[I'll try my *cough* hardest to *cough* take this seriously ]

Doves sang, bluebirds twittered, and handsome men everywhere sighed when Lady Diana sashayed into the hall, arm-in-arm with her escort and her cousin, the extremely prestigious Duke John. Nonexistent sunlight caught her hair, setting it to a golden halo. Her beauty was that of the mountains, the setting sun, gentle rivers, and golden Cheese-its.

Everyone noticed that Duke John was no less [s]beautiful[/s] handsome, mostly due to the fact that every time he passed a mirror, he sighed and declared with utter adoration, "I'm so handsome, O so handsome!"

They came to a graceful stop when they sighed Prince Rylin and Princess Alaina. Diana flashed a beautiful, dimpled, demure, striking, stunning, perfect smile and asked in a voice that rivaled sweet music itself, "Your Royal Highnesses, it warms my heart to see you in such congenial states. Indeed, I could simply dance for the bliss of your august magnificence in serving this kingdom and all the principles it holds dear!"

She blushed prettily and waited for them to welcome her.

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(*falls off chair, laughing* Good grief..I could nowhere near personify Mary-Sue-ness like that..I'll probably end up being a buffer to the madness, now that I think about it. )

A bit taken aback at the long string of pretty words coming from the Lady Diana, it took the Prince and Princess a moment to comprehend their meaning, then a few seconds longer to come up with a response to the..greeting. And, most of it is not worthy to list here, since it was all superfluous, with little or no meaning apparent...with a purpose behind it. It was easier to state than what they would have rather said, and was also far more courteous.

(In other words, gather what response you will, and go with it. *is so not being lazy* )

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[I think I'm in serious need of a buffer, the way I'm coming along ]

Lady Diana curtsied nimbly, the epitome of a courteous noblelady. Her hand settled on her left hip, and her expression suddenly became very fierce. Her luminous hazel eyes glittered with resolve. "And if you are ever in need of a dragonslayer, I shall defend the kingdom at all costs! For I am not only the loveliest maiden on [insert name of world here], but the greatest warrior as well!"

Meanwhile, Duke John was inwardly grooming himself. He was handsome, O so handsome! Who would have the heart to refuse him? He flashed a disarming smile and bowed to Princess Alaina. "Would you like to dance, my lady?"

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((That's great, LDM! I'll be lauging when I read your posts! lol))

Here's my characters.

Name: Azura
Gender: female
Age: 18
Appearance: Long wavy golden-brown hair. Bright blue eyes flecked with darker blue. Average height, slender, but strong. Beautiful (of course. lol)
Personality: She's friendly, somewhat reserved. She doesn't get angry easily, but when she does, watch out. lol

Name: Bryne
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Appearance: Tall and muscular, but not bulky. He has grey-green eyes and shoulder-length dark brown hair, a strong, handsome face.
Personality: He usually seems somewhat cold and distant when people first get to know him, but he's friendly and kind to people he knows and trusts.


Azura stood to one side of the ballroom, surveying the decor and the crowd. No detail escaped her bright blue eyes. She watched as a couple approached the prince and princess, then turned her attention to the many handsome men.

Bryne approached the palace, his well-muscled arms swinging easily. He stopped outside the door, waiting to enter behind two others. The sun glinted on his dark brown hair and made his grey-green eyes seem brighter.

((*Snort* Oh dear...I don't think I'm ever going to be able to match that! I guess I'll have to settle for what I've got...haha...thanks for joining, Elenya, I'll add you to the list!))

There was small gasp from behind the little crowd waiting to enter, and something that sounded very much like someone hurriedly riding a horse into the woods. If one had been listening very closely, they might have caught the sounds of a maiden whispering to herself. "Oh, you idiot, Alassea! How could you forget...oh, papa and Alaina and Rylin will be furious..."

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Rilion gave a sigh of boredom, looking supremely unconcerned from his place at the wall. He let his eyes rove over the growing crowd, and thought of the dancing to come with enjoyment - with so many beautiful girls how could he not enjoy himself?

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"I..shall keep that in mind, Lady." Rylin said, somehow keeping his good humor, though he was inwardly scowling. Oh, the people you met at events like this..but, regardless of his misgivings, managed a winning, yet half-hearted smile.

Alaina, restraining the urge to burst out laughing then and there. 'Twould not be very proper of her, and besides, she had to admit, this Duke was very handsome..much as it grudged her to admit. Inclining her head, dark hair tumbling out of her immediate control past her shoulders(which she remedied with a swift flick of her slender wrist), she smiled brightly. "I would like that very much, m'lord."

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Duke John very gently took the Princess's delicate hand in his own as he handsomely led her to the dance floor. "You are like a swan, my lady," he sighed by pretense of normal conversation. "Your hair is like the velvet of the night, yet you are so fair my heart aches to even look at you."

