Val felt the limo-rider's eyes on him, and for a moment he would have sworn he was staring into the eyes of royalty. Her grace, the formality of her speech, her absolute confidence...he didn't like her. He steeled himself under her gaze and cocked one eyebrow defiantly. She had too much of that same 'unquestionable authority' vibe as the nuns had had back in the orphanage, as though she expected everyone around her to bow down and do her bidding just because she was breathing in their direction. Still, he wouldn't allow  personal animosity to override his curiosity. Well, not yet, anyway.<br/><br/>'She said her name was Laurent. Need to check that out when I get a chance. Where did she say she was from...Picardy, that was it. French, coastal region if I'm not mistaken...huh. I'd always heard French chicks were stuck-up. Too bad it's true,' Val thought to himself as she turned her attention back to the others. 'Of course, that thing about French chicks being hot seems pretty true, too. More's the pity...'