Brit tried to smile and failed. She was very uncomfortable, and still trying hard not to trip over her shoes or her gown. She gave Hazel a look that clearly asked how Hazel stood all this.

Hazel smiled slightly.

"Stay on the balls of your feet when you walk," she advised. "And hold the hem of your skirts about an inch off the floor, you don't step on them and ruin the dress that way." She shook out her own ruffled skirts as she spoke.

Brit nodded, balancing her weight forward a little. That was easier, but still not comfortable. Resigned, she decided she'd just be miserable for the rest of the night.

But at least she could stick close to Hazel.

"I'm surprised you're here," Hazel said after a few moments. "I didn't think you'd be at a formal social so soon."

Brit grimaced. It hadn't been her choice, but her aunt had insisted and bullied her into it. Brit was definitely ready to go home now. She looked at Hazel and quirked an eyebrow before she mimed writing.

Hazel blinked and felt her gown for a moment. She had a hidden pocket in it, but she hadn't been expecting to see Brit at all.

"I don't have anything," she said apologetically.

Brit shrugged. She hadn't been expecting Hazel to carry anything with her, so that was okay. She'd manage.

Although she did start when someone rang a bell to get everyone to sit for dinner.

"Time for the meal," Hazel commented. She hesitated for a moment. "As far as I know, seats are arranged, so I don't know how far apart we'll be sitting." She knew, however, she would be seated across from Kaladin. Ladies always sat across from their escorts.

Brit nodded, although she looked almost scared. Angry animals she could deal with. Lots of people in fancy get-up? Not a damn chance. She'd take an angry gryphon over this any day.

"Just stay calm," Hazel said. The bell rang again. "I have to go. I'll find you again after dinner."

Brit nodded and wandered over to her place, trying to look, and stay, calm.

Kaladin looked at Hazel from his spot across the table. "How's she doing?" he asked quietly.

"Overwhelmed," Hazel replied softly. "Even if she wanted to be here, it's obvious she's not ready for it."

"Maybe it's time to suggest she return home?" Kaladin asked quietly. No one else was paying attention to them anyway.

"After the meal," Hazel said. "It's high time she came back home with us, but I won't say anything until everyone is mingling again. It will be less noticeable that way."

Kaladin nodded and leaned back in his seat as dinner was served. He ate quietly, mostly noting what was going on around them and paying more attention to Hazel than anything else, although as covertly as he could manage.

Hazel made polite smalltalk when it was required of her, but otherwise was fairly quiet during dinner. Finally people started getting up in pairs to start mingling and having fun again.

Kaladin got up as well, moving around the table to pull Hazel's chair out for her, smiling a little. This he could get used to. He may not be good at most of the social things yet, but the small things he could do.

Hazel smiled back and let him pull out the chair for her.

"Thank you," she said softly as she stood up and shook out her skirts.

"My pleasure." Kaladin watched as Brit got up, wobbling a little before latching on to the back of her chair to balance herself. "She definitely needs to come home."

"I agree," Hazel replied. "She doesn't belong here." She watched her friend struggle with her dress for a moment, having stepped on it when she stood up, and sighed a bit. "I'll go talk to her about it."

Kaladin nodded. "I'll go get some drinks," he said, wisely slipping away. He could juggle drinks for all three of them, and besides, this was really between Hazel and Brit.

Brit managed to get herself all straightened out and shuffled her way away from the dinner table, clearly looking to find a nice spot to hide in for as long as she could get away with.

"Hey," Hazel said softly, going over to Brit. "You know, you're more than welcome to come back. Things like this... I don't think this is the right kind of place for you."

Brit nodded her agreement. She was definitely ready to go home. But she made a face and nodded at her aunt, who was chatting with someone else already. Her aunt enjoyed having someone new to boss around and dress up.

"Leave with her tonight if you need to," Hazel said, albeit a little reluctantly. "I'm sure you need to get your things anyways. But they can't stop you if you want to leave."

Brit shrugged. She really didn't have much at the manor; just some clothes, which she didn't care if she left behind. The phoenixes were outside, since they didn't like to be away from her for very long. So she could hypothetically leave whenever she wanted.