The man gave a short chuckle,"I see. Well, perhaps after this dance we can have a seat over at the tables or maybe head out to the balcony for a private chat? I'd like to get to know you a little better and be able to speak freely without trying to maintain focus on my feet." He smiled behind his mask, those blue eyes twinkling from within the shadows of the slanted eye holes on the white mask.

The melody was winding down as the song began to end, with the flutist playing the final notes as the others slowly lowered their instruments.

"Alice dear!" A voice suddenly rang out.
It was Aleera, she was briskly walking toward Alice and her partner, although really it was more of a slow trot than as fast stride. In her hands she carried two tall glasses of wine, filled to the brim.
As she closed in on the two, she spoke directly to Alice,"Alice, would you 
li-!"

Aleera didn't finish her sentence as her right ankle rolled slightly forward which pitched Aleera front-ways. With a cry, Aleera fell forward and, as she was falling, the two glasses of wine slipped from her hand and flew forward.
The crimson liquid lept from the glasses and splashed all across the side of Alice's dress, down her arm, and across the side of her face and hair.
Alex leapt backward, though several red drops splattered down the sleeve of his jacket and on his glove.

Aleera had landed with a loud [i]Thud![/i] on the hardwood floor, which caused many people to spin around or stop dancing. The dwindling music faltered from where the band was, and several chuckles and loud laughs began erupting throughout the ball room.