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There was an anxious tap on Rylin's shoulder as a small break in the flow of guests ensued, and Alassea stood behind him, her dark hair completely undone but her dress (which was blue with silver trimming), thankfully, clean and unwrinkled. "Do I look alright?" she asked nervously. "Papa hasn't noticed, has he, that I wasn't here?"

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(*dies from asphyxiation*)

Oh, good gods above.. Alaina thought, a bit painedly. Never had she been spoken to like that before, and far from annoying her..she was actually enjoying every second of it! What in blazes is wrong with me?! She thought, annoyed with herself..but managing a gracious smile, anyway, while at a complete loss for words.

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Turning and raising one eyebrow, Rylin silently appraised Alassea for a moment, before nodding mutely. "You look fine...and you had better hope father does not realize you were late. Alaina and I have already had to cover for you."

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"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" muttered Alassea out of the corner of her mouth, and let a young lord kiss her hand before he moved on. "I forgot! Is Alaina very mad?" she continued, after he had gone.

((:laugh: You two combined are KILLING me...KILLING, I say...))

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(I think I'm going to have the same difficulty as LDM, because I've never played a Mary or Marty before).

Jeral took his charming sister firmly by the arm, and led her away from the crumpets.

"You have had enough," he stated firmly, well-knowing her weakness for such things. "You will ruin your figure. You need to act properly. Do not shame me."

Zippy sighed and rolled her eyes at her brothers uncanny way of speech. Truly, he had no grace. But he was stunning to look at, and as he passed, a young girl swooned and passed out at his feet. Gingerly he stepped over her, and led his sister in front of the Prince and young Princess, where he bowed dashingly, and she courtesyed.

"My honorable Sir, we were so honored to be invited to this honored ball, and dance in this honorable palace with such honoring people."

Jeral cleared his throat, and frowned, nudging his sister in the side. A crumpet fell out of her sleeve, and he quickly covered it with his foot, managing to smile winningly at the youngest princess simultaneously... his eyes twinkling playfully.

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

"At the moment?" Rylin ventured, looking disgustedly at Alaina, who was still dancing with Duke What's-His-Face.."I think she's a bit too..preoccupied to be angry."

Just as he finished speaking, yet two more guests approached, and stifling a quick groan that nearly burst from him, Rylin smiled at the pair of them. "And we are pleased that you could attend, and sincerely hope you enjoy your evening."

Gods..someone just behead me now, get me out of this madness!

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Alassea completely missed the crumpet, and courtseyed with equal grace - except she narrowly avoided falling over completely due to the tight shoes that unfortunately went with the dress. "Oh, yes, enjoy your evening!" she said breathlessly, echoing Rylin and trying not to stare up at the extremely handsome man. You're too young, Alassea! She told herself, and merely smiled winningly and tried to avoid blushing.

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Grace glided into the ballroom. Usually when the verb "glide" is applied to human stride, it isn't ment to be taken literally, but with Grace she actually did glide onto the ballroom. In fact, it is still debated on wether or not her feet even touched the ground at all. Such was her grace that she was immediatly noticed by all males everywhere, even the flies. As men stared their wives sniffed and slapped them on the cheek. "Oh how horrible I am." She thought to herself. "To be cursed with such grace and beauty. Men always want me for the outside, not the inside. If only I could show a gentleman my true self."

"I would be delighted to see your true self" A deep voice rumbled behind her. She stood facing a tall hansome man. His bright blue eyes were of a hue to match her own green ones in brilliance. Black hair tumbled from his head in curls, but the style he had it in was both neat and untamed. HOw he managed to prepare his hair in such a way as to be labled under to completely different adjectives was beyond her, as she was momentarily dazzled by his beauty. HIs voice broke her trance as he said "I am sorry, I have not introduced myself. My name is Farian Dragonsbane. And, may I have this dance?" He bowed low, hand extended. He smiled, a smile so sweet as to tame rabid wolves into naught but puppies. Grace couldn't help but smile. "Of course." She said, her smile equally as sweet. A quick tango suddenly began, and they danced with such grace as to make other couples green with envy.

(Wow. I had way too much fun with this. )

As a dance started, Azura moved closer to the dancing floor. She wanted a partner for the evening, but there were so many handsome men she just didn't know who to choose. She decided to let one of the men choose her. She gently swayed to the music in a way she knew would catch many male eyes.

Bryne walked away from the buffet table, holding a small glass of punch. He frowned at it, then drank it's contents with a single swallow. A young woman had suddenly stopped in her tracks, staring at him with dreamy eyes. "Would you mind taking this for me, my lady?" he asked charmingly, smiling. She nodded, dazed, and held out her hand for the glass. He handed it to her and bowed. "My thanks." He walked on, not looking behind him to see if she was recovering from the encounter.

Breathing out a sigh that ruffled his bangs, Rylin gave a cursory glance about the room, almost boredly. He then took this opportunity to motion to his younger brother Varna, then as he approached, made him take his place in the greeting line, so he could 'have a break', as he put it. Varna, far from pleased, cast a baleful look at his brother's retreating form.

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