[She can't help but grin, lifting a hand placatingly, trying not to laugh again. Her voice is warm, earnest.]

I know, I'm just teasing. Please don't take me too seriously.

[Not right now, when everything around them seems to be fairly tame, if a little uncanny.]

It's been a long time since I went to a party like this. [Like... almost sixty years. But who's counting?] But yes, unless I'm doing business, I'm not one for schmoozing. [Unfortunately, all the parties and galas she's been to over the past five or so years require schmoozing. She's wistful for the days when she could hang out by the food table.]

You would think so, but I've been entirely unsuccessful with finding anything in my size. Maybe I just haven't looked in the right shops.