A week had passed since the day of the Unicorn capture. The other girls of the academy crowded around the great beast, ahhhing and fawning as they brushed and fed the creature. Today was a day off from the rigorous studies and tests of the academy, a day for the kids, noble or not, to rest and refresh themselves as they pleased, at least it was after the announcement in the morning. Even in rest, the teachers weren’t ones to let the girls sleep in…The evidence of the announcement was posted on the board of the main hall for those too tired to keep up.



Beneath the announcement there was a illustration of two silhouetted figures waltzing together in front of the full moon.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:19, Sat 04 Mar 2017.

Rosegold had to get up unusually early in the morning to make it to morning announcements, considering how long it took her to get ready to face the day. Still, it was an aspect of the competition within her control, so she dutifully went to bed early to make up for it. It wasn't like she was missing late-night shenanigans with the real princesses, since she expected them to give her a wide berth. Whether that was a self-fulfilling prophecy was anybody's guess.

So she was in the audience for the announcement of the new year's ball, and she tried not to look too obviously distressed. This was not the kind of challenge she'd been raised to be good at, and she knew she wouldn't get anywhere near competitive in only three weeks.

Brionne was a bit sulky that she hadn't been able to catch the unicorn, and she hated to think how sniffy He would be. On the bright side, her countrywoman had been in the group that had been successful, and speaking of which,  Brionne could see Rosegold reading over the announcement that she hadn't got to yet.

"Lady Rosegold!" Brionne raised a hand and waved it vigorously.  Seeing that that might not be enough, she barged a few people out of the way in her haste to get through the throng of people around the notice.
"Congratulations on your success. I was so happy when I heard, not as happy as I would have been if I had been able to help, but happy enough."

Ailie was homesick. She missed Usui and Micah, how they scolded and laughed with her, and played when they had the time. But most of all she missed Madacre, with its flowering branches spiraling upwards, each ancient rope bridge that was sturdy over her running feet, the glass orbs that made up each house, and how the city shone like twinkling stars at night. She missed how close she was to that open blue sky. When she as little, she always thought she could touch it.

But now she was here, where the castle invaded the trees instead of moving with it. She hadn't made any friends so far, as it seemed there were no girls her age, and Ailie wasn't used to not being friendly. And this ball coming up would be to judge the king's new wife, not a place for a girl as young as she. At first she was doubtful of the competition. Of course her place was as a Royal Advisor by her sister's side, not a queen. But when she had heard of it and had her aid write her sister, Queen Usui was ecstatic. "Follow your heart, sister." Usui had said "But remember to keep your options open. Forget about your insecurity and try. Who knows, it might be fun."

Ailie had tried to read the board. She went over the exercises, squinting and trying to sound out the syllables. In the end, she just listened to the excited whispers of the other students. It turned out, Usui was right.

"A ball? Like the Night of the Oracle Spring?" she asked softly "Sounds amazing!" Ailie turned and rushed into the crowd, only to collide with another young girl, one with scars running up and down her hands.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Ailie exclaimed, turning pink as she helped the girl up. She dusted herself of and extended a hand to the girl. "Ailie Lailah Charmeine, but you can call me Ailie." She refused to address herself as a Princess, knowing the other girl might be intimidated by her status.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:55, Wed 08 Mar 2017.

Brionne looked up a bit dazed, and then accepted the hand up, setting her bare feet back on the flagstones as she stood.

As she took in the person who had bumped into her, the angry retort died in her throat. Long blonde hair, dark eyes, pale skin and most importantly the soft hands. Then there was the name that gentle introduction.

_{"Don't mention it. ummm Brionne. Thank you."}

She shuffled a bit, and tried to look about, then she remembered how regal everyone was. _{"'m sorry for running into you."}

Shira was audience to the morning announcements. She was excited to plan for the big event, surely this would be her big debut as a true star of a princess. To get some inspiration for the image she wanted to present, the young teen had brought her poetry book out to the lounge area, just across from the announcement board... Then promptly fell asleep at a table, just after writing the first line of her newest poem. Her pen was still in hand, beneath her head, and her long hair was dangerously close to an opened ink well as she snored away in front of her open journal.

Ailie shook her head at Brionne's apology. "Why apologize? I was the clumsy one, running when there was a crowd of people behind me. I'm just glad to meet someone my age."

And she was. Breathtakingly relieved. In fact, this girl was the only thing that reminded her of home. Ailie was willing to bet anything that Brionne also hated this castle.

Ailie was so happy, that she found herself laughing, a gentle floating giggle, unmalicious and completely carefree.