Nymph~ 

Before either Max or Ivy answers, someone else flutters nervously up, looking at me. I am very popular tonight. 

“Celeste?” I ask. 

“O-oh, sorry to interrupt... I was just wondering, since you and xyr, you know, have the same CBer—i-if you maybe know where Sea Glass is? Oh, and I brought you a cookie?”

I accept the proffered cookie, deciding to use a third arm for it. 

“Yeah, xe should be here soon. Viola? kept xyr back, probably messing with xyr hair or something, but she’d never let xyr miss this. Especially with you here, there’s not a chance. She’s such a shipper,” I conclude, rolling my eyes. 

Celeste looks relieved. Before she can speak, with perfect timing, SG xyrself appears.

“H-hi... I hope I did not keep you waiting.”

“There you go,” I tell Celeste, then nudge Sea Glass, hand her the cookie, and wave xyr and xyr date away. “Perfect. Now shoo.”  

Sea Glass~

Nervousness ripples from my every footstep as I leave the house, but the wind brushes low and soothing across my face the whole way to the ball. It’s cold, but I have a short fur-lined wrap about my shoulders. By the time I arrive, I am calm. 

Inside, I hand off the wrap to a cat-eared attendant and survey the crowd. Nymph left early, and she is surrounded. I shouldn’t be surprised. She’s magnetic. Right now, she’s talking to—oh.

She’s talking to Celeste.

I run before I realize I’m running, and slow down as soon as I do. She’s here. I must be late. How long was she waiting? I’m here now, thank gods. Would it have been better if I had never come? No. That would have been worse.

“H-hi,” I say, suddenly breathless. “I hope I d-did not keep you waiting.” 

Nymph taps my arm with the back of a hand and gives me a chocolate cookie. 

“There you go, perfect. Now shoo,” she says. Celeste and I shoo. 

Harliquin~

I grin malevolently as I survey the ballroom, thinking of the chaos to be caused. Then someone puts their hand on my shoulder and quietly says "Harliquin." it's Will, I feel my cheeks start to heat up "Please don't destroy anything." he states, though he looks uncomfortable, then I see Captain X and squeal excitedly, dragging will over to her.

"Cap!" I say as she looks up from her drink with a look of annoyance. "Good to see you out and about grouchypants." I joke at her scowl before will interrupts me.

Will~ 

"It's a pleasure to see you again Xanara," I state nonchalantly "you look pleasant." I grimace at how that sounds, why do I have to be so awkward?

"Thank you." Xanara states, like this isn't the most awkward situation I could imagine. She starts to say something else but my eyes are on Harliquin as his eyes light up when his favorite song starts playing. He hurries to the dance floor and twirls around like a professional dancer. I don't realize I'm staring until Cap taps me on the shoulder. "Could you please repeat that?" I say, taking my eyes off Harli for a second.

Izzy~

Why did I agree to come here again I think as I watch couples dancing, eating, waiting for their partner. I don't have a partner, of course I could always leave but, I look at Harliquin spinning on the dance floor and Will watching him. I have to babysit the children.

Someone taps my shoulder and I turn around, looking at them in surprise, to have anyone come up to me and talk is a surprise but at a party? Almost impossible. I look them in the eye and say "Hi."

Devin~ 

I walk in first, before Wren and Far. The room is large but not filled up much yet. We must not be too terribly late. Good, that will relieve Wren. Not that I care about being late. It’s kind of weird, not having a date. Wren and Far both do. I’m not sure I’ve been to a ball where I was the only one out of the three of us that doesn’t. There are other girls here who don’t have dates. I could have asked them. I guess I just didn’t feel like it this time.

I drift over to the snack table. Nymph’s there. It’s weird to look at her now and not have my heart speed up, even just a little. She’s surrounded—of course—talking to several AEs. I start to say hi to her, but something stops me. I close my mouth and turn my attention back to the snack table, grabbing all the best desserts.

