[Featured characters: Ace, Aila, Alanis, Borus, Chris, Franz, Geddoe, Melville, Nash, Queen, Rody, Sasarai, Thomas] Budehuc Castle: Courtyard Budehuc Castle would look absolutely gorgeous were it fifty years younger and better taken care of. All the same, the manor has a quaint appeal, built two stories tall out of brick and stone. Dozens of windows line the walls, and ivy grows liberally across the building as it pleases. The area around the entrance is paved with stone, well worn with time and use in a yard that is gruesomely overgrown at places. The walls which surround the castle itself were likely once functional, but now sit very low and worn, crumbling unevenly at the top. The small tavern that sits snug against the manor looks like it was added as a second thought. An obvious adjunct, it's built of white stone and wood, crammed in the long, narrow spot between the manor and the wall. The pathways themselves lead off towards the town to the south and the lake to the west. ===== This event was quite a while in the making- and now it prepares to open. The castle has been decorated with florescent ribbons which shimmer as the moonlight reflects on them. Balloons are tied to every possible edge of the castle- and some have even already flown to that big balloon in the sky. It's a beautiful night as well- just about every star can be seen shining brightly tonight. Torches provide the only light otherwise- strewn about town. Here, assembled in front of the manor, is most of Budehuc Castle. At the head of this assembly is poor Thomas, trembling in front of a stand. He managed to do something for the last time he had to make a speech- but as it is, it seems like there are far more people here. Peering around, he tries to get the words to come to him- but fails miserably. Sebastian nudges him a couple of times, but to no avail. Thomas is frozen, like a deer in headlights. "Emily?" /Wow, the courtyard's so crowded.../ "Emily??" On the plus side, Rody's thrilled to see so many people gathered around... on the minus side, he can't see the girl he's supposed to be here with anywhere. "Emily?? Has anyone seen Emily?" This could get... very bad. "Emily???" Ace was all ready. He finished his bath, and was dressed up in the outfit that Gordon recommended. It indeed, captured his true self.. His gentlemanliness. It was a pallette swap of Gordon's outfit. Ace then walks around the courtyard, and runs into Rody. "Well, we meet again. Didn't you have a date? Where is she?" Ace began to look around at the crowd of people gathered here. However, Ace still couldn't find Queen. Perhaps it was because he had his hair combed back and was wearing an outfit he's never worn before. It seems she's just in time. Alanis joins the crowd in the courtyard a bit hesitantly, staying near the fringes. She can see Thomas from where she is, if only barely, and Goddess only knows if she'll actually be able to /hear/ him over so many people breathing and muttering and moving around. The idea of trying to push through that crowd to find someone she knows isn't very appealing... and her mother will /kill/ her if this dress is ruined. It's white, silk, and it drags so close to the ground she's afraid she'll step on it just trying to walk. It seems a little bit /too/ fancy to wear here, but her mother insisted. Intrepidly arched eyebrows were perched above intense turquoise eyes, prone to smoldering glares, an ardent glitter ever-present within their depths. She had a way of holding her eyes wide open as if beholding the world with awe. But now it was not with awe, but anxiety. Soft brown hair, so often pulled back behind her head and left ungroomed, pooled around her back in loose curls, looking brushed and, surprisingly, rather nice. Nothing had been done to it aside from a decent cleaning and a fair amount of time trying to work out years of snarls. It was odd, like this, she thought--too girly. But it was not near as girly as the clothing she had chosen (or, rather, been instructed) to wear. A dress of Karayan design, composed of a dark, velvety brown leather, covered her body, complete with a belt that had quite the resemblance to Lucia's, teardrops and all, while matching, delicate gloves enveloped her arms. At least, she took a moment to reflect, her shoes were sandals, not the foolish sort that she'd seen other females wearing. As Thomas gave his speech--or, rather, stood around not giving his speech--she couldn't help but fret more. She looked ridiculous, and she knew it. What, she wondered, had gotten into her mind and convinced her to attend in the first place? Madness, whatever it was! Running a hand up and down one arm, she shifted from one foot to the next, all the while doing her best to remain in one place rather than bolt toward the nearest exit. Breathing would also be helpful. She made note in her mind to add it to the agenda. Before she swooned, hopefully. Fashionably late, that's how Borus arrives! Well, perhaps grudgingly late is more accurate, since requisite socialization with some former enemies isn't high on his agenda. He is dressed for the occasion in fine black pants, a white dress shirt with cravat and a doublet in his signature color of red. The coat is decorated with thinly woven gold designs on the lapels and