If there's anyone in the world that Benevenuta can be said to unconditionally and unquestioningly love - it's Dorian Pavus, who narrowly edges out her dogs. To lose Hercules was a body blow, but it is that friendship which has bolstered her, that she relies upon when getting out of bed is hard to justify. Her heart will heal. Thirty years from now, her lovers may have come and gone, but the only man she'll trust to paint her cat-eye will be forever.

They are charming together, if in an occasionally somewhat threatening way. Her placid smile at the prompt of having fun does not suggest that tonight is a night for harmlessness, but. Neither does literally anything else going on.

"I might tell you a lie and say I would prefer such festivities with lower stakes--"

But she would probably find them much less compelling to attend.