A/N- No, I don't own any of these characters, or anything else in the story, really. It's an
original plot, though, so that's mine. I also own the cherry tart. Blame BrittyWeasly for
the tiny K/D bit. I like K/D too, but I've never written anything with even a tiny bit of
romance in it. So this is a first. Enjoy!
Boycotting The Ball
"Shhh!"
"Hurry up. Do you wanna get caught?!"
Several figures crept down the shadowy hall, two of them in dresses.
"Alanna, why do we have to get there so early?"
"I told you, Raoul. We need to get there to finish setting up."
"What do we do if someone sees us?"
"My dear Keladry. Then we shall-"
"Be quiet Meathead. She wasn't asking you-"
"So right, Domitan! She was asking me-"
"Neal, Dom, Raoul! Shhh! We're here."
"But Alanna, what do we do if we're caught?"
"Kel, we won't be."
"But what if-"
The Lioness' face grew red. "Then we'll run, o.k.?!" She looked at the others. "Come on."
She and Raoul took two large buckets and hid behind them some draperies in a corner.
Just in time, too, thought Raoul. King Jonathon and Queen Thayet entered the large
ballroom and crossed to their old friends, who all stood, trying not to look guilty but failing
miserably, in the center of the room.
Jon's eyes narrowed. "Hello," he said, "What are you all up to?"
"Hahaha," Raoul laughed nervously. "Nothing. Why do you ask?"
Jon looked even more suspicious. "What are you doing?"
"Jon, we're not doing anything," Alanna replied sweetly.
"Alanna, you're a terrible liar."
"Would I lie to you Jon?"
"Yes, I think you would."
Alanna's face grew red. He knew her too well. That's what I get for being so close to
him. She looked at her king. "Sire, you're right. We are up to something."
Jon smiled as Alanna's companions stared at her. Would she really tell him what they were
planning?
Jon spoke again. "So, what are you doing?"
"We're, uh, we're..." Alanna frantically tried to think of something to say, "We're...We're-
We wanted to get here early t-to, uh, help set up. Yeah that's it!"
Alanna, Raoul, Kel, Neal, and Dom all put on big phony, smiles as Jon and Thayet stared
at them.
"But Alanna, Raoul," Thayet began, "I thought you hated social events."
Raoul rubbed the back of his head and gave a fake little laugh. "Well, we used to, but-"
He slung an arm around Alanna's neck "-now we like 'em." Wow, is that a big lie or what! he
thought.
"And they wanted to get here extra early because they like them so much!" Kel added
happily. As an after thought she added, "Sires." Neal and Dom nodded wildly in agreement.
Jon and Thayet continued to stare. Finally, Jon spoke up, "Um, well, alright." By this
time the hall had started to fill up with people. The king and queen bid their friends goodbye and
walked away, Jon muttering to Thayet, "I don't believe them at all." Thayet shook her head in
agreement.
The little group breathed let out their breath collectively. Alanna looked at them all and
whispered, "Now to put operation 'Boycotting the Ball' in progress. Remember, when I give the
signal, Kel, Neal, and Dom will create a diversion while Raoul and I bring on the chaos." She
saluted. "Good luck everyone." At this, they all dispersed into the crowd.
----------------
Neal walked around, talking to friends and eating. He scanned the crowd. Kel and
Dom were in a corner, kissing. Ew, he thought, That's not right. Casually he walked over to his
cousin and best friend. They didn't seem to notice him. He stood glaring at them a moment, then
drawled, "What are you doing?"
Kel madew a small squeaking noise and pushed Dom away. Dom hastily tried to
explain. "Kel was, well... Um... She was, uh, well. I mean, Kel was, she..." He turned red and
gave a crooked smile. Kel was trying, and failing, to hide her embarrassment behind a blank
face.
Neal was thoroughly enjoying their discomfort. He crossed his arms and leaned against the
wall. At that moment Alanna yelled, "Ah, yes. The food is wonderful!" The signal. Neal
continued to stare his friends. Dom muttered, "C'mon." and gave Neal a shove as the three
walked to the refreshment table.
Whistling, they each picked up a handful cherry tart and walked into the crowd. "Now!"
Kel muttered. They each launched their pastries into the mass of people at the far end of the hall.
Women screamed as little cakes landed in their hair and flew down their gowns. Men yelled as
they were pelted by flying cherries. The king didn't say anything as a tart flew through the air and
hit him square in the face with a loud SPLAT!
Raoul and Alanna seized the moment to unleash the real chaos. They rushed to the
draperies where the buckets were hidden, Raoul muttering, "Hurryhurrryhurryhurrryhurry..."
over and over again. Alanna hovered the first bucket over Jon's head and tipped it over,
covering him in maple syrup. The next bucket hovered into the air and flipped, too, covering the
king in white feathers. Silence filled the hall. Every noble's head turned to look at their ruler, who
had somehow been turned into a giant chicken. Jon's eyes narrowed as he saw Alannna, Raoul,
Kel, Neal, and Dom sprinting out of the hall. Thayet looked at him nervously, as if afraid he
might explode. He merely clenched his fists and stared straight ahead and whispered, "Oh, now
it's on."