbeat, a lot of people enjoying themselves. It didn't feel like the place for serious thoughts, but they were heavy in Thalia's mind, all the same. As she moved to collect a wine glass from a hostess with a tray of drinks, she saw Dale over nearer the bar. He was talking with a man she hadn't seen before; one with a beard who had the look of the outer planets about him, only more well-combed. Thalia saw Dale reach out to grab the other man's shoulder as he moved to walk away, then the law graduate was swiftly knocked on his back.<br/><br/>She moved through the crowd, hearing murmurings of 'duel' as two dancing guests moved aside, and she saw the men standing face to face oncemore.<em>No, he didn't. He wouldn't, would he?</em>By the time she made it over to where they'd been, the men were gone and she spotted Dale's mask as he made his way outside. She sighed to herself, wondering if it might be better if she stayed and found herself another dance partner for the time being, but it was only right that she follow him outside.<br/><br/>The men were standing on the lawn beyond a set of cherrywood doors. A small crowd had gathered and the Governor was there. She walked over to Dale, looking entirely lost. "What.. what's going on? I heard people say that there was going to be-"<br/><br/>"A duel, yes. This.. backworld peasant insulted my honour and he is going to pay for it." Where before there had been a sneer, now there was anger. A sense of humiliation, because of this stranger. "What did he do? What - you're not going to try and kill each other?" Another man approached, wearing a suit. One of the serving staff from the masquerade. "Your sword, sir. Would you like a second?" Dale asked, "a second sword? No, I think I will only need the one." The serving man answered, "no, a second for the duel." Dale shook his head. Another man confirmed Samson's swords as suitable. "Fine steel, that." It was just what Dale needed to hear.. and ignored.<br/><br/>This wasn't the first duel Thalia had witnessed and she was certainly no stranger to the rules, but she didn't want this. Not if there was some way to avoid it. "Dale, you don't have to do this. It can't be that serious. What's the argument even about?" He grabbed Thalia by the front of her dress. "Don't talk down to me. This is a man's business, and this scum-sucking peasant has crossed a line. He needs to be taught his place. Perhaps you need to learn yours as well."<br/><br/>Thalia stared coldly into her date's eyes. "Oh believe me, I'm learning it.. quickly." Freeing herself from his grip, Thalia walked over by the doors that led into the hall. She considered re-joining the party, but instead chose to hang back to watch the idiocy that was the duel between these men. She took the chance to look over Dale's opponent, who looked more a fighting type than the young lawyer did. How could he not see what was blatantly obvious? He was going to get his arse kicked, or worse, stabbed. Was she caring? "I don't care," she reminded herself, folding her arms.<em>Once this is done, they'll be wanting me to patch them up. That's the way it usually works, isn't it? A shame this is one of the few nice dresses I have left.</em><br/><br/>