It all happens at once, and quietly, with the type of finesse Ellie's not used to seeing. They've barely disturbed the guests, and most of them still haven't realized what's going on.

Would be a damn shame to disrupt the going theme.

Tsenka bolts for her staff, and Stiff-Brocade goes for Ellie, drawing knives in the gleaming moonlight, and it's almost too easy. Of course he'd save her for the direct confrontation. Ellie's the smallest, the youngest, and what with the bow she's carrying, presumably vulnerable close up.

But Ellie's been grappling with men his size for damn near a decade.

She dodges back, and the man stumbles, not used to her speed -- and his eyes widen. Because of course, that speed isn't mortal. A burning gold has crossed through Ellie's green eyes, lighting them up molten, and it's followed by the gleam of her teeth clenched in something far too aggressive to be called a smile.

"Dance?" she whispers huskily, and swings her bow like a bat. He only barely dodges backward in time, but it still catches him nastily across one cheek instead of cracking his skull. He's skilled, though, and recovers admirably, taking advantage of her momentum to slash at her-

Only to find nothing there.

He gives a soft gasp, and Ellie's knife appears at his throat, her behind him, pressing through the first layer of skin.

Blood drips into the brocade.

"Careful now," she murmurs. "Wouldn't want to ruin the party."

The woman by the flowers has suddenly vanished, leaving them nodding. Ellie notices, just a second too late.

"Shit-"