The Twentieth Annual Winter Formal

It was impossible to ignore the looming date, the signs and banners and paper snowflakes plastered on the walls, or to fully shut out the lights or the sounds or the crowds. A constant trickle of couples flooded in from every corner of campus as the hour drew nearer.

White clouds of fog billow out from the doors as they draw open, but the temperature once inside is decidedly mild. A glossy sheen coats the walls and pillars, making the ancient ballroom seem sculpted from ice, and the frost retreats from underneath every student's feet. Puffy snowflakes swirl and eddy down from the rafters, but disappear the moment they're touched without any trace of moisture, like trying to grab smoke. An illusion?

Rows of long tables take up both sides of the hall, stacked with massive platters of cupcakes, pastries, and winter cookies. Curiously, students are not allowed to serve their own drinks, with a teacher or Guardian attending every bowl of punch and cider.

As the Grand Hall begins to swell with people, the soft twang of a guitar cuts through the buzz and the chatter to kick off the night. Up on stage, a girl in a tuxedo and keds leans into the mic, joining her voice to the acapella with the rest of The Sirens. "Earth angel, earth angel..."

There was an excited giggle from Sam as they stood lost among the crowd, playing with the edge of the thick ribbon that was wrapped around their waist. While technically their first Winter Formal in fifteen years, they fondly remembered the last one they had been at...One that they had been to shy to wear a dress. But if time jumping had taught them anything, it was that they needed to revel in the moments they had, so they were proudly wearing a dress even if it was going to get them looks - after all, they were physical male but they didn't care.

They were wearing a sleeveless red dress that went down to their knees. The bodice split vertically but was held together with lacing and a thin mesh that ran up to their collar and helm that ended with black trim that was also found at the base of the dress. It wasn't anything superfancy but it was comfortable and cute, if Sam said so themselves. There was a slight issue however...Sam didn't have a date. Of course, they didn't really want one - romance was never an interest to them but it meant that they had nobody to...Mingle with. Did the kids still say that? They sighed softly as the tugged at the edge of their sash. That was one trouble about being thrown forward in time - they were very out of touch and it made getting to know people a tad more...Difficult. They shook their head, deciding to maybe linger near the food table..At least that way they could just snack until the party was over.

Sam's Dress:

Durran was decisively early to the whole affair, having arrived at least half an hour before the crowd began to trickle in, and stuck out like a brown mole on the rainbow of dresses in suits in his light fur clothes and coat. The latter of which he draped like a cape over his shoulders. Most of the teachers, having been forewarned of the young man's tendency to simply follow through with visions that seemed more akin to whim, didn't bother to either question his presence nor convince him to leave. They simply made sure he didn't spike the cider. Durran, of course, agreed fully that the drinks shouldn't be spiked, thinking that adding spikes would ruin the whole batch and wondering why on earth anyone would do such a thing. T'would be a waste of a brew, he thought as he sipped at some cider. It lacked the punch he enjoyed, but he had accepted that these people had strange ideas as to what was suited for drinks for young men and women. And if any student who had heard rumors that Durran could somehow sneaked alcohol under any teacher's or guardian's nose and had some on him would be sorely disappointed. In truth, Durran had used up the rest of his Medovukha over Christmas and was looking for a place to replenish them. However, establishments seemed content to turn him down on account that he was a student. To Durran, who had been a man for four years and long before had had his first drink, he found the whole affair entirely baffling. But he didn't give up the search.

However, Durran was content to simply enjoy himself at this "formal." Happily humming to the beat, but not the tune, of the music and working to figure out the point of it beyond celebration. Apparently, royalty was chosen during it. Crowned too with a crown most delightful to behold that had, according to the teachers, only just been retrieved by some students on a highly dangerous mission. Clearly, if this royalty got to wear it, they must be incredibly important. Now, if only I kin figure out what that importance is, he thought. He hadn't asked anyone because the young man was finding the mild puzzle rather enjoyable to entertain his mind with. Just as entertaining was the question as to what was special about the crown. What properties did it hold to make it worth stealing. Far beyond it looking nice. After all, things back home got stolen for their value, practical or spiritual, and not how nice it looked. At least, that's how it was for anything serious. Children took what these people called "precious gems" for their beauty. Still, it seemed that many people, particularly the women, adorned themselves with such gems and placed incredible value upon them. It stood to baffle the mind. After all, what's the value in a few rocks?

Christine's Dress:

Christine sang into the mic along with the rest of the Sirens, strumming her guitar to the melody of the ancient classic. This song always reminded her of an all-time classic movie, Back to the Future. It was a nice song to start the night with, but hopefully, later on, they'd be able to really rock out.

Stephen's Suit:

Stephen walked into the formal with his arm linked to Jo's. He looked over to his date and then to Shep and Hye-Rin. Couldn't ask for a better group to go with, in his opinion.

Oliver's Suit:

Oliver nervously walked into formal, following Eliza and the rest of their group that she managed to drag along. He wasn't a big dancer, but here he was, mostly because Eliza dragged him out of his dorm and "forced" him to buy a suit. Which was whatever, money wasn't much of an issue. But the whole "dancing" thing is something he wasn't sure he was gonna do.

Danni's Outfit:

Danni sulked into formal with Beecher and Scarlett being all gross together. She didn't even know why she had agreed to come. But there she was, ready to just. Not dance. Hurray?

The falling false snowflakes never failed to amuse Shepard. Freshman year, he tried to catch a few in his mouth, which resulted in his friends laughing at him. The impulse never really left him since, watching the flakes gently reach their heads then vanish. The blond fought the urge to reach up and touch them, and instead slipped his hand into his pocket and maintaining the loop with Hye-Rin's arms. Her dress matched perfectly in color with his tux, though it did not have sleeves like his own to keep out the cold. Shepard did his best to keep her warm in the cool January air, something his power did well.

