Another Year, Another Hall ((24--New Year's Ball))

[qualapec]

Vala nodded politely. She couldn't help but notice his accent- it was gruff, but it sounded carefully toned down...like polished stones, made from something rough but softened. "Thank you, Mr. Hollister."

[victoriousscarf]

Mac nodded again. "Of course, enjoy your evenin', you two." He eyed the Commissioner and moved past him, intent on the next guests. His fur was even more on edge as each minute passed, bringing them closer to midnight.

Sonya watched him go, turning his head slightly before back to Vala. "Well? Any impressions on our esteemed host?" he asked, heading for the buffet table, where he intended to plant himself for the night.

[qualapec]

"Well," Vala started, thinking as she went. "He has scars on his knuckles, and he doesn't talk like someone who came from one of the older families. But he doesn't go overboard on politeness or interior design."

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya nodded. "He is new money. No one's really sure where he came from, that is for sure." He glanced around. "You sure he does not go overboard with interior design?" he asked with a faint smile. "At least it is mostly tasteful." He glanced over the vase of white tiger lilies on one of the tables, finally reaching the buffet table and planting himself in front of it. "The scars though, I did not notice those."

[qualapec]

Vala shrugged. "I kind of have an eye for things that look out of place." Vala asked quietly, still conversationally so as not to draw attention. "I mean, it's not uncommon for toms to get into fights but...you don't get that kind of scarring from one or two scrapes." She shrugged. "Or he could have just been a ruffian when he was younger. It doesn't necessarily mean anything."

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya nodded again. "Rather. It is still something good to keep in mind."

[qualapec]

Vala looked around, eyed the cats in the ballroom as she dished herself up some fish from the buffet. "So, who are the other major hitters in the room?"

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya looked around, taking a sip of the sparkling cider he had found on the table. "Well, a lot of heavy movers. See over there? That's the mayor, and there's a lot of business cats around, like see, there is Gilbert Morgan over there, he is another one of those cats that have shadowy origins and a lot of money, though as far as anycat can tell, is fairly legitimate." He looked around again and blanched slightly. "... And the ADA appears to be here," he said, seeing the mottled tom from a distance, his fur standing a little on end.

[qualapec]

Vala nodded, smiling a little. "Is he so unpopular with the force? You look on edge."

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya shrugged. "He is popular enough with the force. It is my own personal opinion that he is a vampire."

[amanika]

It didn't take Tantomile long to pick out the comissioner and his plus one, she eyed the queen with interest for a moment, trying to place if she had seen her at the station, before deciding it would be better just to ask for an introduction. She breezed over to the pair, "Good evening Comissioner."

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya blinked over to the mottled queen, half surprised to see her, though he probably shouldn't have been. "Ah, Dr. Zimmerman," he greeted her. "Good evening." One ear flickered at the thought of what he had recently said.

[amanika]

Tantomile gave him a smile, which she extended to Vala, along with a paw to shake, "And good evening to you as well, I don't believe we've met."

[qualapec]

Vala held out a paw to accept Zimmerman's handshake. "Good evening," she greeted politely. "And I don't think we have. I just moved here."

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya glanced between them. "Ah, yes, Dr. Tantomile Zimmerman, this is Vala Tortoiseshell," he said, introducing them.