Everything was as it should be down to the last crumb on that godforsaken cake. Evalina had spent the better part of the last 24 hours making sure everything was perfect for her annual Halloween Party, including knowing exactly where her husband was at all times. That way she'd be able to make sure she was on the opposite side of the room from him as much as possible. But society was prone to gossip, and so Evalina made sure to make it seem like her talents as a hostess were what kept her separated from her beloved, as opposed to overall disgust.

Indeed, her duties as a hostess were what kept her from her beloved; just not Henry. In addition to his duties to keeping an eye on her husband, her raven, Vanth, was also in charge of making sure her most esteemed guest was kept comfortable and happy. The thing about ravens was that they were incredibly smart. So many people took them to be simple pretty playthings all gleaming black and covered in mystique, when in fact they were the most intelligent creatures Evalina had laid eyes on. Given the fact that Elladora was a noticeable figure from afar and the fact that she was a constant presence in Eva's library, it wasn't hard to make sure Vanth knew Elladora by sight.

It was thus that his mistress had transfigured the raven a small mask of his own and light as a feather. She'd dressed him quite aptly as the Plague Doctor, and instructed him to keep an eye out for Elladora.

She was out in the garden, pacing and growing increasingly agitated. Ella should be here by now, and she knew full well Eva wanted her opinion on how the evening was going. Everyone would, of course, tell her it was a success, but their sycophantic pretty words would fall upon ears trained to sniff out the emptiness of high society whisperings. There was a flutter of wings and Evalina spun around, prepared to scold Vanth for coming to her empty-handed when Elladora appeared not far behind him.

Though she wore a mask to hide her face, her eyes flashed in mild irritation. Irrational irritation of course - Elladora was a woman of society and despite how well Eva knew she hated it, appearances must be kept and Elladora was most likely obliged to at least stop to chat with a few members of society. Things would look weird if she'd gone straight to the hostess, wouldn't they?

Whatever emotions she was feeling while waiting for Elladora subsided into relief as she drank up the sight of her best friend. Her mouth split into a crimson smile to match her gown, and she curtseyed politely and respectfully. " 'Twas but a pleasure," she said, in the honeyed tones society women adopted when attempting to appear humble. "As long my guests are happy, so am I."

Of course, she'd carefully picked her outfit for the night - while women of society rarely wore red, tonight was an exception and she knew her status would far outweigh whatever mild scandal the color of her dress would bring forth. Evalina laughed, her smile turning into a knowing smirk. "And your goal tonight wasn't to do the same to me, Ms. Black?" she volleyed back, raising her eyebrows and taking the time to let her dark eyes rake over the ravishing figure in front of her.