Mynah

Mynah's chaperone at the gala is a young man named Hampton. He wears a cream suit with a black shirt, both slightly at odds with his turquoise hair and especially its pink and black streaks. His disposition is cheery – he quips that on the good days, he helps the charity, and on the bad days, they help him. He's a little awkward at the 'ball' aspect of the evening, he freezes up a bit as she loops her arm through his and she catches him almost staring at the plunging neckline of her dress more than once, but it's hard to take offence.

Now they mingle, partly so that Mynah and the other celebrity guests can be Seen, partly so that the people the gala is actually for – the young people who have worked with and been supported by the host charities – actually get a chance to meet their heroes. It's a bustling event, the hall grand and bright and noisy, but the mood is warm. Though the dance floor has been cleared, no-one's dancing, and the band are playing background music only.

Through the crowd, Mynah catches a glimpse of purple feathers and her heart turns to stone. It's only a glimpse, not enough to be sure but at the same time she is sure. As she and Hampton move slowly through the crowd, she keeps her head up, knowing it makes her seem distracted. There's another flicker of purple, and then another of that incomparable smile.

Then she loses track, and for a little while is able to focus her charm and skill on the people she's being introduced to. It's a little easier to smile, to laugh, even to tease Hampton, who gets starstruck by the lilac-haired Marquess that Mynah introduces as an old friend – another veteran of many such galas and balls.

But then-

"Hey, Mynah."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Mynah turns to face Phoebe, hoping that the flush racing through her isn't too betrayed by the cut of her dress. The dragon rider stands there in an immaculate tuxedo, bow tie tied so perfectly the edges look like blades. Her left hand is tucked casually in her trouser pocket, and the fingers of her right are tangled through those of a young girl with copper hair whose head only comes up to Phoebe's elbow.

Phoebe looks down at her companion. "Anya, meet Mynah Darling."

The girl is looking up at Mynah with eyes and mouth wide. Mynah knows the expression well, knows how to respond, bends down slightly to offer Anya a hand and a smile and the kind of conversation a tired, overwhelmed child can not just handle but enjoy. The girl is more comfortable with Hampton – clearly they know each other – and then it falls to Mynah to introduce Phoebe to the boy.

"Hampton, this is Phoebe Tenryuu, the dragon racer."

"Hi, Hampton," Phoebe says immediately, with a grace that surprises Mynah. She's so used to Phoebe seeming out of place and awkward at parties, but dimly she remembers that the other woman had an aristocratic upbringing. Phoebe doesn't offer to shake Hampton's hand, her right still holding Anya's, but raises her left in a sort of welcoming wave.

"Nice to meet you." Hampton looks from Phoebe to Mynah, and Mynah's gut sinks as she realises how clearly he's reading the tension between them. "You… know each other?"

Somehow, Phoebe manages to laugh, and it doesn't sound even slightly forced, but she's looking at Mynah, not Hampton, as she answers. "We did an advertising campaign together a few weeks ago. I wanted to thank you for helping me cope with the studio, I had no idea what I was doing."

"Glad I could help, really." Mynah squeezes the words out through a tight throat. "I'm sorry about…"

Phoebe cuts her off with a quick shake of her head, too much to hope that Hampton won't notice. "Don't worry about it, I know it wasn't your decision. Anyway, we need to be moving on, Anya has a curfew but she was desperate to meet you." She looks down to her charge. "Weren't you, Anya?"

The girl nods – she looks very young to be up this late, especially if she, like Hampton, is sometimes in the care of one tonight's host charities. Phoebe helps her make her goodbyes and disappears back into the crowd. Mynah watches the point they disappeared at until Hampton politely coughs.