Saying the ballroom was beautiful was an understatement: the long, lustrous creamy curtains that fell from the high ceiling dancing along the pale golden walls, the massive jeweled chandeliers slightly swaying by a phantom wind, and gods, that heavenly smell of the food. Several white covered tables were aligned along the walls, offering a wide range of goodies: roast meats, steamed fish, colourful salads and drinks, pastries...

But Laena was no longer gawking at the food, but at the vast number of ladies and men in the monumental ballroom, some seated by the circular tables placed at the sides of the room, some standing, either talking to other guests or snatching food from the white tables (which she decided to do so once she'd get comfortable).

She held onto her sister's arm, Rein, in fear she'd lose her in the midst of the gathering and be left alone to survive on her own. She didn't like that thought. Especially when she knew no one, apart from some of Rein's friends, who organized the event. But she wasn't really close to them.

So she braced herself and stepped further inside the room, eyeing some empty spots for her to lounge in, already knowing Rein would sooner or later disappear to meet her friends.

~