Cupid's Ball (open to all)

(How it is decorated is in the preparations post)

The Ball Room was ready, the orchestra was playing; there was also a band. Cas made sure that there would be both classical and modern music. All that was missing was the guests.

Cas was in her room putting on the final touches to her attire. She had taken great pains to look perfect. The only thing that may have seemed out of place with her very formal clothing was the necklace she wore. She had not taken it off since Amadeo had placed it on her neck Christmas night.
The only other jewelry she wore were the earrings that he had given her the night he had first kissed her nearly five months ago.



She wore a sage ball gown with gold embroidery. Her hair was pilled on top of her head; a small tiara was carefully placed and pinned into place.

She smiled at Amadeo.

"Are you ready to go down?"

It only took Madeline and Swifty to make it from Darkmane to Claremount using the portals Sheena had told her about. Once she reached the main road heading to Claremount, she could see the gorgeous castle coming into view. Once she was in plan sight of Claremount, she had Swifty stop and take in the beauty. She dismounted, and lead Swifty to a shady area near the water, where Swifty could get a drink, and she could stretch her legs. She had been riding awhile. She decided to wait till she saw the carriages coming, that way she could ride Swifty beside her Dad's and Airtia's carriage

Kahn and Venis were the first to step from the carriage. They headed into the front of the castle to go to the ball room. Kahn held his right arm at and angle forward from his side. Venis rested her left arm on his right and her fingers were tucked into his hand. His left arm was behind his back and her right hand contained her clutch purse and a gathering of her skirt of her dress to hold it up slightly. They walked slowly enough that the guests could follow them without getting lost.

They reached the doorway of the ball room and saw Casie standing there. The Marques was by her side and Nat and DJ were right in front of them. They looked very nice. "Hello Cas, Marques. Nat and DJ, you two look very wonderful." A kiss was given to Casie's cheek from both Venis and Kahn. The doors had been opened already and so they stepped through.

The room was moderately lit from the light of the day beaming in though the windows and doors that offered a view of the lands outside all covered in snow. But Venis had something to do. They needed more light in the room. There were chandeliers to be lit as well as candles upon the tables.

She released her husbands hand for a moment as well as dropped her skirt. The chain that was attached to the purse was placed over her arm to free up her hands. She placed the sides of her hands together and held her arms up to the level of her lips like she was going to drink something from them.

But drinking was not what she was doing. She blew upon the palms of her hands as some of the other guests were coming up behind them. She had taken a deep breath and the breath she was releasing was slow and steady and long. She turned as she did this and looked from one end of the room to the other, all in one breath.

Starting at the end of the room she had been facing when she started, the candles on the tables as well as the chandeliers all sprang to life. The flames flickered and like a string was pulling the light along the room was illuminated.

With a satisfied smile upon her face she resumed her previous stance and Kahn escorted her to their seats at the main table.

Tasha stood as Kahn was helping Venis down and she held out her hand to Emilia's daughter. She let the coachman help her down and she then helped the little one down. Tasha waited as Leviathan jumped down and came to stand by her side. The wolf pup came to join them. She waited for the next carriage with her so that she wouldn't be waiting alone for her Mommy and JonLouis.

Once they were exiting their carriage Tasha and Leviathan went inside. She had seen Venis' light show and smiled. A kiss to Casie's cheek and she walked with Leviathan to her seat.

((Ya'll know I have permission for this. ))


When the carriage pulled up Tasha and Emilia's daughter were waiting patiently for them. Seleen and Shuda stood first and she smiled as he got down and helped her from the carriage.

She smiled at Tasha, who incidentally had a rather fake looking smile upon her face. She placed her hand upon the crook of Shuda's arm so that he could escort her inside. They would end up being right behind Tasha as she had entered in with Leviathan.

When they saw Casie and everyone Seleen smiled again. She caught most of Venis' slow motion light show. It was interesting. "Thank you for having us Lady Casandra." A smile and a nod offered to all and then Shuda escorted her to their seats.

