#(Sonia vc: Let me talk to you about demons ghosts and murders! Do you have a favorite serial killer?)

[more-than-a-princess]

She felt the shame begin to turn over in her stomach: Sonia only had a very small idea of the other traditional Japanese theater styles. But she refused to let it show on her face, giving her dance partner the same serene expression she'd worn for the duration of their dance. "I'd like that," She found herself agreeing, without thinking much on it. "Perhaps you might assist me in putting us in touch? If it is not too much trouble."

She chose not to mention the inherited name. She knew something about nepotism to be sure, but it was likely their dancing friend worked hard to earn the title. Sonia, despite her own efforts, had simply won the genetic lottery. She could've been the laziest princess in the world and yet, she still probably would've been invited that evening. She could've cared far more for the gossip than the artifacts on display, but it wouldn't have mattered. Not to most of the people present: she was a princess. She had money, influence, and conventional attractiveness: when she'd tried to share her preferences for the antiques, particularly which ones she was most eager to arrange to be shipped to their temporary home, the organizers had only half paid attention before inquiring after future social commitments for her.

At least her partner didn't seem to mind the omission, or the spilled wine of their shoes. Sonia's eyebrows raised: she might have imagined it, but it could've been the first time they'd smiled all night, the moment the man was escorted swiftfully out of the ballroom. "Trust me, I wish I didn't attract the notoriety I do at times," She murmured in return. The dress was borrowed and exquisitely handmade: it was the right thing to do to save it. But the hand-painted silk worried her far less than the crown that seemed to follow her wherever she went. Even to events, like the gala that night, that didn't require a tiara to be worn (small favors, Sonia had thought, when she'd been briefed by her secretary about the invitation). "I apologize, however: I have a feeling that some of those photographs will be plenty visible. The best way I can phrase it is that it tends to be an occupational hazard in my company, school grounds aside."

Hope's Peak's security and school rules kept unwanted coverage on social media at bay, something Sonia was thankful for. She could at least live normally there, unlike the current spectacle that made up the evening. Maybe it was the way her partner still held onto her hand that seemed to surprise and delight several onlookers, phones covertly snapping away. Sonia could only sigh and smile: one, unflattering pictures were far more difficult to keep contained and two, they didn't seem to mind leading her away from the dance floor with such etiquette, if not care. If they didn't mind, then neither would she, falling into step at their side.

"I appreciate your outlook, and your discretion," She told them quietly, honestly. Deep down, Sonia doubted they were invited for the same reasons. They likely didn't have to address the entire crowd, be expected to pose for photographs, be kept to a schedule at a party, of all places. But she wouldn't put a damper on the mood: the rain had already tried that, and she'd managed to usher her new friend indoors in the end. It didn't matter, not yet anyway, that she still didn't know their name or where they went to school. Only that they were linked to the archery antiques that would too surely be bound for Novoselic soon. "And I shall accept your words as a compliment: thank you."

It was impolite to try and defer them, to insist she hardly fit such praise, as many upper class ladies did to assert their modesty. A princess would only behave with grace, kindness, and compassion, and that would entail accepting compliments as they came without a hint of boasting or pride. But Sonia had a hunch that this person did not bestow such kindness easily: thus, her acceptance had been truly sincere. "Is it too bold of me to say that you are wonderful company as well? I liked your macabre deer, Shika-san. And most people don't like it when I discuss books for too long."

Especially when the majority of them fell under the same category as macabre: grotesque, creepy, or otherwise unsettling, her manga and romance novel choices excluded. But the book on display fell into the former categories, something that encouraged an eager smile from the princess as they paused in front of it. Sonia did a quick subtraction in her head: if it was nearly 22:00, it meant it was 14:00 in Novoselic. That meant most of the security and PR staff were still working, and it also meant no one would think of calling her until at least 23:00, when the ball would end, demanding an explanation for the photos that were currently being sent out on various social media platforms. And with fifteen minutes before she was due to give her speech...

"I have a little time, at least until I'm to unmask for everyone," She grinned before turning to the book, its pages thoroughly yellowed and drawings half-faded away with age. "I love so many things about Japanese culture, but the stories of the yokai are very special. Unlike other cultures and religions that tend to only speak of the supernatural poorly, I admire how various yokai are honored and celebrated. From stories like these, to temples, to being incorporated into holidays. But this book, it's the first collection of many yokai stories into one: several featuring the oni, and then the tengu, the kappa, the tanuki, even some yurei as well. Alongside demons, Japan has many chilling ghost stories. They do frighten me so!"