Wren~

Oh goodness, we’re late again. Not that late, but still. I hope Storm hasn’t been waiting on me.

I had the jitters the entire way here, and I haven’t calmed at all. My heart’s going a mile minute, I have goosebumps, butterflies, all. Get it together, Wren. I reach up and touch my hair. The top part is braided in a circle around the crown of my head, with the rest hanging loose and slightly curly. I wonder if I went too simple. Or maybe too fancy. I start to tug at my dress as I walk through the doors, dampening the silk slightly with my sweaty palms. I make my way to the refreshment table, where Devin is already gorging on sweets. When I reach him, he bats my hand away from my skirt.

“Quit messing with your dress, it looks fine,” he says. His mouth is full of crumbly pink cake, so it sounds more like, “Quit meshing wif your dresh, it wooks fine.”   Pink crumbs spew across my skirt as he says it, too. I brush them off absently.

“Where’s Storm?” He asks.

I shrug. “I don’t think he’s here yet.”

I stand there anxiously, my eyes flitting back to the door again and again.

Far~

I believe this will be my first ball with a date. I’ve always wondered what it would be like. I’m more nervous than I thought I would be as I enter. I’m not really sure what you’re supposed to do when you have a date. What if I do something wrong, or say something wrong? I don’t want to mess anything up. I tug at my leather gloves. I slipped them on last minute, but now they’re making my hands sweat, so I pull them off and tuck them into my belt. 

My eyes scan the room. Several AEs have arrived already, but Mariel is not among them. Most have congregated near the refreshments. I couldn’t eat if I wanted to right now, so I drift to a wall where I can comfortably see the whole room and everyone in it. And I watch people. I study them. I always do this, it’s a habit of mine. Devin and Wren found it creepy at first, and I think maybe they still do. I hope others don’t. I don’t see anything weird about it, but apparently most people don’t like being stared at. Nevertheless, I stare.

I... I believe it already has! Could I meet you there?

Sage, do you wanna come?

Whatever. As long as there's pie.

Dewy~

I push open the doors to the ballroom. It's so beautiful. More AEs have arrived, and it's now very lively. Harliquin is dancing exuberantly in the center of the dance floor. I spot Midnight, who is still waiting patiently for DJ Bowtie. Speaking of which, I haven't seen him for a while...

Sage bursts in after me and looks for the pie. That won't end well. I walk to the refreshment table and admire the delicate frosting on the cupcakes. I take one, then go to talk to Midnight.  

I enter the ballroom, I am calmer than usual when attending events such as this one. It feels strange, too not feel as if my stomach was turned inside out, but pleasant. It’s not as if do not feel nervous, just not to the extremity that I often do. I scan the ballroom with my eyes. Hugh isn’t here yet. Maybe I should wait outside. No, it’s rather chilly.
I spot Max, over by the snack table. He is conversing with Nymph, and another Æ I’m not sure I recognize. Nymph is holding a whole chicken. Hmm...
Maybe I should go and talk to them. I take one timid step toward them, then freeze.
Maybe not...
I shake my head. I’m going too go talk to them. I take another step toward them. And another. Soon I’m slowly walking toward them, many thoughts running through my head of how this could go wrong.

Koi- 

I don’t think I’m ready for something like this. That frase plays over and over in my mind...I struggle to lift my head up to face the ballroom and find Logan, even though there is absolutely no reason to, I have the urge to cry. But I suck everything up and march to the snacks table, forgetting that I borrowed Riley’s tap shoes I sound super loud and obnoxious. To my pathetic luck, no one notices. It’s strange, I’m the only one that got asked out, yet the most shy, and anti-social of my siblings...I fill my plate with potato chips and Cesar salad, sit down and eat silently, hoping Logan will find me on her own... 

