[i]"Alright, Ms. Hale. Can you hear me?"[/i] The voice in her ear wasn't unexpected exactly, she'd been warned that she wouldn't be alone once she was inside. Judging by the tone and the title, whoever had spoken must be someone young. Shifting her gaze around the room, Ellie shifted her body to begin walking. 

So far she'd avoided really talking to anyone, except for an older woman who had greeted her with a smile that seemed genuine, her small talk hadn't been neither too direct or aloof. Her training had taught her how to read someone's body language until it was like second nature, and the woman had been as genuine as one could be. No manipulation in her words, or sly glances or grins that would have immediately set off her inner alarms. "Yes." She replies lowly as she moves towards one of the tables holding food, pausing to wave over a waiter to accept a glass from the tray he held. 

[i]"Good, my name is Ashton and I'll be guiding you to where you need to be."[/i] His tone wavers slightly in what might be nerves, she can hear fingers flying across a computers keyboard. Pretending to sip at her drink, she moves forward and does a circle around the guests gathered. [i]"Alright Ms-"[/i]

"Call me Ellie, Ashton. We're working together and helping one another." She says it gently with a little laugh hidden under the words, a way to help him relax if only the slightest bit. He's not in any real risk during this situation, she'd feel more at ease if he calmed. 

[i]"O-of course Ms-"[/i] He clears his throat just as Ellie had opened her mouth, eyes still scanning the room despite the way she's moving around people. [i]"Sorry, Ellie. Alright, now if you go to your right you'll be heading towards a side hallway that leads to a stairwell..."[/i] His tone has settled and it has a small smile curling her lips, body moving to do as he instructs with as much grace as one can. 

She's not sure if she imagined it, but she'd felt eyes on her. A gaze that had felt piercing and yet curious if that were possible.