Pel arrives perched on Alistair's arm like a hunting hawk. Her gown and cape reveal more skin than she has ever shown before in public, and her hair is in loose waves to her hips. Usually it's up, braided tightly or otherwise tucked out of her way, but now it is a half-tamed halo tucked precariously with live spring violets.

Despite being so gussied up, she is still a petite, freckly wild deer ambling into a gathering of wolves. Usually, elves are prey animals, even when they are serving drinks. Tonight, she hopes to begin to change that.

Her lessons with Araceli and advice from Benevenuta are paying off here. After a short time, she begins to relax. She realizes she knows what to do now. She is pleasant and outgoing, an unusual change that she thinks she enjoys, but it will wear on her if she has to do it all the time. Just get through tonight, then. If she can get even one noble to have a short and amicable conversation with her, she will consider the night a success.