chapter three: into the ballroom

HORNS BLARE THROUGHOUT the ballroom, the arrival of each masked guest being announced to the party. The room is crowded, the only open spots mainly on the dance floor. The party had been going on for a while now and there has been no sign of any Arendelle royalty in the room yet.
   Ben waits near the staircase, his eyes locking onto the entrance and watching everyone who enters. Whitney stands next to him in a glittering, royal blue, mermaid dress that hugs her figure perfectly. Her hair is down and curled, stopping at the start of her dress. She holds onto Ben's arm, using him to take some of the weight off her aching feet. The couple has on matching peacock masks that compliment the blue of their outfits, covering the top halves of their faces.

The horns blare once more, a large group entering. Leading the group is an icy blonde man, his suit a bleach white with light blue crystals creating a sort of ice effect on the jacket. The mask covering his face is made of literal ice, an intricate design being the tell tale sign of the Arendelle royals. His extravagant silver crown stands out greatly, the light making it reflect and shine. On the blonde man's arm is a head of curly hair pulled into a slick ponytail. He has on a dark green suit, the silver pinstripes the only thing that ties him to his partner. He opted for a simple green and silver, phantom type mask.
   Trailing behind them are the two gingers, varying greatly in heights. The taller of the two wears a brown and grey kilt with a brown button-up and grey tweed coat, his mask is a simple brown lace. The shorter one has her hair up in a braided bun, her silver tiara surrounding the front of the bun. Her silver mask had teal gems hanging from it, matching the teal detailing on her gown.

"Ah, just the man I wanted to speak with." Eryk states, moving directly towards Ben. "I hope you don't mind, but I have requested that the Royal Band of Maldonia perform at this ball to bring some traditional Arendellian music."
Ben takes a moment to think, thrown off by the direct nature of the request and not being asked before the ball commenced. "I-I guess that's fine."
"Perfect, if you could tell your orchestra to move, that would be wonderful." Eryk walks off into the crowd, Travis still hanging on his arm and murmuring jokes to him.
Ben is frozen for a moment, shaking his head in confusion. Whitney pats his arm, pulling him towards the stage at the end of the room. "It's best to just do as he asks, dear." She whispers to the conductor, telling him the plan. He nods, his brow furrowed, and signals to his band to leave.

As soon as the stage is clear, a jazz band takes it. The performers, wearing plain green suits, immediately start playing a big band swing piece. It's a big contrast to the slow classical music that filled the room before and confuses some of the more stuffy royals in the room. The dance floor is quickly filled, Travis leaving Eryk's side to whisk an unsuspecting Audrey Rose into a dance.
   Lynn slips from Manny's arm and attaches herself to Eryk's, taking the place of Travis. "I'm so excited, it's looped back to nerves." She talks to Eryk, her eyes darting around the room at everything and everyone.
"Take a breath, this isn't your first ball." Eryk pats his cousin's hand, slowly maneuvering around the tables that line the border of the room.
   Lynn takes a deep breath, shaking off the jitters. "You're right, I got this. This isn't my first rodeo." She nods to herself, cracks her knuckles, and sets off to mingle with the other guests. "You got this Lynn." She murmurs to herself.

   Millie, in a pink ballgown with bows decorating the bottom, is sat down at a table enjoying a plate of the desserts that were set out. Her whites gloves are off and sitting in her lap as to not get them dirty.
   "Mind if we join you?" A voice asks from behind, pulling out the chair next to her. Millie nods, letting Quinn, Lee, and Chester sit at the table with her.  "How are you doing pretty lady?" Quinn asks, setting down his glass of punch.
   "Pretty good, the food is amazing. You can never doubt Whit's tastes." Millie exclaims, eating another one of the small strawberry pastries.
   "She seems to really know her stuff." Chester comments, nibbling on his own pastry. His eyes had been locked on the ice king the entire time, his close friends easily noticing his analyzing face. He is trying to grasp the guy's 'vibe' and failing miserably.
   "Yeah, she does. She has perfectly mixed the two nations' cuisines." Millie agrees, cocking an eyebrow at the purple-haired man.

   The band slows, the conductor pulling Travis onto the stage and handing him a microphone. "Ooh, it's time for a slow song! Go ahead and grab someone to slow dance with, get all cozy."
   Whitney is talking with Fairy Godmother, discussing the refills needed for the refreshments table. While she's off doing that, Ben approaches Lynn and asks her to a dance, hoping to discuss Arendelle a bit more during the song.
   The beginning of Ma Belle Evangeline starts, couples rushing to the dance floor. Quinn and Millie giggle as they dance, acting overly formal. Claudia and Harry slowly sway in the corner, quietly talking to each other. Carlos twirls Elana, her black and white gown flaring out with the spin.

"Look how she lights up the sky, ma belle Evangeline." Travis' voice fills the room, his lower tone smooth. When Whitney can finally pry herself away from her responsibilities, she searches the crowd for Ben. Her face falls when she sees him dancing the first slow dance, that they always save for each other, with someone else. She feels tears pricking her eyes and quickly moves outside to the balcony, determined to not cry.
   "So far above me, yet I know her heart belongs to only me!" She sighs, sitting down on a bench and rubbing her hands together to attempt to stay warm. A jacket is draped around her shoulders, Manny taking a seat next to her.
   "You're losing your Arendelle edge, can't handle a little cold?" He attempts to joke, but is shut down by Whitney's half-hearted chuckle. "I saw that dumb little prince dancing with Princess Lynn, he's really missing out. I'm pretty sure Lynn has just been talking his ear off about the places she wants to see while here." Manny stares at Whitney, trying to read her expression.

   "Je t'adore, Je t'aime Evangeline."
   "You still have that dance saved, right?" Manny stands up, reaching his hand out for her. "Come on, we can stay out here if you want." She smiles, grabbing his hand and he pulls her onto her feet. Whitney giggles, letting his jacket fall off her shoulders.
   "Thank you, Manus. You're a good friend."
   "I know!" He says, a large smile on his face as the two waltz to the music.

a/n  It's been a bit! The ending is a little loose, but I'm sleepy and want to get this out there, so i hope you enjoyed!