<em>~Mila, with the others in the Great Hall~</em><br/><br/>Mila smiled at Vince's sweet words, giggling as he mentioned searching for ghosts that night.  She had a feeling that exploring the castle with him would actually be a lot of fun.  He seemed like someone who was used to...<em>living</em>.  He seemed so content, so happy and comfortable with himself and his surroundings.  She found herself drawn to his confidence.<br/><br/>Marisol complimented her dancing, and she smiled widely at the other woman.  "That was all Vince," she confessed, "I stepped on him twice.  He's just too much of a gentleman to mention it.  But I watched you all dance, and you're very good.  I'm going to have to take notes, I think."  She could believe she was being so talkative.  There was something about Mari that made her feel comfortable.  Nicci, too, she realized.  She remembered Miss Taylor telling her that she would adore the other two women that were chosen, and she realized that the woman had been right.  She was already well on her way, even after only a few minutes.  There was a kinship she already felt.<br/><br/>She finished the last of her champagne, and it caught Vince's attention.  He turned his focus completely on her, and her breath caught.<em>Cherished,</em>she thought,<em>this one is going to make me feel cherished.</em>She realized then how badly she needed that in her life, how badly she needed to be loved and accepted.  Her own family had been quick to disown her after Blake and gone to them and spread his poison; after that, she'd shut herself off from people.  That was the life she knew.  Her parents and brothers had kept her sheltered, and then Blake had gone to on do the same.  She'd never had a place where she just belonged, not unless you counted the online communities that she'd turned to when she found herself living in a city where she had made no friends.<br/><br/>She looked into Vince's eyes and nodded.  "I would love more champagne.  Thank you."