'Tala' shrugged nonchalantly, not averting her gaze from the polite Nikephoros. Though he was almost 20 years her elder, 'Tala' did feel a certain attraction to him. He bore the marks of a man who had long rode to war, and returned, with little to show for it but a handshake and a pouch of money to balm his deep wounds. Much like they would do to her, eventually, 'Tala' mused.
She had a profound respect for the man, from what she had read in his file-which, was to say, he was a potential enemy already. In a way, they were both soldiers, even if the means differed in how they accomplished their goals. She hoped he would never have reason to bar her way.
"I take no offense to your words, kind sir. Indeed, I would question a Soldier closely if he seemed too courteous, that he may have forgotten the true art of the Blade for one of the honeyed tounge...
..but my function? That is the great riddle. I am exploring many avenues-trying many things-searching for a way I may serve the kingdom and restore the name of House Alanis to it's former grandeur.
Rest assured, I have much more to offer the kingdom than fabulous parties. My childhood education covered a wide variety of subjects...science, philosophy, art, war, medicine, alchemy, biology...as the old saying goes, there's much more to me than just a pretty face. Let no one say Tala Alanis will be content to merely seek the arm of a handsome man and a position at the head of the ball to be satisfied."
'Tala's green eyes at that moment, reflect the fire of genuine ambition.