The O'Sheas (02-04-2317)

[Anwen]

"Wake up Leetaaa! Wake up, wake up, wake up!" Patrick yelled as he ran into her room. "Oh. She must already be awake." He searched the house for her, opening and closing doors and asking servants, eventually finding her in the office, finishing up her invitations. "Lita?"

Litonya looked up from her invitations. She had already showered and put her hair up for the day. "Oh, good morning Patrick. What did you want?"

"Mommy wanted me to find you for breakfast." He smiled a great wide smile at her. "And I wanted to see you again."

Lita smiled back at him. "In that case, I'll come directly." She sealed the last of the invitations and put them in a box. "Here, why don't you carry those invitations for me like a gentleman."

Patrick picked up the box. "But I'm not a gen'lman. I'm a lil boy."

"Perhaps. But someday you'll be a 'gen'lman' too."

"Nuh-uh! I want to be a lil' boy forever and ever and ever!"

Lita smiled at this. If only sweet little boys like Patrick didn't grow into power hungry officials. She chatted gaily with him until they reached the downstairs. Mrs. O'Shea was there, along with a good many special couriers. She dispatched them each with a pile of letters while telling Lita, "Now, you'll understand that, when you're done with breakfast, I'll need you to take the last few invitations out. The ones for the more important people like young Matthew Fletcher. Remember. The party starts at 3:00 PM so please hurry."

Litonya nodded, then hurried to eat her french toast.


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Litonya returned from her delivering just in time for Cloe to corner her. "Hey, Lita, what're you, like, wearing to the party?"

"I don't know. I'm sure I'll find something."

Cloe smiled, her blue eyes sparkling. "No. I'LL find you something. Let's go shopping!" And before Litonya really knew what was happening, Cloe had bundled her out into the limo and they were on their way to the nearest (and most expensive) mall.

"Clo, I'm really not sure I should--"

"Don't worry Onya. Everything will be fine! You need a new dress, and you're the only girl that I get to choose for!" This- didn't reassure Lita very much. Cloe walked up to one of the attendants in the Formal wear shop. "Hello. I would like you to find the perfect dress for my friend here." Litonya was whisked away to a whirl of color.

[Cytherea]

As they exited the elevator, Matthew took Cassandra's hand and led her to the fancy car. She thought she would feel heat in her cheeks, but she didn't.

"After you," Matthew opened the door for Cassandra.

"Thank you." she slid into the car.

[Lithium]

Missy and Cheiko slid in right after Cassandra, then Matthew.

"The O'Shea's please," Matthew said to the Auto-driver.

"Very good, Sir," it replied, then began to drive down the street. The car took a quick left hand turn and then came to a stop in front of a bustling, decked out house.

[Cytherea]

Cassandra felt her heart rate rise significantly. She stared out the window at the people crowding inside and around the house.

I've never done this before. I'm going to feel terrible. What did he tell me a party was like. Loud and noisy? Girls flirt with guys, guys flirt with girls, etc. Why did I go?[/i]

[Lithium]

Matthew studied Cassandra's face, then asked her. "Are you all right? You don't have to worry about the people. I'll protect you."

The door to the car opened and Matthew stepped out, then helped Cheiko and Missy out. The two girls linked arms and went up the steps and through the open door.

He held out his hand for Cassandra to take before she stepped out of the car.

[Cytherea]

Cassandra placed her hand into Matty's.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a little... nervous, is all." She smiled at him. "I feel better with your protection. Thank you."

Cassandra was startled by this, but she realized it was true. She did feel better with his protection.

Why? I'm able to defend myself and protect myself. What's wrong with me?

[Anwen]

Litonya and Cloe had gotten back, changed, done each other's hair, and come downstairs in a hurry, just as people started to come in. Litonya had finally decided on an adjustable pine green dress. She wore the sleeves long and down, with the neckline square, and the skirt floor-length. She floated down the stairs, holding her head high, and her posture perfect. "You look like a queen, Lita." Cloe said. "More Royale than I am."

"Welcome to my son's Homecoming!" Mr. O'Shea boomed, his voice projecting over the whole room. "The schedule is on the flat-screen on the West wall. Timothy, my son, would you like to come up here and speak as well?"

"Of course." Timothy, a young man of about 24, with sandy hair and glasses, walked onto the platform. "I'd like you thank you all for coming to my party! Now, as those of you that know me will know that I enjoy dancing from the nineteenth century. So, for the first part of the evening, we are going to follow some rules from that time. First, under no circumstances will the Ladies ask the Gentlemen to dance. Secondly, Gentlemen, you may only ask the same Lady three times before dinner. Lastly, listen to the caller." He smiled. "I hope you all have a very good evening."

[Cytherea]

Jason

Jason took a deep breath. There were girls everywhere, and he felt like they were penetrating him with their stares. He would smile at them as he walked by, but not try to talk with them.

Until he saw someone else.

A beautiful girl with coppery hair had just came in with a another girl. Her blue eyes sparkled.

Deciding he was here to be polite anyway, he walked to the girls.

