Alanna examined her reflection in the mirror, searching for anything that could delay her entrance for another minute. She was wearing a midnight blue dress and a simple pearl pendant and earrings. She ran a hand through her elegantly-styled hair, her expression despairing. Daja poked her head round the door.

"Remind me again why we have to be there?" The black girl enquired mildly, resplendent in a scarlet gown of Cythera's she had been bullied into. Alanna grinned.

"If we have to suffer, so do you." The Lioness replied mercilessly. "And technically you are ladies to be presented."

Tris joined Daja at the door, in a turquoise gown also filched from Cythera's wardrobe. She looked grumpy.

"Can we get this over with?" The merchant wanted to know. She looked nice, but a little out of place in the gorgeous setting. Alanna retreated.

"Oh no! I'm not going out there until I have to!" She wailed. Daja chuckled and hauled her up from the bed where she had collapsed.

"You don't have a choice, my friend." The trader informed her amiably. "After all, if we have to suffer, so do you."

At that moment, Sandry appeared, looking cheerful and absolutely stunning in a saffron gown. Alanna buried her face in her hands.

"They're ganging up on me." She moaned miserably. "I'm doomed."

… At which Cythera promptly entered, grinning. Together, they frogmarched Alanna down the corridors and towards her terrible fate of death by dancing.

There were quite a few ladies to be presented this year, and the line outside the Great Hall was comparatively long; around seventeen young ladies were waiting there. Most were chattering away in excitement, gossiping about the Lords, Palace scandals and fashions, and anything else they could lay their hands on to work their mouths with, but, slowly, the line wore down as one by one they were introduced to the Court. Alanna fled, only to be retrieved by a giggling Sandry. Before she could collect herself, the first set of doors were flung open, and the call came through for Alanna of Trebond, the first of their gang.

A/N: Short, I know, but I had to go to bed! Long one tomorrow, promise!