Erica was beginning to wonder how much longer they'd be on this boat. Sure, it was nice chatting at the bar -- or rather listening to people chatting -- but she was eager to find out what their mysterious destination was like. Just as she was about to walk away from the bar and wander around the crowd, she heard her song start. She'd heard Taylor's announcement, of course, and had wondered if she was one of the "beautiful young ladies" who would have their very own song. She'd tried to tune out the singer, more interested in Denn's conversation, but the conversation kept on being interrupted by one of the ladies hearing her song.

As [i]For Erica[/i] progressed, she smiled wryly. Why must everyone think a single woman was always in need of a man? Yet a small voice inside her whispered that he was right -- wouldn't she love to have someone trust and lean on? Someone as smart as she was, to trade ideas with? Her smile faded, but she kept an eyebrow raised skeptically. Of course she wouldn't mind a boyfriend, but that one desire was by no means an all-important, life-defining quest. Taylor was stretching things into strange proportions.

Denn hadn't been watching his friend's face go from mocking to softened, and back to skeptical, but he was paying attention to the song's lyrics. He turned to her as it was ending, and saw her pscornful eyebrow. He thought he could guess some of what she was thinking: she'd be protesting the idea that she was looking for a man, no doubt. Denn wondered if she really thought that, or if it was a facade in case someone was looking. He hadn't really known her long enough to be able to tell.

A few songs later, the ferry arrived at its destination. Denn offered his arm to Erica -- like a perfect gentleman, he thought -- but she was already walking toward the dock. Luckily Denn's legs were longer, so he caught up easily despite Erica being good at worming her way through a crowd. A line of carriages from out of a fairy tale awaited them on the shore, and Erica and Denn found themselves ushered in with some strangers. Everyone was too busy looking around to talk much, and before long, the castle came into view. Denn whistled, and Erica drew in her breath. They continued to admire it right up until the carriage pulled up to the door, and then they had their breath taken away yet again.

By the time their host's short speech was over, Erica wore her skeptical grin again. What was the point of all of this? Inviting random strangers to a ball just to awe them all with all their wealth? Acheson had stressed meeting people. She wondered why that was so important to him. To be sure, it was a beautiful reception. Almost too beautiful. It was a good thing Denn took her arm as he moved, because otherwise she would have lost him, absorbed as she was in gazing around the room. Everything was assorted, blue and silver, silver and blue, even the carriages were silver and blue. She wondered what the colors were for. The family's coat of arms? Probably nothing, she told herself. It was just a pretty design choice and she was overthinking things, as usual.

[color=#b3955a]"You want to dance?"[/color] Denn suggested, kind of at a loss. He had lost his bar "friends" and felt it wasn't quite appropriate to run straight back to the bar or buffet. He'd done his share of gawking at the opulent furnishings, but he thought he should do something now instead of standing around like an idiot. Erica shrugged, still caught up in her thoughts. [color=#b3955a]"We could find some other people to dance with, if you're tired of looking at my face,"[/color] he teased. She grinned and looked up at him. She probably hadn't even looked at him since they left the boat. Nonetheless, dancing [i]did[/i] seem like the sort of thing one should do in a ballroom. And other people were doing it.

She nodded towards a couple she'd recognized from the bar on the boat. They'd just finished a dance, and the girl -- Odette? -- seemed like she wouldn't mind switching partners for a bit. Denn took her cue and made his way to the couple, Erica following quietly. The girl was still laughing. Denn wished that Erica would remind him of their names. He was [i]sure[/i] she remembered.

[color=#b3955a]"Care for a dance, mademoiselle?"[/color] he butted in with a comical bow, twirling his hand out in offering. No embarrassing "hello, wazyour name again", although he'd probably have to ask her at some point. Erica smiled mockingly at him and rolled her eyes in Kest's sight, but offered up her own hand inquiringly. If he didn't mind dancing with her while his companion was occupied, then she was more than willing.