As Nam reopens his eyes to gaze at the phoenix - his phoenix - he pulls off his mask and sets it on the table. He'll put it back on should the need for it arise at some point during the evening, but for now he's done with the masquerade part of this ball. He's done obscuring his face. Mostly, he's done with the way the light catches on the mask once in a while and ruins his view of the gorgeous bird.

Using each other's names always feels like such a special moment shared between only the two of them. To anyone listening, it would be relatively meaningless, it would sound no different than any other conversation, but to them it means much more than that. Nothing can compare to hearing his name pass Gaja's lips.

"I only regret that I didn't think to bring you anything." The smile grows only a small amount. Just enough for no one but the bird to notice. "You'll have to settle for my company, I'm afraid."