Riley-  

How does this happen to me? I’m charming...I think anyways. Should I go up to Cap? Wow, she looks stunning, like always. *blushes*. She looks like she’s having plenty a good time with her friends. Nope. Riley, you’re supposed to be the one who is cool and outgoing. I glide across the floor and make eye contact with Cap, I wink and smile. She makes a disappointed\silly face. I gesture for her to come over... 

Eden- 

Well shoot. What the heck was I expecting anyways? How come everyone finds love so easily? I sink down to the floor pull my tail up to chest, I watch all the happy couples have fun and be, well,... couple-y? Why do I even freaking try? It’s only an hour or two in the ball and I’m being over dramatic. I look at Riley who is being himself, flirting with Cap.  Honestly, I’d rather go out with a girl...Most of these girls are straight though... 

Will looks at me, obviously perplexed.

"Um, I said it was a pleasure to see you here, and that you were looking pleasent this evening." I squint.

"Thanks. I think that's the first time anybody's said that to me." Is that a flash of compassion or pity in his eyes? Eh, it doesn't matter. I walk smoothly back to my seat. Nothing much has changed. Soon, I lose myelf in the twirling couples on the dance floor, my eyes dancing with them as I watch their fanciful strides, bows, and twirls. I watch the gazes of the couples meet, both of the lovers blushing.

Suddenly, the music changes. From a slow waltz, it's now an upbeat song. I stand, deposit my now-empty bottle of soda into a nearby recycling can and unfurl my wings. Heh, If my shirt was white I'd kinda look like Pit. Not that anybody would know who he is. I think.

~Lock~

I fidget with the book tucked under my arm as I hesitate to walk through the grand doors of the ball room. I haven't been to a ball in eons. I'm afraid that I won't remember what to do. 

"Stop stalling Lock, and open the door!" Key snaps at me. She's grumpy at herself for asking Max out. I think she's sad that she won't be able to dance. 

I glance behind me where Storm and Key are standing. Key looks impatient (as always), Storm looks anxious. I sigh and reach forward and open the door, holding it open for my siblings and then following them in. 

I immediately spot Dewy. She's standing towards one side of the room, nibbling at something and talking to Midnight. I take a deep breath and walk towards her. The conversation she's having stops as I approach. 

"Hi..." I say hesitantly. "I hope I didn't interrupt."

~Key~

I walk into the ballroom and glance around. It's so good to be here among AEs again...but I'm sad that I haven't found a date. I blush at the memory of asking Max to the ball. I can't believe I was that stupid. Now I'm terrified to ask someone else...but I really wanted to dance today. I just don't know what to do. I glance behind me at the boys, looking for moral support. Alas, I am sorely disappointed. Apparently both of them are otherwise occupied.

~Storm~

I follow Key into the ball room, suddenly feeling extremely giddy. I haven't spent time with Wren in almost a year. I run my thumb across my jaw - a self conscious habit I have developed. I wonder how much I have changed over the past year. I hope Wren still likes me...! I think, feeling a surge of panic in my chest. I wonder if I should have dressed better for the occasion. I hope Wren won't mind that I'm not dressed up. I just always feel so uncomfortable when I'm dressed up though. I don't want to be uncomfortable...I'm awkward enough- My tumbling stream of thought stops abruptly as I see Wren. She's standing by the refreshment table with Devin, looking even more beautiful than ever. "Gosh I've missed her..." I hear myself whisper.

"Go have fun." Key says, leaning towards me and smiling.

I suddenly feel a bit ill and I turn away quickly so Wren won't see me. "I can't do it." I hiss to my twin sister in panic. "I just can't do it!" 

"Oh stop being silly." Key tells me, grabbing my arm. "You're just overreacting. It will be fine."

I can feel my breath coming in panicked gasps. This isn't like me. I don't get freaked out about talking to people. But it's not just people, a little part of my brain whispers. It's Wren.

"Come on, she's looking at us." Key says, sending a new wave of panic over me. 

"What do I say to her? It's been a year since we really talked. I won't know what to do around her!" 

