[i][b]Eveline de Ficquelmont, Cartelom[/b][/i]

After her attention had already shifted away from the man beside her, a rusted dry voice emerged from the man in a fashion mirroring the lack of sociability in her own greeting just prior. "Hello." The awkwardness of specifically her own actions and its impression sunk in. The man must think her to be weird. In the disconnected world of nobility a good first impression is one of the prime weapons in building connections. People are much more inclined to invest time and attention in another if their first impression is a positive one. While that world was hopefully now behind her, the weapon that is a good first impression is a timeless one and would never become obsolete. Doing her best to prevent the pretentious antics of the average noble woman, she rose from the floor and turned to give the man a proper greeting and maybe a short introduction. Or maybe a short introduction was too much she thought. Perhaps just a name will do. [color=fff200]"Ah, excu.."[/color] [b]"BAM!"[/b] The unexpected loud bang of a door slamming into a wall shut her up and the surprise of it shocked her more than she dared admit. To her luck, the bang had turned everyone's attention to its source and not one set of eyes had seen her jump.

Its source was Captain Hannigan and a detail of two not far behind him. Whispers emerged but were cut short when Hannigan halted and turned to face the crowd and spoke. His voice started strong and commanded the attention of those present. He cut straight to the matter at hand and few words were wasted. An impending siege and a need for voluntary personnel to fend it off. The crowd thinned out as many followed the instructions given but plenty remained, and once Hannigan disqualified more based on certain criteria only 9 remained. This was her one chance to turn tail, head back into the city and enjoy the safety the walls provided. But the word "enjoy" within that thought angered her at her own thinking. Life within the city had been far from enjoyable. It had been safe but what is safety if within the confines of misery? The city as it is now perfectly resembles her life. Safe but stuck inside a cage. And even though a cage may be made of gold, it is nonetheless a cage. And so, whether she was ready to leave her cage or not, she stayed and listened to Hannigan.

Her eyes were glued onto the Captain until he finished with a resolute [color=0072bc]"Am I understood?"[/color] Hannigan then left the group to their task. Maarten and the man from before were part of the group. The others she had not met before. Maarten approached her. [color=8dc73f]"Lady, I hope it isn't a fool's resolve that's got you in this."[/color] He said spurring Eveline out of the room with him. [color=fff200]"Once we are out there and we face the dead you'll have an answer."[/color] She returned. They made their way past some who had left the room earlier, Maarten being a superior in ranking to most exchanged formal greetings with them. [color=8dc73f]"I like to think the fact you've already seen the dead up close means you know what you're headed into."[/color] [color=fff200]"I think I do, don't doubt me."[/color] She looked into the towering figure's eyes. He looked at hers, the slightest hint of worry in his gaze. [color=8dc73f]"Lady, I apologize. I do not mean to doubt you. We have seen and lost the same. I simply wish for not another Ficquelmont to perish."[/color] Eveline understood the man's worry. She nodded back at him and the two continued their way out of the keep. [color=fff200]"I may not be that good a fighter yet, but.."[/color] She moved her gloves down a bit, raised her arms and flexed her biceps. [color=fff200]"I'm stronger than I look! No reason to worry!"[/color] She said, a wide grin on her face. Maarten's face remained in its usual semi-annoyed angered expression, but a short chuckle was the only evidence it didn't match his feelings. [color=fff200]"I will admit though I am scared."[/color] [color=8dc73f]"So am I. And I can guarantee so are they"[/color] He said gesturing in the direction of their fellowship. [color=8dc73f]"Only a fool wouldn't be."[/color]

.....

Once all were outside of the main city gate, Eveline approached the bearded man from the awkward exchange in the briefing hall. [color=fff200]"Hello, sir! I apologize for not properly greeting you back in the hall. I am Eveline De Ficquelmont. Glad to be out here alongside you."[/color] A soft smile on her face and her tone close to neutral and polite as not to make her introduction feel too forced.