The Social Month Ball

Kecila tilted her head, jam dribbling out of the side of her mouth. She wiped it away, grabbing a napkin from the table.
"Maybe. She's very traditionalist, though. Obsessed with the family's image. Although I suppose that's to be expected from a noblewoman..."

Kate nodded. "Being a commoner certainly shouldn't exclude you from anything."

Estella Fay nodded. “Definitely not! Technically speaking, I’m no noblewomen either. I used to be, I suppose. On paper. But my brother put an end to that a while ago.”

Kate instinctively pulled Estella Fay a little closer to her.

Estella Fay didn’t say anything, just wrapped a wing around her shoulder.

Kecila tilted her head, looking at Estella Fay. "Where did you get your wings from? Are you a faerie?"

Keely nodded in understanding at Lady Kecilia's words. She never knew that being a noble had so many expectations. She mentally hoped that things get better with her and her mother.

She then, after a little while found herself looking at the couple. She had found them absolutely adorable and couldn't help smiling while looking at them. But their reply did leave her filled with curiousity. She quickly finished her cookie and asked,
"I hope you don't find this question offensive but why did you leave the noble status?"
Keely panicked and exclaimed
"I absolutely understand if you do not want to discuss this though!"

With this news, Ella spread a bit more butter on her scone. Magical powers? From a magical butter dragon? An opportunity like this did not just pop up every day!

She was so energized from the butter, that she couldn’t resist dancing!

Now, she wasn’t sure if she was a particularly great dancer, but that didn’t matter to her butter crazed mind.

Estella Fay’s wings fluttered nervously. “Oh my. It’s alright. The wings. Not a fae, I’m afraid.” She giggled. “Oh, that rhymed. But, I’m an alis. The most common belief is that we’re half angel. But that has… its skeptics.”

"She's definitely an angel," said Kate, wrapping her own wing around Estella Fay.

“Half. At best.”

"Half in biology. Full in her heart."

“You are too nice to me.” She giggled.

Kate wrapped a bit tighter around her. "No I'm not."

She shook her head. “Well, as for your second question… I was disowned. By my legal guardian.”

Kate wrapped around her a little tighter.

Estella Fay shrugged. “It… it happens.”

"Because people are horrible sometimes."

“But I’m fine. Really.”

Kate kissed her forehead softly.

She smiled. “I have Kate.”

Kate held her just a little bit tighter.

"I'm so sorry," Kecila murmured. She picked nervously at the edge of her sleeve. Disowned...her parents were strict at times, but she couldn't imagine them cutting her off completely. The thought left an odd, cold feeling in the center of her chest.

Lady Evelynn was surprised at the empathy that came so easily to her tonight, especially considering these people were strangers whom she would never cross paths with come tomorrow morning. She might respect discipline and justice, but in her heart, she was still a mother of two. And even if her daughters could be more than exhausting sometimes, she could not imagine abandoning them under any circumstances.

"That must not have been easy, but I am very glad you have found happiness. You have come a long way from there," she said, with a hint of newfound respect in her voice.

Sir Edward started to dance too, though his dance involved his feet remaining rooted to the spot while his upper body did some abdominal twists. "Where did you learn how to dance?" he asked Ella.

“My family wanted me to take dancing lessons, but I always snuck out. I’m self-taught and graceful too.” She laughed, feeling free for the first time in years.

And then she slipped and fell.

There was a sudden bang that rang throughout the ballroom. Kecila whipped around to see a woman on the floor, grimacing.
"Oh my--" Kecila cried, rushing over. "Are you okay?"

"Oh no!" cried Sir Edward. He reached a hand out. "Here, I'll help you up. Someone needs to put a non-slip layer on all these floors!"

Estella Fay giggled, blushing under all of the attention. “Oh, well, aren’t you both sweet?”

Kate beamed. "Thank you."

Estella Fay turned to her. “Why are you thanking them?”

"For being so considerate."

“Yes.” She looked at the floor. “Sorry. Thank you. You’re very kind.”

Kate pulled her closer.

Estella Fay giggled. “You’re practically holding me, Kate.”

"Because that's my favorite thing to do, darling."

She giggled, blushing even more.

Kate kissed her forehead.

Estella Fay turned back to the women. “But enough about me. My lovely Kate here is even more special.”

Kate flushed this time, turning a little blue.

“Ask her some questions. She’s amazing.”

Kecila nodded to herself. The old knight seemed company enough. The Lady didn't need all the attention. She turned back to the group just in time to hear the last snippets of their conversation.
"Can you tell me more about the Alis?" She asked. "I haven't heard much about them."

[Removed by YWS by request of author]