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The Leontyne family's representative arrived in a neat tuxedo, one of the arrivals who was his own escort. His blond hair was pulled back into a small tail, save for a few whisps that weren't quite long enough. Out of the Hillworth uniform, he actually looked surprisingly adult, more of his fathers masculinity showing in him than had when he was small.
In stark contrast to the parade of lovely well groomed ladies, he wore almost nothing flashy, and even the signet ring on one hand was gold and onyx for an understated effect.

For those guests remotely familiar with the family, his lone presence was something like seeing half of someone walking around, since his sister, Celeste Leontyne, was no where in sight, when the two of them had always been at each others elbow.

He smiled politely as he approached the hostess, offering out an envelope made of expensive heavy stock.
"From my father." He explained. The check inside was another 40k, but it seemed gaudy to display the sum publicly. "He and my mother send their regards, and Celeste regrets being abroad for schooling, or she would have loved to attend."

Granted Celeste would have also made a point to both compliment the hostess and try and outshine her daughter... but it was a moot point.

It was a fancy affair, but he had a few reasons for not asking for Tallulahs company. First and foremost, she'd be bored to tears.

So this was an American debutante ball, thought Elke. She had never attended one in France, as she had always been too young; but her mother had given her a crash course upon discovering the invitation in Elke's pile of backlogged mail. Never, Aysel had said, wear a dress cut above the knee; do not wear white; wear your hair up; splurge on a manicure. In haste, she had sent the RSVP--Elke Arma, plus one. Then there had been shopping, the black-haired lady sighing over her daughter's scars.

So they had procured a black-and-green ball gown, one that suited Elke's natural hair color--You can return to that horrendous blue after, dearest--and made appointments. Aysel, of course, didn't deem the coming-out of merely monied young ladies an occasion for a new dress, and had sent for the gown she had worn to a gallery opening in Venice. While the elder Arma wore simple diamonds, Elke had a masterwork pendant hanging at just the right length to conceal a scar; on her left wrist was a brass bracelet, by the same master as her pendant. The crescent-shaped bite mark was hidden under a black bolero with a high mandarin collar, trimmed in the same green as her dress.

Aysel Arma sighed at the line, her unsettlingly light gray eyes heavy-lidded. She had wanted to spend the entire week she was in Destiny City with her daughter alone, but finally Elke was of an age to attend a debutante ball. Better to experience any first-time faux pas in the New World, where no one would hear of it. "Remember," she said in French as the line moved. "You are an ambassador's daughter. Be diplomatic. Be friendly. Above all else, English only from now on. This is an American party. Yes?"

"Oui, maman," said Elke, standing up on her toes until Aysel pushed her back down to her heels, hanging her a tiny drawstring bag in pearlescent apple-green silk. You weren't technically meant to give a gift to a debutante, but Elke had wheedled and pleaded: a ball meant that Jada's birthday had happened and she had missed it. It wasn't a gift for the ball. It was for the birthday--and so they had bought the gift, put it in the box in the little handbag, and had words about not presenting it in public.

Thrilled, Elke had agreed. That was why she hadn't complained or whined about the whole dyeing-her-hair-auburn-again ordeal. One never hides one's face at a ball.

They reached the head of the line, Aysel extending the check in a monogrammed envelope of heavy paper. "Szelem," said the older woman warmly. "So good to see you again! And this is my daughter, of course, Elke." Elke dipped into a perfect curtsey, head lifted to smile at Szelem--and the moment it was polite to do so, she drifted off into the crowd to look for Jada. Or, well, anyone she knew, really.

Aysel smiled again. "Do excuse her, it is her first ball. We shall speak later, yes?"

The Crowleys were perhaps not the best known family. Nor had they lived in Destiny long. Azzo and his Grandmother took a cab just close enough to the house they could walk.

"I can't stand Limo's." He said as he handed the cab driver some money after helping his grandmother out of the bright yellow car.

He seemed slightly displeased, "Is that all they really left you?" He asked again he could've swore she had more than that. That when she could no longer get around she'd be well cared for. but now...

"I swear, father is such an... an...." He was cut off.

"AZZO! I'm ashamed of you." She looked at him crossly as they took the sidewalk to the house. "I still have enough, don't worry about it. We'll be fine." She added looking at him sternly.