sleeves, and fits as if it was tailored just for him. Walking around from the lake path, he remains in the back of the group that has turned to face the kid who runs the place. (Thomas was his name...or something like that.) He stands with the crowd, waiting for the welcome, or the dinner, and looking desperately around for some of his fellow knights. Was it going to be a fun night? Chris didn't think this dance was a good idea in the first place. We are, after all in a war. And whoever heard of dancing and eating cocktails in a war. Then again nothing normal ever happens at Budehuc. Chris was at the rear, deciding to stay away from the crowd. Rushing in and letting herself subside into the crowd meant meeting some people she would prefer not to see. She did think of this as a chance to meet the other residents of Budehuc but the idea slowly began to fade at the sight of the shifty crowd in front of her. Okay, maybe shifty was a exaggeration but one can't be to careful. At the front was Thomas. He appeared as though he was about to drop dead in front of the crowd. Poor guy. Chris was glad she wasn't in his place. Chris began to examine the surroundings. She decided it was best to just sit down away from everyone. Being a wallflower at celebrations didn't hurt. Franz had been in the place of the party from early on that day. He was needed to set up the many ribbons, balloons, tables, sheets, bows, bells, streamers, you name it. So he had watched the various people coming in, glancing at the expressions on their faces, and what they were wearing for the most part. As for his own garments, Franz was wearing a deep, forest-green coloured tuxedo that seemed to make him blend into the shadows in the room. However, it did have an odd, silky sheen to it when the light reflected from it. He had a black bow tie, and a bloodred rose head that had been pinned to finish the costume off. Most of the people he recognize didn't really recognize him in turn-- probably because his thick, wirey black hair that was usually in knots and frizzes was slicked back, flat to his head. It gave him a strikingly different appearance. Nevertheless, Franz wished he had asked /someone/ to the dance. He was standing behind the cocktail table in the shadows, watching a poor adolescent on stage who looked about as white as a sheet. He sighed, and spun the spiked punch in his glass idly round. The mercenary captain has found some nice unobtrusive spot near the rear to stand in. Height makes it not too hard to see above some people - it's distinguishing who he might be looking over that might might make it somewhat difficult. But apparently one of the people he's standing closest to, as the crowd shifts and mills... appears to be Chris. Geddoe? He's dressed in black - quite normal for him... at least he's had the taste not to wear his mercenary blacks though... Right he did get something decent to wear - it's just that it's all black. Black coat, Black Shirt, Black Slacks... Black (need we say it - Shoes). He hasn't bothered to do much with his hair - he likes how it falls over his eyepatch so it's good in his book - it's probably less disturbing for people. His opinion on parties... they're good for morale... they purge excess emotions... so... again, it's good in his book. He just doesn't plan on doing much socializing, still... he moves closer to Chris and mumurs idly, "Perhaps.... it doesn't seem appropriate to be feasting and celebrating so pre-emptively, Lady Knight.... but it builds morale and bonds of friendship... Assuming the rowdy drunks don't start something..." he adds with a hint of amusement. Melville slowly steps into the atmosphere of the first dance he has ever attended, he had seen many before this day in Zexen Del Vinay, but they all didn't have the charm that was radiating from the assortment of people that were all gathered here today. Melville stayed to the edge of the large crowd, peering into it hoping to spot someone he might know, although that might not be easy with the crowd significantly taller than him and blocking his view. The suit he wore was a simple black coat with matching pants and a white shirt, all of which Billy had given to Melville a day before the dance. "KYAAAAAAAAAAAA!!" It's not exactly the sound one would think to hear on such a, uh, joyous night like this, but hey, this is Budehuc Castle, and it's at war! ... of sorts. It's more like inner turmoil, when you think about it, and we all -know- that sort of thing is looked down upon in an army, but... what's to be done? Having sent many complaints to Thomas through his oh-so-useful comment box, Nash has been waiting for something to be DONE about this problem! But no, no, he's still having the same problem he has almost every day! And night! And often, mid-afternoon, but that tends to be Kenji, threatening to make him 'shape up those abs'. Can't a guy get a break around here? Obviously not, as, not long after that scream, there is the unmistakable sound of a battle, or some scuffle involving sharp metal objects that are used with all intentions of causing nasty-ouchies. It's not within view, thankfully, as there are children present, but behind one of the nearby walls, there is obviously -something- going on. Hopefully, nobody is standing -too- close to that wall, as the loud clang of metal upon stone marks a -perfect- time for one Harmonian Ninja to make his hasty exit from this unwelcome scuffle! ... and, apparently, entrance on a rather remarkable evening, don't you think? Leaping to the top of the crumbling wall, barely avoiding a shuriken in the back, Nash completely ignores the fact that there are a great number of people gathered in the courtyard. Yes, his powers of observation are keen! At least, considering he's not looking that direction until he's made sure there's nobody trying to kill-him-by-nearby-association anymore. Some special agent -he- is. And what a surprise as he -does- finally turn, the relieved smile on his face turning to something a bit more.. Um... Deer-caught-in-headlights-ish. "Gyah!" With a slight start, he loses his footing on the crumbling wall, flailing his arms frantically as he slips and falls into the courtyard, landing not-so-gracefully on his face. Not one to be kept down long, however, he leaps to his feet, ignoring the rather unsightly scrapes on his cheek and grinning like... well.. an idiot! At least, an idiot who is trying to save -some- face after obviously interrupting something important. First course of action? Make sure nobody's noticed! Ha ha, he -meant- to do that! Really! ... honestly. Yeah, he's not fooling anyone, and considering how he's definitely -not- dressed for the occasion, Nash wonders just how easy it would be to make a hasty exit without looking -too- much like a dog with its tail tucked between its legs. Hmm... Right! Grab Koroku and use him as contrast! Or... not. Looks like it's not his lucky day. The people here are a bit more aware of their surroundings, not likely to be fooled. Unless you count Viki, of course, but she's a special case. So, with a slightly sheepish laugh, the Harmonian waves a bit to the somewhat pasty-looking Thomas, and the surrounding crowd, and hopes he won't be lynched. "Sorry!" After all, nobody wants to lynch Nash when they're wearing their nice clothes, right? .... right? ^^;;;; Compared to Ace, Queen wasn't quite as enthusiastic as Ace appeared to be about this entire thing. Queen wore navy-blue Harmonian form-hugging trousers and a formal Harmonian shirt, complete with the ruffles, that was coloured a lighter shade of blue, and lined in white trim. However, her hair happens to look the same as it usually does - one can only do so much with short hair. Fortunately, the intense amount of work it took to get Aila's hair going the way she wanted it to turned out to be fantastic - she looked fabulous. But of course, when she finds Ace, he's chatting with Rody. "Why, Ace, hello! Having a pleasant conversation, are we?" she says suggestively, giving him a smirk. How terribly... Crowded. Well, not that the Bishop of Harmonia would normally be terribly troubled by such a thing. Large events were large events, after all--The sort of thing that one was required to attend by mere principle, and then humor one's way through. But there is a world of difference between the events that the Bishop made a note to attend in Harmonia and.. This. There's something highly unsettling about being -in- the crowd, for one thing, rather than being set apart from the rest. Thus was how these things were generally supposed to work. But no, no, all of the Fire Bringer were to be equal, and it was hardly worth the fuss. So, easily enough, the Harmonian has found the next best way of managing the exact same thing. Let the crowd gather right before the young man giving the opening comments. Sasarai is quite content to stand a bit to the side of the crowd, where it thins about a bit, in the company of the Harmonians who thought to do the same thing. He -was- here, after all, and that was the relevant point. The crowding, the noise, the.. distinctly mixed company? Sasarai can suffer it from somewhere not the very heart of the mess. Merely a matter of waiting out the opening comments, merely a matter of patience, and the crowds were bound to thin out. And thankfully enough, the Bishop -is- a man of patience. As to attire, the formal outfit becomes him, neat and prim and so -acutely- Harmonian in appearance. And why -is- it that Harmonian outfits are always so overly ornate, so visible? Sasarai certainly isn't one to blend in with a crowd, but.. Then again, he seldom was. ...Noisy. Yes. It begged the first hints of a low, dull headache, small but persistantly growing. One's first thought would be to need air, but.. How easily can one say that when they're outside? But it -was- terribly noisy, in fact, and... In fact, it just had to get worse with some sudden -yelling-. Sasarai -almost- cringes, but somehow does not, instead managing to hide it behind a twitch of an eye. Certainly, it must be nothing. Goodness knows that, in a mass of children, Zexens and Grasslanders, there was bound to be more than one... quirky sort. Patience, yes. Patience. And the grace to block this sort of thing out. Thomas looks out at the crowd, peering about the large number of people. What was he doing up here again? What was he supposed to say? Nash sort of distracted him a bit from the side, but that bit of amusement didn't help him relax in any way whatsoever. Oh, darn! They're waiting so long and just