As Stephen looked back at Shepard and Hye-Rin, the blond looked away, seemingly enraptured by the foods and guardians by the punch. After Shepard had learned that Stephen and Joanna were going together, he couldn't up but feel some sort of anger. He couldn't tell if it was jealousy, frustration, or some unholy mixture of the two. He knew that he was going with Hye-Rin, and Joanna could go with whoever she wanted, and Stephen could ask Joanna if he wanted...But he still felt that anger. He didn't look in either of their directions. Not even since walking with them from the dorms.

He couldn't bring himself. Instead, he chatted animatedly with Hye-Rin, doing his best to seem too distracted to talk to his friends. Punch would do him some good. He'd like that. Even if it was perpetually spiked with one alcohol or another. Shepard felt like he needed that.

Shep's suit

A formal wouldn't have bad energy right? She hoped so. Soo Yun walked into the party, it wasn't lively yet but she hoped the upcoming positive energy would help her with her situation. She had too much corruption on her and she needed to get rid of it. She smoothed out her dress a but before moving to the drink table. She needed something to calm her nerves. It wasn't fun being stressed.

Soo Yun's dress:

This wasn't exactly how she'd pictured the Formal, eating chocolate by herself and swilling around a paper cup of dark sour punch, but she wasn't about to let dark clouds hover over her night. Cailin tossed back her third cupcake wrapper, doing her best to pick out the positives, eyes drifting vacantly over the sea of smiling faces. Free food. Gorgeous party. A puffy blue dress she only got to wear once a year. She didn't have any complaints then, really. With a forced breath through her nose, she turned away from the dance floor and moved on to the fourth cupcake.

---

---

Mom's embarrassed smile when she saw her in a tux and bowtie? She had to admit that stung a bit. But dad's face when she met Elia's date? That was priceless. Esther would disappoint their parents a thousand times if it meant she got to see them look at Elia like that again.

On-stage, Esther swayed into the music, half-lidded eyes searching the crowd for her sister and her date. Hadn't their folks told them to not bring home strays? When she finally laid eyes on Elia and Evander, a derisory smile crept across her face, head shaking as she continued to sing with the rest of the band.

"I'm just a fool, a fool in love with you..."

---

---

Evander returned the sister's distant smile with a halfhearted wave, his arm linked with Elia's. He had never been shy about talking to girls, but an unexpected weight had settled on the back of his neck and the pit of his stomach as he led his date into the Grand Hall. Mr. Wright had always been a favorite teacher, laid-back and lenient and the type to goof off with his students, but when he'd gone to shake his hand that night, Mr. Wright had a grip like a bear trap. It was like meeting an entirely different man, stiff as a statue, only the polite hint of a smile.

If he could stare down the barrel of a rifle, he could handle this. This was just like any other date.

Keir's Outfit:

Clacking sounded as Keir entered into the massive, winter wonderland-esque room. While at first he considered wearing traditional formal wear of his clan, he ultimately decided against it. He didn't have to be the heir every day, right? So for tonight he wore a black dress that contrasted with his snowy hair. While it wasn't typical for a boy to wear a dress in general, it was hardly different from any other day for Keir. Why should he care what other people thought about that? Keir picked a random direction to walk in before ending up at one of the food tables, taking notice of a student in a red dress. A cute one, at that.

"Hey there!"

Pax's Outfit:

Pax was one of the latter students to file into the grand hall. Truth be told, she wasn't particularly interested in anything with "formal" in the name. But she had to see how the voting went down with her own eyes, especially when she'd jokingly voted for herself for queen. She'd be surprised if even a single other person actually voted for her, but hey, there was a chance. But until the time came for that announcement, Pax went over to the dance floor. As tempting as it was to fling herself onto it immediately, she hadn't forgotten that she came from 15 years in the past. The last thing she wanted to do was make it look like she was still living there. She'd just wait and see what someone else did on the dance floor first, and then go along with that.

Anima's Outfit:

Anima had done her best to slip in as best she could. She was far from the kind of person who would willingly surround herself with this many people, but her curiosity about the event got the best of her. That didn't mean she had suddenly become a social butterfly though; she hoped to stay as unnoticed as she was throughout the entire thing. Anima clutched a notebook at her side, just in case she did end up having to talk to someone. But who would come over to her to begin with?

You had to admit, they looked pretty great together.

At first, she might have thought the white and gold together might have been a bit too cheesy in appearance. She knew Stephen's family was, after all (lets be honest), pretty damn rich and she was certain that the whole "gold standard" outfit was something he'd be tired of. But they went for it. And they looked damn amazing together. Joanna had spent almost an hour twirling in the mirror, making everything from her hair to her makeup absolutely perfect. It was their last formal after all.

That annoying boy who she'd thought for so long as her brother, who she'd gotten into mud fights with and pizza-eating contests late at night, was looking pretty handsome himself. She couldn't lie. As they stepped into the ballroom arm in arm, she kept finding herself stealing glances up at him. Warm, blonde hair and shimmering bronze eyes, his face wasn't a bad one to look at.

They'd planned together to go as friends and ended up looking like a power couple. Whoops.

She hadn't even seen others of their group yet, choosing to leave her gift off for the night. (If she had to share one moment of Shep gawking over Hye-Rin, she might've gagged, no offense to anyone.) Joanna swept up closer to Stephen, smiling up at him and straightening his tie out. After knowing him for so long, it hadn't felt strange in the slightest being so close.

"Ready to suffer on through the night?" She teased, "I promise we only have to dance once or twice."

Joanna's Outfit:

---

At first, she'd been burning with embarrassment the way their parents looked at her and her date. They tried to be cordial, but she could tell something was wrong. She could still see the smirk look plastered on Esther's face up on the stage. In all honesty, she hadn't thought all that much about it. Elia had needed a date for the formal, Evander was well known, fairly cute, and available soooo - why wouldn't it be nice for the two of them to go together? He was basically royalty after all, and she was used to being treated like a princess. It all worked out in her mind.

