Raven ordered two glasses of scotch from the bar that was installed against one wall of Tristan's ballroom, snagging a flute of champagne from a nearby table for herself. Balancing the two glasses of scotch in one hand and the champagne flute in the other, she made her way back through the swirling mass of elites.

"You look like you could use a hand." A woman whose flawless makeup skimmed ten years from the age that Raven knew her to be stepped forward. Her platinum-blonde hair was coiffed half-up and half-down in an artless array of cascading curls, her dark eyes outlined dramatically in black.

Lips curving, Raven inclined her head slightly. "This balancing act is indeed a practice in dexterity, but one that I could use."

The older woman merely smiled as they approached Tristan and Aaron. They were surrounded by a group of elites, Acacia standing reclusively off to the side.

"Here you go." Raven handed the glasses of scotch to Tristan and Aaron respectively, switching her flute of champagne to her other hand in order to make the transfer more efficient. But the champagne flute slipped from Raven's fingers as Aaron leaned forward to hug the blonde-haired woman, his shoulder brushing hers and knocking her slightly off balance.

A hand shot out, retrieving the champagne flute from the air moments after it left Raven's fingers, before more than a drop of liquid had spilled.

"I am the clumsiest person in the world!" Aaron exclaimed. "How lucky we are that Acacia has such swift reflexes." He flashed a grateful smile at his sister before turning ruefully back to Raven. "I do apologize for that."

Smiling easily, Raven waved a graciously dismissive hand. "There is nothing to apologize for," she said, accepting her champagne flute from Acacia with another smile. "Although I am indeed grateful for your swift reflexes."

Acacia inclined her head stiffly. "It was nothing." She leaned forward, kissing the blonde-haired woman on the cheek and effectively dismissing Raven in the same motion. "Hello, Aunt Amber."

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A/N:

Once more, a Raven chapter that does not seem like much but will be of import in later times, I promise. For now, tell me what you think of this chapter, and of course, vote if you liked this installment ;) I look forward to reading your theories, either in the comments or PMs, and I will see you all next week!