This story is the rough draft...

Christmas C'mon - Lindsey Stirling ft. Becky G.

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  An icy breeze blew across the barren wasteland out past the frosty glass. Sleet poured down from the thick clouds above, splattering on the panes with small pings. Snowdrifts were building up on the iced over surface of lake An, covering the smooth surface with small hills. The chilly air was only slightly warmed by Niftri, the red star that hovered thousands of miles away from our planet. The only sign that it existed was the circle of red illuminating the clouds.

  I rested my chin on my hand, gazing at the cold beauty of Abron. The rock walls of the castle kept out most of the cold, only letting in enough to make me dress in a full outfit. My room was at the very edge of a cliff. Lake An glittered down below, the wind blowing back some of the drifts. Behind it was another mountain, looming strong and tall in the storm. The wind was going right in between both of the mountains, so none of them got any shelter from each other.

  There was a soft knock at my door. It opened a crack and a maid peered around it. She was my personal maid, her name was Rayma. She was clad in a short black dress covered by a white apron from waist down. She looked like a common fairy-tale maid that I read about in my collection of books, except for her baldness. My grandma, Queen Vesta, had ordered all the servants to shave off their hair so it wouldn't fall into food or get left on the floor. Rayma's head was covered in a frilly bonnet.

  "Princess Silver," she curtsied. "Queen Vesta, ruler of Adron, Earth's "twin", has sent me to help you get ready."

  "Okay." I stood up, pondering over my grandma's long title. She'd travelled here many years ago as a test subject to see if this planet could be lived on. She was followed by others after the result was positive. Half the earth's population moved here to solve the problem of overpopulation. Vesta had made herself the queen, taking control with an iron fist.

  I'd heard stories of flying machines, floating buildings and more. Apparently earth had a thing called technology. People say that my grandma banned it, saying it caused all the trouble.

  I was only in such good condition because I was the next heir to the throne. After my parents died in a tragic fire, I was the last one remaining from our bloodline, thus making me the next queen.

  Rayma circled around me, inspecting my hair, clothes and skin. She smoothed out my dress before shaking her head. I watched as she ran out of the room with a "I'll be back."

  I walked over to the mirror that hung beside my wardrobe. It was made out of pure gold. Painstakingly carved and set with an assortment of rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The polished glass showed me a perfect reflection of myself. I was a image of beauty, the envy of every man and woman, the second prettiest girl on Argon, Queen Vesta being the first.

  Long black hair hung over my shoulders, hanging down to my waist. I wore a garment that was almost transparent, made of smooth white fabric and tied tight around my waist with a golden sash. Silver earrings jingled every time I moved my head.

  The door opened again and Rayma returned with a bundle of clothes hung over her arm. She walked over in long strides, her lips pursed.

  "What am I wearing tonight?" I asked pleasantly.

  "Queen vesta ordered me to dress you in this." She unclasped the back of my dress and let it fall to the ground in a rumpled heap. I shivered, the cold biting into my body, the thin underclothes doing nothing to protect me.. She handed me another dress and I gratefully slid into it, thankful for the warmth in the material.

  "Face the mirror while I fix your hair." She directed, turning me towards the glass. I gasped, looking at the gorgeous girl looking back at me. The black dress came up to my armpits. Golden tendrils came out of the material, giving it a little weight, and covered the front of my shoulders. The top of my white shoulders was bare, allowing cold to seep into my body, but I ignored that. Black silk was draped down below my waist, giving me the appearance of a black cloud. There was a long train, like a wedding dress, that flowed out behind me. It was intricately sewn lace with flower prints in it.

  I stepped into black high heels and put on white gloves to match the diamond necklace I was to wear. Rayma was just finishing my hair. It was hanging down with a small braid wrapped around my head on either side. She placed a silver tiara on my head, put on my necklace and replaced my current earrings with small silver stars.

  "Like it?" she asked, smiling. I turned and looked at her.

  "It's perfect, thank you!" I took a small tube off my end table and smeared a thin layer of red lipstick on. It had come in the last shipment from earth as a present to "The beautiful Silver" as the package had said.

  I was left alone as the castle turned to chaos. Everyone was anxious to get it ready for the party that was to happen in an hour. The dining room was being transformed. Several tables filled the room, covered in a colorful array of food. The chandeliers were lit, shedding light around the castle.

  The ballroom was beautiful. Carpets covered the floors. There were several crystal bowls of punch with cups to match. Diamond chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the diamonds glowing from the flames.

  The huge clock in my room began to chime. It was five o'clock. I would be making my appearance before long. I crept out of my room and hurried along the top floor until I reached a huge window that looked out towards the city. Huge carriages were pulling in, gaily dressed people stepping out and walking up the long flight of stairs.

  The city itself was breathtaking. Huge buildings made of stone rose up, coated in a layer of ice. Niftri's light shone on them, making it hard to focus on anything. The centerpiece of the city was a tall building with a dome on top. Inside the dome was a huge bell that rang every hour. Right now it was sounding, filling the entire city with its noise. Bong!

  "Silver." I heard my name being called from behind me. I turned and there stood Vesta, in all her regal glory. Her dress was snowwhite, completely opposite from mine. It was normal until it reached her waist. Her chest was covered in a shiny silver 'breastplate' that had diamonds molded into it. Around the side and back of her neck was a spiky collar that reached above her head, standing at least four feet tall. Grey hair tumbled out of the strange 'collar', falling across her chest.

  "Grandma." I tilted my head with respect.

  "It's a beautiful view." she commented, walking up beside me. I placed my hand on the ice cold glass, wanting to reach out and touch it.

  "Yes, it is."

  "Come," she took my cold hand in hers. "We must make our entrance."

  We walked side by side until reaching the long staircase that led to the dining hall. We could hear laughter and excited chatter as our guests prepared for a night of feasting and dancing.

  "Please be seated!" the loud voice of Ahmed Mahl, our announcer, called. There was a small commotion as people were seated and chairs were pulled in. "We are grateful to be here, in the home of Queen Vesta, ruler of Adron, commander of our solar system!" the crowd broke out into loud applause. "I am pleased to introduce...Queen Vesta and Princess Silver!"

  I grabbed my grandma's hand, squeezing it for support. She smiled before leading me down the winding stairs. I looked nervously at the crowd below, thousands of people dressed in flashy outfits. They stood as we came into view, cheering at us, our outfits, out of respect or expectations.

  We reached the bottom, taking our places at the end of the table. I sat on Vesta's right side, with the chief of security on the other side.

  "Welcome!" Queen Vesta stood up, gesturing at the large crowd. "I hope you all enjoy tonight, as I'm sure I will." she smiled, lifting up her flute of champagne. "Let the fun begin!" Everyone lifted their glasses in unison, repeating the phrase with enthusiasm and gusto.

  I took a small sip of the yellow liquid in my glass. Bubbles rose to the surface, breaking out into the air. One sip seemed to change my mood. I felt happy and lightheaded, like I could just float away. Food was placed before me: steaming meat, some kind of grilled vegetable and a large bowl of salad.

  I ate, ignoring my surroundings. To my left was Queen Vesta, laughing loudly to something someone said to her. All around me people's spirits were lifted as the stress of life was taken away for an evening. Minutes turned into hours. Seven courses passed by before I felt sick. I rushed to the bathroom, unloading my stomach. I'd eaten enough for the evening.

  People began to wander into the ballroom. A band began a peppy tune and I leaned against one wall, watching as people danced, a sense of longing filling my chest. I had no one to dance with, but it looked so fun.

  My feet tapped to the soft music and I began a small dance all by myself. There was a sudden laugh from behind me. I blushed, the tips of my ears turning red. A young boy stood behind me, dressed in a black tuxedo. He held out his hands.

  "Wanna try to dance?" he asked sheepishly.

  "Try?" I giggled unexpectedly. The champagne must've been stronger than I'd realized.

  "I've never really tried before." he admitted, his cheeks suddenly flushed. I took his hand and dragged him onto the dance floor, leading him in a few steps. I bit back a cry of pain as he accidentally stomped on my foot. He apologized, spinning me around. I spun ending up right beside him. He grinned, pushing me back, letting go of one of my hands. I stretched out far, my dress flying in my face. He grabbed my hand again and began to strut around proudly. I laughed, losing track of time.

  Spinning, twirling, looking at all the faces, heat filling the room, windows being opened and people going out of balconies. I lost awareness, not realizing what was going on.

  Suddenly, there was a sharp bang and someone screamed.

  I looked for the source of the sound and saw a boy with a mask, pointing a gun at me, pulling back the trigger.