Masquerade [Kuskovo Estate]

[Daniil]

Ever the embodiment of suave insincerity, Daniil flashed a smile that could disarm even the most cautious of hearts. He offered Zixin a hand, the grip firm, the smile never reaching his eyes. "Daniil Tarasovich,” he began, his voice smooth, laced with an accent that hinted at his affluent upbringing, “The prodigal guest graces us with his presence. I've heard whispers of you, Mr. Kao, but you know how stories grow in the telling. Tragedy, you say, Sofia? Now, that's a heavy cloak to wear in such a gathering. But here, among friends,” he gestured broadly, encompassing the opulent room with its masked revelers as if he were performing before a jury, "we prefer lighter attires, do we not?”

Turning slightly, he drew Elena closer with a proprietary hand at the small of her back. "And speaking of attires, let me not make the unforgivable mistake of not introducing you to the evening's crowning jewel, Elena. A vision, wouldn't you agree?” His tone suggested he expected no disagreement, his gaze briefly flitting to Sofia, a silent wink to indicate her obvious superiority. Elena, for her part, offered a demure smile, perhaps a touch overshadowed by the grandeur of her company, particularly Sofia’s.

"But let's not dwell on sorrows tonight,” Daniil continued, reclaiming the conversation with the ease of a man accustomed to the spotlight. "Moscow thrives on resilience, on the spectacular, and on the sheer force of will to turn every tragedy into a triumph. I trust, Mr. Kao, your story will be no different. After all, tonight, you are in the company of the Custody’s finest, Sofia’s illustrious family, no less.”