for him too. Can't they go dance and just not..., "Ouch!" Thomas says, rubbing his side as Sebastian pokes again. "O-oh, right! Yes, I got a bit carried away!" he adds, with a chuckle. "Don't worry, Master Thomas- we're all friends here!" was Sebastian's reply. And yeah, that does make a slight bit of sense in Thomas' mind. So he turns to the crowd. All friends, right? He takes a deep breath and tries to speak: "I...uh...um...er...," he coughs after that. Ok, let's try that again. This time, louder. "Pe-people of Budehuc Castle! So a long celebration finally comes to an end today...um...isn't that really something?" no, no, no! What was the next part? "I'm honored to have the Flame Bringer Champions in our Budehuc- and I hope that their stay is very...um...welcome and enjoyable! Despite the war and everything, I mean. Either way! Um...we're all here to finish up the festival! So, um...dance! And have fun! And...may the future of Budehuc Castle be bright and...um...bright!" Thomas is bright red at this point and yet- he can't find a graceful or even crappy way to end this speech. So he just decides to leave it at that, his mind entertaining going to hide in a corner. Queen begins speaking to Ace and Rody, and they head off to the Lake Road. Poor Thomas. Alanis can't imagine trying to talk in front of that many people, and... well, even if she'd rather not see him face-to-face again so soon after that incident at the bath, she can still feel sympathy. She isn't feeling all that great herself, either. There are just so /manny/ people here, and even when she stands on her tip-toes to look around, she can't catch sight of anyone she knows very well. This dress, these shoes... they're not very good for moving around in. And she's supposed to /dance/ with these on? Right. Just as she's about to move, venture her way into the crowd - after all, what kind of an adventurer is she if she's afraid of people? - she catches sight of Melville, and she drops back down on her heels in relief. She hasn't seen him in /ages/! Since the Great Hollow! Alanis starts her way over slowly, mindful of her dress. "Melville!" She tries not to call too loudly, but she wants to be heard. "Huh?" Melville turned his head toward the direction of the voice that called his name. "Alanis?" Melville could barely recognize her from her formal wear. Melville paced over to Alanis as to how she seemed to have a little trouble maneuvering in her new attire. "There you are, Alanis. I was wondering if you would show up here tonight." Melville ruffled with his hair a bit unsure of what else to say to her as a Nei, Toppo and Shabon began to play a tune off to the side of the courtyard. "My mom couldn't pass up a chance to stuff me into a dress." That had been a definite surprise... Alanis had thought for sure her mother would forbid her to attend at all. But now she's wishing she'd stayed inside, just so she wouldn't have to be watching her step around so many people. And her dress might as well be a ball gown, /way/ too formal for this occasion. She shifts back and forth on her feet nervously, brushes hair out of her face when the breeze blows it out of place. She should h ave kept it up. "I wondered if I'd see you, too. Where have you been, anyway? I looked, but I couldn't find you /or/ Elliot." "Its been a bit strange here, I've been caught up in loads of chores." Melville sighed a bit from the depressing work he had been given over the past few days, "I'd had hope that there would be some adventure, but the chores are 'an adventure in their own' or at least as Nash has told me." Talking to Alanis was a quite calming for the lad, he had been under a bit of stress of recent, but seeing Alanis has calmed him all the more. Alanis looks a bit concerned. "You got stuck with chores? /Here/?" That's not a pleasant idea. She hasn't been given any chores, but... does this mean she /will/ get them? It sounds snobbish, but she hasn't ever had to do chores before, so why would she want to start now? "That sounds like sucn an adult thing to say." She definitely looks sympathetic now, and she reaches out to pat his shoulder with her gloved hand. A bright smile lights her face. "Well, you got away today at least, right? You look nice!" Melville gave Alanis a warm smile, "Yeah, you look nice too." Melville looked into Alanis's eyes a bit and saw a reflection of himself. For some odd reason, Melville had never noticed before that Alanis was...quite beautiful, "Erm...Alanis, would you like to...umm...maybe we could...ahh..." Melville couldn't seem to find the courage to simply ask Alanis for a dance, his cheeks were burning red and his heart pounded faster than anytime before now. "Hmm?" Alanis tilts her head a little bit, watching Melville. Is there something making him nervous? She didn't do anything, did she? She smiles again, tugging at a curl of hair nervously, and tries not to blush as brightly as he is. "Thank you, though." There's no reason to be nervous, really... no reason. She has to stop herself from fidgeting again. Shaking mildly, Melville couldn't comprehend what was the problem with just asking Alanis to dance, he had faced down bandits in battle and even fought Gillamune single-handed, but his body seemed to be in more fear than those times before. "I