Most people likely would've admitted such a thing with fear in their voice, in their eyes. But in Sonia's there was only passion, fascination, and interest, as if she couldn't get enough tales of demons and ghosts and the havoc they wreaked across Japan. If only due to the fact that whenever princess duties needed her to travel across the countryside, she made concentrated efforts to explore as many haunted destinations as she could.

"Drat, I'm not supposed to mention ghosts or demons. Or murder," She muttered, hoping the various pairs of ears, and mobile phones, hadn't caught that. "Please don't tell anyone: my family would be ashamed to know I brought up such topics here."

So, they attended the same school. That they hadn't met before this night wasn't so surprising, Shinobu supposed, given how she was practically a ghost haunting the hallways. It meant that they might see each other again after this night had concluded. Unusual, but she would concede not altogether unwanted. So far, Sonia seemed to be a less boring person than most.

"Yes, kabuki," she clarified with a small nod. "Her concentration is in kabuki, although I believe she also has a certain journeyman familiarity with noh, bunraku, and yose styles." If they all attended Hope's Peak Academy, then Anzu would meet her eventually. The nosy actress would certainly make sure of that, especially if she learned that Shinobu had spent any length of time with her without reducing her to tears, or without Shinobu having decided that she hated her.

"I believe she'd be quite glad to have you attend a performance, should the interest strike you. She's quite talented despite her age." Shinobu certainly wasn't proud of that airhead, but she wouldn't allow anyone, not even herself, to disparage her hard work and skill. "She's already inherited a stage name that dates from over three centuries ago." Of course, Anzu could speak of her own accolades better than Shinobu, but how else was she supposed to describe her as an actress? She was a generational talent, anyone with taste could see that much. Besides, Anzu could always use more age-appropriate friends aside from her.

As their conversation, and their dance, was interrupted by the spilling of wine, Shinobu was satisfied that they'd managed to ensure no damage to their partner's dress. Of course, she was even more satisfied to see the offending man swiftly grabbed and dragged from the fundraiser premises, prompting the briefest, faintest expression of what passed for a smile from Shinobu Yaguchi. At the other girl's gratitude, though, she dispensed with her cruel expression and returned her attention to Sonia.

"Your dress looks expensive, and you've clearly attracted a degree of attention from the other guests, Miss Nevermind," Shinobu murmured, casting a sideways glance at the gathered attendees who were still doing a rather poor job of hiding their texting, in her opinion. Perhaps they believed they were being stealthy, but even such minor movements across a room couldn't escape the farsighted vision of such a talented archer as her.

If they had their bow, they could likely shoot through three or four of the phones at once. A pity that they didn't. "It would be a shame for the remainder of the evening's photographs to be marred because of a fool's lack of sense."

With one hand still lightly holding Sonia's, Shinobu walked back in the direction of the book she'd pointed out. Being in that she'd noticed the man with the wine glass and taken the steps to avoid it, she hadn't had the opportunity to get a closer look. Sonia had mentioned being read the stories from a more recent edition, an idea that sparked some fragment of a memory. Had her mother read something like that to her and Masaru him? She remembered so little of the years before becoming the Yaguchi Dojo's heir.

"There's no need to explain yourself," she answered with a glance towards Sonia, before looking back to the book. "Your name is Miss Nevermind and you've been invited to attend the night's events, no differently than I have." Contextually, she had some ideas. Sonia was of European descent, a student at Hope's Peak Academy, and had been referred to in such a particular way by her attendant. That she was likely some sort of Ultimate Aristocrat or Ultimate Noblewoman seemed obvious enough, but Shinobu intended neither to kneel or prostrate herself, nor suddenly become self-conscious and exit the conversation.

That Sonia hadn't led with her title, even when speaking about Hope's Peak Academy, was proof enough that she had some reason to wish not to speak of it. Shinobu hadn't even given their name yet, so to take issue with someone else withholding something appeared to them hypocritical. "You're also quite a skilled dancer, someone I believe to have a genuine interest in the arts on display, and an interesting conversationalist." The word slipped out before Shinobu could catch it. She didn't use it lightly.

It wasn't something they could take back easily, so they'd simply take solace in the fact that Sonia wouldn't understand it for anything other than it seemed to be. "I find that information to be more relevant than the circumstances of your invitation. So rather than a lengthy explanation, it would be my preference to continue our conversation about this book, or the various other items on display." Out of the corner of her eye, Shinobu glanced back towards the other attendees, and Sonia's attendants. "Of course, only if it's possible for you to spare the time to do so, Miss Nevermind."