<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/7nywiRN.jpg?1)</div><br/>Finding no sign of the singer, or her blade-happy bodyguard, Mara gives a soft sigh of relief and continues to watch the room through the reflection in the panes of glass, seeing how the mists outside mingle with the reflected images and cast it all far into the surreal.  Her own image, bearing the loose linen shirt and the leather 'armor' beneath-- practically smallclothes, really-- is framed against the glittering backdrop of the ball as Alizeh and the elegant elven woman glide by in a pirouette of feminine grace and feathery, artistic beauty.  Mara watches them, hears the song end, and as the clapping begins, she finds herself required to join in... so she turns a soft step around and, tossing her hair back from her face so as not to look 'sulkish', she begins to clap her rough hands together, meting out sound to match those around, not to rise above them or sink too far below.  Just to be one of them and to watch, to listen, and to appreciate.  At least, that's the appearance, the ruse, the masque.<br/><br/>When Alizeh meets her eyes, there's a momentary catch in her breath.  She knows what to do, how to act-- this is the easy part of her job, it seems... to be a 'team player', and not to obsess over her own ultimate goals for just one moment.  Best not to be eager, to leap headfirst.  Alizeh's skin seems to glow, her eyes glimmer-- her smile is radiant and happy.<i>Best not to...</i>She feels a tightening in her mouth and forces it back, makes herself smile a bit more.  Mara was nothing when this began, and she is little more now.  To be here at all is... but...<br/><br/>... difficult.<br/><br/>And Alizeh looks radiant, so Mara smiles back, tips her head, and then turns back toward the crowd.  Not moving too fast, nothing awkward.  Just... following the flow of nameless, faceless elite, dipping her head.<br/><br/>(Is something wrong?) (Oh, no, but of course no... I simply am, ah, very happy.  This... is all so lovely.  I have never seen such things-- excuse me, please, and thank you...)