“Ah, no, I’m late!” I whisper to myself, scrambling up the steps and nearly tripping over the hem of my dress as I do so. I hike up my skirts and run up the rest of the staircase, stopping at the double doors. I drop my skirt and smooth it out with sweaty hands—even thought it doesn’t need smoothing. I run a hand over my braid, checking that it’s still in place and hoping it won’t fall out during the ball. I reach out to open the door, but my hand lingers on the shiny knob. Oh Claaws, am I overdressed? Is this cloak too fancy? I probably overdid it with this whole outfit. There are going to be so many people. I know them, I shouldn’t be apprehensive in the least, but I am. They’ll probably all stare at me when I come in. I wonder if there’s anywhere to hide in that place, if the need arises. I shake my head and curse my introversion. “You’re overthinking everything,” I tell myself under my breath. “There’s absolutely no reason to be nervous for this. And you should stop talking to yourself or everyone will know you really are crazy.” Setting my jaw, I shove the door open and enter.

A rush of warm air hits me immediately, making me realize how cold it was outside. I unclasp my fur cloak and hang it on one of the golden coatracks near the doors. I’m glad I decided to wear it, for I’ll surely want it again when I go back outside. I look around, taking in the room. It’s so big and so fancy, and I suddenly feel very small and overwhelmed. The ceiling is high, like a cathedral almost. It reminds me of the fancy lobbies of very old, fancy hotels that I’ve stayed in. The floor is polished marble and stone, made into mosaic-like patterns. It’s so shiny I can see my reflection in it, just a bit. Though I walk almost silently, the soft padding of my boots on the floor echoes quietly throughout the room.

Not overly many people are here yet, and for that I’m thankful. I see Rogue first, sitting up among the rafters, which is not unlike something I myself would do. Viola seems to be talking to her. Vy and Star appear to have just arrived. There are a few more here and there. AW, Coroline, Artimerxx. Hooded and coyote are ice skating. My gaze lingers on the frozen pool, and I suddenly think I’d like very much to join them. I haven’t skated in a very long time. But perhaps they would rather be alone, I’m not sure, and I don’t want to risk intruding. I don’t see Leafy or Jwyn anywhere, and suddenly I feel rather alone. I should talk to someone, instead of just standing here. I know all of them, after all. But I’m not good at that sort of thing, and I know it.

I approach the refreshment table, hoping that I’ll appear to be doing something, and not look as lost and overwhelmed as I feel. 

An old fashioned carriage painted blue and silver pulls up outside the ballroom, with four dark grey horses pulling it and a monochrome figure sitting at the front with the reins. The door of the carriage creeks open and a tall male steps out of it, signaling to the driver who pulls reins and leads the carriage away.

The tall male stalks towards the entrance to the ballroom, grinning beneath his hat. As he steps through the wide doorway he taps his cane on the floor and leans on it as his grin widens. "Hey Y'all, hope I'm not late for the party."

~~~

Sup!

In my hurry to get into the ballroom, I almost run face-first into the doors. I shake my head as I open them. Of course I'm late. To my relief, though, when I enter, it doesn't look like everyone's arrived yet. The ballroom is gorgeous. Its huge, with a glossy floor and several crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There's a piano, refreshment table, and what looks like a pond on the other side of the room. I see CoyoteDomino and HoodedMidnight skating, so I assume it must be frozen over. Viola?, AW, and Rogue are over to one side, and Rogue seems to have climbed the vines and is now near the ceiling. I see Vy and Star, and I wave. Both of them wave back, and I decide that I'll go over and talk to them a bit later. Right now, I want to check out the ice skating. I make my way over and select a pair of skates. Then, after putting them on, I start wobbling my way out on the lake.

I see that lots of other people have come into the ballroom, each person with their own entrance. I see that a lot of people find their selves a partner almost instantaneously, ackowledging my existence, but not wanting to approach me. I feel a little guilty to listen to my own music, but I slip on my own pair of Bluetooth earbuds, and start playing my alternative/rock music. 

Then, I see a carriage come in the front of the ball. I pause my music, and see another CBer—Darkking, I believe, come out of it. I’m a little stunned by the entrance, but it’s the life of a CBer, I guess. He’s a pretty popular CBer, by the way people greet him left and right. 

I get up and walk towards him, not knowing what I’m doing. “Hey, cool carriage.” I say. 

