She made her entrance in style, of course. Now that it was mercifully no longer snowing inside, she felt she could wear an evening gown for this most celebratory event. Decked out in purest gold, she glided up the middle alley between tables and ascended onto the dais. She chose to walk the full length of the table, though her allotted seat was on the end, purely so she could greet her friend. That and she had no desire to sit by the Scuba Man longer than completely necessary.

"Fina, my dear, black is your color," she said by way of greeting.