Whatever you do, don't step under the mistletoe

[Claire Beauchard]

Said short woman in question, had been abandoned to the wolves. Why would Cassie do such a thing! Claire didn't know anyone else save a very select few, and there was one particular person in that select few she was also avoiding. What was a dressed up gal supposed to do?

Claire guessed she'd do what she always did, or had done before becoming one of Alexandria's ladies, which was become a wall flower. She could at least enjoy other people enjoying themselves right? She wandered over to one of the drink tables. Quickly doing eenie meanie, mini, moe on what flavor of wine she wanted before she settled on a deep red, and then began navigating her way through people. She was taller then she usually was, thanks to the heels, but she was still short, and in her opinion, unnoticeable. Despite how much her silver gown might have sparkled, she felt like she failed in comparison to some of the ladies here.

She was sipping her wine, admiring for a moment a woman who quite honestly looked like a princess with the way the dress suited her, and the gentleman her prince as they danced and twirled on the dance floor. She was mesmerized at that time, watching the way they moved. She found herself humming quietly to the sound of the music, but when the commotion near the door pulled her away. Her brows furrowed, and she held her glass tightly at seeing the mercenary types walk in. Where was Cassie? She looked around frantically, catching a brief glimpse of her as she ran towards the mercenary type. Her mouth parted in a small "o", a look of panic crossing her face. "Oh Stefan where are you!?" She blurted aloud. Wondering where the guardsmen was. If Cassie was running towards danger shouldn't he try and stop her? Should Claire try and stop her? She gulped. She couldn't leave Cassie to take on the mercenaries by herself now could she? What sort of a friend would do that?

She took a hesitant step forward, trying to look around the people until she saw Cassie and another girl she quickly remembered as Cassie's sister hugging a man. She watched carefully, wondering who he was, but from the name she'd heard, she wondered if it was Cassie's long lost brother? Wasn't that a nice Yule present? She found herself smiling as she took a sip of the wine, and then turned to go back to find a wall, when she caught sight of an all too familiar sight, and Sweet peas and carrots did the man clean up good. Her eyes went wide for a brief second before she suddenly sprayed whatever wine she had in her mouth out, and into the wine glass.

Claire must have had a guardian angel as not a red drop of that wine landed on anyone around her or her dress.

Stefan Gifford

[Stefan Gifford]

He stood quietly, being somewhat of a wallflower himself. It was what he knew to do- always on guard, even when he was off duty. Though, perhaps that showed how dedicated and devoted he was to his queen and her people. Still, he knew Alexandria was safe since she was with Aric, so he tried to give them their space and privacy, mostly watching the surroundings in case something came up.

And then something did come up. The commotion by the door quickly gained his attention and he pushed away from the wall and began quickly making his way over to find out what was happening and if he needed to interject. He noticed the small woman standing between the two men and their altercation and he prepared himself should the man decide to use his sword on the woman or even the man. This wasn’t the time or place to be starting a fight.

The Tresterian queen seemed to diffuse the situation herself, so he stood by quietly, not yet convinced that they were completely in the clear.

Bright blue eyes widened when he saw Cassandra rush forward, and he heard a voice calling out, asking where he was. So he took several steps forward to try and stop Cassandra but suddenly halted as she hugged the man who had entered moments ago. He stood there, somewhat confused, but he slowly decided to ease up on his guard, coming to a conclusion that things were under control, hopefully.

Then, he heard a spraying sound in the near distance and it gained his attention, eyes drifting around the area until he spotted Claire, seemingly struggling with her wine. His brows furrowed and he regarded her for a brief moment before he moved closer to her, almost hesitantly due to their last encounter. She had kissed his cheek and then ran away, leaving him confused as to whether or not she wanted him around her. There were several mixed and awkward signals, that Stefan wasn’t quite sure what to think.

Still, it was Yule, and he couldn’t just avoid her. If she didn’t want to see him, he hoped she would at least tell him to leave her alone. So he cautiously approached her and ducked his head slightly. “Are you alright?” Had she choked on her wine, perhaps?

[Claire Beauchard]

There was a god! Or a Yule Santa Claus, or someone watching out for the booger that night. She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and quickly used it to wipe away the wine dribbles on her chin before anyone could see. Mostly Stefan. Dear lord Santa, not Stefan. Her cheeks flamed red as she saw him approaching hesitantly. It made her stomach twist, thinking about how awkward she'd made everything the day of the chase. It's Yule though, be nice Claire. She scolded herself. Claire Beauchard however didn't have a mean streak on in her body, and wouldn't be the one to tell him to leave. 

