the ballroom.

[ems]

- katerina's lips were still parted in shock as she responded, her cherry red cheeks deceiving her social anxiety, as well as her embarrassment. "no, it's not, i was being rather stupid, i suppose i'm-" she began, but was cut off almost immediately as a man approached them, a lump forming in her tight throat. and as soon as she glanced from him to elena, she noticed her darkening face as well. at least she wasn't going to look completely out of place. "no, thank you, i was just leaving, i think."

- mary felt an eye roll coming on, but fought it as they were in public, and she was to radiate authority and poise. "you do love your games," she replied swiftly, releasing the hold she had on her dress as their feet touched solid, even ground. "try not to get too attached, my love. all alive human beings are expendable, and she is not different from the rest."

[jamie]

valentino smiled kindly, nodding in response to the young lady's question. "yes, i do happen to know where the bedrooms are. i know this place like the back of my hand, i could give both of you a tour." he said, shaking his head when the other girl said she was just about to leave. "no, no, bellissima. stay. what is you name?" he asked, reaching for her hand. "i'm valentino, abel valentino."

luna paused for a split second when she heard enzo's voice behind her, quickly returning to playing music - as that was what she'd been hired to do. "i don't exactly have anywhere else to go," she muttered through gritted teeth. "don't you have some girls to be screwing?" she snapped, biting down on her lower lip in concentration. she could hear the people laughing and talking in the crowd, and she wished she could see it, experience it for herself. she could imagine what it all looked like.

ansel scoffed at the mention of attachment. "we both know i have no problem with that." he spoke, glancing in charlie's direction again before leading mary towards the dance floor, where all of the couples were waltzing and otherwise. "is she wearing your dress?" he asked, dropping his arms to her waist.

[erin]

elena is shocked by his offer. "oh, you don't have to do that. there's clearly some party going on and i wouldn't want to take you away from the festivities." she responds, not ungratefully. when he introduces himself to the girl at her side, she can't help but test out his name mentally. abel. abel valentinto. it's nice.

"i would say you could be in my bed chambers but you seem to be feeling rather feisty tonight, aren't you pretty little luna?" enzo muses, the humour apparent in his tone of voice. "now what has put a young beauty such as yourself in a foul mood, hm?"

[ems]

"parli italiano?" katerina inquired - surprised. oxford, england was the last place she'd expected to find a native italian. "but, um, katerina, katerina de luca, it's a pleasure, truly." cocking her head to catch the look on elena's face, she could easily tell that she found him attractive, and the thought made her smile. she was rather adorable. reaching a hand out to him, returning his gesture, she felt her cheeks heat up again. "perhaps i will stay then, bello."

mary fought a subtle chuckle at his denial, deciding to drop the subject for the moment. "yes, that's my dress," she replied as he gripped her waist, resting her fingers on his shoulders. "i'm a kind person after all, and she doesn't look like she owns anything particularly . . . ball appropriate. it seems at thought the 60's is the year of trousers on women."

[jamie]

"i have never been one to get myself involved in the festivities, caro." he said, tilting his head as he looked at elena. "i am more of an observer." he smirked, returning his gaze to katerina, leaning down and kissing her hand. "naturalmente faccio. now, i really insist on giving both of you a tour." he said, looking towards elena again. "what is your name, amore?"
*of course i do.

"just luna is fine, enzo. you are extremely vulgar," luna said with a little frown, and for a split second she was grateful that she was blind, so she couldn't see him. "actually, i was in a perfectly good mood before you came and..disturbed me."

ansel chuckled as she said she was a kind person, but made no comment. "she looks wonderful," he murmured, not once taking his eyes off of mary. "i'm inclined to ask her for a dance, now that i've seen her looking like that."

[erin]

enzo leans against the grand piano for support in his drunken state. "and you are far too modest, pretty little luna." he coos, swaying slightly as he scans the room for another waiter with drinks. "disturbed? i beg to differ, my dear."

"i'm elena." she introduces herself when spoken to by valentino. she feels her cheeks heat up slightly, as she just remembers she is dripping wet and making a puddle at her feet on the floor. "really, you don't have to take me on a tour. i should probably, um, change out of these wet clothes before i create a swimming pool."