Author's Note: This chapter is long, but a lot happened at the birthday party!
KathDMD – Hope you enjoy DJ Prong's evening! It is good to be the band!
The Birthday Party
Larmina came down the stairs and everyone gasped! Her dress was beautiful and risqué all at the same time. The turquoise satin bodice was strapless, and from her chest until her thighs fit like it had been poured on her. Just above the low cut neckline was a ruching of turquoise tulle that was supposed to cover how low the top was cut. Instead, it drew attention to it as it seemed to barely cover the tops of her breasts.
The back of the bodice was cut down to her lower back, exposing an amazing expanse of creamy skin. It echoed the creamy skin that was shown from her neck to the top of the tulle. There was nothing to interrupt the movement of the eyes from her face to her breasts.
The skirt, from her thighs down was soft satin underneath and a thin layer of tulle over it. It moved gently and almost seemed to draw attention to her lush curves above. The dress was the same color as her eyes, and with her creamy skin her red hair blazed in a fiery glory. The diamonds in her earrings caught the light under the chandeliers, throwing sparkles onto her neck.
Everyone was speechless for a moment, and then Count Fredericks stepped up with two glasses of champagne. "Your Ladyship, you are even more beautiful than your Mother!" He handed her a glass and said "Please turn around; I need to admire your beautiful dress!"
Lance saw exactly where the elderly Count was looking and muttered "Dress, my ass! I know exactly what he is admiring!" Coran had been standing next to Lance and smiled a wry smile. He said "Lance, Fredericks was quite the lady's man in his day!" Lance said "I don't think he has lost his eye in the least!" He actually had to hand it to the old guy, getting to Larmina first. At the back of his mind he was thinking that if he wasn't so in love with her Aunt, he would be giving the Count a run for his money.
"I don't think she should have any champagne, Count Fredericks, she is only 18!" Allura said, appalled at how much skin Larmina was showing. She was also shocked at how everyone was looking at her niece with admiration. Fredericks wasn't having any of it; he wasn't Court Marshall for nothing and everything ran under him.
"Nonsense, she is 18 and officially out. Of course we will all drink champagne to toast her!" For his entire adherence to protocol and etiquette, he knew what it took to keep a dynasty going. Being too high minded only got you so far! Allura sighed, and watched as the wait staff handed out flutes of champagne.
Keith really wanted to tell Daniel and Vince no, since it was against the Academy code. He also knew that the rule about underage drinking was routinely overlooked. He had done it himself, and at least this was the ballroom of a royal palace.
While they were toasting the birthday girl, the participants had their own thoughts. Keith had always admired Larmina's spirit, and how she took everything that was thrown at her full throttle! The dress didn't surprise him in the least, but he understood why Allura looked so shocked. At the back of his mind Keith wondered what it would be like to see Allura in a dress like Larmina's!
Hunk had always liked Larmina, and enjoyed her company as they rocked out to music that shook the palace walls. He had not only adjusted to her as a pilot, but once he saw her in her pilot's uniform that showed off her figure, Hunk realized how attracted to her he was. Looking at her now, in the dress that showed off so much, and hinted at so much more, he wished that Daniel and Pidge were not around.
Daniel and Vince were staring at Larmina open mouthed! She was probably the instrument of their destruction, but no angel should look so hot! Vince was imagining what it would be like to run his hands over those curves, while Daniel already had the dress off of her! Vince shut out what Daniel was thinking, so he could have his own fantasy.
Pidge smiled when he saw Larmina, and thought how wonderful she looked. He had already felt most of her curves, and was looking forward to feeling the rest of them. All that expanse of creamy skin reminded him of whipped cream, and he wondered what it would be like to drizzle chocolate sauce on her skin and slowly lick it off! He had put special thought into the earrings, and had enjoyed slipping into her bedroom and leaving them on her bed.