just want to...uhh..." Melville wiped his brow slightly and took in a deep breath, 'I'll ask her this time for sure, I won't stall.' Melville assured himself in his mind. "Alanis, would you like to dance?" Now Alanis's face turns bright red. It's really quite amazing. After facing down horrid monsters in the sublevel with Fred and Geddoe, and then managing to have a conversation with the Bishop without fainting, how can one simple question make her feel so weak-kneed? It takes her a moment to work herself into a condition to answer. She doesn't want him to think she's uninterested, definitely not! She just doesn't want her voice to be shaking. "Y-yes, that would be nice." More blushing. And here she thought she wasn't such a girly girl. Was something wrong with Melville? Those final words that Alanis said to Melville seemed to relieve Melville from all of the tension built up within himself, but perhaps that was just replaced with a different type of tension, Melville had just remembered something important that he should have thought of before asking Alanis to dance. He...could...not...dance.... Billy had seemingly given Melville a few tips prior to the dance, but given the situation, Melville could not recall any of them. 'Okay, calm down. Try to remember what Dad said.' Melville shook mildly and grasped one of Alanis' hands gently and led her to a vacant spot in the courtyard. "I...is this okay?" Melville couldn't describe it, but he was nervous and frightened, but at the same time, relieved and happy. What, he's that nervous about dancing with her? That's what his problem is? Not that Alanis can talk. It's a good thing she isn't wearing heels... something else her mother had tried to stuff her into. "Yes, it's okay." His nerves seem to give her a little confidence... just a little. She /does/ know how to dance in theory, but she hasn't ever tried it before with someone her own age, who isn't towering over her, as her father did. "I'm not really used to dancing, so... I hope I don't step on you or anything." Oh, what a /smart/ thing to say! But she can't possibly blush more brightly, so she takes a step toward Melville and puts her hand on his shoulder. That's how it goes, if she recalls. It really has been a while. 'Okay, hands clasped in the air, right?" Melville slowly grasped Alanis' free hand and raised them to shoulder level as she placed her hand on his shoulder. 'Now my other hand goes behind her waist...' Melville placed his hand behind Alanis' waist gently and stood motionless for a few seconds. 'What was next...Oh right! Move in sync with the music.' Melville caught the tempo of the song being played by the trio and moved his feet accordingly to what he saw from the other dancers. Melville's dancing might have started off been a bit too systematic and lifeless as he mimicked only what he saw of the other dancers, but he gradually caught on with the pace. This is a relief - Melville seems to know enough about how to dance that Alanis can just worry about her own errors. She isn't making very many of them, but it takes her a few minutes to get back into the rhythm of dancing. A year has done wonders as far as making her forget. She bites her lip, watching their feet for a minute to make sure she knows how he moves, and then smiles up at him again. Since she hadn't expected to find him, she had not expected a dance... but it was really nice of him to ask her. She doesn't know what to say. Finally in sync with the pace, Melville had nearly gathered all of steps into his mind, he didn't need to concentrate his eyes to his feet anymore. Melville looked up and gazed at Alanis as she gave him a warm smile. He was glad that he asked her to dance, although it was a bit slow-paced for Melville, he was having fun with Alanis. Soon enough, Melville could feel his own weight being lifted as though he were dancing on air. "Alanis...I need to ask you something..." Melville eyes became serious and his voice was full with concern. "After this war, are you and your parents going to...move again?" Move? That's a good question. Alanis's smile fades a little as she considers this. "Well... The war stopped his business in the Great Hollow, so right now, we're running on the mercy of Lord Thomas. We should be okay as long as the fighting ends soon, but..." Business isn't an area she has the greatest expertise in, and while that may or may not matter to Melville, it certainly matters to Alanis that she isn't sure what's going to happen to her family. She should have paid more attention to her father. "I don't know. Father might want to stay with family here in Zexen, or he might want to get things started again with his friend in Harmonia. I think it just depends on how he wants to start. Melville had hoped for a different answer as he sighed slightly at her response, "Oh...I see..." Melville slowly drifted off into a slump as the music dyed down. The crowd around him all clapped as the trio bowed and prepared for their next song as he stood motionless and staring at the ground. Melville knew that Alanis had not meant anything by what she said and had only said what she knew to be true, but a part of him didn't want her to say it. "Alanis...if you don't mind...I think I need to go sit down for a bit..." Melville