"Here we are: Some random rich seamstress's gown making store. I know this, you see, by the fact that it has a pair of a giant silver scissors and a needle. Hmph. Stupid signs with no words." After a trip across the market and leaving several men with broken bones reconsidering their source of income, they had finally come to a gown-maker's shop.

"You didn't have to break all of those men's wrists, Alanna," Robyn said in a hushed voice since they were just outside the shop.

"Robyn! What are you talking about? Those men probably would have raped us after they stole every one of our coppers!" Alanna also remembered to keep her voice down.

"Yes, yes, yes. I know, Alanna. What I was getting at was that you should have tried to mix up your moves a little. It would have been a free living practice dummy."

"Ah. Now that you mention it, I do have a new kick that I want to show you. Maybe when we get back?"

"Sounds wonderful. Right now, though, I want to look at the new gown rages," Robyn said and quickly entered the store. "I'm going to go for a nice emerald color. You, however, should probably get purple."

"Traditional colors for the terrible threesome if Luke gets blue again. Tradition shall once more be upheld and revered. Of course, following tradition, we should go buy black feathered masks." Alanna laughed as she followed her friend to the back.

A boy of around age thirteen, already sworn to the Rouge, ran into the Dancing Dove with upmost news for the King of Thieves and Those at his table. As soon as he approached, all talk minimized greatly. "Majesty! Beg pardon for bargin' in on yer meal, but Marek Swiftknife, Orem, 'Fingers, my brother Shem, and Ercole 'ave all returned from market wiv' broke wrists! Also, rumors are goin' 'round that we weren't th' only ones to get broked." At this, most everyone began to speak to one another in still hushed, worried tones. "Who did it also told me to tell "whoever was in charge of all of th' third-rate thieves stealin' from 'er and 'er friends" that if we don't let 'er alone an' leave 'em some stealin's, th' next 'uns'll come back wiv' more'n broked arms."

"How did this happen? And how d'you know this?" A young man made the question, but when he spoke, everyone quieted. Thanks to this factor, the boy knew to whom he spoke.

"Some lady did it, Sire! She was short, and 'ad bright red 'air and-eyes! 'Er eyes were purple! She was wiv' another lady, but she was in th' shadows. We was trying t' take their purses, and my older brot'er was showing me 'ow to do it in th' rich district, and…she was amazing! We never saw 'er 'ands move!"

"How old was the lass?"

"Not that much older then me, Majesty. She looked t' be about seventeen, same wiv' 'er friend."

That sounds like the girl that caught me stealin' from her! She fits that description perfectly. Was it her? She must be pretty amazing if it was. I might have someone follow her… "Thank you for the information." In a louder voice the man called, "Solom! Give this lad somethin' to drink, he seems right parched." Soon enough, a tankard of light ale was passed to the table.

Man, is this ball boring. "Alanna, have you talked to the prince yet?" Robyn came up wearing her matching mask and dress, with two glasses of punch in her hands. She gave one to Alanna, who sniffed it mistrustingly. (A/N: Now in the dictionary!) "Really, Alanna. I took some of the spiked punch, yes, but I just gave you the kiddy stuff. I know the rule: No alcohol for spies and high-class thieves about to pull of a major stunt. Anyway, I'm only here to give you moral support; no reason for me not to have fun. Oh!" She giggled, probably drunk from the punch. "Did you see that about fifteen young men put full flasks into this punch?"

Alanna took a sip and said, "Robyn, shut up, you're already drunk. Anyway, you're perfectly correct. Just imagine the following: you and Luke both have the fifteen times(at least)-spiked punch. I leave right after the ball, and probably won't be back until sunrise. You and Luke both "have fun," and I won't be any the wiser. Except for, of course, the fact that you are both naked in the same bed while trying to overcome your hangovers."

"Alanna! You know that's not what I meant!" She giggled again. "But actually, that does sound like a wonderful eveni-" She was interrupted by Luke coming up to join in conversation.

"What were you two talking about?" Luke was dressed in his signature outfit for masqueradeballs: a black feather mask, black full breeches and silk shirt, black leather boots, and most important: a knee-length sapphire tunic trimmed in silver, split at the sides waist down to allow movement.

"Nothing!" Robyn said and blushed. Luke stared at her, then cocked an eyebrow at Alanna.

"We're talking about how you two will spend the Alanna-less night after you both get near drunk on the spiked punch."

Luke blushed and said, "Oh." (I ?(heart) Luke. He's tied up in my closet right now, but if any of you girlies want to borrow him, just ask! He's cute topless, too! O.n !I repeat: I ?(heart) Luke.)

"Robyn, I just came over to ask if you-um-I mean, you don't have to, and if you don't want to, it's okay, but um-"

This will take foreverAlanna cut in to save Luke. "What he's saying, Robyn, is that he wants to ask you to dance." Luke gave a look of obvious thanks, and Alanna smiled back.

Just as he was leaving, he said over his shoulder, "Alanna, you need to go talk to the knights. Scat!" Alanna stuck her tongue out in return. Yes, Luke, I need to, but I feel like sitting for a while. So there!

