"Hm? I... oh! Oh yes, of course! My parents brought me here when I was small! And a second time to celebrate my si... a-as a reward. This was a place for families, you see. There were costumes and characters and parades, places to play and too-sweet foods and drinks you would never ever make room for at any other time. And best of all, huge, grand rail cars that would carry you through the sky in great loops until you felt your stomach squeeze inside you and just [i]swoop[/i], and... ah."

Étoile trails off into nothing, and suddenly becomes intensely interested in her own feet as they scuff little patterns on the ground. She's been staring again. She's only just realized. Ah, [i]zut, zut, et zut![/i] Bad Étoile, stop noticing! Sweet as she is, the Lady is still of your enemy, the time will come when you must tear down everything she knows! Do not make Marianne's work harder by admiring her charms! So what that her shoulders are delicate and lovely? So what that her smile is sweeter than cake? Do not love her awkwardness, Étoile, do not let your heart race at the sight of her gangly legs! Do not become attached to everything that separates her from other Annunaki! Have you already forgotten why you're here? Do not! 

...Besides, if she keeps this up she'll make trouble for Lady Tamytha [i]and[/i] herself. She should be mad at herself for how well the thought motivates her, but even Marianne is silent. She lifts her head again with a melodious giggle at her own expense. 

"I am sorry, this must all be very silly and boring for you. Compared with the majesty of your society, I'm sure none of our toys would have interested you for more than a moment. And of course that place is gone now anyway. Thank goodness your people found a use for it more, um... suited? To, like, your stature? Tee hee!"

Étoile leaps forward with a ridiculous two-legged hop. It's an awkward and ungainly way to move, and with the heavy pack on her shoulders she has to wobble and wave her arms about in a panic to avoid spilling over. Silly Étoile! Silly [i]lamassie![/i] Silly girl with no room inside her head for sadness or to think through the consequences of why she's here today. She recovers her balance, and gives a tiny bow. 

"Well then! It's a fun fun [i]fun[/i] day ahead of us, so if Lady wishes it please follow your guiding star! She will show you all the hidden places humans would think to squeeze themselves inside of!"

Her gait is wasteful and mincing, wandering in serpentine patterns this way and that. Every few steps, she skips. It's a goofy way of moving that gets her nowhere fast, with many glances backwards to see if Lady is keeping up. She won't need to strain herself to keep up this way, without it seeming like Étoile is hanging back to make up for Lady's... erm, shortcomings with her stamina. For a minute, maybe two, maybe ten, or goodness could she be all lucky to make it last all day? But for however long she can, she'll help her Lady fit in. Just another noble and her silly little handmaiden, the envy of those assembled.

Her stomach dips in a way that has nothing to do with roller coasters. How was she supposed to do this? She couldn't [i]really[/i] let Tamytha shoot anybody, could she?