Ch. 8
A/N: again, I appreciate the reviews very much! Keep them coming, s'il vous plait! Also, the title means the love of the two…or the love of two…or something like that…wouldn't know that I'm almost done with my second year of French in an award winning high school, would you? Swim Freak, I would love to have the POTS crew meet the circle crew, but I have not read that series, and have no money with which to buy the books, and lost my library card, and ran up a fine on my sisters that, again, I have no money to pay for. But, if you would like, give me the rundown on everyone, character, etc, and I will do my very best. You should hurry, though! It's almost time for the ball! Thanks again, and keep reviewing! On with the story… this will probably be very short. Oh, and I might sound kind of odd…I've been reading Victoria Holt and watching Emma, so I'm feeling very…English. That's all!
Preparations for the ball were in full swing. Sandy had been asked to go stay with the duke for a while, just to help him out. She was pretty much the lady of the house, and as soon as she entered into society, she would be officially. And it was the entering into society that had her at the castle.
"Sandry," the duke said one bright afternoon, "you're about 16, right?"
"Yes, Uncle. I'll be 17 soon."
"Hmm. I've been thinking…most young women enter into proper society at about your age. This, I suppose, is really why I'm throwing this fête. It's high time you officially entered into polite society. Now, don't worry, this will not interfere with your schooling at Winding Circle, but I would expect that on weekends you will need to attend some functions, soirees, et cetra."
"Uncle, I don't know what to say! I never really thought about…well…entering 'polite society.' It seems so…sudden!"
"Well, Sandry, I am sorry that I did not mention this to you sooner. Unfortunatley, this was only brought to my attention recently by the Empress. She suggested that the ball I had intended to simply introduce you at should be your debut. So, I suppose, you will be a debutante." The duke seemed unaware at the turmoil in his niece.
"Yes, Uncle, whatever you feel is best."
"Good. I'll have the dressmaker come up to help you make some appropriate dresses for your coming out. Yes, I daresay that this might be the largest function this old castle has ever seen…"
"Why is that, Uncle?"
"Well, Sandry, the King and Queen of Tortall will be coming, along with several knights from the area, the Empress, your cousin, the Carthaki Emperor, several renowned mages, and, in general, nobility and royalty of every country. Yes, very grand indeed."
As the duke had left Sandry to her own devices, she pondered this new development. 'Me! In proper society! But what of my real friends? Will I ever get to simply *be* with them? Oh, dear, how much will this actually change?' And magically, she contacted her friends to fill them in on the news.
::But aren't you excited about this Sandry? You'll be where you were raised to be!::
::Daja, I am simply not sure. It seems rather sudden to me. Uncle has never even mentioned this to me before!::
::Don't worry, Bag, I'm sure it won't be half bad.::
::Thanks ever so much, Briar dear. Aren't you excited knowing that you shall have to dress up for this as well? Uncle will insist that you all attend, as part of the 'Mage Quartet.' Did you know that is our 'title' in Tortall? That was how the King and Queen replied, saying how they were immensely pleased to be able to come, and that they had a great desire to meet the infamous 'Mage Quartet.'::
::Sounds too grand to be describing us…well, at least us three commoners!::
::Tris! You know that Sandry doesn't ever treat us like commoners! Don't say such a thing!::
::Sure, Daj, whatever you say.::
::Well, at any rate, you shall all have to come up ahead of time to help me! I shan't be able to make it without you! Also, you shall have to try on your new clothes! The dressmaker from Namorn has come to help me. Her name is Rose Bertin I believe. She is rather talented. And I know that she will do an excellent job helping me. I fancy I am rather excited at the prospect of meeting so many famous people! I am amazed at my enthusiasm.::
::As we are, Sandry. But don't get too prim and proper! You're starting to sound like royalty already, and it's still two weeks away!:: Briar was not, in actuality, displeased at Sandry's enthusiasm. He was happy for her, though he knew that some things would change. He just hoped that Sandy would not forget them when she was truly a noble.
A/N: sorry, this wasn't much plot. I can't very well start writing the ball part w/o knowing who y'all want me to invite! Also, since I have no books to reference, could some kind soul please send me a character list? I need descriptions too, please, especially of the POTS characters. I haven't even read those yet! Sorry if Sandry all the sudden sounds really really English. I simply could not ignore the call of Victoria Holt and Emma. And I'm not too sure if they had debutane-ish things back then, but they do now, ko? Ko! Review, S.V.P., and someone help me out w/ the characters and invitation list! TY! Babooshka.
