Not speaking a word to her father about the conversation she had walked in on, Beth tried to push that memory aside and focus on the dance. Her father had come down with her, but not wanting to appear too protective, allowed his daughter her space. Besides, he was far more interested in conversing with Jennifer about getting access to the archives.
Beth wandered around seeking out her prince. A hare orchestra played a selection of very military sounding waltzes and tunes. All around the dance floor couples twirled and danced. The young squirrel had to keep her eyes peeled for any sign of another squirrel. Sighing lightly, she couldn't spy prince Truffken anywhere.
"Psst..." A whisper came from behind her. It seemed fate had other things in mind. There hidden partially by a stone archway, was the prince. He waved a paw for her to come with him. That silly grin returned to Beth's face and she instantly followed.
"I was afraid I wouldn't see you again. " The prince began, taking her by the paw and guiding her towards the hallway. "Quickly now. I don't want Streambattle spying us. I already gave him the slip. "
Beth followed, her heart fluttered with excitement. It wasn't every day she got to run though the halls of Salamandastron with a prince. "Aren't I supposed to bow to you or something you highness?"
Truffken paused and laughed. "Naw, I'd much rather y'didn't." he winked and suddenly pulled her into another archway. He pressed a paw to his lips, and watched as two Long Patrol officers strolled by.
"That was close." The young princes sounded very relieved. When he was sure that the coast was clear the pair hurried towards a winding flight of stairs. Truffken was most nimble, as were many of his sort. He took the stairs two at a time waiting for Beth to catch up. Striding down two steps he smiled at her.
"Y'know, I think perhaps you're the prettiest squirrel maid I've ever seen."
Behind her red fur Beth flushed. "Er…" She was at a loss for words.
"You don't get many compliments do you?" He smiled warmly.
"Not really, I've never been called the prettiest, much less a squirrel maid before."
Truffken laughed lightly waiting for her in the landing. "Well I am a prince that only speaks the truth."When she caught up with him, he reached for her paw then pulled her towards him. Ever so gently he placed a kiss on her cheek.
Beth gasped with surprise, the sound rewarded with a second tender kiss on her lips. When Truffken pulled away he grinned like an absolute fool.
"My chambers are just up this flight of stairs. Lord Urthbriar has given me a whole suite to myself."
Beth followed up another step, but the butterflies in her gut caused her to falter. "Are you sure about this?"
Truffken hadn't expected such a question. "More sure about this than anything else. Come on lovely. I'm a squirrel prince with a king sized bed all to my lonesome." His face was a picture of mock despair.
Warning bells went off in the teenage squirrel's head. "Excuse me?"
Truffken seemed all the more put off. "Come on, I'm the prince of Southsward. There are squirrel girls all over the world who would give their tails to be where you are now. We're young, we're attractive, isn't like we'll run into each other again. So come on, before Streambattle catches us and ruins all my fun."
"All your fun?"Suddenly Beth's handsome prince was turning into a frog. "I'm not sure I want the sort of fun you're offering."
"Are you seriously turning me down?" The prince's voice lost all the previous gentleness and manners befitting his status. "I'm a prince, what are you? Just a bratty twerp from a place where no one gives a fur about. Sure you look cute in that dress, but at season's end, this might have been the highlight of your life. Hurry up, before I change my mind about you."
Gritting her teeth, and fighting back tears she turned tail and ran down the stairs. Sniffing and feeling embarrassed for thinking that Truffken actually carried about her, Beth nearly collided with Group Captain Tussock.
"Careful there miss." He held out a paw and caught her.
Beth didn't even look up, her eyes puffy, and she was far too upset and embarrassed to say anything. The retired air force officer caught sight of the prince following after her. His face caught in a sneer, he was about to make another cruel comment when he spied the hare. The Group Captain released Beth, letting her rush off back to the dance hall. He turned his attentions to the male squirrel.
"Good evening y'highness. I believe that big otter chap has been looking for you." Tussock spoke gently but firmly. As that was all her cared to say to the prince, he turned and carried on with his business.
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Beth wanted nothing more than to leave the party. Her father was so busy talking with Jennifer and the many acquaintances she introduced him too. The young squirrel sat against the wall with a glass of punch, feeling most miserable. She stared into the peach coloured fluid, fighting back another barrage of tears.
"Hello there."
She peered up and found the handsome Captain Tussock who had acted as driver earlier, standing before her.
"Hello." Beth tried to sound happy, for the sake of the hare.
"Don't suppose you'd fancy a dance?" He offered out a paw in the most gentlebeast of manners. When Beth hesitated he withdrew his paw, wriggling his ears. "Ah, well. A buck can always hope wot. Granddad sent me over with strict instructions to cheer you up. Sorry to say miss, I can't very well go back on the ole lags orders. He'd take me scut for tea so he would. "
The young squirrel wasn't in the mood to be taken pity on, but it didn't seem the hare was ready to hear anything of it. She caught sight of a now smug looking prince Truffken across the dance hall. The Captain turned and spied the squirrel as well. Leaning closer to Beth he whispered. "Beg pardon for my saying so, but I rather think you not enjoying y'self is letting that blighter win. Come with me, forget that wretched duffer."
