[center][img] http://i.imgur.com/msMvPCD.png [/img]
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7MVVBgEak&ab_channel=AnimeLuna]Show them a smile and they’ll show you everything.[/url][/center]

Nöel’s restless eyes fervently gorged themselves on the sights the hall had to offer. This was a ball, Atlesian folks had these for just about every Tuesday so Nöel had no trouble easing her way through the crowd exchanging pleasantries and picking apart people’s lives. One man approached Nöel. Standard protocol to begin, but he seemed to be looking for his friend whom he said he was supposed to meet there. Introduced himself with his last name only, Nuit. Nöel had heard the name before, rather rich family though the source of their funds are rather arduously hidden from public eye. 

[color=#ff7e9d]“I’m afraid I don’t know her, ser.”[/color]

 [i]‘Inability to tell me what she looks like, incessant closing and opening of one app on his phone, undoubtedly messages, skin on his left ring finger appears to be rubbed raw. Perhaps he thought this decision through once or twice, spinning his wedding band along his finger though with the suit and tie he picked out I’d say he doesn’t usually pick those two things out as he can’t seem to tell that purple ties clash with navy suits. So he’s cheating on his wife, not terrorizing innocents.’[/i] 

[color=#ff7e9d]“I’m sorry, it seems I’ll be getting back to my own significant other soon.”[/color] Nöel said with a polite but cheerful grin on her face. She made her way through the crowd, but when Nöel walked, she cleared a room.

One woman’s eyes were moving rapidly, her purse wasn’t heavy enough to be carrying a weapon and with a dress like, she wasn’t concealing anything but a cold sore on her lower lip. 

[color=#ff7e9d]“Excuse me madam.”[/color]

She made her way past two men who had been making eye contact throughout the night. But as she managed to get by them she noticed something strange. They seemed to be talking rather quietly. A quick stumble and Nöel could easily pick out words that were important.

“She’ll never know… Meet… Bathroom.” 

Cleared. 

As Nöel recovered and smiled at her next interrogation, he smiled back.  After all, how could he resist? She was wearing a delightful red ball gown, carrying a small violin in her hands. She might have to play later after all. To any who asked she was simply a stand in if necessary, one of her many talents she learned in her early Atlesian balls. Brennan, of course would know that was not true.

[i]’Smile, and they’ll show you everything. And when they don’t, you have your man.’[/i] 

Nöel knew she was able to play this slightly riskier because of her back up. Say what you will about their Vytal tournament tape erasing habits, but it takes a lot to give Brennan a good fight. Perhaps it takes even more to fight Nöel on who won that fight for as long as Nura has. The team had a weird symbiotic nature. What was the point of Brennan winning if he hadn’t beaten someone worth beating? And if Nöel ever stopped claiming he won, did he?

She wouldn’t find out. She wouldn’t stop telling people the truth. That Brennan Griese, the only person who had beaten Nöel du Acier out of a leadership position, sparring match and eating contest in one day was the best. Only the best could dream of beating her after all.

[color=#ff7e9d]”We’re here for a reason right?”[/color] Nöel said barely audibly over the small implanted ear piece connected to her scroll in her hand bag to her three teammates.