[For the first time that evening, Ruka's mouth tugged up into a small smile. She was nervous, yes, and frightened, but neither of these would change the situation. He had done nothing wrong, after all; it was only polite.]

Hopefully.

[Like always, she fiercely wished her brother were there — then he could do all the talking with strangers, and she could hide behind his confidence and she herself could go unnoticed.]