Hazel nodded. Three days wasn't bad.

"Alright," she said. "Keep in mind there's a formal social in a few days, and I have to be there." She wanted to make sure Brit knew where she was, just in case.

Brit nodded. Her aunt had told her about that, and had told her she was expected to attend. Brit hadn't made up her mind yet if she was going to escape before then or not. This social wasn't so bad, after all.

Not something she'd do all the time, certainly, but not bad.

"I'll be sure and let Seamus know you send your greetings," Hazel teased her friend softly. Seamus had been moping about ever since Brit had left, and would likely continue to do so until she returned again.

Brit blushed a bit but didn't deny it, instead smiling a little shyly. It wasn't like she'd actually let Hazel know she and Seamus were involved, at least somewhat.

Not that it had been all that hard to tell, but still.

Hazel grinned a bit, but left the subject be. She couldn't begrudge Brit finding happiness with someone, not at all.

One of the other ladies decided to butt in, having seen the two of them talking. Or, rather, having seen Hazel talking and Brit seemingly be nonresponsive.

"You know, it's rude to not converse when someone's talking to you," she said, narrowing her eyes just a fraction at Brit, who looked very startled.

"It is only rude if I find it to be so," Hazel replied promptly, looking at the lady who had approached, "as I am the one who was speaking to her." She wasn't going to tolerate anyone getting on Brit's case, not when she had anything to say about it.

"Yes, but she might form bad habits that way. I know you haven't been to events before, but there are rules of etiquette to be observed." The lady looked at Brit.

Brit turned red and looked down and off to the side, shrinking just a little. She was not used to this.

Hazel gave the lady a Look.

"Miss DeWinter happens to be a friend of mine," she said. "She is not 'forming bad habits,' she is merely doing what she can, and I thank you to forgo any further comments on the subject."

The lady sniffed and turned away to some other conversation to start gossiping.

Brit, on the other hand, looked vaguely relieved and slightly worried. Now more than ever she wished she had pen and paper. She pointed covertly at the lady before looking around at all the others with a questioning look.

"They don't know that you can't talk," Hazel said softly. "Just that you don't. Or won't. I can let them know, but it's up to you."

Brit hesitated at that. It would make things easier, because then they shouldn't badger her too much, but at the same time it was kind of personal. Everyone at the ranch knew because it was unavoidable. But she didn't know these people, and she wasn't sure she wanted them knowing either.

"Nothing is forcing you to say anything," Hazel said. She waved distractedly at a servant who came to refill her teacup. "Keep the secret as long as you wish."

Brit nodded and finished off her tea. It was good, but not her favorite. It was too light and floofy for her tastes. She liked stronger teas, really, but this would do.

Then she spotted Kaladin and her eyebrows shot up.

Hazel noticed her expression and followed her gaze until she saw Kaladin. Then she smiled and blushed slightly.

"He offered to be my escort," she said. "And it was a good opportunity for him to meet the other lords on even footing."

Brit smiled, very pleased with that turn of events, and nodded, patting Hazel's hand. She was really glad for the two of them, and she wanted to make sure they stayed together and didn't have any problems. Because, really, they worked very well together.

"He's the one who said it was probably time to start hosting my own social events again," Hazel commented. "And he's right. I just hope I'm ready for them."

Brit smiled reassuringly. She'd do what she could to help out, if there was anything to do, but she figured Hazel would be fine. If she could keep track of the ranch business by herself, essentially, Brit figured a party would be no problem.

Hazel caught the smile and grinned back a bit.

"Thanks," she said. "So, do you think it's a good idea to use the ladies as a test run for the pygmies?"

Brit nodded vigorously. The ladies would be an excellent indicator, because if they could like the little things than anyone could.

"Alright," Hazel said. "If they go over well, then we'll take them with us to the next Expo to sell alongside everything else." She relaxed as she talked ranch business with Brit. It was familiar.

Brit nodded. That sounded fair enough, and familiar. She knew they'd have some other animals to sell at the Expo, and she was even more excited for this next one. She held up three fingers. Three more months until the next Expo. There was usually one pre-hatching season for the off-season breeders, and then one after the normal breeding season to advertise and sell off any leftover animals the ranch didn't need or couldn't take care of.

Hazel nodded. She knew when the Expo was going to be, and had planned accordingly. All of their numbers would be in by then, and they could take care of the final head count.

"We'll have to see how many kittens Lyra gives us, too," she commented. "Kaladin estimates five, but we won't know for sure until they arrive."

Brit blinked before she grinned broadly. She'd completely forgotten about that. She tilted her head to the side, trying to figure out how to ask if Hazel planned to sell them. After a moment she twirled her finger to get more information.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do about them yet," Hazel admitted. "Nekomatas are notoriously picky, after all. It might be hard to sell them."