And the next chapter is following!
I probably won't be able to keep on updating in that speed but for now, it works :)
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Disclaimer: I still only own the storyline and my OC's

May 1803

The Fine Art of Conversation

Laura Roslin

She had suddenly felt eyes on herself, somebody's curious look on her skin. It wasn't however that disgusting slimy kind of look, but rather a look of genuine interest, that much she could tell, even without turning around. It was that kind of look that made her tingle with curiosity and anticipation, so she couldn't resist but search the person's eyes. When Laura found the man, she was surprised. She could not even say why, but she had not expected that kind of man staring at her. With "that kind of man" she meant a man who obviously was closely aquainted with Ellen Tigh, if the way she stood next to him was any indication. Which, thinking about it again, it was probably not. He was not handsome in the usual kind of way, but there was something about him that other men did not have. She simply could not say what it was. Next to him stood a young woman, quite obviously ignored by the Tighs. As a conclusion she must belong to the strange man, but how were they related? They did not exactly look like father and daughter, his hair pitch black and hers a light blonde, but could she be his wife? There must be nearly thirty years between them, Laura wagered, but well, in this society everything was possible. Apart from being an unmarried woman.

Ms Roslin had lifted an eyebrow at the dark-haired man before, daring him to make the next move. To herself she could admit that she would be disappointed, would he not come over. Nevertheless, Laura would definitely not submit herself to Mrs Thigh's endless talk, so she would not join his group at the other side of the room. Additionally, her good manners forbid her to talk to this gentleman without being properly introduced. A shame!

Turning towards the huge buffett, she was intending to get herself a new glass of this fabulous alcoholic drink (balls were so much more agreeable if one was slightly drunk) when she nearly ran into the blonde woman she had seen before. "Excuse me!", she blurted out, more a reflex than a proper excuse, but the younger one did not seem utterly upset. Instead the girl simply smiled, an open, friendly but also slightly cynical smile that showed too much teeth for this kind of surrounding. "No harm done." Without so much of a second glance, she picked up a glass and looked towards Laura again. "So what do you think about this ball?" There was a special tone in her voice, a slight provocation, as if she was daring the older woman to say something ridiculous or stupid. The older lady's lips turned upwards even more. "You do know that you are not supposed to talk to me as we have not been introduced?", she asked, her question somewhere between real and rethorical. Her eyes were sparkling with mirth as she took another sip from her drink. Kara shrugged her shoulders. "Why are you answering then?" "Maybe because I am bored and you seem like an interesting person to talk to", Laura retorted, "that probably also answers what I do think about this party. I hope your evening has been delightful so far Miss...?"

"Miss Karolina Thrace", the young one answered, now remembering to curtsy. However, it was a rather poor affair and Roslin had to bite back a laugh. "My evening has been mostly occupied by Ellen Tigh." Her slightly disgusted face made clear what she thought of that, morphing into a wide grin when Laura nodded knowingly. "As she told me your name, Ms Roslin, I am sure we can count that as a formal introduction", she added cheekily. A handsome young man was purposeful striding towards them, stopping in front of Kara and bowing to the ladies. When the blonde merely nodded, the older woman became slightly confused. "Ms Roslin, this is my brother Leopold", Kara remembered their discussion from before. Lee bowed again, followed by the most elegant curtsy by Laura. "If you don't mind I would take my sister to dance the next set with me", he said charmingly, making her laugh. "Of course. Amuse yourself and thank you very much for this introduction Karolina", she answered, stressing "introduction" so much that it made Kara giggle and Lee look from one to the other in confusion.

While they were dancing, Laura ressumed her walk through the ballroom, chatting with some aquaintances and sucessfully avoiding Amiral Cain and his wife. Fortunately she could start a very interesting discussion about current political developments with Dr Balter, even though they often had different opinions. She also did not really like him as a person, found him narcistic, weak and vain, but he was delivering food for thought on a regular basis. After a while he disappeared into the shadows with Miss Six, but Laura was the last one to blame somebody for improper behaviour of that sort. Not when her own affair was standing over there next to some other politicians, sending her longing looks from time to time that she decided to ignore. Their time was over, she had made that clear.

Suddenly, she saw Miss Thrace coming towards her and she was not alone. Walking next to her was the interesting man from before who was still looking at her as if she was a puzzle waiting to be solved. Well, maybe she was. "Ms Roslin, may I introduce you to Commander William Adama", Karolina started, quite obviously enjoying her role. A different last name, that was interesting. Were they not related at all? Maybe this little group was a whole mystery in itself. When the man looked at her, Laura found herself lost in the most striking pair of blue eyes she had ever seen. They were the colour of the ocean, deep and soulful, they were what gave this face so much charisma. "Ms Roslin", he started, his deep gravely voice sending shivers down her spine, "I think you have already met my son Leopold and my adoptive daughter Karolina. I am sorry for any impoliteness that might have been directed at you." Laura smiled back at him, one of her rare real smiles that made her whole face light up. "Oh there is nothing you have to be sorry for, I took no offence. She is a very spirited girl, isn't she?", the woman added, looking at Kara who was dancing again with Leopold. Her dancing was a lot better than her curtsies, probably because she enjoyed it. The movements did not look as graceful and refined as the ones of a lot of other girls, but that was a matter of practice. "Oh yes, spirited indeed", he answered with a fond smile, however it was accompanied by a concerned sigh.

Thank you for reading!
Random Regency Fact:
In Jane Austen's time, people were only allowed to talk or to dance when they had been formally introduced by a mutual aquaintance. Once aquainted, one always had to greet each other, if not it was called a "cut".

Up next: Some more talk between Bill and Laura