Bay has never been much for parties. She grew up aware of the whispers from her parents’ friends, about her. And when she was old enough to go to her own parties that worry kept nagging at the back of her mind. Still- she was in an entirely new universe, with whole new rules in a lot of ways.

And she needed to get to know people.

So she did try to mingle, she really did. But mostly she’d come up to people talking and just tried to keep up with the conversation. Which was a whole lot harder now than it was in her old life. Lipreading is a skill, and if there are people talking over each other, or someone starts laughing at a joke she hasn’t figured out yet (or maybe it’s a funny voice, who can say), it’s really hard. So Bay only really approaches smaller groups.

And then doesn’t say anything and just watches trying her best to understand what people are saying.

She didn’t bring any blank paper or pencils with her. She knew that if she did she’d just hole up in a corner and sketch people the whole mingle. And the point was to meet people and get more accustomed to this place.

She did bring her book on local Abraxian Sign and the history of the language to read. And when her head gets tired of trying to follow conversations for too long she does just hole up in a corner to read.

Bay eventually tucks her book under her arm and goes to see what the food is. She takes small portions of everything and sits down. She’s eating delicately and carefully. Tasting for all the details of the food she can get. Which she can do, and that’s weird. Cause that’s not a thing she could do before.

She’s thoughtful and focused on her food but clearly seems open to being talked to since she isn’t hiding in the corner.