A/N: Tris/George has been suggested. Whaddya all think?

Briar was having the time of his life. He had been spending the evening at the Dancing Dove, amongst the thieves, taking part in the nightly competitions. It was a good idea; each night the thieves would compete in fighting and races, keeping their skills sharp. Briar was holding his own, despite his being out of practice; it seemed he wasn't quite as civilised as he thought. Briar grinned. If Sandry could see him now…

Sandry, however, was busy.  The prince had kept her occupied on the dance floor, and now they had retired to the outskirts of the hall and the canapés. Jon was captivated; she was so different from the other ladies. Neither silly like most of them, nor aggressive like Alanna; she was balanced. And the stories she had to tell were amazing. The differences in their cultures could supply enough conversation material for a kingdom.

Jon turned in the middle of a conversation, and caught his smiling mother's eye. Giving her a tiny wave, he steered Sandry over there. When she found herself suddenly in front of the throne, she was slightly stunned; she recovered magnificently, though, dropping a graceful curtsy.

"Your Majesties," she murmured delicately, suddenly demure. Lianne laughed gently, holding out her tiny hand palm up. "Lianne and Roald to our friends. Please, won't you tell us about your country?"

And so the monologue was repeated. Sandry was, quite frankly, getting bored. Reaching out with her mind, she touched Tris and Daja.

I'm dying of boredom here, she moaned mentally. You guys are so lucky.

You didn't seem too upset dancing with the prince, Daja pointed out.

Oh, he's alright, but he talks a lot. A bit full of himself. Basic nobility, really. Sandry sent an image of her wrinkling her nose, bringing laughter from her friends.