Here's Wren:

And Alfred:

I also did Nymph!

Nugget says duce! 

Nymph~

Devin stares at me, openmouthed. 

"You'd do that?" 

"Sure," I say, feeling a twang of unease, although my voice doesn't betray it. I shake it off and grab his hand to keep it from knocking over the turret. "Later, of course. Right now we have the most epic sandcastle ever to build."

We pile and shape more sand on top of sand, decorating lofty towers with sea glass, shells and flotsam, and I dig deep into the ground around it, a little ocean for the island our castle is built on. I decide to swim in it as a tiny shark or sea dragon when the judges come around. I voice this to Devin, who agrees, although I catch a glimpse of the corners of a shadow on his face. I give him a brief look of concern, but he shakes his head dismissively, and so we go back to building.

"I'm hungry," I realize aloud.

"Oh? Oh, now that you mention it, I kind of am, too. Let's get some food."

"Hang on a minute, the judges are coming." And they are, a pair of AEs holding clipboards, pausing to inspect each sculpture. I glance around at our other competition. They've done better than I expected. The thought of sabotage flits through my mind, but the part of me concerned with my image as a queen stands up to challenge it. Honor wins out, but the battle leaves roiling knots in my stomach.

The judges are almost here. I give a start, duck behind a boulder, slip off my dress so I'm only wearing my swimsuit, which is sure to be spared when I shift, go back as a crab, hop into the moat with a plop!, and I'm a perfect miniature sea serpent. I flaunt my jeweled scales and flowing fins as the clipboard bearers arrive.

One looks at the castle, looks at me, looks admiring. I can't hear what they're saying, but I give a pleased shake of my shining head. The judges seem impressed. With a flick of my gauzy tail, I swirl my delicate form in a circle for them, put on a little show.

Then, without warning, something plunges down into the water, ripples throwing me off balance. I hear a muffled voice, perhaps a shout? Confused, startled, I'm lucky I have gills. I swim blindly away. The thing follows, far too fast for comfort. I panic and snap at it with little teeth, blunting them just in time to warn rather than to wound, and it comes as a surprise when my jaws close around something soft. It jerks up out of the water, and my ears are met with a scream and shouts.

I release my grip, scared, and drop back into the water with a splash. Shifting again, I slam into the side of the moat and dig frantically, burrow under the castle to hide in the sand. It's dark, though, and I worry I'll run out of oxygen. I wouldn't say I'm claustrophobic, but the walls now seem oppressive, so I tunnel more, further in and then up, I don't know where I am. But suddenly I'm breaking through to the hollow inside the castle--lucky! There's a window, light and air, and voices, but they're quieter now.

Calmer, I go to the window, still a tiny dragon, and push through it, out into the daylight. I see Devin, the judges and a crowd of AEs. Devin notices me and practically dives for the castle.

"Nymph! Are you okay?!"

I smile, almost smirk, and nod. "You?" 

"Yes. That was scary, though, are you sure you're okay?" He reaches a hand towards me uncertainly. I climb into it and grow wings just to look cute, shifting a little larger so I can be seen better.

"I'm sure," I say. "Is everyone else?"

There is a chorus of assurance, although one of the judges looks upset.

"You bit me!"

I nod. "I did, but you scared me. I didn't know you were going to do that. Are you okay?" 

"Yes," the judge admits. A smile touches my dragon mouth.

"Then all is well. Let's get this party going!"

*Rushes in with messy hair* AM I TOO LATE?!?!?! OH PLEASE SAY NO. . .

I saw Saphire's brother Ronan-and I never get to see Saphira around much-so please. . . can I join?

Name: Ariel (Black)

What are you wearing: A light blue (royal blue) tuxedo with a gold dragon necklace pendant, and a Saphire in the middle, which he never takes off. (The necklace I mean.) Light blue tie. Black shoes.

Animal or human form: Human

Who are you going with?: Couple,-with Saphira; if she accepts my offer and I am still allowed to join. *Smiles*

I'll be coming. Since I might change my gender (I'm coming as a girl) in the middle of the ball, I'll just wear a neon green t-shirt with a watermelon on it, and shorts. Waterproofed, of course. And, erm, Ronan, d'you want to come with me until I change my gender ('cause I'm pretty sure I'll change it) to a boy?

YESS! LEN ASKED SOMEONE OUT!!!!!!

Shut up! *face turns red* We're going only for half the ball anyway! If he wants to!

Well, I'm coming as a guy, but I might change in the midst of the ball, so does anyone, I repeat anyone, want to come with me for the ball?

YESS! LEN IS GOING TO SOCIALIZE!!!

Oh, shut up.