A/N: again, I appreciate the reviews very much! Keep them coming, s'il vous plait! Also, the title means the love of the two…or the love of two…or something like that…wouldn't know that I'm almost done with my second year of French in an award winning high school, would you? Swim Freak, I would love to have the POTS crew meet the circle crew, but I have not read that series, and have no money with which to buy the books, and lost my library card, and ran up a fine on my sisters that, again, I have no money to pay for. But, if you would like, give me the rundown on everyone, character, etc, and I will do my very best. You should hurry, though! It's almost time for the ball! Thanks again, and keep reviewing! On with the story… this will probably be very short. Oh, and I might sound kind of odd…I've been reading Victoria Holt and watching Emma, so I'm feeling very…English. That's all!
Preparations for the ball were in full swing. Sandy had been asked to go stay with the duke for a while, just to help him out. She was pretty much the lady of the house, and as soon as she entered into society, she would be officially. And it was the entering into society that had her at the castle.
"Sandry," the duke said one bright afternoon, "you're about 16, right?"
"Yes, Uncle. I'll be 17 soon."
"Hmm. I've been thinking…most young women enter into proper society at about your age. This, I suppose, is really why I'm throwing this fête. It's high time you officially entered into polite society. Now, don't worry, this will not interfere with your schooling at Winding Circle, but I would expect that on weekends you will need to attend some functions, soirees, et cetra."
"Uncle, I don't know what to say! I never really thought about…well…entering 'polite society.' It seems so…sudden!"
"Well, Sandry, I am sorry that I did not mention this to you sooner. Unfortunatley, this was only brought to my attention recently by the Empress. She suggested that the ball I had intended to simply introduce you at should be your debut. So, I suppose, you will be a debutante." The duke seemed unaware at the turmoil in his niece.
"Yes, Uncle, whatever you feel is best."
"Good. I'll have the dressmaker come up to help you make some appropriate dresses for your coming out. Yes, I daresay that this might be the largest function this old castle has ever seen…"
"Why is that, Uncle?"
"Well, Sandry, the King and Queen of Tortall will be coming, along with several knights from the area, the Empress, your cousin, the Carthaki Emperor, several renowned mages, and, in general, nobility and royalty of every country. Yes, very grand indeed."
As the duke had left Sandry to her own devices, she pondered this new development. 'Me! In proper society! But what of my real friends? Will I ever get to simply *be* with them? Oh, dear, how much will this actually change?' And magically, she contacted her friends to fill them in on the news.
::But aren't you excited about this Sandry? You'll be where you were raised to be!::
::Daja, I am simply not sure. It seems rather sudden to me. Uncle has never even mentioned this to me before!::
::Don't worry, Bag, I'm sure it won't be half bad.::
::Thanks ever so much, Briar dear. Aren't you excited knowing that you shall have to dress up for this as well? Uncle will insist that you all attend, as part of the 'Mage Quartet.' Did you know that is our 'title' in Tortall? That was how the King and Queen replied, saying how they were immensely pleased to be able to come, and that they had a great desire to meet the infamous 'Mage Quartet.'::
::Sounds too grand to be describing us…well, at least us three commoners!::
::Tris! You know that Sandry doesn't ever treat us like commoners! Don't say such a thing!::
::Sure, Daj, whatever you say.::
::Well, at any rate, you shall all have to come up ahead of time to help me! I shan't be able to make it without you! Also, you shall have to try on your new clothes! The dressmaker from Namorn has come to help me. Her name is Rose Bertin I believe. She is rather talented. And I know that she will do an excellent job helping me. I fancy I am rather excited at the prospect of meeting so many famous people! I am amazed at my enthusiasm.::
::As we are, Sandry. But don't get too prim and proper! You're starting to sound like royalty already, and it's still two weeks away!:: Briar was not, in actuality, displeased at Sandry's enthusiasm. He was happy for her, though he knew that some things would change. He just hoped that Sandy would not forget them when she was truly a noble.
A/N: sorry, this wasn't much plot. I can't very well start writing the ball part w/o knowing who y'all want me to invite! Also, since I have no books to reference, could some kind soul please send me a character list? I need descriptions too, please, especially of the POTS characters. I haven't even read those yet! Sorry if Sandry all the sudden sounds really really English. I simply could not ignore the call of Victoria Holt and Emma. And I'm not too sure if they had debutane-ish things back then, but they do now, ko? Ko! Review, S.V.P., and someone help me out w/ the characters and invitation list! TY! Babooshka.