Are you alright? Oh! The wine, that was right. She nodded at him, doing a small cough into the handkerchief. "Went down the wrong pipe." The little fib came out. She wasn't about to tell him he'd been the reason for making her spray wine! That would make him feel bad, and it wasn't his er-fault he looked so nice. She offered him a small smile before she was shoving the handkerchief back up her sleeve. "Did you see Cassie?" She asked him curiously. He had to of right? Stefan was a good guard, she imagined he'd seen the whole thing, and not just because of his height. She found herself looking over in the direction she'd been in. Her smile growing. "I think it's her brother." She said as her blue eyes flickered up to Stefan. "She hasn't seen him in a long time." She said. 

Claire's mind wandered to her own brothers for a moment. Wondering if she'd ever get a greeting like that one day. She doubted it, and the thought made her sad. But it was Yule! And there would be no sad faces on Yule. She held her wine glass carefully between her hands, and it donned on her she hadn't seen Stefan all day. The realization could easily be read across her face. "Happy Yule by the way!" She beamed up at him. Just act normal....just pretend the chase didn't happen and everything will be fine... She told herself. She was determined that nothing bad, or super embarrassing was going to happen tonight. There were no hedges to climb into and no one would appreciate her crawling under her their table. At least Cassie would be near by if she really needed her right? She hoped that wouldn't be the case...

[Stefan Gifford]

Stefan smiled at Claire, though his expression showed a bit of concern. “Ah- I hate it when that happens.” He chuckled softly until he briefly looked her over. She was dressed up more than usual in a dress that didn’t seem much her style at all, but regardless, she looked beautiful in it. It was more revealing than he was used to seeing on her.

He may have allowed his eyes to linger a bit longer than they should have, and Claire’s question suddenly pulled his gaze back to her face as he registered her words. “Oh… Yes.” He looked up and over to where Cassandra was with her family and he nodded. He didn’t know a whole lot about Cassandra, so he didn’t know she had a brother. “Ah… I see.” He smiled again and returned his gaze to Claire. “I suppose that’s a nice Yule gift, then?”

He couldn’t help but think of his own family, then. His mother was alone this year for Yule since he was here in Tresteria. He hadn’t seen his father or sister in years and though he didn’t care about his father very much, he couldn’t help but worry for his sister and hope she was doing alright.

"Happy Yule by the way!"

Her voice broke him out of his thoughts again and he smiled down to her, nodding. “Oh yes, Happy Yule, lady Beauchard. How has your day been?” Hopefully, hers had been a little more exciting than his. Yule had been different here in Tresteria than it was in Aralore, and he almost felt a little home-sick. Tresteria was a bit more stuffy and extravagant, it seemed. And he did not know anyone here, other than those from Aralore who came here. He almost felt out of place and unable to enjoy the holiday.

“You look lovely, by the way,” he spoke quietly, his voice more friendly and respectful than suggestive and flirty. “Perhaps you could save a dance for me later this evening?” His words were spoken with caution, mostly because of how she had reacted over him suggesting she kiss him since she caught him at the chase. But it was Yule, and it was a ball. And Claire was the only woman he knew here that might wish to dance with him.

[Claire Beauchard]

Claire's bright smile softened a bit as she pondered over his question, reaching up to tap her chin in thought. "Uuuhm, pretty good!" She said. "I made a lot of muffins this morning, then I helped the queen get ready, and then I ran around and delivered muffins, I have some for you too! don't let me forget!, and then I took Cassie's husband his care basket, and then Cassie brought be back so we could get ready for the ball, and then I had to help Queen Alexandria, and she's such a vision, isn't she? And then we had supper and then now we're here!" She said in one quick breath as she glanced up at him. Her day had been rather busy, but also good! 

"I-what?" She asked, a flush spread on her cheeks as her mouth closed and she blinked at him. She looked very shy suddenly as she looked down grabbing the skirt of her dress with on hand while she swished the material side to side as she turned. "Thank you, Cassie dressed me." She said glancing up at him. "You look nice too!" She told him back, offering a shy smile. Her eye's widened slowly at his question then, her face turning red again despite how cautious  he was, Claire just found herself nervous around him. But the good kind of nervous, rather then the fearful sort that she usually was around men. Stefan made her tummy do gymnastics in a way no one else had before. But he was also the first one that had ever really paid her any attention. "Uhm..." She began, "If...you don't mind me maybe stepping on your toes..." She said quietly as she looked up at him. She pursed her lips slightly. She wasn't the best dancer, in fact she was rather clumsy with two left feet (at least in her opinion) but it was Yule...and she did want to tell Teagan she'd at least danced once at the ball. "I'd love to." She said smiling up at him. 

