Luna took a sip of her champagne and clapped as another song beautifully finished off another song. She turned when she felt a light tap on her shoulder and smiled up at Antonio.
“I see you’re enjoying yourself, Lady Lillian.” He teased, brushing his hair back with his hand.
“I could say the same for you and your last friend.” Luna retorted lightly, taking the hand he had offered her.
“What would you say to a little dance, her highness is already on the floor with a nobleman.”
Luna chuckled lightly as they joined the group of people dancing in the center of the room. “So who is he?”
Antonio shrugged as he lead her through the steps to the dance. “Some minor nobleman that holds power off in the neighboring kingdoms. I believe a brother of his is king.”
Luna nodded “so that’s why he’s here.”
Antonio nodded “they say he was a long time friend of the Princess and her family until he suddenly distances himself from them for almost a decade. The fact that he’s here now raises concern over his intentions with her highness.”
“Better on him than us.” Luna concluded, swaying with Antonio as the music grew
As soon as the music ended, Penumbra apologized to Samuel saying there was something she had to do. Samuel let go of her and Penumbra made her way across the ballroom with a sigh, in hopes of finding her sister. In all honestly, she would rather be anywhere else than at the ball. After a bit, she gave up and stayed near the doors that lead to the hallway. She watched as people mingled and danced.
Antonio leaned in with a smirk “what do you say we liven this party up?”
“And if were caught?” Luna retorted, arching her eyebrow at him.
He merely shrugged “we blame it on being from a foreign village. This is how our people would spend their time at a party.”
She smiled, any excuse to freely be herself after so much time trying to hide it, she’d gladly take. “I’m up for it. Plus, it’s sure to get her highness’ attention one way or another.”
“Exactly.” Antonio grinned and glanced over at the band, catching the eye of another man who she recognized as another elf, though he hadn’t more human features, and nod, slowly changing the beat of the song to something more lively and what the people here would call ‘wild’ though what her and her people would call beautiful.
The music slowly changed from slow and boring to something more lively. The guests were confused at the change of music and looked at the orchestra. But the orchestra seemed to be having a good time with the music. They had no idea why the music was changed. One of the guests tried to tell the Orchestra to stop, but they didn't listen and continued playing the music.
"What is happening here?" One of Penumbra's superiors said over the music to one of the guests. He looked around the ballroom, trying to spot Penumbra, but to no avail. He was furious that the ball had gotten out of hand. "And where's the princess?"
The guests looked at the man and shrugged. She knew that it wasn't wise to upset him, or any of the other people who were currently making decisions for Penumbra. "I don't know, sir. It suddenly changed and we don't know why. And as for the princess, we haven't seen her since her dance with Prince Samuel."
The man cursed under his breath and walked away angrily. He stopped in front of the orchesta and took one of the people aside. "I demand you and your friends…to stop playing this horrendous music!"
The woman's body shaked in fear. "I-I…I'm afraid I can't do that, s-sir. We o-only take orders from the princess…and until the princess intervenes….we can't do anything."
Penumbra watched as Della ran to her with a smirk on her face. "I suppose this is your doing, dear sister?" She crossed her arms and pulled a stern face. But there was a smile on her face, meaning Penumbra found this funny. "Trying to anger my superiors?"
Della frowned a bit. "No, it's not my doing. But whoever did this is a freaking genius. Now the guests can have some fun at this boring ball…" She drifted off as she saw her sister leave her side and make her way to the Orchestra. "Wait, I don't think that's a good idea!"
Luna smiled as the music picked up, the protests drowned out by the joyous tune. Luna spun with Antonio, throwing her head back in laughter as she was dipped and turned then suddenly broken away. She hadn’t felt this alive since she was a young child. She could see the same joy in her cousin as she was pulled back into the wild dance. As they spun about, some more adventurous guests joined them, though she noted all of them were younger and probably didn’t know or care about the rules of the court. She also noticed the Princess wasn’t part of the group. She caught sight of the queen-to-be heading towards the orchestra. Luna was slightly worried that she would request for them to stop, not wanting to cause trouble among the older, more sophisticated audience at the ball tonight since many would be working close with her when she was queen. But Luna hadn’t felt this in so long, she didn’t want it to ever end.