"Excuse me, miss?" he said, smiling at the young woman. "Would you grace me with your name?"

[Lithium]

Missy smiled. "Of course. I'm Mistalyn Fletcher. And what is your name?"

Matthew looked away from Timothy after he finished his announcement and turned to Cassandra. "There goes me dancing with you every dance." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Or at least until after dinner. Do you want anything to drink?"

"Excuse me!" said an older woman in an extravagant dress. "Are you by any chance Matthew Fletcher and Cassandra?"

Matthew stilled, wiped emotion from his face and said, "Yes, ma'am. We are."

"Is it really true you two are engaged against your parent's wishes?"

"No. My parents are no longer living. Now, if you'll excuse us." He held out his arm for Cassandra to take.

[Cytherea]

Jason

The girl smiled. "Of course. I'm Mistalyn Fletcher. And what is your name?"

"My name is Jason. Jason Underhill." he said with a smile, then, not wanting to be rude, turned to the other girl who had come with Mistalyn. "And your name is?"

Cassandra

Cassandra's heart dropped as she heard the announcement.

"There goes me dancing with you every dance." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Or at least until after dinner. Do you want anything to drink?"

Cassandra was about to reply when a lady in a very flashy and expensive dress approached them.

"Are you by any chance Matthew Fletcher and Cassandra?"

"Yes, ma'am. We are." Matthew said, his voice changing slightly.

"Is it really true you two are engaged against your parent's wishes?"

"No. My parents are no longer living. Now, if you'll excuse us." Matthew held out his arm for Cassandra to take.

Cassandra slipped her arm into Matty's and followed him closely. She leaned in close to him and whispered,

"Are the gossip magazines really that fast at spreading news? How do they know my name?"

[Lithium]

Missy & Cheiko
"My name is Jason. Jason Underhill," he said with a smile. He turned to Cheiko. "And your name is?"

"Cheiko Sonoda. It's great to meet you," Cheiko said brightly.

Matthew

Cassandra slipped her arm into Matty's and followed right behind him. She leaned in close to him and whispered,

"Are the gossip magazines really that fast at spreading news? How do they know my name?"

Matthew shrugged. "Who knows. Probably some old schoolmate or neighbor leaked your name. But they obviously don't have your last name, which is good for you. They won't be able to record search until they have a full name."

He led her over to the side of the dance floor, right next to the refreshment's table. He grabbed himself a water, then turned to Cassandra. "What would you like to drink?"

[Cytherea]

Jason

"Cheiko Sonoda. It's great to meet you," she said brightly.

Jason smiled his most charming and pleased smile. The smile that normally captivated hearts.

"It's a pleasure to meet both of you."

Cassandra

Matthew led Cassandra over to the side of the dance floor, right next to the refreshment's table. He grabbed himself a water, then turned to Cassandra. "What would you like to drink?"

Cassandra gazed at the punch bowls, most filled with different variations of the drink.

Suddenly, she pulled away from Matthew and rushed to the nearest bowl. She inhaled the sweet smell of the drink. And then, pulled away as quickly as she could.

"Anything but that. Do you know what that is?" without waiting for a reply, she grabbed his arms and stared earnestly into his eyes. "It's flavored water. Water that's flavored. And it's flavored cranberry kiwi. Do not drink it. Promise me you won't drink it. It might kill you. Er, your taste buds."

[Lithium]

Missy & Cheiko
Cheiko flipped back her hair. "Yeah. Pleasure. I'll see you later, Missy, if you'll excuse me." Cheiko slipped away into the many faces of people.

Missy sighed and shook her head. Probably gone to watch Matty with Cassy.

"I'm sorry about my friend. She can be a bit abrupt." She bit her lower lip and gazed up at Jason.

Matthew

"Anything but that. Do you know what that is?" Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed his arms and stared earnestly into his eyes. "It's flavored water. Water that's flavored. And it's flavored cranberry kiwi. Do not drink it. Promise me you won't drink it. It might kill you. Er, your taste buds."

Matthew raised his eyebrows, perplexed, then laughed. "All right. I promise I won't drink it. I normally only drink water anyways."

The caller announced a waltz next and Matthew turned to Cassandra. "May I have this dance, my lady?"

[Cytherea]

Jason

"I'm sorry about my friend. She can be a bit abrupt." She bit her lower lip and gazed up at Jason.

Jason was going to strike conversation, but the caller announced a waltz. He held out his arm.

"May I have this dance?"

Cassandra

The caller announced a waltz next and Matthew turned to Cassandra. "May I have this dance, my lady?"

Cassandra smiled gaily at him.

"Yes you may, my prince."

Cassandra felt a bit embarrassed, but decided not to dwell on it.

After all, who says he's not my prince?

[Lithium]

Missy

"May I have this dance?" Jason asked, holding out his arm.

"But of course." Missy took his arm and walked out onto the dance floor.

Cheiko

I can't believe he fell for a girl he barely knows, Cheiko said as she downed some [Is this cranberry? Kiwi?] punch. She set her glass down and crossed her arms.

