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 Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 8:47 pm
It had been a few days since the piece of paper had shown up to Aurora, stamped with Niflhel's signet. In fact, it had arrived five days ago, promptly at noon in Aurora's hands. The note held a mysterious letter written in the hand of Azzo.
I would appreciate your company on the night of Sunday June 17th, in order to attend a private ball. Please dress to your most princess-like abilities. I shall be by to pick you up at 8 O'clock sharp.
Yours Truly
Niflhel, Knight of Saturn
It had taken days to set up and even longer to convince a few of his Grandfather's old friends to throw such an elaborate party. He'd been planning it for a few weeks. Thankfully one of them was willing to go the extra mile and loan their mansion to the cause. It would also give Azzo a chance to introduce Aurora to some of his grandfather's friends.
He also had arranged that his Grandmother be there as well. Of course, when the date came Azzo couldn't help but fidget around hoping his attire was appropriate and not too over done. Ever since he'd become a knight he was much more comfortable with Victorian Gothic period clothing. "I feel like a frilly idiot today Merlin." He told the dog before he left.
He had also managed to borrow a horse and carriage for the ride. He stood outside waiting for Aurora, tossing small pebbles up at her apartment window. It had been a little over a year since they started going out...
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:55 am
It wasn't her first magical note, but it didn't make the receipt of it any less surprising. The strange feeling and itch that there was something waiting for her, and the sudden appearance of it in her hands. It was like magic. And only more so like magic as she read the carefully crafted message that had been sent.
A ball? Princess? Aurora's girly and overly romantic ways couldn't help but just daydream for a long long moment.
But... What was Azzo doing and planning? Though he'd made the occassional romantic gesture this seemed a little grandeous for the often clumsy and subdued couple. Was she misreading the note? Was it really just a cute way to ask for her to patrol with him? A soft pout had touched her at the thought.
In the end she had let her daydreams and optimism take over, spending the afternoon of the 17th prettying herself up. Her long hair was pulled up in an even more intricate style than usual, braids lining the crown of her head as the ends dangled in long spiraling curls. Her sparkling jewelry and soft makeup intensifying the color of her frilly gown. If she was wrong, she could always just henshin up and Niflhel would never know the difference.
The soft click and tap of pebbles against her window drew her attention away from the door, peeking out mildly. She had been thrilled to see that it was Azzo that awaited her outside as opposed to Niflhel, but she'd been downright breathless as she noticed what he'd brought along with him.
A soft and feminine sound of delight escaped her, lifting a hand in a soft wave of acknowledgement before she head towards the front door and quickly down the stairways of the apartment.
A ball. And outside awaited her knight, her prince. As she reached the front door that let her out into the night she managed to gather her manners and exit the apartment with lady like grace, but her excitement was still clearly visable on her face.
"Prompt as always"
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:23 am
Truth be told, he'd been there a bit early talking to the driver of the horse carriage. Straighting his outfit and making sure that he had a mask, for both of them just in case. He smiled when the window opened, giving a small chuckle when he heard what could have been a squeal of delight.
When she arrived outside there was a grand bow as he took her hand and kissed it. "M'lady." Pausing as he pulled a bouquet of soft blue and white flowers from the carriage. "For you princess."
The driver was seated as he waited for his passengers. Smiling a bit at how, story tale like this had become. Azzo on the other hand smiled and swept to the side holding his hand out to help her into the carriage. "Shall we be off? Wouldn't want to be late to the ball."
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:54 am
It was pretty lucky for Azzo that Aurora was a fairly prompt person herself, not the kind of girl who was perpetually late, busy trying on outfit after outfit. But then, it probably helped how early she'd started getting ready.
Her smile of delight would only grow with the subsequent hand kiss, bouquet, and finally offered hand of assistance. She too was taking pleasure in just how storybook and surreal the whole thing was. It had been so long since she'd ridden in a carriage, and never one as lovely as this. Gathering up the puffy fabric of her dress the best she could with one arm, she accepted Azzo's assistance boarding thankfully.
