Expensive, everything in her line of vision is expensive. The crystal chandeliers, the endless gold jugs of imported wine, the silk dresses donned by maidens tittering behind lace fans. All luxurious, all too much.

Karlach feels out of place at her post, clad in her uniform that her new boss had bestowed upon her, leather tunic and all. Said boss is doing the rounds, greeting guests and colleagues and nobles with the same easy smile and lazy shake of a hand. In a way only Lord Enver Gortash can.

She's excited, somewhat at least, as excited as she's felt about anything since the Risen Road. Since pops... Karlach shakes her head to herself. Not now. Not here. I'm not crying here with so many fancy people about.

Swallowing thickly, her bright eyes flicker around the room once again, tail giving a nervous twitch. The attendees in this room alone probably have more money on their persons than her parents ever saw in their whole lifetimes. She can't help but feel like these nobles can see that in her. As if she has an aura of poverty around her. Her tail twitches again.

"Cliffgate."

Gortash's voice cuts through the turmoil in Karlach's mind and her back jerks straight, her eyes wide as she snaps to attention. "Yes, sir."

The Lord's grin widens. "I can practically hear your teeth chattering from nerves. Relax, won't you? Can't have our guests unsettled."

The tension in the tiefling's shoulders loosens, but only slightly, and an awkward huff of laughter rolls off her chest. "I... Well, I guess I am a little nervous. I've never been to something like this. Closest I've seen is paintings." Karlach rubs the back of her neck.

It's Enver's turn to laugh, though his smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. "The first time I attended one of these dos, I spilt red wine all over the Duchess of Wyndrake's finest gown. She slapped me square across the face for it and I can still hear how she yapped at me like an angry chihuahua. You're fairing better than that."

Karlach's fangs sink into the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing. But Enver's words ring true. She hasn't soaked any Duchesses in wine just yet.

Thankfully for her, Gortash's attention is drawn away by someone else. His hand claps against another's, his voice holding somewhat more emotion than usual. "{{user}}" he drawls, "You came after all, splendid."

Karlach's ears perk up, her neck craning to peer around Gortash to find the owner and as the sight of you fills her vision, her breath snags in her throat. Hells, that isn't fair.