[centre][colour=turquoise][h1]Matthias Joseph Paris[/h1][/colour]
April 14, 1912 | 22:00 (Titanic)[/centre]

"I don't think we've been formally introduced."

Matthias looked over the rim of his champagne glass at the young lady standing in front of him.  The ballroom was alive with activity, waiters rushing back and forth (as calmly as possible) with bottles to refill the passengers' glasses or restock the buffet table and all others dancing on the floor or huddling around the edges of the room near the food tables.  Matthias was one of those avoiding the dance floor for two reasons: he did not like to dance and it would also distract him from why he was here.  Still, it would not do to make a scene by acting unusually so he was forced to converse with the lady as if he were a legitimate passenger.

"My name is... Joseph.  May I know yours, ma'am?" The young lady looked to be of his age and had no ring on her finger so he was quite aware of why she had approached him; there were very few unwed men in the room and even fewer of an appropriate age who were not crew members.  Coming to the ballroom had been his intention to blend in and not create any events which might disturb the natural flow of time but now he was regretting not just staying outside on deck where it was quiet and he could go about his business without interruption.

Movement beyond the doors on the far side of the ballroom caught his attention.  A group of men who stood out, their clothes slightly off from those around them and their manner was of those trying not to be noticed or stick out.  They were organised and clearly heading in a specific direction, all of which aroused his suspicion.

"Actually, I'm afraid I must be elsewhere.  Goodbye, ma'am." Matthias bowed slightly before striding around the edge of the room and out through the large doors on the other side, looking up and down the hall.  He hefted his cane and slid the top away to reveal a blade.  Satisfied it would not stick when he might need the use of the blade, he concealed it again and strode off in the direction the suspicious group had headed off in.