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Alinta stood under an archway overlooking a garden. This was the biggest charity event to happen once a year, a group effort to raise money for orphanages and other similar projects that helped those struggling within Oba, and Alinta attended because her family was one of the original founders of the event. So for once she had cleaned up and willingly adorned one of the fanciest dresses at the ball with layered crimson silk embroidered with golden thread separating into flowering designs that bloomed along the skirts and bodice that hugged a bit too tightly and too low for her general comfort. A traditional Oban sash of gold with a red belt going across it also fit snug around her waist, the material constantly making her want to tug at it as she did now. At least she had gotten into flats, not heels since she was slightly taller than most of the petite noblewomen who went to the dress shop where she had been dressed before the event. Maybe I could climb over the garden walls later once I’ve stayed long enough. Alinta mused, tilting her head so that her golden curls decorated with ruby and topaz gems tumbled over a bare shoulder as she studied the stone walls covered in vines. It was awfully tempting…especially as the music was still rising in volume behind her, the dances thankfully more lively than some traditional boring waltz. Not that Alinta had to deal with potential suitors lining up for her hand, thankfully she was fairly good at avoiding those especially with Calix also attending events like this where most were more interested in the actual heir of the family not his adopted aunt.

[Alinta 1]

Well, one perk of the event was that she could enjoy whatever drinks and food she wanted to pass the time. Not that Alinta never enjoyed fine dining, there was always a rich display greeting her every moment whenever she came down the grand staircase for breakfast with her mother. However, drinking in front of her mother was another issue especially considering how she was just now old enough to be considered a young adult in their society. Assuming that her mother and brother were somewhere in the midst of nobles who were reviewing plans in the midst of dancing, most donations acquired before the event as invites only went out to those who paid their dues which meant it was feasible to start plans and make more connections in the meeting hall past the ballroom, Alinta opted to grab a glass of sparkling wine so that she could refresh and try to quench her throat after the last hour of conversing. Alinta had avoided the meeting room, preferring to leave such things to the heads of the household since she was basically their escort and support rather than a decision maker in the moment. Later though she assumed that she would be more involved, especially once Calix started stepping up more as strange as that sounded. Then again it was always strange realizing that your nephews were less than two years younger than you, so her situation was a bit unique that as an aunt she could also be expected to work alongside of him one day when they were both old enough for that responsibility. Though since her talk with Torsten, Alinta truly didn't know what she felt about the future. It was hard to piece anything together in the moment, another reason she was thankful for the wine that went down easily.
Of course that option was almost forgotten as she turned the corner and nearly collided into two guards, Alinta's frustration quickly turning into shock as the glass slipped from her hands and shattered along the marble floor. Torsten?! Any chance of trying to back away was lost as servants quickly swarmed her, picking up the glass and making certain that Alinta was alright while she simply nodded and kept an eye towards the guard that had distracted her.

[Alinta 2]

Alinta winced as she watched the scene play out before her. This was her chance to slip away, to act like she didn't recognize Torsten but it would be dishonest which did not settle well with her at all. Even hearing her being called ma'm made Alinta's stomach curl. "Lady Alinta? Are you alright?" A servant dabbed with a clean cloth at her dress, a small splotch of wine barely along the edges of the hemline. "Should we prepare a new outfit?"

"I'm fine. Thank you, Muriette." Whispered Alinta, bending down to urge the younger Oban girl up. "I can handle this, promise." As she left, Alinta looked towards the two soldiers. "It's fine. I actually may need some fresh air. May I borrow you, soldier?" She glanced towards Torsten and gave his companion an apologetic smile. "The event is stuffy and I think I had a dizzy spell, some fresh air should greatly help."

"Ah, yes." Alinta took a moment, braced herself and took the arm. She cast one final smile towards the other soldier, leaning into the weak lady aspect as she discreetly nudged Torsten towards the entrance of the garden away from the event and watchful eyes. Once they did get there, the archway of twisting vines above them, Alinta finally let go of the arm and took a step back. Her cheeks were flushed, the young lady feeling a bit embaressed and sheepish to have been caught in such a way. Dropping a glass, really? What a way to lose her composure. Alinta let out a frustrated sigh before turning her gaze to Torsten.

