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Her thoughts lingered on why the fan had snapped so quickly. Certainly Anna was not just a noblewoman. There was a strength in that snap, something that Ariah admired. But she knew well enough to watch her back, and her next question was certainly unavoidable....She herself could not distract from it, though perhaps the reaction wouldn't be as bad as she thought it might be.

"Ah...." She stalled, crossing her arms the slights, leaning back on her feet a little. "I am....I much prefer the company of more unsavory sorts than that of tutors and governesses." It was lightly touched on, though she realized it might be taken the wrong way. "Like thieves. Perhaps the occasional mistress or cut throat. There is much more to be learned from them, I think, forgive me."

She wanted to know more. Ariah hadn't met another noble that was so interested in her own interests, one who didn't look down on her like she was the scum of the earth, or tried to convince her such dirty areas didn't need her attentions. She smiled a little more, enjoying the company more and more as the time they spent together grew.

"I like to explore the slums." She started off, "It's so different than my father's estate, though the people are usually welcoming. Sometimes there's a few who feel like my presence brings ill omen, though usually after a week they're used enough to me." Ariah laughed a little bit. "The food is so much different too, all sorts of things I'm sure the chefs would just squirm thinking about! But it's good. Or so I think. I hang out usually in this small little corner club, and the children will run up begging for a ride on Myst, and I'll allow it...For a while of course, before she's too tired. But it's just...Different I guess. I'm glossing over it a bit, forgive me. But that's the better side of what I do there."

"But on the other hand...There's a few people who like to consider me their...matron of sorts I guess. That's the closest word I can think of. Petty thieves, swindlers, the likes of them. We sit down and have a good drink and talk about life. I'd rather be there than meeting those 'desirable young men' who want to court me so desperately......" Ariah looked the slightest bit disgusted at the prospect. "I don't want to marry. Not right now. I'm not just some...jewel they can pawn off to the highest bidder."

"Those happen to be the ones I don't get along with." Ariah replied to her comment, "The older ones...the ones already married happily with children or grandchildren even, I usually don't have a problem with them. It's the young bucks that think they own the world and just want a piece of skirt to show off." There was another scornful look, the girl apparently recognizing one of them in the crowd.

"But...I suppose it's just someone who'll listen. Someone to keep things together and all. I'm not nearly as involved as others, usually I'm just an open ear. A friend. Someone to show that not all nobles are that bad, but I suppose I'm a far more special case than most." Ariah shrugged slightly. "I've just never really fit well with the life of society. I'm not the daughter my mother wanted."

"Well....Perhaps that would work." Ariah muses, thinking it over, "Is this from experience? You seem to know a lot about enduring unwanted attention, or at least have very good advice from another companion." Perhaps if she had the right advice, it wouldn't be as difficult for her to enjoy social gatherings. That is, if Anna didn't mind giving her a helping hand with it. "It might just be what I've needed all along."

"No never. Not yet at least. It's mostly the older ones who like to talk to me anyway. I don't know what it is about me and older men, but we just get along." She frowned.

The more Anna simply seemed to talk of her own strategies, the more Ariah was growing to like her, and even liking this kind of approach to her heritage. She nodded, her own grin growing the slightest. "I believe this will be the beginning to a most productive friendship. Perhaps it will make things far more bearable."

"Plus the most of them are already married, and their wives would have their heads if they tried anything." She snickered, grinning more. "So if they did try to take advantage of me, there would be a frying pan to their heads in no time flat. It's nice having that sort of assurance. And even if the younger ones tried anything with the other women around, the same sort of thing would likely happen."

"Perhaps we should have a toast." She glanced around for where to get a glass, no matter what would be in it, and noticed a nearby tray with some type of liquid. She grabbed two, returning to the side of her new ally, handing her one of the long necked flutes. "To wit, beauty, and partnership?" She offered, smiling. It would certainly be far more interesting with someone to guide her into the more interesting aspects of society, especially someone as witty as Anna.

"It must be a shame to have a cold bed, it sounds lonely, and is lonely in fact." Myst had grown far too large to stay with her in her bedroom, and instead had taken up residence with the horses her father and brother adored. In smaller times, the doe had been allowed in the house, and certainly upstairs to the bedroom of her chosen. It had been like having a small fire at her feet, keeping them toasty and warm. Of course, since she had grown, her mother would no longer stand for it, and the guardian began her residence outdoors.

She enjoyed the small chime between the glasses before sipping at it herself. It wasn't unpleasant, just different than the drinks she was used to at the tavern.

Ariah wasn't known for thinking too well before speaking. She certainly hadn't meant a man for herself! There were simply none that could tame her for long enough to even make it into her home! None would ever meet her approval, she swore, and she would show her mother that she simply couldn't win at the game of courtship.

"I would hope it would be." She was unsure if men enjoyed having warm beds, but she certainly had for that time. "It became rather lonely after my guardian grew too big to spend the night with me." Said guardian was still trying to keep out of mind, watching the revelries from behind Ariah.

Ariah frowned slightly as the rook sounded, though failed to notice what her new partner in crime had. Perhaps there was something she was missing? Myst nudged her slightly, drawing her own attention. She was tired of standing, and wanted to go relax in the grass. Who knows, one of her acquaintances could be about.

"Ah, I will see you around later then." She nodded, smiling quietly before heading off on her own to enjoy the splendors of the ball.