Arrival at the Party

The venue was in a large ballroom that was decked out to the nines. A pure glass ceiling above showing the stars to anyone who bothered to look up and away from the richly bedecked tables and chairs, servants moving everywhere with practiced ease, carefully balancing trays of various drinks and finger foods that were grabbed at random by the various patrons of the establishment. A band was playing something slow the moment Katla walked in, taking in the sights of the various peacocks that had come out to show their best. As Jaclyn had said the ones wearing dresses did seem to be getting a bit more attention in the grand scheme of things.

"LADY KATLA TOTSIDOTTIR AND DAME JACLYN OANBROOK." A large-chested woman in servants livery announced. Very few people actually turned to look, most staying within their own circles but Katla could feel some sidelong glances coming her way and she noticed a few hands covering mouths in several places.

"Would it be rude to go home already?" Katla asked in a lowered voice.

"I'm afraid so my lady," Jaclyn replied, indicating a woman walking towards them. "Especially before being greeted by our host." Katla had seen enough pictures to recognize Joan Avalon, she was slightly shorter than Katla had thought she would be but she didn't have time to voice that to her aide before the princess was upon them. A glass of something in her hand.

"Lady Katla, Dame Jaclyn. Welcome. I'm pleased to have a woman of your renown grace our humble ceremony."

"If this is humble I'd hate to see when you go all out," Katla said wryly, looking around at the chandeliers that probably cost more credits than most people would see in their entire lives.

"My lady thanks you for the invitation," Jaclyn said, covering for her Commodore's lack of grace.

"The thanks are all mine in light of her latest achievement. Congratulations are in order. The Queen made an excellent choice." Joan said, raising her glass in salute. "I intend to follow your career with great interest. My eye for talent has yet to fail me and you are already quite the standout."

"It was just a raid," Katla demurred, feeling a bit flattered by the praise. "I've had years of practice."

"Even so it was well executed. Mizuki has indicated interest in speaking with you," Joan turned her eyes to the side of the room and Katla followed them, seeing a woman standing in Authority Navy red, interestingly she'd chosen to wear the dress version, a choice which had clearly not left her bereft of attention as she was currently speaking with a pair of younger-looking nobles. "She works for their embassy," Joan explained, seeing Katla's raised eyebrow.

"Did she say what she wanted?" Katla asked.

"She did not," Joan replied. "Most likely she is just wanting to take your measure. I would not worry about it too much."

"PRINCESS SEMIRAMIS." The door person announced.

"I'm afraid I must be off to greet my niece. I hope that you will keep us in mind in choosing your next Captain." She said before moving off to greet the newly arrived princess.

"Well. That was... interesting." Katla said to her aide.

"Quite. Clearly she's hoping you will lean on the personnel department." Jaclyn replied.

"Do I actually have that kind of pull yet?"

"As the person who took the ship, your word will matter quite a bit if you decide to speak. You will likely receive a few candidate proposals." Jaclyn explained.

"Great. Paperwork." Katla muttered, before turning her attention to the party. Well. She was here. Taking a look around she noticed a few interesting things.

There was, of course, Mizuki and whatever her play was.

To the left of the ballroom, there seemed to be a small clearing around another woman in red. This one wearing the full uniform of a Republican Guard, a member of the Russian Republic's elite lethal fighting force. It could be interesting to talk with her.

There was also a group of Avalonian nobles who had a gap in their little circle as if they were inviting someone to join. None of them were military so it could be an interesting change of pace.

Artemesia was standing off to the side with a few others in their military best, a few in the uniform of the ground forces. One of whom was a pretty brunette who looked distinctly uncomfortable with her surroundings.

Now that she was really looking she could also see a few others who looked out of place. A green-haired woman wearing what was clearly an American suit, a dark-skinned woman in the lighter green of the Directorate, and a woman wearing a set of colonel bars on a Federation uniform.

Then again she could always try and soak up more of Joan's attention.