"Look at them, they're so green," said Niklas as they made their way through the ballroom. Mai followed his gaze to the various nobles assembled in the ballroom. She made no response to that, though she mentally raised an eyebrow. [i]I would not have expected someone like Niklas to make such a...disparaging remark.[/i] 

Niklas and Mai approached Fareeha, and she immediately spun around with eyes that sparkled mischievously and a wide smile on her face. She greeted them with an unusual amount of enthusiasm, or so Mai thought. [i]You would almost think that she liked us by the way she's acting,[/i] Mai mused dryly to herself. 

"Greetings Princess Mai Mei, and salutations Prince Niklas! Enough formalities, we've got that out of the way, check these beauties out!" she exclaimed, brandishing a round treat resembling a large chocolate truffle in her hand. She went on to praise its merits before telling Mai and Niklas that they could have the one she was holding up. Mai noted the wickedly amused gleam in her eye. [i]Hmm. She wants us to share it, does she not?[/i] Mai's prediction was confirmed when Niklas turned slightly to face her, a questioning expression on his face.

Mai quickly considered her options. Would it be improper to take up Fareeha's offer, seeing as they were, well, attending a ball? Or would it be more impolite to refuse? 

Mai arched an eyebrow and laughed. "Why, hello to you too, Princess Fareeha," she replied in a lightly amused voice. "Before we accept the delightful treat that you are so kindly offering us, I must compliment you on your gown. It suits you very well," she said. 

Mai's attention was diverted from Fareeha to Prince Andronikos Telesphorides of the Athenian Federation as the newcomer bowed politely and introduced himself. [i]Ah. The Athenian heir, yes? And already widowed too; what a shame. He is so young. We are all young, truth be told. But he has already married, which makes him different, I suppose. I know that things are different in Lusitania and the Athenian Federation, though. Well, this shall be quite interesting.[/i] Mai could guess why he'd picked their particular group to join; Fareeha herself was not betrothed. [i]His first wife died without an heir, mm? It would make sense that he would seek out Fareeha, though I am not entirely certain why he chose to do so. Did he not read her reports at all? Does she look like the type of woman to be easily persuaded into a marriage, especially into a marriage to a prince from a nation that has, well, old-fashioned views of women?[/i]
 
It was quite obvious that Fareeha had immediately deduced Anton's true purpose in approaching them as well. She greeted him, and Mai noticed her point to include 'special forces'. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. [i]That was rather unnecessary, but that's Fareeha for you,[/i] she thought to herself. Fareeha gave Anton a grin that was almost threatening and pinned her laser-sharp stare on the slim young man. 

Anton himself was dark-haired, dark-eyed, and had a small build for a boy. He was lean and wiry, though Mai stood a full inch or two taller than him in her high heels. Mai appraised his ensemble-Anton had gone for a sophisticated look that gave a sleek, utilitarian, and modern air as well as a classically elegant vibe at the same time. 

Mai gave him a winning smile. "It is both a pleasure and an honor to make your acquaintance, Prince Anton," she said warmly. "I am Mai Mei of Liang," she continued, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She paused and glanced pointedly at Fareeha, who was staring him down, and laughed softly. "Please do not be too terribly put off by Princess Fareeha here," Mai said in a light-hearted tone. "We are delighted to meet you, and it would be quite an honor to get to know you tonight," she went on, chuckling slightly. "So, how are you liking Aciras so far? I am finding it very pleasant, and I am finding that the other princes and princesses-especially Prince Niklas here-are very pleasant as well," she finished, a small, slightly coy smile on her face.

Although Mai made sure to keep her expression arranged in one of polite, friendly interest, she was picking apart his every word in her head. [i]Did he seriously just use 'intellectual conversation' as a pretense for coming over here?[/i] Mai wondered. [i]Goodness gracious. He comes off as almost as pretentious as the Grand Duchess Elizaveta Romonova of Noslainia.[/i]

Mai spotted Liviana in her peripheral vision. She inwardly grinned-the blue dress was [i]gorgeous[/i] on her.