Finding herself left to her own devices as many of the Mikaelsons spread out to mingle with the guests, Emma indulged in one of her favourite passtimes. People watching. It was interesting to see how people acted when they didn't think they were under the eye of someone important. She recognized many faces she remembered from her time at that borefest of a fundraiser with the founding families that she'd attended with Klaus.

The way they carried themselves, the way in which they spoke and interacted with those around them made it obvious just how important they felt being invited to tonight's ball. The vanity was almost amusing when you think of the fact that to those unaware of all of this town's secrets, it would make them equally as important as the high school students in attendance who received invitations themselves.

She also saw Rebekah and Matt, standing together among the crowd, the blonde laughing at whatever Matt had said. And it was a genuine laugh. The date was obviously going well. The night seemed to be going well for all of the Mikaelsons, it seemed. Emma certainly couldn't miss the sight of Klaus' smile as he stood beside Caroline who looked radiant. She made sure to make a mental reminder to herself to tease him about it later.

She spotted Elijah and Elena not far from the two couples, and while too far to hear what they were saying, Emma still found it quite interesting. With Elijah's back turned to her, Emma couldn't gauge what he was thinking or talking about, but watching Elena... She noted the small signs as she spoke. Refusing to meet Elijah's eyes, the shift from one leg to another, the squaring of her shoulders as Elijah seemed to ask her something. Whatever she was telling him, Elena was lying.

And then Emma's concentration was broken as a sound of clinking spread over the room and all eyes turned up to the staircase. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." Esther's voice carried across the crowd as they all silenced down to listen to her. "Waiters are coming around with champagne. I invite you all to join me in raising a glass."

Emma looked to one of the servers who approached her, placing the tray he carried within her reach. Having finished her first glass some time ago, and not wanting to be rude, Emma took one of the glasses, admiring the bright colour of the champagne before she let her eyes return to Esther's commanding presence. The confidence and power with which the matriarch of the Mikaelson family carried herself was astounding. Emma still stood by her statement that she makes you feel like you need to bow or curtsy before her.

"It provides me with no greater joy than to see my family back together as one. I'd like to thank you all for being a part of this spectacular evening. Cheers!" She spoke, finally raising her glass towards the crowd. Everyone rose their glasses back, smiling and some clinking their glasses together before sipping the champagne in an extremely polite fashion.

Emma did the same, quietly saying her own cheers before bringing the glass to her lips. She let the champagne touch her lips, feeling the bubbles as they slid down her throat. And yet, while it was obvious it was different to the one she drank before, something still felt odd.

She remembered times when she was younger and sick. When her mother would make her eat some hot soup to feel better. She remembered that feeling you get when you eat or drink something hot, almost as if you could feel it moving through you. But this was different. Emma didn't just feel it in her chest, she felt it all over her body, as far as feeling the tingling in her hands.

She couldn't help but wonder whether this is what getting drunk felt like. She doubted it could happen from just one glass of champagne, but knowing where she was, Emma decided not to take any risks. After just that one sip, she pulled the glass away from her lips, deciding not to let go of it but rather use it as a shield from people offering her any more drinks. Because she certainly wouldn't be taking any more.

Walking along one of the upper floors accessible to the guests, Emma was happy to get some separation from the thick crowds downstairs. It was much less crowded, and certainly less loud up here. While social gatherings had never been much to her liking, Emma had to admit, the ball was tuning out to be pretty fun.

Feeling the light breeze of fresh air, Emma moved through the hall, eager to get to the small balcony overlooking the front of the Mikaelson mansion. However, as she neared the door, she heard familiar voices conversing out there. And all the while she only had her hearing to go off on, at first it seemed like mere polite introductions.

Only once she took a couple of more steps and the two came into view did Emma hear Matt let out a painful groan as his knees buckled while Kol still held on to his hand in a tight grip. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Emma questioned, making her presence known as she rushed over.

Emma, of course, knew she was no match for a vampire, but that didn't stop her from grabbing hold of Kol's hand and at least attempting to tear it from Matt's. And it seemed to work as Kol relented, quickly releasing the blonde, his face full of something akin to surprise. Emma didn't really question the sudden change, but instead simply helped Matt back into a standing position.

"Now, darling, I don't think this is any of your concern." The sound of Kol's voice made Emma's eyes turn away from what definitely looked like a broken hand and instead turn her glare to him. The blazing anger in her eyes seemed almost posonous. As if on instinct, Kol flexed the fingers of his hand, eyeing her with suspicion. However, before Emma could tear into him, another voice joined the party.

"Now this is no way to treat your guests." Emma turned her head to look at the Salvatore standing behind them. Something about the look in Damon's eyes made her suspect he wasn't about to approach the situation as a pacifist. Maybe it was a gut instinct, but in a slow movement, she pulled Matt to the side, and did so just in time.

No other words were spoken between the two vampires, not even a single taunt exchanged before Damon charget forward, to fast to even follow until Kol was flying through the air and crashing to the ground below the balcony.

"Fuck's sake." Emma muttered, unsure whether to be shocked or relieved about the most recent development as she and Matt watched Damon jump down after Kol. Either way, she knew better than to jump between two fighting vampires. And she didn't care much for the outcome either way. So instead, she focused back on Matt. "Come on, we should get you to a hospital and get that checked out. We can take your car."

With his face scrunched up in pain, Matt simply nodded his head in agreement and soon enoguh the two were descending back down the stairs. Emma didn't linger around any of the guests, certain that enough of a commotion had already disrupted the evening as she noticed all of the Mikaelsons heading towards the front door, as well as Elena. However, with it being the fastest way out, there was no other option but to be spotted as Emma led Matt out.

"Bloody hell, what happpened?" Rebekah was the first to notice them, worry spreading over her face as she noticed Matt clutching his arm to his chest in pain. And while Emma tried to find some way to explain without calling Kol a lot of colourful names right in front of his family, Matt seemed less than willing to talk.

"I'll wait for you at the car." Matt told Emma, making her send him a questioning look, silently asking if he was sure. He didn't waste much time on a reply, simply noding his head before he continued to move along and out of the house, leaving her to deal with Rebekah and the rest of the Mikaelson siblings. Well, at least the four who weren't currently lying in the driveway with a broken neck.

"Uh, long story short, your brother happened. And Damon inteviened out of, what I am sure is the goodness of his heart." Emma said, unable to hold the sprinkle of sarcasm back. "I'm going to take Matt to the hospital to get his hand checked out, hopefully it's not too bad."

"Maybe I should come with you. I'm sure my mother would understand." Rebekah suggested, but Emma sent her a somewhat hesitant expression. Matt obviously wasn't too eager to be around any of the Mikaelsons for the rest of the night. "Right, right." Rebekah quickly understood the silent message.

"I'll stay with him until he's done and text you later. Maybe when he calms down a bit you can go make sure things are okay." Emma suggested as she started to head for the door again. Outside Finn seemed to be dragging away Kol's body while Elijah and Klaus stood at the door, ensuring no other guests caught sight of the disaster up front.

"Thank your mother for having me, please." Emma told Rebekah, feeling somewhat bad for leaving without a proper goodbye to the host. As she walked up to the two brothers at the door, she also sent Elijah a polite smile. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, Emma."

"Klaus... Well, I could actually use a break from you." Emma added on to the younger brother as she moved past the two and out into the courtyard.

"What'd I tell you? Bravery bordering on stupidity." Klaus shook his head in amusement as he watched Emma meet Matt at his car before getting in and driving away. However, it seemed his siblings didn't really share in his amusement as they shook their heads at him before heading back inside.