Not wanting to be stepped on by the riders in the carriage, Croga then Dia jumped out and waited as the others exited. They ladies left the carriage in the same order as they had stepped into it, each carefully stepping down the steps without tripping on thier dresses. Inion was the last to exit pausing for a moment just in the door to gather her dress she looked at Leo standing waiting and held out her hand to him. Her feet barely touched the steps and she was out of the carriage in a blink. Everyone seemed to fall into an order in her group the two young ladies in front with Dia inbetween them, Her and Leo next with Croga at her side and then Fia and Aryanna. They followed behind the other guests. When it came to thier turn to grett the hostess the ladies gave small curtsies and Inion with one of her bright sparkling smiles spoke frist.

"Thank you Lady Casandra for inviting us to your lovely home.." She motioned for Fia to step forward, "this is my soul sister Fia." she bowed slightly "thank you for the invation." Fia was more of a warrior but knew when to act like a lady. Next Aryanna stepped forward "this is my daughter Aryanna." she also gave a slight bow but not before catching a quick glance at the reaction to being Inion's daughter "Thank you M'Lady for the invation to you beautiful home." Gabriala was introduced last and she followed the example of the other ladies.

Once the greetings and introductions were made Aryanna stayed behind a moment to speak with Casandra a moment. "Lady Casandra, might I ask a small favor. Today is my mothers birthday, she doesn't want any fuss made over it, but we got her a special cake. It is in the carriage still. I was wondering if someone could get it and when the dessarts are served it could be brought to our table, please. It is a surprise thats why we left it in the carriage under the seat. Inion doesn't like a big fuss made over her birthday so please no big anouncement or anything." She gave Cas on of her mothers bright smiles, making it no miskate that she was Inion's daughter.

She kissed Tasha’s cheek in return.

“Make sure you eat.”

She looked at Shuda and Seleen and smiled.

“You are most welcome.”

She saw JonLouis and Emilia next, with Emilia’s new daughter, and was that a wolf cub? She smiled at JonLouis and Emilia.

“You are both most welcome in my Home. JonLouis you have rooms on the third floor that will always be available to you, I can never thank you for what you have done for me.”

She knelt down to the little girl.

“Hello little one, my name is Casie, I remember you from Christmas.”

She scratched the little cub behind the ears.

“Kjay is around somewhere probably hiding so he can sneak up on Levi.”

Natalie grabbed Ilúvënis by the hand.

“Let’s go see my room we can come back down in a minute.”

She looked at Cas who nodded and watched as Natalie took Ilúvënis by the hand and ran for the stairs.

Next she saw Inion, She curtsied back nodded at Fia.

“Welcome to both of you, thank you for coming. This is my son DJ, and my... The Marques del Stry”

She had known Inion had a charge but she did not know that she had a daughter, she smiled and returned the bow.

“You are welcome.”

She listened to Aryanna.

“Yes that can be arranged.”

She knew others were coming so she stayed where she was by the door.

Madeline Cauthon had been daydreaming about Jono,when because missed seeing her father's carriage go by.

Maddie mounted back on to Swifty, and road on to Claremount. Once there, she rode Swifty clear off to the side where the carriages had been parking. She dismounted, and got the gifts she had sent, and the one for Casandra she had made.

Madeline made her way to where everyone was talking.

"Hello everyone."

Maddie greeted her life long friend. "Thank you Mis Casandra for inviting me. I come bearing gifts.This one is from me."
Maddie pulled out a small jewerly box containing a pair of Casie's Celtic knot Peridot earings.



Maddie then gave her the one from Kyra. A tiger's eye bracelet. with a note attached to the box that Miss Casandra, Thank you for lending a friendly ear when I needed it. Kyra



"This one is from Kyra, who sends her regards. I also have present for the kids, that I will give to them later."

After giving Cas her presents, Maddie made her way inside. The place was gorgeous. Just as she remembered as a child. She made her way to where everyone was starting to take seats. She spotted Venis, and Kahn at the main table. She walked over to them, carrying the gift Kyra had given her to give Venis. "Hello Venis, Kahn how are you doing?"

Venis smiled at Madeline. "We are well. How are you dear?" She was holding Kahn's hand on the table while her other hand was in her lap. She was enjoying the show of all the guests coming in. It was wonderful to see everyone so dressed up.