Rene watched with a quiet smile on his face as Solae lead Rosaria through the steps of the dance. It was rare that he got to see Solae enjoying herself, she had a light and happy soul that was often seemed oppressed by the duties that were thrust upon her. He was glad that she could take a moment just to enjoy the simple act of dancing with another person, without worry of how it would be interpreted or that armed gunmen might burst in at any moment. Rene reflexively checked the exits, though out of training rather than any actual concern. Assassins would need to use depth charges to get to them here. He turned to Kel'shaiel to find her watching the dance with what he imagined to be a bemused expression.

"Rosaria is too young to have a mate among our people," he told her. The alien bobbed her head in understanding. It wasn't that Rene begrudged the girl the opportunity to fraternize with her peers, whatever age that might be among the Kalderi, but he was already starting to feel a little dread about the prospect of having to deal with challenges to Solae. Kel'shaiel made a clicking sound and nodded.

"Among ours too Colonel," she reassured him, "No one may challenge for the right to mate with one who has not yet taken to wing." Rene nodded in relief, he wasn't sure exactly what taken to wing meant for those without wings but he was relieved that the situation wasn't quite as complicated as it might have been.

"Do you think it is likely there will be any challenges for Solae?" he asked. Kel'shaiel seemed to consider this for longer than Rene would have wished.

"We have a saying among our people Colonel," the Kalderi said in her sonorous voice, "Only a fool tries to predict what a fool will do."

Rene didn't know what to make of that, but he felt like there was considerable subtext to it. Were there Kalderi whose politics she dissaproved of? Did she think they were likely to try to make trouble at the ball? No scion of the Imperial aristocracy grew to adulthood without learning the Machiavellian maneuvering of the political system, but they also knew the terrain and the players and beyond that the way other humans, or at least other nobles, thought.  There was so much he didn't know here, so many pitfalls that might be yawning in front of them which they wouldn't see until they were on top of them. He resolutely pushed such thoughts from his mind as he watched Solae dancing and laughing with Rosaria. There needed to take time to enjoy the moment, there would be time enough to worry about tonight later.