The step up had been the hardest part, but once she was up, she quickly settled into a seat before carefully brushing and settling her dress back into place. Aurora was still fairly breathless and at a lack of words, the only ones she actually managed in the end were whispered to Azzo when he finally settled in too, soft and entirely rhetorical. "What is it you're up to Azzo?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:17 am
Azzo tapped the diver of the carriage on the back as he settled down, it was a nice evening for a carriage ride. Soon the city would fade into more spread out areas and eventually as if they'd walked right into the country side. It was still light out but Azzo was making sure the lanterns were lit just in case.
When Aurora's question was asked he just smiled, "You'll see soon enough." Was the answer, invitations had went out in a much more traditional way to the other guests, not just a sudden pop in their hands. A lot of them wouldn't understand, well maybe all of them but Grams.
It was in the distance a rather small looking mansion from where they were began to creep into view. Hooves of the horse created a beat that crickets seemed to sing to. "It's nice out here." He commented off handily.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:26 pm
The temperature was pleasant enough, warm but not unreasonable. The humidity was low, leaving the night pleasant both for the couple and Aurora's hair and makeup.
"It's nice to have a couple more spring evenings before the summer sets in. I've always hated when it stays hot even after the sun goes down." She responded in soft agreement to his words as she watched the city thin and fade away.
They were going pretty far out, and while she excited and anxious to get where ever they were going, she couldn't help but be lulled by the comforting click of hooves and the motion of the carriage beneath her.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:52 pm
Azzo nodded, "It really is. Ashame it can't be this way all the time."
As they got closer to mansion they passed cars that had been parked in a side field, everyone seemed to get the treat of riding in a carriage tonight. There were carriages still waiting on a few guests that hadn't arrived yet.
And even as they drew closer still there was a small line of carriages noticeable and attendants helping the guests out. It looked like a real royal ball. Some dresses were fluffy and sparkled and others were more subdued.
Azzo smiled as they finally arrived. "Ahh, looks like it's going to be an interesting night." From where they were, there were already a range of ages noticeable.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:08 pm
She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but her expectation couldn't possibly have reached the level of what actually lie before her. Aurora sat up straighter in her seat as she noticed the other carriages carrying people, curiously trying to see the others.
What kind of ball was it? Her connection in Crystal Academy meant that she still heard of most the large social events around town, even if she didn't attend as many having graduated. She hadn't heard of anything though? And so far she couldn't make out any clues based on the people she could see stepping down from other carriages.
Azzo was offered a soft squeeze of the hand as they arrived, and she waited to step down. "I'm not sure if I like surprises" She mused softly to him as her eyes danced over the gathering people. It was pretty obvious she was lying.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:17 pm
He was watching her as he got down from the carriage moving to aid her picking her up by the waist and twirling around before sitting her down on the ground. The attendant just watched with a smile on his face. "Lord Crowely."
Azzo paused, "That was my grandfather." He informed lightly, "I hold no such title."
He then smiled at Aurora, "Oh poppycock you'll love this surprise." He offered his arm to her before walking into the mansion.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:52 pm
Her heart pattered, the soft tickle of butterflies in her stomach as she was quite literally swept off her feet and after a little flourish placed on the ground. She didn't have time to worry that she might be too heavy for him, simple giggling a little in surprised response.
A small curtsey was offered towards the attendant as he greeted Azzo, it was strange to here someone call him Lord, let alone Mr. Perhaps because they'd been friends for so long, and were so comfortable and still so young. She offered nothing more then a bemused smile though before she looped both of her arms around the offered one and let him lead the way.
"Who's party are we attending tonight?" It didn't really matter the reasoning or person behind the ball. To date the two had never gone with each other specifically to any grand dance, though they had shared a few dances here and there. Really she wanted to know more out of politeness and not looking like an idiot should someone mention it, because simply being here on his arm made none of the rest of it really matter to her at all.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 2:08 pm
Azzo smiled as she asked the question, he'd been waiting on it. "Ours." He answered, as he walked along, into the forayer, pausing at the entrance to the ball room. They were announcing guest names as they arrived.
