From the main hallway comes a rather youthful woman with red hair and a pale complexion. She hurries across the floor and whispers into Jack's ear. "Jack... Lady Reign regrets that she has been delayed for some time in the Midterm Void... I am afraid she will be unable to join us this night..."<br/><br/>"What?" Jack asks, keeping his voice down. "Delayed from her own party? How uncivil."<br/><br/>"What should we do now?" The redhead asks, looking at the guests who have arrived. "Should we usher them out?"<br/><br/>"No, my dear, that would be very unkind. The Lords and Ladies of the Night wait all year for this ball. To end it now would be almost cruel. We do what we have always done when the Lady is away. We take what she has provided, and make the best of it. Countess... best introduce yourself to our guests. You have just become the Ball's hostess." Any color left in the redhead's face drained.<br/><br/>"I can't host a ball, Jack! I'm a chamberlain, not a hostess."<br/><br/>"Please. You've hosted your share of Balls before. Just improvise." The woman nodded, took a step towards the guests, and cleared her throat.<br/><br/>"Lords and Ladies of the Night! If I might have your attention." The guests all turned to face her. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Countess Elizabeth Bathory, chamberlain to the Lady Reign. It is with deepest apologies that the Lady Reign informs her guests and staff that she is indisposed of, and unable to attend." She nodded, trying to quiet the stem of 'awww's from the guests assembled. "But fear not. As the Lady's chamberlain, I have decided to continue in her stead. We will await the other guests before the night is through, and we shall have the night of our lives!"<br/><br/>-<br/><br/>From the back of the room, closest to the door, the darkly dressed man with the purple hair clapped. Good. He would have hated to have missed this year's party as well. Even through no fault of his own.