Gianna felt a rush of excitement and a burst of nerves at her entrance into the ball, walking alongside nobles of reputation, if remote. They had taken her in, and regardless of how each one felt about her, she was soaking it up and taking full advantage.

Her gown was a beautiful imitation of a butterfly, somewhat of a metaphor, especially considering this time last year she never would have dreamed of stepping into a place like this.

Her eye caught Annabeth Porter and she smiled and waved back, before turning to watch the exchange with the drunk. He was a drunk, no doubt. Her nose wrinkled and she leaned in closer to Tallis.

“The hell was that?” She asked, oblivious to the history.

Tallis Scorza Cezar Scorza Acacia Scorza

Tallis chuckled as she watched Remiel Allemeade walk away. She had no tolerance for sulking. If the Allemeade was to be so easily cast out, so be it. Tallis had no desire to have anything—any man—to dampen her mood. Her thoughts did linger for a moment on Oriana Dumont. She hadn’t any idea as to the full extent of what had happened at the palace, but it seemed the woman had made a martyr of herself. To each their own, she thought. Tallis wasn’t much for martyrdom. Let those more selfless than she throw themselves on the pike for principle—she’d happily be there to pick the dead saint’s pockets.

“So let’s find you a man with a title and couth,” Tallis laughed with maniac joy as she kissed Cezar Scorza on the cheek and tugged Gianna Pasqualin along so that the three women were arm and arm off to the drinks. Once they arrived, Tallis started putting champagne into everyone’s hands, scanning the room.

“Now there’s our handsome host, if he strikes your fancy,” Tallis said, nudging Gianna Pasqualin and gesturing at Quinton Featherton. Tilting her head in thought, she continued to track her eyes across the room until they fell on Alaric Melbourne. “Or perhaps that one,” Tallis tipped her champagne flute toward him, bringing Acacia Scorza into her gossipy game, “Though he’s a little pretty for my taste.”

Gianna was content to not understand the deal with the man when she was whisked away with Acacia and Tallis. Both had become—though she would never admit it—model women in her life. Both were strong and confident in different ways that inspired Gi. To be included among them, to be included, was significant for the young orphan girl.

“He would never.” Gianna said to Tallis Scorza when she pointed out Quinton, but a girl could dream. Her attention to the other man had Gi gasping softly. “Young. Should I like them young? How does your age compare to Cezar’s?” All she wanted in life were riches and beauty. Shallow things, no doubt, but she had yet to learn otherwise.

Acacia Scorza

Tallis was in an explosively joyous mood — the kind that typically Cezar Scorza was left to manage as part of her manic ups and downs. She tossed back her drink with a flourish before helping herself to another. At the mention of Cezar’s age, she choked on it, laughing at the joke only the Scorza were on the inside of. She glanced at Acacia Scorza , eyes sparkling with their secret.

“No, I’d say we’re an exception. Remarkably close in age in fact—we share a birthday, can you believe that? A year apart of course,” Tallis smirked, “But still. Meant to be, I like to think. As for you, my darling…” She grinned at her ward, “Young, old, it doesn’t matter. Just don’t be afraid to punch above your weight…” She patted Gianna Pasqualin ’s cheek, “You’d be surprised how far a pretty face can get you. Come on…”

Tallis took Gianna’s hand and started to make her way over to Quinton Featherton .

Azazel chuckled darkly at Avalon Eldouir's quip. He liked her. She was fun. In more ways than one as well, that was certainly a bonus. He followed her gaze to a dark man and looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze, thoughtful. "Not someone I know, I know almost none of them," he admitted. He'd only been 14 when they left for Dresmond so he didn't have a lot of interaction in the social circles yet. "But seems like a good target. Go for it," he challenged her, releasing her arm and literally nudging her in Cezar Scorza's direction.

Gianna hissed and made sure Tallis Scorza’ hand in her cheek only touched once, resenting being belittled. She did not, however, protest when Tallis started pulling her towards the host. She dropped her eyes bashfully before raising them, head angled, knowing she was looking particularly coy.

Regardless of who he was talking to, she waited for the alpha female among them to take the reigns of this conversation.