Meanwhile (in a galaxy far, far away a.k.a. right across the hall): "Hey, Jon, have you seen those two new arrivals? Mithros! I saw them joking with some new guy, but…wow. You can't miss them; one has red hair and-get this-purple eyes. I asked one of the court sorcerers and he said that they weren't caused by magic! The other one looks just as nice as Delia, and has the same looks-green eyes and brown hair-but has these raven-black streaks in her hair. If you look at them in the right light, they'll change colors from a green-black to a blue-black to a purple-black. Same thing with her-no magic." Jon laughed at his cousin.

"Gary, did you see all of that from your spot right there and talking with a mage?"

"Yeah, why?" Gary looked at his cousin, confused.

"You have sharp eyes, is all. Have you found Raoul's hiding spot for tonight?" the prince said as he scanned the crowd for the tall young knight.

"No, but Alex went to search for him. Hey, Jon? Let's go over and see those girls. Please? If I'm with you, I might be able to get one of them." The prince laughed again.

"All right. But are you doing that bad with them? Weren't you with one lady you met at the last ball?" His cousin blushed.

"She bored me." Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "She would bore you too! Goddess, Jonathan. It was like talking to a stone wall--worse, actually, considering that walls don't talk. All she could talk about was cruelty to chickens! Chickens! Why chickens? Well, apparently she thinks that we should ask permission before chopping off their heads and putting them into a stew pot. Anyway, whom are you going to try for? I need to be warned. Again with the eyebrow! And people say I'm strange."

"But cousin," Jon said as they set out across the floor, "you are strange."

"Hello, would you be so kind as to introduce yourself." Ah! A guard, but how? We were so careful. Better play it cool. Alanna turned to see two tall men. One had chestnut hair and eyes, but the other one-he looked-Alanna: amazing. Moi: Yes, Alanna.-simply amazing. He had coal black hair and sapphire eyes, but the air around him even had the same regal nature. The prince. Very good. Alanna made a point to keep her eyes down.

"I am Lady Alianne of Sherwood, your Highness. For you are the prince, are you not?" She curtsied and lowered her eyes. Wherever is Sherwood? thought the prince, but he said nothing. Alanna also was having unsaid thoughts, though hers were quite different. He's so majestic. Prince Jonathan, you wouldn't mind if I followed you all night, would you?

"I am." Gary elbowed him hard. "Oh. And this is my cousin, Sir Gareth the Younger of Naxon." Alanna came up, smiling.

"I am honored by your presences your Highness, Sir Gareth."

"Gary. Gareth sounds like my father." The other said. Gary? Humph. What kind of name is Gary?

"Gary." Alanna amended. "But what are such fine knights doing around an heiress of only a small fief such as myself?" She finally looked up.

"Your-your eyes! They are purple!" Alanna stared at the prince. Duh. He sure is stupid, but-Goddess! He sure is handsome.

I think I'm-Hurriedly, Alanna said something before she could finish her thought "Yes, your Highness. 'Tis the reason I wear such an unusual color as purple for my dress." Jonathan blinked, but was too shocked to say anything. Unfortunately, Gary was feeling left out of the conversation.

Your Highness, I think I'm falling-Gary cut her musings short. "Of course. Um-weren't you with another woman? She had unusual hair, brown, but with raven-black-" Alanna cut him short.

"Oh, yeah-I mean-yes. (Miss Congeniality) Her. Um, that was my friend, uh-" Fairy-tale name. "Maid-I mean-Lady Marian of Huntington. (I also (heart) Robin O' Th' Hood/Robin Fitzooth/Rob-in-the-hood/Robin Hood. He has many names, you see.) She is currently with her…friend, Robin of Nottingham, (Hey! Robyn (heart) Robin! Hahaha! Sorry.) on the dancing floor." Once again, the prince could not remember any before mentioning of the places she named, but said nothing of it.

"May I invite you to dance, Lady Alianne?" Jonathan said as he bowed. That and more, my prince. (Ug. Am I really writing A/J right now? Gross.)

"Yes. I do believe you may, your Highness," Alanna murmured. Why am I acting like some lovesick wench that can only think of love

"Please, call me Jonathan." He gave her a small smile as he took her hand and led her to the floor.

At his slight smile, Alanna felt her insides melt. Well, I suppose that's one reason.

A couple hours later:

Alanna suddenly fell out of her daydreaming. "What time is it?" she asked. She realized that they were still on the dance floor.

The prince also seemed to be awoken from a dream. "Oh. The hour until midnight bell just rang, didn't it?"

Shit! "Oh, Highness! My friend Marian (Robyn, remember?) must be absolutely worried about my whereabouts, she is so silly sometimes!" Alanna then giggled like the mindless flirt she was pretending to be. "She's worse than my old nursemaid, that one. Oh well, she might hurt herself if she worries too much!" Though I doubt that she's worrying too much right now. 'Least, not with Luke with her. "Good night, Highness." She got up, and, in a whisper, said, (that's a lot of commas!) "Oh, and tell Sir Gareth not to get his hopes up with Lady Marian. She and Lord Robin are courting, or could you not tell?" With that, she left. Now, the real work may begin. Where oh where are the prince's rooms? She pulled herself into a small alcove and replaced her uncomfortable dancing shoes with soft kid leather boots. Ah, much better. She looked around, and, seeing no one, ran into a closet to finish changing into a maid's clothing.