If one ever saw Elizabeth Hall at a formal occasion, one would notice that she always wore a black glove over her left hand, while her right was always free and undressed. Prompting that puzzlement was the aim, and even better, prompting a direct question. Elizabeth was a lieutenant commander in the BAF, and she always liked answering this question, because showing off her battle wounds was a good testament to her loyalty, dedication and strength of character. Of course, she wouldn't do this openly. Flaunting a scarred hand all over the place wasn't fit for a lady of such a good standing as she wanted to appear. No, presenting people with a bit of mystery was more like her style.
But on the other hand, the glove, which hid one kind of ugliness, could reveal another kind to a keen eye, prone to spotting the often hidden symbolism behind words and appearance. While her right hand was smiling with the most polite of body languages in all its radiant whiteness, drawing attention with its beauty and movement, the left would stand still, listen, plan and figuratively lurk behind the interlocutor, checking what is in their pockets. Due to the glove it would never catch filth, and due to the glove it would let the interlocutor imagine it as beautiful as the right, not thinking, or at least not wishing to, what it is like beneath the black leather. This was not something Elizabeth did intentionally, it was subconsciously embedded into her character.
This time she did not follow her discourse with her right hand. Lifting her left, she spoke.
"Such a display of good manners, letting the guest, and a lady, speak first. To follow the convention, although I am sure at least Arturo and Don Hernan already know me, but are not present, I must first introduce myself. I am Elizabeth Hall, member of parliament for Port Jackson, New Sydney. I have been appointed to represent the Bretonian government at this conference. I would like to suggest some rules under which this conference will be held, but first I must not forget to stress this: you might know that the Crayter Republic was originally intended to have a seat here, but was excluded. During the arrangement of this conference with the Legion, Bretonia was presented with a certain fact concerning them which I intend to address, and because of this utmost secrecy must be maintained here, and whatever conclusion we come up with here must not be released into the public or to any other party until due time. By the way, I have brought a translator with me in case you good Maltese have issues with English, so please say if you need her to enter, although I had rather have as few outsider eyes and ears here as possible. Right then, this was my opening word. Any questions, does anyone wish to add something, or we may continue?"