Meeting

    Elegant music played in the background within a shining ballroom. Grand, glimmering chandeliers bestowed light to the gallery below. Tables lined the walls of the ballroom while a space was left in the middle of the room. All the attending guests were dressed to impress. The men sported black suits and dress pants with red ties. While the women all wore flowing pearl dresses. Clusters throughout the room engaged in conversation. Those who weren't were either observing the other guests or enjoying the refreshments. There seemed to be a certain tension. Indescribable, but ever present.

    Until suddenly, the doors opened at the top of the staircase and everyone's attention shifted to the new party. A man dressed in similar attire to all the other men with slight but distinct differences. Instead of a red tie, his was off white with gold features and in his breast pocket, a red rose. Everyone stood at his presence with glasses in hand. The man descended the stairs gracefully, almost floating down. The tension seemed to melt away and the air became livelier with anticipation as the man neared the bottom.

    Once he fully descended, a waiter extended a tray with a drink to the man. He responded with a smile while he accepting the glass. He then raised his glass and the whole room followed in suit.