Aversa was used to debilitating blows to her self esteem, but she couldn’t seem to remember a time it felt quite as potent as it did then. At the talk of a grand ball, she had been so excited. She even bought a new dress! One that was a deep wine red that hugged her curves and laced up her back. She had hoped she could strike the balance between stunning and approachable this time. Most of the time, she tried to intimidate men before they could make any moves on her, to assert her dominance. But this time, she sat patiently, eyes on the ballroom floor, waiting for some kind gent to happen by and ask her if she’d like to dance. 

Song after song finished, and to her shock and dismay, none did. She could barely hide her disappointment, staring down into her drink and wishing she simply didn’t exist. She might as well not have. She felt invisible. 

When she heard the soft voice asking her if she wanted to dance, she assumed it wasn’t meant for her -- that she’d look up excited and expecting, only for another girl nearby to be snatched up and brought to the dance floor. That is, until she saw the dainty hand outstretched in front of her.

It was... her. The beautiful woman from before, in the bar! SHE was here?! Aversa blushed madly once more, embarrassed that she had been found again with a drink in her hand. But the lithe dancer in front of her didn’t seem to mind. She put it aside in a hurry.

Natasha took a deep breath, today had been a long battle, but it was over. Thankfully everyone had made it out alive, and the injuries weren’t too bad. Once she had found out that the area they were resting in had natural hot springs she couldn’t help but find herself drawn to one.