"Wonderful," Aleera said,"lets go." She motioned with one hand for Alice to follow and headed out toward a particularly thick crowd of people gathered along the edge of the dance floor, which several couples occupied, though there was still plenty of room. The band, three violinist, a cellist, and a flutist, played a cheerful yet mellow song as the dancing couples stepped and twirled about beneath the great chandelier above.

At the bar, the man in white lowered his empty wine glass and adjusted the bottom of his mask back over his chin and mouth. It was then, when he turned and stood from his stool that he lay eyes on Alice, his eyes locked onto her alone. Twas not a look of recognition, but of interest.

[i]I think I'll be having a dance now.[/i]

He took a forward step and composed himself in full as he briskly approached Alice, intent on gaining her interest before another did.