He wasn't in a rush to crowd around her, knowing that he was going to be able to monopolize her attention later, as DJ Prong. Pidge almost laughed when he saw Daniel and Vince trying to approach her and she turned her back on them. He enjoyed watching the elderly Count finish them off, and he was reminded of someone slapping at annoying bugs!
The plan for the evening was that the guests would arrive, go through the receiving line and then mingle and dance. Food would be served buffet style, and there were several open bars, as well as waiters passing champagne. Halfway through the evening Stereolatic would show up to entertain the guests.
After the receiving line Larmina was out on the floor dancing with various partners. Lance thought it quite funny that Hunk, Daniel, and Vince hung around her, but couldn't seem to be able to ask her to dance. He decided to pull one of his teases, just to see the expression on their faces.
Lance was not a ladies' man for nothing, and had no problems walking up to Larmina when she had finished dancing with a chinless young man in the uniform of the Arusian Military Academy. He saw Lance and knew that was being upstaged. Lance smiled at Larmina and took her in his arms, as they started dancing.
Hunk, Daniel and Vince were watching with envy as Lance danced with Larmina. Daniel and Vince had been very annoyed when Larmina seemed to choose cadets from the Arusian Military Academy instead of them to dance with. Now watching her dance with Lance, his lion badge gleaming under the lights brought home how low on the totem pole they were. Hunk had seen Lance in action enough to know what was going on, and if he wasn't so attracted to Larmina he would have enjoyed the misery Daniel and Vince were experiencing.
Lance was twirling Larmina expertly around the floor and said to her "All those dance classes Allura made you take paid off I see!" Larmina laughed and said "I didn't mind as much as I let on actually!" She was enjoying dancing with Lance, appreciating how good he was. He had always been fun, and she knew what a flirt he was. Larmina sometimes wished that Lance would turn his charms on her Aunt, who really needed loosening up. She decided to see if she could get something going.
"I think when you are done dancing with me, you should go dance with my Aunt. Otherwise she will be stuck dancing with boring old men all night!" Larmina told Lance, looking up at him. He said "Are you trying to get something going?" Lance would have no problem, but didn't know what Allura would think of that.
Larmina smiled and said "I think she needs to loosen up some and have fun! She doesn't do that enough!" Lance got a big grin on his face and said "Well to start, I think she needs to visit your fashion designer, and not the court dressmaker! That is some dress you have one!" She giggled and said "Did you see the look on my Aunt's face?"
Lance got a knowing look and said "I was too busy watching Fredericks ogling you! I hope when I am his age I still have that desire!" They both laughed as the dance came to an end. When he took her back to the edge of the floor, he saw Hunk standing there, and decided to take pity on the big guy. Lance walked her over to where Hunk was standing, with Daniel and Vince just behind him.
Hunk saw what Lance was doing and was very happy about it. Pidge had been hoping to dance with Larmina next, but also saw what was going on. He knew it would make his friend happy to dance with Larmina, so Pidge decided to wait until the next dance. Pidge wasn't jealous of Hunk anymore, knowing that he wasn't competition. He was concerned though that their friendship might not survive his relationship with Larmina. Pidge knew which one he would choose, and hoped that when the time came Hunk would understand.
Hunk couldn't believe his good luck, to be out on the dance floor with Larmina. He said as much, and she said "Why wouldn't I dance with you? You are my friend!" That wasn't quite what Hunk wanted to hear, but figured it was better than nothing. He was preoccupied trying to figure out where to put his hand on her back. He didn't want to touch her bare skin, but with the way the dress fit, if he put his hand on the fabric it was almost touching her rear end.
Hunk was glad when the dance was over with, feeling like he had not acquitted himself well. He hoped he could make it up when Stereolatic played. As they were leaving the floor Pidge walked up to them, looking well turned out and handsome in his dress uniform. Hunk smiled at his friend, thinking that Pidge would be busy as DJ Prong that he wouldn't have time to spend with Larmina.
