First Beats

Prompt 0== None! -_-

Author's note: You know you can't go wrong with fluffiness when you end your story and can't help but to clap as you finish it. This story does not have a prompt because the ones I have left to finish the Balthy 100 don't fit. And finally; this is my tribute to Sheherazade's Fable's The Third Apprentice: Chapter 16. Honestly, one of my favorite chapters of a totally awesome story. Kudos!

Anyway, enjoy!

When Veronica bloomed into a beautiful butterfly she'd been barely sixteen. Master had to keep her hidden until the court allowed her coming of age ceremony to take place and so she was admired for one whole year by Balthazar and Horvath. They both liked to admire her, and showered her compliments whenever possible, after all she was suppose to get used to getting such things from me she did not know, why not practice with those closer to her. Veronica, at first would blush and hurry away, but slowly she started to build up some defense for the kind and sometimes embarrassing words. She learned to receive small gifts, and to be totally and completely polite when she wasn't in the mood for the praise and glory her beauty received. It was a trial and error process, totally independent from her work as apprentice but as usual she aced the material and became a polite breaking heart machine.

At least that was what Horvath and Balthazar kept saying.

During the preparation for the next ball, coincidently the same night her coming of age ceremony was to take place, King Arthur wished for Merlin to bring Veronica so she could be presented at court and join it's merry life. Veronica had been terrified, but when young and old suitors started to struggled with each other to escort her, she'd been floored. Dozens of letters reached her, asking for the privilege and honor, she received flowers, troubadours, and little trinkets of affection. She had to deny them all; after all she was been escorted by Merlin himself, she could not deny her master the simple pleasure.

So when she walked in the hand of Merlin to the large dancing hall all eyes turned to her. Male and female. Many of the ladies of the court had heard of Veronica's beauty but tonight, seeing her in living flesh, gave them a moment to study and create a tactic to defend against her. Veronica was the loveliest of them all. Since Greta and the other maids had been telling her about the ceremony, Veronica had wanted to dance, and she got her heart's desire that night. Merlin took the first and second dance, then Arthur the following three. Many other knights of the round table asked her to dance, and later on she met their ladies. The only one polite enough not to bite snarky remarks was Guinevere, who asked her to come visit when she felt like leaving the Keep to their male inhabitants.

Veronica met most of the court that night, male and female, and danced and drank and ate… But she had been surprised by the lack of the other two apprentices. An hour or so before the party ended Horvath made his grand appearance, asked a dance from her and complimented her, for longer than usual, in her beauty and charm. Veronica kissed his cheek when no one was watching, and no one really saw. They drank together some wine, and then the older apprentice had to excuse himself, his master was calling. Veronica was left alone for a good half hour, and she took the moment to hide and wonder why she suddenly felt so disappointed; after all the evening had been a lovely one. She suddenly felt like crying. But she didn't allow it, so pressing softly at the corners of her eyes she extracted the painful tears and sniffled, fixed her dress and walked back to the light of the dying party.

The musicians were announcing this would be their last piece. Veronica was asked to dance, but she declined, and kept walking just watching the assembly hall and admiring its general beauty. The place had been decorated for the occasion splendidly. The large vines with hanging grapes, the green leaves and thick flowery bushes… Her eyes deceived her. She thought she'd seen Balthazar walking at the other side of the hall, mimicking her own movements. Veronica's heart gave a leap and she walked quickly to peek at the other side, at the twin of the column where she stood and sure enough there was Balthazar, wearing his best suit and coat, hair combed back and smiling softly. Veronica hurried towards him, Balthazar doing the same and they met under the darkness of another column, she launched at him, hugging him tightly. She closed her eyes, arms wrapping tightly around him.

They haven't hugged since Greta said it was improper for a lady to be hugged by an older gentleman.

"You made it!" She whispered softly, as they parted his hands still around her waist.

"It is your party, Veronica. I could not do you the dishonor of been absent." Veronica smiled and after a small squeeze of his hands Balthazar released her. "Happy birthday Veronica." He said softly as she lowered her eyes to avoid the smoldering look he was giving her. It wasn't the sort of bad smoldering look, it was too strong it evoked emotions in her that she'd never felt and were probably improper for a lady to feel. That look made her feel free, and that the wind was guiding her every step, and that she could conquer the world at his side.

Someone walked past them, two women, murmuring at the two apprentices. What Made Balthazar turn away at the assembly and when they were gone take Veronica's hand. "Do me the honor of dancing with me?"

Veronica smiled and agreed.

The last two dances were Balthazar's, and as far as Veronica was concerned, all the dances forever more.