Cheering up if only marginally, Beth followed the hare. They left the dance hall and descended the stairs to another large open room. There was music blaring from within. Not the formal classical sounds from upstairs, but the sort of music that was popular with the younger crowd. All around there were the younger Long Patrol hares, dancing, eating and carrying on. Most still wore the formal dress uniforms, although some had discarded elements along the way. Beth even spied Toby one of the hares she met in the airport. He was sat at one of the tables lining the hall, drinking nettle beer with some of his friends. To her surprise he saw her as well and offered up a wave. Instantly Beth began to feel more at ease, the joy of being at Salamandastron returning.
The Captain guided her towards a table, where a lovely female hare in civilian dress sat chatting with other young officers. "This is my girlfriend Penny." He indicated to the pretty female. "These other chaps, well they don't really matter."
The other hares threw up their paws in protest. "ey now, I'll tell y'wot doesn't matter. That thing growing below yer nose. Wot is that Penny?" one of the young officers joked.
Penny couldn't help but giggle herself. "Oh be nice Rafe, Tam's just trying t'grow his whiskers out into an officer's moustache. "
The Captain's nose twitched as they continued to laugh at his expense.
"Whooo hahah. It looks like some fuzzy caterpillar is residing on his face."
"Rather, I think yer whiskers may be rebelling there chum."
Tussock sat down and accepted a tankard of nettle beer from his girlfriend. " Oh Ha Ha, very funny you lot." He raised his eyes to the ceiling and sighed. "Y'see what I must endure Miss Firdance." He shook his head.
Beth was trying very hard not to laugh. She instantly took a liking to these friends of his. The music changed into that of a slow song. The jovial Rafe clapped his paws swaying to the beat. "Oh I do love this one. Chalky remember this 'un. I danced wit Maggie M'ginnerty t'this very song at our graduation. Wot ever happened t'er?"
A small white hare referred to as Chalky answered without skipping a beat. "Last I heard she married some whallah, then got frightfully fat."
Rafe sighed and clapped his paws again. "Oh pish tish, seems t'be the way o'most things. Right then who's dancing with me?"
With the exception of Penny, all the other hares at the table were male. Penny politely shook her head. To this Rafe grinned and eyes his other friends ears wiggling playfully. As if it was planned all paws pointed towards Beth. The young squirrel didn't so much as have a chance to protest. The hare was up on his powerful hind legs and whisked her off to the dance floor.
At least Rafe was a good dancer, Beth thought to herself. He took the lead spinning her about gracefully. Even though Beth wasn't very good, the hare's talents made her feel as if she were. While Rafe was a fine dancer, he was a horrible singer. Before the song was over Beth was in tears from laughing as the hare comically sang along, purposely changing out words to make her laugh.
"Oh stop it, please I don't think I can breathe I'm laughing so hard." She begged between giggles.
"Good thing I'm with the field ambulance then." And he continued his caterwauling.
When the song had concluded, the hare bowed to his dance partner and they made their way to the refreshments table. Beth was more thirsty than anything else, but couldn't resist a piece of chocolate cake. Rafe carried their goodies back with them, even pulling out Beth's chair upon returning to the table.
"Didn't step on yer toes too much did he missie?" Chalky asked.
"Not at all. He was a proper gentlebeast." Beth smiled.
"Ah, don't go saying that too much. T'will go to the rogues head."
Things had made a full 180 from earlier. Beth got along well with all the younger hares. Never before had she danced so much in her life. Several of the young males approached asking to dance with her, so many she actually had to turn some down. When the faster songs came about she was frequently invited to join groups of females. Her cup of punch never seemed empty; at times she would even have two or three before her.
Penny and a few of the young female hares brought Beth along to the ladies room to freshen up. Beth sat on a small chair by the sink as the hares brushed out their fur or reapplied makeup. Those who were still single chattered and giggled about handsome bucks they fancied. One younger hare, smiled at Beth.
"Perhaps we ought t'bring that handsome prince down this way, so you have another squirrel t'dance with."
To the hare's surprise Beth didn't seem to like the statement. Feeling she could trust these creatures, she told the hares what had happened between her and Truffken. It felt good to get it off her chest.
"He said WHAT!" Penny exclaimed her ears standing ridged." Well I never."
Beth sat back in the chair as a wave of angry haremaids rattled off a list of things they would do to any male who dare say such things to them.
"I know a sergeant who could give that layabout what's coming to him, an' make it look like a jolly accident."
While Beth thought the suggestion was a bit extreme, to her surprise many of the hares seemed o support the idea. Penny quickly stepped in to put an end to it.
"Now ladies, no doubt this Truffken is a regular scoundrel. However, perhaps causing personal injury, no matter how warranted would not be in anybeasts best interest. "There were some grumbles of disagreement. "Besides, my Tam's responsible for escorting him back to the airport. I'm sure the little wretch would absolutely love the driving conversation." She grinned broadly.
Beth's jaw dropped. "He wouldn't"
Penny nodded. "Oh don't worry, if anybeast can put a wretch in their place it is my Tam. Wouldn't be surprised if he cries like a babe by the time he's done with him."
The thought put Beth's mind at east. Long Patrol justice was very sweet indeed.