When Ashlynn and the strange reptilian man stepped off the dance floor, she felt refreshed and welcome at the masquerade in a way that she hadn't before. While Nyrielle gave her leave to mingle and encouraged her to take advantage of the masquerade to meet others, her obvious human ancestry made her feel like an outsider even at an event where everyone wore masks.
This gentleman, however, felt like an old friend she was encountering after years apart. His touch was gentle and more respectful than any of the young or older lords she'd ever danced with at her father's events and even when they had nothing to say to each other, the silence between them still felt comfortable.
Before she could thank him, however, the echo of Nyrielle's heartbeat within her chest grew still and Ashlynn turned in the direction she felt her lover approaching from, wondering what could have caused her such distress.
