@Grace | Every Face A Different Shade
The first thing Burton notices about the Masquerade Ball is that it seems a lot busier than the Winter Ball; perhaps it was too close to the holidays and people visiting family and friends over Christmas. However, the gym seems to be swarming with students and teachers alike, in such a flurry of colours and masks that the whole world looks as though it's exploded into colour. The second thing he notices is that now he's actually a part of the action instead of watching it from the sidelines, he can see everyone for who they are, rather than just students having a good time. He recognises a group of his sophmore students in the corner of the room, chatting near the buffet bar yet across the way there's Kallan and her friends in the centre of the dancefloor, partying like it was 1899.
Grace is stood at the side of the room near the drinks, looking a little lonely - Burton decides to go and see her, make sure that it's not becoming too much for her. He doesn't remember seeing her at the Winter Ball even though he mentioned it to her once, perhaps. Maybe parties like this one aren't her scene. "Grace?" he asks, conscious of the fact that his mask is doing little to conceal his identity. "Hi - you alright there?"