Phantom yawned, staring out the castle window at the green and purple swirls beyond. The young ghost was bored. Not that that was an uncommon state of affairs. Being prince of the entire dimension had perks, to be sure, but most of the time, it was dull as could be. "Remind me again why I care about this… whatever Father is hosting this time?"
"It's a dinner party, m'lord. And you care because it's in honor of your sister's coming of age. Remember?" The attendant informed him, selecting several different outfits from a wardrobe, and laying them on a table in the center of the room. "Now. If it pleases m'lord, you simply must come get fitted for these."
The white haired boy rolled his eyes. "If it pleases m'lord. Begging your pardon, m'lord. With your leave, m'lord." he muttered under his breath, mocking the attendant, and most of the other ghosts in the castle. Generally, he liked the others, but the constant attention got on his nerves. He sometimes wondered what life would be like if he hadn't been born as the son of Pariah. Or if he was a little more like Sprite. Somehow, his little sister got away with everything: stealing food, sneaking out of the castle, traipsing all over the Ghost Zone, pulling pranks on unsuspecting spectres. She even claimed that she'd traveled into the human dimension once, and that she'd looked different there. Phantom had some doubts about that, but then again… Her eyes did turn blue once in a while now, and she'd acquired the odd habit of calling herself "Danielle". She must have gotten the bizarre name from somewhere. He'd mean to ask the Ghostwriter about it, but hadn't gotten that far. Besides, the man still despised him for that little hunting accident. The prince was very unwelcome in the library now. Sprite, on the other hand, the scribe welcomed with open arms.
"I still don't get why I've gotta go." he said as the attendant began wrapping a measuring tape around his waist. "Sprite's probably not even going to be there. And Father's not even going to punish her for it. She never gets in trouble for anything. So why does it matter if I'm in attendance?"
"You are the heir to the kingdom, m'lord. The people must see that you are prepared to take your father's place, when he is no longer fit to rule. This gathering may be in honor of Lady Sprite, but it is equally about presenting yourself to your subjects. Now, if you would raise your arms…?"
Phantom sighed as he lifted his hands above his head, bracing himself for the tedium of the fitting. It was going to be a long day.
Disclaimer: Danny Phantom and all related characters and ideas belong to their respective owners. This is a work of fiction, and all resemblance to real persons, living or dead or somewhere in between, is purely coincidental.