Pidge bowed and asked for the dance, which Larmina responded to with a big smile. Hunk watched as Pidge took her out on the floor, and he noticed that his friend had no problem figuring out where to place his hand on her back. Hunk hoped the Stereolatic would start their playing soon.
Larmina was thrilled to be held in Pidge's arms, and she looked at him saying "Thank you for the wonderful earrings! I couldn't believe it when I saw them!" Pidge smiled at her and said "They reminded me of your eyes." She said "Oh Pidge, I love them!" She had a thought and said "How did you get them into my room with no one seeing you?" Pidge got a wicked grin in his face as he pulled her a little closer and said "I designed the security system, and I know how to get around it!"
He saw her think about that, and then said "I will have to be leaving soon, but I want to enjoy our dance." She looked at him and as she felt him against her said "I am enjoying it!" Pidge said into her ear "I am enjoying that dress! It opens the mind up to all kinds of thoughts." Larmina felt his breath on her ear, and it made her heart race even faster than it was. She said with a low laugh "What kind of thoughts would those be?" Pidge said "We would really need to be alone for me to tell you, but I can guarantee that your Aunt would not approve!"
Daniel and Vince were watching Pidge and Larmina, and Daniel said to Vince "How come all we do is watch the girl, who is going to ruin our lives, dance with everyone else?" Vince said "She is only going to ruin your life, and you have done it to yourself!" He was preoccupied watching Pidge pull Larmina even closer to him, and Daniel picked up on his thoughts. 'You are jealous of your idol!' Daniel thought at him, and Vince sighed saying 'Wouldn't you be?' Daniel looked at his friend and thought 'well, he is DJ Prong and a lion pilot!'
Coran and Fredericks were standing off to the side watching Allura talking to the Ambassador from earth. Coran said "Allura looks beautiful tonight!" Fredericks said "I think we need to find out who made Her Ladyship's dress. You will never find the Princess a husband with how she is dressed!" Coran looked at his friend and said "You should be ashamed of yourself, a man of your age checking out 18 year old girls!"
Fredericks laughed and said "When they dress like that they want to be checked out!" Coran said "What is wrong with the Princess' dress? It is lovely." Fredericks said "If she was 40! The only person checking her out is Commander Kogane, but the only thing he has shown interest in pursuing was Black Lion!" Coran sighed, knowing his friend was right. Fredericks went on "You need to be careful, it could be Crown Prince Eammon all over again!" Coran didn't want to hear that and said "I will need to work on it!"
The evening was halfway through and Larmina was standing with Allura and Lance. Suddenly the room went dark, and then strobe lights started flashing. A spotlight showed a dj's platform and there was DJ Prong in his lit up suit. "Stereolatic is in the house!" He announced and suddenly the holograms were up and playing.
After several songs, the music stops and DJ Prong asked "Are you having fun?" He stepped from the platform, and with two burly security guards, in evening clothes following him, walked up to Princess Allura. Everyone watched as DJ Prong bowed in front of her, kissed her hand, and then turned to Larmina. "Happy Birthday Your Ladyship!" He announced and took her in his arms, twirling her and dipping her. Still holding her hand he escorted her up to the platform.
Daniel and Vince had tried to talk to DJ Prong, but the security guards cut them off. When Lance saw that he said to Allura "That was almost worth this awful music!" Allura said "It is her birthday party, and she likes it." Lance was watching Allura look at Larmina and DJ Prong; she looked very concerned.
Lance saw Larmina up on the platform, dancing away to the music. She was raising her arms and having a wonderful time. He said to Allura "What are you so concerned about? I don't see DJ Prong putting the moves on her!" Allura sighed and said "Every time she raises her arms I expect her to come out of that dress! I still can't believe she wore something that revealing!"
"Double sided tape!" Lance said to her, and she turned to look at him in puzzlement. Lance saw her confusion and said "The dress is held in place with special double sided tape. She won't come out of it. I will say though, that would certainly take this show to a new level!" Allura said "How do you know what is holding up that dress?" She was now worried and Lance felt bad for her.