She was embarrassed, before her gut instincts overcame her. It didn't feel shameful at all to turn up with her date, it felt rebellious. Her parents didn't approve, her sister thought she was joking, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with this - and with every thought of disapproval that crept up on her, she found more and more things to find positive about him.

His father was basically head of the Beata Marines. He was quiet, but strong, trained; and could easily protect her if need be. He was proper. He had cute, curly blonde hair that almost seemed silver and striking blue eyes. His cheeks had a few dimples in them when he smiled... and it was a nice smile he sported. Dare she say, a wolfish grin.

They could laugh all they wanted at her. It didn't matter. Nothing could stop truu luv.

Elia's free hand gently grabbed at his forearm, "Do you wanna grab some drinks?" she asked kindly enough.

Elia's Outfit:

---

God, where was Carter when he needed him?

Jon didn't stand out from the crowd in the least, and probably matched at least ten other guys there, but you really couldn't blame that on him. All he had in his closet was a plain white button up and a black pair of slacks. He borrowed some old tie from his dad and rolled up his sleeves, and that was that... That should have been enough, right? He didn't know shit about fashion or shopping, so this was as good as it was bound to get.

He thumbed at the pen in his pocket, eager to take a hit, but he'd been stopping himself all night. While his power was easier to control in a less conscious state (and despite the fact that he was in a room packed full of emotional teenagers with disasters waiting to happen left and right), he knew himself well enough that he was never in the best position to talk while he was, well, impaired. And the last thing he wanted right now was to be a blubbering mess.

The young man swayed at the edge of the room, his eyes locked on a girl in a resounding blue dress, elegantly stuffing her face with cupcake after cupcake. The longer he stood there and watched her, the creepier he felt, but the moment he took a step forward to walk up to her; it was like anxiety seized at his chest, locking it in barb wire. And then he'd back out and try to get walking all over again.

Small talk was easy. But he didn't want to just small talk and bore her to death. It had already been like that between them for years. And after losing his shit in the conservatory, he just knew he had to make some good impressions.

Just be yourself, his Dad always told him. Because stoned guys who did nothing but lay in bed all day and play some half-ass guitar was definitely the type of man women pined over, right?

Shit man, Just go. Get it over with. He scolded himself. Five minutes. Talk to her for five minutes, get her number, and you've earned yourself something good.

After finally hyping himself up after what felt like years, he made himself over to the treats table, trying his best to appear casual - hands stuffed in his pockets, lingering for a bit too long before he finally decided to speak up. "Have you tried that cupcake in the back there?" He gestured towards the biggest ones, larger than the rest, with a decedent white swirl and crystal sprinkles. "It has this chocolate in the middle - moose? - really the best of the bunch."

My name is Danae-Alisse Thornbridge, she began, then her pacing, and mind, stopped. The list, the story, she tried to make herself say every few days always stalled out. Never had it truly gotten beyond that and she sorely expected it to go no further tonight. She was already late. At least a good ten minutes at this point. The teen sighed, and began pacing again, caught her reflection in the mirror, and stopped again. Leaning in, she critically examined her face at every angle her head and eyes would allow. Yes, everything was in its proper place. Yes, her lipstick was fine. Her face was fine. Everything was as perfect as it could be with minimal cosmetics and shampoo.

Maybe it’s the dress, she considered. Stepping back, the redhead, twisting on the balls of her feet and even threw in a simple twirl for good measure, and gazed upon the gown she wore. Yes, the fabric was fine. Yes, the gown swept the floor so as to hide the fact that she was wearing hiking shoes, rather than anything that would match. No, not a wrinkle out of place. Of course, in the few days she had bought it, Danae-Alisse had obsessed over taking care of it when she wasn’t in class, out wandering, or trapped in her mind. So, it would have been a shock if any deformation had struck the dress under her endearing care. Woven with the beauty was gift-enhanced fabric to resist the dampening of snow and rain while repelling staining material. Despite its size, the dress wasn’t so bulky as to prevent her from simply grasping up enough of it to run in.
Buying it had nearly bankrupted her mild, student’s account. A feat she doubted the headmaster would have been too pleased with.

But the dress was so pretty, she thought, and I just, well, I just had to have it! It had taken some convincing. Both on her own part and of the team members who had gone dress shopping with her to get it. Finally, it had come down to her saying it was a late Christmas gift to herself. The first gift she had gotten for herself since coming to this school. Despite that effort, she knew the real reason she was trying to find any flaw. A way, an excuse, a scrap of a reason to not attend the ball. But just as powerfully, just as desperately, reasons to go flagged up. The encouraging, if not pushing, words of her teammates who she bought this dress with and the promise she made to attend during the whole affair. The thought that Gentaro might show up and explode the punch bowl by trying to something spectacular. The idea that Durran might suddenly whip out some paper and decide to draw the entire hall on the spot with incredible detail. Telling Sophie that she’d be attending and hoped to see her there as well. The fact that RJ, Adam, and Eve would all question what the formal was like and why she didn’t attend if she didn’t go.

Upon their words, their actions, and their faces, she tried again. My name is Danae-Alisse Thornbridge. I am sixteen going on seventeen. I’ve been…I’ve been… she stalled out. Piling her face into her hands and slumping onto her bed, Danae-Alisse moaned softly. She still couldn’t do it. But what if I just skip it. The thought bloomed from nowhere. Or did it bloom from the buoy of her new friends? In any event, it wasn’t content with only forming the idea. Just for tonight, I skip to the end. Someday, I’ll do it full and proper. But, tonight, I’ll go just to the end. Yes, just the end.

And so, she began again. My name is Danae-Alisse Thornbridge. I’m sixteen going on seventeen. And tonight, I’m going to the Winter Formal. Facing her reflection again, revealed the flat expression she grown used to. But, not willing to merely give it one shot, she tried again. My name is Danae-Alisse Thornbridge. I’m sixteen going on seventeen. And I’m going to the Winter Formal.

