It was hot in the auditorium where the ball was being held. Toulouse pulled a turquoise fan out of her bag and snapped it open. It was too warm outside to have this many people packed together inside, much less to wear a mask. Hers had been sent to her by her grandmother while she was on a trip to Venice, but now it served more of a purpose than decoration in her room. She was sweating under it though, and didn’t feel attractive at all. What would they all look like by the end of this when the masks came off? She shuddered at the thought. Deciding that she didn’t really want to wait around to be asked to dance, she headed towards the doors that lead outside, hoping the night was cooler than the dance. She felt a tug as she navigated the busy room. Someone had stepped on her long dress. “Hey! Excuse me, you’re on my dress. Do you mind?” She asked, looking over her shoulder. She didn’t dare move, for fear of ripping it.