"Allura, you can trust me on the subject of women's clothing – I have undressed a number of women!" Allura looked at him aghast, as he said that. Lance went on "However, I am not into 18 year old girls! I much prefer their Aunts!" Lance had decided to push the envelope, after his conversation with Larmina.
Allura looked at him, not believing what he had just said! Before she could formulate a reply Keith came up to them. Lance groaned inwardly, but put a good face on. Keith had seen Allura and Lance standing close together, and knew from Lance's body language that he was flirting. He didn't understand why seeing Lance with Allura bothered him so much, but it did.
Keith said to Allura "This is some birthday party you are giving her!" Allura smiled at Keith, glad that he had come up just now. She really didn't want to think about Lance's remark. She said "I wish I had seen that dress before she wore it!" Lance laughed and said "You might not like it, but every male here does!" Keith laughed at that and said "Count Fredericks certainly did!"
Allura sighed again and said "I wonder how late this will go?" Lance smiled and said "Didn't you set that up with DJ Prong ahead of time?" Allura looked at the platform, and how DJ Prong had his arm around Larmina's waist. She was starting to question her decision to have him perform. Allura said out loud "That was something else I should have questioned him about." Keith said "Look at it this way; she is the most envied girl in the galaxy right now!" Keith figured it was part of Pidge's show, while Lance admired how he was getting lots of time with the birthday girl. He decided he wouldn't tell Allura about how girls felt about musicians, since she looked worried enough already.
Up on the platform Larmina was having more fun than she had thought possible. DJ Prong debuted several new songs at her party, which pleased her. At one point, while the 'band' was playing she told him that, through the special mike he had set up, and he said "I promised you a good show!" He put his arm around her waist as he said it, and she felt tingles go up and down her legs.
Larmina giggled and said "Should DJ Prong behave this way with me in public?" He replied "One of the perks of being DJ Prong, my dear. By the way, I hadn't noticed earlier how sexy your feet look!" She lifted her skirt slightly and showed them to him. She had on silver sandals held in place by thin, glittering bands, and her toenails were painted the same shade as her dress. He admired how the straps showed off how small and delicate her feet were.
"I'm glad you like them! I don't think my Aunt did!" In fact her Aunt had seen her shoes and said that closed toes would have been more appropriate for the occasion. DJ Prong said "I don't think you are that concerned about your Aunt's opinion!" He moved his hand up and down the side of her waist, wishing he didn't have his gloves on.
Daniel, Vince, and Hunk were all sitting at a table with downcast faces. Daniel said "Look at that! He is all over her, right in front of everyone!" Hunk had not thought that DJ Prong would take Larmina up to the platform. He was surprised at how freely his friend was touching her too. He had assumed that Pidge would be working the sound board and projector, while everyone danced. Vince was shocked that Pidge was carrying on that way with Larmina, and even more shocked at how Larmina was encouraging it, by cuddling up to him.
Lance was on his way to the bar and passing by their table saw how discouraged they all looked. He stopped and said "This is your favorite rock group, why are you all sitting here looking miserable!" In fact he knew perfectly well why they were, but he couldn't resist rubbing it in Daniel's face. "DJ Prong is too interested in the birthday girl for my taste!" Daniel said with a sour look on his face, and Vince commented "He has totally ignored us!"
"Of course he is concentrating on Larmina. A, she is the birthday girl, and B, she is hot!" Lance told the boys and went on "Just so you know, chicks always go nuts for the boys in the band! One summer I was in a band, and let me tell you I had more sex than I had ever had before. Take my advice; if you want to get laid, join a band!" He walked away laughing.
Hunk had looked shocked when Lance made the comment about girls and the band, because he knew it was true. He looked over at DJ Prong and decided he would have no problem beating his friend up if he tried anything with Larmina. Daniel thought to Vince 'Do you think DJ Prong will try something?' Vince looked over and saw Allura watching the show. 'I think the Princess is not going to let Larmina out of her sight!'