A slight quirk appeared at the corners’ of her mouth. A slightly upturned twist of a bubble of excitement. But this small appearance of the imagination of a smile buoyed her heart on. My name is Danae-Alisse Thornbridge, and I look beautiful tonight. It cracked wider. My name is Danae-Alisse Thornbridge, and I’m going to enjoy myself tonight. The edges rose higher. My name is Danae-Alisse Thornbridge, and I’m going to see my friends tonight!

Fully formed, the soft smile of Christmas Eve, the soft smile as she grew used to Gentaro’s antics, the gentle smile when she beheld the Herman family, the gentle care she shared with Sophie over a love of books, and the supporting faces of her teammates did not merely bring Danae-Alisse to her feet. No, they threw her to her feet and carried her out the door. Repeating the mantra with twists on what she was going to do tonight had the redhead striding down the empty halls of her dorm. Down the stairs, out the doors, and into the frigid yard. Through the yard she went, alone as moon but just as luminous until she stopped, just outside and out of sight of the entrance.

Placing her hand upon her chest and taking a settling breath, Danae-Alisse reaffirmed her soft, yet confident smile with a single thought. My name is Danae-Alisse Thornbridge, and tonight is my night. With that, the gowned teen clasped her hands in front of her and rounded the corner. And there, for a few moments, she stood framed in the center of the doorway. Her red hair cascaded in soft waves to the center of her shoulder blades with only a soft, simple braid to keep most of it off her cheeks and out of her face. Yet, a few strands remained free and dangled as decorative framing on either side of her face. Gowned she was in a blue bodice of deepest blue and decorated that it appeared as the ocean appeared in bloom. It grew down in several streams at the waist and molted into waves of the same shade that washed upon and under a pure white shore of translucent silk. Above the hem on the left and right flew two, blue pools of butterflies, rushing up to the sea above. Completing it all was a blue bow with ribbons that cascaded as ever shifting falls across the back of her dress.

The moments passed and the young woman glided into the great hall.

Danae-Alisse's Dress:

Leading her rag-tag group of friends (ie, whoever let her drag them along) into the Grand Hall, Eliza felt... strange. Sure, she still looked and felt like a million bucks, but this was her first time feeling... unsure of herself at a dance like this. One could almost say that feeling was self-consciousness, but Eliza would venomously swear that that was a feeling she never got. She worked hard convincing everyone around her that she was an unstoppable force, and she worked even harder to convince herself. Starting over scared her more than she'd like to admit, and every dance before this she had owned that shit. Now she was just like everyone else.

Eliza closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she entered the hall, leaving her anxieties at the door. The tail of her deep red dress flowed behind her as she walked, her long hair falling behind her in elegant curls. The click clack of her heels on the tile served to remind her that she wasn't really like everyone else. She was Eliza Andrews, and she would make this night her bitch.

-

Amira twisted a curl around her finger where it fell gracefully around her face. She had fixed her hair into a messy bun - which, considering how much hair she had, had not been an easy task. A vast array of food was laid out before her on one of the many long tables filling the hall. She kept to herself here, not seeing anyone she knew or had any particular interest in talking to. Instead, the healer scanned the table, absently wondering if they had any vegan options. She could probably ask someone, but she didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention to herself. Picking up a winter cookie, Amira scowled at it, as if a look would convince it to spill its secrets. Or ingredients, that is.

Eliza's dress
Amira's dress

Nervous was an understatement as Sophie mentally catalogued her feelings, a practice she'd adopted since the unfortunate incident with Danae-Alisse and the plant in the library. She tried to sit still but fidgeted with her fingernails while she waited for her redheaded acquaintance to appear. She had put on a good show tonight, pretending to be the one-track-mind excited teenager who wanted to dress up, come to school after hours, and see her "friends." She hadn't told her mom a bold-faced lie like that before: "I'm meeting some friends there." She was too new; nobody here would be calling her that. She'd only met three people... well, two people and a cat. Danae-Alisse, Jinju, and Ben Kain would be her targets tonight. If she could just find those three, she thought, she could make it through the night. Her mom had adopted the role of the doting mother who would do anything to make her daughter look nice for the ball; that was why she had torn their small, dingy apartment in the Rose District apart to find this pretty black lace dress. Sophie couldn't believe her mother owned a floor-length dress at all. When she saw it, she was relieved, and part of her did turn into that normal, excited little fifteen-year-old girl.

Now that she was at school, however, she sat outside in the dark and waited. Where was everyone? Everyone she knew, anyway. Plenty of people had arrived looking gorgeous, and Sophie had shrunk back into the shadows. Isn't the point of coming to this thing that you wanted to meet new friends? She reminded herself. But without a familiar figure to lean on as a crutch, she was petrified. She kept asking herself, What's the worst that can happen? Then she pictured herself randomly selecting the wrong group to approach and being mercilessly mocked all night. She took a deep breath. Where were they?

A bright flash of white and blue caught Sophie's eyes, and she looked up from her fingers. Her jaw dropped. She'd wanted to call out to Danae-Alisse and go in together, but she couldn't. She was speechless. Ohh, that dress. That girl! She looked stunning. Suddenly, her source of one sliver of peace became a whole new figure of intimidation. I look so... beneath her, she thought, in the dress that she'd thought would make her fit in. Now, she would blend into the background. Actually... that was perfect.

Danae-Alisse glided in like a princess, walking gracefully and not tripping over her dress the way Sophie would have. After she was safely indoors, Sophie followed at a far enough distance not to be necessarily associated with the beautiful redhead.

Once they were in the ballroom, Sophie somehow shyly forced herself to approach Danae-Alisse from behind and tap her on the shoulder. Deep breaths, she reminded herself, calming her racing heart.

