With the band already in full swing, the atmosphere of the evening was set. There would be dancing and conversations; people enjoying one another's company, and catching up after so long to share stories of their most recent endeavors. Maria had a list of her own tucked neatly in the beaded purse of her mind, and pressed into her red-lipped smile, ready for whatever conversations she would have herself thrown in.
All in everything, Maria was an excellent conversationalist. Her observant nature had instilled in her a feigned sincerity and heightened charisma, allowing her to draw a crowd and hold it tightly between the clutches of her silk glove. All things considered, working a crowd was lovely, but all she really wanted to do was dance.
Her hands gripped lightly at her younger sister's shoulders and she gave them a squeeze. Her smile was in place already, though not the typical, courteous one she would hold with others, something sweet and sisterly, if not a bit coy, as she leaned in to Annabeth and gestured out to the already brimming banquet hall.
"I'm afraid you're my date tonight, Anna." She told her, with a small sigh on her tongue as it clicked against the roof of her mouth, and her smile -- that smile -- remained pressed into her features. Maria removed her hands from her sister's shoulders, and let one guide her by the elbow towards the table that had their names written neatly in an elegant hand on finely printed place cards.
[ ;; I hope this is alright, darling! If not, let me know, and I could try something else. ]