“Oh goodness, my apologies,” the ballerina had turned her face up to the pair who just came in, not-quite-sheepish as blue eyes flicked from the young lady to the gentleman, and she hastily retreated her legs under her costume’s skirt. Preening over one’s ankles and calves was less than couth behavior at a public event such as this, but then, she certainly hadn’t expected people to come through the side door to this side room, so far removed from the main party area.

Perhaps they were a new couple? All bright eyes and soft smiles, like they had been having a lovely conversation. Sophia didn’t hate love birds, per se, but New Years in particular was a very difficult time for her to swallow as this was when her husband passed.

The young woman waved away her apology like it was an outrageous statement– “Oh not at all Miss! I adored your performance earlier, I was hoping I might be able to say so in person…!” The sentiment drew a genuine smile across the dancer’s face. They exchanged introductions and little pleasantries, and as their conversation carried on her eyes lingered over the streaks of white powder that had seemed to settle into the lady’s hair and outfit. Poor girl, she shouldn’t go to the rest of the party like this, certainly not with a new potential paramour! Her makeup had smudged a bit around her eyes, as well. Goodness, that is no proper way to ring in the new year.

Sophia made a sympathetic noise– “I see the sugar cloud caught you both too,” she observed, and Ida’s hand flitted to her own hair, a bit self-conscious. “Oh it looks perfectly fine. Festive,” Sophia quickly reassured with a grin, and unthinkingly reached out to touch Ida’s arm. “Though I do have a charm that can help take this all off, if you’d like,” she carried on, “Perhaps your company will excuse us for a quick venture to the powder room?”

---