Lotus Blossom

"I- yes. Would you like your glass, dear?"

"Yes. We are." She held his gaze. "It's unfortunate," she said, finally looking away. "Shameful really," she added, with a brief hesitation, "To be ourselves, that is."

The woman simply lifted part of her shawl carefully. Not so much was revealed, but what the man could see was a terrible bruise across the side of her face, and a slit through her eyebrow. Quickly, she replaced the shawl over her face.

Her voice here seemed a bit troubled. "Would you like a glass of ambrosia, sir?"

"You do not remember me?" She said, raising her voice a little higher than his. Then she dropped into a whisper. "That's rather surprising, isn't it? Seeing as we've met before, sir." Her voice was smooth and unwavering but her hands were tense around the glass. Her unseen eyes flashed with desperation.

The woman paused for a moment in hesitation. Before she let the bartender reply, she held the ambrosia glasses in hr hands and glided discreetly across the ballroom floor, making her way to this mysterious figure. Face still covered, she casually leaned against a wall near him and faced herself away, watching the various aristocrats enjoy themselves. After a breath, once she knew the figure had noticed her, she spoke in a low voice. "I didn't expect you to come." She took a sip from her ambrosia glass. "I would've put on more perfume."

"Greatly appreciated." She laughed lightly, holding her hand up to cover her mouth. "And what does your name happen to be, sir?"

"I would like..." She began as she leaned upon the bar. She waved her hand nonchalantly and her finger eventually made it to her lip, innocently. "I would like an ambrosia, please," she said at last, a bit more of her shawl falling on one side of her face revealing a knowing smile. "Two, ambrosias," she corrected after a moment, "One for my betrothed, of course." Her eyes sparkled with temptation.

Her fists clenched as she slowly stepped towards the cocktail bar. Leaning on the bar, she gently lifted a small part of her shawl, revealing simply a striking amber eye. She looked up towards the bartender with a soft smile and doe eyes. "Hello there," she said under her breath, just loud enough for the bartender to notice.

Her eyes shut for a moment then fluttered back open. "I would like a glass of alcohol," She said slowly. She spoke softly yet through gritted teeth.

"Stop," she hissed, "Please, stop." She began meaninglessly talking to herself, "I can't have them know. No one can know."

"Lovely," she said bitterly underneath her breath. As he took the glass, her free hand quickly shot up to her shawl, tugging on it slightly to cover more of her hidden face.

The young woman appeared to have no reaction. Though her fingers clutched her purse tighter, not many could notice. Beneath her shawl, there was a small, tight smile. But with a quick glance behind her, she stilled. There could be none of that behavior. Not in front of.... him.

A dainty, light-footed and delicate figure stepped out of a carriage, as a footman held open the door. She was in a long vermillion red gown, pressed tightly to her body before falling around her ankles and sweeping the floor. Her face was hidden underneath a cream shawl that covered her head and fell eloquently upon her shoulders. Her hair was visible only when occasionally uncovered by the shawl's folds. It was a glossy, vibrant brown adorned with jewels. Her hair was clearly waved but pressed into ringlets and pulled into a neat, sophisticated bun. The sides of her face, though unseen, were framed with such ringlets. The gates swung open and she stepped into the ball. In one hand was a purse, in the other was a small, crystal alcohol glass. @Ookla the Yellow Sock

Junior heard the cockpit rattle. His aerospace realm ratio was depleting. He used all his arm strength to pull his ship into an Ahlstrom loop and back up to safer altitude. He struggled, but finally his poco obeyed. His ship was under his command. Quickly, he adjusted the triggers and levers. "A malfunction with the Gravitational Capacitors...." Junior muttered. After clicking and switching the various controls, the shutter went away and a bright orange light came on his main board. He swerved back around to face the sky space. Junior smiled. "Nothing I haven't already dealt with." Now he had a better vantage point to see all around him and below him. He saw... @Ookla the Yellow Sock @Ookla the Raveness @Ookla the Believer @Ookla the Pastry He felt his headset crackle back on. "I'm back on the comms," Junior said through his headset on the main channel. He watched as his blinking radar reactivated.