Cupid's Ball (open to all)

Maddie smiled at Venis and Kahn, "I just returned from Castle Darkmane, visting my friend Kyra. She asked me to give you this."

Maddie pulled out a small jewerly box, and handed it to Venis. Inside she would find a hematite and black beaded bracelet. With a note that read:

Venis, here is to the hope that we can be friends some day. Signed Kyra

Venis released Kahn's hand and took the box. "Thank you Madeline. I greatly appreciate that." She opened the box and smiled. She read the note and smiled even more. She showed Kahn the note and the bracelet. He smiled as well and he took the bracelet from the box and slid it on her left wrist for her. "Thank you love." She closed the box and put it in her clutch purse, which did not look like it would hold the box.

She returned her attention to Madeline. "When you speak with my Granddaughter again, please tell her that I love the bracelet and that I will wear it always. And tell her please, that the hematite has already brought me happiness as it came from her." Venis did not care that the bracelet did not match her gown or her jewels, it was from her Granddaughter and would never be removed. And she pricked her finger with her fang and then touched he wooden beads with the drops of blood so that the carvings of the wood would never wear off. The blood soaked into the wood and disappeared.

Cas was about to say something to DJ when Gwendolan walked in. She remembered selling a white mare to the woman.

"Please, if your daughter is here it would honor me to have you goin us."

She smiled at her.

"Who is your daughter?"

"Come mother sit with me, there is an extra chair at the end of the table. "

She didn't give her a chance to answer, she just led her to the table.

"Mother this is JonLouis. JonLouis, this is my mother Gwendolan."

There had been nine employees who showed up with the caravan of carriages and coaches. Eight of them had snuck in through the servants entrance to harass Casandra's staff and let them know that the guests were arriving.

Manny, who felt he was a little old for harassing Casie's staff, made his way to the ball room. He did make a couple of stops along the way though. Like taking bags to their rooms. Few other little odds and ends things. Isah had helped him with the bags. But now Manny was headed to the ball room from a different entrance.

Arriving a bit later than the rest of the caravan was two coaches from Venis' keep. Each one contained five people. The coaches emptied and the guests made their way into the castle and to the ball room.

The three men and the three boys wore tuxedo's. Almost all matching and they looked just like the rest of Venis' employee's. The four ladies, were all dressed to the nines. One would never know that the three adult women were employee's with the way they were dressed.

The party of ten made their way to the main table in the ball room so they could greet their hostess. Jorge was the first one to reach the table. "Casandra. Thank you very much for inviting us. It is a pleasure to be here as guests." He turned his attention to the Marques out of respect. "Señor Stry, es un placer verte otra vez. Quisiera que encontraras a mi esposa Olivia, a mi más viejo hijo Noe, a mi hija Gabriela, y a mi hijo más joven Juan. Esperamos que disfrutes del buen sir del día de fiesta." As each member of his family was introduced they each offered a slight bow of respect the the hostess and her escort. Then they went to find their table.

Olivia and her dress. Noe Gabriela and her dress Juan

Derek walked up to the table after Jorge and his family had gone off to find their seats. "Hello Casandra, thank you for inviting us. It is a pleasure to be here. And hello to you as well Señor Stry. We hope this day finds you well. This is my wife Karen and my son Jason." Again nods of respect were offered before they were to go and find their table.

Karen and her dress Jason

And then Bo and his girlfriend Alyssa walked up. "Casandra, thank you for having us. Señor Stry, I would like you to meet my girlfriend Alyssa. We hope you both have a lovely evening." Nodded bows and then they were off to find their table.

Alyssa and her dress


(("Mister Stry, it is a pleasure to see you again. I would like you to meet my wife Olivia, my eldest son Noe, my daughter Gabriela, and my youngest son Juan. We hope you enjoy the holiday good sir."))

Inion let the girls find thier table as she walked more slowly with Leo, Croga never left her side. She leaned closer to him to whisper in his ear "to be lost in a hidden passage with you might add to the excitment of our evening." She gave his hand a squeeze "please tell me you will do me the honor of dancing the first dance with me." she happened to glance at the band and a smile touched her lips, it had been a long time since she had danced.

The girls had found the table and Inion had to pause for a moment to watch them. It looked like it would be a very lovely night, her family with her, a handsome escort to a wonderful ball. She leaned into Leo a silly happy grin on her lips as she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment.

Kyra was laying in her bed on Valentine's Day looking at the invitation that she had politely said no too but had been rethinking it all day. Her mother had snuck in when she was out of her room and left a beautiful dress and shoes for her with a note saying she should go but she still didn't know. She didn't know what would be thought of her for having left in the first place and then part of her feels bad because instead of going to see her dad she goes to the ball. She laid there and took a nap and hoping the answer would come to her in her dreams. As per the usual for a few weeks now she had been dreaming of the waterfall that Isah took her too and when she woke up she felt this need to see him and Maddie. Sitting on her bed and noting the time she got up and went to get ready for the ball. Once she was done she walked down to the family room where she was sure to find her mom and grandmother. With a half grin she spoke to both of them.

"Don't say a word. I'm going to the ball and then I will be back. I just have to see someone."

::Not being able to resist Arcadia looked at Sheena and laughed a little. She thought her daughter looked beautiful tonight and hoped she would find it easier to have some fun.::

All I am going to say is try and enjoy yourself and be safe.

::With that she handed Kyra a set of directions of how to get through the portals to get to where she was going.::

Sheena stood up and hugged her before opening a portal for her. Once the portal was open Kyra stepped through it and before long was standing in front of Claremount Castle. She had the invitation in her hand; taking a deep breathe she headed for the doors to where the ball was being held. She had learned that she had another form and decided she would try it out tonight to see. Kyra now stood 4.5 feet tall and her wings were no longer visible. Her eyes were still the blue they had been before and her hair was a light brown. She wore a lavender dress and a pair of heels that caused her to become a little taller. Once at the door she held out the invitation and hoped for a little bit she would go unnoticed and would be able to watch and go up to people as she was ready.

Kyra in her new form


Kyra's dress

(Josheph NPC'd with permission)

Marsha was almost ready to start serving the food when seven of Lady Venis Employees came into the kitchen. She glared at them they knew they were not supposed to be working so she was watching them. Six of the men said their hellos and left but Joseph he stayed behind.

He smiled at Marsha. "The guests are all here and seated." He picked up a piece of shrimp.

Marsha smacked his hand.

"Now stop that, there will be plenty of food for you out in the Ball Room now go."

"Oww" He rubbed his hand. "That actually stings." He tried to start putting some of the appetizers on the tray.

Marsha placed her hands on her hips then picked up a rolling pin, she started shaking it him before chasing him.

"You think that slap to your hand hurt."

She started raising her voice it would get loud enough for her to be heard in the ball room.

"GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN I HAVE STRICT ORDERS FROM LADY CASANDRA THAT YOU ARE NOT SUPOSED TO WORK TONIGHT."

Joseph ran out of the kitchen and into the ball room a crooked smile on his face. "She's a mad woman I tell you she tried to kill me with a rolling pin"

The men had barely gotten in and sat down before dinner was served. Manny and Isah were running late because of taking their things up to the rooms. Manny had made a second stop, so when Isah came through the door, he was alone. He made his way over to the tables where the men were and waited for Joseph's scalding to end before taking his seat.

Joseph chuckled as he looked up at Marsha. "Yes Ma'am." He winked at her and blew her a kiss. Then he started to tell the men the tale of how the curvaceous beauty attacked him with a rolling pin. Isah had made it just in time to hear all about it. Manny was going to have to catch the story later. Where was that old man anyway?