Dancing the Night Away

Lapis entered the massive primary ballroom, her mouth agape in awe. She adjusted the light cream colored off shoulder midi dress she had arrived in, fixing her hair as well as she stepped out of the entryway, out of the way of other ball-goers. She pushed a loose bobby pin into her unusually tightly wound bun, pulling the two long wavy strands she had left out to the front. 

She took another moment to admire the foyer; it glimmered with crystals and the reflected light of the day. She made her way further within, and spotted immaculately dressed servers meandering the hall holding trays of hors d'oeuvres, and the pairs of dextroluma, lockettes, dexettes, and nunuluma gracefully sliding across the ballroom floor. She scanned the contents of each tray, her eyes settling on two bouncing trays- one full of magnificent crystalline tartlets, and the other with glasses of bubbling champagne. She gently grabbed one of each before settling back against the wall, listening to the rhythmic hum of the orchestra. She ate the tart in a single bite and sipped on her champagne. Her eyes wandered again, and she found herself wishing again that she had come with a partner. She had never gotten the chance to experience something like this when she was with Mila. 

As she drifted into her thoughts, she jumped as a purple haired Lockette with tan skin and yellow moon charms invaded her vision. 

“You seem a bit lonely over here, mon cher.” he remarked with a charming grin. He was certainly easy on her eyes- but Lapis left her home so little outside of her work and busking that she had hardly come across any Lockettes in the small town of oak village. 

“My name is Lapis. Lapis Leroux.” Lapis introduced, raising her eyebrow skeptically. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lapis. My name is Etienne, Etienne Luneau.” he greeted properly. Lapis noted his piercing yellow eyes, and the slight accent he spoke with. He didn’t smell like he was from Aerius either. He smelled like somewhere she had never been- where magic buzzed in higher concentrations through currents in the air, where the soil was a totally different composition.

“Where are you from, Etienne? You’re not from Aerius.” Lapis inquired, truly curious.

“I will answer, if you’re willing to trade me a dance in return.” he flashed her a charming smile, extending his hand to follow her onto the dance floor.

“If you insist.” Lapis took his  hand, and she was whisked onto the dance floor, she could barely keep up with the quick-paced waltz.

“I’m from Ciepra. I mean, after the Heartlands, that is. I’ve lived there for most of my life.” Etienne explained as he spun Lapis, she twirled on her glossy cream heel.

“Are you on your own here?” she asked, falling into the steps as they glided across the ballroom.

“No. If you look to your left, you will see another Doberman Lockette white white ears dancing with someone. Her name is Leonie- she is my twin.” Etienne gestured his head in the direction he meant and Lapis turned her head. Sure enough, a Doberman lockette adorned in a beautiful, intricate ball gown was dancing to the left. She had blonde hair, and pale skin, and piercing yellow eyes just like her brother, and the same yellow moon charms. 

“She is quite beautiful. What brings you both to Aerius?” Lapis inquired as he suddenly spun her into a dip.

“She is. We came for the festivities. I’m never one to miss a party- and we are both in the market for some love in our lives.” he admitted candidly. His eyes were sincere, his guard let down for the first time since they had begun speaking. 

“What made you decide to approach me?” Lapis prodded, afraid she would have to break some unfortunate news. 

“Well I find you quite beautiful…” he started, but Lapis cut him off.

“Stop right there. I feel the need to tell you now that my attraction lies almost solely with feminine presenting folk.” Lapis bowed as the dance ended and they awkwardly shuffled off the ballroom floor. 

“Wait! I was hoping so. You see, my sister also likes women. I would like to introduce you. And I believe that the gentleman she is bringing over here is for her to introduce me.” Etienne explained with his hands in the air, feeling rather embarrassed by the confusion he had caused.

“O-oh. I would very much like to meet your sister.” Lapis’ face flushed dark blue and she averted her gaze to the floor. 

The beautiful blonde Lockette approached the pair, releasing her dance partner and curtsying to Lapis, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my name is Leonie Luneau. I am sorry for any confusion Etienne caused, I could hear your conversation.” 

Lapis met her gaze- the same piercing yellow eyes that Etienne had looked warmer on her. They swirled with the pink of her outfit like a sunset, “N-no, it’s ok. Could we get some fresh air on the balcony? It’s feeling a little stuffy here.” she stuttered in reply.

“Of course.” Leonie smiled brightly at Lapis, and they headed out to the balcony, sipping champagne and chatting until the eclipse was over.