"Danae, you look..." She started, forgetting to use both of her acquaintance's first names, "...just...wow. There really aren't words. You look so beautiful."

Sam was eyeing the food, their stomach rumbling at how delicious it looked. Their fingers waggled as they carefully started to decide what they wanted to grab first, only to nearly jump when a voice broke through the song. For a second, they weren't certain if they were being spoken to...Only to turn with surprise to see another student - masculine in form but they weren't one to jump to conclusions on gender - wearing a black dress. Their expression was that of surprise for a few seconds before it suddenly split into pure glee at seeing another person who fought gender constructions on what they were to wear.

"Hello!" they greeted, already forgetting about the food they had been eyeing moments before. "That's a beauty dress you are wearing," they hummed, before a sudden wave of awkwardness fell over them. They...Weren't sure what to say past that. They didn't know them - they barely knew anybody at the school! When it came to the world, to everything, they were just...So out of touch. They nervously shifted, patting out the base of their dress in their sudden nervousness. "So...Ah...My name is Sam! What is yours?"

She had to admit, even with her high hopes, she still was completely blown away. Having heard about how amazing the formal would be from Shepard, her expectation of how the grand hall would appear was quite large. Walking in to the fa- no, real snowflakes made her eyes light up vividly. It was beautiful, even if a bit cold. Her dress was almost completely sleeveless, and she was a small person. Needless to say... the fact that Shepard was linked to her was quite nice. Why ask for his suit jacket when she could just be close to him?

Watching her date's face as he glanced in the direction of his friends, she gently rested a hand upon his arm. Even with his jacket as a barrier, she could feel him grow ever so much warmer. It was a subconscious gesture, a smile still playing upon her lips as she looked up at him. She listened intently, her full attention upon him. The chatter was indeed lively and nothing short of entertaining, as the two prefects spent a bit of time together.

The idea of the infamous punch came to mind, and she wasn't opposed to having any. "Punch? I know it's probably spiked by now." Even with her question, she already was gently prompting Shep towards the table where the snacks and punch would be. She wouldn't be surprised if the Headmaster himself stood guard over that punch bowl after hearing a few stories.

Hye-Rin's dress

---

Was she late? She hoped she wasn't late. Getting ready had taken Idyn a bit longer than she had liked... her hair, her dress, her makeup. She wanted to look good. Someone had asked her out to the formal, and this was her first year she'd actually attend. She wanted to make it worth it.

She adorned a sleeveless white dress, with golden lace patterns flying about. Once the dress hit her knees it was more or less translucent, with the gold rose-esque pattern becoming much more prevalent. It was rather pretty, if she had to say. Emphasizing her curves in all the right ways, while still being decently comfortable. Diamond earrings hid behind her blonde curls, her hair just falling into a more or less simple half up-do.

She hovered outside the doors to the hall, waiting for her date to arrive before going in. Blue sparks danced around her fingertips, sparking to her dress now and then.


Idyn's dress

---

Guarding was her job for the night, and it was exactly what she would do. There wasn't any point in dressing up very fancy for the Lupo, her siblings had that covered. But in one of the corners of the grand hall she existed, sort of blending into the shadows despite the small mask she wore along with the simple silver dress. It was elaborate enough that it matched the crowd, but simple enough that she wouldn't be too upset if it ripped kicking somebody's ass. She wasn't so much there to have a good time so as to make sure others had a good time, and she was just fine with that.

However, standing around got a bit boring. Yawning, the girl pushed herself off the wall to make her way to go grab a little bit of punch. Quickly weaving in to grab her cup, she nabbed it and then emerged back into the shadows of the wall.

A few strands of auburn hair on the top of Cailin's head shot upright with static electricity, but she was quick to smooth them back down. That was her signal, her canary, that her brother or sister had entered the crowd. Sure enough, she caught a dazzling white and gold flash of Idyn through the crowd, stunning as always, before she disappeared again. At least there was one person here who might spend some time with her. With an indelicate groan of pent up frustration, the fourth cupcake disappeared in record time.

She was still wiping crumbs and frosting off her lips when Jon Wright materialized in her peripheral vision. Blue eyes shocked wide open. Him! Social ambush! And at her most vulnerable! Cailin choked back the food still in her mouth, hand cupping protectively over her face as the boy approached, swallowing it all back down. "That—That sounds delicious." She was hiding her face behind a snowflake-printed napkin now, and then her paper cup, tipping back the rest of the cider. "I've only tried, um, one or two of the little ones."

---

---

This wasn't his first date. But he was still thinking about his grades in Mr. Wright's music class when Elia grabbed at his arm. "I was going to ask you the same thing." No he wasn't, but it sounded like a great idea all the same. He almost asked if she preferred her punch spiked with rum or vodka, but Mr. Wright's steely gaze drifted through his head again, and he decided to just smile instead. That seemed to be working well so far.

Yes. Two sparkling ciders. Please.

Evander slipped the plastic cup into her hands and held his own up in a toast. By the color, you could almost believe it was champagne, as long as you didn't taste it. "To our next Princess."

Shepard blinked, peering over at the guarded punch bowls. Other students were already being served by the guardians, as students were not allowed to serve themselves. A thoughtful brow raised as he watched a group walk away with cups in hand. "Unlikely. Dad put some extra security on them this year." Though, his comment on it being unlikely spiked was unneeded as he and Hye-Rin were already leaving Stephen and Joanna's side in favor of snacks and punch.

While Hye-rin looked at the food, Shepard took up two cups of punch, delivering them to his date with a grin. "Anything look good?" He asked, taking a long sip of the punch. Not spiked. Unfortunately. Maybe one student would get lucky and drop something in.

---

Beecher, in a well-fitting black suit with a dark green tie, showed in his date for the night. Scarlett. He was mildly shocked she said yes, but he was excited to be with her that night. Blue eyes watched the gathered students, noting his siblings in the crowd but refusing to make eye contact with any of them. Tonight was his night to get away from the family.