Key pats my arm gently. "I will go with you, Storm." She tells me in a soft voice. "I'll make sure you don't mess up. 

I look at my sister feeling extremely grateful. "Thanks, Key." I say, before I take a deep breath and turn back towards the buffet table. 

She's beautiful in her dark gray dress and flows around her knees and across her shoulders. Her long hair is swept smoothly across shoulder and her wings reach up over her head, silhouetting her form. I smile despite of my panic and walk towards her, only dimly aware of Key hovering beside me. 

"Hello, Wren." I say, reaching her side and staring into her beautifully green-ish blue eyes.

~Key~

I can't help but smile as Storm hovers before Wren. His shoulders are tense with anticipation and his hair keeps tumbling into his eyes and he will brush it away distractedly, barely noticing it. He's enthralled with the presence of Wren and despite his anxiety, he's clearly thrilled to be with her again.

Storm and Wren begin to speak, and I quickly realize that I'm not needed here. I catch Devin's eye and nod towards an empty spot farther down the buffet table. He gets my suggestion and we walk past you young couple to where there are less AEs. I grin at him once we're out of earshot. 

"They're cute." I say, glancing over my shoulder to watch them. I sigh, thinking sadly about how lonely I'm going to get tonight without anyone to dance with. Dancing is the best part of the ball. I turn towards Devin, hoping to find conversation with him. "Do you have a date tonight?" 

Wren~

I glance up and see Storm, just across the room, talking to Key, his twin. That’s right—he’s a twin, too. Sometimes I forget just how similar we are. Then they both turn and start walking toward me, and my heart catches in my throat. I start to panic as I realize it’s been a year since we were really together. What if things have changed? Gosh, I don’t even know if he still likes me. I begin to fidget with a strand of hair absently, trying to compose myself. 

Storm stops in front of me, and I find myself getting lost in his perfectly striking green eyes. His hair keeps tumbling adorably into his eyes, and I can’t stop staring at him. He’s even cuter than I remembered. I blush the moment I think it.

“Hello Wren,” he says. And then all the old feelings come rushing back, and I realize just how terribly I’ve missed him. My joy at seeing him again overpowers my anxiety.

A stupid grin spreads across my face as I say, “Hey.” We both fall silent.

“You look beautiful,” he blurts. I blush even more. It takes me a moment to find my words again.

“Oh, thanks. Um, you look great, too.” I wonder if that sounded weird. But...it’s true. I notice his t-shirt and jeans and suddenly feel very overdressed. Then I have the sense to say, “Um, how’ve you been?” 

Devin~ 

I can practically feel the nervous energy radiating off Wren as Storm and Key approach. I feel bad for her, but, at the same time...it’s kind of hilarious to watch. Especially when Storm reaches her and they just stare into each other’s eyes for what must be a full thirty seconds. I’m finding it very entertaining to keep watching this awkward-fest, but Key catches my eye and motions me further down the buffet table. I follow.

“They’re cute,” she says, glancing back at them. “Do you have a date tonight?”

I shake my head. “Nah. You?”

—

Sorry these are short, I don’t have a lot of time. 

Saki-

The ballroom is fairly standard, nothing special. I see AEs mingling cheerfully with eachother. Maki and Aki are standing in a corner, the grumps. 

Looking around, my eyes drift over a curled up shape. I look closer and notice a familiar tail similar to my own. I know this AE! Ugh...what is her name? Something with an E...Eve? Eden!

"Hey!" I say to her, wincing slightly. I really can't talk to people. Taking a few deep breathes, I anxiously steady myself as she looks up. "You're Eden right? I'm Saki, I think we met when you first showed up here. Are you okay? You don't have to answer that!" She looks a bit sad, I don't like it. "Do you want to dance or something? I mean, if you're comfortable, some girls aren't..."

Note from Neko: This won't be a ship, but Eden seems like she could use Saki's cheerfullness right now.