A/N: Hello friends!! I know you've all been waiting patiently for an update....or not. But oh well. sorry that the last one was so short, but I felt like updating and was waaay to lazy to write anymore. Here's another chapter! YAY!!
ENJOY!
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Aly got up off her bed. What was wrong with her? She'd never been upset or heartbroken before when a guy didn't have any romantic interest in her. She'd never been upset by going to a social event by herself either, so why would tonight be any different?
It wouldn't because she felt pressured to settle down...her mother was 20 when she finally did. Kel still hadn't and she was 20, and Aunt Buri didn't until she was much older. She was only 17, so what was her problem?
Sighing, she walked in front of her mirror and smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress. She wasn't a gorgeous court lady - her nose was slightly crooked like her father's, she didn't wear corsets and was therefore not curvy in the places, but she could flirt, and she knew how to intrigue a young man. She knew she wasn't hideous...or was she? Her hair was a distinct color - not every Tortallan had a light reddish hair with natural blonde streaks, did they? And not every Tortallan had an eye color that could change almost as regularly as Liam Ironarm's had. Sometimes her eyes were hazel with a amethyst hue, sometimes hazel, and sometimes a light green. It always kept men looking....
If I'm hideous, then why had Merric shown an interest in me?' She had convinced herself that she wasn't ugly, thanks to Sir Merric. She smiled a little, yes, someone found her attractive. And she knew she was interesting enough to talk to....that was a given.
She opened the door, and knocked into a fairly large man. The man, however, caught her arms before she could fall back. Oh, I'm sorry! I'm such a klutz...
Aly smiled and wiped off her dress before she looked up. No, it's ok, really. I wasn't looking either. She looked up and immediately remembered the brown eyes, full face and brown curls. Squire Owen, right?
He nodded, Lady Alianne?
She smiled flirtatiously. Please, it's Aly. He looked much better now than he did at lunch. His face actually had color, and his hair wasn't plastered to his forehead by a nervous sweat. She noticed, however, that he struggled to say something. Are you on you're way to the ball?Yeah. Would you, um, like to, um, accompany me?
She smiled warmly again. Most certainly. She curtsied and took his offered arm. She stifled back a laugh - he wasn't very smoother with the ladies!
The pair arrived at the ballroom, and both were relieved to find that they did not need to be announced. She excused herself when they reached the edge of the dance floor, and went to see if she could see Dom and Kel. She spotted Yuki, and walked over to her.
The Yamani woman spun around and quickly embraced the younger woman. Aly!! How wonderful to see you again!
Neal tapped Aly on the shoulder and shook her hand when Yuki finally let go. She yawned, to annoy Neal. Neal huffed and let go abruptly.
Yuki, could I have a moment?
Neal interjected before Yuki could speak. Alianne, my dear! Surely whatever you say to Yuki you can say to me too! He batted his eyelashes obnoxiously as Yuki hit him with her fan.
Aly shrugged. All right. She leaned in and lowered her voice, Well, my monthlies came early and heavier-Aaaand, I'm good! Neal shot up, his cheeks burning, and quickly strutted away.
The corner's of Yuki's mouth twitched. Nicely done. I couldn't have done better myself.Thank you! Now, I have some pretty important and very confidential news that I knew would get Neal extremely upset.Like all news would for that Drama Queen.... she rolled her eyes, making Aly grin widely.
Yes, well, it turns out, she leaned in again, Dom loves Kel.
Yuki gasped. Oh, that's perfect!! It's so obvious that Kel loves him!
Aly giggled, unable to control her excitement. And he's going to tell her tonight!
Now Yuki smiled. Where are they? Her eyes searched the dance floor. she pointed to one side where the Sergeant and Lady Knight were dancing awfully close. Aly sighed. They're so good for each other!Yes...too bad Dom wouldn't be able to marry....
Aly snapped her head in attention and smiled ruefully. When the time comes, I can easily change that. I can be very persuasive, especially when it comes to my Godfather and Uncle...
Yuki's eyes danced and the two women got back to watching Kel and Dom when Merric approached them.
Good evening Lady Yuki, Lady Alianne. He bowed and asked Aly to dance. She accepted and allowed Merric to lead her to the floor. Not surprised, she didn't feel the heat or tingling in her hands or waist that she often longed for when she danced with a man. She knew that she'd find a man who she might even come close to loving when she would tremble slightly at his touch.
She found Sir Merric very boring - she couldn't remember a thing he said, but politely smiled and nodded at the right times. After two (what seemed like never-ending) songs, she apologized and excused herself, and saw Kel and Dom leave the ballroom for the balcony.
She slowly and stealthily made her way over to them when she heard her name being called. She turned around and saw a tall, muscular man with brown bouncy curls jog over to her.
Owen! Sh! She put her hand over his mouth, which caused his eyes to open much wider. She beckoned for him to follow and turned the corner so she could see the balcony.
Dom was holding Kel's hands and was looking deep into her eyes when Owen gave her a questioning look. She grabbed his hand and pulled him behind the column so they could whisper but still see the other pair. Aly dropped his hand immediately. Her hand shook, and she could feel the heat rapidly leave it. She longed to hold it again....
Owen must have felt it too, because without looking at her he grabbed it again. She looked at him, clearly startled, but he continued to watch Kel and Dom. What's going on?
She swallowed the lump in her throat. Dom admitted to me before that he loved Kel, and he's probably about to tell her...
Owen jumped up without dropping her hand. she covered his mouth again.
Sorry. That's just jolly!!!
Aly smirked.
He blushed.
She smiled and playfully punched his arm. Well, I think it's cute.
He blushed again and pointed to Kel and Dom. The two leaned in and were now kissing deeply. Perhaps, we should leave them alone....
Aly agreed and Owen led her to the edge of the dance floor, they're hands still clasped together. He bowed, obviously more comfortable with himself, and asked her to dance.
The two made their way close to the center of the floor and began dancing to the waltz. Aly became very aware of the heat and tingling sensation around her wait, and in her hand. She smiled, and immediately started talking openly and animatedly to Owen. She found him to be much more interesting than Merric, but still not nearly as interesting as say, Jon, Raoul or Gary.
Aly smiled. No on might be as interesting as them - ever.
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At the other end of the ballroom, Yuki nudged Neal in the direction of Aly and Owen. Look's like she's moved on from Dom, huh?
Neal's mouth opened. She best have! Dom was MUCH too old for her!So Owen's okay?
Neal smirked. I doubt she'll stay for him very long...this is Aly we're talking about. Yuki slapped his arm with the fan that she drew from her pocket, but silently agreed with him. It was Aly...
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Who's that that Aly's dancing with?That young man that Aly's dancing with?Looks like Wyldon's squire... George's eyes opened slightly wider.
I wonder how long this one might last....Lass! Stop that! She's your own daughter!So? Admit it, George. She goes through men like she goes through socks.
He sighed. Aye. But that's only because none are interesting enough for her because...Yes, yes, I know. All of the interesting men were born in our generation.
He nodded. And she's fit to be a Player - and everyone knows that usually Players get bored with people quickly...
Alanna's temper was being raised. George...she's not a Player, and you know it.Fine! He raised his hands in surrender, but continued to watch Aly chat and dance with Owen, praying to Mithros that she might hold on to him for longer. Or else she might need a University lad...or worse yet, a thief...What was that? Alanna asked while drinking her tea.
Nothin' to be concerned with, lass.
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Well? Did you love it? Did you hate it?? REVIEW!!!!! I don't know when I'll update next...probably after Christmas!
SO Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates! And Happy Kwanzaa! And Happy Belated Hanukah!!
-AE