[Stefan Gifford]

[STEFAN] Stefan watched as Claire rambled on about her day. She made a lot of muffins, needed to give him some, delivered the muffins...Got the Queen ready. At her question, Stefan glanced around the room and spotted Queen Alexandria, and nodded, smiling. She really was a vision. "As always."
He noticed her flushing at his compliment and he smiled slightly, hoping she wasn't feeling embarrassed- it wasn't his intention. "Oh, thank you..." He figured he should try to look nice for such an event.
Would he mind her stepping on his toes? Well, he wasn't the most graceful danger, either...but at least he was sturdy and could hold them both up so they didn't fall over. "I don't mind at all." He laughed softly. (d)


[CLAIRE] narrowed her eyes playfully at him, taking another sip of her wine while she gathered her thoughts. Trying to force a casualness rather then an awkwardness like with what had happened in the chase. "Are you sure? You've seen me walk." there was a slight curl of her lips into a small smile, even if it was self deprecating statement, at her usual clumsiness. It was meant to lighten the mood. "My dancing's not much better.



[STEFAN] He tilted his head and glanced at her curiously with this sudden change of demeanor. She seemed calm and more casual than she ever had before. Maybe she was trying. Things at the chase had gotten rather awkward, and he was surprised she was actually speaking to him at the moment. He laughed and nodded. I'm afraid I am not the best dance partner, either... But we'll see how it goes, yeah?"(d)


[CLAIRE] Claire felt her stomach swell with butterflies at hearing that laugh, and she subconsciously sucked in a breath, trying to make herself seem taller then what she really was. She nodded her head in agreement. Right! We can be terrible together! She said encouragingly. Her blue eyes looked around at the other dancers, If we're lucky maybe no one will notice. Ha! like that would happen with his height....They'd be almost comical, But, at least they could look bad together.


[STEFAN] Stefan laughed again and nodded. "Maybe we will cancel out our terribleness together." When Claire glanced around, so did he and he shrugged his broad shoulders in response. "I think everyone is far too busy to notice or care." He held his hand out to her and offered her a smile. "Shall we?" (d)


[CLAIRE] Claire's eyes flickered to his out stretched hand, and then back up to his face. Oh boy. Okay, it's okay, just uh, remember what Cassie said! Don't bend too low! and Eeer- Well, she didn't have to bend anywhere with Stefan. She didn't realize she was staring for a bit to long, but then quickly remembered, and nodded her head, spotting an empty table she quickly walked over and set her wine glass down before she hurried back. Slipping her small hand into his. She gave him a shy smile Here's your sorry in advance to your toes.


[STEFAN] Alright, so maybe the awkwardness would be coming back. Claire was staring at him and he wondered if maybe he had something on his face that was distracting her. Perhaps a booger hanging from his nose? Instinctively, he reached up and rubbed just under his nose, hoping that wasn't the case. Bright blue eyes watched her until she returned and took his hand. Her words causing him to laugh again. "I've had worse injuries than stomped on toes, I assure you." He grinned and led her towards the dance floor. [d]


[CLAIRE] Yes, but what if my stepping on your toes causes you to trip and then you go crashing down and hurt yourself! You're huge! You might squish me! Or or or- Claire forced those thoughts from her mind. They'd be fine. Everything would be fine. She let Stefan lead her out onto the dance floor. She didn't want to think about what other injuries he might have had other then stomped on toes. She took a breath and then glanced up at him once they found a spot on the dance floor and she moved to stand in front of him. Pursing her lips, she furrowed her brows, trying to figure out where she was supposed to put hand considering Stefans shoulder was waaaaay up there. Well...they'd have to get creative. Okay, uuuuum She reached up to put her hand on his upper arm and then hesitated. Maybe she should put it on his chest? Which would look the less weird?(edited)


[STEFAN] He turned to face Claire once they were on the dance floor, and he lightly placed his hand on her waist and kept her other hand in his. He was much taller than she was and he nearly had to bend down slightly, but when she placed her hand on his upper arm, he couldn't help but laugh a little. "I know... I'm sorry." He smiled sheepishly. What exactly was he sorry for? For being too tall for her? For how awkward this must feel for her? Would she be embarrassed to be dancing with someone so much taller than she was? [d]


[CLAIRE] On the contrary, Claire didn't find it awkward at all, it was just a minor inconvience they'd have to figure out. Note to self: Have Cassie teach you how to walk in higher heels She told herself. She glanced up at him, having to crane her head back, her eyes going large in surprise. "For what?" She asked curiously. Tilting her head to the side slightly as she blinked up at him, and began swaying to the music. It donned on her that he was apologizing for his height, and her eyes went even wider. "O-oh! Because You're tall? Well, if your sorry for being tall, I'm sorry for being so short." She smiled. Her size didn't help matters either, they'd just have to adjust.