Listening to others conversation was more in line with those of the Arachne than going out of their way to be social and speak with others. However, events we're more for them to compete amongst each other to show their superior style and skill.

Three forms entered the hall in unison. One man and two women, all with black hair and fair skin with a mix of blue and green eyes examining the hall and it's occupants. The man among the group looked the oldest roughly seventeen years old. He wore a simple black suit with red star ruby buttons and matching cufflink with a red and black pinstriped shirt. While not as flashy as his younger cousins those that have even a basic knowledge of clothes can see that the suit is handstitched giving away the quality craftsmanship.

To the left of him was the second tallest of the group and most likely the second oldest wearing a long form fitting murry grown with sable trim and ribbon wrapping around her body accenting her features while supporting the dress. On par with the level of craftsmanship as her male counterpart. Aside from clothing she also wore a set platinum red diamond earrings with a matching change braided into her hair.

Last, but not least was the smallest of the three wore a medium murry shoulder ruffle double silted dress with black lace peering slightly down the slits and overtop of the ruffles across her chest. Along the ends of the dress were murray bows with intricate black stitching. Along her left leg, a knife sheath could be seen as Arachne are never unarmed.

The oldest scanned the hall, " Not a whole lot of competition, perhaps we should have worn our uniforms to not overshadow our fellow students".

" Your not one to talk with that half hearted attempt, just cause you're a man does not mean a basic suit no matter how good the make is acceptable".

" To much Pride blinds you to your failures"

" Yes, we know princess rule number seven you need to relax more little cousin" Making his way over to the youngest member he would try to pinch her on cheeks to only have his hand smacked away. " Try that again and you'll have to get another hand".

Backing off and sink into the dance floor, " All that time with Grandfather has removed your sense of humour, you'll never find a boy like that". Disappearing into the sea of people the second oldest would rest her hand on the humourless girl's shoulder before setting off on her own plans for the evening. Now alone with no real plans for the event, she made her way over to the refreshments as that seemed to be the area where likeminded individuals seemed to congregate.

Retrieving some punch and partaking in small sips as she peered around the area from company to relive some of the tedium and tension that came with being alone at an event. It did not take long to find plenty of options as many had the same idea as her to not look as awkward, but how to approach them as many of them looked to be at critical levels of anxiety. One girl red headed girl, in particular, seemed to be doing her best to calm herself down. Retrieving another cup of punch she would make her way over to the girl in question. "You look like you need a distraction". Holding out the punch, " I happen to be very talented in the field of subterfuge". Cracking a small smile as tried to distract the axious girl.

As if fit for the song, a voice sang along in perfect harmony with her companions, a guitar in her hand strumming ever so softly as she swayed on spot. "The one I adore..." She hummed along with Esther, her eyes trailing over the crowd.

She had no date, nor was she looking for one, but part of her wondered if she'd get a chance to dance tonight. To switch out of the matching tuxedo she wore and into the gorgeous dress Anthony so generously brought her from his many travels to the past. To dance with friends and have a great night free from responsibilities, homework, or any anxieties. Or would her memory of this night remain on stage, staring down at the gleaming faces of her classmates?

---

To put it simply, Nick was pouting. There was no denying his frustration when he heard Elia was attending the formal with one of the many Lupo boys. There was nothing he could do besides mumble and brood as he watched the pair stride into the hall. As a prefect, he was the first choice replacement for a late Guardian, so he stood by the drink bar, handing out cups to the students that came by. With a soft grunt, he gave Evander two drinks and leaned back against the wall.

What a waste of a good black tuxedo. Hopefully, that late, douchey Guardian would show up soon. Even his sister had a date.

Soo Yun's red eyes looked at the girl that had approached her offering a drink. She gave a small unsure smile before taking the drink. "Yeah you could say that.. This whole thing isn't really my type of thing but I thought I would give it a shot." Having someone to talk to made this whole thing a little less daunting.. Maybe this was a good idea after all. "I'm Soo Yun, what's your name?"

Durran, despite his continual musings as to royalty and spikings, spied a loner at the side. Trying not to be noticed which, he supposed, was normal enough for events like this. Certainly, she was not the only one in the crowd aiming to not be noticed. Not that Durran didn't appreciate the idea of going places unseen, but he wondered why someone would go to an event chalked full of people when one didn't want to be seen by any of them. Unless something nefarious was planned, but he doubted that anything truly horrendous beyond adding spikes to punch would happen. However, what stood out about her, was the fact that the girl had a notebook clutched to her side.

The man in furs had a notebook himself. One of his more favorite things about this society was the ease they had to get paper and drawing utensils. Naturally, his favorite class was art. After all, it built upon the skills he needed to have to effectively use his power. The idea that such a thing could be considered an 'elective' for him was ridiculous. Perhaps for others who did not get visions as their gift, but certainly for him. Perhaps this girl was also an artist. It would certainly be enjoyable to talk with others outside his class. Deciding that, as there was nothing more interesting going on at the moment, to go over and introduce himself. Vaguely cataloguing his view of the ball the sketch out later, Durran proceeded to make a beeline for the girl. Fi lad, he thought to himself, don't just think of her as a girl. She may well be a woman at this point. Ye kin't just assume otherwise.

And where would this dull school be without their favorite prefect to save the day?

Gabriel had acquired a fine bottle of liquor, kept in some cheap plastic flask with a wide top to pour out quickly. He knew it had to be a quick mission, with several guardians stationed at the food tables and his lady still-in-waiting at the edge of the room. It wouldn't take long, he swore to himself.

In mere blinks, he was tapping one of the guardians over the shoulder - the one overlooking the punch bowl furthest to the right on the tables. Once the poor sap looked away, he and the flask were gone - reappearing just over the innocent drink. Another tap, and the duo were gone again, the flask in the garbage and Gabriel standing inconspicuously near the entrance.