"Excuse me," asked an extremely tall, average looking young man. "Can I ask your name?"

"You may," Cheiko said, instantly going over to a smile. "I'm Cheiko Sonoda. And you are...?"

"Alexander Leglise. Can I have this dance, Miss Sonoda?"

"But of course."

Cheiko allowed him to take her out to the dance floor and they began to dance.

Matthew

"Yes you may, my prince."

Matthew smiled and lead her out to the dance floor.

The song started and he took the lead, gently guiding her through some basic waltzing moves and mostly staying in the same space.

[Zinna]

Mandi

"So this is the party that my parents kept going on about." Mandi whispered to herself as she slipped into the dancing room.

Mandi was dressed in her escape cloths, knee-high black boots, flowing black pants, black long-sleeve shirt, but she wore her long white hair in a crown atop her head. "I feel a little out of place."

[Cytherea]

Shawlin

Shawlin felt at ease as he saw the ballroom. He sighed contently.

This is where I belong. Finally a chance to unwind and get used to my life as it'll be now.

He was surveying the people everywhere around him and his eyes settled and focused on a girl with white hair put up in a beautiful braided crown. He noticed she looked a bit on her own and upset. He walked to her.

"Excuse me, but I couldn't help but noticing that you look a bit alone. Do you mind if I talk to you?"

[Zinna]

Mandi

"I don't mind. Might I ask your name?" Mandi brushed away a bit of hair and glanced over at the dancers.

[Cytherea]

Shawlin

"I don't mind. Might I ask your name?" The girl brushed away a bit of hair and glanced over at the dancers.

Shawlin saw her glance, a bit longingly, at the couples walking to the dance floor. The caller had just announced a waltz a few moments ago, and Shawlin quickly reacted.

"My name is Shawlin. And, would you like to dance?"

[Zinna]

Mandi

"My name is Shawlin. And, would you like to dance?

"I'd love to." Shawlin held out his arm and Mandi slowly took it but not before taking one more swift glance around the room. She didn't know what to say to her parents if she were caught.

[Cytherea]

Jason

Jason led Mistalyn to the dance floor. The music started, and he felt relaxed. It was a nice, calm waltz. He placed his hand on her upper back and held his other one out for her to hold.

"I'm sorry if I can't waltz very well. It's never been my strong suit."

Cassandra

Cassandra was swept away by Matthew into the waltz. It felt strange to dance, but with Matty's guidance, she quickly improved. The music was beautiful, and Cassandra followed Matty's steps.

She looked up from her footwork she was concentrating on trying to get right and smiled at Matty.

"I've never danced with anyone before. You are my first partner." Cassandra said quietly.

[Zinna]

Mandi

"I'd love to." Shawlin held out his arm and Mandi slowly took it.

"And what is your name? Shawlin asked before taking Mandi's hand in preparation to waltz.

"My name is..." But just then the dance started.

[Anwen]

Gillean wandered over to the drinks and ladled out a lemonade. "Hey, Reynard, what did Timothy mean about the dances?"

"Oh, after this waltz, we're all going to do Regency style dancing. Y'know, Pride & Prejudice and all that other girly stuff."

"Come on Rey! You enjoy The Dashing White Sergeant, or Aw Shucks as well as your brother and you know it!"

Reynard grinned. "True, but that doesn't mean that I like the chick-flicks it comes from."

"What's this about me?" Timothy said, walking over.

"Hey Timothy, what dances are we dancing tonight?" Gil asked.

"Mostly good fast ones, and a few complicated slower ones."

"Gil, aren't you going to find a partner?" Cloe said, sauntering up.

"Of course, Cloe." He turned to Reynard, "may I have this dance?" He said, grinning.

"Ooooh, you may!" Reynard said in his best falsetto.

Cloe rolled her eyes. "Boys."

"Sorry Cloe," Gil said, eyes still sparkling with laughter. "May I have this dance?"

"Yes. You may." Gillean led her out onto the dance floor.

"Are you still mad at me?" Gil asked as they began to dance.

"No, I--" Then she, inexplicably, stopped talking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Go on Litonya! Just go exercise your voice." Cloe pleaded.

"Fine. I'll do it. But just for the waltz."

Lita walked up on stage as the music started. Edelweiss. I can do this. Just wait for the moment...

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white clean and bright
You look happy to meet me...

[Cytherea]

As Cassandra danced with Matty, her heart fluttered. She felt something she'd never felt before in her entire life. She felt exhilarated. She felt free. She felt...

Do I like him?

As a girl started singing on the stage, Cassandra involuntarily started singing the song with her. She sang it quietly, but not quietly enough, because all of a sudden, a girl, with lightning speed, pushed Matty and Cassandra apart.

[Anwen]

Gil was surprised when:

A - Cloe suddenly walked away from him. and
B - broke up another couple.

"Hey, Cloe, what are you doing?" He said, urgently but quietly. She completely ignored him.

"You're perfect!" Cloe exclaimed, "I need you right now." And before either one of the guys could protest farther, she grabbed the other girl and steered her away by the shoulders.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blossom of snow
May you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever