?Mercies Anne, please not so tight?? Storm?s eyes practically crossed as the thin older woman pulled tight on the strings of her corset.

?Why wear one if you are going to wear it wrong?? A simple question as the older woman paused, though she did not loosen any of the other strings.

?Because you will not allow me to wear my dress without one.? She smirked to the other woman in the mirror. ?Really Anne, it is not? it is best that I can get my breath should I need it.?

Storm relaxed as Anne started to mumble about having to start over, but she complied nonetheless. It was the same reason why Storm never wore them in the first place; should anything go wrong, she would be spending too much time trying to take it off before she could do anything, a safety precaution at best. The design was simple, the corset and slip a light, satin pink to blend with the dress that was to cover it.

?This is only going to make you late Storm.? The older woman continued to nitpick, though there was a faint smile of her face as she finished relacing the corset for more comfort.

Storm looked over her shoulder to the woman and frowned slightly, glancing to the timepiece. ?I?m not going to be late, I just have to put the dress on and I?m ready.?

Anne laughed softly as she gathered the dress in her hands, and started to help slip in on. ?And what of this?? She tugged softly on Storm?s wet curls once her head went through the proper opening. ?And what of adding some color to you cheeks?? The list continued as Storm resisted the urge to roll her eyes. ?Are you going to eat there also? You?re awfully thin.?

?I am not thin, it?s the bloody thing that you?ve squeezed me into.? Storm cringed and laughed as Anne tugged smartly on her ear. She then slipped her arms in the dress as Anne adjusted the bottom of the dress to flow. It was simple in design, light pink and sleeveless. Though the corset was not as tight as it should have been, it still accentuated the curves that were so rarely shown. And even now, the dress only complimented, and did not overbear nor requested attention. From the right upper corner started a small stream of gold color that flowed and grew as it went down and across her body. ?When have I ever put anything on my face, or my hair for that matter??

Anne simply placed a hand on Storm?s shoulder, urging her to sit with little options. ?Your Father expects more of you, as do I, and I do not remember raising you to be so careless. You have a place here, and it is high time you did your part.? She was already going through various colored powders, and Storm would have cringed, but she knew better.

?Just because I do not wear dresses or make up my face does not mean I have not been doing my Guardianship.? She offered with a crooked grin.

?Always had a mouth to argue, your due for a spanking for it.?

Storm could only laugh and succumb to Anne?s desires. ?You?re not the only one to tell me this.?

He had been to many of these things before, and yet, because he normally traveled alone to one, he was nervous. He had never been to a ball with a female before. Having always kept to himself in the military of Quel'Thalas, he had never seen any reason to take a female to a military ball. They were usually boring, and long, and not worth going to, but all officers were required. He had asked Janet to accompany him. He was starting to fall for her... No, just a friendly thing...

He put his hair up into the traditional way that his people wore it to occasions like these. He strapped on his clean boots, put on his dress slacks and black dress tunic. Then to top it off, he put on his ornate red and black military dress robe. he looked in a mirror, and was ready to go and meet Janet. He knew where to go to meet her, and how to get to the ball. Him and Storm had put out the finer details. He did not want to be late as he would be the only elf attending. He walked outside and made for Janet's.

There was a small gathering when Storm and Cornelious made their way to the outside ball room. Decorated the day before, it was a beautiful description of spring. Flowers of all shapes and colors were held in midair hanging down, as if it was from the ceiling. The grass was replaced with proper wooden flooring, though the coming night sky had a few clouds and stars already coming out. Candles all around to give light when the sun completely faded, it had taken all of yesterday to arrange to Shawn's liking. After all, it was he who worked so hard on the life of the flowers, and the Earths worked hard to bring a time of celebration and peace.

Cornelious walked Storm to the corner of the 'floor' where all the instruments were set. She curtsied and he bowed with a grin, before he headed to speak with the others. She turned towards her piano, surprised that Jodie and her trio of boys had already set up and was ready to go.

Late indeed.

A quick smile as she went around to greet them all properly to a kiss to their cheek.

"You clean up well, Miss Storm." A cheeky grin from Luke.

She shot him a look over her shoulder and grinned. Perhaps it was the teasing nature of three young men that made her mouth quick. "Are you going to ask me to dance later, young Luke?"

Jodie turned to turn her bagpipes in order to hide her wide grin. The other brothers though, snickered.

A bit of color was obvious in his pale cheeks. "I umm.. I'm meeting someone here."

"Are you now?" She tucked her tongue in her cheek, though amusement was bright in her grey eyes. "Who is the lovely lady?" She picked up her fiddle and bow, fine tuning each string till the vibrations in the air were still.

"Alexa." His color rose even higher.

Storm winked towards Jodie, who was failing miserably in her attempt to cover her grin. "Well, I will inform the young Earth myself that you owe me a dance."

Luke, desperate to change the conversation, glanced at those arriving. "I suppose we should get started?"

Storm wrinkled her nose and Jodie laughed. "Enjoy the opening dance, Storm."

Storm took a step forward and took Jodie's arm gently. "Oh no, if I must, then so do you, as your husband has to dance when I do." More laughter from Jodie as the ladies stood. Storm then pointed a finger to the trio of men.. boys. "Play something light, get everyone going."

And then Storm and Jodie went to meet with the group of Guardians with their partners. Though there were sixteen of them, some grouped together, like Jeremiah and Kiara, Storm and her father. Others, like Anton and Jodie, made the group bigger.

The boys started the dance required, and the dancing began.