He was waiting for their turn, not having to give his or his dates name.
"Lord Crowely and Princess Namid."
Earning a sigh from Azzo as he heard them. He'd told them for the millionth time he didn't hold his grandfather's title. They just chuckled. "Ugh... we're going to have to go to Britain so I can get Knighted and they stop that." He whispered in annoyance.
There were already people dancing and others sitting at tables, and some just milling. Grams however, was sitting at one of the most important tables. Azzo waited for a moment, looking to see who all had come.
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:30 am
Ours...?
It took a long moment for the words to sink in, or at least to be translated in a way that she could understand. It was their party? But how... and why? Well.. obviously the why had to be their anniversary right? But a ball!?
The air she'd sucked in in surprised finally escaped her, her shock replaced with a smile and a soft look of adoration. It took Azzo's own whispered annoyance to break her of the awe struck expression, leaning in closer to whisper back as she squeezed his arm tighter.
"That's easy enough. But what about me? I'm sure you didn't inform them that I was a princess."
Now that their names were announced and they were no longer standing in the entrance Aurora let her eyes search the ballroom around them and take in the majesty of it all. Who were all these people? She spotted a familiar face or two, but still couldn't get over the fact of how many came just to celebrate well... THEM.
Aurora and Azzo. Together. One item. How romantic a thought was that?
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 12:42 pm
"They're being silly." He added in an answer, "Since I'm 'lord' and you look like a princess right now they're having a little fun."
He rolled his shoulders, "They always did this when we had these parties. Use it to was Grams that was princess and my Gramps that was Lord. Since he actually was given the title by royalty, something about saving one of them or something."
He paused, "Grams'll probably tell you the story." Looking around, "I didn't know who all to invite so I used Gramp's old list. A lot of them were people that use to hold parties back in the day. A few of them are Gramp's shrink buddies, the rest are sorta people from here and there. Rich and not so Rich blood. You might know some of them, there's a few with ties to Crystal."
Eventually, they ended up at the table with Grams for now. Azzo kissing her on the cheek. "Evening Grams."
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 1:00 pm
"Exactly" She mused playfully at his answer, having meant it more in fun then anything. She looked geniunely impressed however as he mention his grandfather. It was too bad she never got the chance to meet him. But then, tonight was probably the second best thing to that.
A room full of his friends and aquintances from over the years would likely lead to stories. No wonder Azzo had always seemed so at place when she'd seem him at balls. And no wonder he could dance, unlike many a' Meadowview boy.
"Thank you Azzo. It's beyond amazing. More then I could have ever imagined." Sliding up to the tiptoes of her heels, she pressed a quick little kiss against his cheek before she let herself be led to their table, giving his grandmother a small curtsy. "It's so nice to see you again."
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:02 pm
Azzo nodded, "Yeah apparently something about depression. I don't think it was a well known royal though." He rolled his shoulders. "You're welcome." He added to Aurora.
"Aurora, Azzo~" Grams smiled as she returned Azzo's kiss to the cheek. "Nice to see you two again too." She looked around, "I heard a certain pup of mine had a hand in this."
She smiled, "Reminds me of the old days."
Azzo smiled, "I thought it would, I was hoping all of us could have fun for tonight. Did you bring any friends?" He asked pausing, "I was telling Aurora, about Gramp's title...."
He broke off when a couple came up, shaking his hand. "It's nice to see you Mr and Mrs Wolfe." He greeted with a smile. "This is Aurora, Aurora Mr. and Mrs Wolfe.
"Nice to meet you dear." Mrs. Wolfe greeted with a smile. "Azzo you're so grown up! I was telling Milly when I got the invite that I bet you'd grown up to be a hansom young man."
"Sally, you're going to embarrass him." He shook his head, "Are you going into your grandfather's profession Azzo? Also, Aurora I heard you went to Crystal, did you enjoy learning there?"
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