Disclaimer: Oh, do I even have to say it?

Author's Note: I am so sorry that it took me so long to come back here! Life got in the way, but…I'm ready to write more now, really. In fact, as a special treat for you, you get an update every day for the next…3 days. I wrote in advance so this wouldn't happen again!


"Oh, thank you!" Cythera squealed as Alanna finished helping her put on her makeup.

"I'm surprised you wanted me to do it. You know that I of all people don't have that much experience putting that stuff on." Alanna gave a slight shiver; imagine what her friends would say if they saw her wear makeup while being dressed as a squire!

"You said you dress up as a girl sometimes," Cythera pointed out. "That means makeup. But actually, I wasn't just thanking you for that. I was thanking you for agreeing to take me to the party tonight."

"Oh. That." Alanna tried to stop the blush from coming to her cheeks, but she couldn't. "Not really a problem…I mean, it's my fault you weren't downstairs long enough to find a date."

Cythera frowned a little, but said, "Besides, your friends are expecting it. And so are mine."

"You have friends?" at Cythera's glare, Alanna quickly said, "That came out wrong. What I meant to say is that none of the girls seem to be enough like you for you to want to be near them."

"No, there are some nice ones. But all of them care much more about Court than I do, that much is true. That doesn't mean I don't get along with them, though."

Alanna nodded thoughtfully. She didn't know much about other women, since her mother was dead and she lived all her life – home and at the palace – with men, not women.

"Oh," Alanna replied simply.

"Yes, I know, very confusing," Cythera said, even though she didn't really think it was confusing in the least. "Now come on, we're going to be late!"


Alanna could barely hear Cythera talk over all the noise and chatter of the party. It made her feel foolish to have to ask the girl to repeat everything that she said. She was almost glad when Cythera suggested they dance for a little while, even though Alanna found it to be rather awkward.

After the dance was over, Alanna noticed Gary sitting a ways away, sighing and staring off into space. "He looks kind of upset," Alanna told Cythera. "Maybe we should go talk to him."

"Him?" Cythera pointed at Gary, and Alanna nodded. "Yeah, that's him."

"I met him! I didn't realize he was a friend of yours."

Alanna would have replied, except that Gary had seen them and was approaching them now.

"Ah, Alan! And the lovely Lady Cythera!" Gary beamed at them."'Just friends', huh?" he muttered to Alanna, throwing her words back in her face. She had known that Gary didn't believe her, and it didn't bother her all that much. After all, she could talk her way out of it…eventually.

"Yes," she shot back at him furiously, ignoring the look she received from Cythera.

"Alan, would it be okay if I asked your 'friend' to dance with me?" he asked, an amused twinkle in his eye.

Cythera replied for her. "I would love to dance with you, Sir Gary." She curtsied gratefully, and accepted his offered hand.


As he led Cythera to the dance floor, he felt happy. Happy to be separating her and Alan, even though a part of him felt bad for wanting to dance with his friend's lady. But he couldn't explain it. He just felt like he needed to put distance between Alan and Cythera.

Maybe he was in love. With Lady Cythera.


Author's Note: Man, am I making Gary dumb! I don't really think he's dumb, but sometimes when you're witty and smart you're completely oblivious to matters of the heart. So maybe that's why I'm writing him that way :D Anyway, that was your first clue that we've finally entered the important part of the story!