The Yule Ball

Weeks passed, and soon it was time for Ever After High's annual Yule Ball. As a would-be villain, Rotbart didn't care much for Christmas and he really didn't care for most high school dances. But he liked the Yule Ball. In fact, he liked it so much, he wouldn't think of spoiling it in any way.

The EAH Yule Ball was a very grand, formal affair; mostly because the event was organized by characters from the Nutcracker. Rotbart enjoyed elegant things (despite his love of immature pranks), and he could always trust other ballet characters to provide them. And although most of the characters from the Nutcracker could be sickeningly sweet (particularly the ones from the Candy Kingdom), they sure knew how to throw a gala.

Of course, this year wouldn't be quite as much fun for Rotbart without Ratty. Ratty was the son of the Mouse King and Rotbart's good friend and idol. When Rotbart first came to EAH, upperclassman Ratty quickly took him under his wing. Although Ratty didn't have several heads as most of predecessors did, he was an undeniably wicked soul and Rotbart was always in awe of his panache and daring. Ratty had graduated the previous year and Rotbart hadn't been able to find another male friend of his caliber since (there were very few guy villains at EAH this year and most of the hero-types annoyed Rotbart ). But at least Ratty was always in touch via e-mail.

And as Rotbart got dressed for the ball, he received a message from his old friend:

Dear Rotty,

I'd say Season's Greetings, but neither of us are into all that nonsense. So instead I'll say: Greetings, you fiendish sack of feathers!

Things are so-so here in the land of sweets; the local marshmallows are all making their usual fuss over Christmas and making all of us ill in the process. Mater hexed a bunch of carolers yesterday; now they all have permanent frogs in their throats! I can't wait to wage war on these people.

So how are things in the tenth circle of hell? As uptight as ever, I presume (Godmother, was I glad to escape). Does Grimm still have a stick up his arse? Is your sister still determined to be good? And how are things working out with that new story of yours?

Anyway, have a good time at the ball tonight, old sport! If you see Nathan, say hi for me (and be sure to tell him that he's still a blockhead). And have some camembert for me. And brie. And cheddar. And gouda. And wenslydale. You get the idea. (Rotbart rolled his eyes. Like all mice-people, Ratty was crazy for cheese).

Cheers,

Ratty

Same old Ratty. Rotbart thought. And he longed for the day when he too would graduate and leave Ever After High. No more rules, no more narrow-mindedness, and no more idiotic royals (save Apple, of course, but he had resigned himself to that). Most of the rebels were tolerable in Rotbart's book; his sister was one, and at least they were committed to making things interesting. But he could definitely do without all those entitled princes and princesses and their various lackeys. They were the ones that made high school more hellish than usual.

But he could deal with them for the sake of an evening of culture.

Before Apple's destiny had been changed against her will, she hadn't taken any notice of Rotbart. But now that he was her antagonist, she found herself keeping a cautious eye on him during the ball. While she laughed with all of her friends and admirers, she kept glancing at the young evil sorcerer. Just to make sure that he wasn't doing anything dastardly.

But Rotbart did nothing of the sort. It looked like he went out of his way to insult Nathan Nutcracker at one point, but that was it. He mostly just stood by the buffet table and watched everyone around him with an amused expression. As if he was secretly laughing at them all (which was absolutely true).

He looked very regal in his magnificent blue and silver suit and feathered cape. If Apple didn't know who he was, she might have mistaken him for a Prince Charming. But when he caught her looking at him and gave her a wicked grin and small, sarcastic bow, she immediately changed her mind; no prince would ever have such a sinister, cynical smile!

Most of the villainesses seemed impressed by him though. Several of them approached him, but he rejected them all. He talked to Raven a couple times, but he made no effort to dance with her. Apple was puzzled by this, but she quickly assumed that Rotbart, in spite of all his composure, was self-conscious about his dancing.

Of course nothing could have been further from the truth. Rotbart was a born danseur, like all the Swan Lake Sorcerers before him. He just felt no need to show off at the moment. He was content to watch all the other ballet characters prance about this evening. And to watch everybody else try to keep up with them.

Rotbart watched Sparrow with particular disdain. His roommate was a terrible dancer and he tread on Duchess's toes multiple times as she tried to lead him in a waltz. Such a waste. He thought. And he wondered what on earth Duchess could possibly see in that jackass.

Eventually, Sparrow's pitiful attempts at dancing became too painful to watch, and Rotbart decided to step out on the veranda for a breath of fresh air.

It was a trivial decision. But Rotbart could have never fathomed the consequences.