Alek continues dancing, his mood lightening slightly as he names the songs being played and dancing with a bit more feeling.

Alek dances more frequently, the songs being some of his favorite. He smiled lightly, feeling the music and the steps. He spoke to those who danced with him, leaving a good impression.
Although, he did not feel any different for any of them.
He switches partners, studying the masks of everyone he danced with, studying their dresses. He could easily assess their status and talents at first glance.

Suddenly he is dancing with a strange new girl. Her hair is black and curled, pulled back and styled. It looks almost similar to Bridgette's, except her skin is fair, her cheeks covered by the butterfly mask yet little freckles barely seen.

The prince guides her along. "I don't believe I've seen you in town." He smiles his charming smile. "Might I get your name?"

"Names are not important if we are only dancing for a moment." She lets him lead her and smiles a bit, her movements elegant and free.

"That is true, although it does make me curious about you." He looks over her dress and mask, finding out nothing from the way she dressed. The dress was hand tailored, although the fabric was not the highest quality. He wondered if she was possibly a noble, or maybe a tailor herself.

The girl seems confused with what he is doing and frowns "It is improper to study a woman during your dance."

He chuckles lightly. "My apologies, miss, but as you know, this dance is for interested suitors. I find you particularly interesting. I can't seem to pin any information on you." He smirks as he dances. "You seem to be full of mystery."

"It's a gift of mine," she smiles a bit "And as for gathering information, examining a woman's figure won't get you too far. Might I suggest asking questions instead?"

"If I asked, would you answer honestly?" He lifts her as part of the dance, smoothly transitioning back to the waltz.

She continues dancing though hesitates on an answer. "... Perhaps... depends on the question..." She chuckles softly, "That's as honest as I get..."

"Well you're not too different from the other women here then." He continues to study her, sticking to her face, curious about her. "So then, what about where you are from? Would you answer me that?"

She shakes her head and smiles. "I suppose I DID answer honestly. You asked if I would tell you that, and I won't." She laughs a bit as they dance not even noticing they were supposed to switch a few seconds ago.

Alek chuckles, continuing with the dance. "What may I know then my lady?"

"Possibly nothing," she giggles and leans close to his ear, her hair brushing against his cheek. She whispers, "Unless you are interested in another dance?" She pulls away at the next switch and dances with someone else.

The prince switches as well, his mind set on that girl. He smiles, dancing with a new enthusiasm. He spoke charming words to each, causing laughter and smiles, although he paid no mind to them for longer than that dance.

The girl after a while is seen again, dancing with another lord, laughter flowing from her lips.

Alek continues dancing until the song ends, bowing to his partner, his eyes drifting to the girl from before.

She curtsys perfectly to her partner and begins searching for a new one.

The prince slips through the crowd, approaching her once more. "My dear monarch, would you care for another dance?"

She looks surprised at first before giving him a smile and curtsy, pulling him into dancing position. "Another dance? I thought you were still shopping for a bride."

"I'm not in need of one, my father put me up to this." Alek smiles. "Besides, dear monarch, I'm awfully curious about you. You seem so familiar but I know I've never seen you before."

Her eyes dart away "Thats... funny. I don't know why you would feel that way. I've never met you before." She spins out then into his arms "Besides... I am not here to stay."

"So a you're not from Alcor then. I'd assumed correctly." He chuckles. "It's a shame, Alcor could use someone like you. You seem positive and friendly. Everyone would welcome you I'm sure."

"Well, it's too bad I'm not staying then." She smiles and looks away "But my Lord, I really do think you should stop dancing with me and find your bride. We would want the king angry, would we?"

"He'll get over it. Of course... I suppose you're right." The prince spins her. "I'd rather not be in an arranged marriage again."

"Yes that was dreadful..." she continues dancing with grace and light feet. "So, go choose your bride," She smiles and spins into another man's arms, another woman into Alek's.

Alek looks back to her. "Was dreadful...?" He shakes his head, speaking now to the girl who danced with him.

The girl dancing with him is talking non-stop about the most useless things, like her shoe color.

"Yes, yes, you should have gone with ocean mist..." Alek said, trying to contribute but disagreeing with the colors she said she wanted. He traded partners. "Oh! Prince Alek! I was wondering if I would see you again!" Alek looks to her. "Pardon me, but I don't seem to recognize you..." the girl lifts up her mask. "It's me from the flower shop!" He grins. "Oh yes hello there! How is business?"
They continue talking about her shop.

The strange girl continues dancing and suddenly finds herself in the arms of an unfamiliar Lord with a strange mask.

She dances with the stranger, smiling to herself with her eyes shut, her heart listening to the music and her movements still elegant and free. The stranger looks down at her and blinks a few times. "..." She looks terribly familiar to him, yet he can't put his finger on it. Suddenly, he wonders if this could be Bridgette. He searches for something besides her her hair that would resemble her.

The prince notices the two and steps in at a point where she would be his partner at the next switch.

Before the stranger has a chance to speak, there is a switch and the girl finds herself in Alek's arms, she giggles, "Are you following me...?" Suddenly the stranger jolts and looks at them with shock, his eyes widening. He realizes it is Bridgette, and he fills with fury at the sight of Alek.

He chuckles. "Well it doesn't help when you keep avoiding me." He spins with her, his feet matching the quick tempo.

The stranger growls and reaches out for them.

Kogan takes The stranger by the hand, smiling. "Hello there sir!" Kogan begins dancing with him and using cheesy pick up lines.

"Wait- no-" he snarls as he dances the Kogan, wishing he could tear his head off.

The girl continues dancing with Alek and laughs at his witty remark. "That wasn't a no... besides, who said I was avoiding you?" She smiles.

"That isn't a no either." He smiles, guiding her skillfully.

She grins and seems to enjoy the dance a lot more. "So tell me then... Why are you following me?"

"Your dancing is brilliant and you're so mysterious I can't seem to stop trying to find out more about you." He says, trying to think of who she reminded him of. The way she was so expressive in her dancing, the way her laugh and voice sounded.

She smiles and smoothly moves closer "Sounds like you might fancy me," she grins and giggles.

"Well, I might just." He chuckles. He spins her out and back in, catching her in his arms. "It's not like I would know."

She laughs a bit and leans into him a bit as they dance, whispering into his ear, "Would you be mad if I told you that I'm only teasing you...?"

He smirks. "My my, little monarch, we've only just met!" He twirls her.

She smiles wide and after the twirl she looks him in the eyes "You are the one who already fancies me!" She laughs.

Alek leans into her, whispering in her ear. "Maybe I'm just teasing you~"

Her cheeks dust pink and she grins lowering her eyes. "Oh~" she giggles, her eyes glancing at him.

Alek smiles. "My monarch, you are truly enjoyable. If you would grant me permission, I'd like to dance the final dance of the night with you. That may be a while off, but someone like you is sure to be asked."

Her eyes widen and she smiles. "It would be my pleasure..." she curtsys then whispers softly, "I suppose I will see you then..." she pulls away and slips into another's arms, his eyes widening at his luck.

The prince smiles as he dances speaking again to each person. Yet his mind stayed on the final dance.

********

A/N: GEE I WONDER WHO THAT STRANGER MIGHT BE HMMMM L HAVE ANY IDEA'S???

L/N: I DUNNNO....MAYBE....ELDRIAN!! Hahaha different roleplay. If it was him, the queen would be dead!