Liviana smiled in response to Mai's offer. She seemed pleased that Mai had wanted to do her make-up, her blue eyes looking up shyly at Mai's face. "I would like it very much if you did," Liviana replied. 

Mai grinned. "Oh, how wonderful!" she exclaimed. Mai wasn't sure why the prospect excited her so much-perhaps it was because developing a friendship with Lusitania would be very beneficial for Liang, given that less than 15% of Liang's land was arable and the fact that Lusitania was a primarily agricultural nation-or perhaps it was because Mai genuinely wanted to see the small, insecure girl strutting around like...like Fareeha. [i]Zhou would be having a fit right now,[/i] Mai mused contemplatively, mentally snorting derisively. [i]Since when have I ever done anything out of the sheer goodness in my heart?[/i] Mai laughed silently at the thought.

Mai rolled her eyes good-naturedly at Niklas's comment. "Have you forgotten that we are betrothed, Prince Niklas?" she asked in a coy, teasing voice, leaning over and pecking him on the cheek in an affectionate manner. Fareeha proposed that they all do something "different" for the ball, and Mai laughed lightly at her comment about Niklas's fedora. [i]Different? Hmm. I could go for a more storybook princess look, perhaps, instead of the modern styles or the traditional Liangii styles that I am particularly partial to. I know that I would have done so back in Liang...ah! I have an idea.[/i] 

Mai grinned cheekily in Fareeha's direction. "Oh, you will?" she asked in a light voice, before chuckling softly. "You could pull off dark lipstick and black eyeliner very well, and the color gold suits you nicely, Princess Fareeha," Mai continued, tilting her head to the side and surveying Fareeha's features. [i]A body-hugging black dress would accentuate her figure, and depending on the length of the skirt, her legs as well. I can see her in thigh-high boots and a miniskirt, though I do not believe that she is very fond of such things.[/i] Mai inconspicuously noted the numerous scars that she could see (the files on Fareeha had mentioned them and their origins, of course, but the scars themselves were not terribly noticeable unless somebody was specifically looking for them) and let her gaze fall upon Fareeha's hair, which...well, in its current state, it needed some work. "If you wanted to look particularly intimidating, Princess Fareeha"-here, Mai paused and giggled-"I would suggest flat-ironing your hair. Your hair is naturally straight, so I do not believe that it would be too terribly difficult." [i]Couple that with that look in her eye that says "I will murder you if you touch me" and she will scare every potential suitor away. Hmm. Perhaps I am a snake after all. Fareeha's files lead me to believe that she does not want a betrothal, but her parents certainly wish for her to make some sort of alliance or agreement; otherwise, why is she here? And betrothals are the easiest ways to forge alliances, are they not? I would certainly refrain from going to war with another nation if my son or daughter was married to the ruler of the aforementioned nation.[/i]

Mai's train of thought was interrupted by Liviana's confused voice. She flatly told Niklas that he should contact the king of Athens if he wanted to ship something. Mai was momentarily puzzled, until she remembered that Liviana had no access to the Internet. [i]Goodness gracious, poor girl.[/i]

"Princess Liviana, I think that Prince Niklas means 'ship' in a different sense," Mai said gently, flashing her a reassuring smile. "It is slang for...how does one explain it? To 'ship' people means that you think that they would make a good match," Mai elaborated. She rolled her eyes good-naturedly again. "Prince Niklas, would you be so kind and apologize to Princess Liviana here for causing confusion?" Mai winked playfully to show that she was merely joking.

Then, Liviana asked if Mai would be willing to do her make-up for the ball. Mai smiled brightly. "It would be an honor, Princess Liviana," she answered. "We must get started soon, though, or we will not have time to pick everything out!" Here, Mai hesitated before speaking again. "And we shall have to decide on what I will actually be doing, of course. I would not want to accidentally do anything that makes you uncomfortable in any way."