[h2][center][color=FF0000]Mai Mei of Liang[/color][/center][/h2]
[i]What the[/i] hell [i]did Niklas just say?[/i] Mai thought in disbelief, a look of horror flashing over her face. She quickly composed herself, arranging her expression into one of polite bemusement as Prince Edwin Drakewine of the Empire of Britannia began to respond.

Mai felt slightly comforted that Prince Edwin replied with something equally ridiculous after a few seconds of silent bewilderment. [i]'King Rich Twit the Seventeenth?'[/i] Mai echoed silently. [i]Goodness gracious. What is going on?[/i]

Mai subtly glanced down towards Princess Liviana Traianus of the Lusitanian Empire. The diminutive princess's expression perfectly mirrored Mai's own-that is, until she let a giggle escape from her. [i]I suppose if nobody is offended, what just happened has done no harm.[/i]

Mai tilted her head to the side and studied Prince Edwin with slightly parted lips. She supposed that she ought to respond to the last bit of his 'introduction'. It was the most sensible thing that had been said in the entire conversation thus far. Mai smiled sweetly at him, her eyes glittering with a mischievous mirth. [color=FF0000]"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Prince Edwin-or should I say, King Rich Twit the Seventeenth?"[/color] Mai began, laughing softly, all traces of her earlier surprise and shock completely gone. [color=FF0000]"I must say, you and Prince Niklas would make quite the dynamic duo. Prince Hooligan and King Rich Twit. Does that not have a wonderful ring to it?"[/color]

Mai then let her eyes stray to Liviana Traianus. The child-like princess wore a loose garment that resembled a tunic. Mai thought that it was more of a cross between a tunic and a dress. The dark violet fabric complemented her pale complexion nicely. There was an ivory wrap hanging from her shoulders, and Liviana's hair was done up in an messy braided up-do. Her eyes were set off with a heavy layer of gold eye shadow and mascara, and her cheeks were dusted with blush. It was a very elegant ensemble-albeit something very, very different from what Mai would have worn herself-though it looked just a tad out of place on someone as small as Liviana. 

The sweet smile returned. [color=FF0000]"Princess Liviana, I must say that it is truly an honor to meet you as well. How are you on this lovely morning?"[/color] said Mai. [color=FF0000]"I have to admit that I absolutely [i]adore[/i] the wrap you are wearing. What is it made of? It is such a sheer, delicate thing, yet it is completely opaque. It is simply gorgeous,"[/color] she gushed.

Mai paused for a second and glanced at Niklas before continuing. [color=FF0000]"My betrothed-Prince Niklas is his true name, as I am sure you two already are aware of, if you will forgive me for being serious for just this moment-and I are merely here to make conversation. One cannot attend an event of this size without a bit of socializing, no?[/color] Mai laughed lightly. So far, neither Prince Edwin nor Princess Liviana appeared to be the type that got riled up for no reason or were too stiff to take a joke, as evidenced by their respective reactions to Niklas's absurd introduction. 

Mai's dark eyes sparkled with playfulness, and a coy smile twitched at her lips. [color=FF0000]"I do wonder what the result of the next three months will be. I do not doubt that the marriages will be as prosperous as we can hope for. I am more interested in the friendships that come out of this...and, of course, the new fashion ideas that I will be sure to acquire from this mixing of royalty. Princess Liviana, you must show me how you did your hair this morning at some later date. I cannot possibly fathom how you managed to create such a wonderfully free-flowing yet controlled style without wanting to simply pull your hair out! And I'm sure that all of us could spend hours discussing the most fascinating of topics."[/color] Mai chuckled. [color=FF0000]"Everything from ancient history to winged eyeliner, no?"[/color]

Mai fell silent, giving the others a chance to respond. Things were coming along nicely, and if she could make an ally out of the Empire of Britannia, the Lusitanian Empire, or both, then her borderline rambling had not gone to waste. [i]As much as I hate to judge based on first impressions and appearances, I believe that Prince Edwin will be the tougher nut to crack, so to speak. Princess Liviana is already quite insecure, or so I've inferred, and as along as I do not say anything blatantly offensive or too sensitive for her, the occasional ferocity that I have read about should not ever be directed towards either Niklas or I. And I cannot say how relieved I am that Prince Edwin had the good grace to return Niklas's absurd introduction with an absurd introduction of his own. If he had been a prim and proper prince who was obsessed with etiquette...oh, that would have been humiliating. I don't even want to think about it.[/i]

Mai surveyed the rest of the ball room. Princes and princesses were moving about, conversing with one another under the elegant chandelier. [i]Hmm. Well, I certainly cannot say that these next three months will not be interesting. No, I suppose there will be plenty of things to keep my mind occupied while I am in Aciras. [/i]