"What about this one, my lady?" And the lady-in-waiting, Carol, held up an obnoxious pink fluffy dress with a plunging neckline. Daria Stared in horror at the thing they dared call a dress.

"NO!" she gasped. "I will never wear pink! Or this," she played with the nylons, "fluffy stuff! Not to mention that slit in the middle of the dress!"

"But-but my lady, it 'tis the newest trend! All princesses like to follow the trends!" Carol tried pushing the dress towards her.

"First of all, It' Daria. Not Princess Daria, not 'my lady', not 'your highness'. D-A-R-I-A. And I," She then took the dress in hand. "Do not follow trends." She then threw the dress out the window. Carol then ran to the window trying unsuccessfully to grasp the dress with her dainty fingers. She looked back at Daria with a look of horror on her face when she saw Daria's smug smile. She then closed her gaping mouth and walked to the wardrobe.

"Winston! Is Princess Daria ready yet?" The tall-distinguished gentleman nodded slowly. And turned to point elegantly at the top of the staircase. There, was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen dressed completely in jade, that on anyone else would have made them look like a statue. But not here, she looked alive! Bored, yet alive and not encased in stone as usual.

"Is it possible? Is Daria warming up to me?" Jerrold thought. He smiled at her, his full boyish grin that usually melts all the ladies of court. She met his smiling eyes and her lips, due to her annoyance, curved up slightly, giving her the look that no one else could ever manage and still look appealing.

Dearest Diary,

Tonight was horrible. It started out nice enough, finally got myself into a Jade dress with no plunging neckline; due to I threw all the dresses with one out the window. I was left with black, (which is apparently "Un suitable attire for a first ball" I tell you, I'm wearing that black dress to one of these if it kills me. No one tells me what is "un suitable"!) Jade, midnight blue, and luscious green. I wanted to wear the green, but Carol said the jade would make me look "Statuesque". Who wants to be tall anyway? Wait. I do. Maybe I won't get a crick in my neck every time I look up to my dance partner like I did this evening!

Well, moveing on. He gave me that grin. You know who. Jerrold. It stopped me in my tracks once more. I hate how he smiles at me. I become ice before I see him. But the problem is, ice can melt. He melted me I tell you. But then I remembered my contemt for him, and I froze just as quickly. I was now the Jade Statue made for all to see. I think I was the only statue that didn't want to be seen. I'm the one who wants to hide in the bushes and run from confrontation for once, instead of dealing with it head on. But I can't help it. It's my nature. So I met his boyish grin with a sad smile and cold eyes. And his smile drooped. And he walked up the stairs, grabbed my arm (Yes how charming. ::rolls eyes::) and escourted me down inti the ball room. I have never seen so many people look so bored. I turned back to the Jerrold and almost smiled. I had an Idea.

"Shall we decend?" I asked, a small smile playing on my lips. I saw his eyes grow cautious.

"What are you thinking about?" His eyes narrowed.

"You'll see highness." And I winked. It probally looked more like a twitch, but hey, I wink well with my left eye, not my right and he was on my right! Anyways, his mask slipped and his face turned a light shade of pink that was most satisfying.

"For the last time, call me Jerrold. Allright. Now quit fidgeting.Iit's out turn to go down." I looked down and saw that I kept moveing my weight from one foot to another and immediately stopped. I have no fear of public speaking, but that if dancing and meeting new people. I do like meeting new people, but how do you know what to say? And what if a man asks you to dance and you don't know the steps? I know I shouldn't have been worried about the dancing, as I've taken lessons since I was 12, precisely 7 years go this month. But I'm still horrible at it. Oh darn it! I'm rambeling. I best continue on.

Princess Daria Eleanora of Kenery and her escourt, Prince Jerrold of Kyrria!" A little squishy (Yes squisy. There is no other word to describe him. Everything about him was squishy. From his pug-like face to his crinkled shoes.) man called out. And we walked down the marble stair case.

..............................................................................................................................................................................to be continued..............................................