The show went on until after midnight, at which point DJ Prong returned Larmina to Allura, and made it a point to be on his good behavior. He figured he had pushed it as far as he could for now. After everyone was gone Larmina said good night to Allura and headed upstairs. Her Aunt said she needed to talk to Fredericks, and then she would be up too.
Larmina was heading upstairs, and on the landing of the third floor, where the family quarters were, she was surprised to see Daniel waiting in the shadows. She suddenly wished she wasn't alone, because she didn't like how he was looking!
Daniel had spent the rest of the evening watching DJ Prong touching Larmina in all the places he wanted to. He was also upset about the note she had sent him earlier in the day. His mood was not helped by the fact that he was slightly drunk. Daniel knew he was not supposed to drink, but decided he didn't care what he was supposed to do.
He had no problems getting served, and by now the alcohol was fueling his jealousy at Pidge, and anger at Larmina. Mixed with the haggerium in his system, his emotions were out of control. Lamina saw his eyes glowing purple, and knew that he was not in his right mind.
"Daniel, you need to get out of here! Someone will see you!" Larmina was hoping that she could reason with him before the situation escalated. Daniel walked over to her, grabbed her by the arm, and said "I didn't like that note you sent me! I also didn't like how you let Pidge paw you all night!"
She was taken aback at the anger in him, and could see the haggerium racing through his veins. His grip on her arm seemed almost super human, and she realized he couldn't be reasoned with. Larmina went into fighter mode and in spite of her long dress she had him flipped and on the ground in no time!
Daniel stood up and was all set to go after her when he heard a voice say "Cadet, do you have problems understanding when a lady says no?" He turned to see Pidge standing there with a contemptuous look on his face. His dress uniform looked fresh, and the moonlight was glinting off his medals and the gold lion badge that hung from the green ribbon around his neck.
Pidge stepped over to stand next to Larmina and said to Daniel "I think you are done for the evening." Daniel was starting to feel queasy, both from the alcohol in his system, and Larmina flipping him. Seeing Pidge standing there in his uniform with a pleased expression on his face made him want to throw up. He decided to get out of there before he really did.
When he had left Pidge said to Larmina "Not that I didn't think you could handle him, but the haggerium in his system makes him very unstable." He put his arm around her shoulders as he said it. Larmina leaned against him in relief. She had been aware of that fact, and while she knew she was strong, the haggerium gave super strength to anyone and anything it touched.
"No, I'm glad you came along! I could see the haggerium surging through him!" Larmina said, wrapping her arms around Pidge. He started walking her down the hall saying "Being drunk doesn't help either. He knows he is underage, but I won't lecture him about that. He will feel like hell tomorrow morning which will be punishment enough."
Larmina stopped and said "What are you doing here?" She knew they were heading in the direction of her bedroom, and she wanted to know what his intentions were. Pidge smiled and said "I was going to walk you to your room, and kiss you good night! I think I'm already in enough trouble with your Aunt as it is!"
Pidge went on "I haven't even taken you out yet, you know!" Larmina smiled and said "Yes, you did promise me that we would do something after my birthday!" They were at her door, and Pidge put his arms around her saying "If you can get yourself out to Green's den day after tomorrow, at lunch, we can have a picnic if you would like." She smiled and said "I would like that a lot!" He started kissing her, loving the way her skin felt under his hands. He took his lips from her lips, and moved them to her neck, lightly kissing his way down to her shoulder. She nuzzled his neck, inhaling the way he smelled, spicy and masculine at the same time.
"You still haven't told me what the flower is?" He murmured to her and she giggled saying "I will show you day after tomorrow." Larmina stepped back, not trusting herself with the feelings his mouth was awakening in her. "Thank you for a wonderful birthday!" Pidge smiled and whispered "You might want to get into your room. I'm going to go hide in the alcove over there, as your Aunt is on her way up, and then leave." He was gone, and Larmina went into her room, a dreamy smile on her face.