"I didn't think you worked these events. Is that normal?" She found herself asking, a frown crossing her lips as she looked over him. At the same time she also tugged at the tie around her waist once more, the motion loosening it just a little bit so that she could move more freely and breathe in the night air.

[Alinta 4]

"Ah, I see." Alinta nodded. "Makes sense, they're always worried about how things could get heated at these larger events. A shame though considering this one is for charity. I can't understand why anyone would want to ruin it." Then again most thieves and the like didn't really think about how their actions affected others, right? So honestly it shouldn't surprise her if something ever did happen one day should they ever let their guards down. "Normal for me?" She repeated, a light flush on her cheeks. "I suppose it's a bit too late to convince you that I'm running more papers to someone, right?" She gestured down at her attire with a soft laugh. "This not runner material?"

[Alinta 5]

"Fair enough, as much as I hate to agree with it." Alinta responded, her lips pressed in disdain at the very thought of someone doing such a foul thing. "Thankfully we have plenty of guards around the area, which I really should have thought about." She winced lightly as she studied Torsten. "A bit dramatic for me to drop a glass, but you know..." She gave a shrug as if trying to brush off her embarrassment. "Ladies are dramatic, apparently."

Alinta sighed at the question. "Feels more like a hundred. I hate how restrictive it feels." She admitted after a moment. "The hairpieces alone are probably an additional ten pounds, so I would probably end up tumbling forward if I did try to run any errands in this." She bunched together the skirts in her hands and raised them slightly to show off the crimson and golden flats. "But maybe I have a chance if I cut the sides a bit, I have been blessed and not forced to wear some of the shoes that others are wearing tonight. I felt so bad to see one lady with those pointed heels digging into that gentleman." She shook her head, shivering at the very thought of something so sharp being stabbed into her foot regardless of having shoes in the way or not.

[Alinta 6]

And there it was. Alinta winced at the comment, feeling guilty that she had left out a bit of her life from Torsten. Okay, more than a bit...but still. "Well, I was thinking about a third one but it's awfully busy as it is with two." She managed weakly, her gaze drifting around them as she glanced about the garden. How did one even approach this? Her family always expressed how important it was to be honorable and honest, but she had not been exactly honest with anyone about her habits of going out into the city as an errand girl.

"I mean, would anyone have expected this of me when we met the two times that we did?" Alinta finally asked, her head tilting towards the side as she studied Torsten. "It's not like I wanted to lie, but would I have been treated the same if I had said anything or appeared in finer clothing? Can you blame me?" It felt like a weak excuse at the time, but at the same time she truly did hate being treated differently. Just being called ma'm and milady earlier had made her feel so awkward. She would much rather be teased by Zuzette about men again than have Torsten call her either of those things.

[Alinta 7]

"Hmm. You say that but as soon as the title drops, especially my family's name, all of the politeness begins. It's hard to tell whose being honest with me, as me, and who is just looking to appease my family or even earn some favor." Replied Alinta with a frown, her brow furrowed in hesitation. Would Torsten truly had treated her the same way? He did seem like the honest sort, but it truly was hard to imagine. There were so many complications when it came to her social life that she hadn't even known what it was like to have a friend that didn't consider her social standing. It had been nice going out and hanging out with Torsten, even if once was because of a mudslide and the other time a tavern visit that had a bit of inappropriate jests connected with it.

A chuckle left Alinta's lips though at the chastising and she nodded. "Aye, aye." The hybrid shook her head though at the thought of her family complaining. "They wouldn't do such a thing, especially my mother. We have some military ties ourself, you know. My grandmother is a bit of a stickler for the rules and following protocols, but thankfully she's not much involved in things like she once was." If her grandmother had been here and witnessed that? Well, it would probably be Alinta in more trouble than Torsten. "Honestly, if anything I would be the one in the heat for going to such a place dressed and sneaking around so casually." What if something had happened to those important documents because she had opted to visit a tavern for the first time? Talk about reckless!

[Alinta 7]