Cupid's Ball (open to all)

[Casandra Lightheart]

(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?"

[Madeline Cauthon]

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

[Marqués del Stry]

While she had dressed he had done the same and was straightening his tie as he came out into the main portion of the room. When he caught sight of her he paused a step before continuing. He recognized the make and design of the dress, where the style was from and it made him smile, wondering if she knew or if it was simply a lovely dress that she had wanted. No matter. He even saw that the jewelry she had chosen to wear was what he had given her. "You are beautiful. " Coming to her he caressed her cheek and drew her in for a deep kiss.

Amadeo was wearing a four button, solid black formal Italian suit. Straight and tailored, not a crease was out of place and the ones made when he walked simply fell out. It was made out of light material that would help to keep him cool even in hot situations. Ballrooms filled with people, and dancing, he knew that the temperature tended to rise. Of course, he was very polished and his hair was gelled back from his face.

"I do believe that if we do not leave the room you shall be late for your Ball." He said this while he still had his hand on her cheek. His smile was soft as he looked at her, knowing that what he said was true. They can be with each other later.

Removing his hand from her cheek, it drifted down neck and over the shoulder to rest upon her back. "Let's be on our way."

(His suit)

[Casandra Lightheart]

He looked so handsome. She smiled softly as he drew her in for a deep kiss. She allowed it to linger as she closed her eyes.

"You are very handsome. I know I am well over the age of sixteen but the dress was so beautiful, I promise I mean no disrespect."

She leaned into his hand and returned his smile.

"I know you are right, I could be perfectly happy spending the evening with you in this room, but I will have guests arriving shortly."

When his hand moved to her back she took a deep breath and they headed out of her room.

[DJ]

DJ and Natalie were in the hallway playing thumb war when Casandra and Amadeo walked out of her room.

"Wow mom you look beautiful."

He smiled and took held out his arm for Nat.

[Natalie]

"I win."

She heard the door open and turned to see her mom and Senor Stry. She giggled as she heard DJ.

"Senor Stry, will you dance with me tonight?"

Her question was simple and she was blushing after she asked it. She took DJ's arm.

[Casandra Lightheart]

Cas smiled as she saw the twins playing. She knelt down and hugged them.

"Thank you DJ."

She put her hand on Natalie's shoulder for a second as she asked Amadeo to dance with her.

She saw Natalie take DJ's arm and nodded her approval.

She kissed Amadeo softly on the lips then took his arm.

"Ok everyone let's go down and greet our guests."

With that all four of them went down stairs.

[Guest]

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.

[Casandra Lightheart]

Cas kissed Venis and Khan back. She smiled as she watched Venis lit the candles in the room. I all looked so pretty now. She smiled as Venis and Kahn went to sit down.

She leaned over and whispered in Marques' ear for a moment.

"You don't have to stay here with me, there is a chair for you over at the main table if you would prefer."

She turned her attention quickly back to the main doors a hand on the shoulder of each of her children.

[Guest]

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.

[Guest]

((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.

[JonLouis]

JonLouis stood and exited the carriage offering Belle a hand down. This whole process took mere moments. Soon they were there with Chaton, Ange Foncé, Élémentaire Immortel, and of course Petit Trésor.

There were others who were exiting their carriages and coaches behind them as they all were forming yet another caravan into the Castle. JonLouis bent his elbow and held his hand out in the same forward fashion as Kahn had. Allowing Belle to rest her arm on his and him to hold her hand.

But his other hand was not behind his back as he had a second lovely to escort into the ball. His hand was down at his side for him to hold Petit Trésor's hand. They followed along behind Ange Foncé and Élémentaire Immortel as others followed them.

The arrived at the door to the ball room while Venis had the room about half lit. JonLouis smiled a rather large smile. She never ceased to amaze him. "Désir, you have a lovely home." He released Belle's hand long enough to kiss her hand then returned his hand to Belle's. He gave a nod to each of them who was about.

[Emilia]

She smiled as JonLouis helped her from the carriage. Lady Casandra had a beautiful home. She took in the outside of the castle she could see.

What JonLouis did next shocked her, was he actually treating her like royalty. She knew he had it in him to treat her like a lady but this.... It made her smile. She placed her arm along the top of his folding her fingers down to slide them into his hand. The other hand went to her gown to lift it gently to keep it from dragging along the ground. She saw him take her daughter's hand and it made her want to melt, she already loved this little girl more then she thought was possible, to see him try to keep her included made Emilia extremely happy.

Once inside the ballroom JonLouis released her hand, she listened as he spoke to Casandra. She took his hand again when he placed his arm up for her again. She smiled to her hostess and her children, nodding to the man at her side then spoke to her.

"Thank you, Lady Casandra for having me in your home."

Then she let JonLouis lead then to thier spots at the main table.

[Inion]

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.

[Casandra Lightheart]

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.

[Lydia Nyght]

Ilúvënis looked at Lady Cassandra before Natalie took her hand.

"Hello it's nice to meet you again, thank you for inviting me to your party..I mean ball."

She help up her wolf pup.

"This is my friend Hopper."

She was about to say something else when she saw Natalie.

"Natalie!!!"

Who was now dragging her by her hand to her firends room. She giggled and looked at Emilia.

"See ya later Mommy."

[Madeline Cauthon]

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."

[Natalie]

She smiled and dragged Ilúvënis behind her all the way up to the third floor.

"This is my room."

The room was on the large side of average and had it's own bathroom. It was decorated in pinks and purples. There was a TV and computer, and a lot of stuffed animals. The bed was a fullsized four post with a pink and purple shear canopy.

"You can stay in my room with me tonight."

[Casandra Lightheart]

"Hello Maddie."

She smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you for comming."

[Madeline Cauthon]

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?"

[Guest]

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.

[Marqués del Stry]

The Marqués could have left Casandra alone to deal with the guest to her party, but that would not have been the gentleman thing to do. It was only right that he wait there with her until everyone had arrived and she decided to go indoors. Therefore he stood a step behind her and was sure to greet the visitors as they went past.

He saw Inion, and the people with her, arriving and Leo was with them. He smiled and gave a slight nod towards them as they passed by. Natalie's friend had entered and they ran off together, that left he and DJ.

After Casandra was given her present by Madeline the Marqués reached forth and placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned in. "Everyone seems to have arrived. Your party will be lovely."

[Casandra Lightheart]

She took the gifts from Maddie and smiled at her.

"Thank you."

After she had left she heard Amadeo and felt his gentle touch. She turned to face him.

"Thank you for staying with me."

She kissed him softly as she took his arm.

"I do hope it will be."

The other hand she put through DJ's arm, and led them all to their seats at the main table in the ball room.

[Marqués del Stry]

As they walked to the main table in the hall he took at look at Casandra's son, DJ. He was sure that the young boy was taught good manners while he stayed at the vampire council, and he was glad that the boy had decided to stay with his mother. When he spoke, the first part of it was to the boy.

Looking at him he gave a bow of his head. "The young Master of the House has good manners. You do honor to your guest by greeting them at the door."

[DJ]

DJ looked at Senor Stry, a smile spread cross his face from ear to ear.

"Thank you, Senor Stry, for the complement and staying with my mom."

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