~~~~~

Gosh darn it ImlateImlateImlate- CRASH! I'm so focused on my late arrival that I'm not paying attention to my landing. My knees curl up to my stomach as my wings crumple at my sides like big sheets of blue leather. Luckily, no one notices. I bounce off the ground, quickly pat any traces of dirt off my dress, and begin to walk- then I stop myself. I'm slouching really low and smiling like a phyco. I straighten, smile like I mean it (and I do), then look around for Darkking or Alizarine. 

I don't have to go far- DK is hanging out by the entrance, a carrige that may as well have jumped out of the pages of a fairytale waiting behind him. He's talking to another CBer- Artimerrx, I think. Yeah, it's Arti.

"DK! Artimerrx! What's up, guys?"

~~~~~ 

Oh boy! I have been procrastinating on walking into this ball. Maybe it's because I'm unconsciously scared of making my first roleplay post in almost a year--it's kinda crazy to realize that that RP ban that I set myself early last year has just naturally run out, since it's 2019 now. Well, I won't ramble. Here we go. Aaaahhh.

Leafpool~

I pick up my skirt in my hands and hurry towards the building, the cold air biting my face and rustling my dress. I blink against the cold wind. Why did I not wear a coat or something? 

Pausing outside the doors to the building, I stop to catch my breath, and bite my lip. Am I really doing a roleplay again? It's been so long--it feels like this is some sort of momentous moment, but then again, I also feel like it shouldn't be, like it should just be fine, no stress. Also, I've never gone to a CB ball before. Although, my Æs have been to many...so am I just following in their footsteps? 

My moment of uncertainty over, I push my thoughts away, take a deep breath of the frosty air, let my skirt go, and push open the double doors.

Immediately I am enveloped in warmth. This is better. The ballroom seems to be very ornate and diversified, with many different features. I don't even know where to look first. But then I catch a flutter of blue and cream out of the corner of my eye, and I turn to see Leeli over by the refreshements table. She's standing alone, looking a bit nervous. I walk over. She's looking over somewhere else, at the vines over on the wall, which I must admit look pretty fun to climb. I come up partially behind her and can't resist saying "Boo!"

Leeli starts and whips her head around at me, and then relaxed. "Hi, Leafy!" She says. 

"Sorry I'm here a bit late--I've been busy and...stuff." I say. "Have you seen Jwyn?"

"No, she's not here yet." Leeli says. 

"Oh well. Hopefully she gets here soon. Hey, I'm going to go say hi to some other people, and then I'll be back--this food looks really amazing. I mean, chocolate cake and spicy popcorn?? YUM." I wave and walk off, to go say hi to Soren and everybody else. See, my nervousness walking into this ball wasn't from introvertedness--I like to think I'm an ambivert, and I feel pretty comfortable around others--but I was just nervous about making a roleplay post. I wasn't sure I knew how to do it.

Well, anyway, I'm here now, and I plan to enjoy it. 

---

-Hazel says awnu. Aww, nuu! Not that! Not spicy popcorn! 

I put the skates back on the rack and look toward the entrance. Apparently, while I was skating with Hooded, like every single CBer just came in. I’m suddenly overwhelmed. 

“Deep breaths...” I mouth to myself. I close my eyes for a few moments and successfully avoid panicking excessively. Still, I decide to to go hide on the side. 

I walk along the wall for a few meters, looking for a bathroom. Pathetic, I know. But then I notice a nook, a niche in the wall, hidden by a tapestry of of ivy.

I wonder why this is here...

I ease aside the tangled vines and slip in, slumping back against the wall. I’ll just stay here for a few moments, to avoid further anxiety.  

Fidelity strolled into the ball, fashionable late (or just plain late, same difference). Any excuse to write in third person, and she was in! She waved to the CBers she saw outside, and entered the ballroom. She saw Star and Vyolette chatting, and some CBers in the vines. Let the awkwarness ensue. She made a mental note to enter with someone the next time around. 

Nevertheless, it was a party, and the best thing about parties is the dancing. She turned to the person closest to her and asked, "Hey, wanna dance?"

<3 Fidelity