Theodozja's eyes scanned the ball room thoroughly from behind the thin layer of lace. The heat of the room and the constant swirling of party guests was beginning to become oppressive, almost burdening as she tried her best to make sense of a purposefully senseless world. Finally her intense focus was broken by an obviously intoxicated nobleman who carelessly bumped into her. The gentleman offered slurred and drunken apologies as he helped her gain her balance again, before rushing off to join a plump young woman who stood awaiting him with champagne flutes in her hands.
Smoothing the fabric of her dress she decided to rest her eyes from the maddening crowd for a moment and took in the other details of the room. Ornate mirrors and tapestries occupied the vast wallspace, interspersed between glass doorways opening onto balconies. Looking down the line of terraces, she found most of them occupied by slovenly couples either drinking themselves into an even further stupor or enjoying more physical delights. Luckily one appeared unoccupied and Theodozja decided a brief moment of fresh air would do her a world good, especially in order to help her complete her evening's mission.
Passing through the thick sea of guests was no easy task, but when she arrived on the balcony all she could think was how worthwhile the journey had been. The cool evening air cascaded over her warm brow and overheated limbs. Leaning back her head ever so gently she took a sip of some champagne she had managed to procure for herself. The balcony peered down over the entrance and she could see below various couples and guests leaving for intrigues. She even saw a threesome clamour into a carriage together...Hmm...
Taking another small drink she turned to her right to notice a rather dark gentleman leaning against the doorway of the balcony. She thought his overall impression to be uncommonly ominous and dark and familiar...Trying not to stare too openly she took one last long look and she felt her heart stop immediately. Sergius Petrov. It's him! Turning away momentarily she grasped her chest as she tried to compose herself again. Why was her body betraying her mind and her desires? This was why she had come here tonight. This was her mission. Why should she fear? Some part of her girlish memory still clung tightly to her and the memory of the tears shed for Jan's death came flooding back to her. She silently said a prayer for Jan's soul. When she had finished it she felt her sense of anger beginning to renew itself. Her blade-like edge had returned to her and she knew she could finish what she started.
Turning back towards Petrov's balcony, she smiled broadly and waved delicately, leaning against the balcony in a rather coquettish manner. "Salut!" She called in a high, false voice, giggling as though she were drunk to punctuate her greeting. She hoped; she knew he would take the bait. He was a man after all...