"But Grams, that's over half the money left!" He protested despite the fact he looked like a little scolded puppy as they traveled, still out of hearing range to continue their little debate. "You shouldn't be giving so much. How'll I pay if something happens to you?"

They reached the doors and the two quieted down, "We'll worry about that when the time comes." She said softly, as Azzo provided them with proof they were invited. He was dressed in not quite a tux but his own flare of black tie. He was wearing mostly black, his pants and his vest along with a tie and top hat. The pants and vest had intricate designs stitched in gold. The top hat had a purple band across it and his shirt was velveteen purple.

His grandmother had on a matching purple dress that was stitched in gold. It didn't show her off as much as some of the other ladies, she was dressed in more of a conservative fashion her jewelry was old pearls, a necklace, bracelet and earrings. They both stood in line and waited their turn.

"Really Grams... I think this is a bad idea." He said in a soft whisper. He wasn't against giving to charity. He was against giving away her life savings. Now that he knew how much she had he was going to be even more worried.

The Wickham family had received their invitation in Westdale for a social event to take place in Destiny City. Both Nigel and Anastasia had their schedules so well organized, they already knew that Nigel would be in England that evening. Anastasia, amazingly enough, had the evening free. There was no reason for her to avoid such an event, because it would strictly be good publicity for her and her husband. However, there was no way Anastasia Wickham was going to go to such an event alone.

She had arranged for her son to join her, bringing one of his best suits from home. The brunette had to stop by the school to pick up her son, and the moment she was on the school's campus, she could already feel the eyes of the students upon her. Despite being a mother who was in her late 30s, she looked much closer to being in her late 20s. A couple of boys who were in the office found no problem in wolf-whistling at her, thinking it innocent fun at first. Anastasia was a lovely woman. Yet the moment she spoke to the secretary, it became blatantly obvious to the few witnesses in the office who this lady was.

Anastasia was Howl's mom, for nobody could mistake that accent. And in the humble opinion of the Hillworth students, there was only one word to describe the lady. She was a MILF. Howl was summoned to the office, wearing his school uniform. The boys in the office wolf whistled again at the brunette, which seemed to bristle the teal haired lad. One of them even dared to go up to Howl and ask for his mother's phone number. The effeminate lad's eyes grew rather cold as he merely glared at the boy before entwining his arm with his mother's. "Come Mother! Let us tend to that appointment of ours." The woman at his side nodded her head, and soon enough she was escorted off the premises by her son.

After a quick trip to her hotel so they could change into their evening wear, the pair arrived at the Chamberlyn household. Anastasia decided a simple sleeveless black dress that flowed to the floor was tasteful enough for the evening. She accented it with golden jewelry, and in all honesty, it looked rather stunning on her. Perhaps the fact that she was a model was very helpful with her ability to dress herself up nicely. Her ever devoted son had his arm carefully locked with his mother's, insistent that he act as her escort the whole evening long. Despite having the face of a pretty girl, Howl wore the proper gender's suit, accenting it with his favorite turquoise earrings and golden hair sticks.

As the two approached the hostess, Howl extended a rose print envelope with an obvious donation check inside. His parents had always been rather generous. The lovely brunette offered the introductions to the hostess, as she was very adjusted to doing such. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Anastasia Wickham, and this is my son, Howl." A hand gestured to the lovely boy at her side. "I apologize, but my husband, Nigel, is in England right now, but he sends his regards."

Howl chimed in after his mother had finished with a simple "It is a pleasure," his head dipping forward for a polite nod. Had there been any question to his gender, it was clarified by his words, since his voice was always the telltale sign as to his gender.

Handing the check over, Linh knew what the woman was looking for in this event, the elder of the Kleins nodded and smiled. "But of course~" was the reply she gave before the mother and daughter moved from the line to allow the next people to come through. NoT with out a curtsy from the blonde before hand first.

After all, if Linh wanted to go and speak with Szelem she could do so at a much better time. As it was the elder Klein was ready to find some people she knew to go and mingle and found it a shame the Arayas hadn't shown up yet (if they would at all). It would be nice to see them again.

"Go and have fun," the dark haired woman smiled at her daughter, pushing her gently to where some of the other young ones seemed to be. "You'd get bored quickly if you stayed with me."

With a small smile (oh my, was her mother behaving?) and a kiss to her mother's cheek, Melody moved to see if there was any one around that she knew. She certainly hoped so because while this was a chance to possibly make new friends, the night would go so much better if she at least had one person she knew by her side. Darn, where was Ignacio when she needed her courageous side?