The contents of the flask, the strongest vodka he could find, went sloshing into the punch; causing a strange few moments where the punch rippled, but nothing too suspicious he hoped. It'd all happened in the blink of an eye.

Easy.

Gabriel allowed himself to take a breath, turning and finding his date looking a little lost, but even more beautiful than... well, he day-dreamed. (And he had sort of thought on about it, a lot.) Something about the way her hair curled, and that dress hugging her, and those eyes...

In another snap, he was a few feet away from her side, strolling up a few steps and offering his arm out to her. He'd spent way too much time getting ready himself, straightening out his coat and combing his hair back. "Idyn Andrews, you look lovely." He cooed, in the corniest, most formal tone he could manage. "May I?"

Gabe's Outfit:

---

It was almost insufferable that he had to spend the evening baby-sitting a bunch of kids, and a part of him wondered if their great Lord Montare had assigned him to the task merely to spite him, knowing full well his feelings towards the school... and sending him to watch his children specifically after all, it'd felt more spiteful than anything. He remembered a letter, long ago, his sister had sent him - telling about all the magics of the formal that she'd briefly had gotten to experience.

Being here now, he'd only felt sick.

The one bright side to all this he'd found so far was that at least he'd be able to keep an eye on his younger sister, Scarlett, who chose - for God knew what reason - a Lupo to take with her to the prom. He wasn't sure if he'd rather her take an outsider with her or not. While he held his tongue, he was certain the look on his face had told the girl all she needed to understand.

The leader in him said that he should be harsher on her, but the big brother in him yearned to let her have fun... just for one night.

Duly noting each of the Lupo, he spotted one - the only one out of gown - getting themselves a glass of punch before retreating to the side. With little thought, he made his way up to her, yellow eyes glinting down at her. "I'm sure you're aware that, historically, the drinks here aren't to be trusted." Gaius mused, "We can't have our princess making a show of herself."

---

Fuck, she was so cute.

He'd surprised her, which only served to surprise himself; a fresh spike of anxiety creeping up his spine. Jon shoved the feelings aside, or tried his best anyways, choking  a bit on his spit and coughing it out into his throat. "Only one or two?" He mused, glancing over the tiny things, half as tall as his thumb. "God, I could probably take an entire one of those trays and it'd be gone in a minute."

Jon laughed a bit, glancing over a the food for a moment to give herself the chance to clean up. "Do you think we could get away with that?" All the Guardians were watching carefully over the punch, but the rest kind of felt like fair game, if you were quick enough.

---

Elia took the "glass" from him, smiling warmly. Princess. She really liked the sound of that. Princess Elia Wright. Her nails, freshly manicured, tapped lightly at the rim of the sparkling cider. "Cheers to that," she half-sang, reaching up to elegantly clink her drink to his before taking a sip. A part of her longed for real alcohol. After all, they were basically adults now. They could go on missions and learn to fight with weapons, but they couldn't give them real champagne to sip on? That was too much?

But she wasn't going to let a few details ruin her night. The young woman took a step back to get a better look at him, admiring the view. "So... how many siblings did you say you had again?" She asked. You'd think she'd know, considering how close the animal folk were when they worked with her grandfather but hey, she never claimed to have a good memory. "Are you the oldest?" There were so many of them, she hadn't been sure at all...

---

Act cool and nobody would notice him. He was just a nobody, another face in the crowd, and there was nothing wrong with that. After all, there was only one person he'd really wanted to speak with.

It hadn't taken long to find her, in a sleek, scarlet dress and heels that made her tower over her friends. (Because of course, she had to be surrounded by friends.) Roman took a few breaths in and out, patting down his vest and trying to shake out his nerves. Yeah, he was technically still a Liberi student and yes, this formal was really only for those who went to Beata Academy, so he wasn't really sure what would happen if he'd would get caught sneaking in, but what were the odds of that happening?

All he needed to do was talk to her a bit, make her laugh some, cheer her on when she got her crowd, if he got her number then... great, that would be a dream come true. He couldn't back out now. That wasn't an option. Ever since they met in the entrance, he hadn't been able to get her beautiful self out of his mind. Everyday, every hour, it felt like he was always thinking about her. Almost like... a drug?

That was just love, his mom said. Embrace it while he could.

So here he was, ready to make a fool of himself. When he counted to three, he'd walk up to her and introduce himself. The crowd was starting to thicken, people were moving everywhere, he'd have to work fast. Alright.

3... 2... 1...

He took in a breath and shut his eyes, taking his first, few powerful strides blind. When he opened his eyes, he'd see her up close, again after so long.

Except, that didn't happen, and he'd went crashing into some other tall body instead.

"S- I'mmm sorry, so sorry! I didn't see you there!" Even as he flustered about, he still didn't get a good look at the stranger.

Roman's Outfit:

---

Towards the back, alone on her own, Marion overlooked the last of the preparations - to be assured that everything was in order. The food was placed as it should be, the illusions of snow were functioning properly, the punch - as far as she'd last checked - had remained sober. Everyone seemed to be keeping a kindly distance so far. Although there were a few students in some questionable outfits, she chose to look the other way and let the adults deal with it... In fact, after all the work she'd put in helping set the formal up, they could take care of everything as far as she was concerned and enjoy the rest of the evening herself.

She never minded keeping to her own company, grabbing a fresh glass of punch and making her way towards the dance floor, gazing admiringly up at the band playing.

Marion's Outfit:

Keir grinned at the compliment. It was reassuring to know that someone else liked his dress as much as he did. "I'm Keir. Keir Lupo. Nice to meet you! Your dress is really nice, too." He couldn't help but make mention of his last name as well; after all, it was what indicated his (rather prestigious) heritage. Surely Sam would recognize it, right? "Did you come here alone, or is your date around here somewhere?" Keir visibly looked around a bit as he asked this, inadvertently making it clear that this was a sincere question as opposed to an attempt to flirt or anything of the sort. Keir himself didn't bring a date, but it didn't bother him much. Besides, things were already going just fine in spite of his lack of a date, so what did it matter?