turned his back to Alanis and slowly paced away. Did she say something wrong again? Alanis hurries after Melville as best she can in that dress, gathering handfuls of it up so she can walk a little faster. "What's wrong?" she asks when she reaches his side, real concern in her voice this time, and her smile gone. It's a shame the dancing stopped, but really... what's bothering him? That's more important. "Is it what I said about moving? Because... I don't know, but that doesn't mean anything for sure..." Melville looked back to Alanis whose eyes were filled with concern. He knew that he overacted, but he couldn't help it, his body and mind seemed to be separated from himself and they acted on their own. "It is...I know that moving is completely up to what your parents decide, I understand that you have to move because of your family's business, but what I can't grasp is being without you!" Melville seemed to say it all in a flurry and had to catch his breath, he couldn't believe that he had just said that, was it what he truly wanted to say all along...was this what he really felt for Alanis. Alanis stops when he does, her expression one of utter shock. She hides it quickly, although she can't completely wipe the surprise from her face. Did he... really just say that? She reaches to take his hand again, more for something else to look at than to offer comfort, because her face has turned a definite shade of red again - enough to vie with the coat she usually wears. Did he really say that? Did he? She finds herself smiling again, but she doesn't look up. She's too afraid for that. "Maybe... I could just try to convince him to stay..." The plans she'd been trying to make, the ones she'd talked to Mamie about... she doesn't even remember them right now. He... really said that? Was it...real? Alanis, she too, want herself stay. Melville tried to sum up a few words to say, but all he could do was look at Alanis' small hand clasped around his. "Alanis...I...I..." But Melville stopped himself, he couldn't find any words that would describe how he felt, Melville used his free hand to lift Alanis' face to him and then placed it on Alanis' hand and gripped her firmly as though she would drift away if he let go. "I want ...to be with you...when this war ends..." Melville extended his arms around Alanis and hugged her gently. Melville finally understood it, what he had been feeling, he knew that being with Alanis...was what made him...happy. "I..." Alanis doesn't really know what to say to that, at first. She wraps her arms around Melville's waist and hugs him, tightly at first to try and smooth some of his nerves, and then she relaxes. "That would be nice." Some of her dreams like far away from Zexen, but... her continued lack of success, especially in her talk with the bishop, has discouraged her to the point that she's no longer sure she should even bother with them. She was at her happiest in Vinay del Zexay with Melville and Elliot, and the idea of leaving still makes her want to cry sometimes. Learning magic is something she wants so badly she can almost taste it, but it wouldn't be so bad, would it, if she stayed with her friends instead? She isn't sure what choice she'd make if she had another opportunity... but it's nice to know someone cares enough to want to keep her here. The two youths hugged for what seemed like several minutes. 'I know that Alanis might not be able to convince her parents...but...that doesn't matter...' Melville released Alanis from his hug and held her shoulders and stared deeply into her eyes. 'Just being with her...is what...matters...' Melville let her go and turned his back to her with his head staring up at the stars. "Alanis...I...I hope that this war will end soon...I want those peaceful...carefree days back, when it was just you, me and Elliot....I just want...to be with you...as long as...possible..." "I'll be around as long as possible... you don't have to worry about that." Alanis clasps her hands at her back and stares at the ground, then up at Melville's back. This was unexpected... she hadn't known he thought this way about her, not really... She can't keep herself from smiling, but she bites her lip again as she looks around. No, no one seems to be watching - that's definitely a relief. The last thing she needs is her mother to come up, shake her, and tell her how cute everything looks. Ugh. "I'd like things to go back to normal too. I'm sure they will... we just have to have faith that Hugo and everyone will fix things. Then we can have it all back again." Melville turned his head to Alanis and smiled, "You're right, we're all trying to end this war for the peaceful days to come back...Everyone here...is trying their best..." Melville gently grasped Alanis' hand, "Let's go back to the dance...Maybe we can have just one more dance?" Melville awaited Alanis' reply, but somehow, he knew what she would say. There, that's a much happier thing to think about. The last song is winding to a close, to applause from the other dancers, so Alanis clasps Melville's hand and gives him a much brigher smile than the last one, clearly happy about the idea of getting back to the festivities - even if it does mean trying to move around in this dress without tripping. "Of course!"