That changed when a shock of green hair caught her attention and the blonde in blue made her way over with a warm and pleasant smile. "Quinn!" she called out happily, making sure to not use the girl's first name just in case. "I didn't know you were attending the ball!"

"I'm honored." Jaimie gave the lady of the house his most charming smile and gave her hand a light kiss before using the excuse of pressing crouds to move away. Howl he recognized on sight, rather than by acquaintance.
Most of the others were more unfamiliar, though Azzo caught a brief stare, if only because of his recalcitrance and whispers to his grandmother.
Out of place. He thought, his expression turning a little dismissive of the pair, with Azzo's discomfort making it look like they were there to play at rubbing elbows.

Audrey was quickly growing restless just being expected to sit and keep Jada from running away. Even if her friend did try to run, the bluenette couldn't catch her. The fabric didn't allow for swift movement, the heels even less, and her fractured leg would probably give out from under her if she tried. So it was with that in mind that she rose slowly and rearranged the drape of the silver-embroidered georgette over her mangled arm before heading for the stairs. "Don't worry Jada, I'll fetch her for you. Fallon is better at handling your nerves anyway, and this gives me a chance to show my peasant face." Oh she was definitely still angry, but she wasn't going to let Szelem ruin things. Her friends had a point, obviously she'd struck a nerve of vanity in the woman to send her running and changing her costume, and in her spring colors Audrey was bound to stand out.

Whether this was good or bad was still up for debate. Lightly a hand trailed along the railing as Miss Collins headed into the crowd, skirting behind the receiving line of Chamberlyns and through the crowd until lightly a pale hand touched the brunette's shoulder lightly. "Excuse me, are you Elke?" The pronunciation was a bit thick on her American tongue, but the smile was shyly friendly. "I'm Audrey, Jada thought she recognized you and sent me down to see if you'd want to come upstairs? She can't come down yet, but we can sneak a few up there." Actually, the Dragon Szelem would probably burn anyone that went up to see her princess in the tower before it was time, but the bluenette wasn't concerned. Remotely.

After all, it was Jada's night!

Calintha wasn't sure how she'd managed to put everything together on time, or in such a suitable fashion. She'd pulled in favors, encouraged theft, and spent HOURS preparing for the event. Everything was worth it though, as the blonde felt like an absolute princess. Thanks to Fallon, Calintha had found the perfect dress, which had actually been reasonably priced. After some pleading with her sister, she'd gotten the girl to steal some of her mother's jewelry; ruby and gold chandelier earrings dripped gracefully onto the top of her shoulders. Her hair had been done up in an elegant roaring 20's fashion, which had turned out much better than she'd ever expected, much to her surprise. She'd found heels fairly cheap, used of course, but only once in some diva's prom outfit.

Not having had a suitable ride to the engagement, she'd been able to convince a client of hers to do a trade. Pick up and drop off in his town car, which was just classy enough to be suitable, in exchange for her coming in and taking care of his plants for the month that he would be in France. Calintha probably would have done it for free, but it solved both of their problems with minimal cost on either end. As the door was opened for her she stepped out, just behind Howl. She would catch up to him in a second, after going through the task of meeting Jada's family.

The girl was a bit in awe at Jada's estate. She'd heard about it a bit from Fallon, but she'd never imagined a freaking castle. Her family's house out into the country was large, yes, but never this well cared for or extravagant (not that she was particularly welcome there anyways). She was nervous, walking in alone, but she looked much more beautiful than she had in a long time. Getting 'cleaned up' was not particularly her style, even though she did it occasionally. Calintha Johnson could be glam just like everyone else. She waited in line just a person or two behind Howl. She wanted to call out for him, but figured it wouldn't be respectable in the least.

Once it was her time to greet the family, she smiled and looked as proper and poised as she could. "Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance, I'm Calintha Johnson." She kept her smile up, as graciously as she could, hoping not to stick out like a sore thumb amongst the rich of Destiny City. Why had she come here again? This night was going to be interesting.

Knowing the night was to be a benefit, she handed over a small check. Some of it had been her own money, but most of it was her fathers, whom had graciously offered to help the cause. $500 probably didn't seem like much to her hosts, but Calintha felt better knowing she was helping out the hospital that she'd woken up in. Even if they had lost her in the first place.