[ It is not quite strictly, a gathering for herself. Oh, but it is in her honour, of course it always is, but these things never are strictly for her. If they were, Emily would be here. If they were, Corvo would not be so dour. No, these gatherings are always a demonstration. Displays of power not in steel, but in wealth, in prosperity. In the ability to be untouchable. That which as an Empress, she must always be. Above, beyond, she does not bleed unless it is the bluest of blood, that is what they always must think of her.

It does however, get exhausting. Lessons that had become exactness, after awhile. Of holding her head just so, of the curl of her long fingers over the chair that sat just that little bit higher than everyone else. But eventually sitting and nodding and being forced to greet every young lord or lady, as they sighed over the jewels on the bare throat and the way her fingers crooked and beckoned with only the slightest suggestions to make men cower. Such displays of loyalty were important.

They were an opportunity, to make nice in plain view, to show inclinations and declare things without saying as much. Which granted, half the empire knew her eccentricities, her stubborn refusal to adhere. She had an heir that she refused to marry for, and a protector not even from Gristol. It's what made them nervous most often. Which is why they think he's here of course. Just another oddity. An elf, and not even one of her own empire, not that it mattered, she had decided it with her personal invitation, and that meant in all the language she wasn't supposed to use -- they had to shut their damn mouths about it. Besides, whether they chose to believe it, or even if he did, she had business. So she leaves him to be introduced last, not out of snubbing him, but rather out of her own interest that when he's presented to her with her head high, she tilts, smiles once, brief, hardly there at all and lifts her hand to beckon him to her. Then she stands herself ( no one was to help an Empress do anything ) and it's with the expectation that he will give her his arm to take. ]

Inquisitor. Will you take a turn about the balconies me? I require some fresh air.

[ Of course it's an order, but at the very least, a nicely phrased one. ]