"My mum thought she heard the voice of one of my childhood friends, Zachary de Barticot," the girl explained, her French accent especially marked as she shifted between English and French. "He's a rather important person in the community as is his family, non, and he does a lot of traveling so I haven't seen him since the last soiree..." Her voice trailed off and she blushed a bit.

"Allyriane and I have... matters... to discuss with Mr. de Barticot and his family. A very urgent and pressing matter, indeed." The girl's mother nodded importantly and sniffed again and started walking in the direction of the circular rack of clothes.

"Oh, Ally, dear, look at these lovely dresses!"