“Don’t worry, just watch.” Antonio grinned at her beforehand letting her go and pulling some people into ring, first a few that were close then slowly the others surrounding. She shook her hand at him as he watched him approach the younger of the princesses and offer her his hand. She laughed and danced with those in the ring, keeping an eye on Antonio as he spoke to the beautiful woman, most lily trying to coax her to join him in the dance
"Well, aren't you a charmer?" Della said with a laugh. "Wanna dance? I saw you dancing with your cousin earlier, and to be honest, this seems more fun than that boring old dance."
"Edward, would you leave them alone?" Penumbra asked when she approached her superior. She grabbed the female from the arm and whispered to her. "It's fine, I'll take care of this. Continue what you're doing." She said with a smile. The woman nodded gratefully as she returned back to her post. Penumbra smiled and turned to face Edward, but the moment she did so, her smile vanished when she saw how enraged he was.
"You have to be joking, princess. I thought you were here to help me keep them," He said as he mentioned the guests with his hand. "Under control. They're becoming savages, Penumbra. And here you are doing nothing!" Edward said as he crossed his arms. "They're having fun, and that's what matters to me. If you don't like it, then you can leave, Edward. It's not like we're going to miss your controlling self here either way."
Edward growled and shook his hand. "Mock my words, princess. One day, you're going to find yourself in a sticky situation. And don't count on me or my colleagues to help you out." He then walked out of the ballroom. Penumbra sighed and looked at the guests. It brought a smile to her face that they were having fun and weren't miserable. She made her way to the ring, and just observed the guests having fun.
Antonio gave The princess a wolfish smile and guided her to the dance circle, jumping in when they got a chance, clapping in time to the Rhythm as they all spun and dipped.
Luna caught Antonio’s glance from across the room, waving her hand at him dismissively as he flicked husband gaze to the eldest princess.
She sighed softly, honestly not wanting to stop her joyous dancing by bit knowing this would be The best time pull her in. The circle made they’re way around the room. Luna made a show of pulling in a few more guests, not really caring who as long as they were dancing’s and having fun. With looking directly at her, trying to make it seem as if she were more distracted with the festivities than who was linked to her arm. When she finally turned to Penumbra, Luna all but fell into a deep curtsy. “Your highness, I hadn’t realized it was you! Please forgive me for my forwardness.”
(ah, so sorry!)
Penumbra smiled awkwardly at Luna when she turned around and did a curtsy. "It's quite fine, really." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Della dancing and laughing. She smiled slightly and then looked at Luna. "I'm just glad the guests are having fun. This ball was boring before this started. I'll have to thank the person who decided to do this. That is if I find out who they are." She paused and laughed a bit. Sorry…I got carried away. You probably don't even care." She looked down at her snake, who was still hanging around her neck, like a necklace. The snake was now awake and it hissed softly at her. "Oh, I forgot all about you. Hello there," She said softly.
(It’s ok! Just Booping)
Luna offered a small smile. “Actually I very much do. The music reminds of my home. I havn’t been in so long, this was a good reminder of how lovely it was. I’m the one who should be thanking you, your highness. I was worried for a moment all the fun would have stopped if the man you sent away had continued. She glanced down at the snake and smiled. “Both beautiful and very stylish.” She’s notes with another small laugh. “Guess I was wrong to assume that you royals are all delicate.” She mused, jumps in general back into the dance. “Come join us your highness, it really is more fun the more people join!” She called to her, finding herself genuinely enjoying the party. If she couldn’t complete the mission tonight, at she’d be able to say it wasn’t complete waste of time
Penumbra's eyes widened a bit before going back to normal and smiled at Luna. "Well, if that's the case, then I greatly appreciate what you've done here tonight. Your decision made things a lot brighter here, and this has to be the first time where I've seen the guests actually having a good time." She looked down at Mr. Noodles and petted it before looking back at Luna. "Why thank you. I think he likes you." She said with a laugh as she noticed the snake hissing softly at Luna. "Sure, seems like a lot of fun," Penumbra laughed as she joined Luna and the others in the dance.
She arched an eyebrow in surprise, “may I?” She slowly reached out, letting the snake smell her. She laughed softly before taking a few steps back along with the group and clapping. “It very much is!” She exclaimed “I’m glad that my cousin’s rash decision to bring some life to the party has pleased you your highness. I’ll be sure to extend your gratitude.” She said over the music, jumping and twirling as the music grew darker. I merely came along due to curiosity. I had never been so close to royalty, certainly none as gracious as you.” She bowed respectfully and extended her hand “if I may be so bold to ask you for a dance your grace, I’d be eternally grateful.”
