#earthrunes

At EARTH RUNES, Many pooka come out, dressed in ball room gowns... that is, the male pooka do. Their make up varies from delicate to tarted up.

They meet in the ball room, of course.

Opposite the men folk, the lady pooka come dressed out in fancy period breaches, suits and tails as required.

It is not all pooka, Oswald sighs in his own large ball room dress, and is grateful he was allowed to wear flats.

Stevie and Gideon set up their instruments...and prepare. "Now this will just be practice, but I appreciate everyone dressing up"

And practice for the Cross Dress "It was Baroque so we fixed it" ball begins

With the ladies twirling in their stocking feet and fine gents outfits (And looking good doing it) and the mean flowing in their dresses. They're learning the steps.

Shalimar looks fab by the way

As does Vashti, most likely. Emma is in trollish blue!

Oh Vashti cuts a striking figure, and why not? she helped with many of the outfits

Oswald's embarrassment fades a bit as he sees Emma appears to be having a good time. His oldest friend looks good in troll blue.

A hissing in the far edges...as Velvet fusses at Tylar to get out there...

And every now and then, they stop, and Shalimar sighs "We will never hit Broadway if we keep mistepping... now I have worked with Adele Dazeem herself, and she assures me that it should FLOW... remember, we want to bring home the golden prize"

"Naturally, my lady fair doth despise the long haired brute," Vashti says kindly, "So he must keep his enemy closer... and we are all wretchedly insensitive to the time and effort you are putting here."

Gideon coughs "For the few non pooka in the crowd, let's remember we're trying to show Vince we care about him and don't want him to leave. So when he gets back, we do this surprise ball... we'll be ready and it looks like we just took to it natural"

Stevie says "I think you're all doing great," She says "And those of you without partners, don't worry, we'll swap around and practice. Everyone will get a chance to learn the steps."

"I hope he likes this," Charity says, nervously playing with her cravat

"I still liked my idea of lion costumes." She holds up her hands as if holding out a cub. "NYAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH SIHVAYNAHHHHHH, DAABBBBAAAA DEEEE SELWA"

"..shakku du.."

Vashti sniffs, "I will not deign work under the crimson light of disney's street corner, not after Gaston broke my heart"

"Well, no one flirts like Gaston."

Felidae flexes "he's especially good at expectorating!" she sings, not professionally but enthusiastically

"My whatta guy!" Emma grins, echoing the new pooka's enthusiasm.

"Mayhaps, this being a monarchy, we should put it to a vote love?" Shalimar says to Vashti in fairness.

Vashti fusses, "Very well... if all who wish to try on these lovely dresses I have slaved lo these many years to see brought to light by the XY Affair damsels and fine suits for the XX brigade... hold up their left hand... all those who wish to dress in tacky leonine goodwill handme downs that will break my heart surely... raise their right hands."

Stevie mutters to Gideon "A fairer vote couldn't be arranged." humor

Emma raises BOTH hands.

"I think pooka speak is getting to you, Stevie" Gideon mutters

And the vote continues, often shifting...

"Okay, it looks like we will be wearing lion masks and outfits along with ballroom gowns and fine outfits..." Stevie says after the count, for some other held up both hands and otherwise it was even.

"Be prepared!"

"Oh very well, I shall labor another 12 years and prepare masks. I shall be filled with spit over this" Vashti declares. "my eternal vengeance to all here" Delicate flutters.

"OR..." Shalimar says and he whispers to his lady Whatever he whispers .. her wings slow their flutter and she looks intrigued.

"Are you saying," She whispers a bit too loudly back, "The safe word only counts if you can find in scrabble?"

"Surely, Ladybird could be clever and paw=rint paint markings on our faces?"

"I'll bring the board," he promises

"Auction is over" Vashti says "Makeup and masks "

Oswald bends down and kisses Emma on top of her head, which may or may not have a powdered wig on it "Great idea. He'll love a cross dressing lion ball"

"He IS a dandy-lion."

And the music resumes.. why some actual practice might get done... between the fun.

But clearly, this will be the best Lion masks/make up cross dressing baroque ball EVER! Beating ALL other Lion Masks/Make UP Cross dressing Baroque Balls!

(As they all say, if it ain't Baroque, don't fix it!)

(end scene)

Zara of course, has heard of this event, and Earl and she , away from the music, share tea in a shadowy room not so far away

"So let me understand, Velvet is mad at Tylar because he doesn't want to wear a dress..." A sip

"Well... she wants him to make the effort, nu? He would not be alone."

"Have you informed your kith sister she might just be sweet on a rather boring boggan isntead of some sidhe lord doomed to die' forever' in her arms like she hoped?" He looks..amused?

"That would be unknind, methinks."

"I suppose it might, you know until I met you, I had no idea what romantics some sluagh are" He sips