Blessed Totem

Otto glanced around the fancy ballroom, feeling somewhat bored.

The only thing that kept him awake was the fact that he was not currently located inside a safe zone.

In other words, there was a distinct possibility that he could be attacked at any time.

So far, there was no sign whatsoever of Verasha. Or, at least, if she was present, she had not signaled Otto in any way, nor could he find her in the small crowd mingling throughout the ballroom.

Glanes was also unfortunately absent…Otto was forced to politely mingle with increasingly dull challengers before the event began.

His irritation began to bubble up.

Was it only the newcomers to the venue that arrived right before the evening began? While the 'regulars' were forced to sweat to find conversation topics for over half an hour?

But at last, to Otto's great relief, his prayers were quickly answered.

The woman on stage- the same woman, in fact, as last time- said her piece.