THE SOLSTICE BALL

[PANDORA RUE VERYN]

COME ONE, COME ALL!
THOSE INVITED: HIGHER CLASS FOLK, PERSONAL FRIENDS, AND ALL WORKERS IN THE CASTLE

-- 9:00 PM

The Solstice Ball was held each year at the palace, a trend that her grandmother had started many years before to celebrate the summer solstice. The already lovely ballroom was decorated in shimmering streamers of gold and silver. Flowers were hanging from the ceiling, plastered on the walls, and laying gracefully across the tables that lined the far left wall of the large room. On the tables were many varieties of food for the guests to enjoy: fresh currants, duck eggs, nut bread, cheese, peaches, fruitcake, strawberries, frog legs, bacon, meatballs, chicken, blueberries, melons, octopus, and even a large pot of rabbit stew. For those who were a bit parched, they could indulge themselves with fresh griffin milk or a glass of some of the finest wine in all the lands. Musicians were at the far end of the ballroom playing their violins and other strings to the best of their abilities. Dora had gone out of her way to make sure this ball would be the best in many years. She needed it just as well as the people did. It was a time to be happy and a time to rejoyce rather than be scared of what horrors lie in the future.

Queen Pandora was on a platform at the head of the room, sitting elegantly on a chair of pure gold and white velvet. She had spent much of the late day getting ready and it showed. Her near white hair had been curled and now fell down to her lower back with her crown upon the top of her head. On her face, she wore just a touch of pink tint on both her cheeks and full lips. But it was her outfit that was truly the most eyecatching thing about the Queen on this particular night. Her tailor had spent weeks slaving over the beautiful gold and white gown that the queen now wore, spending much of the time sewing shimmering diamonds and the finest pearls into the bodice and skirt of the dress. Even her shoes had been custom made for the occasion, with small pearls placed gently upon the perfect little bows. While Pandora was never one to wear too much jewelry, tonight was different. Pearls graced her ears and her slender neck in lavish forms while white, gold, and diamond bracelets were placed around her thin wrists. Now more than ever, she truly looked and felt like a Queen.

"Aleris, doesn't Ophelia look lovely?" The Queen questioned her handsome friend and bodyguard as he stood next to her on the platform while keeping her eyes on Ophelia and Monty who were enjoying a nice Father/Daughter dance. "That she does. Though I will say you are the most striking woman here," Aleris replied with a crooked smile. Pandora turned her head from the dancers and gave him a playful glare. "Sometimes I wonder if your constant flattery is part of your agenda for higher power," she cooed playfully, her lips twitching up into a smile as she spoke. She was in need of a King to secure an heir and of all people that were currently in the running, Aleris was the most fit to serve at her side. But she would wait it out a bit longer to make such a request of her dear friend. "Not at all, dear Dora. Not at all," he replied with that same smirk upon his face. His words were not believed by the Queen but she made no more of it and turned her attention back to her dancing guests.

xxOUTFITxx