Nia resisted the urge to wrinkle her nose at the scent of the cigarette. As the acrid smell almost seemed to burn when she breathed it in, Nia had never understood how some Moroi could stand to smoke. The Moroi official who held the thin roll of smoking paper struck an intimidating presence despite his blindness, seeming confident and cold, prepared for anything that might go against — or in — his favor. All the points accounted for, Nia didn’t like him a bit.

As he spoke, Nia had the distinct impression that he didn’t like her either. Perhaps he found her interesting or mildly entertaining, but he had no interest in her beyond the curious and purely scientific. Her eyes flicked towards the Chancellor, who nodded and indicated that it was Nia’s turn to talk. Clearly the man was a high-ranking Moroi indeed if he was able to silence the stiff and really rather rigid Chancellor.

[color=moccasin]“All of the above,”[/color] Nia said flatly. [color=moccasin]“I would say I’m intrigued, but some would probably say I’m courageous, while others still would say I’m stupid for running towards the boy in the first place.”[/color] [i]Boy,[/i] she thought, frowning. Was the blood-ridden figure she’d seen really a mere boy? He’d looked like it, but her nose told her different story — one of hatred and darkness. [color=moccasin]“I’m curious, to be honest. But I understand that my actions were quite thoughtless,”[/color] Nia said, glancing towards the Chancellor to make sure she heard. Dolorante didn’t move a muscle, blinking in response as if she hadn’t heard the veiled apology. [color=moccasin]“So I’ll keep it to myself whether or not I’d do it again.”[/color]

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[@TheMinorFall]