[STEFAN] Once they were settled into their dancing stance, he swayed along with her to the music. When she questioned his apology, he hesitated saying anything for a moment as he contemplated his answer. But shortly after, she was understanding. He laughed and nodded. "I suppose you are right... That's a silly thing to apologize for. There's nothing we can do about how we are." He shrugged his shoulders. Some women would be bothered by such a thing and avoid him altogether. But he had a feeling Claire didn't seem to care about that sort of thing. He smiled at her and carefully twirled her along with the music, being sure to catch and steady her on her way back to facing him again. [d]


[CLAIRE] Claire grinned up at him. That was laugh number three so far. Or was it Four? Five? Was she counting? Maybe. She liked his laugh, and she was glad it was at something funny she'd said rather at her. "No there isn't, we can just be our best selves." She agreed with a smile. Some people would just have to get over it. She let herself be twirled out, liking the way her dress skirts twirled out around her, and the slit in her dress seemed to make them fan out further. She was careful though to not go to fast with the spins, thankful Stefan steadied her as he brought back. Are you looking forward to going home soon? She asked him curiously.


[STEFAN] She was right. All they could do was be their best selves. He nodded in agreement.
When she returned to his arms, he smirked. "So far so good, right?" He lightly teased her- she hadn't stepped on his toes yet. But then again, they were just getting started.
At her question, he nodded almost too quickly. "I am, very much. I miss Aralore and everything about it. It's too... fancy here." He crinkled his nose slightly but smiled afterwards. "How about you? I remember yesterday you said you are missing it too...and people have been rude here or too serious?" [d]


[Claire] Right! She said with a grin, though she did glance down quickly to watch where her feet were. She glanced back up then at him, keeping the grin on her face. They both agreed that Tresteria was too stuffy. "Very Fancy, I"m afraid to touch anything for fear of breaking something." she confessed. She nodded up at him. They're not very nice to ladies, theyre treated as an after thought or so Sylvie tells me Thinking of her new roommate that the Queen had given her. Too many rules on women, what they can and can't do, that sort of stuff she went on to say. I really miss Teagan, i think she'd like this ball.


[STEFAN] He laughed, again. Mostly because he completely felt the same way Claire did with being afraid of touching anything. "Me too...And I wonder what would happen if something did get broken by someone? Would they be fined for it? Tossed in the stockades?" He grinned and shook his head. Clearly he was joking. Or so he hoped, at least. But as Claire told him the way ladies were treated his brows furrowed in slight confusion and he frowned. "I wonder if the same would be said if it were run by a queen like Aralore is." Things seemed much more accepting and free in Aralore. "But I'm sorry you feel that way." He offered her a light smile and gave her a nod. "I'm sure we will be back soon enough. And I bet Teagan misses you as well." [d]

[Claire Beauchard]

Claire’s blue eyes went wide at Stefan’s little joke. “Oh I hope not! That would be awful!” She said, her brows tilted up in her mild concern, and before she laughed lightly. “Best not to touch anything.” She voiced, with a firm nod. It was better safe than sorry.

At the mention of how Alexandria ran things, and how things might be different, Claire instantly lit up. Alexandria was the best Queen there ever was! She was sure of it! Even if Queen Eleesa seemed very nice, Claire thought that the Aralorian Queen cared far more about her people. Though-Oh Shut up brain! At least there wasn’t any mind readers in the ball… Claire was certain she’d confused them with how her brain went around in circles with it’s little chants of “Queen Alexandra….Queen Alexandra…”

She leaned in closer, having to tilt her head waaaaay back to look up at Stefan. She couldn’t very well wave him down to whisper in his ear, it would look too obvious. “Between you and me,” She started, her eyes darted around to ensure no one was paying them any attention. “I think Tresteria would be far better off and happier, and have less sticks up their bums if they had a Queen like ours.” She said in a hushed tone before she leaned back. She beamed up at him then, giving a small shake of her head. “It’s alright! We will be home soon, and then we won’t have to worry about breaking anything and being tossed in the stockades again!” She said with a large grin.

That grin rarely left her face for the rest of the evening, while she was in the presence of Stefan. By the time she retired for the night, she found her cheeks were slightly sore from all her smiling, and a content sense of warmth had settled inside her chest.

[End Thread]