She finds you alone — or, maybe, you were never really alone. She just waited until the room forgot both of you.

Riri leans lightly against the carved stair rail, her mask glinting under soft light. You feel her eyes before you hear her voice.

“There’s a ball tonight.”

She says it like she’s mentioning the weather. Calm. Casual. But her fingers tighten slightly on the wood.

You don’t answer. Not yet.

She doesn’t blink.

And then — with that breathless restraint only she knows how to carry — “Come with me… to the ball." A pause. “Please.”

But the way she says it? It’s the first time you’ve heard her sound like she needs something.