<div class="floatright">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/99/55/48/9955480b9e83fbad067bfb17836ccdab.jpg)</div>Natia had never been to a western party.  Sure, she'd visited family Ussura sometimes, but their ways were not so different from that of Sarmatia that they beguiled her.   Here though... she found herself seduced by all of the lovely fabrics and the lovely people who wore them.  She herself, didn't quite fit in.  She lacked the fancy wigs, the expensive silks and the scented perfumes that they all worse.  Indeed, she thought herself rather plain with her blue and silver brocade gown and her wheat blonde hair bound into a tight braid.<br/><br/>Still, at least one person in the crowd did not seem to think her so plain.  When Viviana had approached her, she had found herself shocked by the woman.   She had almost tried to warn her that part of her skirt was missing!  still, she was more then diplomatic enough to take no offense, and indeed, as they'd explained pleasantries, she found herself quite enjoying the woman's company.  Her face was one wide smile as she fanned herself and replied, "Is it?"  She took the fruit and took a bite, keeping her eyes locked on Vivana.  She could see why the woman was fond of the sweet, "You simply must share more such secrets with me, Viviana."  She said, finishing the canapé with small sound not unlike a kiss.<br/><br/>She blushed ferociously as she was compliment by Viviana.  She did not believe herself to be worthy of such praise.  "Me?" She said demurely.  "You're the one wearing the daring fashions today.  What on earth possessed you to wear such audacious gown?"  The way she smiled and laughed softly conveyed that she meant it as a compliment, and the way that she held onto Viviana's fingertips after she was swung into the light conveyed far more than she'd meant to.<br/><br/>When the scream had broken Natia grabbed the hand and ran with her, reaching down with her free hand to pull up her skirts to hold them out of the way so she didn't trip over them.<br/><br/>"Murder?"  She said, looking in horror at the house.   She spoke loudly, speaking for the crowd, as she asked, "Captain?  Who has been murdered?"  She spoke in her most authoritative voice, "I demand you tell us what has happened here."