C'est La Vie
The Ball


After lunch on the day of the Ball, Kel ran down Alanna's corridor as she found herself doing so often lately.She stopped before the door, and steeled herself to poked and primped at all afternoon. The squires had the afternoon off, so she didn't have to worry about being missed. Taking a deep breath, she kncoked.

" Come in!" Alanna called.

" I'm here." Kel announced nervously.

" Good. Now, I went and got your gown this morning, its perfect for you. I also got a little something to go with it." Kel blushed.

" Come on now, we have four hours and we'll need every second. Thayet," She yelled toward the other room." Kel's here, we have work to do."

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Four hours later found Neal in his room, trying to get his hair to lay right, wheras Kel was gasping at the reflection in the mirror. *It couldn't possibly be me!*

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Neal swiped the comb through his hair one last time, and left to go meet Cleon and Roald. He gave a great inward sigh as he walked toward Cleon's room. * well, at least Kel will be there so I'll have a little fun.* When he knocked, Cleon opened the door quickly.

" I thought you'd never get here. Roald's been here for ten minutes!"

" You guys ready to go?" The other two nodded, and the trio set off.

The ball was going to be held in the great ballroom in the main castle. Before then, or so Myles had told them, they had always been held in the mess, but this year it had been moved.

They walked in. They were the first people to arrive. Thay had wanted to see everyone else arrive. The hall looked spactacular. There were garlands of pine and cedar with holly and tortallan mistletoe scattered amongst them. A large tree occupied a corner, and glittered from the thousands of tiny candles adorning the branches, at the top, there was a bright star, shining with an eerie purple light.

Once they all had their eyes back in their sockets, they split up. Neal took up his post at the foot of the grand staircase, off to one side.The first to arrive were Faleron and Seph, But they were the firsst of all the guests who came in a steady stream after that. Within half an hour, it seemed everyone who was coming was there. Neal began to get Nervous. Kel HAD said that she would be here.

Neal was glancing around the room, looking for Kel when his attention was pulled to the door. Jareck entered. A girl was with him.

She was wearing the most original dress that Neal had ever seen. It wasn't quite a ballgown. The sleeves were tight until the elbow, where they began flowing loosely. The dress itself was formfitting to the waist, revealing very attractive curves. Not huge and sculpted, but noticable. At the low waistline, it flared out, creating a small bell that reached the floor, hiding the girl's feet. The dress had a bodice that was a cream colored white, matching the petticoat the skirt revealed .

The rest of the dress was a deep blue, accenting the sapphires on the chain around her neck and the rope of small silver -blue beads in her hair. It was breathtaking. Neal couldn't believe his eyes. By the time he tried to see her face, they had decended, and were walking to the other end of room. Neal started after them, but was stopped by Cleon and Roald. Faleron soon followed, Seph on his arm.

" Did you see her?" Cleon asked excitedly.

" How could I not?" Neal said absently, his eyes still on the beauty. His friends saw that Neal obviously wasn't paying any attention. Faleron and Seph said hi, and went to dance. Cleon walked off. His eyes too on the girl.

Roald paused before he left. " have you seen Kel anywhere Neal?"

Neal snapped back to earth. " Not yet. I haven't seen her since they gave us the afternoon off at lunch."

Roald seemed to get worried." I think I"ll go check her room. Maybe see if the lioness has seen her."

Neal nodded. " See you later. Tell me if you find her alright?" Roald nodded, and left. Neal turned his attention back to where she had been moments before, but couldn't find her.

" Looking for her?" Someone asked from behind him, catching him
off-guard.

" Whoa!" Neal spun to face the person. It was Jareck. " For who? "

" you know who i mean Neal."

" Well, Yes actually."

" Seen Kel anywhere?"

" Why is everyone suddenly so interested in her? No alright? I haven't seen her."

" You won't either." Jareck commented as he began to walk away.

Neal caught up with him. " What do you mean ' I won't'" He asked beginning to get upset.

" You've already seen her Neal. Now let me go." Jareck pulled out of neal's grasp and walked briskly away, leaving Neal there to ponder what he had said.