Disclaimer: I do not own Tortall, or anything that belongs to Tamora Peirce, because of the fact that Tortall belongs to Tamora Peirce. D

Pick Pocket update almost done, not that you care, but.

Daine damned her skirts. Not for the first time, mind you. Maybe the 50th- that night.

You see, Daine was at her most favorite social function, a ball. She had idolized them ever since she came to Tortall. How glamorous they were, the fussing, gossip and meddling that went on.

Fair wondrous, she thought, until you go to one your self.

Then, she promptly damned her skirts again.

"Veralidaine, have you seen my daughter? She's over there." A older woman pointed to the flock of women hovering around Numair. "See the tall blonde? That's her."

Daine gritted her teeth.

"Yes, dearest friend of mine, I do see those women draped over Numair. Did you know I can shape-shift into something that would eat them?" Was what she wanted to say.

Instead, she demurely answered with a rather dull, "Yes. She's very beautiful."

And shapely, and gorgeous, and blonde, and other things that I seem to be lacking.

"Oh yes, she's rumored to be the beauty of the court. Say, do you think Master Samalin is quite interested in her? This could be quite to the families advantage, quite."

The woman bustled off, probably to primp up her daughter.

Daine, Daine, she reproached herself in her mind, quit being so rude, your just jealous, and you know it.

And see had even put on a skirt. Daine supposed she could go over and say hello under the pretense of having a question about being tired, and leaving. However, she knew he would catch the hint, but not follow her. They had to remain 'inconspicuous'.

Shrugging, she gathered up some of her skirts in a hand, and walked over to Numair rather slowly and quietly, as not to get on the bad side of his admirers.

She tapped his shoulder, "Numair?"

He turned away from the simpering court ladies, looking rather relived. "Daine."

"I was just going to leave, I'm rather tired," She put in a fake, dainty yawn. "And I thought you might want to know."

"Oh. Would you like me to walk you back?"

Apparently, he was desperate to get away from here. She smiled and nodded.

"Alright. Excuse me ladies." He bowed and stiffly and offered Daine his arm.

"But Master Samalin! You have yet to dance to dance with one lady yet!" The dainty blonde pointed out to Daine earlier batted her eyelashes at him.

"Yes! You must dance with one of us."

The group of ladies nodded earnestly. Daine giggled at the pained expression on Numair's face.

"Go on, Numair, dance with one of the ladies." Daine said, hiding a grin under her hand.

"Numair! Even the Wild Child agrees!" A brunette whined.

"Wild Child?" Numair's eyes smoldered dangerously.

"Opps! Did I let that out? Oh well." She shrugged simply.

"Oh well?" Numair muttered darkly.

"I have a wonderful idea!" Daine butted in. "Why don't you dance with me, Numair? I think it'd be fair fun."

"What?! Numair, don't let her! She's only using you, you know, to get money, and-" The blonde bursted out.

To Daine's surprise, Numair burst out laughing. "Daine is using me? What shall we do with her?"

He smiled politely at the group, now slightly resembling an angry mob, and waltzed Daine off.

"Magelet, see what trouble you've gotten me in now? Your doing horrible things to my reputation." He whispered in her ear.

"Oh really?" She cocked an eye at him. "What reputation?"

He laughed heartily. "You're going to pay for that, dear."

"How?"

Numair grinned at her.

...there was my first one shot of DN! Quick, cheesy, fluff boost.