God fucking damn it waiting for other people to dance was fucking boring. Even if her initial plan was to wait and see what other people did so that she could make sense of what passed as a dance move in this day and age, that plan was just as short-lived as any nervousness or hesitation that Pax felt. The next thing she knew she was on the dance floor, breaking out moves that were relevant and common... 15 years ago. If she had to explain she would just say that it was retro or the fact that she was quite literally from 15 years in the past. How could anyone say the motherfucking time traveller wasn't cool, regardless of her dance moves? While Pax was dancing she took notice of a girl in a burgundy dress, and caught a glimpse of the flask she took a swig from before concealing it back under her dress. If that wasn't a good way to make this party more exciting, then she didn't know what was. Pax danced her way over to Eliza as casually as she could, the look she gave her being one of pure mischief. "Sooooo, whatcha got there under your dress? Besides... yourself, I mean." She eyed Eliza up and down while letting her voice trail off for a moment, giving Eliza a wink after. She was pretty fuckin' cute, if Pax said so herself.

Despite all the anxious looking around she was doing, Anima didn't notice Durran heading her way until he had almost gotten all the way over to her. When she did notice her, the spike in her nervousness was... less than subtle. He towered over a foot taller than Anima, who had to look upwards at him to meet his face. Her realization that he was attractive as well didn't exactly help. Why did he come over to her of all people? After a moment she snapped out of it she started to flip through her notebook with noticeable care, as if actively avoiding certain pages before coming to a blank one. Then, she pulled out a blue pen that was held in the spirals keeping the notebook's pages together and started to write, holding the notebook up to Durran afterwards so that he could see the words. Well, so that he could see and so that she could hide behind it somewhat. Um, hi. Do you need anything?

"Oh fi, not a thing," Durran began, then paused and reevaluated his statement, "well, I suppose half a thing. I saw yer notebook and wondered if, by chance, ye were an artist." Drawing out his own notebook from an obtuse side pouch that he had recently made. The pouch itself an oddity upon his body as it was machine made leather. Idly, he flipped through some pages, showing them to the lass. None of these were based off his visions. He reserved those for the parchment he'd lacquer. It was a way to remind him of home. But within the book lay numerous drawings. People, places, landscapes, and other such things were contained detail. Charcoal seemed to be a favorite of his, but Durran had also began plying at the pen and brush. Adding color across the black and white landscape of his book. Naturally, the notebook seemed to be a hodgepodge of pasted pieces onto blank paper as he removed them from the easels that he worked from and placed them into the notebook.

"Oh yes, my name is Durran. What's yer name?" he politely asked. Curiosity bubbled as to why the girl wrote instead of spoke, but wisdom guessed the reason to be that she could not speak and politely nudged him to wait patiently for her to share what she will.

Danae-Alisse had been craning her neck, scanning around for her new friends. Durran was easy to spot. Both for his height and for his attire. She'd giggled at the sight. He wasn't drawing yet, which was a pity, but seemed to be making his way over to someone. Or, rather, the crowd parted for him. I'll talk to him later, she thought, after I catch him drawing. Sadly, Gentaro didn't seem to be in the hall yet. Confident that he'd show up anyway, and knowing the entire hall was likely to know when he did, she pushed the matter to side. Continuing her scan, she saw Eliza and Oliver along with others who were either being drawn in or pulled by Eliza. So that only leaves... she began, but a touch on her shoulder drew her around.

"Sohpie!" she smiled, "Thank you! You look lovely as well. And it's Danae-Alisse, not just Danae. But nevermind, how are you? Did you just arrive? Isn't the place wonderful?" She spun again, letting the dress furl out slightly as she beheld the hall with the falling snow, laughing lightly as she tried to catch one and it disappeared. "C'mon, there's some friends I want you to meet! I love the choice music so far." And she was off, leading the way over towards Eliza and Oliver with supreme poise. The base posture was the same one she walked everywhere with as of late. Hands clasped in front of her. Steady pace, head up. But the light in her eyes, smile upon her face, made all the difference.

Ethelthryth remained still as she waited for the apprehensive girl to either take the bait or not. Her moments were cautious, making Ethelthryth feel as if she was hunting a deer not breaking the ice. As the girl took the offering with a dithering smile as she did not know what to make of her current company. Breaking through the first barrier she spoke of her wish to try something she was unfamiliar with. Once she entered dialogue with Ethelthryth she seemed less nervous now that she had company, which lead to her taking the initiative to introduce herself as Soo Yun.

" I'm pleased to meet you on such an experimental day Miss. Soo Yun, I am Ethelthryth Bradwin Arachne". Upon introducing her full name she immediately regretted it as she did not want to add any more reason for her to be nervous as some people tend to be intimidated by other from prominent houses.

Keeping her focus mainly on Soo, but the erratic movements of a gifted teleporting caught the side of her eye. While not getting the best look at whoever was sneaking around the food table they were rather bold to wear such a decorated white suit. While she was not sure what his goals were, but a confused outburst from one of the guards followed the sound of liquid splashing against each other gave more than enough information to discern the man's now completed objective. Trying to look around while not trying to ignore Soo, she would spy a similar suit near the entryway.

Bring her focus back towards Soo as she hoped that she did not want her to think that she was ignoring her. " Apologies something caught my attention". Placing her cup down and motioning the guardian to check the punch, she focused entirely on Soo. " Well, Miss. Soo Yun would dancing be another unfamiliar activity you've yet to try"? Slightly moving towards the dancefloor as this would be the best time for a dance as not too many students were on the dance floor and the music called for a simple slow dance.